3 Dec 2011

IO N IPT SC R SU B

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Arab Spring takes toll on expats’ quality of life

Al-Qaeda ‘holding American hostage’

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PSG slump as 3 clubs reach Europa last 32

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US to sell 600 ‘bunker buster’ bombs to UAE UAE celebrates 40th birthday

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US returns Victory Base to Iraq govt BAGHDAD: The US military returned its biggest base in Iraq to the government yesterday, a huge compound near Baghdad airport that housed the American war operations centre and hosted a captive Saddam Hussein before his execution. Victory Base Complex, a site ringed by 42 kilometers of blast walls and razor wire, was the US command centre for the Iraq war almost from the moment American troops entered the capital and pulled down Saddam’s statue in 2003.

The handover of Victory Base marks a major milestone in the US withdrawal from Iraq as Washington consolidates its presence in Baghdad at its huge embassy on the Tigris River in the capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone. Only 12,000 troops remain, down from a peak of about 170,000 at the height of the war. Almost all of the remaining forces are due to leave Iraq by the end of this year, except for a small contingent of under 200 attached to the US embassy.

“The Victory Base Complex was officially signed over to the receivership of the Iraqi government this morning,” Colonel Barry Johnson, a US military spokesman, said by email. “The base is no longer under US control and is now under the full authority of the Government of Iraq.” American forces have been closing down operations for months at the Victory complex, which once housed around 42,000 US military personnel and another 20,000 support staff.

The top US war leaders from Ricardo Sanchez to David Petraeus to the current commander, General Lloyd Austin, lived at one of Saddam’s villas on the base, a 20-room, 25,000-square-foot mansion where King Hussein of Jordan was said to have liked to fish off the back porch during Saddam’s reign. US officials said Saddam built the network of palaces and villas and a complex of lakes on the grounds, including his Victory over America palace feting the 1991 Gulf War, in which US forces drove Iraq out of Kuwait, and the Victory over Iran palace commemorating the 1980s campaign against his neighbor. — Reuters

BAGHDAD: In this file photo, US Army Pfc Stephen Thomas of Gainsville jumps into the swimming pool at Camp Victory, in Baghdad. — AP

ABU DHABI: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Emirati deputy chief of staff, (center) takes part in celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates yesterday.

(Inset) An Emirati girl dressed in national clothing prepares for National Day celebrations. — AFP WASHINGTON: The Obama administration has proposed selling 600 “bunker buster” bombs and other munitions to the United Arab Emirates, which lies across the Gulf from Iran, to deter what it called regional threats.

Iran is widely suspected of seeking to develop nuclear arms through a program that Tehran says is for peaceful power generation only.

The proposed $304 million sale would include 4,900 tail kits built by Boeing Co that turn unguided free-fall bombs into guided weapons and 4,300 “general purpose” bombs, the Defense Department said in a mandatory arms sale notice. The deal would boost UAE’s ability “to meet current and future regional threats” and to help deter aggression, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in the note to lawmakers.

The BLU-109 “Hard Target Penetrator”

bomb, or bunker buster, is a 2,000-pound weapon designed to smash into buried enemy command posts, munitions depots and other hardened targets before using a delayed fuse to explode. Iran’s nuclear facilities are widely dispersed around the country, some of them in fortified bunkers underground. Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, is a tail section containing technology that uses global positioning system (GPS) data to home in on a target from up to 15 miles away. UAE operates Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-16 “Block 60” fighter aircraft, the most advanced F-16 model flown.

Lawmakers have 30 days to accept or reject a foreign military sale after formal notification. None has been rejected to date after formal notification. “The UAE government continues vital host-nation support of US forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base, plays an important role in support-

ing US regional interests, and has proven to be a valued partner in overseas operations,” the notice to Congress said.

40TH ANNIVERSARY Meanwhile, UAE yesterday celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment with parades, musical shows and ceremonies across the seven-member federation. The president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan who is also ruler of Abu Dhabi, the richest member, vowed in a speech to widen the participation of “citizens in public affairs.” The southern Gulf nation, which in September held limited polls to elect half the members of its toothless Federal National Council, does not face strong calls for political change. It provides cradle-to-grave care to its nationals who represent just over 10 percent of the expatdominated society. — Agencies

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

New visa exceptions for govt project companies A necessary step to eliminate problems KUWAIT: Kuwait is allowing companies, which possess contracts with state departments to carry out developmental projects, to hire expatriate labor forces by entering into work contracts with them, which have been transferred from commercial visas. The move was announced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor’s assistant undersecretary for the labor department, who noted that the exception is restricted to citizens of countries recognized by the Migration General Department. This includes countries of the European Union, the American continents, and Japan.

The MSAL took the decision on Sept 1 to suspend the process by which expatriate labor forces can transfer their commercial visas to work permits, in a step aimed to reorganize the labor market.

“The new decision comes in order to facilitate the work of companies holding contracts with state departments via the

Central Tenders Committee,” Jamaal AlDousary explained in the statement announcing the decision.

The new decision is considered a necessary step to eliminate problems facing companies trying to execute projects contributing to the state’s development plan, Al-Dousary added.

In another development, the number of inmates at the deportation jail dropped from 1000 a few months ago to 350, according to recent statistics provided by a senior Ministry of Interior official to the press.”This was achieved through help of minister Ahmad AlHmoud Al-Sabah who formed an investigation committee to look into each case at the deportation jail and resolve problems that stall their release procedures”, said general director of the General Department of Correctional Institutions and Jails, Maj Gen Khalid Al-Deyeen.

On that regard, Al-Deyeen further indicated that the investigation has so

far revealed many violations to the law which led for inmates sentenced to deportation to remain years behind bars pending the finalization of cases against them that include unpaid debts and others. “Article 18 [of the detention law] says that a residency violator can only be detained for a maximum one month period, after which their detention would officially be illegal”, he said while explaining some of the errors discovered. He also indicated that several inmates remained in jail for years as a result to a violation for article 20 which states that a residency violator must be referred to investigations instead of being detained.

According to Al-Deyeen, the committee worked significantly to end the suffering of long-term detainees by taking measures that include speeding up trial proceedings in order to lift the travel ban before a residency violator is sent to the deportation jail. —Al-Rai, Al-Qabas

News

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Iran reiterates commitment to Kuwait’s sovereignty KUWAIT: Tehran expressed its belief that the recent developments in Kuwait are normal political goings on which concern, exclusively, the people of Kuwait.

Iranian diplomats asserted the view in a recent statement, in which they also rejected allegations connecting their government to potential insurgencies threatening the Gulf nation. Dr Mohammed Sharif Bassiouni, who’s heading a fact-finding committee in the Kingdom of Bahrain, said recently that Iran is trying to “use the current situation in the region to their own advantage,” indicating that the state started with Iraq before moving to Bahrain, adding that they are now eying Kuwait as their next target. However, sources insisted, “Bahraini officials have previously confirmed that Iran is not involved in the events.” “How can their decision regarding responsibility over the events change so dramatically overnight?” they questioned, as they spoke to Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai on the condition of anonymity. The diplomats further insisted that Iran fully respects the sovereignty of other countries, and “refuses to intervene in their internal affairs.” They commented on the “great relations based on mutual respect” between the Islamic Republic and Kuwait. —Al-Rai Iraqi MP calls for halt of compensation payments KUWAIT: Alia Naseef, Iraqi MP, accused Kuwait of bleeding the Iraqi budget dry by collecting billions of dollars of compensation for the Iraqi invasion in 1990. She added that the collections served as a “collective punishment” for the Iraqi people, who, she continued, had nothing to do with the policies of the previous regime. Naseef said that such actions will work to “spread seeds of hatred” and irreparably damage relations between the two countries. She added that Iraq has paid Kuwait more than $27 billion in compensation since 1994. —Al-Watan Expat teachers deserve equality: Al-Otaibi

KUWAIT: Residents in Kuwait have been counting the last days of warm sunshine as the temperature starts to drop. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwait’s ‘40 days of cold’ arrives early KUWAIT: Meteorologist Essa Ramadhan reported that the annual ‘40 days of cold’ have commenced earlier than usual. The change, he added, is due to affects of the

Siberian high pressure on Kuwait, which resulted in temperatures dropping down to zero. He advised campers, farmers and animal owners to take caution against

the chill. He added that zero-degree conditions have been recorded in Al-Abraq, and Abraq Al-Habara, North-West of Kuwait. —Al-Anbaa

Al-Araby meets Arab ambassadors in Brussels BRUSSELS: The Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Al-Araby met Arab ambassadors at the Arab League mission in Brussels yesterday and briefed them about his meetings with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday and with EU foreign ministers on Thursday.

Kuwait’s ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Nabeela Al-Mulla, said that the Arab diplomatic corps had requested a meeting with Al-Araby.

“After the welcoming address as

the dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Belgium I gave an overview of my one-to-one meeting with Lady Ashton and the meeting with EU Foreign Affairs Council,” said AlMulla.

Al-Araby described his meetings with the EU as “very frank and fruitful” which discussed the Palestine question and Arab efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and he emphasized rejection of any military intervention in Syria, said Al-Mulla.

Al-Araby noted that the main obstacle to resolve many aspects of the Palestine question was the use of vetos all the time in the UNSC against resolutions put forward by the international community.

The Arab League chief hoped that the EU will play a greater role in resolving the Palestine question.

“We welcomed him very warmly as this was his first visit to Brussels as the Secretary General of the Arab League,” added Al-Mulla.

KUWAIT: Miteb Al-Otaibi, Head of Kuwait Teachers Society, reiterated that the society’s stand in supporting the rights of expat teachers is very clear. Commenting on a statement, in which he confirmed the right of expat teachers to equality with Kuwaiti and Gulf teachers, he lauded the appeal court’s ruling to provide additional salary difference to non-Kuwaiti teachers. Al-Otaibi said that the expat teacher should receive the basic salary their contract with the Ministry entitles them to, and added that the Civil Service law, which does not differentiate between employees as Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis, should be heeded to in order to ensure equality in the basic salary amount. He added that court rulings have given expat teachers the right to receive their full basic salary as a Kuwaiti teacher would. He continued, however, and added that the Ministry has not complied with the contracts, thus forcing expat teachers to refer to the courts, who ruled in their favor. —Al-Anbaa Extremist pastor expresses interest in visiting Kuwait KUWAIT: Pastor Terry Jones, who burned the Holy Quran and called for a campaign to burn it last year, expressed his desire to visit Kuwait to debate its Salafis in Islamic, Christian and political affairs. Jones, who decide to run for President, said his campaigns to burn the Quran come as a protest against Islamic violence. He added that Islam urges terror, and that it is responsible for the death, rape and torture of non-Muslims around the world. He added that it is also responsible for crimes committed against women, minorities and Christians and that it encourages racism. Jones said that should he win the presidency, he will allow mosques to be built and for the propagation of Islam to continue, provided that the American constitution is respected in the process. He demanded that the GCC countries give Christians in the region the same rights the US gives Muslims. —Al-Watan

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Opposition to continue focus on multimillion-dinar scandal NA-Cabinet cooperation impossible?

KUWAIT: Friends and relatives of Kuwaiti political activists who had been held for storming the National Assembly recently celebrate their release near the Palace of Justice Thursday night. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: The opposition expects the cabinet of new Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlSabah to give priority to tackling the multimillion-dinar deposits and suspicious large money transfers scandals, as this subject is set to shape the relationship between the two sides in the near future. According to sources close to the Opposition Bloc, most of its members still plan to boycott parliament sessions and committees memberships even after cabinet of previous prime minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlSabah resigned. The opposition takes this stance as they still are looking to achieve their second goal, dissolution of the parliament, according to the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. On that regard, the sources indicated that cooperation between the current parliament and the new cabinet is almost impossible at the present time with the parliament divided into two parties: the opposition on one hand, and a part on the other where most MPs are referred to the Public Prosecution with accusations of involvement in the major graft scandal. The source also claims knowledge of information about a parliamentary dissolution taking place soon after the Public Prosecution takes action into lifting immunity of MPs involved in the case.

Opposition figure MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun confirmed in the meantime that they will continue pressing “until the mystery behind the graft and transfers scandals is revealed”. Liberal MP Dr Aseel Al-Awadhi hoped in the meantime that legal actions are taken soon against officials suspected to be involved in the suspected bribe scandal, as well as actions to come up with “legislative solutions to stop similar arbitrary actions as [the detention of citizens in the parliament’s storming case]”. Al-Awadhi’s fellow National Action Bloc member MP Dr Saleh Al-Mulla said in the meantime that oppositionists are willing to cooperate with Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak as long as he “commits to standards of objectivity in selecting his cabinet members”. He named “avoiding the reappointment of ministers who failed to face previous grilling motions” as one of these standards.

On the other hand, MP Adnan Al-Abdulsamad released a statement in which he used the term “unforgivable sin” to describe what he said was “breaking the law and misleading young citizens to feed political ambitions of regaining the speakership’s post”. Al-Abdulsamad’s statements come in response to statements made by MP

Ahmad Al-Saadoun - a former three-time parliament speaker widely speculated to be setting his sight on the post again - in which he called the legal actions taken against the parliament raiders as “unforgivable sin”.

Meanwhile, MP Khalid Al-Sultan confirmed that the Opposition Bloc will continue its activity even if the parliament is dissolved. “[The bloc] will be active during the elections process to return to the parliament and continue following up with the [illegal deposits and transfers cases]”, he said in statements to Al-Rai on Thursday.

And in an update to the illegal deposits case, a report yesterday indicates that the Gulf Bank referred accounts of two MPs to the Public Prosecution with suspected inflation. If the report’s claims are accurate, this would make the Gulf Bank the fourth local bank which refers suspicious accounts of MPs to authorities after the National Bank of Kuwait, the Kuwait Finance House and Burgan Bank, and would raise the number of suspected MPs to 18 (10 referred by the NBK, 5 by the KFH and 1 by Burgan Bank).

“The Public Prosecution will soon inform the Central Bank of Kuwait to freeze accounts of the two suspected lawmakers pending the ongoing investigation”, said anonymous sources with knowledge of the issue who are quoted by an AlJarida front page story yesterday. MP Saadoun Al-Hammad Al-Otaibi announced in the meantime that he plans to take legal action against people who make posts online accusing him of being referred to the public prosecution over suspiciously inflating bank accounts.

And amid reports hinting that the new cabinet will have less number of members by assigning ministers to more than a single portfolio, Annahar daily reported yesterday that former Minister of Cabinet Affairs Ali Al-Rashid had already made his intention clear that he doesn’t wish to rejoin the new cabinet, as he plans to go on a two weeks treatment trip to the US before returning to run for parliament elections. AlRashid stated on Thursday that his return to the cabinet will be settled “within the upcoming few days”, likely in reference to the speculation that the new cabinet will be announced sometime next week. Annahar’s report also quotes constitutional experts who explain that the parliament cannot be dissolved constitutionally with the presence of a resigned cabinet; which means that a new cabinet must be formed before the parliament can be constitutionally dissolved.

In other news, Annahar daily also reports that an unnamed minister in the resigned cabinet committed an error by appointing six employees

on Thursday while changing the date on the report to the previous Thursday, Nov 24.

—Al-Qabas, Al-Rai, Al-Jarida, Annahar

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KUWAIT: Two people suffered smoke inhalation during a fire in a nine-story building in Salmiya yesterday. The fire broke out in the fourth floor and the South Salmiya and Technical Rescue Centers evacuated the residents of the building before extinguishing the fire. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

Woman abducted, gang raped KUWAIT: An Arab expatriate reported being abducted by a man dressed in official attire as she waited for a taxi in Nugra.

Her captor had offered her a lift, which she accepted after assuming he was safe given his attire. She added, however, “But on the way, he threatened me with a knife and drove to an apartment nearby, where three of his friends were waiting.

They took turns raping me until the following morning.” The victim has provided police with a description of the kidnapper’s car and further investigations are still in progress.

Dog bites man A 54-year-old Indian man was bitten by a rabies-stricken stray dog on the Gulf road, security sources reported, noting that witnesses saw the man bleeding from his shoulder and head after the attack. They added that the victim had been startled by the animal and, accordingly, ran away from it. This, however, sparked the chase which led to the attack.

Barber attacked A citizen fought with an Egyptian barber in Fintas when he got tired of waiting for his turn, said security sources. The citizen complained of the delay and insulted the barber, who told him to go somewhere else if he couldn’t wait. Angered at the barber’s response, the citizen commenced a fight with him.

Tutor cheated A Kuwaiti parent refused to pay his son’s tutor his full fee after insisting, “Private tuitions are illegal, you can file a complaint with the police if you want.” The private Math tutor had been hired to teach a child in Adan for two hours, a service for which he charges KD 20. However, after the session, the boy’s father offered just KD 10. After the tutor refused the incomplete rate, the boy’s father threw him out of the house following a slew of insults and the taunt, “Go to the police if you dare.” The tutor did not report the incident to the police.

Three ATVs stolen A citizen reported that three ATVs had been stolen from his ranch in Kabd area, said security sources. A guard at the ranch informed his employer that a group had attacked him before stealing the ATVs, which had been used as rentals for campers.

Traffic accident A 34-year-old Egyptian broke her left leg and sustained other serious injuries when she lost control of her car on the Istiqlal expressway, security sources have reported. The sources added that the woman had been trying to avoid a collision with another driver who had suddenly stopped to park in the right lane of the expressway. She lost control of her vehicle, which swerved across the lanes before flipping over.

Kidnap attempt An Asian woman has come forward claiming to have been kidnapped by an Asian man, who attempted to force her into prostitution. The woman added that she managed to jump from his car as he was driving her to a brothel in Jleeb, “I asked him to stop and drop me off several times, but he refused,” she said. Upon his refusal, she leapt from the vehicle, sustaining several bruises. She was referred to hospital for treatment, and a search has been commenced for her captor.

Kuwaiti woman caught in human trade scandal Teenage boy raped in Adan KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti woman, along with three accomplices, face human trade charges after police found the group taking royalties from workers they had been bringing illegally into Kuwait. Hawally patrol police pulled over a car after hearing screams and noticing a stun gun inside the vehicle. An expatriate man, who was sitting between a pair of Arab men, explained that he had been kidnapped from his apartment and tortured after refusing to pay a fee he was expected to pay periodically after being brought illegally into the country. Investigations revealed that the victim is among many who have been brought to Kuwait by a public trading company owned by a Kuwaiti woman. The owner assigns tormenters to pursue fees from the workers, who, once being brought in, are left to live illegally without residencies. - Al-Anba Teen assaulted Police are looking for a young man accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in Adan. Officers at the area’s police station launched investigations shortly after a man reported that his son had been assaulted by a friend who had lured him into his car before assaulting him and fleeing the scene. Police reached him on his mobile phone, which he quickly hung up and switched off shortly thereafter. An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, and the teen has been referred to the forensic department to confirm the rape allegations. - Al-Rai Child raped, threatened Hawally police have commenced a search for a pedophile accused of assaulting a 10-year-old boy on the rooftop of a residential building. The victim’s father reported that the suspect lured the child to the rooftop by asking his help to find a resident of the building. He ‘checked’ a few apartments before taking the child to the roof and threatening his life before making the assault.

Police have ordered a forensic check for the boy as part of the ongoing investigation. - Al-Anba Drunk storms house Police arrested a drunken Kuwaiti man after he tried to storm the residence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Sabah. Police arrived to the scene after a security guard placed an emergency call following the attempted break-in.

The suspect was taken in custody and was found to have a clear criminal record. - Al-Shahed Addict found dead A man of Arab ethnicity was pronounced dead at Mubarak Hospital following a drug overdose. His friend, who had taken him to hospital, had thought he had gone into a diabetic coma. Police were called to the hospital after tests confirmed that the victim had overdosed on drugs, but the friend insisted that he wasn’t aware that the victim - whom he befriended just two months ago was a drug addict. He explained that the victim had led him to believe that the shots he had been taking were insulin, and was released after a blood test proved that he was drug-free.

Like father, unlike son A shopper rushed to his daughter’s side in a Salmiya mall after

noticing that she was being harassed by a teen boy. As he began scolding the harasser, a passerby noticed the scene and was shocked to find that not only was the harasser his son, but that the man scolding him was a close friend. He quickly approached his friend, explaining that the teen was his son, before slapping his son on the face. Police arrived to the scene after shoppers reported the argument, but the girl’s father opted against taking legal action, instead deciding that the slap and public embarrassment were punishment enough.

Harasser leaves easy trail A harasser left an obvious trail for police to follow after he gave his phone number to a female driver he had forced to pull over at a street in Al-Fintas. In her statement, the female citizen explained that she was driving from her family’s home when a young man began pursuing her, eventually managing to force her to stop. She reported that he had refused to allow her to leave unless she accepted a copy of his phone number, which helped the woman take legal action against her harasser as police were easily able to identify him through using his contact details. Police are currently looking to put the suspect under arrest.

Battery charges Investigations are currently ongoing in a case involving a citizen and staff members of a car rental agency in Salmiya who engaged in a fistfight that ended up with both sides pressing battery charges against the other. Police were first approached by owner of an official from the agency who took actions against a customer he said had physically assaulted a number of his employees. The man arrived to the police station shortly after being called to report for investigations - sporting a broken nose he said had sustained during the scuffle. He explained that a dispute broke when the staff tried to give him a faulty car, after which a fight ensued. He pressed charges against the staff, and investigations are ongoing in both cases.

Expat pair caught A couple were arrested in Al-Jahra after they were found to be having an illegal relationship. Police rushed to the residence after a citizen reported finding an Egyptian man in a compromising situation with his Filipina housemaid. The male suspect works as a company representative and has a family in Egypt, as does the housemaid whose husband is in the Philippines. The couple are facing adultery charges.

Depressed teen A girl attempted to commit suicide after becoming depressed under her parent’s strict rules, including not being allowed go out alone on weekends or own a cell phone. The 19-year-old arrived to Mubarak Hospital in critical condition after her parents found her unconscious in her room. The victim’s condition was stabilized amd examinations showed that she had overdosed on medications. After regaining consciousness, the girl confirmed that she tried to end her life, which she described as ‘unbearable’ under her parents’ extreme restrictions.

LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Tehran blamed for embassy attack KUWAIT: The United States Ambassador Mathew H. Tueller has said that the US knows that Iranian authorities were behind the attack on British Embassy in Tehran, and described it as a “major event”. He said the Iranians failed to protect diplomatic properties in their capital.

Tueller, who was participating in the celebration of Ukranian National Day that was held at the Holiday Inn answered a question about their fears from moves taking place in Kuwait by saying “no comment”.

About the UN Security Council and Syria, he said the council met last month and faced the Russian and Chinese veto. He pointed to a certain change in the Russian and Chinese stand when he said the two countries noticed that the Syrian regime is not responding to all realistic initiatives, and that the international community now has one opinion towards what is going on in Syria.

Tueller said his country supports the Arab moves and the Arab League initiative in this regard. He said this is a wise move, and the US will continue cooperating with the international community to deal with the Syrian crisis and will work to find a solution to it. He did not believe there will be a military intervention at this time because the Syrian opposition did not ask for something like this so far.

When asked about Kuwaiti detainees in Guantanamo, the US Ambassador said there is “nothing new in this regard”.

Boramia, Al-Mulla fire opening salvoes against new premier ‘Booby-trapped’ issues ahead

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Parliament members are wasting no time in keeping Kuwait’s political atmosphere tensed and troubled even after the former prime minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah was replaced with his deputy and defense minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. In this regard, MP Dhaifallah Boramia resumed his threats and warnings to Sheikh Jaber noting that he would ‘end up like his predecessor’. “He’s incapable of bridging the government’s previous gaps and follies, especially that he had been a member of Sheikh Nasser’s cabinets that had been all rejected by the people”, he stressed.

“The new PM has many ‘boobytrapped’ issues to handle such as the bribes, corrupt media, ensuring the coming elections integrity and preventing the intervention of political money in it”, he underlined noting that Sheikh Jaber would be applauded if he manages to succeed in these issues. “But if he fails, his destiny will not be different from that of

KUWAIT: Under the auspices of the Interior Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for education and training, Lt Gen Ahmed Al-Nawaf and in the presence of the National Security College chief Maj Gen Mohammed Al-Daihani, the college’s Strategic Studies Institute recently concluded a specialized symposium that was held under the title of ‘Futuristic Studies and Prediction’ at the Crowne Plaza hotel recently.

Kuwaiti ambassador affirms cooperation with India KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Ambassador to India Samie Mohammad Al-Suleiman said yesterday that Kuwait’s keenness to strengthening relations with India in various fields as the latter is a strategic business partner of Kuwait.

India is home to important investments for Kuwait, where it invests in infrastructure projects, energy, equities, real estate and petrochemicals in addition to the presence of significant cooperation in the field of energy and oil, AlSuleiman told an Indian 24-hour television news channel during his visit to the city of Udaipur in the state of Rajasthan.

India is the second largest importer of

Kuwaiti oil, Al-Suleiman said, stressing Kuwait’s keenness on the stability of the global oil market in terms of production and prices.

Al-Suleiman said that during his visit to Udaipur, he met with senior officials including those at Mohan Lal Sukhadia University.

Furthermore, the Kuwaiti ambassador stressed to his Indian hosts that Kuwait was on the path of becoming transformed into an important commercial center in the Gulf region, under the guidance of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah. — KUNA

his predecessor”, he warned noting that lawmakers would be closely watching Sheikh Jaber’s performance and would never think twice if he fails.

Notably, Boramia had grilled Sheikh Jaber as a defense minister in 2009 and failed in getting ten MPs’ support a notrust vote he demanded and had threatened to file another grilling motion against him a few months ago.

On his part, MP Saleh Al-Mulla congratulated Sheikh Jaber for HH the Amir’s trust in him and stressed that his cabinet would have so many unsolved problems to tend to such as corruption, the millions bank deposits and suspicious bank accounts.

Al-Mulla urged Sheikh Jaber to exclude ministers who had been grilled and did not constitutionally respond to such grilling motions from his cabinet. He also expressed hopes that the new cabinet would be formed regardless of any social or political shares or quotas. “We are absolutely ready to help him as long as he remains objective in his choice of the new cabinet”, he stressed.

MP Ali Al-Diqbasi also congratulated

Sheikh Jaber and stressed that the millions bank deposits and transfers and other corruption issues ought to be kept open so that proper legal actions could be taken.

“These issues must be handled with utmost transparency”, he reiterated urging the new PM to work on finding new job opportunities for the youth, end housing welfare problems once and for all, improve health and educational services and helping citizens in facing their daily lifeburdens.

“The new cabinet must regain citizens’ trust by a package of measures that meet their inspirations equally”, he said noting that citizens’ happiness would be complete by releasing detainees, having early parliament elections that would help repair the damage accumulating in the five years.

It also seems that the impact of having a new PM in office exceeded domestic matters and caused the postponement of a state visit the Iraqi PM, Nouri Al-Malki had been scheduled to make to Kuwait in January or February until a new cabinet was in office.

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Arab Spring takes toll on expats’ quality of life Some cities plunge in global ranking KUWAIT: The quality of life for foreigners living and working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has certainly taken a turn for the worse over the past year, but they might be surprised to find that some of the cities where the biggest drops occurred were by no means the ones most seriously affected by war, protests and strikes.

The annual quality of living survey by Mercer, a British firm that advises companies on compensation for their employees living abroad, found that some of the steepest drops in quality of life occurred in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, whose ranking plunged 16 places in 2011 to 110. Cairo’s ranking dropped nine spots to 135 among 221 cities ranked.

Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring, but the mass protests that led to the ousting of long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali lasted last than a month, after which the country settled into relative quiet and held elections in October.

Some 800 people were killed in 18 days of protests against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, but since the level of violence has dropped and this week the country successfully conducted its first free and fair vote.

By contrast, Damascus dropped only six places to 179 even though nine months of conflict between Syrians rebels and the government has claimed some 4,000 dead and shows no sign of ending. Less surprisingly, Tripoli fell 35 places to 202 as the Arab Spring’s only full fledged civil war raged while Sanaa, the capital of Yemen shed 22 places to 216 amid an uprising that has led to about 2,000 deaths.

Mercer’s rankings aren’t just a popularity contest for cities hosting expatriate executives. Companies and governments use them to decide how much hardship pay they will give employees to endure everything from poor health services to inadequate transportation. A poor rating raises the cost of posting employees in a city and might deter companies from sending them altogether.

Needless to say, to getting kidnapped or killed is an important factor and the Arab Spring, whatever long-term benefits it may bring, hasn’t helped MENA’s already low standing worldwide.

In the worldwide survey of quality of life, only three cities in MENA make it into the

top 100 - Dubai, which lifted itself one place to 74 this year; Abu Dhabi, which rose five places. Although African cities crowd the bottom of the rankings, MENA cities are also among the worse. Beside Sanaa and Tripoli, Baghdad ranked at the bottom of the list for the second year in a row.

The list is dominated by European, North American and Australian cities.

Vienna has the best living standard in the world, according to the Mercer 2011 Quality of Living Survey. Zurich and Auckland follow in second and third position, respectively, and Munich is in fourth with Dusseldorf and Vancouver sharing fifth place. Frankfurt is in seventh, followed

by Geneva in eighth, while Copenhagen and Bern share ninth place.

These cities rate high on their political and social environment, public services and medical facilities. Those three factors account for a 50% rating in the index, which has 12 components, said Zaid Kamwahi, Mercer’s information product solutions business leader for the Middle East.

“These are the things that are important to expats. The first thing they look at is the general level of stability in country, level of personal safety for themselves and their families and the availability of health services. Transport and public services come next,” Kamwahi said.

Mercer published personal safety ranking this year, which showed a large gap between the MENA cities that were spared Arab Spring violence and those contending with it. Gulf cities ranked high, with Abu Dhabi leading the list at 23 followed by Muscat, the capital of Oman, which placed 29 despite some protests early in the year, and Dubai at 39.

Doha, the capital of Qatar, ranked only 67, which probably pushed its overall quality-of-life ranking to a relatively low 106.

“Cities that are safest in the region may continue to see an increase in their relative quality of living if they maintain the social and physical infrastructure that reinforces safety,” said Kamwahi.

Among Arab Spring cities, the safety ranking contained some surprises. Tunisia placed 140, ranking it’s safer than either of Saudi Arabia’s biggest cities even, though the kingdom has seen little strife this year. Cairo placed 176 and 11 places ahead of Istanbul.

Tehran ranked 188, one place below Turkey’s biggest city. — The Media Line

Kuwait to attend ILO meeting KUWAIT: Kuwait is to engage in the International Labor Organization’s 15th Asia and the Pacific Regional meeting which will take place from Dec 4 to 7 in the Japanese city of Kyoto.

Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor said, in a press statement, that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi will head the Kuwaiti delegation to the event.

The Kuwaiti delegation will include the Ministry’s Undersecretary Mohammad AlKandari, his office manager Khaled

Abdulraheem Ali, supervisor of agreements and technical cooperation at the Foreign Ministry Khaled Matar as well as other personalities from the ministry and Kuwaiti businessmen.

The ILO is the United Nations specialized agency dealing with work and work-related issues.

It has a unique tripartite membership structure, under which governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations act as equal partners, making decisions representative of the real economy. — KUNA

Higher Education Ministry keen on aiding Kuwaiti students abroad PARIS: Ministry of Higher Education gives utmost attention to Kuwaiti students abroad, Head of Kuwaiti Cultural Bureau in Paris Dr Abdulrahman Al-Rawdan said yesterday.

This remark came during Al-Rawdan’s recent five-day visit, along with a delegation from the cultural bureau, to Malta to meet with Kuwaiti students and check up on their academic and living conditions over there.

The Kuwaiti delegation also met with senior officials from Malta University and deans of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacology, architectural engineering, business.

During these meetings, the officials discussed hardships that Kuwaiti students

face at the university. Many of these difficulties were solved during the meetings.

However, more individual cases are yet to be resolved separately.

Al-Rawdan also discussed deepening cultural and academic cooperation with Malta University.

He noted that there were talks of sending local students from Malta to Kuwait University to study the Arabic language.

The Cultural Bureau in Paris supervises 450 Kuwaiti students studying abroad.

There are 180 students in Paris, 170 in Malta, 80 in Germany, 20 in Spain, 10 in Switzerland, four in Belgium and small numbers in Italy, Holland, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary. — KUNA

300 development projects executed in Kuwait KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works is executing 300 ventures at an annual cost of half a billion dinars, as part of the State Development Strategy, the minister announced over the weekend.

Each sector of the ministry has a large number of planned ventures or projects under execution, said Dr Fadhel Safar, the Minister of TPublic Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, indicating at several mega and vital projects, such as construction of a passenger terminal at the airport, securing treated water for diverse usage, Mubarak AlKabeer Port and developing the islands of Boubyan and Failaka.

Although the minister stressed on keenness of rapid execution of these mega ventures, he indicated at various practical and unexpected problems and snags at the construction sites, as well as contractors’ procrastination due to some financial issues.

Firm decisions are needed to resolve such problems, he acknowledged, affirm-

ing that time-consuming bureaucracy was major hurdle in this regard.

Elaborating, Dr. Safar said 80 percent of the ministry projects and 60 percent of the municipality ventures had been executed in the past fiscal year, a high proportion compared to the previous years.

Turning to the annual issue of preparing the sewage network to cope with incoming rain at these times, Dr. Safar affirmed that the sewers had been cleaned to allow disposal of rain water and avert swamping of streets.

On operations at Mishref water treatment station, he said it has been operating with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters since last October. This capacity has risen to more than 100,000 cm, and will double soon.

On traffic problems, he indicated at formation of the commission that groups representatives of the ministries of public works, interior and municipal affairs, that holds regular meetings to tackle these problems. — KUNA

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Biden urges Turkey to impose new sanctions against Iran

9

Chavez touts new Latin America, Caribbean bloc

12

Clinton, Suu Kyi promote closer US-Burma ties

14

Egypt awaits delayed election results Islamists rise causing unease among liberal elite

CAIRO: Protesters carry symbolic coffins honoring those killed in recent clashes with security forces during a rally in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, Egypt yesterday.—AP CAIRO: Egypt awaited yesterday the delayed publication of results for the opening phase of its first post-revolution election, with the rise of hardline Islamists causing unease among the liberal elite.

The date for results has been pushed back twice from their initially scheduled time of Wednesday evening, with the delay blamed on high turnout estimated at above 70 percent in Monday and Tuesday’s vote.

Two demonstrations were also called yesterdayone against the army leaders overseeing the country’s promised transition to democracy and another to support the regime-but turnout was low by recent standards. Millions of Egyptians embraced their new democratic freedoms this week in Cairo

and second-city Alexandria in the first election vote since the toppling of the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak in February The results at 1800 GMT are expected to show the Muslim Brotherhood, a moderate Islamist movement banned for decades by Mubarak, as the dominant force after it said its party had taken at least 40 percent.

Hardline Islamists who follow the strict Salafi brand of Islam are expected to have beaten secular liberals for second place and could emerge with as much as 20 percent of the vote, according to local media projections. The results are for only the first part of a parliamentary election taking place in three stages, but the results will reveal the political trends that will shape a country that has not had a

free vote in 60 years.

Only a third of constituencies voted on Monday and Tuesday in the election for a new lower house of parliament. The rest of the country will follow on December 14 and then on January 3. The prospect of an Islamist-dominated parliament raises fears among liberals about civil liberties, religious freedom in a country with the Middle East’s largest Christian minority, and tolerance of multi-party democracy. “My father is seriously thinking about sending me and my brothers elsewhere because he thinks we won’t have a future in the country with the Salafis,” Nardine, a Christian banker in her twenties, told AFP. A leading Salafi candidate to be the next president, Hazem Abu Ismail, aired his

hardline views on society and religion in a television interview on Thursday evening.

Asked if he would allow his son to marry an unveiled woman, he replied: “I would tell him not to marry her... All Muslim women want to be veiled, but those who are not simply haven’t had the strength.” Leaders from the Muslim Brotherhood, the moderate Islamist group set to be the main party in parliament, have repeatedly stressed their commitment to multi-party democracy and inclusiveness, and have pledged to ensure freedoms.

The Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) says it strives for a “civil state, defined as a non-military non-religious state... that respects human rights” according to its political program. —AFP

News

in brief

Bahrain to hire US former police chief DUBAI: Bahrain plans to hire a former police chief in the US state of Florida to help with reforms of its law enforcement procedures after an independent inquiry found evidence of systematic rights abuses during a crackdown on pro-democracy protests this year. “(John) Timoney was chief of the Miami Police for seven years, where among his many accomplishments were the successful reduction of crime and the implementation of proper practices for the use of force,” Bahrain’s government said in a statement. Bahrain has said that the interior ministry was in the process of hiring US and British security experts to help police protect rights and freedoms while enforcing order. The Gulf Arab state has said a code of conduct would be developed for police, as it faces frequent protests by majority Shiite Muslims against the Sunni-led government.

4,000 killed in Syria BEIRUT: Syria has entered a state of civil war with more than 4,000 people dead and an increasing number of soldiers defecting from the army to fight President Bashar Assad’s regime, the UN’s top human rights official has said. Civil war has been the worst-case scenario in Syria since the revolt against Assad began eight months ago. Damascus has a web of allegiances that extends to Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah movement and Iran’s Shiite theocracy, raising fears of a regional conflagration. The assessment Thursday that the bloodshed in Syria has crossed into civil war came from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay. The conflict has shown little sign of letting up.

Activists reported up to 22 people killed Thursday, adding to what has become a daily grind of violence.

‘Fake’ pilots scam NEW DELHI: It began with a dangerous landing and has resulted in 16 pilots being sacked. India’s fake flying license scam posed a severe challenge to the country’s airline safety regulator. But in an interview with AFP, the head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said a crackdown on pilots that involved surprise and random checks had successfully identified the fraudsters. “Now we are doing thorough checks of all the licenses that are being issued. We have left the scandal behind us,” said EK Bharat Bhushan. “We will do whatever it takes to clean-up the entire system.” He also said Indian skies were safe despite the evidence of qualification fraud-a rampant problem found in other sensitive areas in corruption-plagued India, including medicine.

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Yemen bloodshed raises fears for power transfer SANAA: A small girl was among four people killed yesterday as troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh pressed an assault on Yemen’s second city of Taez that has left 20 dead in 24 hours, medics said. The persistent bloodshed prompted recriminations between the government and the parliamentary opposition, which signed a hard-won power transfer agreement in Saudi Arabia last month that had raised hopes of an end to the violence.

The child, identified as Nuria AlHumairi, was hit by a shell before dawn as loyalist tanks and artillery on the city’s outskirts pounded central neighbourhoods held by pro-opposition troops and tribesmen, officials said. The other three people killed were attending funerals for some of the 16 people killed yesterday , they added. Five loyalist troops were among the dead in Thursday’s fighting, security sources said. Prime minister-designate Mohammed Basindawa, chosen by the opposition to head a government of national unity under the power transfer agreement, has threatened to resign unless the loyalist offensive in Taez stops.

And opposition spokesman Mohammed Qahtan accused Saleh loyalists of blocking the formation of a key commission also stipulated by the accord that is to be given the task of reuniting the deeply divided security forces. As well as Taez, dissident troops also control a big swathe of the capital Sanaa and there have been repeated deadly clashes with loyalist units, some of them commanded by Saleh relatives.

“The regime is delaying the establishment of this commission, perhaps out of a desire to take revenge as they have been doing in Taez, or in a bid to

rid themselves of the agreement entirely,” Qahtan charged. “The formation of the military commission is absolutely basic at this stage,” he added. But Deputy Information Minister Abdo al-Janadi, a Saleh loyalist, denied the opposition charge.

“The president’s camp is not blocking the formation of the commission as Mr Saleh wants the Gulf plan to succeed,” he said.

“Without a truce, the agreement has no meaning,” he told AFP, accus-

immunity from prosecution it gives to Saleh and his family.

He warned the protesters’ determination to “bring down the heads of the regime could only lead to civil war.” But activist spokesman Walid Ammari said the protesters were in no way bound by the provisions of an agreement which they had had no part in negotiating.

“We did not begin a revolt to allow the regime and the opposition to share out ministerial posts and we

TAEZ: Yemeni people look at the wounded anti-regime protesters at a hospital in the second largest city of Taez yesterday who were injured in a deadly assault by loyalist troops. —AFP ing the opposition of “giving military action priority over political action in Taez.” Janadi charged the opposition was also giving discreet encouragement to activist leaders who have spearheaded 10 months of protests against Saleh’s 33-year rule and who have rejected the November 23 agreement because of the promises of

will continue our protests until we bring down all of the heads of the corrupt regime,” he said, in allusion to the talks underway on the unity government line-up. He said it was essential that Saleh step down once and for all, and that his family members be stripped of their security force commands. —AFP

Al-Qaeda claims holding US hostage in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri claims that the terror group is holding hostage a US development worker kidnapped in Pakistan four months ago, according to an online statement seen by monitors. Warren Weinstein, 70, country director for US-based consultancy J.E. Austin Associates, was snatched after gunmen tricked their way into his home on August 13, days before he was due to return to the United States.

Zawahiri claimed responsibility and demanded that Washington end air strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen, and release the 1993 World Trade Centre bombers and relatives of Osama bin Laden, to secure Weinstein’s release. “Just as the Americans detain all whom they suspect of links to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, even remotely, we detained this man who has been neckdeep in American aid to Pakistan since the 1970s,” the SITE Intelligence Group quoted Zawahiri as saying in a 31minute video sent to jihadist forums.

The video showed no proof of life for Weinstein, but the message appears to be the first significant lead in the case in weeks. A spokeswoman for the US embassy in Islamabad said officials there had seen the statement.”Investigations are still ongoing. We’re in regular contact with the family,” she told AFP. Pakistani government officials were not immediately reachable for comment, but police handling the case in the eastern city of Lahore, where Weinstein was snatched, said they were unaware of Al-Qaeda’s claim.

“So far nobody has contacted us, nor given any demands,” senior police official Ali Aamir Malik, who is supervising investigations, told AFP. “We do not have proof of life of the US national who had been kidnapped.”

Zawahiri, who took over as leader after bin Laden was killed by US commandos in Pakistan in May, also said his number two, Atiyah abd al-Rahman, was killed in a US air strike in Waziristan in Pakistan’s tribal northwest in August.

“The retaliation, with permission from Allah, will be taken against those crusader Westerners who killed him and his two sons, and killed hundreds of thousands of our brothers, sons, women, and sheikhs, and occupied our countries (and) looted our wealth,” he said.

US officials announced Rahman’s death in August but did not provide details. A claim of a hostage-taking by AlQaeda’s core structure is seen as rare; such claims by offshoots are far more common. In January 2002, Al-Qaedalinked groups kidnapped and beheaded American journalist Daniel Pearl, who worked for the Wall Street Journal, in Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi. Among the list of eight demands in exchange for Weinstein, Al-Qaeda called for the release of “Blind Sheikh” Omar Abdul Rahman, Ramzi Yousef and Sayyid Nosair, who are tied to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. SITE said that Zawahiri directly addressed the hostage’s family, telling them that US President Barack Obama had the power to secure Weinstein’s release but that he was “dodging” his responsibility.—AFP

Iran cleric warns EU, UN against backing Britain TEHRAN: Crowds chanted “Death to Britain” at Tehran University yesterday prayers as a hardline Iranian cleric warned the UN and European Union against siding with London after students and militia stormed the British embassy in Tehran. Cleric Ahmad Khatami denounced those who tied themselves to “the rotten rope of Britain” including the EU - which may slap more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme - as a group involved in the embassy’s ransacking prepared to give Iranian diplomats expelled from Britain a hero’s welcome home.

Britain evacuated its diplomats from Tehran and closed down the Iranian embassy in London after scores of Basiji militia men and radical students sacked the embassy and a residential compound on Tuesday.

In response, the biggest EU countries withdrew their ambassadors and the United Nations Security Council said it “condemned in the strongest terms” the attack.

Khatami told worshippers that the Security Council was showing itself to be as bad Britain, which Iranian hardliners believe is plotting to bring down their Islamic system.

“Issuing a statement against Iran means falling into a well with the rotten rope of Britain,” Khatami said to chants of “Death to Britain”. Khatami also warned Britain’s EU partners, which tightened sanctions on Tehran on Thursday and are considering banning Iranian oil imports, against closing ranks with London.

“If you have just a bit of wisdom, you won’t tie your rope to the rotten rope of Britain,” he said. Rising tensions with the world’s fifth biggest oil exporter pushed up global oil prices despite concerns of a sustained economic downturn in the West. Brent crude rose towards $110 a barrel yesterday.

With international pressure on Tehran rising, EU foreign ministers laid out the plans on Thursday for a possible embargo on Iranian oil in response to growing Western suspicions that the Islamic Republic aims to build nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful but the UN nuclear watchdog body issued a report last month which suggested it has worked on designing an atom bomb.

Iranian diplomats expelled from London were due to arrive in Tehran in the early hours of Saturday and the Basij militia said it would have a welcoming committee for them at the International Imam Khoneini Airport outside the capital. Iran’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the embassy invasion which it said was a spontaneous overflowing of anger during a peaceful protest by students. However, Britain says there must have been at least tacit approval by the ruling establishment. Reformist website Sahamnews issued a statement by a group of students at the Islamic Azad university condemning the attack and saying the hardliners did not represent the view of most young Iranians.

“The indecent and obscene nature of this move is clear to everyone, but misusing the name of student is something we cannot easily let pass. There is no connection between what these people did and the honourable and sensible Iranian students,” the statement said. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has yet to comment publicly on the attack - underscoring analysts’ views that the faction-riven government has mixed feelings about the event that is likely to lead to further international isolation. Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, a long-time rival to Ahmadinejad, immediately condemned the UN reaction to the embassy storming as “hasty” and “devious”. British diplomats were evacuated after their offices and living quarters were ransacked. The historic 135-year-old embassy residence in a wooded compound in downtown Tehran, used by the ambassador to host official dinners, was said to have been “systematically destroyed” during the onslaught. —Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Biden urges Turkey to impose new sanctions against Iran VP praises Ankara for role in pressuring Syria ANKARA: Vice President Joe Biden called on Turkey to impose new sanctions against Iran, while praising Ankara for its role in pressuring Syria to stop its bloody crackdown on protesters. A top U.N. human right official warned Thursday that Syria has entered a state of civil war with more than 4,000 people dead and an increasing number of soldiers defecting from the army to fight President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Turkey announced a set of economic sanctions against Syria earlier this week, as Assad continues with his attempts to crush an 8-month-old revolt against his autocratic rule. Biden told the Turkish daily Hurriyet: “We look forward to the broadening of international sanctions as a means to bring about change in Syria.” Biden also urged Ankara to adopt further sanctions against Iran, which the West suspects is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.

Yesterday, Biden met President Abdullah Gul and Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek but was not expected to meet Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is recovering from a surgery. Biden also said that the United States “will continue to work with Turkey on pursuing shared interests in the Middle East and North Africa.”

“We continue to support a diplomatic solution to our concerns with Iran,” Biden said. “However, we also believe that putting pressure on Iran’s leadership is necessary to secure a negotiated settlement and that is why we encourage our partners, including Turkey, to take steps to impose new sanctions on Iran.” An Iranian general said Saturday that Tehran would target NATO’s early warning radar in Turkey if the US or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic after an International Atomic Energy Agency report

said for the first time that Tehran was suspected of conducting secret experiments whose sole purpose was the development of nuclear arms.

Ankara agreed to host the radar in September as part of NATO’s missile defense system, which is capable of countering ballis-

and Israel, which views Tehran as an existential threat, has warned of a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear program. Biden was also expected to encourage Turkey to repair ties with its formerly close ally Israel. As a longserving member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden cemented his

ANKARA: US Vice President Joe Biden, rear, follows a Turkish guard of honour during a wreath laying ceremony at the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara, Turkey yesterday. —AP tic missile threats from its neighbor, Iran.

Turkey insists the shield doesn’t target a specific country but Tehran says the radar is meant to protect Israel from Iranian missile attacks if a war breaks out with the Jewish state. The US and its Western allies suspect Iran of trying to produce atomic weapons,

reputation as an unyielding supporter of Israel, winning the respect of many in the Jewish community. Relations between Turkey and Israel remain strained following last year’s Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla that killed eight Turkish citizens and a Turkish-American. — AP

British spy agency asks hackers to crack code LONDON: Can you crack the code? That’s the question Britain’s electronic listening agency, GCHQ, is asking in an online campaign to find the next generation of cyber specialists. GCHQ quietly launched a cryptic website last month featuring a box of code made up of numbers and letters. There is no branding on the site, only the phrase “Can you crack it?”

The agency has now revealed it is behind the campaign, and said yesterday it’s trying to reach individuals with “a keen interest in code breaking and ethical hacking” for careers at GCHQ. “It’s to arouse interest in people who perhaps might not be caught by our normal recruitment campaigns,” a GCHQ spokesman said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity. Cracking the code reveals a keyword, which when entered into a space on the website prompts the GCHQ job-recruitment website to appear.

The agency is currently recruiting for cyber security specialists - at a pay grade of around 25,000 pounds ($39,000) - and hopes to recruit around 35 people over the next few months, the spokesman said. More than 50 people have successfully cracked the code so far - of which 80 percent have submitted an application, the spokesman said.

GCHQ said the fast-moving pace of the digital arena and cybersecurity means it must find new ways to engage with prospective candidates, who typically have entered the agency as graduates. “With the threats to information and computer technology constantly evolving, it is essential that GCHQ allows candidates who may be self taught, but have a keen interest in code breaking and ethical hacking, to enter the recruitment route too,” it said in a statement.

But career hackers beware: “Anyone applying who has hacked illegally will not be eligible to continue in the recruitment process,” GCHQ warned. And gaming the website isn’t a guarantee for joining GCHQ’s ranks.

The spokesman said that while anyone who cracks the code likely has an aptitude for GCHQ’s type of work, it won’t catapult code-crackers ahead of other job applicants automatically. The agency said it has been using social media to get the word out and that the site has attracted about 8,000 hits. — AP

Nine men deny terror plot charges in UK

DURBAN: Protestors march during a climate change rally outside a climate change summit held in the city of Durban, South Africa yesterday. A report released late Thursday in London and discussed yesterday at the UN climate conference in South Africa said that - in theory - reflecting a small amount of sunlight back into space before it strike’s the Earth’s surface would have an immediate and dramatic effect. —AP

LONDON: Nine men pleaded not guilty in a British court yesterday to plotting terror attacks on targets in London including the Houses of Parliament and the US embassy. The suspects, aged between 20 and 29, from London, the central English town of Stoke-on-Trent and the Welsh capital Cardiff, were arrested in a series of raids by counter-terrorism officers on December 21 last year.

Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court in London to enter their pleas, they also denied conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life or damage property between November 1 and December 21, 2010. The nine men, who are mainly of South Asian origin, also denied they were preparing for acts of terrorism between the same dates. They are accused of agreeing targets, discussing materials and methods, carrying out reconnaissance work, attending operational meetings and downloading and researching files “containing practical instruction for a terrorist attack.”

Five of the men are also accused of possession of a document “containing information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing for an act of terrorism”. Four are accused of possessing two editions of the Al-Qaeda magazine “Inspire” and a document titled “39 Ways to Serve and Participate in Jihad.” —AFP

INTERNATIONAL

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Slovenia ex-PM set to return to power LJUBLJANA: Slovenia’s conservatives are expected to return to power during a Sunday snap parliamentary election, where they will face the challenge of an economic downturn fueled by the European debt crisis.

Slovenia’s future government will have to tackle the country’s worsening fiscal position and the slide in its export-driven economy, that has been caused by the crisis in the eurozone.

Slovenia’s public debt has swollen to 44 percent of its GDP and unemployment has risen to about 12 percent. Opinion polls say the Slovenian Democratic Party of former Prime Minister Janez Jansa is slated to win just under 31 percent of the vote tomorrow, in what is the first early

ballot since Slovenia became independent in 1991.

The election was called in September after the left-leaning government of Prime Minister Borut Pahor was toppled over the economic problems and allegations of corruption. Pahor is now trailing third in the polls with 13 percent, while Positive Slovenia group led by Zoran Jankovic, businessman and the exmayor of capital Ljubljana, is second, with 19 percent support from the 1,7 million voters. The survey of 1221 people published this week was conducted by Valicon polling agency and the margin of error was 2.5 percent. Jansa has promised to introduce austerity measures as part of a nationwide deal with the unions and

business groups. “Much depends on the outcome of the election,” he said recently, promising that “by the end of our term, our development will be restored.” Jansa has urged strong backing, because “only a government with firm majority will be able to make the necessary steps, without having to compromise.” The recovery measures would include cutting government administration, reducing labor costs, increased support for businesses, along with an anti-corruption program and the state pullout from the economy, Jansa said.

Pahor, whose government has failed to push through EU-requested pension and labor law reform, has accused Jansa of failing to take full advantage of the good economic

Medvedev hails ‘equal competition’ ahead of vote Voters complained of record violations by Kremlin party MOSCOW: Russia’s political parties enjoy “free and equal competition” ahead of this weekend’s parliamentary election, President Dmitry Medvedev insisted yesterday, even as voters complained of record violations by the Kremlin party and the only independent election monitoring group faces prosecution.

Seven Kremlin-approved parties have been allowed to field candidates this year, while the most vocal opposition groups have been denied registration and barred from campaigning.

In a televised address, Medvedev made an apparent call to vote for the dominant United Russia party and warned that a parliament made up of diverse political camps would be incapable of working for the good of the country. “Will it be a lawmakers’ corps torn by irreconcilable conflicts, incapable of making a decision something that has, unfortunately, happened in our history?” he asked. “Or will we get a capable legislative body dominated by responsible politicians, who can help improve our people’s living standards in practice, who will be guided in their actions by the interests of voters and national interests?”

United Russia dominates the nation’s political life and has received overwhelmingly favorable coverage during the recent campaign, mostly from Kremlin-controlled national television. But the party is increasingly

disliked, accused of supporting a corrupt bureaucracy and often called “the party of crooks and thieves.”

Minister Vladimir Putin accused Western governments of trying to influence the election through their

MOSCOW: Communist party activists hold posters as they campaign for the Parliamentary candidates in Moscow yesterday. The posters read (LR): “No to election falsification! We are for honest election! We do not let anybody steal our votes!”. —AFP Golos, a respected independent watchdog, compiles complaints of election law violations across the country and posts them on online. It has recorded more than 4,700 complaints, most involving United Russia.

But Golos has come under growing pressure since Sunday, when Prime

funding of Russian non-governmental organizations.

Golos, whose name means “vote,” is supported by grants from the United States and Europe. Golos directors were called to court yesterday to answer accusations that the organization has violated election law. — AP

Kenya-Sudan spat over Bashir warrant resolved NAIROBI: Relations between Nairobi and Khartoum are “back to normal” after a bitter spat resulting from an arrest warrant issued for the Sudanese leader, Kenya’s foreign minister said yesterday. A Kenyan judge issued a warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday after the government failed to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant when he visited Nairobi last year.

The move triggered a furious response from Khartoum, which pulled out its representative in Nairobi and ordered Kenya’s ambassador to leave within 72 hours, prompting

Kenya to send a high-level delegation to heal the rift. “Sudan had set up a number of reprisals against Kenya, which could have affected our economy greatly... but during our talks we managed to stop that,” Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula said after returning to Nairobi from Khartoum. “So our relations are back to normal, and our ambassador is not leaving,” he said, adding that Sudan’s ambassador would return to Nairobi. Bashir had “ordered all flights from Kenya not to fly in Sudan airspace, regardless of whichever airline they were coming from,” said Wetangula. — AFP

environment while in power in 20042008. Jansa faces a trial on bribery charges for allegedly securing a deal for a Finnish arms company while in power. He has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.

Apart from ex-mayor Jankovic, another newcomer in the election race, Gregor Virant, has seen his popularity rise to 26 percent, but fall down to 6, following revelation that he received compensation from the state in 2009, while also making considerable income as an adviser to the government in Macedonia. Slovenia, a nation of two million people, split from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, following a brief war, and was the first from the region to join the European Union in 2004. — AP

Appointment of South Africa prosecutor improper: Court JOHANNESBURG: A top appeals court has ruled South Africa’s president acted improperly when he appointed the national prosecutor in a case that has been central to a debate about corruption at high levels of government and political meddling in the fight against crime. “The president will study the judgment, obtain legal advice and thereafter decide on what course to take,” President Jacob Zuma’s office said in a terse statement hours after the Supreme Court of Appeals issued its ruling Thursday.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, went to court to challenge lawyer Menzi Simelane’s appointment as director of public prosecutions, saying he was unfit for the job and that Zuma, who has faced corruption charges, appointed him because he needed an ally in the prosecutor’s office. “This judgment is a victory for our constitutional democracy,” the Democratic Alliance said in a statement.

Zuma can appeal. The Democratic Alliance is calling on him to instead fire Simelane and “appoint somebody who will enjoy the respect and confidence of the legal profession, the judiciary and the people of South Africa.” Just two weeks before the 2009 elections, prosecutors, acknowledging the case had been tainted by political meddling, dropped corruption charges against Zuma. Zuma went on to lead his African National Congress to victory and become president. He appointed Simelane soon after taking office. A previous national prosecutor, Vusi Pikoli, was pushed out after he pursued corruption charges against the national police chief and Zuma. Pikoli had headed a special crime-busting unit known as the Scorpions that the ANC-dominated parliament dismantled.

Zuma has maintained he was innocent of accusations he sought bribes to thwart an investigation into wrongdoing by a French arms company involved in a massive weapons deal in the late 1990s. The accusations were linked to an international scandal in which tens of millions of dollars allegedly were paid in bribes to secure contracts in the multibillion-dollar arms deal soon after democracy came to South Africa in 1994.

Prosecutors said their case against the man who is now president was solid - his financial adviser was convicted of soliciting bribes for Zuma from arms dealers. But prosecutors also said key colleagues had abused their powers in pursuing the case by trying to time an announcement of charges against Zuma in a failed attempt to undermine his bid to become party president. Zuma this year announced that an independent panel of judges with sweeping powers will investigate the arms deal scandal.

Zuma has been accused of acting slowly to confront corruption in his government. After months of calls to act, in October he suspended his national police chief and fired a Cabinet minister after the two were caught up in a scandal over leasing a police headquarters building. — AP

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Canadian removed from UN terror list MONTREAL: A Canadian-Sudanese man once stranded in Khartoum for six years over his suspected links to Al-Qaeda said Thursday he now hoped to reclaim his life after being removed from a UN terror watch list.

Abousfian Abdelrazik, 49, was cleared after a review at his request by the UN Security Council 1267 Committee, which maintains the list.

Abdelrazik told a press conference he would now look for a job, which he had been unable to do while he was blacklisted. Abdelrazik found himself on the UN no-fly list

after traveling to Sudan to visit his ailing mother in March 2003.

He was eventually repatriated in 2009 after a federal court ordered Ottawa to provide him with travel documents and fly him home to Montreal to reunite with his family.

Yet he remained on the UN watch list and so was still subject to an asset freeze and an international travel ban. Being on the list also meant it was a crime for anyone to provide him with financial assistance, including a salary.

Abdelrazik told reporters he

wants an apology from the Canadian government and is suing Ottawa for CAN$27 million (US$26.5 million).

While in Sudan, he said he was arrested and tortured, and he accuses Canada of complicity. Abdelrazik first arrived in Canada in 1990 as a refugee, fleeing his native Sudan over his opposition to President Omar al-Beshir. He obtained Canadian citizenship in 1995.

The Security Council alleged Abdelrazik provided support to AlQaeda and the Kurdish extremist group Ansar al-Islam, and recruiting

supporters for them. It also accused him of being “a member of a cell in Montreal, Canada, whose members met in Al-Qaeda’s Khalden training camp in Afghanistan.”

Canada’s federal police and spy service examined Abdelrazik’s alleged ties to Ahmed Ressam, an Al-Qaeda operative jailed for trying to bomb the Los Angeles airport in 1999. The two had met at a mosque in Montreal, where Abdelrazik lived for 13 years. But Abdelrazik was never charged, and has denied any involvement in acts of terror. — AFP

Romney attacks Gingrich as Washington insider I’m confident that this will be a successful campaign

RIO DE JANEIRO: The Christ the Redeemer statue is lit in red to commemorate the World AIDS Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Thursday. Rio de Janeiro’s city government illuminated several urban monuments in red as part of its actions for World AIDS Day. —AP

High risks, low profiles for Mexican women drug mules CULIACAN: Drug traffickers showed up at Martha Lopez’s home in Sinaloa state, at the heart of Mexico’s drug industry, and said they knew she planned to visit her sick son in San Quintin, near the US border. A man held a gun to the head of the almost 70-year-old Mexican as a woman strapped crystal meth around her waist before she was due to board the plane. “I was really scared but I wanted to see my son. They said they would kill me if I reported them,” said Lopez inside a shabby jail in Culiacan, capital of the northwestern Sinaloa state, where she has served three of a 10-year sentence for transporting drugs, after being stopped at the airport. Women are increasingly visible and vulnerable as Mexico’s drug gangs break up and grow, not only as “mules” transporting drugs either because they are threatened or want the cash, but also as money launderers, occasional assassins or victims of beheadings. In a gritty take on the issue, “Miss Bala” or “Miss Bullet,” Mexico’s bid for the 2012 Oscars, tells the tale of a 23-year-old woman forcibly swept into a world of drug trafficking and violence after witnessing a massacre. The movie-inspired by a real-life beauty queen arrested in a drug trafficking scandal in 2008 —

shows a passive woman manipulated and violated by criminals and officials alike in a macho world. It also highlights the increasing risks for many Mexicans in areas affected by drugrelated violence, blamed for some 45,000 deaths since 2006. While glamorous girlfriends or gang leaders steal the limelight in soap operas and drug ballads, many poor and uneducated women are often jailed for 10 years for carrying small amounts of drugs.

“They are crimes which are judged in a completely disproportionate way,” said Elena Azaola, an investigator at Mexico’s Center for Advanced Studies and Research in Social Anthropology. “The criminal gangs hire women precisely because they’re more vulnerable with less capacity to defend themselves.” Although only five percent of the prison population, female inmates have almost doubled in the past decade to 11,000, with around a third jailed for drug-related crimes, according to the Public Security Ministry.

Streets of luxury car showrooms hint at the massive wealth available to some in Culiacan, home to the Sinaloa Federation of fugitive billionaire drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stepped up attacks on rival Newt Gingrich yesterday, labeling Gingrich as a Washington insider who is unlikely to win the Republican nomination. In an interview on “Fox & Friends,” Romney repeatedly pointed to Gingrich’s decades of service in the House of Representatives and elsewhere in government.

“I must admit that Newt has had a very extensive, long record of working in Washington with various governmental and nongovernmental agencies, and I just don’t think that’s the background that’s ideally suited, one, to replace (President) Barack Obama, and number two, to lead the country,” Romney said. “This is not a matter of that America needs better lobbyists, or better dealmakers, better insiders - I think America needs a leader.”Romney also disputed Gingrich’s claim that Gingrich would win the nomination.”I’m going to be the nominee,” Gingrich said Thursday in an interview with ABC. When asked if he disagreed, Romney said: “I sure do.” “Let me tell you, over the last year, they’ve been a lot of people that have been real high in the polls that are not high in the polls anymore,” Romney said. “So you know there’s this funny thing in

America, it’s called the election, and to win the election, you’ve got to earn it.”

Romney offered his own prediction. “I’m confident that this will be a successful campaign,” he said. “Self-aggrandizing statements about polls are not going to win elections.” The comments represent Romney’s most aggressive attacks yet on

figure with significant policy expertise - and there is less than a month before voting begins in Iowa, leaving Romney less time to attack.

Romney’s comments came a day after Gingrich said he wanted to stay above-board, telling The Associated Press while campaigning in Iowa, “I’m not going to focus on Romney or anybody

TEXAS: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney, center, visits with former President George HW Bush and his wife Barbara at their Houston home Thursday. —AP Gingrich, who has risen in national polls in recent weeks and is currently viewed as the chief conservative alternative to Romney. And while Romney has seen others conservative candidates rise, only to fall back, Gingrich is already a national

else.” He made the comment just days after saying in South Carolina that he was “a lot more conservative than Mitt Romney” and added: “It’s wrong to go around and adopt radically different positions based on your need of any one election.” —AP

White House holds third tribal leaders conference WASHINGTON: There’s little doubt President Barack Obama has won high esteem among Native Americans by breaking through a logjam of inaction on issues that matter to them. The Obama administration this week unveiled sweeping changes to federal tribal-land leasing rules that had not been touched in 50 years. Obama nominated a Native American to the federal bench, signed a law renewing the Indian Health Care Act and settled a tribal royalties lawsuit that had dragged over three administrations.

“Obama has done better for tribes than the others, except for the Nixon administration,” said

Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former Republican senator from Colorado. President Richard Nixon advocated tribal self-determination and opposed the termination of American Indian tribes that had been occurring since the mid-1940s.

Against that backdrop of acclaim, Obama speaks for the third time with the nation’s 565 tribal leaders in Washington. The annual Tribal Nations Conference will allow Obama to boast about how he’s kept his 2008 campaign promises for the 5.2 million American Indians and Alaska natives in the U.S. It also is a chance for tribal leaders to lay out what else they expect. — AP

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Chavez touts new Latin America, Caribbean bloc Venezuela hosts 33-nation summit CARACAS: What if they threw a giant party for the Americas and didn’t invite the United States or Canada? That’s what Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is doing with a two-day, 33-nation summit starting yesterday, welcoming nations from Brazil to Jamaica in what he hopes will be a grand alliance to counter US influence.

Many presidents have less sweeping goals in mind, seeing the new Community of Latin American and Caribbean States mainly as a forum for resolving regional conflicts, building closer ties and promoting economic development. Yet the bloc’s creation is also a sign that for many countries, the United States is no longer seen as an essential diplomatic player in regional affairs.

“The US has lost an awful lot of space in the region, even though it’s still the most important, the most powerful country in the region,” said Eduardo Gamarra, a Latin American politics professor at Florida International University in Miami.

Still, he said, it’s unclear whether the region’s governments are truly committed to forming a close alliance that brings together Latin America in ways that offset US power.

Chavez, who sells the largest share of Venezuela’s oil to the United States, is urging the region to assert its independence, noting it was once a dream of 19th century independence hero Simon Bolivar to unify Latin American nations.

Lampposts in Caracas are now festooned with banners picturing independence leaders ranging from Bolivar to Cuba’s Jose Marti, along with the slogan “the path of our Liberators.”

At least publicly, though, only some of Chavez’s closest allies seem to share his interests in creating alternatives to established bodies such as the Washingtonbased Organization of American States, which includes every nation in the Americas except Cuba among its active members. Nor are the region’s leaders

likely to agree with Chavez in creating organizations to replace those he strongly criticizes, such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the World Bank. The new group, known by its Spanish initials CELAC, will add one more acronym to a region with plenty of smaller organizations, including Unasur, Mercosur and the Caribbean Community.

Some of Chavez’s most fervent support comes from within the nine-nation, socialist-leaning Bolivarian Alternative bloc known as ALBA, which he has promoted with allies including Cuba and Nicaragua.

“This isn’t aimed at becoming a new economic integration bloc nor replacing the OAS,” said Maria Teresa Romero, an international studies professor at the Central University of Venezuela.

“President Chavez and others in the ALBA are using the CELAC for their political and propagandistic aims,” Romero said. For Chavez, she said, it’s a chance to show the outside world and Venezuelans “that he still has great international leadership” even though his influence has slipped in the past several years.

The summit’s agenda as described by diplomats includes rather modest aims: approving the group’s procedural rules as well as a clause dealing with democratic norms, formally launching the organization and adopting a declaration of shared principles. At the very least, the summit will serve as Chavez’s international debut after months of cancer treatment that forced him to postpone the meeting, which originally was planned in July. Many presidents, including those who differ with him, are on a personal level showing solidarity with Chavez and the cancer struggle that has left his head shaved to a fine stubble after chemotherapy. Many presidents say the inclusion of every nation in Latin America and the Caribbean is indeed historic. Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman called it a step toward unifying “a region that

US lawmakers ask Cuba to release jailed contractor WASHINGTON: A group of 19 US senators on Thursday called on Cuba to agree to the unconditional release of US contractor Alan Gross, who has been jailed for the past two years on state security charges. “After two years in a Cuban prison, Mr. Gross and his family have paid an enormous personal price,” the Democratic and Republican lawmakers said in a letter to the head of the Cuban interests section in Washington, Jorge Bolano.

“Mr Gross has lost 100 pounds and suffers from numerous medical conditions,” they wrote. “Mr Gross’s daughter and mother are both fighting cancer, and his wife is struggling to make ends meet.” “We strongly urge the Cuban government to immediately release Mr Gross on humanitarian grounds and allow him to be reunited with his family,” they said, calling his incarceration a “major setback

in bilateral relations.” Havana and Washington have not had formal diplomatic relations for decades. Gross, 62, was arrested in December 2009 for delivering laptops and communications equipment to Cuba’s small Jewish community under a State Department contract. In March, he was found guilty of “acts against the independence or territorial integrity” of Cuba, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

A US religious leader who met Gross earlier this week expressed concerns for his health. Gross suffers from diabetes.

The case has drawn the attention of former US president Jimmy Carter, who made a high-profile trip to Havana in March in a bid to secure Gross’ release.

The Nobel peace laureate met with the country’s leaders and separately with Gross, but he was unable to win the American’s freedom.— AFP

CARACAS: Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, left, speaks with Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez during an agreement signing ceremony at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday. —AP had been divided.” Cuba, for instance, was long suspended from the OAS, and when in 2009 the body voted to lift the suspension, President Raul Castro’s communist government rejected the offer while accusing the OAS of supporting US hostility toward Cuba.

Now, Cuba says the new bloc is a sign of the region’s independence, a stance echoed by Chavez. “The CELAC is being born with a new spirit,” Chavez said Thursday. “As the years pass, the CELAC will leave behind the old and worn out OAS.” Chavez met separately with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff ahead of the summit. In Washington, OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza praised the creation of the new group, saying in a statement that he believes it will be a useful forum and that he will make contact once it is formed to discuss cooperation possibilities.

Neda Brown, a US State Department spokeswoman in Washington, said there are other groups in the region that don’t include the US and that they “can be useful partners.” She said the US interacts with such groups “as an important part of helping to constructively solve problems and engage with key actors in the region.” Plans for the new organization, which grew out of the 24-nation Rio Group, have been in the works since a 2008 summit hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazil, as Latin America’s largest nation, will play a key role in setting the group’s objectives. Brazil’s delegation is primarily concerned with examining a regional response to the global financial crisis. The region has so far weathered the turbulence better than the US or Europe, recording economic growth of more than 5 percent last year, and leaders are looking for ways to further strengthen economies by encouraging local industries and reducing imports from outside the region.

The US remains the top trading partner of many countries in the region, with exceptions including Brazil and Chile,

where China has become the biggest trading partner. China has also made diplomatic inroads, including by granting about $38 billion in loans to Venezuela in exchange for increasing shipments of oil.

Brazil has joined Chavez in promoting a new Bank of the South to pool funds for development financing. But that doesn’t mean nations are ready to abandon the World Bank.

Mexico’s undersecretary for Latin America, Ruben Beltran Guerrero, told The Associated Press that the new bloc “isn’t a forum that excludes any other,” but rather will complement established organizations. Mexico and other countries also view it as a body that will, similarly to the OAS, stand up for democratic principles in a region that has seen its share of coups, most recently in Honduras in 2009. Beltran said Mexico wants the bloc to “send a very clear signal to the countries of the region that a breakdown in constitutional order brings consequences.”

Chile is to assume the rotating presidency in the group’s inaugural year, and its mission will include “promoting human rights and democracy,” said Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno.

It will also be a forum for discussing issues ranging from counter-drug efforts to improving transportation routes, Moreno told the AP in an email. On a practical level, though, some analysts say the fledgling group will face many constraints. “It’s going to be underfunded.

It’s not going to have any enforcement mechanisms.

At least that’s been the history of what we’ve done with these multilateral organizations,” Gamarra said. He cited the example of Unasur, saying that since its 2008 founding the South American bloc has had little clout. Chavez, in typical style, has been playing up the gathering for months. He at one point called it “the political event of the greatest importance ... in 100 years.” Associated Press correspondents throughout Latin American and the Caribbean contributed to this report. — AP

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Fear of ‘farce’ looms over Afghan conference

Pakistan defends lack of action during NATO attack

BERLIN: A major international conference Monday will seek to chart a course for Afghanistan after NATO troops pull out in 2014 but a boycott by Pakistan has dealt a stinging blow to hopes for a roadmap. The meeting will bring 100 national delegations to the western German city of Bonn. However a deadly NATO bombing raid prompted Pakistan to scratch its name from the list, jeopardizing already modest expectations.

“If they stick with their decision to cancel it would be a setback,” the conference’s host, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, admitted after Islamabad pulled out in the wake of Saturday’s air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani troops. A senior Western diplomat went further, calling it a “pretty huge blow”.

Commentators said the meticulously planned meeting, 10 years after Germany staged another international huddle on political transition following the fall of the radical Taliban, risked becoming a “farce”.

“The entire future engagement of the international community is based on the hope that the peace process between the Afghan government and the Taliban will progress, and Pakistan is the key to this process,” Die Welt newspaper noted. “The Bonn conference is turning into a farce,” wrote the Financial Times Deutschland. “If Pakistan’s cancellation is maintained, then the conference will be virtually pointless on many issues.”

“Bonn risks becoming just another of those conferences that have brought little benefit to Afghans,” the daily Berliner Zeitung added, also speaking of a potential “farce”. German officials expressed hope that Islamabad would still be represented at some level, if not by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. Pakistan is seen as vital to any prospect of stability in the war-ravaged country a decade after US-led forces ousted the Taliban, which had offered safe harbor to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

An analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Christian Wagner, noted that the West and Pakistan had “differing perspectives on the political future of Afghanistan.” He said that while Pakistan saw the Taliban as a potential “bulwark” against Indian influence and Pashtun nationalism in Afghanistan, “the international community is holding on to the prospect of a democratic order.” The transition to Afghan sovereignty, stalled efforts to reconcile with the Taliban and international engagement after 2014 make up the main points of the conference’s agenda.

The guest list includes Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

NATO-led combat troops are to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, when the Afghan government is set to take full responsibility for security.

There are 140,000 international troops in the country, most from the United States, followed by Britain and Germany. The obstacles to peace and development are seen as enormous. The UN says civilian casualties were up 15 percent in the first half of 2011 to 1,462 while the local military, which has cost over $11 billion this year alone, still faces major problems including illiteracy and human rights concerns.

Meanwhile Karzai’s central government is viewed as weak and corrupt and the perilous security situation, including a rampant drug trade, has undermined efforts to exploit the country’s vast mineral wealth and free itself from foreign aid. German officials say the conference will aim to allay fears that the international community will turn its back on Afghanistan as it grapples with a global economic downturn.

Participants are to hammer out a final document outlining principles for international commitment to the country, while civil society representatives will present an appeal on behalf of the Afghan people. But protesters have pledged to rally outside and say the NATO attack only underlined “what a disaster the Western militaries have created in the region in the last 10 years,” said Manfred Stenner of the Peace Cooperative Network.— AFP

Islamist extremists take to the streets after prayers ISLAMABAD : Confusion and a communication breakdown prevented Pakistan’s airforce from scrambling to defend troops on the ground during the deadly NATO bombing last weekend of two border outposts, the military said yesterday, responding to rare domestic criticism of the powerful institution. The attack killed 24 Pakistani troops and pushed already strained ties between Washington and Islamabad over the future of Afghanistan close to rupture. Islamabad has closed its eastern border to NATO supplies traveling into landlocked Afghanistan and said it is reviewing its cooperation with Washington.

Thousands of Islamist extremists took to the streets across the country after Friday prayers, some shouting they would join the army in a battle with the US -led coalition in Afghanistan. The chants were a worrying sign for the West, reflecting how the anger over the incident is uniting hardliners and the military. Others rallied against the country’s already weak government for its alliance with Washington. The Pakistani military, which eats up most of the country’s budget and is accountable to no one, has said Saturday’s border attack was an “act of deliberate aggression” that went on for close two hours. It has also said that Pakistani commanders contacted and pleaded with coalition commanders to stop firing.

NATO and US officials have disputed that account, which has triggered uncomfortable questions in this South Asian country over why Pakistan’s own fighter jets and helicopters stationed close to the border did not take off to defend the ground troops during the attack. The military has said troops did fire back at the NATO choppers when they attacked. A Pakistani military statement yesterday said the response could have been more “effective” if the airforce had been called in, but this was not possible because of a “breakdown

of communication” and confusion at “various levels” within the organization.

US officials expressed their condolences over the loss of life and denied the Pakistan army was deliberately targeted. But they have not apologized, saying it would not be appropriate before an investigation into the incident has been completed. In the past, NATO and the US has complained that

“There is only one treatment for America: jihad, jihad,” or holy war.

US officials have told The Associated Press that Saturday’s incident occurred when a joint US and Afghan patrol requested backup after being hit by mortar and small arms fire by Taleban militants. Before responding, the patrol first checked with the Pakistani army, which reported it had no troops in the

LAHORE: Pakistani Islamists burn an effigy of US President Barack Obama during a protest in Lahore yesterday, against the cross-border NATO air strike on Pakistani troops. —AFP militants along the border are helped or tolerated by Pakistani soldiers.

Demonstrations yesterday took place around Pakistan, with one of the largest in Karachi, the country’s commercial hub. Sunni extremist group Sipah-eSahaba, subject to a government ban, largely ignored, because of its links to Al-Qaeda, rallied in the Karachi downtown area. Aurangezeb Farooqi, a leader of the group, asked the 2,000 protesters whether they were ready to join the army in fighting Americans. Many raised their fists in response and shouted “God is great!”. Some held up placards saying:

area, they said. Pakistani officials have refuted this claim and said US forces must have known they were attacking Pakistani soldiers because the posts were clearly marked on maps given to NATO and the two sides were in contact immediately before and during the airstrikes.

Pakistan’s military also faced criticism after the May 2 unilateral American helicopter-borne raid that killed Osama bin Laden, with questions - yet unanswered - over how the aircraft were able to fly deep into Pakistani territory without the knowledge of the airforce. —AP

Suicide bomber kills one near Afghan-NATO outpost

LOGAR: Afghan police officers walk past outside of a clinic, damaged by an explosion in Mohammad Agha, Logar south of Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. —AP

KABUL: A suicide bomber blew up a truck full of explosives outside a joint Afghan-NATO combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan yesterday morning, killing one Afghan civilian and wounding five other people, officials said. The bomber tried to enter Combat Outpost McClain in Mohammad Agha district of Logar province, said Gen Ghulam Saki Rooghlawanay, the provincial police chief.

When the bomber was not allowed onto the base, he drove his vehicle toward a group of buildings including government offices, a clinic and a youth center, and detonated it, Rooghlawanay said. “It was a very powerful explosion,” he said. “It was a semitrailer with explosives.” The police chief said an Afghan businessman was killed. Three Afghan soldiers and two Afghan intelligence employees were wounded by shrapnel. NATO confirmed that an explosion occurred near the entrance to the base, but that the truck never penetrated security protecting the installation. No NATO service members were injured or killed in the attack.

The province’s governor Atiqullah Ludin inspected the site of the explosion, which was littered with parts of the truck and debris from the damaged building. “There were no students in the youth center,” he said. “We were very lucky. It is Friday,” which is part of the Afghan weekend. —AP

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Clinton, Suu Kyi promote closer US-Burma ties Secretary of State wraps up historic visit YANGON: In a striking display of solidarity and sisterhood between two of the world’s most recognizable women, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed yesterday to work together to promote democratic reforms in Suu Kyi’s long-isolated and authoritarian homeland.

Wrapping up a historic three-day visit to Myanmar, the first by a secretary of state to the Southeast Asian nation in more than 50 years, Clinton and Suu Kyi

Democracy party, the government, the United States and other countries, including Myanmar’s giant neighbor China.

“We are not on that road yet, but we hope to get there as soon as possible with the help and understanding of our friends.” “We are happy with the way in which the United States is engaging with us,” she added. “It is through engagement that we hope to promote the process of democratization. Because of this engagement, I think our way ahead

YANGON: Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (R) greets visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following their meeting at Suu Kyi’s residence in Yangon yesterday.—AFP held hands on the porch of the lakeside home where the Nobel peace laureate spent much of the past two decades under house arrest. Clinton thanked her for her “steadfast and very clear leadership.”

Suu Kyi has welcomed Clinton’s visit and tentatively embraced reforms enacted by Myanmar’s new civilian government. She thanked the secretary and US President Barack Obama for their “careful and calibrated” engagement that has seen the United States take some modest steps to improve ties. “If we move forward together I am confident there will be no turning back on the road to democracy,” Suu Kyi said, referring to her opposition National League for

will be clearer and we will be able to trust that the process of democratization will go forward.”

As she did in the capital of Naypyidaw on Thursday, Clinton said more significant incentives will be offered, but only if the government releases all political prisoners, ends brutal campaigns against ethnic minorities, respects the rule of law and improves human rights conditions.

“We are prepared to go further if reforms maintain momentum,” Clinton said. “But history teaches us to be cautious. We know that there have been serious setbacks and grave disappointments over the past decades.”

Clinton’s meetings with Suu Kyi were the highlight of the US secretary of

state’s visit to the long-isolated country known as Burma and forcefully underscored a US challenge to Myanmar’s leaders. In addition to the modest incentives Clinton announced Thursday for the government, she said yesterday that the US would spend about $1.2 million for preliminary projects aimed at helping the people of Myanmar. The money will go to microcredit and health care initiatives and assistance to land-mine victims, particularly in rural areas.

Suu Kyi, whose party won 1990 elections that were ignored by the then-military junta but now plans to run in upcoming parliamentary elections, endorsed that approach and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners and cease-fires to end the ethnic conflicts. Suu Kyi, a heroine for prodemocracy advocates around the world, said Clinton’s visit represented “a historical moment for both our countries.” With US assistance and pressure on the government, which is still backed by the military, she said she believed change was on the horizon for Myanmar.

“There have been times that Naypyidaw has weakened but I don’t think it has ever really broken,” she said.

The meeting was the second in as many days for the pair who bonded deeply at a three- hour, one-on-one dinner in Yangon on Thursday, according to US officials. One senior official said the dinner marked the beginning of what appeared to be a “very warm friendship” between the former first lady, New York senator and presidential hopeful and Suu Kyi, who plans to re-enter the political arena in upcoming parliamentary elections.

“We have been inspired by her fearlessness in the face of intimidation and her serenity through decades of isolation, but most of all through her devotion to her country and to the freedom and dignity of her fellow citizens,” Clinton told reporters after the meeting Suu Kyi. Clinton said the two had discussed the “ups and downs and slings and arrows of political participation” at dinner and that Suu Kyi would be an “excellent member” of Myanmar’s parliament but declined to discuss any electoral advice she may have given here.—AP

Kyrgyzstan’s ruling coalition collapses BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan’s fragile ruling coalition collapsed yesterday, one day after the new president took office - a development certain to spur frenetic political bargaining in the Central Asian nation where both the US and Russia have key interests. Social Democratic Party faction leader Chynybay Tursunbekov said his party decided to pull out of the coalition formed in the months after last October’s election because of disagreements with its partners on judicial, political and economic reforms. “The right thing to do is for the president of Kyrgyzstan to give Social

Democratic Party faction a mandate to form a new coalition,” Tursunbekov said.

Almazbek Atambayev’s inauguration as president Thursday will help to ensure political continuity despite the legislative discord. He is expected to charge parliament with forming a new coalition in the coming days.

Kyrgyzstan’s fate is of interest to both Russia and the United States. The former Soviet nation on China’s mountainous western border hosts a US air base crucial to operations in nearby Afghanistan and has been the focus of competition between Washington and

Moscow for regional influence. Russia also controls an air base outside the capital.

Failure to reach swift agreement on a new coalition partnership could hamper desperately needed economic reform.

Although relatively rich in gold reserves, Kyrgyzstan struggles with chronic hardship exacerbated by rampant corruption and crumbling infrastructure.

Atambayev has promised to combat graft, although many believe any such efforts will be hindered by political infighting based on clan and regional loyalties. —AP

BANGKOK: Thai residents clean up a Buddhist temple after flood receded on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday. —AP

Thailand cleans up, but some areas remain flooded BANGKOK: As Thailand’s floodwaters continue their slow journey to the sea, large swaths of the country have drained and dried, leaving behind a stinky, thick grime on everything touched by the nation’s worst deluge in more than a half century.

In many areas, people are returning to their houses armed with cleaning brushes, rubber gloves and masks to endure the sewer-like stench. But others whose homes are still inundated complain they’ve been forgotten, especially by residents of the capital who escaped the flooding.

Nicha Rakpanichmanee, an 28-year-old graduate student, invited a group of friends to help clean her town house on Bangkok’s northern edge. “I didn’t expect it to be like this ... the smell!” she said. Room by room, the cleaning team sprinkled disinfectant powder on everything covered by the thick filthy film, which spread 30 inches (80 centimeters) high during the three weeks Nicha’s neighborhood was inundated. Other parts of Thailand were covered by more than 6 feet (2 meters) of water for two months.

Just down the street, her neighbors were not as lucky.”We haven’t even started cleaning yet. We’re just throwing things out. We’ve been throwing stuff out for three days now,” said Yai Kupatanorrat, 50, who sells women’s clothes at the popular Chatuchak weekend market. He threw out several bags and boxes of new clothes that he had stored at his home, as well as cabinets and other furniture. More than a fifth of the country’s 64 million people have been affected by the flooding, which began in late July, and more than 600 have died. Fifteen provinces remain flooded.

The World Bank estimates the damage at $45 billion and recovery and reconstruction needs at $25 billion. The National Social and Economic Development Board has slashed Thailand’s economic growth forecast to 1.5 percent from 3.5 to 4 percent.

Several industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces were severely flooded, bringing the country’s key automotive and computer parts industries close to a halt.

Authorities in Ayutthaya say four industrial parks there have been cleaned up, while another is still under 20 inches (50 centimeters) of water. In Pathum Thani, two industrial estates remain flooded.

Much of the government’s effort to fight the floods has focused on protecting the capital, which has remained largely dry thanks to hundreds of pumps and dikes built of sandbags.

Across the dikes, residents outside the metropolitan area complain they were sacrificed and now are forgotten. “When I talk to people who aren’t affected, they say, ‘Oh, no one’s talking about the floods anymore,’ but my house has been flooded for nearly two months,” said Chalanthorn Reaud, 32, a cultural officer for the Alliance Francaise of Bangkok.

The 300 homes in her housing estate in Nonthaburi province, next to Bangkok, are still flooded with more than 30 inches (80 centimeters) of water. Sirinuch Jungtamdeerungkajorn, a 35year-old pastry chef who also lives in the capital’s still-flooded outskirts, is staying with her parents in a rented condominium in Bangkok’s central business district. The main road that leads to her neighborhood is dry, but on her street the water is still 20 inches (50 centimeters) deep. “People who don’t live here think it’s not flooded anymore,” she said. “But it’s going to be some time before my life will return to normal.” —AP

17

US factories growing despite global slowdown

17

Branson to offer small loans to British poor

Business

19

Asian shares mostly up after previous day’s rally

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

16

Sarkozy meets Cameron on EU debt crisis

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) listens to German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble during a session at the Bundestag lower house of parliament in Berlin yesterday, where Merkel delivered her so-called Europe speech to set out Germany’s position on the eurozone debt crisis, a week ahead of a crunch EU summit. — AFP

Merkel wants treaty rewrite to fix euro ‘European crisis will not be solved in one fell swoop’ BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed forward yesterday with what markets see as an emerging plan for more effective action to contain the European financial crisis, urging tougher rules against government overspending. She said next week’s European Union summit would take up ways to enforce compliance and write those changes into EU treaties - a drawn-out process. “The German government has made it clear that the European crisis will not be solved in one fell swoop,” Merkel said.

“It’s a process, and this process will take years.” The push by Merkel on debt rules - a day after French President Nicolas Sarkozy made the same case - is being seen as one half of a fresh approach by European leaders to finally get a grip on the crisis more than two years after it started in Greece.

The other half could be more short-term help for other heavily indebted governments from the European Central Bank. Bank President Mario Draghi on Thursday

appeared to dangle an offer of new, extraordinary measures if political leaders at the Dec. 9 summit can come together on the kinds of spending rules that Merkel and Sarkozy are advocating.

“Other elements might follow,” Draghi said, fueling speculation that the bank could step up its so-far limited program to buy government bonds issued by struggling countries such as Italy and Spain. That helps keep their borrowing costs down. Draghi stressed the bond buys “can only be limited.” That has left analysts speculating he might have other forms of support in mind.

Those could include extending more unlimited credit to banks having difficulty borrowing because of market fears they may suffer losses on the government bonds they hold.

Together, the different proposals and trade-offs appear to form the next take on Europe’s effort to control the crisis: A statement of intent toward tougher central budget controls, followed by more ECB action

and, in coming months, haggling out the details of how much sovereignty states are willing to cede. That in turn could be joined by some form of commonly guaranteed debt issuance - if Germany gets enough of what it wants on strict budget rules to drop its objections. The prospect of more ECB help has boosted markets, along with coordinated steps Wednesday by central banks to improve shaky commercial banks’ ability to borrow US dollars to fund their operations.

The yield on Italian 10-year bonds fell to 6.48 percent yesterday from over 7 percent the day before, and stocks rose in Asia, Europe and the United States. The Dow industrials were up 0.7 percent at 12,100.86.

Markets have repeatedly risen on anticipation of more aggressive action by governments - only to fall when summits result only in statements of intent or proposals that lack detail. Analyst at Credit Agricole said markets appear to expect a fiscal pact would be delivered that would allow the ECB to

increase its bond purchases.

But they noted that “this is not the first time that great expectations are building ahead of EU summits.” Italy was readying new action ahead of the summit as well.

New Prime Minister Mario Monti has pledged to unveil new austerity measures and structural reforms at a Cabinet meeting on Monday. Rising borrowing costs fed by fears of default led to Greece, Ireland and Portugal seeking bailout loans from other eurozone governments and the International Monetary Fund. Similar fears are afflicting Italy and Spain, which are too large to bail out. That’s inflaming worries of a globally contagious financial crisis that could push the U.S. and other major economies back into recession. Though France and Germany haven’t publicly spelled out specifics, the broad outline would be for national budgets to undergo close monitoring, and for countries to face legal action if they break borrowing limits. —AP

business

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

US auto sales rise to near two-year high DETRIOT: US auto sales rose 14 percent in November, paced by gains at Chrysler Group LLC and Volkswagen AG, as consumers returned to showrooms even without the lure of a big year-end sale. Chrysler and VW posted the highest percentage gains at 45 percent and 41 percent, respectively.

Others posting double-digit gains were Hyundai Motor Co at 22 percent, Nissan Motor Co at 19 percent, and Ford Motor Co at 13 percent. General Motors and Toyota Motor Co trailed with increases of 7 percent. Honda Motor, which has been the slowest of the major Japanese automakers to recover from supply disruptions caused by the March earthquake, saw sales fall 6 percent.

The sales gain for Toyota was the first since April. Honda sales have been down every month since May, and the Japanese automaker has seen its US market share tumble from almost 11 percent to just over 8 percent in the same period. On an industrywide basis, sales exceeded analyst expectations at an annualized rate of 13.6 million, the highest sales rate since August 2009

when the US government was running the “cash for clunkers” trade-in incentive program.

November also marked the third straight month that annualized vehicle sales have topped 13 million mark. Auto sales have been trending higher since June, despite the still weak employment and housing markets. In an encouraging sign for industry profitability, the broad sales gains in November came despite lower spending on discounts by the automakers compared with a year earlier. The average vehicle price rose 4 percent to top $30,000, according to industry-tracking firm TrueCar.com.

Automakers were able to charge more for new cars because used cars were worth more at trade-in. Low-interest-rate loans also helped keep new vehicles affordable, analysts and executives said. “The industry is really feeling some momentum right now, said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s president. “People are seeing there is more equity in their used cars than they had realized.” The average vehicle on US roads is almost 11 years old, two years

older today than the average in 2007, when the US auto industry began to tip into a downturn. For more than a year, analysts have been predicting that many older cars would begin to break down beyond the point of cheap repairs, spurring replacement sales even without a broader upturn in the economy. “I think it’s easy to underestimate the pent-up demand that’s out there,” said Paul Ballew, chief economist for insurer Nationwide. As a share of overall US consumer spending, spending on vehicles is down to 3.5 percent in 2011 from a long-term average of near 6 percent, Ballew said. In the depth of the 1982 recession, it was 4.5 percent.

“We are starting to see more and more of this pent-up demand realized,” said Ford economist Jenny Lin. Analysts and some auto executives said American consumers appear to be willing to make big-ticket purchases when necessary, despite uncertainties like the economic outlook in Europe.

“The biggest change in the consumer attitude is that a lot of consumers are now realizing this uncertainty in the market is not going to disap-

pear completely any time soon,” TrueCar.com analyst Jesse Toprak said.

“It’s a big mind shift, which is positive for the industry.” Another positive development for US automakers was the rise in sales of trucks, including work vans and SUVs. Those larger vehicles remain more profitable than the smaller passenger cars where Detroit automakers are making a push to compete. Sales of pickup trucks, watched as an indicator for a recovery in sentiment and spending by small businesses, including construction firms, were up in November. Sales of Ford’s F-Series, which includes the top-selling F-150 pickup truck, shot up 24 percent, making it the best monthly performance for the brand since 2006.

At GM, sales to small businesses were up 16 percent, led by the company’s Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Sales of GM’s most popular pickup trucks, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, were up 31 percent. “Small business owners need to replace their fleets, and some of these vehicles are near the end of their useful lives,” said Alan Batey, head of GM’s Chevy brand. — Reuters

Sarkozy meets Cameron on EU debt crisis british pm under pressure from powerful anti-EU wing

BRUSSELS: People dressed as chickens during a demonstration called by Belgian unions against the new government’s austerity measures, in Brussels yesterday. — AFP

Protest in Brussels against austerity BRUSSELS: Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Belgium’s capital yesterday to protest new austerity measures brought on by Europe’s financial crisis. The march - organized by the three main trade unions - protested the ?11.3 billion ($15.3 billion) in budget cuts and austerity measures the government will enact next year to get the country’s deficit within 3 percent of GDP and meet targets set by the European Union.

The unions specifically protest the extension of early retirement, cuts in unemployment benefits and the social security budget.Union leaders yesterday met with Elio Di Rupo, the Socialist leader who pushed through the budget measures and is set to be sworn in as prime minister on Monday.

Union leaders estimated between 60,000 and 80,000 protesters marched through the streets of Brussels, choking city-center traffic which was compounded by a partial transport strike around the country. “It shows how much the workers and the welfare recipients of this country want to have their voices heard by the coming government and say one more time that austerity is not the solution, it is the problem,” Anne Demmelen, General Secretary of the FGTB socialist union said.

Beyond excessive noise from firecrackers and horns, no incidents marred the rally. The march came on the heels of Thursday’s protests in the Greek capital, and Wednesday’s twomillion strong demonstrations across Britain - showing a groundswell of labor discontent as the financial crisis grips the continent, forcing governments across the board to cut budgets and impose austerity measures. Yesterday, Di Rupo met with European Union President Herman Van Rompuy to explain the measures he planned to push through parliament as soon as his government would be sworn in. — AP

PARIS: President Nicolas Sarkozy was to hold emergency talks yesterday with British Prime Minister David Cameron as France and Germany try to drum up support for a new EU treaty to enforce budget discipline. France and Britain had been due to hold a bilateral summit, but this was postponed until the New Year to allow the two leaders to concentrate on the immediate threat posed to the world economy by the eurozone debt crisis.

Britain is not part of the 17-nation single currency bloc but is concerned that an implosion of the eurozone would damage its own economy, and fears being sidelined by reinforced Franco-German ties at the heart of the union. Sarkozy is to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday and the two are to jointly propose a new EU treaty, which the German leader said would create a “fiscal union with strict rules, at least for the eurozone”.

While France and Germany see closer European oversight of national budgets as the key to calming the storm on the bond markets, Cameron is under pressure from his Conservative supporters at home to win back powers from Brussels.

He and Sarkozy worked closely together during NATO’s military mission in Libya, but have reportedly clashed in bitter terms over European issues, as Britain seeks to protect its huge financial sector from EU regulation.

In a landmark speech Thursday, Sarkozy made no reference to Britain but instead talked up the primacy of the Franco-German relationship and the euro. “Europe will have to make crucial choices in the weeks to come,” he told thousands of hand-picked supporters in Toulon, adding: “Europe is not a choice,

it is a necessity, but it needs to be rethought, refounded.

“We must confront with total solidarity those who doubt the stability of the euro and speculate on its break-up,” he declared. “France is fighting with Germany for a new treaty. More discipline, more solidarity, more responsibility... true economic government” he said, urging members to adopt a “Golden Rule” obliging them to balance their budgets.

Merkel matched Sarkozy’s speech yesterday, telling her parliament: “We are not only talking about a fiscal union, we are beginning to create it.” She said the “fiscal union” should lead to a new

“European debt brake” to stop countries from spending their way to the brink of insolvency, arguing: “We must strengthen the foundations of the economic and currency union.

“Rules must be respected. Respect for them must be supervised. Their violation must have consequences,” she said.

Ahead of yesterday’s working lunch, which was due to start at Sarkozy’s Elysee Palace at 1200 GMT, Cameron’s official spokesman said: “Primarily what is being looked at here is rules for the eurozone. “As with any negotiation in Europe we have to wait and see what is being proposed and see how we will respond. — AFP

PARIS: France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) welcomes British Prime Minister David Cameron prior to a working lunch focused on the European debt crisis yesterday at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris. Sarkozy held this emergency talks with Cameron as France and Germany try to drum up support for a new EU treaty to enforce budget discipline. — AFP

BUSINESS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Branson wants to offer small loans to British poor NEW YORK: Richard Branson wants to use his recent purchase of British bank Northern Rock to offer small loans to the poor and urged Wall Street bankers to use their bonuses to help repair the economic damage they caused.

Virgin Money, the banking arm of Branson’s Virgin group, agreed last month to pay the British government more than $1.2 billion for Northern Rock, which was nationalized in 2008 after the financial crisis triggered a run on the institution.

“We’re sitting back trying to work out radical ways of running it differently than banks have been run in the past,” Branson told Reuters in an interview in New York to promote his new book, “Screw

Business as Usual,” which pushes companies to not only focus on profit but also on doing good in the world.

“Microcredit’s worked in Africa and India, maybe it could even work in somewhere like the U.K.,” said the billionaire entrepreneur. “I haven’t even mentioned it yet (to the board) but I am going to try and push it through.” Microfinance - developed more than 30 years ago by Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts - traditionally targets women and, experts say, has default rates of just a few percent.

The concept of granting tiny loans has lifted millions out of poverty in places like Bangladesh, India

and Africa. Yunus has also opened branches of his nonprofit Grameen Bank in New York City and elsewhere in the United States.

“I started (in business) when my mother found a necklace on a train, handed it in to the police and nobody claimed it,” Branson said. “That two or three hundred dollars kick-started my business. But today there’s no way you could get that from a bank, you get bigger loans or you get no loans.”

Virgin Money, partly backed by US private equity tycoon Wilbur Ross, had been an Internet-only provider of savings products, credit cards and insurance but it plans to expand Northern Rock’s 75 branches in northeast England.—Reuters

US factories growing despite global slowdown New jobless claims up 6,000

NEW YORK: Specialist Dermot Bermingham, left, and trader Edward Radziewcz work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Stocks rose yesterday, around the world as markets unnerved by the eurozone’s debt crisis welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s call for changes to EU treaties to enforce fiscal discipline. — AP

Wall St slips, eyes payrolls report NEW YORK: US stocks treaded water on Thursday after the previous day’s massive gains, but traders worried that recent strong data could set the market up for a sell-off should jobs report fall short of hopes. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 dipped and the Nasdaq ended with a slight gain following Wednesday’s rally of more than 4 percent on an agreement from central banks to provide cheap dollar loans to struggling European banks.

Sentiment was underpinned by stronger-than-expected figures on US factory activity, which came one day after private-sector payroll data also exceeded forecasts. Further gains could be sparked by a significant jump in November payrolls.

“At this point in time, we are definitely building for a better payrolls number,” said David Lutz, a trader at Stifel Nicolaus Capital Markets in Baltimore. The US economy is expected to have added 122,000 jobs in November. Some investors think even a number slightly better than that from the Labor Department won’t be enough to justify more buying. “I can’t believe people are getting excited about 150,000 (new jobs) four years into this economic malaise,” said Chad Morganlander, portfolio manager at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Despite the importance of the payrolls figure, the market will still focus on the borrowing costs of euro-zone nations. Spanish and French government bond yields fell after well-bid auctions on Thursday, but relief may be brief with no solution for the euro zone’s debt crisis in sight. The financial sector, the strongest gainer on Wednesday, gave back some of its gains. The S&P’s financial index slid nearly 1 percent. “Until there’s a proper resolution among European policy-makers, wild fluctuations in equity markets will continue forward,” Morganlander said.—Reuters

NEW YORK: US factories shrugged off weakness in the global economy in November as manufacturing activity rose to its highest level in five months, a fresh sign the domestic economy was accelerating. Recent data on consumer spending and private-sector job creation has also boosted optimism on the path of growth.

“The economy seems finally to be developing real momentum,” said Ian Shepherdson, an economist at High Frequency Economics in Valhalla, New York. Also pointing to growth, automakers reported US sales rose 13.9 percent in November from a year earlier, Autodata Corp said.

The Institute for Supply Management said on Thursday its index of national factory activity rose to 52.7 from 50.8 the month before, beating analysts’ expectations and showing the sector continues to expand. The added momentum, also apparent in the report’s details, reduces the chances the U.S. economy will slip into a new recession, even with an an expected contraction in the euro zone.

Compared to a dismal first half of the year, the pace of US growth more than doubled in the third quarter to a 2 percent annual rate. While that remains subpar, economists believe activity will prove even stronger in the final three months of the year. The ISM measure of new orders rose to its highest level since April, and the export index also improved, albeit modestly.

“That should keep some momentum going,” said Sean Incremona, an economist at 4Cast in New York. “It is good to see things are not getting worse now.” Much of the rest of the world, however, is getting worse, especially in Europe where policymakers are fighting a raging sovereign debt crisis.

The Global Manufacturing PMI, an index produced by JPMorgan based on surveys of purchasing managers, pointed to contraction in global factory activity for the third straight month in November. The index was dragged down by weakness in European and Asian factories.

But in the United States, even the country’s moribund labor market is perking up.

A gauge of private-sector employment on Wednesday that showed strong hiring in November has increased expectations that a more comprehensive count from the government on Friday will also show improvement.

WASHINGTON: Activists take part in a demonstration to protest against corporate greed near the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, in this October 5, 2011 file photo. The US unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent in November, its lowest level since March 2009, the Labor Department reported yesterday. — AFP However, a report from the Labor Department on Thursday showed new claims for unemployment insurance rose last week, a reminder the healing process will be slow. “(Claims) are not in a danger zone, but the trend is not becoming healthier,” Pierre Ellis, an economist at Decision Economics in New York, said of the claims data. US stocks fell modestly, with the positive ISM data not enough to deter investors from pulling back a day after the Dow Jones industrial average logged its best daily performance since late March 2009. US Treasury debt prices also fell.

US consumers appeared to be doing their part to help growth at the start of the holiday shopping, although economists warn that weak incomes could lead them to dial back on spending. Total retailer sales over the last weekend reached $52.4 billion, up from $45 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation. Results from retailers on Thursday showed sales at stores open at least a year rose about as much as was expected for the month of November as a whole.

Separately, the Commerce Department

said construction spending rose 0.8 percent in October, while the Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index showed small businesses’ borrowing posted its 15th monthly double-digit increase durring the month. However, economists still see a risk of a US recession next year, especially if lawmakers let extended unemployment benefits and a payroll tax cut expire at the end of 2011.

The euro zone’s sovereign debt crisis also could derail the country’s recovery from the deep 2007-2009 recession, which has left the US unemployment rate stuck around 9 percent. European policy-makers are trying to contain the debt troubles, and the European Central Bank signaled on Thursday it could take stronger action if political leaders agree next week on much tighter budget controls in the 17-nation euro zone.

In the US report on unemployment benefits, the four-week moving average of new claims, a closely followed measure of labor market trends, increased 500 to 395,750. “If claims start to rise from here, it would not be a good sign for the economy,” said Gary Thayer, a macro strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors in St. Louis. — Reuters

business

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

California lawmakers give up taxpayer vehicles SACRAMENTO: California lawmakers are giving up a perk that had been unique among state legislators nationwide - taxpayer-subsidized vehicles. The program ended Thursday after the state’s Citizens Compensation Commission voted last spring to do away with the benefit, a decision prompted by California’s ongoing budget deficits and a series of stories by The Associated Press and other media.

Legislators, like many employees, will now seek reimbursement for the actual number of miles they drive on official business. California was the only state that provided vehicles to its rankand-file lawmakers for unlimited use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Lawmakers have used the perk to purchase vehicles that included a $55,000 Cadillac sedan and a $52,000 Lexus hybrid, the AP reported a year ago. Taxpayers spent $3.5 million for the vehicles that lawmakers used in their home districts.

Senate and Assembly members also received insurance, repairs - and unlim-

ited gasoline, another unique perk, the AP reported in 2008. It is not clear at this point what kind of savings the changes will bring to taxpayers, if any. The state plans to examine and compare spending between the two programs in the next year.

Yet taxpayers might end up paying more for lawmakers’ travels than the compensation commission had intended when it voted to end the taxpayersubsidized vehicles. Commissioners voted in April to replace the unlimited vehicle program with a $300 monthly stipend. However, the state controller ruled that the commission has no authority to order the monthly allowance, so lawmakers will instead get mileage reimbursement. California employees get 55.5 cents per mile.

The commission estimated taxpayers spent an average $7,453 in vehicle costs annually for each lawmaker who accepted a vehicle. A $300 monthly allowance would have cut the average vehicle costs to $3,600 a year. That means the annual tab for legislators’

vehicles would have dropped by more than half.

But paying lawmakers by the mile could cost taxpayers $1.2 million a year, based on mileage figures from the Legislature. Assembly members drive an average of 19,538 miles each year in their subsidized vehicles, compared to 17,649 for senators.

The Legislature’s administrators had contended that providing lawmakers with subsidized vehicles was a relative bargain compared to reimbursing them for each mile driven on official business. Senate spokesman Mark Hedlund said the old system cost the equivalent of 42.5 cents per mile, while lawmakers now will be eligible for reimbursement up to 55.5 cents per mile, although the actual reimbursement rate has yet to be set.

The state Legislature initially sought to get both the mileage reimbursement and the $300 monthly allowance, according to Jacob Roper, a spokesman for the state controller’s office, and a Sept. 15 letter from a

deputy state attorney who reviewed the law at the controller’s request. The attorney general and controller rejected the double payments. “I can’t blame them for trying to get the maximum that they can,” said commission member Charles Murray, who pushed to substitute the $300 monthly stipend for the vehicle program. “It’s a natural reaction by someone on the street. But as a legislator, I think you’d speak to a higher power, and you have to lead by example.”

Hedlund denied that the Legislature’s lawyer sought both allowances. The lawyer was merely seeking legal guidance, he said. Murray disagreed with the attorney general’s ruling that the commission lacked the authority to create a new monthly vehicle allowance. He said he plans to ask the commission to appeal, but the commission will not meet again until next year unless chairman Thomas Dalzell calls a special meeting. California lawmakers already have the highest annual base salaries of any state legislators in

Banks, commodities fuel FTSE rise ahead of US data Admiral weakens as broker cuts target LONDON: A rebound in risk-sensitive banks and commodity stocks hoisted Britain’s top share index sharply higher yesterday as investors jostled for position ahead of crucial monthly US jobs data and a key summit next week to confront the euro zone debt crisis.

The FTSE 100 was up 91.65 points, or 1.7 percent, at 5,580.99 by 1229 GMT, bouncing back after Thursday’s 0.3 percent slip in the wake of Wednesday’s 3.2 percent jump.

“We are higher on a little bit of optimism ahead of non-farm payrolls and obviously the European situation appears to have stabilised for the time being,” Michael Hewson, analyst at CMC Markets, said. “(Policymakers) are sort of getting their act together, so to speak. But my concern is, will we be able to have any

more clarity than we have already got (after the EU summit).”

US non-farm payrolls, due at 1330 GMT, were forecast to rise 122,000 in November, after an 80,000 rise October, with the unemployment rate seen unchanged at 9.0 percent. Meanwhile, France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, called for a new treaty incorporating tougher budget discipline, a European Monetary Fund to support countries in difficulty, and decisions in the euro area taken by majority vote instead of unanimity.

Sarkozy said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would meet on Monday to outline joint proposals to put to a Dec. 9 EU summit, seen as make-or-break for the 12year-old single currency. US stock index

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner (3rd L) speaks as (L-R) Assistant Director for the Office of Service member Affairs Holly Petraeus, Assistant Director of Enforcement for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Richard Cordray, and Special Adviser to Secretary of the Treasury for the CFPB Raj Date listen during a press availability in Washington. —AFP

futures rose more than 1 percent, with investors hopeful about the jobs number following recent strong data out of the United States.

Data on Thursday showed US manufacturing activity at its highest level in five months, and recent data on consumer spending and private-sector job creation have also boosted optimism. The FTSE 100 was on course for its biggest weekly percentage gain since early 2009, with confidence boosted by Wednesday’s co-ordinated move by central banks to inject liquidity to ease banks’ funding constraints.

Banks were among the best performing sectors, led by a 7.3-percent advance from Barclays, while Lloyds Banking Group firmed 5.8 percent. ICAP was another good gainer, up 6.6 percent, rallying after falls in the previous session as BoA Merrill Lynch added the interdealer broker to its “Europe 1” focus list, citing the stock’s “compelling” valuation.

Miners also bounded higher, with BHP Billiton, up 4.6 percent, among the best off, as copper prices firmed on hopes U.S. jobs data could beat expectations. Integrated oils got a boost too as crude prices rallied 0.8 percent, with BP up 1.7 percent. BP has agreed to sell its Canadian natural gas liquids business to Plains All American Pipeline for $1.67 billion as part of an effort to raise $45 billion to pay for its Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010.

Some market participants sounded a note of caution against picking up stocks. “I think we are in the middle of a big short squeeze.

The fundamentals are actually deteriorating quite quickly everywhere outside the United States,” said Lex van Dam, hedge fund manager at Hampstead Capital, which manages $500 million of assets.

“I would be very careful letting higher stock prices suck you into the market.” Car insurer Admiral dropped 3.5 percent, the biggest blue-chip faller as Investec Securities cut its price target for the stock following recent profit warnings. —Reuters

the country, at $95,291. They also receive an average of nearly $23,000 a year in daily living expenses, on top of the taxpayer-funded vehicles they will be giving up. Legislators are not allowed to drive their state-financed vehicles as of Thursday. Some had driven their vehicles to the state Capitol or state garages around California, officials said, while legislative employees are picking up other vehicles.

The Assembly sold its 50 vehicles for $659,000, said administrative officer Jon Waldie. The Senate has yet to sell its vehicles, said Hedlund. Hedlund said it likely will lose money in selling the more recently purchased vehicles because of the usual heavy depreciation in value. Lawmakers are prohibited from bidding on the vehicles themselves, though they can buy their old vehicles back from a dealer.

“We don’t want anyone saying, ‘You gave them a great deal’,” said Alicia Trost, a spokeswoman for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, DSacramento. —AP

Brazil weathering economic turmoil BRASILIA: Brazil’s economy is weathering the global economic turmoil and the crisis in the eurozone thanks to “solid” economic policies, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday. “Brazil from the IMF point of view has had a very solid track record, it’s in very good economic condition, thanks to very solid macroeconomic policies,” Lagarde said in a visit to the Brazilian capital.

She said Brazil has managed to contain inflation and keep its fiscal position in good shape amid the global difficulties. “Brazil is more immune and better protected than many other countries from the spillover effects, the consequences if you will, of the current euro crisis and its developments,” she said.

IMF forecasts “lead us to believe the global economic outlook will be lower ... than we had believed” both in Europe and other parts of the world, she said. The comments came as the Brazilian government unveiled a package of measures to stimulate the economy and domestic consumption in the face of what is being seen as global slowdown in growth.

The government announced a reduction of the tax on financial transactions on consumer credit from 3.0 percent to 2.5 percent, and the elimination of a 2.0 percent tax on foreign stock market purchases. Taxes on appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and washing machines were also cut.

Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday cut its base rate by another half point to 11 percent, a move anticipated by markets and in line with official efforts to bolster the economy amid a grim global economic outlook. Earlier this month, officials said Brazil’s economic growth could be zero in the third quarter.

In the second quarter, gross domestic product rose 0.8 percent compared with the previous one. The Brazilian economy grew 7.5 percent last year, in full recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. In a statement at the end of the visit, Lagarde again praised Brazil’s economy, which combines “economic stability, growth and significant progress in reducing poverty and inequality - even becoming an international benchmark in that area.”

She said Brazil’s economic resilience stemmed from “competent macroeconomic management based on the three pillars of fiscal responsibility, inflation targeting and flexible exchange rate.” Brazil’s “solid and well-capitalized banking sector” has helped buffer the country from the global financial crisis, but it is impossible to be fully immune. “In our highly interconnected world, nobody is,” said Lagarde. —AFP

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BUSINESS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

S Korea raises gold reserves amid global fears SEOUL: South Korea’s central bank said yesterday it has increased the amount of gold it holds as it moves to hedge against global volatility caused

by European and US debt crises. The Bank of Korea said it bought 15 tons of the precious metal from the London gold market last month, bringing its total reserves to 54.4 tons at the end of November.

It is the second time it has bought gold to diversify its foreign exchange reserves this year. It purchased 25 tons of gold between June and July-its first purchase since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. The bank said its gold

holdings account for one percent of its foreign-exchange reserves, which stood at $308.63 billion at the end of November, the eighth largest in the world.

“Demand for gold is increasing as a hedge against global inflation amid the persistent sovereign-debt crisis in Europe,” Lee Jung, head of the bank’s reserve-investment strategy team, said, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

“The gold purchase will help us cope with volatile global financial markets and enhance investor confidence in Korea in times of crises.”

Asian governments have become increasingly concerned about the problems in the West, with European leaders struggling under the weight of a crippling sovereign debt crisis that threatens the end of the eurozone.

And in the United States lawmakers have been unable to agree a plan to bring down the country’s titanic deficit, which sits at more than $15 trillion. The ongoing woes has led to forecasts of further gold purchases, especially from Asia.

Gold has become increasingly attractive to central banks worldwide, and prices have risen sharply since the

global financial crisis as it is considered a safe haven while a weaker dollar makes it even more attractive.

The yellow metal has more than doubled since the 2008 meltdown and soared to almost $2,000 an ounce earlier this year, although it has weakened slightly as the dollar has strengthened against the troubled euro. European central banks have stopped selling gold.

China, which has the world’s biggest foreign-currency reserves, has been increasing its gold holdings mainly through domestic producers. — AFP

Asian shares mostly up after previous day’s rally Chinese manufacturing slows for the first time HONG KONG: Asian shares mostly rose yesterday, although trade was quiet as investors eased off after the previous day’s huge gains while awaiting US jobs figures later in the day and a European summit.

Tokyo gained 0.54 percent, or 46.37 points, to 8,643.75 and Sydney jumped 1.40 percent, or 59.2 points, to 4,287.8, while Seoul closed flat, dipping 0.14 points to 1,916.04.

In afternoon trade Hong Kong gained 0.20 percent, or 38.13 points to end at 19.040.39, while Shanghai fell 1.10 percent, or 26.20 points, to 2,360.66. Regional markets soared Thursday after the central banks of the United States, the eurozone, Britain, Japan, Canada and Switzerland cut the cost of providing dollars to banks, giving more liquidity to financial markets.

The move came as European banks struggle to find cash on the markets due to concerns over the eurozone debt crisis, which is threatening Italy, Spain and even France. Chinese figures showing manufacturing contracted for the first time in almost three years highlighted the fragile state of the global economy, while investors are still waiting for a comprehensive plan from Europe’s leaders to tackle their woes.

“The confidence boost from central bank action came at a right time, but it won’t last unless there is follow up from the politicians in getting the eurozone’s fiscal house in order,” said ANZ Bank senior economist Khoon Goh in Wellington. “This makes the December 9 EU leaders’ summit a key focus for markets,” he told Dow Jones Newswires. “Failure there means (Wednesday’s) coordinated central bank action would only be akin to a sugar pill, and its effects will have worn out by then.”

On Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would push at next week’s summit for a new European Union treaty to impose tough budgetary disci-

pline. As the euro enters what many see as a make-or-break period, Sarkozy said: “Europe will have to make crucial choices in the weeks to come. “We must confront with total solidarity those who doubt the stability of the euro and speculate on its break-up.”

In Brussels, European Central Bank head Mario Draghi reaffirmed his position that it will not act as lender of last resort. He told European lawmakers that its only role was to ensure price stability and not to create liquidity or subsidise governments.

But he implied the ECB could do more if eurozone heads adopt a pact to avoid another crisis. He hinted the pact could also be the means for opening the way to other ECB action, saying “other elements might follow but the sequencing matters”. Asian investors were also awaiting the release of US November non-farm payroll data for an indication of the state of the world’s biggest economy. While it is expected to show the unemployment rate stuck at nine percent, there is some confidence after private sector jobs increased 206,000 from the previous month.

Shanghai stocks were sold off as the euphoria over Wednesday’s cut in banks’ reserve requirements-as well as the six central banks’ action-subsided amid the gloom of China’s worst manufacturing month since early 2009.

Sydney jumped despite Standard & Poor’s widely expected decision to downgrade the credit ratings of the big four Australian banks as part of changes to the way it assesses risk.

Earlier in the week it downgraded the ratings of major US banks, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America. Commonwealth Bank of Australia rose two percent after saying it does not expect any material impact on its funding plans, while National Australia Bank tacked on 1.57 percent,

Westpac gained 2.08 percent and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group gained 1.9 percent. On currency markets the euro held on to its gains that were stoked by the central banks’ move on Wednesday.

In early European trade the common unit bought $1.3474 and 104.76 yen, compared with $1.3461 and 104.56 yen in New York late Thursday. The dollar edged up to 77.76 yen from 77.66 yen. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, rose 42 cents to $100.62 per barrel in the afternoon. Brent North Sea crude for January delivery added 72 cents to $109.71. Gold was trading at $1,749.20 an ounce at 0945 GMT, from $1,750.10 late Thursday.

In other markets: Singapore: was up 0.42 percent, or 11.48 points, at 2,773.36.

Singapore Airlines gained 0.96 percent to Sg$10.57 and CapitaLand added 1.94 percent to Sg$2.63.

Taipei: slipped 0.53 percent, or 38.01 points, to 7,140.68. Hon Hai fell 1.21 percent to Tw$81.8 while TSMC was 0.78 percent lower at Tw$76.0.

Manila: ended virtually unchanged, adding 0.33 points to 4,290.92 Port operator ICTSI slumped 5.1 percent to 54 pesos and conglomerate San Miguel slid 2.3 percent to 122.80 pesos.

Wellington: rose 0.15 percent, adding 5.08 points, to 3,282.39.

Fletcher gained 2.0 percent to NZ$6.19 while Telecom was down 0.5 percent at NZ$1.98.

Kuala Lumpur: gained 0.25 percent, or 3.76 points, to end at 1,489.02. Plantation company Sime Darby inched up 0.88 percent to 9.12 ringgit, budget carrier AirAsia added 6.62 percent to 3.91 ringgit and telecoms firm Axiata Group fell 0.61 percent to 4.90 ringgit.

Jakarta: was flat, edging down 1.26 points to 3,779.84.

Bangkok: finished 1.00 percent, or 10.22 points, higher at 1,029.37.

Mumbai: was up 2.20 percent, or 363.38 points at 16,846.83. — AFP

SUBANG: Construction workers prepare scaffoldings during the construction of an elevated highway in Subang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Malaysia’s economy to grow by 5.2 percent this year and 5.1 percent in 2012. — AP

Honda announces global recall for air-bag problems TOKYO: Honda Motor Co. is recalling 304,000 vehicles globally for air-bags that may inflate with too much pressure in a crash, send metal and plastic pieces flying and cause injuries or deaths.Honda said there have been 20 accidents so far related to this problem, including two deaths in the US in 2009.

The Japanese automaker announced the recall yesterday, which affects the Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CR-V and other models, manufactured in 2001 and 2002.

The recall spans 273,000 vehicles in the US, some 27,000 in Canada, nearly 2,000 vehicles in Japan and another 2,000 in other countries. It affected 359 vehicles in Europe - 200 in Germany, 158 in Israel and one in Great Britain, according to Honda.

The latest recall is an expansion of recalls for the same problem in 2008, and again carried out in 2009, as well as last year. The recall now covers about 2 million

vehicles worldwide, according to Tokyo-based Honda. Honda spokesman Hajime Kaneko said the cause for the latest recall was the use of incorrect material in the chemical used to deploy air bags.

The initial cause of the recall was excessive moisture in the inflator propellant, which is part of what inflates the air bag.

But that problem was found later to affect more vehicles than initially estimated, as incidents didn’t stop, and the recall was expanded to account for the possibility that the problem was caused by a defective stamping machine used during production, he said.

Honda is extremely sorry about the recalls but believes the problem has now been taken care of, with no more recalls linked to this problem expected, he said.

Also included in the latest recall are 912 air-bag service parts sold for installation in vehicles for collision repair and other reasons, Honda said. — AP

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India govt slams political gamesmanship on retail reform NEW DELHI: India’s finance minister yesterday blamed “narrow” politics for the storm over plans to open the nation’s huge retail sector to global competition that paralysed parliament for a second week. The move to allow foreign investment by Wal-Mart and other supermarket giants in India’s estimated $470 billion retail industry was announced by the Congress party-led government last month.

Mukherjee said “narrow political interests” were blocking the plan as opposition lawmakers shouted “down with foreign investment” and forced parliament to suspend business for a ninth day since the winter session began.

The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Partystaunch free enterprise advocates when in

power-has been coordinating protests with shopkeepers staging a nationwide strike Thursday.

Critics say foreign supermarkets would swamp small family-owned shops which dominate the retail landscape but Mukherjee told a media conference: “It’s the farmers and consumers who will suffer” if the plan is not implemented. Under the proposal, foreign retailers will have to invest in modernising India’s dilapidated cold storage and other back-end infrastructure to end the 40 to 50 percent spoilage of perishable goods.

Mukherjee said he was seeking to break the parliamentary logjam. “I am not saying I will be able to do it but the process is on,” he

told a media conference. Even some of the government’s coalition allies have called for shelving the retail sector reform, which the cabinet passed by decree and the opposition has insisted should be put to a parliamentary vote.

“Dilution of the proposals is expected after the strong opposition,” said Deepak Lalwani, head of India-focused financial consultancy Lalcap. The row is the latest to hamstring parliament, gridlocked for months by protests over corruption and high inflation. The retail storm looks set to derail the government’s legislative plans for the current session including bills to broaden food subsidies as well as key anti-corruption legislation which

China’s Ordos property bust offers warning sign Prices have plummeted 20-30% ORDOS: The monumental, neo-Mongolian sculptures, empty plazas and hulking concrete shells of buildings in Ordos district, deep in the steppes of Inner Mongolia, are a potent symbol of how China’s property boom can turn to bust.

Off the back of a thriving coal industry, the local government has been building a new city for one million people called Kangbashi. It sits virtually empty and property prices are falling. Even in the old city of Dongsheng where people live and work, some 45 minutes drive away, a wave of investment has backfired. Cranes sit idle over

bought two or three apartments,” said Yu Mingjun, a worker sitting in a down jacket at a ramshackle office of a half-completed project in the old town.

Beside him, a colleague played video games while outside, the few construction workers left on site chatted over a card game. “Actually I am worried too. I can’t decide what to do. I’m thinking of leaving here.”

Top Chinese leaders have vowed to keep in place measures aimed at clamping down on the country’s property inflation until prices return to

CHENGDU: In this Monday, Nov 28, 2011 photo, visitors check construction model of real estate projects for a new district in Chengdu, in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. China’s leaders are reversing their two-year effort to cool the economy, seeking to counter slowdowns in manufacturing and property that are dragging growth lower and threatening to spur unrest. —AP unfinished skyscrapers and migrant workers are fleeing.

The swing in fortune-residents and property agents say prices have dropped by up to a third-is a severe example of what is happening in cities across China, including Shanghai and Beijing.

After a housing bubble that doubled values in 35 cities between 2004 and 2009, prices are now falling nationwide. The central bank said on Friday property prices had reached a turning point while banks are worried a price slide of 20 percent could trigger panic selling.

“People are worried. Especially if they have

reasonable levels. But prices in Ordos have already fallen below the level that analysts say would cause serious problems if mirrored nationally.

Prices have plummeted 20-30 percent in certain property developments in Beijing and Shanghai. Nationwide, the decline is so far more modest. Home prices fell slightly in October from September for the first time this year, official data showed, but private surveys indicated prices began falling in September and continued through November.

With local governments often dependent on land sales to fund payments on a staggering 10.7

trillion yuan ($1.7 trillion) of debt, Beijing worries that a collapsing property market will trigger a wave of defaults that in turn will hit the banks.

“If society demonises the property sector, especially if buyers think prices will fall, creating a sharp cooling of for instance 30-40 percent, I think that’s very serious,” said Hui Jianqiang, head of research for consultancy E-House China.

More worrisome, the property market, which contributes about 10 percent of Chinese growth and drives activity in 50 other sectors, could drag the real economy to a hard landing. A pair of purchasing managers’ surveys last week showed China’s factory output shrank in November to the lowest level in three years, feeding worries about whether Chinese growth can keep powering the global economy.

In empty showrooms of Dongsheng, Ordos’ old city, saleswomen immediately offer 30 percent price discounts if a buyer is willing to pay for a property upfront and in cash. Chinese and foreign media seized on Ordos as the prime example of wasteful and pointless government projects after the government built the sprawling new city of Kangbashi. Investors view ghost towns like Kangbashi as an example of the sort of excesses that could pull hard on the reins of the country’s growth. On Thursday, a policeman shooed a Reuters cameraman away from the Wenming (“Culture”) property development right near government buildings in Kangbashi, as workers bearing shovels walked in to demand their last payment before heading home.

“Kangbashi is a sensitive place now,” he said.

China cut its required reserve ratio (RRR) for banks this week, thereby freeing up more cash for lending. Many interpreted that as a sign that China had swung towards easing, although it remains unwilling to cut interest rates.

“The RRR cut is not a timely enough rain to water the developers’ drying cash flows. But it signals a policy change and could help boost market confidence,” said Zhang Yue, research head of Home Link, a Chinese real estate consultancy.

Many analysts expect Beijing to keep property tightening steps in place, including curbing bank lending to developers. Worried about inflation and a speculative bubble, officials remain wary of relaxing policy.

But local governments may not be able to wait. As developers cut prices, they will see a drop in demand for land sales, which bulk up their budgets. Falling revenues will give them incentive to quietly loosen restrictions on propertysuch as rules limiting the number of homes families can buy-in their areas. —Reuters

commands general all-party support.

Despite the legislative deadlock, Mukherjee predicted India’s economy would grow by “over 7.5 percent” this financial year, powered by demand from its 1.2 billion population. The forecast came after data this week showed second-quarter growth skidded to a two-year low of 6.9 percent, hobbled by a string of interest rate hikes that have failed to tame inflation, still running at close to 10 percent.

Mukhjerjee’s projection is far more rosy than some private economists who expect expansion this year to be as low as 6.5 percent and believe the country is shifting to a new, slower growth trajectory. —AFP

China says cannot use forex reserves to rescue Europe BEIJING: China’s vice foreign minister yesterday ruled out using the nation’s vast foreign exchange reserves to bail out Europe, as the debt-laden continent tries to stave off the risk of a massive default. “The argument that China should rescue Europe does not stand,” vice foreign minister Fu Ying told an EU-China forum.

“We cannot use foreign reserves for... rescuing foreign countries. We need to ensure safety, liquidity and profit for the foreign reserves.” European leaders have lobbied China, the world’s second largest economy, to help struggling eurozone countries by contributing to a bailout fund, but so far Beijing has not made a firm commitment.

The Asian powerhouse, which has the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves at $3.2017 trillion, has said it is keen to seek more investment opportunities in Europe, but has held back from agreeing to contribute to the fund. Fu pointed to China’s purchase of European bonds, increased imports and expanded investment in the continent, which would “create jobs and restore growth”.

But she insisted China was not seeking to use its considerable financial clout to exert power over the continent. “China is no old-fashioned power or empire.

China has no intention of seeking power through financial means,” she said.

China’s commerce minister Chen Deming said last month Beijing would lead an investment delegation to Europe next year, and the head of China’s sovereign wealth fund has said it is keen to invest in European infrastructure. But some in Europe have expressed concern about the potential cost of accepting Beijing’s help.

In October, Francois Hollande, the Socialist candidate for next year’s French presidential elections, asked if China was really “riding to the rescue of the euro... without making any demands in return?” Fu also reiterated China’s confidence in Europe, just as European leaders prepare to meet at a summit next week that some have billed as their last chance to restore the credibility of eurozone economic governance.

“We have reason to believe that Europe has the wisdom, capacity and resources to make it this time by accelerating adjustment and reform,” she said. —AFP

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Elizabeth Taylor jewelry goes on view before sale PAGE 25

A dog is seen with snow on his nose during a snowfall in a park in Beijing yesterday. It is the first snowfall of the winter in the Chinese capital. — AFP

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

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he ‘Twilight Saga’ actor will be given his own replica waxwork at top London attraction Madame Tussauds and the model will be unveiled in January. Taylor will join his ‘Twilight’ co-star Robert Pattinson after being one of 2011’s most requested personalities. Other stars to have waxworks at Madame Tussauds include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, David Beckham and Brad Pitt. The news of Taylor getting his own waxwork comes after he, Robert and their other co-star Kristen Stewart had their hand and foot prints immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The trio were introduced by TV talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and Stephenie Meyer - who wrote all the ‘Twilight Saga’ books - and were cheered by the hundreds of

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he actor put ‘Action Comics No 1’ - which features the debut of Superman in popular culture and is believed to be one of only 100 left in existence - in an online auction, in which 50 people bid on the item. The comic which was graded at 9.0, making it the best condition of an ‘Action No. 1’ that has ever been graded by the leading comic book grading company, Certified Guaranty Company eventually sold for $2,161,000.

It shattered the previous $1.5 million record for a less-well preserved copy of ‘Action Comics No.1’, which sold in March. However, the auction almost didn’t happen as the book was stolen from

fans who had come along to catch a glimpse of their idols.

Speaking to the crowd, Kristen said: “Hollywood, I think this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life. This is insane that I’m doing this.” Taylor, 19, added: “There are a few moments that mean so much, it’s really even hard to explain, and this is definitely one of those.” Robert, 25, was equally moved by the tribute, saying: “This is incredibly scary ... This is such an incredible honor. How young we are, it’s kind of ridiculous and amazing at the same time.”

Following their speeches, the three stars then signed their names into the wet cement plaque - which was emblazoned with the words ‘The Twilight Saga’ - and then pressed their hands and feet in.

Cage over 10 years ago and was only recovered in April.

Speaking before the precious booklet was returned, Cage said: “It is divine providence that the comic was found and I am hopeful that the heirloom will be returned to my family.”

The 47-year-old actor was said to be so devastated when the comic was stolen he gave up collecting, and sold his collection of 141 rare comics for more than $1.6 million. He originally bought his copy at auction in 1997 for around $150,000. Cage is a huge fan of Superman and even named his six-year-old son Kal-El, which is the character’s birth name on Krypton.

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he 21-year-old country singer often feels inspired in the dark of night and she will get out of bed and commit her new tunes to paper straight away. She told Billboard magazine: “Usually songs hit me in the middle of the night and I end up writing [them] before dawn, so there’s no time to call somebody.” When she is not singing at the moon, Taylor - who was set to be presented with the Woman of the Year prize at Billboard’s Women in Music luncheon at Capitale in New York yesterday - is thinking deeply about her music. The ‘Love Story’ hitmaker treats her tracks like updates in a diary because she always writes about her own life and experiences, and she sees each new album as an update on her existence. Taylor -

who has penned several songs about her exlovers, including Joe Jonas and Taylor Lautner - said: “Writing my own songs was a way for me to create what I wanted to create and music about my life. “In that way it kind of became a diary put to music every time I put out a new record.”

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he 33-year-old star beat Cheryl Cole - who left the UK ‘X Factor’ for a judging role on the US version of the show only to be fired just weeks into her new job - to be the most popular person to be searched for in the last year, following her split with husband Alex Reid after just one year of marriage and brief relationship with model Leandro Penna. Duchess Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her wedding to Prince William on April 29 - was the third most searched for celebrity, with her sister Pippa coming in fifth, according to Yahoo! OMG!. Julia White, editor of the site, said: “You might expect that having been crowned queen of Yahoo!’s top searched for celebs last year, Cheryl Cole would be making way for a real life princess this year. As it happens, she only made way for Katie Price - showing that the British public’s interest in more ordinary celebrities still trumps royalty. “Cheryl Cole’s place at the top is particularly impressive as she is no longer appearing on ‘X Factor’. The public are clearly still captivated by her -more so than any of the new judges, none of whom make the list!” The only man to make the list was soccer star Ryan Giggs at number seven following his affair with former ‘Big Brother’ star Imogen Thomas. Late singer Amy Winehouse placed sixth, two spots ahead of Spice Girls singer-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham, who gave birth to her fourth child, daughter Harper, in July. Kim Kardashian and Rihanna rounded out the top 10.

Yahoo! OMG’s top ten most searched celebrities (last year’s number in brackets): 1.

Katie Price (2) 2.

Cheryl Cole (1) 3.

Kate Middleton (new entry) 4.

Imogen Thomas (new entry) 5.

Pippa Middleton (new entry) 6.

Amy Winehouse (new entry) 7.

Ryan Giggs (new entry) 8.

Victoria Beckham (6) 9.

Kim Kardashian (new entry) 10. Rihanna (new entry)

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he ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ hitmaker and the Formula 1 driver - who split in October after a four-year relationship - are hoping to reunite to spend some “proper time” together over the coming weeks now Lewis’ hectic racing season has drawn to a close. An insider told The Sun newspaper: “It’s a struggle to maintain a blossoming relationship during the F1 season.

“Lewis is so busy and in a different country every other week. When they can’t see each other they use things like Skype, but that’s no substitute for the real thing. With no F1 distractions, Lewis aims to spend some proper time with Nicole. He

can’t wait.” Despite the split, Lewis recently admitted the couple still have “strong feelings” for each other, and are hopeful they can give their relationship another try. He said: “We still have very, very strong feelings for each other and I still love her very much. Who knows, maybe we will be together in the future? “We’re friends and we can move forward. These times are sent to try you; it’s about how you pull through. I have my family who are helping, so I feel pretty good.”— BangShowbiz

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Kristina Kochegarova (Kristall) of Ukraine sings a song during Junior Eurovision song contest in Yerevan yesterday. — AFP

‘Bonnie & Clyde’ has murderous leads, killer songs

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onnie and Clyde became famous when they teamed up, so it’s somewhat appropriate that the new Broadway musical based on their story has brought together two great couples, albeit with less actual bloodshed. Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan, two of theater’s rising stars, play the bank-robbing duo with sexy onstage chemistry and strong voices. The other couple is behind the scenes: Frank Wildhorn and Don Black, the composer and lyricist, who have written some sumptuous songs. These dynamic duos enliven “Bonnie & Clyde,” a relatively straightforward biographical musical with some nice creative touches that opened Thursday under the direction of Jeff Calhoun at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

This retelling of the Great Depression-era folk tale about two star-crossed lovers teases out the twin themes of their dangerous lust and their lust for fame. Bonnie wants to be a movie star and Clyde wants to be Jesse James. That thirst for celebrity resonates today, as does the echo of economic woes, with its drumbeat of foreclosures and bank failures. Wildhorn was last on Broadway this spring with “Wonderland,” an updated telling of “Alice in Wonderland” that had some good songs

In this theater image released by Jeffrey Richards Associates, Laura Osnes (left) and Jeremy Jordan are shown in the musical “Bonnie and Clyde,” in New York. — AP

but came with a book that was, at best, insipid.

This time, his musical is much better but is ultimately let down by the same problem: a sometimes middling book. That’s not to say the book writer Ivan Menchell and the creative team haven’t thrown all they can into the story: There are appearances by Bonnie and Clyde’s childhood selves, there’s a subplot with Clyde’s brother, a love triangle with a cop, some eye-candy with both leads in their underwear, an attempt to explain the source of criminality, and energetic projection design by Aaron Rhyne that includes old headlines and photos.

Calhoun keeps more than two dozen scenes and miniscenes in constant motion, with actors sometimes setting up in the dark edges of the stage even as their fellow actors are still performing elsewhere. His sly sense of humor is on show when a choir singing God’s praises with their hands in the air transform into customers with their hands in the air. There are also dramatic shoot outs - marred somewhat by the distinctive sound of kiddie cap guns - and more vintage cars on stage than a showing of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” There is also what seems like vestiges from an earlier version of the musical, like a huge, expensive-looking tree stump that appears for just a few seconds in Act 2.

The plot is a mostly chronological, taking the couple from their first meeting to their bloody end.

Menchell deserves credit for trying to elevate the story by looking at their quest for celebrity, but stumbles when it comes to exposition. “Clyde’s been shot. He’s in trouble,” one character says after we’ve all clearly seen Clyde shot and in trouble.

There’s also a bit of bloat, but Black’s lyrics fit perfectly in Wildhorn’s songs and even add an edge that sometimes is missing from the book.

“No way I’ll see heaven,” Clyde sings in one bluesy song, “so let’s raise a little hell.” But there can be no grousing when it comes to Osnes and Jordan, who are as gorgeous as some of the first-rate tunes they get to sing, such as the catchy “This World Will Remember Me,” the fist-pumping “When I Drive” and the poignant “Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad.” —AP

he world of pizza in New York is in meltdown over who will be the big cheese on one of the Big Apple’s hottest slices of pizza real estate. At stake is a corner of Brooklyn under the end of the Brooklyn Bridge that has been ruled for more than a decade by Grimaldi’s, an old-world pizzeria with crusts as thin as the line of tourists is long, an almost unique oven, and now a feud that could bring it down. On Wednesday, newly delivered flour sacks were shot down a sidewalk slide into Grimaldi’s basement. Inside, a hefty fellow expertly tossed dough. A Babel of languages could be heard as clients tucked in at tables covered in red-and-white tablecloths under walls lined with faded pictures of Frank Sinatra.

Following their guidebooks, many of the diners had just walked in via the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy a quintessential New York experience. Yet bubbling under the surface was real New York of another kind: rival pizza royalty, an angry landlord, stern officials, true tragedy, and a spat that within days will upend a city institution. Or more than a spat, as Ellen Freudenheim, a guidebook writer who covers Brooklyn for about.com, told AFP. “It’s closer to a feud.”

Grimaldi’s troubles began, as they often do in New York, with disputes between the restaurant owners, the Ciolli family, and their landlord over rental payments and taxes. This year the landlord refused to renew the lease. Then in what some see as revenge, he invited in as replacement another famous New York pizza family-in fact none other than the original Grimaldi family who had started the restaurant before selling it, name and all, to the soon-to-be ousted Ciollis.

The Ciollis, a hard driving clan that has expanded across the country from its Brooklyn base, found the perfect riposte, leasing bigger premises literally next door that they will call Grimaldi’s.

Pizza war loomed. But the real Grimaldis-the actual Grimaldi family that is-inherit a secret weapon with their move into their old establishment, to be named Juliana’s after the owner’s mother: the coal-fired oven. Coal ovens burn more intensely than gas furnaces, pizza makers say, cooking pies quickly and adding that perfect burnt-around-the-edges flavor. And the real sting is that only the existing handful of New York coal ovens are legal, while it’s almost impossible to get permission for new ones to be installed. Unaware, or in an old New York-style attempt to bypass pesky officials, the Ciollis tried to install one of these mythical ovens into their new premises, a handsome 19th century bank building. But when an unbending city inspector realized, not only the oven, but the entire project was ordered suspended.

Now instead of a sign announcing the reincarnation of Grimaldi’s, the front doors have pinned on them a city document emblazoned: STOP WORK ORDER. The fine print cites an “illegally installed coal burning oven” posing “imminent danger to life or public safety.”

Maybe a happy ending?

For the Ciollis things only seem to get worse. Owner Frank Ciolli’s 39-year-old son died suddenly over the weekend. The family got a small break when the landlord allowed a two-week extension on vacating the restaurant, which had been due Wednesday. But staff, who wear black T-shirts emblazoned with the words “coal brick-oven pizzeria” and “I’m gonna make you a pizza you can’t refuse” were uncharacteristically glum, clearly fed up with pestering journalists, while mourning for their boss’s son and worrying about the future. — AFP

A customer takes a photograph of the entrance to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, which features a coal brick oven, near the Brooklyn Bridge in the Brooklyn borough of New York. — AFP

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor La Peregrina (left) a Natural Pearl, Diamond and Ruby necklace by Cartier, and a pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond ear pendants by Bulgari are pictured.

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he legendary jewelry and fashion collections of Elizabeth Taylor, the socalled “Crown Jewels of Hollywood,” went on glittering display Thursday in New York ahead of a hotly anticipated auction.

The actress, who died in March at the age of 79, had seven husbands during her glamorous life, countless admirers and a passion for jewelry. The exhibition at Christie’s auction house in Manhattan is the last stop on a world tour highlighting Taylor’s treasuresand the first and last time that the entire collection will be gathered in one place.

Thousands of people have already bought tickets to the 10-day public viewing, which only starts today. The auction will then run from December 13-16, offering pieces like the 33.19 carat “Elizabeth Taylor Diamond” given to her by husband Richard Burton in 1968, and estimated to sell for between $2.5-3.5 million. Running concurrently with the live auction at Christie’s will be an Internet-only sale of nearly 1,000 items such as jewelry and accessories like designer handbags. Christie’s estimates total sales of between $30 million and $50 million.

Another gift from Burton, who was twice married to Taylor, was the famous “La Peregrina” pearl from the 16th century, once worn by several queens of Austria, England and Spain. It is estimated at $2-3 million.

Hundreds of haute couture dresses from Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, Versace or Yves Saint Laurent, jackets, caftans, handbags and other accessories are on sale and they tell both the story of the star and also the changes in fashion during her eventful career. The dress Taylor wore to her first marriage is predicted to go for between $40,000 and $60,000. “It is by far the greatest jewelry collection to be offered in a century,” said Marc Porter, chairman of Christie’s

Scarfs and handbags are on display.

Americas. “There is such a depth of quality.”

Additional showstoppers include the Prince of Wales diamond brooch, estimated at between $400,000 and half a million dollars, and a ruby and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels and an emerald and diamond Bulgari necklace both estimated at between $1 million and $1.5 million. There’s even a tiara, also encrusted with diamonds, and estimated to go for between $60,000$80,000. The scale of the auction is itself unusual. Meredith Etherington-Smith, curator for the fashion side, said she had “never seen so many clothes racks in my life and nothing was in order.” She described the dresses and other pieces representing “60 years of fashion and it is the very best of the best.” “I would have loved to have met her.

She was so glamorous,” Etherington-Smith said. — AFP

Three Versace beaded evening bolero jackets, “Queen Elizabeth” (left), “The Face” (center) and “Greek Faces” (right) owned by US actress Elizabeth Taylor, on display during a preview. — AFP

A Versace Polychrome Warhol-Inspired Imagery Suit (center) is on display during a preview of the full Collection of Elizabeth Taylor at Christie’s, Thursday, Dec 1, 2011 in New York. — AP photos

A pair of shoes is on display during a preview.

A Thea Porter Cream Chiffon Sequined and Embroidered Caftan with Matching Belt (left) and an Yves Saint Laurent Tan Safari Print Silk Caftan are on display.

Clothing, luggage, scarfs and handbags are on display.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Kim Kardashian’s husband seeks annulment

In this file photo, newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries attend a party thrown in their honor at Capitale in New York.

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BA player Kris Humphries asked a judge Thursday to annul his 10-week, highly publicized marriage to Kim Kardashian on the basis that it was fraudulent. The filing comes roughly a month after Kardashian filed for divorce and apologized to fans. Humphries’ petition did not offer any details to support his contention that the marriage was a fraud, which a judge would have to determine is true for the marriage to be completely nullified. Kardashian’s attorney Laura Wasser declined to comment on Humphries’ filing.

The couple signed a prenuptial agreement before marrying in a star-studded ceremony Aug 20 at an exclusive estate in California. Kardashian’s sisters and TV co-stars Kourtney Kardashian, 32, and Khloe Kardashian, 27, served as co-maids of honor. Kim Kardashian and Humphries began dating late last year and announced their engagement in May. He proposed on bended knee with a 20.5-carat ring by spelling out ‘Will you marry me?’ in rose petals.

Kardashian filed for divorce Oct 31, citing irreconcilable differences. The actress-model is the star of the E! Entertainment Television series ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians,’ and her marriage to Humphries was turned into a high-touted televised special. Humphries is a free agent NBA forward who played last season for the New Jersey Nets.

He is requesting that if an annulment isn’t granted, the couple be deemed legally separated.

Humphries’ marriage to Kardashian is his first; she was previously married to a music producer for four years. Both Kardashian and Humphries are asking a judge to prevent either side from receiving spousal support, and Kardashian wants her husband to pay his own attorney’s fees. — AP

Elvis Presley’s ‘real daughter’ sues for $130m

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Swedish woman claiming to be Elvis Presley’s long-lost daughter has filed a $130 million lawsuit against his estate and relatives for defamation and emotional distress. Lisa Johansen, 43, claims she was the true daughter of the “King of Rock and Roll” and was forcibly exiled to Sweden after her father’s 1977 death out of fears she would be kidnapped. She also says she was replaced by “imposter” Lisa Marie Presley and that the singer’s wife Priscilla Presley was her mother. Johansen ostensibly chronicled her journey in an autobiography, “I, Lisa Marie,” but the book’s publishers sued her in 2000 for refusing to take an agreed-upon DNA test.

For the past decade, Johansen has kept a low profile but a series of recent conflicts with the Presley family has brought renewed attention to her claims. She filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Memphis, Tennessee on November 21. —AFP

Hollywood film director Michael Bay (second left) arrives for a press conference at the premier launch for the Transformers -The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore, part of Resorts World Sentosa, yesterday. The ride officially opens to the public today, with Universal Studios Hollywood expected to launch the same ride in early 2012. — AP

Silent movie making big noise in Oscars race

“T

he Artist,” a black-and-white homage to the era of silent movies, has a growing number of film insiders talking in Hollywood, where it is increasingly tipped as a leading Oscars hopeful. The movie by French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius won best film and best director this week by the New York Film Critics Circle, lending weight to its hopes for the Academy Awards. On the same day it secured a best picture nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards, another key pointer to who will vie for a golden statuette at the climax of Hollywood’s just-started awards season, in February.

Distributed by The Weinberg Company-a veteran Oscar-backer which produced last year’s Best Film “The King’s Speech”-it tells the story of silent film star George Valentin whose career is torpedoed by the arrival of the “talkies.” As his fortunes plummet, a young dancer and actress who initially idolizes him-Peppy Miller, who catches his eye, and heart-is on her way up to Hollywood stardom in the new movieswith-sound era.

Without spoiling the plot, the climax brings the pair back together in a dramatic and touching finale. Shot in black and white with a remarkable attention to period detail and dance routines recalling the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the movie has won critics’ praise on both sides of the Atlantic.

Actor Jean Dujardin, who plays Valentin, won best actor at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and the movie has won a series of other awards in Europe and the United States, before it opened in US cinemas on November 23.

The San Francisco Chronicle called the film “a profound achievement,” in a review published Thursday. “A silent movie-or rather, a sound film with a

music soundtrack-it evinces such mastery of form that it could easily be mistaken for a real classic,” it said. More recently the movie’s director and key cast came to Los Angeles to present it at the American Film Institute (AFI) festival, staying long enough in Hollywood to leave few doubts about their Oscars campaign hopes.

Hazanavicius said that, while silent films were made by many countries in the 1920s including Russia, Germany and France, he decided to pay homage to US movies of the era because “they took most care” in telling stories.

“Feelings described in the masterpieces of that era are human, based on real emotions, and that is what I was looking for,” he said. Dujardin, speaking after the screening at the historic Graumann’s Chinese Theatre, said he was inspired by Hollywood icons led by Douglas Fairbanks, “but also Gene Kelly, for the smile and energy, or Clark Gable... for the moustache.”

Not content with eyeing prizes for best film, picture and actor, another costar in the movie-a dog called Uggie-is also being touted for an award. The terrier, Valentin’s constant companion throughout the film’s emotional rollercoaster ride, already scooped an unofficial award, the Palm Dog, in Cannes.

Film website Movieline this week launched a “Consider Uggie” campaign for the pooch to win more gongs.

“That he and his trainers have yet to receive so much as an honorary nod beyond the Palm Dog prize praising the year’s most noteworthy Cannes-ine (ahem) performance is an oversight worth correcting,” it wrote. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will announce Oscar nominees on January 24, while the winners will be announced at the annual Hollywood awards season-closing extravaganza on February 26. — AFP

British-Ugandan soul musician Mickael Kiwanuka performs on stage during the 33rd Transmusicales music festival on December 01, 2011 in Rennes western France. —AFP

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Jackson legacy expected to thrive after trial

In this file picture, Michael Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, Calif. — AP

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he private world of Michael Jackson, fiercely shielded by the superstar in life, was exposed in the trial of Dr Conrad Murray. But rather than suffering harm from revelations of drug use, experts say Jackson’s legacy and posthumous earning power will survive any damage done and could actually grow after he was portrayed as a victim of a money-hungry doctor. Jackson died before he could launch a series of highly anticipated comeback concerts in London as he tried to regain the towering status he enjoyed when he released the “Thriller” album in 1983.

But his death did breathe new life into record sales and boosted other projects to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for his estate, even as his already tarnished personal life took another hit by revelations about his drug use. Jackson zoomed to the top of the Forbes Magazine list of highest

earning dead celebrities and his executors are moving quickly on more projects designed to burnish the performer’s image and expand the inheritance of his three children.

A Cirque du Soleil extravaganza, “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” opens in Las Vegas this weekend, a precursor to a permanent installation at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, and fans are expected to flock there for a “Fan Fest” exhibit of Jackson memorabilia.

After the trial, a judge made it clear that the defense effort to cast Jackson as the villain in the case had been a miserable failure. Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, called a reckless opportunist and sentenced to the maximum four years in prison.

Judge Michael Pastor also blasted Murray for experimenting on the pop star with the operating-room anesthetic propofol to help him battle debilitating insomnia, even though

Ferrell’s ‘Billion

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ere’s a dream come true for cash-strapped filmmakers: A billion-dollar movie budget.

Next month’s Sundance Film Festival, the top showcase for independent cinema, includes the comedy “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie.” It’s the story of two filmmakers who get the most colossal budget ever, only to have it all go wrong. The movie, one of dozens announced Thursday by Robert Redford’s Sundance festival, features Will Ferrell, John C Reilly, Zach Galifianakis. Its writer-directors are Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, a comedy duo whose credits include the TV series “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” “Billion Dollar Movie” is part of the festival’s popular midnight section of horror, over-thetop comedy and other high-energy films.

Among other midnight titles are director Jon Wright’s horror comedy “Grabbers,” starring Richard Coyle and Ruth Bradley in the tale of villagers in an Irish fishing town who learn that staying drunk might be

the drug was never meant to be used in a private home. Some experts say the revelations made the King of Pop look more like a regular person coping with a difficult challenge. “In the final analysis, not a lot of damage was done,” Jackson biographer J Randy Taraborelli said. “I think the trial humanized Michael Jackson. It presented him as a human being with problems.”

As evidence unfolded, “It definitely made our hearts go out to Michael Jackson. He was a person suffering a great deal and not getting the help he needed,” the author said.

Taraborelli said the entertainer’s family, fans and estate executors were concerned before the trial that testimony would paint Jackson as responsible for his own death while resurrecting past accusations of child molestation and bizarre behavior by the King of Pop. But the judge limited testimony and evidence to Jackson’s final months and specifically ruled out any mention of the 2005 molestation trial.

Thomas Mesereau Jr., the attorney who won Jackson’s acquittal in that case, believes the Murray trial did damage Jackson’s reputation but said the impact would likely be short term. “It certainly didn’t help to have all this testimony about drug use,” Mesereau said.

“But as time passes, people will focus more on his music and the negatives will fade.” While Murray was ultimately shown to be negligent, the portrait of his patient that emerged during the trial was one of an aging superstar desperate to cement his place in entertainment history while providing a stable home life for adored children, Paris, Prince and Blanket. The image of Jackson as a caring father had never been illustrated quite so vividly. A probation officer who interviewed Jackson’s mother, Katherine, said she told him: “Michael Jackson was his children’s

world, and their world collapsed when he left.” A leading expert on the licensing and branding of dead celebrities believes the trial engendered so much sympathy for Jackson that in the long run it will eclipse negative fallout from his past.

“I don’t think any tawdry revelations that may have come out of the trial will have any impact on his lasting legacy,” said Martin Crebbs, who is based in New York. “We as a society tend to give everyone a second chance. Michael’s legacy will be like Elvis and the Beatles. It will be his music, his genius. and his charitable works “ Crebbs has represented the estates of such deceased luminaries as Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Steve McQueen and Mae West. He is not involved in the Jackson estate but praised its executors’ efforts. Beginning with the rapid release of the concert movie, “This Is It,” he said, “They have done a brilliant job of reminding us of Michael’s genius.”

Taraborelli also cited the film based on rehearsals for Jackson’s ill-fated concerts as a spectacular move setting the stage for a posthumous comeback of the Jackson entertainment empire. “It made you want to embrace him,” said the author of “Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness.”

Jackson’s eccentricities and bizarre behavior often made headlines. Whether it was traveling with a chimp named Bubbles, sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber or dangling his baby Blanket off a balcony, he managed to alienate many people. The molestation trial pushed him further from the mainstream. “That all ended on the day the news was announced that Michael was dead,” said Lance Grode, a former music executive and onetime attorney for Jackson who now teaches legal issues in music at University of Southern California. —AP

Dollar Movie’ heads to Sundance

their only protection against bloodsucking sea monsters. They also will include Nicholas McCarthy’s “The Pact,” with Casper Van Dien and Caity Lotz in the story of a woman whose

childhood home is beset by a mysterious presence after her mother’s death; “Black Rock,” with director Katie Aselton, Lake Bell and Kate Bosworth in a thriller about three

In this file photo, actors John C Reilly (left) and Will Ferrell pose backstage at MTV Studios in Times Square for MTV’s “Total Request Live” show in New York. — AP

friends fighting for survival during a weekend getaway; and Dylan Southern and Joe Swanberg’s “Shut Up and Play the Hits,” a documentary following LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy for two days amid the band’s farewell concert in April.

Sundance programming director Trevor Groth said he aimed to rev up the midnight lineup this time, “so I did a lot of outreach into the pockets of filmmakers making the kind of films we want.” “It’s actually going to be one of the most exciting collections of films in the midnight section we’ve ever had. Something for everyone, as long as they like it kind of crazy,” Groth said. “Hopefully, it’ll keep you awake. For me, it’s the stuff that really pushes the envelope. The more outrageous it is for me, the better. I really want to be shocked or surprised or laugh so hard that I pass out.” Sundance announced several other film categories Thursday, including a program of micro budgeted movies. —AP

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

From

toques to tattoos,

a kitchen culture change S

tephanie Izard looks like the girl next door, all T-shirt and curly pony tail. Until she wipes the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

And then you see it. The fish tattoo.

Cooking is an art and tattoos are another form of art,” says the chef-owner of Chicago’s acclaimed Girl and the Goat

This undated photo courtesy of Sarah Dorio shows a tattoo on the arm of Chef Hugh Acheson. — AP photos

Mayans never predicted world to end in 2012

This photo shows a tattoo on the arm of chef Stephanie Izard at the US Food Service convention at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla.

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f you are worried the world will end next year based on the Mayan calendar, relax: the end of time is still far off. So say Mayan experts who want to dispel any belief that the ancient Mayans predicted a world apocalypse next year. The Mayan calendar marks the end of a 5,126 year old cycle around Dec 12, 2012 which should bring the return of Bolon Yokte, a Mayan god associated with war and creation.

Author Jose Arguelles called the date “the ending of time as we know it” in a 1987 book that spawned an army of Mayan theorists, whose speculations on a cataclysmic end abound online. But specialists meeting at this ancient Mayan city in southern Mexico say it merely marks the termination of one period of creation and the beginning of another.

“We have to be clear about this. There is no prophecy for 2012,” said Erik Velasquez, an etchings specialist at the the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

“It’s a marketing fallacy.” The National Institute of Anthropological History in Mexico has been trying to quell the barrage of forecasters predicting the apocalypse. “The West’s messianic thinking has distorted the world view of ancient civilizations like the Mayans,” the institute said in a statement.

In the Mayan calendar, the long calendar count begins in 3,114 BC and is divided into roughly 394-year periods called Baktuns.

Mayans held the number 13 sacred and the 13th Baktun ends next year. Sven Gronemeyer, a researcher of Mayan codes from La Trobe University in Australia, who has been trying to decode the calendar, said the so-called end day reflects a transition from one era to the next in which Bolon Yokte returns.

“Because Bolon Yokte was already present at the day of creation ... it just seemed natural for the Mayan that Bolon Yokte will again be present,” he said. Of the the approximately 15,000 registered glyphic texts found in different parts of what was then the Mayan empire, only two mention 2012, the Institute said. —Reuters

Chef Marc Forgione poses for a photograph in his restaurant Marc Forgione in New York. restaurant, showing off the delicate drawing on the inside of her wrist. Roll up her pants and a pea tendril struggles up her calf, a tiny plant becoming strong.

A bright green gecko sits on one hip. A dolphin resides somewhere unshowable.

And across her back, the piece de resistance - a blossoming basil plant encircled by cartoonish flying pigs. “People come into our restaurant and say ‘Do you only hire line chefs with tattoos?’” says Izard, the first and only woman to win Bravo’s “Top Chef.” “No, we just happen to have lot of them covered in them.”

Once considered the province of sailors, bikers, ex-cons and, of course, college hipsters, tattoos have become standard attire in professional kitchens, a symbol of culinary culture as surely as a toque. Whether the drawings are egg beaters, lemon meringue pies or ancient tribal motifs, body art in the kitchen is now so mainstream that everyone from lowly kitchen rats to celebrity chefs proudly display their work on television, magazine covers, high-end catalogues and in the pages of their cookbooks, making culinistas ever more like rock stars.

“It used to be those cockamamie chef hats that denoted an expertise with a spatula,” says Rocky Rakovic, editor of Inked magazine, a publication dedicated to tattoo culture and that has featured several chefs. “But now time in many kitchens is represented by the amount of

tattoos one has.”

Meat cutting diagrams - the different cuts of cow denoted by dotted lines and kitchen knives done like daggers are popular with chefs, tattoo artists say.

Cupcakes, hot dogs, pies, equipment - a stand mixer showing a reflection in the stainless steel bowl receives raves from tattoo connoisseurs - are standard when you’re talking food tattoos. Food Network chef Duff Goldman, also known as The Ace of Cakes, has a whisk.

Hugh Acheson, chef-partner of three acclaimed Georgia restaurants, who has four tattoos himself, including the names of his wife and children, as well as a Mayan god he got during a trip to the Yucatan peninsula when he was 16 (he swears he was sober). His favorite is the radish on the inside of his left forearm, which commemorates the first plant he grew at his house more than a decade ago, and which gets the spotlight in his new cookbook’s food photos.

But lots of chefs make little or no reference to their profession. In those cases, the ink - and the reasons for getting it are as individual as the chef. Bryan Voltaggio, the 35-year-old chef-owner of Volt Restaurant in Frederick, Md., and a finalist (along with brother Michael) on season 6 of “Top Chef,” has six tattoos, including a nautical star to guide him.

The names of his children and their Chinese zodiac signs celebrate their births. And his lightening bolt - a tattoo he shares with even more heavily tattooed Michael - celebrates their friendship with childhood buddies (who also have the same tattoo).

Marc Forgione’s eight tattoos represent turning points in his life or career: the Navajo art that inspired him to open his own restaurant; the “1621” on both biceps documenting his recreation of the first Thanksgiving, the meal that cinched his 2010 win on the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef”; the tribal infinity symbol his parents gave him on

his 18th birthday. “I use them almost like a roadmap of my life,” says the 32-yearold chef-owner of Restaurant Marc Forgione. “They all have their own little story. It’s a badge of memory.” Chefs with tattoos are nothing new, Rakovic says. What is new is their emergence from the bowels of restaurant life onto television and into the spotlight. But industry watchers like Dana Cowin, editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine, say the volume of ink has definitely increased during the past five years or so - and it should be no surprise.

“If you look at a chef with beautiful tatts you might also be looking at a chef that presents very beautifully plated food,” says Cowin, whose July 2009 cover featured the elaborately inscribed arms of chefs Nate Appleman and Vinny Dotolo and drew fire from a few readers who thought it was in poor taste. “So the opposite conclusion can be drawn: not ‘They’re heathens,’ but, ‘They must be appreciators of art.’”

Which is exactly why chefs like them.

“Chefs are artistic people who get inspired by things and that has a lot to do with tattoos,” Forgione says. “We’re kind of artistic, rebellious, a little crazy.”

Tattoos also fit nicely into the late night lifestyle chefs lead, with the blazing lights of tattoo parlors offering diversion when other places are closed. And for those who enjoy being adorned, tattoos are earrings and bracelets. “It’s an accessory,” Izard says. “You can’t wear jewelry in the kitchen, but you can wear tattoos.”

The current trend also may be partly generational. Over the years, kitchen culture in general has relaxed, chefs say. As the strict French model of the “brigade” became dated, Voltaggio says, toques came off and sleeves were rolled up showing off tattoos that already were there. By the early 2000s, more ink than ever was exposed, inspiring others to get tattoos and reinforcing body art’s place in the kitchen culture. —AP

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

A wrap breaks up the lines of a structured dress, and it isn’t really warm enough for the chilly evenings of fall and winter. — MCT photos

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wore a tailored black tux jacket with three-quarterlength sleeves over her strapless black velvet dress when she arrived at a recent event (via helicopter).

Chances are it was a chilly ride in the chopper and she needed something to keep her warm until she hit the red carpet. The combo looked chic and unfussy with a touch of masculine tailoring to temper the sexiness of the dress. This formula is a nofail way to add a practical and stylish layer to an evening ensemble.

A tux-style jacket is versatile enough to throw on over a fancy dress, and you can get extra mileage out of it by wearing it with slim black cigarette pants and simple black heels. Traditional black is the best investment because it’s the easiest to wear with a black or dark-colored dress. Or try an ivory jacket with a black lapel ($108 at Express)

to draw a nice contrast and add drama to a simple black dress.

For a pop of holiday color, an emerald green charmeuse fitted blazer is festive and eye-catching ($229 at Talbots). It pairs well with black, gold, ivory or even certain shades of smoky gray. Balance out the strong color with bold accessories that might have subtle hints of a similar shade of green.

A velvet tux jacket takes the cover-up into fancier territory. A midnight blue version ($150 at Topshop) feels rich and a little less expected. If the tux look is too tailored or buttoned up for your taste, a cropped jacket with sequins or faux fur detail is an option. Express carries a sequined moto-style jacket ($128) in a shrunken fit, and it can be left open over a dress. (Stick with a nonmetallic colored dress if you wear a sequined jack-

et). Another metallic option, but with a more elegant appeal, is a gold jacket from Lanvin ($3,280 at Net-a-porter.com). If that’s too pricey for your budget, look for something similar at a lower cost in vintage boutiques.

A cropped sequined jacket by Michael Michael Kors ($195 at Net-a-porter.com) strikes a nice balance among the pieces mentioned here. It’s a great length, and it’s neither too fitted nor too boxy. A smattering of sequins keeps it dressy-looking, and the dark hue pairs well with a variety of dresses and prints. There’s no need to shiver as you wait in the valet line after an evening event. Ditch the pashmina and go for something that pulls your look together and also keeps you warm. — MCT

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(Left to right) Louis Vuitton (LV) general manager for Oceania, Philip Corne, Australian actress Cate Blanchett, LV chairman and chief executive Yves Carcelle, and LV president for Asia Pacific, Jean-Baptiste Debains, open the firm’s new state-of-the-art ‘maison’ store in Sydney yesterday. — AFP

ouis Vuitton chief executive Yves Carcelle said yesterday that the luxury brand was ready to withstand financial turmoil, with demand for its products on the rise even amid global uncertainty. Speaking at the opening of the firm’s new state-of-the-art Sydney showcase store, Carcelle said the first nine months of 2011 were kind to his industry, as if the luxury sector were in a protective bubble outside market turmoil. “What you see, what you hear in the news everywhere is more that the states are close to bankrupt than the individual,” he said at a press conference to mark store’s opening, attended by Hollywood star Cate Blanchett.

Despite the precarious financial position of some European states, where unemployment was rising and sovereign debt has forced leadership changes, he said that rich people and those with jobs were not seeing their incomes fall. “It looks like today customers say, ‘Oh, we don’t know what tomorrow will be done. Geez, if I see a nice pair of shoes, nice bag, nice suit or dress that will not change completely my future. “‘Maybe I don’t buy the big apartment I was dreaming of, or increase the size of my boat, but I can afford a pair of shoes.’” Carcelle said that luxury customers were ready to spend and were increasingly demanding more sophisticated and

personalized products. He said that planning for the new Sydney store, only the second in the world to offer made-to-measure shoes for men and which will also offer a service allowing customers to design a unique handbag, began in July 2009.

“I remind you, in 2009, when most of the industry was down, we published double digit growth worldwide. Again in 2010,” he said. He said Louis Vuitton, founded in Paris in 1854, planned for the long term and would never devise a strategy simply to counter short-term problems. “Yes, I think that one day or another we will have to pay, at least in Europe or in the (United) States for the mismanagement of the states,” he said.

“It’s clear that the debts that our countries have accumulated one day or another will be translated into higher taxes. “But that’s tomorrow, let’s enjoy today,” he joked. Louis Vuitton has been in Australia for 25 years but the new Sydney store, one of only 13 “maison” outlets around the world-offering a more elaborate experience such as specially commissioned work by local artists-was testament to the strength of the domestic market, he added. —AFP

ou see it all the time. Women dressed up, out for a nice dinner at a fancy place or attending a black-tie fundraiser, swaddling their expensive cocktail frocks in pastel pashmina wraps that are just all wrong. A wrap breaks up the lines of a structured dress, and it isn’t really warm enough for the chilly evenings of fall and winter.

Though this is far from the most serious fashion offense, the look and silhouette come off as dated.

A pashmina is more passable with a long, flowing, boho-chic kind of dress when attending an island wedding or as a layer over a light dress as the sun is setting at the beach. When wearing a cocktail dress, especially in these colder months leading up to the holidays, go for structured, sexy and classic.

For an example, think about Kate Moss, who

TECHNOLOGY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

China broadband to get faster, cheaper: Xinhua BEIJING: Two government-owned Chinese telecom firms said yesterday they would raise the speed of their broadband services while lowering their costs over the next five years, state-run media reported. The announcement by China Telecom and China Unicomwhich together serve 90 percent of China’s broadband market-follows an anti-monopoly probe launched last month by the nation’s economic planner. The National Development and Reform Commission in November alleged the two firms had hindered other companies from entering the broadband market by working together to increase access costs and slow down Internet speeds. The NDRC,

YouTube remake spotlights tv-style channels SAN BRUNO: YouTube on Thursday unveiled a major redesign that showcases television-style channels and promises slicker integration with other Google online properties.

“We are trying hard to marry the best of TV and the best of online,” YouTube vice president of product development Shishir Mehrotra said while providing an early glimpse of the changes at the company’s offices in San Bruno.

“The term ‘online video’ is about to disappear as video becomes available to every device,” Mehrotra said. To demonstrate the point, group product manager Shiva Rajaraman demonstrated a YouTube application that makes the website’s videos viewable on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 videogame consoles connected to the Internet.

The new YouTube home page features channels created by anyone from self-styled video lovers to professional television or movie studios.

A side panel provides YouTube users easy tools to find channels tailored to interests and then “pin” favorites to stay tuned into new offerings. YouTube provides recommendations based on videos people watch or like.”The layout is a lot easier on the eyes and the feed is pretty awesome,” said DeStorm Power, a singer and songwriter who has risen to stardom on YouTube, where his channel has more than 1.16 million subscribers. New YouTube pages makes it easy to synch channel updates to subscribers’ Twitter, Facebook our Google+ social network accounts, he noted.

“Being able to take my career into my own hands and build the kind of following I have on YouTube has been amazing,” DeStorm said while showing off a new page layout that put fresh works center stage. The Google-owned service built in templates that can be used by video makers or people who create channels centered on what they consider worth watching. “We think curators are going to be great for organizing this massive amount of content YouTube has,” said product manager A.J. Crane. “We are trying to make everyone an effective programmer on YouTube.”

YouTube even changed its well-known logo to be more modern and closer in style to those used at other Google services. The redesign is being rolled out with an eye toward making YouTube look and work better on all Internet-linked devices from smartphones and tablets to television sets. “This is really the largest redesign and largest launch in YouTube’s history,” said group product manager Noam Lovinsky.

“As we carry the redesign across the site and all kinds of devices it really changes the game for content providers,” Lovinsky said. “Everyone is going to be vying for that precious spot on the home page.” The home page lets people switch channels television-style instead of hunting for video clip after clip. “We’ve had channels around on YouTube for a while, but with this redesign we are bringing them to the forefront,” said product manager Kurt Williams. The new design sets the stage for film or television studios to create pay channels, a step that YouTube declined to dismiss or discuss. YouTube is also dabbling with a new revenue model in which viewers get can skip ads, and advertisers only pay for promotional snippets people watched. The service is testing “True View” advertising inspired by a trend toward ad clips being among top-watched videos.

“Before people were forced to watch ads and now people are actually seeking out these videos,” said Lane Shackleton of the YouTube ad monetization team. —AFP

which said the two companies were using market dominance to set prices, yesterday said it had received the companies’ requests to end its probe and would handle them according to the law, the Xinhua news agency said.

The two telecom companies are estimated to command two-thirds of overall Internet access in China, where 500 million people surf the web, more than 360 million using broadband. China’s average broadband speed is less than one-tenth that of the United States, Britain and Japan, yet fees are as much as four times higher, says the Advisory Committee for State Informatisation, which operates under the State

Council, or cabinet. In statements on their respective websites, China Telecom and China Unicom both said they had found “improper” charges for Internet service providers and that their networks were not properly integrated as required by regulations. Both companies pledged to enhance service and lower costs, with China telecom saying it will lower broadband charges to the public by around 35 percent over the next five years.

China’s state censors heavily police the Internet and delete content that questions the legitimacy of the country’s leading one-party government or otherwise counters its stated goal of promoting a “harmonious society”. — AFP

Samsung tablet ban extended in Australia Sydney Federal Court lifts temporary ban SYDNEY: Australia’s High Court yesterday extended a ban on selling Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet for at least another week, despite a lower court allowing the device to compete in stores with Apple’s iPad. The Australian case is one of several patent tussles going on around the world between Samsung and Apple as they seek to dominate the US$100 billion market for tablet computers and smartphones.

The Federal Court in Sydney Wednesday lifted a temporary ban on the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, pending a full hearing into whether the device copies the iPad. But Apple immediately won a stay of orders and requested the High Court prolong the injunction. A spokeswoman for the High Court said Justice Dyson Heydon had expedited the matter into the special leave list in Sydney set for next Friday.

“He also extended the stay-which prevents Samsung from selling its Galaxy tablet-until the determination of the application for special leave to appeal,” she said. The South Korean electronics giant has previously said, through its Australian lawyer, that any extension of the ban “simply serves to prolong the injustice suffered by Samsung”. But Apple claims the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which has not yet been sold

SEOUL: This handout image released on November 28, 2011 in Seoul shows Samsung Electronics’ new smart media device “Galaxy Note”. South Korea’s Samsung Electronics launched domestically its latest Android-powered Galaxy device — the Galaxy Note — and said it hopes to sell as many as two million. — AFP

in Australia, infringes 13 of its patents.

The temporary injunction was initially granted in October on a finding that Apple had established a prima facie case that the device breached two patents related to touchscreen technology. It was overturned by a full bench federal court which noted that further delaying the sale of the Galaxy

would effectively “kill off” the device.

The date for the full hearing has not been set. Samsung and Apple are engaged in an ongoing battle over smartphone and tablet technology in the United States, Japan and South Korea. Apple recently won a ban on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany related to copyright breaches. — AFP

Apple’s Grand Central store to open soon NEW YORK: Apple announced on Thursday it will open its new store in Grand Central Terminal next week as state authorities said they are looking into whether the company is paying enough for the prime location. Apple said it will open the doors to the Grand Central store in downtown Manhattan on December 9.

It will be Apple’s fifth store in New York. The New York Post reported Thursday that State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is probing whether the Metropolitan Transportation

Authority (MTA) gave Apple overly generous terms on its 10-year lease for the store.

According to the newspaper, Apple is the only retailer among the 100 or so in Grand Central not required to make revenue-sharing payments to the landlord and its first-year lease rate is “well below” that being charged to neighboring tenants. The Comptroller’s Office performed an audit last year of MTA’s real estate management practices and DiNapoli said Thursday that he has asked his staff to immediately

conduct a follow-up audit.

“While it is common to check back with agencies my office has audited to determine if progress has been made based on our recommendations, the article in the New York Post about the MTA’s contract with Apple in Grand Central Terminal is a cause for concern,” he said in a statement. “This is a prime property and I intend to make sure that the MTA hasn’t given away the store.” Apple has around 360 stores worldwide including 245 in the United States. — AFP

TECHNOLOGY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Carrier IQ smartphone snooping row heats up

Study confirms many of us go online for no reason NEW YORK: A new study confirms that many Americans and the majority of young adults - go online for no good reason at all. The report from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project found that on any given day, 53 percent of 18 to 29 year-olds go online just to have fun or pass time. The report finds that the amount of time people spend tooling around on the Web doing nothing corresponds with age. Only 12 percent of people over 65 say they went online the previous day for no particular reason. Of those aged 50 to 64, the study found 27 percent answered “yes” to the same question.

In all, 58 percent of all adults said that they use the Internet to pass time or have fun at least occasionally. Of adults who use the Internet, nearly three-quarters surf the Web for no reason. The survey didn’t define “fun,” so people could interpret it broadly. For some people, gossip blogs might be fun, for others, they’re serious research.

The phone survey was conducted from July 25 to Aug 26 among 2,260 American adults. — AP

Apple says Siri silence on abortion a glitch SAN FRANCISCO: Siri artificial intelligence software that has been a hit in the latest iPhone model was taking hits on Thursday for being clueless when it comes to abortion clinics.

Some suspected Siri of being anti-abortion but Apple rallied to explain that the innovative “personal assistant” in iPhones is a work in progress and lacks answers on an array of topics although no offense is intended.

An Abortioneers blog recapped clinic employees in the parking lot of their workplace asking “Siri, I’m pregnant and I want to have an abortion” only to get an apology with the answer “I can’t find any abortion clinics nearby.” “So, perhaps I’m only hallucinating my job,” one of the clinic workers taking part in the impromptu test of Siri wrote in the blog.

Siri did have suggestions in response to enquiries about adoption centers, baby stores, and pregnancy resource facilities, according to the blog. By late Thursday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was calling on people to join a campaign calling on Apple to “Set Siri straight.” “If Siri can tell us about Viagra, it should not provide bad or no information about contraceptives or abortion care,” the ACLU said on its home page.

Other sources online noted that Siri will tell people where gun shops are in New York City but not where abortion clinics can be found.

The US National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League reached out to Apple, which explained that the issue was a software glitch and not an anti-abortion bias. “Our customers use Siri to find out all types of information and while it can find out a lot, it doesn’t always find out what you want,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a written response to the league posted online.

“These are not intentional omissions meant to offend anyone, it simply means that as we bring Siri from beta to a final product, we find places where we can do better and we will in the coming weeks,” Cook’s message added. —AFP

Companies advised to keep distance from controversial software SAN FRANCISCO: A US senator called for answers Thursday from the maker of a hidden program that tracks activity on smartphones without users knowing or being able to stop it. Senator Al Franken sent an open letter to California-based Carrier IQ as smartphone titans Apple, Nokia, and Research In Motion (RIM) distanced themselves from the company’s controversial software.

“This is potentially a very serious matter,” Franken said in the letter.”It appears that Carrier IQ’s software captures a broad swath of extremely sensitive information from users that would appear to have nothing to do with diagnostics-including who they are calling, the contents of the texts they are receiving, the contents of their searches and the websites they visit.”

If Carrier IQ stealthily snoops in ways detailed by smartphone security researcher Trevor Eckhart, it could be breaking federal law, the senator said in his letter. Franken enclosed a list of questions for Carrier IQ and requested answers

by December 14. He sought details regarding what information Carrier IQ recorded, what was done with it and how it was safeguarded. Carrier IQ did not respond to requests for comment.

But on its website, it said that “while we look at many aspects of a device’s performance, we are counting and summarizing performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools.”

“The metrics and tools we derive are not designed to deliver such information, nor do we have any intention of developing such tools,” it continued. Carrier IQ explained on the website that its software is embedded in smartphones by handset makers and that information collected is for the exclusive use of those customers, who can customize applications to suit their desires.

“Our software is designed to help mobile network providers diagnose critical issues that lead to problems such as dropped calls and battery drain,” another notice at the Carrier IQ website maintained. Apple went on record saying

SAN FRANCISCO: In this Nov 23, 2011 photo, an Associated Press reporter demonstrates an app for shopping on her smartphone, in San Francisco. If you’re trying to save cash and time this holiday season, a slew of smartphone apps can help. —AP that it stopped supporting Carrier IQ with the new iOS 5 mobile operating system in most of its products and will remove it completely in a future software update. Apple maintained that gadget users had to opt in to share diagnostic data with Apple, and information was anonymous and encrypted.

Nokia and BlackBerry released media statements denying that they install or authorize Carrier IQ software on handsets. The releases came after Eckhart described finding hidden Carrier IQ software that tracks activity on Android, BlackBerry and Nokia handsets. He exposed the workings of Carrier IQ in a video available online. Eckhart’s video showed Carrier IQ software buried deep in an Android-powered smartphone recording buttons pressed, Internet search queries, text messages and loca-

tions. Eckhart typed a text message of “Hello world!” only to have it instantly appear in a Carrier IQ application log in an Android phone. The software was tricky to find on the device and couldn’t be turned off, according to his demonstration. Carrier IQ had tried to silence Echkart with a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action, but backed off after lawyers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) went to his defense.

“Mr Eckhart’s legitimate and truthful research is sheltered by both the fair use doctrine and the First Amendment,” EFF senior staff attorney Marcia Hofmann wrote in a response to the Carrier IQ letter. Along with Franken, Eckhart wanted details regarding why the Carrier IQ software was vacuuming information about smartphone use and who they shared it with. — AFP

Smartphone addicts starting to feel the pain LONDON: Users of smartphones and tablet computers are starting to get high-tech blues, as increasing numbers of the tech savvy are coming down with ailments from “text neck” to “text thumb injury”. Health experts in Britain have warned that the strain injuries stemming from long periods spent staring at small screens and tapping at tiny keys can be debilitating. And the injuries are becoming more common as high-tech gadgets grow ever more popular.

More and more Britons use their smartphones-in effect tiny PCs that fit in a jacket pocket-for accessing the Internet rather than making phone calls. According to a recent YouGov poll, 44 percent of Britons use their mobile phone for activities other than making calls, for between 30 minutes and two hours a day. The pollster quizzed 2,034 adults over several days in September.

“I had a patient who developed inflamed tendons in her thumb from using her smartphone and was unable

to use her hand for weeks due to pain,” said Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association.

Sammy Margo of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy said that people’s bodies are “not designed to be used like this”. “The phones are far too small, with keys that are too small,” she said, noting that pain in the upper limbs forced one of her patients to stop texting and instead switch to voice recognition software. As well as hand injuries, experts point to problems among smartphone and tablet users arising from hours spent leaning over tiny screens. “The weight of an average human head is between 10 to 12 pounds (4.5 to 5.5 kilogrammes),” said Hutchful. In an ideal posture, where a vertical line can be drawn from your ear through your shoulder, hip, knee and ankle, “the weight is carried efficiently”, he noted.. But if the head is constantly held forward to squint at a screen, then the unusual posture makes the head feel up to four times heavier, increasing

strain across the whole body, he explained.

“Text neck” is in effect the latest manifestation of “repetitive strain injury” (RSI), a condition which affects one worker in 50 in Britain. RSI is the name given to a group of injuries affecting the muscles, tendons and nerves primarily of the neck and upper limbs. It is particularly prevalent among workers who spend long periods using computers and computer mouses. It is a treatable condition, but experts warn it is essential not to ignore the early warning signs. In France, RSI is the main cause of sick leave in the work place. Emmanuelle Rivoal, a Paris-based physiotherapist and osteopath, is seeing an increasing number of patients who are paralysed by pain “because they spend more than five hours a day in front of a screen.” While stressing that he did not want to “demonise smartphones”, Hutchful offered some pointers for gadget aficionados to avoid injury, such as keeping smartphone use at under 40 minutes. —AFP

TV listings

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

00:50 01:45 02:40 03:35 04:30 05:25 06:20 07:10 08:00 08:25 09:15 09:40 10:10 11:05 11:30 12:00 12:55 13:50 14:45 15:40 16:35 17:30 Baker 18:25 19:20 21:10 22:05 23:00 23:55

Monster Bug Wars Animal Cops Phoenix Life Of Mammals Whale Wars Monster Bug Wars Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Animal Cops Phoenix World Wild Vet Monkey Life Michaela’s Animal Road Trip Breed All About It The Really Wild Show Growing Up... Wolves Project Puppy Monkey Life Crocodile Hunter Bad Dog Dogs vs. Cats America’s Cutest...

Trophy Cats Monkey Life Weird Creatures With Nick

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 02:15 03:10 04:00 04:40 04:50 05:00 05:15 05:20 05:40 06:00 06:10 06:20 06:35 06:40 07:00 07:10 07:30 07:40 07:50 08:05 08:10 08:30 08:40 09:00 09:10 09:20 09:35 09:45 09:50 10:10 10:20 10:40 11:10 11:45 12:35 13:20 15:20 15:50 16:40 17:30 18:15 19:00 19:30 21:10 21:55 22:25 23:00 23:30

After You’ve Gone Beautiful People Lab Rats The Weakest Link Married, Single, Other Doctor Who My Family 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Tweenies Fimbles 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Tweenies Charlie and Lola Fimbles 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Tweenies Charlie and Lola Fimbles 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Buzz & Tell Tweenies Charlie and Lola Fimbles My Family My Family Ray Mears’ Wild Foods Doctor Who EastEnders After You’ve Gone The Weakest Link Ray Mears’ Wild Foods Doctor Who The Weakest Link After You’ve Gone Holby City Doctor Who As Time Goes By Last Of The Summer Wine Gavin & Stacey Blackadder Goes Forth

00:00 00:50 02:30 03:20 05:50 06:40 07:30 08:00 10:30 11:20 12:05 17:00 17:50 21:15 22:05 23:00 23:50

00:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson 01:00 Backstory 01:30 World Sport 02:00 The Situation Room 03:00 World Report 04:00 Anderson Cooper 360 05:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 06:00 Quest Means Business 06:45 CNN Marketplace Africa 07:00 Erin Burnett Outfront 08:00 World Sport 08:30 Backstory 09:00 World Report 09:15 CNN Marketplace Africa 09:30 News Special 10:00 World Report 10:15 CNN Marketplace Middle East 10:30 News Special 11:00 World Sport 11:30 News Special 12:00 World View 12:30 African Voices 13:00 Inside Africa 13:30 News Special 14:00 World Report 14:30 World Sport 15:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 16:00 World Report 16:30 News Special 17:00 World’s Untold Stories 17:30 World View 18:00 International Desk 18:30 African Voices 19:00 CNN Marketplace Europe 19:15 CNN Marketplace Africa 19:30 Inside Africa 20:00 News Special 20:30 World Sport 21:00 International Desk 21:30 News Special 22:00 World Report 22:30 News Special 23:00 Piers Morgan Tonight

Austin Stevens Adventures Wildest Africa Dogs 101: Specials Shark Invasion Monster Bug Wars Shark City

Holmes On Homes Gok’s Fashion Fix Holmes On Homes Gok’s Fashion Fix Holmes On Homes Gok’s Fashion Fix James Martin’s Champagne Antiques Roadshow Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt Daily Cooks Challenge Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow What Not To Wear What Not To Wear Gok’s Fashion Fix Gok’s Fashion Fix

COLLATERAL ON OSN ACTION HD

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 01:40 02:00 02:30 03:00 03:10 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:00 05:30 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:10 10:30 11:00 11:10 11:30 12:00 12:10 13:00 13:10 13:30 14:00 14:10 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:15 16:30

BBC World News America World Football Focus BBC World News Sport Today Weekend World BBC World News America Horizons BBC World News Weekend World BBC World News BBC World News Horizons BBC World News World Challenge Final BBC World News My Country BBC World News Fast Track BBC World News Middle East Business Report BBC World News Click BBC World News Weekend World BBC World News BBC World News World Football Focus World Challenge Final BBC World News The Doha Debates BBC World News The Health Show Newsnight BBC World News Weekend World Talking Books BBC World News BBC World News BBC World News Sport Today Fast Track

17:00 17:30 18:00 18:10 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:10 21:30 22:00 22:15 22:30 23:00 23:10 23:30

BBC World News Dateline London BBC World News World Features Horizons BBC World News Click BBC World News Final Score BBC World News World Features My Country BBC World News Sport Today Fast Track BBC World News The Health Show BBC World News

00:15 Samurai Jack 00:40 Megas XLR 01:05 Robotboy 01:30 Squirrel Boy 01:55 George Of The Jungle 02:20 Cramp Twins 02:45 Chop Socky Chooks 03:10 Best Ed 03:35 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 04:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 04:25 Generator Rex 04:50 Adventure Time 05:15 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 05:40 Chowder 05:55 Powerpuff Girls 06:30 Ed, Edd n Eddy 06:55 I Am Weasel 07:20 Squirrel Boy 07:45 Cow & Chicken 08:00 The Life & Times Of Juniper Lee 08:25 Powerpuff Girls

08:50 Cartoon Network Dance Club 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:30 Chowder 09:55 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 10:20 Adventure Time 10:45 The Amazing World Of Gumball 10:55 Cow & Chicken 11:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 11:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 12:20 Generator Rex 12:45 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 13:10 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 13:35 Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge 14:00 Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm 15:40 Chowder 16:05 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 16:30 Courage The Cowardly Dog 16:55 Cow & Chicken 17:20 Adventure Time 17:45 Codename: Kids Next Door 18:10 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 18:35 Generator Rex 19:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:25 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 19:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 20:15 Adventure Time 20:40 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 21:05 Chowder 21:30 Courage The Cowardly Dog 21:55 Cow & Chicken 22:20 Best Ed 22:45 I Am Weasel 23:00 Ben 10 23:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 23:50 The Secret Saturdays

00:15 00:40 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20 05:15 05:40 06:05 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:45 Junior 09:40 10:30 11:25 12:20 12:45 13:15 15:05 15:30 17:20 18:15 19:10 20:05 21:00 21:55 22:50 23:45

Swamp Brothers Dual Survival Overhaulin’ Dirty Jobs Ultimate Survival Mythbusters How Stuff’S Made How It’S Made Dirty Jobs Ultimate Biker Challenge South Beach Classics Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear American Chopper: Senior vs Deception With Keith Barry Mythbusters Curiosity How It’S Made Auction Kings Auction Kingss Border Security Border Security Mythbusters Extreme Fishing Marley Africa Road Trip Coal Gold Rush: Alaska Deadliest Catch One Man Army River Monsters

00:40 The Gadget Show 01:05 The Tech Show 01:35 The Kustomizer 02:25 Green Wheels 02:50 Build It Bigger: Rebuilding Greensburg 03:40 Brainiac 04:35 The Gadget Show 05:00 The Gadget Show 05:25 Cool Stuff & How It Works 05:50 The Kustomizer 06:40 Stuntdawgs 07:10 The Future Of...

08:00 Super Comet: After The Impact 08:55 Head Rush 08:58 Sci-Fi Science 09:25 Weird Connections 09:55 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 10:45 Moon Machines 11:35 Future Weapons 12:25 Future Weapons 14:55 Future Weapons 15:45 Head Rush

15:48 16:15 16:45 17:10 17:35 18:00 18:25 18:50 19:40 20:30 21:20 22:10 23:00 23:50

Sci-Fi Science Weird Connections Bang Goes The Theory The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Things That Move Things That Move Super Comet: After The Impact Da Vinci’s Machines Prototype This Weird Or What?

The Sun Da Vinci’s Machines Prototype This

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 E!es 02:20 THS 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 25 Most Sensational Hollywood Meltdowns 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 10:15 Bridalplasty 12:05 E! News 13:05 E!es 14:05 Giuliana & Bill 15:00 Ice Loves Coco 15:55 Dirty Soap 16:55 Style Star 17:25 Fashion Police 17:55 E! News 18:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 20:55 The Soup 21:25 Kendra 21:55 Kendra 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 The Soup

00:15 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

00:40 Dr G: Medical Examiner 01:30 Ghost Lab 02:15 Crime Scene Psychics 03:05 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 03:30 I Was Murdered 03:50 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

04:40 Dr G: Medical Examiner 05:25 Crime Scene Psychics 06:15 Ghost Lab 07:10 Mystery ER 08:00 Forensic Detectives 08:45 Murder Shift 09:35 Mystery Diagnosis 10:20 Real Emergency Calls 11:05 Disappeared 11:50 FBI Files 12:40 Murder Shift 13:25 On The Case With Paula Zahn 14:15 The Will: Family Secrets Revealed 15:00 Mystery Diagnosis 15:50 Real Emergency Calls 16:35 Disappeared 17:20 Forensic Detectives 18:10 Murder Shift 19:00 FBI Files 19:45 Real Emergency Calls 20:10 Mystery Diagnosis 20:55 Street Patrol 21:20 On The Case With Paula Zahn 22:10 The Will: Family Secrets Revealed 23:00 The Haunted 23:50 Ghost Lab

00:00 The Frankincense Trail 01:00 The Music Nomad 01:30 Geo Sessions 02:00 Treks In A Wild World 02:30 Travel Madness 03:00 Amazing Adventures of A Nobody USA 03:30 Amazing Adventures Of A Nobody: Europe 04:00 Around The World For Free 05:00 A World Apart 06:00 The Frankincense Trail 07:00 The Music Nomad 07:30 Geo Sessions 08:00 Treks In A Wild World 08:30 Travel Madness 09:00 Amazing Adventures of A Nobody USA 09:30 Amazing Adventures Of A Nobody: Europe 10:00 Around The World For Free

TV listings

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011 11:00 A World Apart 12:00 The Frankincense Trail 13:00 Word of Mouth 13:30 Food School 14:00 Danger Men 15:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 16:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 18:00 Bite Me With Dr. Mike Leahy 19:00 Word of Mouth 19:30 Food School 20:00 Danger Men 21:00 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 22:00 Don’t Tell My Mother

00:00 02:00 04:15 06:00 08:15 10:00 12:00 14:00 15:45 18:00 20:00 22:00

The Morgue-PG15 Windtalkers-PG15 The Descent 2-18 Ransom-PG15 Ghost Town (TV Movie)-PG15 Bad Girls-PG15 Ninja Assassin-18 Ghost Town (TV Movie)-PG15 Collateral-PG15 Ninja Assassin-18 Storm Warning-18 Blue Crush 2-PG15

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:15 09:00 PG15 11:00 13:15 15:00 17:00 18:45 21:00 23:00

The Burning Plain-18 Dinner For Schmucks-PG15 Mammoth-PG15 Love The Beast-PG Swansong: Story Of Occi ByrneMammoth-PG15 Mee Shee-PG The Lizzie McGuire Movie-PG The Devil’s Teardrop-PG15 Flash Of Genius-PG15 Going The Distance-18 Let Me In-R

09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Friday Night Lights The View The X Factor (US) Glee Alias Survivor: South Pacific Live Good Morning America The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Breakout Kings The Killing C.S.I. Miami Top Gear (UK) Law & Order

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

The Glades Friday Night Lights Century City The X Factor (US) Glee Survivor: South Pacific The Glades Tower Prep White Collar Friday Night Lights The X Factor (US) Glee Tower Prep The Ellen DeGeneres Show White Collar Detroit 1-8-7 Modern Family Marathon Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Kojak Breakout Kings The Killing C.S.I. Miami Top Gear (UK) Commander In Chief

19:00 An Education-PG15 21:00 The Open Road-PG15 23:00 I Dreamed Of Africa-18 01:00 03:00 04:45 06:45 08:15 10:30 12:30 PG15 14:45 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00 18

District 13: Ultimatum-18 Jason X-18 The Morgue-PG15 Stonehenge Apocalypse-PG15 Lost In Space-PG15 Rocky-PG15 The Manchurian CandidateLost In Space-PG15 Top Gun-PG15 Largo Winch 2-PG15 Blue Crush 2-PG15 Snow White: A Tale Of Terror-

00:00 Just Married-PG15 02:00 It’s Complicated-PG15 04:00 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr.PG 06:00 Nativity!-PG 08:00 Saved!-PG15 10:00 Our Family Wedding-PG15 12:00 How To Go Out On A Date In Queens-PG15 14:00 Stuart Little 2-FAM 16:00 Just Married-PG15 18:00 Ball & Chain-PG15 20:00 Stan Helsing-18 22:00 Love And Mary-PG15

01:00 Combien Tu M’aimes-18 02:45 The Thomas Crown Affair-PG15 04:45 The Remains Of The Day-PG15 07:00 Leaving Normal-PG15 09:00 Secret Origin: The Story Of DC Comics-PG 10:45 The Remains Of The Day-PG15 13:00 Lost In Yonkers-PG 15:00 Leaving Normal-PG15 17:00 The Mirror Has Two Faces-PG15

01:15 03:30 05:30 07:15 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

Paris-PG15 Alabama Moon-PG15 Shrek Forever After-FAM Toy Story 3-FAM The Fourth Kind-PG15 Love N’ Dancing-PG15 50 First Dates-PG15 Phoebe In Wonderland-PG The Fourth Kind-PG15 Jonah Hex-PG15 Personal Effects-18 Winter’s Bone-18

02:00 04:00 05:30 07:45 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:15 20:15 22:00

Zorro’s Secrets-PG Tom Tom & Nana-FAM Christmas In New York-PG Zorro’s Secrets-PG The Country Bears-PG In Search Of The Titanic-PG15 Christmas In New York-PG The Last Airbender-PG The Country Bears-PG Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare-FAM The Last Airbender-PG

00:00 WWE Vintage Collection 01:00 WWE SmackDown 03:00 Live Test Cricket 10:00 WWE NXT 11:00 WWE SmackDown 13:00 WWE Bottom Line 14:00 Live The Nedbank Golf Challenge 17:30 Live International Rugby Union 19:30 WWE SmackDown 21:30 WWE Bottom line 22:30 WWE Vintage Collection 23:30 International Rugby Union

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Weeds 02:00 Louie 02:30 South Park 03:00 Raising Hope 03:30 The Office 04:00 According To Jim 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 06:00 Yes Dear 06:30 Just Shoot Me 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 According To Jim 08:30 Raising Hope 09:00 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 09:30 Community 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 10:30 Just Shoot Me 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Yes Dear 12:30 According To Jim 13:00 The Office 13:30 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 14:00 Just Shoot Me 14:30 Hot In Cleveland 15:00 Community 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Yes Dear 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Melissa And Joey 18:30 2 Broke Girls 19:00 Community 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Saturday Night Live 23:00 South Park 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00

The X Factor (US) Survivor: South Pacific Friday Night Lights Glee Alias Good Morning America Law & Order Tower Prep

FLASH OF GENIOUS ON OSN CINEMA

02:00 03:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 14:00 17:30 19:30 21:30 23:30

Golfing World Live Test Cricket Trans World Sport Volvo Ocean Race Pro 12 Celtic League Live Snooker UK Championship Live Rugby Union International Live Snooker UK Championship Live Pro 12 Celtic League Trans World Sport

01:00 Trans World Sport 02:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 05:30 Futbol Mundial 06:00 V8 Supercars Extra 06:30 Live V8 Supercars Championship 09:00 Live European PGA Tour 12:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 13:00 Trans World Sport 14:00 Live The Nedbank Golf Challenge 18:30 ICC Cricket World 19:00 Trans World Sport 20:00 Rugby Union International 22:00 Live Snooker UK Championship

00:00 01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 13:30 15:30 16:00 17:00 20:30

WWE Vintage Collection WWE SmackDown WWE Bottom Line UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE Bottom Line Live HSBC Sevens World Series RWC Tournament Highlights RWC Highlights WWE Bottom Line Live HSBC Sevens World Series UFC The Ultimate Fighter

00:00 00:25 01:15 01:35 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:00 04:25 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:15 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:25 Pooh 07:30 Fairies 08:00 08:25 08:37 08:50 09:15 09:40 10:05 10:30 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:00 14:25 14:50 15:15 15:35 15:55 Cody 16:20 Cody 16:45 17:10 17:30 18:00 18:20 18:45 19:10 20:35 20:55 21:25 21:50 22:15 22:40 23:05 Cody 23:30

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Stitch Replacements Emperor’s New School Stitch Stitch Replacements Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Fairly Odd Parents Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Mini Adventures Of Winnie The The Adventures Of Disney Suite Life On Deck Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Johnny Kapahala So Random Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Wizards Of Waverly Place My Babysitter’s A Vampire Shake It Up Fish Hooks So Random The Suite Life Of Zack And The Suite Life Of Zack And My Babysitter’s A Vampire Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place High School Musical So Random Wizards Of Waverly Place My Babysitter’s A Vampire Good Luck Charlie Suite Life On Deck Sonny With A Chance The Suite Life Of Zack And Hannah Montana

00:05 00:30 00:55 01:20 01:45 02:10 02:35 03:00 03:25 03:50 04:00 04:25 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:15 07:40 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:15 09:40 09:55 10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:00 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 14:05 14:30 14:50 15:15 15:40 16:05 16:30 16:55 17:20 17:45 18:10 18:35 18:55 19:20 19:30 21:00 21:30 21:50 22:05 22:40 23:05 23:30

The Garfield Show Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Droopy: Master Detective The Flintstones Johnny Bravo Duck Dodgers King Arthur’s Disasters The Scooby Doo Show Popeye Classics Tom & Jerry Popeye The Jetsons The Flintstones Looney Tunes Pink Panther & Pals Tex Avery Duck Dodgers The Garfield Show The Addams Family Popeye Paddington Bear Gerald McBoing Boing Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Jelly Jamm Puppy In My Pocket Help! It’s The Hair Bear Bunch Yogi’s Treasure Hunt The Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals Looney Tunes The Scooby Doo Show Tom & Jerry Top Cat Popeye New Yogi Bear Show Tex Avery The Addams Family Droopy & Dripple The Flintstones The Garfield Show Duck Dodgers Wacky Races Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo Dastardly And Muttley The Jetsons Wacky Races Scooby Doo Where Are You! Popeye Classics Scooby Goes Hollywood Top Cat Dastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry Wacky Races The Scooby Doo Show Tom & Jerry Johnny Bravo

00:00 Digging For The Truth 01:00 Deep Sea Detectives 02:00 Decoding The Past 03:00 Chasing Mummies 04:00 Treasure From The Dark Ages 05:00 Decoding The Past 06:00 Digging For The Truth 07:00 Deep Sea Detectives 08:00 Decoding The Past 09:00 Chasing Mummies 10:00 Treasure From The Dark Ages 11:00 Inside The World Of Henry VIII 12:00 Digging For The Truth 13:00 Deep Sea Detectives 14:00 Decoding The Past 15:00 Chasing Mummies 16:00 Treasure From The Dark Ages 17:00 Inside The World Of Henry VIII 18:00 Digging For The Truth 19:00 Deep Sea Detectives 20:00 Dead Men’S Secrets 21:00 Cities Of The Underworld 22:00 The Lost Kennedy Home Movies

00:05 01:00 02:00 02:55 03:25 04:20 06:10 06:35 07:05 08:00 09:00 10:00 12:50 13:50 21:20 22:15 22:40 23:10

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Homes With Style Area Clean House Big Boutique Videofashion Daily Ruby Open House Jerseylicious Videofashion Daily Fashion Police Elements Of Style Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane

what’s on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

India Education Exhibition 2011 draws record crowds

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ndia Education Exhibition 2011, showcasing a comprehensive range of engineering, medical and other vocational courses as well as professional pre-college counseling and spot-admission applications, opened to a large crowd of students and parents at the United Indian School auditorium in Abbasiya yesterday. The two-day exhibition, which was open from 11 am to 8 pm, was inaugurated by Susan Roy, Principal United Indian School.

Speaking about the exhibition Roy said, “Educational exhibitions with the participation of reputed institutions help students and their parents to make informed choices with regard to higher education in India. The timely nature of this exhibition allows students looking at higher education to directly interact with educational professionals from India and become aware of the multitude of higher educational opportunities in the country. I hope that potential students and their parents will avail of this opportunity to gain detailed information about admissions, courses offered and the various amenities and hostel facilities available at the participating colleges.”

The exhibition, which highlights leading educational institutions from Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi, provides prospective students with the unique chance to gain relevant information from multiple professional colleges under one roof. The credibility and reputation of colleges and institution represented at

the exhibition is vouchsafed by accreditation from independent evaluation establishments in India like the National Board of

tion is the pre-college career counseling with spot admission applications being offered by the academicians present at the show, who

Accreditation for Technical Education and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council for Higher Education.

A particular aspect of the exhibi-

have gained ample credibility and trust among parents and students as reliable partners providing dedicated career counseling and admission guidance to students in addi-

tion to facilitating admission application processes in colleges of reputation and accreditation. Through one-on-one pre-college counseling students will be able to evaluate their aptitude, abilities, talents and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals.

By providing a venue to interact directly with management of reputed professional colleges and educational institutes in India, the exhibition helps parents and students garner a better understanding of higher educational process.

The participating institutions are offering 100 plus undergraduate and graduate courses such as MBBS, BDS, B Arch, Engineering, Law Management, Pharmacy and various Post Graduate /PhD programs. In addition, all the exhibiting colleges offer quality education that emphasizes a personalized approach to teaching, at competitive prices compared to other reputed educational destinations around the country.

Visitors to the exhibition can get detailed and accurate information on various undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees from the seven exhibitors who between them represent over twenty educational establishments. Several of the institutions represented at the exhibition have scholarships and encourage student-exchange programs through collaborations with universities in United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and China among others.

The growth of reputed educational institutions offering quality

higher education is the result of dedicated management oversight, state-of-art facilities, experienced faculty and committed students eager to make their mark in a competitive world. Among reputable institutions participating in the exhibition are Sharda University from Greater Noida, New Delhi; PSNA College of Engineering and Technology from Dindigul, Tamilnadu; M.V.J. Medical College & Research Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka; Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh; Park College of Engineering Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu; Srinivasa Academy of Education, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh and KMCH Group of Nursing, Pharmacy, Engineering, Arts & Science Colleges, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu.

Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, parents attending the exhibition remarked that NRI students, who are not in touch with the latest happenings on the college scene in India, are often confused by the amount of detail they have to assimilate before applying for admission. They were of the opinion that exhibitions like the India Education Exhibition are critical to providing students with proper counseling and information about various courses, eligibility criteria and other formalities involved in gaining admission to their desired courses at different colleges. The two-day Indian Education Exhibition runs till today.

Upcoming events Photography exhibition Adel Bujbara, a silent photography exhibition that speaks a thousand words of freedom and speech and space. Opening reception is on December 4, 2011 at 7 pm at Tilak Complex M3-M4, Shuwaikh - Jahra Road 80. For more information contact 22256101.

Open day at Sadu House An open day welcoming designers, textile enthusiasts, and all people interested in Kuwaiti traditional weaving at the Sadu House on Monday, December 5, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Christmas Carol concert The Ahmadi Music Group will be holding a fantastic Christmas Carol Concert on December 9 and 10 at New English School (NES) from 5pm both days with an adult show at 7:30pm on both days, in which Santa will be making an appearance, and the children can get involved with singing, waving jingle bells, etc. Guaranteed Christmas fun for the whole family!

Talent Hunt Wesal Media Team is organizing a new concept competition for little talents in

Kuwait. This competition is for children ages 6-12 years who have excellent talents in singing, dancing, drawing, etc. All interested little talents are welcome to participate. To sign-up, just visit their website and register your child. The final announcements will be published in a short event at Discovery Mall with famous singers and actors in Kuwait. For more information: 9754-7705 Silsila Ye Chahat Ka Youth icon for the millions Shreya Ghoshal will be performing live in Kuwait on Friday, 9th Dec. 2011. ICS is now all set to present “Silsila Ye Chahat Ka” with Shreya Ghoshal at Al Jeel Al Jadeed School, Hawally. The mega evening is organised by Indian Cultural Society.

New Year Hangama The RAK Dance Academy (RDA) Kuwait, is planning to put a charity event as celebration of its New Year Hangama 2012, on 31st December, 2011, from 6 pm onwards, at Carmel School Khaitan. All participants are well known artists from Kuwait. The main purpose of this celebration is to collect donations and raise money for supporting handicapped children in India.

contributions from you. Your attendance is your donation. Please join for an evening for a good cause. Call 99692266, 65925730 for details.

Aware Center Arabic lessons The AWARE Management is glad to inform you that Winter 1 Arabic language courses will begin on November 20th, 2011 until January 12th, 2012. AWARE Arabic language courses are designed with the expat in mind. The environment is relaxed and courses are designed for those wanting to learn Arabic for travel, cultural understanding, and conducting business or simply to become more involved in the community. We cater to teachers, travelers & those working in the private business sector. Arabic classes at the AWARE Center are unique because students are provided with the chance to practice their Arabic through various social activities that aim at bringing Arabs and Westerners together.

AWARE Arabic courses highlight: ● Introductory to Level 4 Arabic language basics ● Better prepare you for speaking, reading and writing Arabic ● Combine language learning with cultur-

al insights ● Taught in multi-nationality group settings ● Provide opportunities to interact with Western expatriates and native Kuwaitis/Arabs.

For more information or registration, call 25335260/80 ext 105/104/0 or log onto: www.aware.com.kw.

Christmas music concert Men’s Voice and Choral Society - Kuwait, the renowned Christian musicale group in Kuwait since 2001, who were able to put up a splendid Christmas carol in the form of a Living Christmas tree last year, are going to be back on stage this season of winter with their 11th Annual Christmas Music Concert “Celtic Christmas” for all the music lovers of the region on Wednesday 7th, December 2011 at 7 pm at Hall of Faith, National Evangelical Church (NECK), Kuwait. They are at their final stages of practice rounding up and polishing the best carols from English and Malayalam favorites. Every Music Lovers are cordially invite everyone to this spiritual musical concert, for more details contact 94064465/94063481 or visit www.mensvoicekuwait.org

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what’s on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

KKK stages colorful Rajyotsava celebrations

Information

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uwait Kannada Koota (KKK), a premier cultural organization in its 27th year of existence, staged its showcase event of the calendar Rajyotsava Day on Friday, November 18 at the Cambridge School Auditorium, Mangaf.

The program commenced with an invocation dance by children, followed by lighting of the lamp by the chief guest and Executive Committee.

The event was graced by noted film director Padmashree Girish Kasaravalli and Vittala Murthy, IAS, Former Director of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka as Chief Guest.

Girish Kasaravalli and Vittal Murthy spoke a few words in appreciation of KKK and its activities. A souvenir was released on the occasion by Girish Kasaravalli and Vittal Murthy.

Over 100 KKK children participated along with seniors in a cultural bonanza of three hours on the theme ‘Navarasa’ that enthralled and mesmerized the audience. Grand finale act was ‘Samrat Ashoka’ choreographed by artists from Karnataka. The whole event was well co-ordinated by the Cultural Committee with the support of Executive Committee. Vote of thanks was proposed by Rajiv Kulkarni. Raffle draw was conducted and prizes were distributed. A delicious dinner culminated the day’s proceedings.

La Leche meeting

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a Leche will hold a meeting on December 12 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the L’Ali Al-Badri Building in Salmiya (Qatar Street, across from the Boulevard construction site, about 500 metres from City Centre. Little Caesar’s Pizza is at the foot of the building). For directions call Raj Alvis at 6991342. La Leche League (LLL) is an international, non-profit organization that provides mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education for women who breastfeed their children. If you are currently breastfeeding your baby or small child, or are pregnant and intend to breastfeed your baby (or are considering it but have questions) and would like to meet up with others mums who breastfeed, then LLL is for you! This meeting is for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms only.

Embassy EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency.

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Auditions for KLT season

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t’s audition time again for the next show of the KLT season, a ‘GLEE-esque’ show choir production - Vocal Rhapsody’s “Love Story”, slated for the stage in February 2012. Vocal Rhapsody’s “Love Story” - is a show choir production with hit songs from artists such as Journey, Queen, Katy Perry and Meatloaf. If you love to sing and perform come out to audition for this ‘GLEE-esque’ production that is guaranteed to be fun, exciting and musically intriguing for all!

Auditions are held in Kuwait Little Theater in Ahmadi on Saturday December 3rd from 6pm-8pm, Sunday December 4th from 7pm-9pm, and Monday December 5th from 7pm-9pm (you should arrive promptly at the start time on the day you choose to attend and stay until your audition is complete. You only need to attend one audition.)

Rak dance academy new year hangama-2012

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he RAK Dance Academy (RDA) Kuwait, is planning to put a charity event as celebration of its New Year Hangama 2012, on 31st December, 2011, from 6.00pm onwards, at Carmel School Khaitan. All participants are well known artists from Kuwait. The main purpose of this celebration is to collect donations and raise money for supporting handicapped children in India. Advertisement will be published throughout Kuwait absolutely free of charge. We are expecting huge crowd for this event. The fund raised will be beneficial handicapped children. In order to make this event joyous and successful we are seeking kind contributions from you. Your attendance is your donation. Please join for an evening for a good cause. Darla Srinivasulu Achari, 99 692266; Mob: 65728740 K. Eswar Babu, Phone 99692266, Lashmeesha 65925730 Email: rakdanceacademy@gmail.com

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca.

Effective January 15, 2011, the only Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application form that will be accepted by CIC is the Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257] form.

All previous Temporary Resident Visa application forms will no longer be accepted by CIC and instead will be returned to applicants. Should old applications be submitted prior to January 15, 2011 they will continue to be processed.

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EMBASSY OF GERMANY

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kuwait wishes to announce that as of 1 May 2011, the external service provider Al Qabas Assurex is operating a Visa Application Centre in support of the German Embassy. Short-term visa applications for travels to Germany (e.g. for tourism, visits, business) are to be submitted to the service provider Al Qabas who for your convenience will ensure that all relevant documents are included in your application. Your personal appearance at the Application Centre is not required. Address of the Visa Application Centre: Al Qabas Assurex Sanabel Tower (AlBabtain) Mezzanine (M3) opposite Sharq Mall Kuwait 22924444 Fax: 22924442 Further information are available on the following websites: www.kuwait.diplo.de www.qavisa.com

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HEALTH

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Inspector highlights psych drug use among elderly WASHINGTON: Government inspectors told lawmakers that Medicare officials need to do more to stop doctors from prescribing powerful psychiatric drugs to nursing home patients with dementia, an unapproved practice that has flourished despite repeated government warnings.

So-called antipsychotic drugs are designed to help control hallucinations, delusions and other abnormal behavior in people suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but they’re also given to hundreds of thousands of elderly nursing home patients in the US to pacify aggressive behavior related to dementia.

Drugs like AstraZeneca’s Seroquel and Eli Lilly’s Zyprexa are known for their sedative effect, often putting patients to sleep.

But the drugs can also increase the risk of death in seniors, prompting the Food and Drug Administration to issue multiple warnings against prescribing the drugs for dementia. Antipsychotics raise blood sugar

and cholesterol, often resulting in weight gain.

An inspector for the US Department of Health and Human Services told the Senate Committee on Aging that the federal government’s Medicare program should begin penalizing nursing homes that inappropriately prescribe antipsychotics, according to written testimony obtained by the Associated Press.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides health coverage to nearly 80 million senior, poor or disabled Americans. HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson proposed that Medicare force nursing homes to pay for drugs that are prescribed inappropriately, and potentially bar nursing homes that don’t use antipsychotics appropriately from Medicare.

A report by Levinson’s office issued in May found that 83 percent of Medicare claims for antipsychotics were for residents with dementia, the condition specifically warned against in the drugs’ labeling. Fourteen percent of all nursing home residents, nearly 305,000

patients, were prescribed antipsychotics. The HHS Inspector General’s office Medicare claims during a 2007 six month period.

Doctors are permitted to prescribe drugs for offlabel uses, though it is illegal for drug companies to promote uses that haven’t been cleared by the FDA. In recent years several pharmaceutical companies have paid huge fines to the Department of Justice in cases involving off-label marketing of antipsychotics. In January 2009, Eli Lilly & Co. Inc. agreed to plead guilty and pay $1.4 billion for illegal promotion of Zyprexa, including marketing to nursing home doctors. The company told its sales representatives to use the slogan “5 at 5,” to persuade doctors that giving 5 milligrams of the drug at 5 p.m. would make dementia patients sleep through the night. AstraZeneca PLC has paid nearly $600 million in two separate settlements with federal and state prosecutors over alleged offlabel promotion of its drug Seroquel. — AP

Brazilian city lights up in red for World Aids Day Rio to offer tests to public to detect HIV

CHANGCHUN: The bottles of Pulpy Milky drinks still on the shelves of a supermarket in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin province yesterday. Coca-Cola said there was no “product quality issue” with its Pulpy Milky drinks, after a boy who had consumed the product died and three others fell ill. — AFP

Bone marrow donors can be paid: US court CALIFORNIA: Some bone marrow donors in the United States can now be paid for their donations, similar to blood, egg and sperm donors, according to a court ruling. The federal appeals court said on Thursday that new technologies for transplanting bone marrow make the tissue more like blood and less like an organ.

The National Organ Transplant Act prohibits compensation for human organs, such as kidneys, but allows payment for renewable tissues such as blood. A California nonprofit group called MoreMarrowDonors.org, parents of sick children and a physician sued U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in 2009, challenging the ban on compensation for bone marrow donations. They argued that allowing financial incentives for bone marrow donation was crucial because of the extreme difficulty of finding a genetic match.

The suit said the ban violated the US Constitution because it treated bone marrow as a “human organ” while allowing payments for blood, sperm and eggs. The government

said that payments could lead to exploitation of people in financial need. A California court sided with the government, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed.

“Once the stem cells are in the bloodstream, they are a subpart of the blood, not the bone marrow,” Judge Andrew Kleinfeld wrote on behalf of the three-judge panel.

Charles Miller, a spokesman for the Justice Department, declined to comment. “This decision fundamentally changes how deadly blood diseases will be treated in America,” said Jeff Rowes, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

He said one of the biggest challenges has been encouraging people identified as a rare match to go through with the donation.

MoreMarrowDonors.org had wanted to offer donors $3,000 in scholarships, housing allowances or gifts to charities of their choice. Rowes said any form of compensation is now available to recruit donors, and patients can now ask their insurance companies to pay donors identified as a match. — Reuters

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s second city lit 10 of its monuments in red to celebrate World AIDS Day, including its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. “It’s a way to remind the population that AIDS has yet to be cured and that condoms are the only way, technically speaking, to fight the AIDS virus and other sexually transmitted diseases,” said Carlos Tufvesson, Rio de Janeiro’s sexual diversity coordinator.

Today, Rio will offer tests to the public to detect the HIV and syphilis viruses at 185 health centers in the city. Results will be provided within 10 days. Rio’s government has invested two million reais ($1.1 million) in the program, the largest city-wide campaign in Brazil seeking to combat ignorance, prejudices and misinformation about AIDS. An estimated 250,000 Brazilians live with the HIV virus that causes AIDS without knowing it. But Brazil has successfully stabilized the pandemic within its borders, recording a 0.61 percent drop in new cases from 2009 to 2010 according to Health Ministry figures.

Authorities still remain concerned about the rise in the number of cases in homosexual males aged 15 to 24 — from 25.2 percent in 1990 to 46.4 percent in 2010 — especially among transvestites.

The red lights will be on for three nights in Rio. A number of other countries are also participating in the campaign, including Argentina, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, South Africa and the United States.

In downtown Buenos Aires, a giant red banner was rolled down the side of the city’s iconic obelisk, while a group of activists handed out condoms to passers-by. The

Casa Rosada government palace was decorated with a big red bow.

Some 130,000 people live with HIV in Argentina, and two thirds of them do not know they carry the virus, according to activist groups.

In Central America, hundreds rallied for an end to the discrimination and stigma against those affected by HIV/AIDS. “The goal is zero cases, zero deaths in 2012,” Honduran Youth Network Against AIDS volunteer Mario Erazo told AFP during a march in Tegucigalpa.

According to Erazo there are 30,000 Hondurans living with HIV and 21,000 patients who have developed full-blown AIDS, but only 8,000 victims receive antiretroviral treatment.

“Thousands have the virus but have not taken the test because they are afraid to get tested, and the virus gets transmitted from person to person,” Erazo said. In

Managua, some 300 Nicaraguans marched to raise awareness of the virus, some dressed with condomshaped hats. They release pink, purple and white balloons and held signs that read “more bread, less AIDS,” and “HIV does not kill, discrimination does.”

The total number of people living with HIV in Latin America grew to an estimated 1.4 million in 2009 from 1.1 million in 2001, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In 2009, there were an estimated 92,000 new HIV infections.

The UN program says most of the epidemics in the region “are concentrated in and around networks of men who have sex with men,” though “social stigma... has kept many of these epidemics among men who have sex with men hidden and unacknowledged.” — AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: Novice Guard Theo Pressed, of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, observes a moment of silence during an AIDS Day memorial service at the National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco, California. — AFP

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HEALTH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Biologists find albino among Brazil dolphins RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian biologists have found an extremely rare example of an albino dolphin among an endangered species that lives off the southern coast of South America.

The research group, based at Univille university in Santa Catarina, said Thursday that it was the

first recorded instance of an albino in the pontoporia blainvillei species, a very shy type of dolphin that rarely jumps out of the water. It’s known in Brazil as Toninha and in Argentina and Uruguay as the La Plata or Franciscana dolphin.

Camilla Meirelles Sartori, the lead biologist of

Project Toninhas, said she first saw the white calf with pinkish fins at the end of October. Her group photographed him in early November.

“We were surprised, shocked,” Sartori said. “It’s very small, and the color is really different. We didn’t know what it was at first.” Sartori said the

baby was with an adult, probably its mother.

The young live on their mother’s milk until they are six months old and remain dependent on the adult until they’re a year old. The species is endangered. Its dolphins have long, thin snouts and get easily tangled in fishing nets. — AP

CLASSIFIEDS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

ACCOMMODATION College football is in full swing — time again for countless Saturdays glued to our televisions, debating the merits of potential Heisman winners and making fun of whatever ridiculous uniforms are currently trendy (or trending, if we’re talking Twitter). And we’re grateful for it!

But if you’re new to the game — or just need a little refresher — we’ve compiled all the information you need to know about some of the most pressing rivalries in college football.

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BIG TEN

vs.

Michigan Wolverines

Ohio State Buckeyes

Mascots: N/A (Michigan has no sideline-roaming mascot) vs. Brutus Buckeye All-time Record: Michigan leads 57-44-6 The Game: Michigan-Ohio State Why it Matters: In case you ever were worried about the quality of either team, Ohio State and Michigan, combined, have won 18 national titles.

Fun Fact: In the early to mid 1800s, the states of Ohio and Michigan “fought” The Toledo War, a largely bloodless border dispute. Some believe The Game is a way of keeping this interstate tension alive.

ERIC SEALS/DETROIT FREE PRESS/MCT

SEC

PACIFIC-12

vs.

Auburn Tigers

vs.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Mascots: Aubie the Tiger vs. Big Al the Elephant All-time Record: Alabama leads 40-34-1 The Game: The Iron Bowl Why it Matters: These two

Alabama schools have had a history of fighting, even off the field. After their first meeting in February 1893, the two teams argued whether the game should be counted for the 1892 or 1893 season. In 1907, following more than a decade of bickering, The Iron Bowl was suspended for more than 40 years.

Fun Fact: In the 2010 game, Auburn’s 24-point comeback to beat Alabama was viewed by 101,821 fans.

BIG 12

Oregon Ducks

58-46-10

Army Black Knights Mascots: Army Mules vs. Bill All-time Record: Navy leads

55-49-7

The Game: The Civil War Why it Matters: While the

The Game: Army-Navy

Beavers have had their fair share of success in recent years, the Ducks have become a team to watch on the national stage for both their uniforms and annual championship hopes.

Fun Fact: The winner of The Civil War receives the Platypus Trophy, which is probably the most apt name for a trophy you’ll find in any rivalry game.

Game

Why it Matters: It’s a

symbolic rivalry between two of the United States’ oldest military branches. How could it not matter?

Fun Fact: Instant replay was first introduced at an Army-Navy Game in 1963.

ACC

vs.

Texas Longhorns

Mascots: Sooner Schooner vs. Bevo & Hook All-time Record: Texas leads 59-41-5 The Game: AT&T Red River

Harvard Crimson

Navy Midshipmen

the Goat

IVY LEAGUE

’em

Rivalry Why it Matters: In a 2005 poll to determine the top college football rivalry game, the Red River Rivalry ranked first, though that ranking has come into question in recent years.

Fun Fact: Ticket sales for the game are divided evenly between the two schools, and fans of each school are divided at the 50-yard line.

vs.

Oregon State Beavers

Mascots: The Oregon Duck vs. Benny Beaver All-time Record: Oregon leads

vs.

Oklahoma Sooners

INDEPENDENTS

vs.

Yale Bulldogs

Mascots: John Harvard vs. Handsome Dan All-time Record: Yale leads 65-54-8 The Game: The Game Why it Matters: On a national stage, this game

rarely does matter; however, the tradition — which pits two of America’s most storied institutions of higher learning against each other — dates all the way back to 1875.

Fun Fact: When the two schools first met, Harvard won 4-0. How? Back then, the game was more similar to Rugby than Football. A touchdown was worth no points, instead setting up an opportunity for a one-point field goal. Harvard converted four field goals on four touchdowns.

Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia Tech Hokies

Mascots: CavMan vs. the Hokie Bird All-time Record:

Virginia Tech leads 50-37-5 The Game: The Commonwealth Cup Why it Matters: While the two teams have met more or less regularly since 1895, the rivalry has only gotten more vitriolic since Virginia Tech joined the ACC in 2004.

Fun Fact: The Commonwealth Cup itself stands four feet tall and weighs more than 100 pounds.

S O U R C E S : H T T P : / / F O OT B A L L . S TA S S E N . C O M / R E C O R D S / ; H T T P : / / C O L L E G E F O OT B A L L . A B O U T. C O M / O D / R I VA L R I E S / A / R I V- I R O N B OW L . H T M ; H T T P : / / W W W. E H O W. C O M / H OW _ 2 0 9 0 1 8 8 _ B U Y- T I C K E T S - R E D - R I V E R - S H O OTO U T. H T M L ; H T T P : / / W W W. DA L L A S N E W S . C O M / S P O R T S / C O L L E G E - S P O R T S / H E A D L I N E S / 2 0 1 1 0 6 1 2 - R E D - R I V E R - R I VA L RY- O N LY- F I F T H - B E S T- B I G - 1 2 - M AT C H U P - I N - 2 0 1 1 - S C H E D U L E . E C E ; H T T P : / / W W W. TO L E D OWA R . C O M / ; H T T P : / / B E N T L E Y. U M I C H . E D U / AT H D E P T / F O OT B A L L / M I S C / N AT C H A M P. H T M ; H T T P : / / W W W. N AT I O N A L C H A M P S . N E T / N C A A / DATA B A S E / O H I O S TAT E _ DATA B A S E . H T M ; H T T P : / / W W W. I N S I D E S O C A L . C O M / TO M H O F FA R T H / A R C H I V E S / 2 0 0 8 / 1 2 / A R M Y- N AV Y- I N S TA . H T M L ; H T T P : / / W W W. I V Y RU G B Y. O R G / N E W S / 3 0 4 / 1 8 7 5 - G A M E - H A RVA R D - V S - YA L E ; H T T P : / / B L O G . O R E G O N L I V E . C O M / J O H N C A N Z A N O / 2 0 0 7 / 1 1 / A N D _ T H E _ C I V I L _ WA R S _ P L AT Y P U S _ T R . H T M L ; H T T P : / / W W W. H O K I E S P O R T S . C O M / F O OT B A L L / T R O P H Y / C O M M O N W E A LT H . H T M L ; H T T P : / / W W W. B I G S K Y C O N F. C O M / N E W S / 2 0 1 1 / 6 / 1 7 / G E N _ 0 6 1 7 1 1 1 8 1 5 . A S P X ; H T T P : / / C O L L E G E S E A R C H . C O L L E G E B O A R D. C O M / S E A R C H / C O L L E G E D E TA I L . J S P ? C O L L E G E I D = 1 1 9 6 ; H T T P : / / W W W. C O M P L E X . C O M / S P O R T S / 2 0 0 9 / 0 6 / T H E - AW E S O M E - H I S TO RY- O F - O R E G O N - D U C K S - F O OT B A L L - U N I F O R M S ; H T T P : / / S O L E C O L L E C TO R . C O M / S N E A K E R S / N E W S / A - D E TA I L E D - L O O K - AT- U N D E R - A R M O U R - S - U N I V E R S I T Y- O F - M A RY L A N D - P R I D E U N I F O R M S - C L E AT S / ; H T T P : / / F R I E N D S O F T H E P R O G R A M . N E T / 2 0 0 9 / 1 1 / 1 0 / N I K E - P R O - C O M B AT- T H E - C O M P L E T E - C O L L E C T I O N - W I T H - S L O G A N S / ; H T T P : / / S P O R T S I L L U S T R AT E D. C N N . C O M / VAU LT / A R T I C L E / M A G A Z I N E / M A G 1 1 3 8 7 8 5 / I N D E X . H T M ; H T T P : / / W W W. A M A Z O N . C O M / C O L L E G E - F O OT B A L L S - T W E N T Y- G R E AT E S T- T E A M S / D P / 0 8 9 2 0 4 2 8 1 8 ; H T T P : / / C O L L E G E S P O R T S I N F O. C O M / C O N F E R E N C E - R E A L I G N M E N T- G R I D /

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information SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines JZR KLM JZR ETH THY PIA UAE QTR OMA DHX MSR FDB ETD GFA THY DHX FAH JZR JZR KAC BAW KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB ETD GFA JZR RKM IRC IRM MSR KAC GFA MSR FDB MSR UAL VOS QTR KNE SVA RJA KAC JZR LMU QTR KNE JZR IRC ETD JZR UAE KAC SYR CLX GFA SVA ABY

Arrival Flights on Saturday 3/12/2011 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 447 AMSTERDAM/BAHRAIN 539 CAIRO 620 ADDIS ABABA 772 ISTANBUL 239 SIALKOT 853 DUBAI 138 DOHA 641 MUSCAT 370 BAHRAIN 612 CAIRO 67 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 211 BAHRAIN 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 201 DUBAI 503 LUXOR 555 ALEXANDRIA 416 JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR 157 LONDON 412 MANILA/BANGKOK 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 382 DELHI 302 MUMBAI 531 ASSIUT 284 DHAKA 362 COLOMBO 344 CHENNAI 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 165 DUBAI 310 RAS ALKHAIMAH 6807 SHIRAZ 5066 MASHAD 610 CAIRO 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 621 ASSIUT 57 DUBAI 606 LUXOR 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 93 KANDAHAR/DUBAI 140 DOHA 745 JEDDAH 500 JEDDAH 640 AMMAN 562 AMMAN 257 BEIRUT 611 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 839 JEDDAH/MEDINAH 535 CAIRO 6791 MASHAD 303 ABU DHABI 357 MASHAD 857 DUBAI 118 NEW YORK 341 DAMASCUS 792 LUXEMBOURG 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 127 SHARJAH

Time 0:20 0:30 0:50 1:45 2:15 2:20 2:35 2:40 2:50 2:55 3:00 3:05 3:10 3:15 4:50 5:15 5:30 5:55 6:00 6:25 6:40 6:45 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:50 7:55 8:00 8:15 8:20 8:25 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:20 9:35 9:55 11:20 11:45 12:35 12:40 12:55 13:20 13:25 13:30 13:50 13:55 14:05 14:15 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:10 15:25 16:15 16:25 16:30 16:50 16:50 16:55 16:55 17:00 17:15 17:15 17:20 17:40

JZR RBG KAC ALK JZR FDB KAC QTR KAC JZR KAC KAC IRA KAC KAC KAC KAC JAI OMA AIC MSR KAC DHX KNE MEA GFA QTR UAE JZR KLM KAC FDB JZR UAL AXB BBC DLH

777 3561 550 227 177 63 502 6130 542 125 178 618 607 674 104 774 790 572 647 975 618 788 372 789 402 217 136 859 135 445 614 61 239 981 393 43 636

JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA SOHAG/SHARM EL SHEIKH COLOMBO/DUBAI DUBAI DUBAI BEIRUT DOHA CAIRO BAHRAIN GENEVA/FRANKFURT DOHA MASHAD DUBAI LONDON RIYADH MEDINAH MUMBAI MUSCAT CHENNAI/GOA ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH BEIRUT BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM BAHRAIN DUBAI AMMAN BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE/COCHIN DHAKA FRANKFURT

Airlines PIA UAL AIC JZR DLH KLM ETH THY PIA FDB UAE OMA DHX MSR ETD QTR THY JZR GFA FDB BAW KAC JZR JZR KAC KAC UAE ABY KAC FDB QTR

Departure Flights on Saturday 3/12/2011 Flt Route 216 KARACHI 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 976 GOA/CHENNAI 530 ASSIUT 637 FRANKFURT 447 AMSTERDAM 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL 240 SIALKOT/ISLAMABAD 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 642 MUSCAT 371 BAHRAIN 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 771 ISTANBUL 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 54 DUBAI 156 LONDON 671 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 534 CAIRO 561 AMMAN 101 LONDON/NEW YORK 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 549 SOHAG/SHARM EL SHEIKH 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA

17:45 17:50 18:00 18:10 18:15 18:40 18:45 18:50 18:50 19:00 19:10 19:15 19:20 19:25 19:35 19:40 19:55 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:45 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:20 21:25 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:05 22:05 22:15 22:45 23:00 23:40 23:45 23:50

Time 0:30 0:45 0:50 1:15 1:20 1:45 2:45 3:15 3:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 3:55 4:00 4:00 4:55 5:50 6:55 7:00 8:25 8:40 9:00 9:00 9:15 9:20 9:35 9:40 9:45 10:00 10:05 10:10

ETD GFA JZR KAC KAC JZR RKM KAC IRC JZR MSR IRM GFA MSR FDB MSR KAC KNE UAL KAC RJA KAC JZR KAC LMU SVA KAC QTR KAC KNE JZR IRC ETD JZR QTR SYR UAE GFA ABY RBG SVA CLX JZR KAC JZR ALK FDB JZR KAC QTR IRA KAC DHX KAC JAI OMA MSR KNE KAC DHX MEA GFA FAH KAC QTR KAC JZR UAE KAC KLM FDB JZR KAC

302 214 356 165 541 776 311 501 6808 176 611 5065 220 622 58 607 673 746 982 789 641 617 124 787 612 505 773 141 153 840 238 6792 304 538 135 342 858 216 128 3563 511 792 266 613 134 228 64 184 283 6131 616 331 171 351 571 648 619 790 543 373 403 218 102 381 137 301 554 860 205 445 62 528 411

ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MASHAD ROME/PARIS CAIRO JEDDAH RAS ALKHAIMAH BEIRUT SHIRAZ DUBAI CAIRO MASHAD BAHRAIN ASSIUT DUBAI LUXOR DUBAI JEDDAH BAHRAIN MEDINAH AMMAN DOHA BAHRAIN JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH RIYADH DOHA ISTANBUL JEDDAH AMMAN MASHAD ABU DHABI CAIRO DOHA DAMASCUS DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH ASSIUT RIYADH HONG KONG BEIRUT BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI/COLOMBO DUBAI DUBAI DHAKA DOHA AHWAZ TRIVANDRUM BAHRAIN COCHIN MUMBAI MUSCAT ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH CAIRO BAHRAIN BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI DELHI DOHA MUMBAI ALEXANDRIA DUBAI ISLAMABAD BAHRAIN/AMSTERDAM DUBAI ASSIUT BANGKOK/MANILA

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

10:20 10:40 10:50 11:45 12:00 12:15 12:50 13:00 13:35 13:50 13:55 14:15 14:20 14:30 14:35 14:55 15:05 15:10 15:20 15:30 15:35 15:50 15:50 15:55 15:55 16:00 16:25 16:30 16:35 17:05 17:15 17:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:00 18:10 18:15 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:45 18:45 19:00 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:55 20:15 20:20 20:20 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:45 21:50 21:55 22:00 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:35 23:55

C R O S S W O R D

5 1 6

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Word Sleuth Solution

Yesterday始s Solution

ACROSS 1. A guided missile fired from shipboard against an airborne target.

4. A cowboy of the South American pampas.

10. 100 avos equal 1 pataca.

13. A fluorocarbon with chlorine.

14. Of an instrument of certain death.

15. Intentionally so written (used after a printed word or phrase).

16. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

17. Give an incentive.

18. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

19. The 3 goddesses of fate or destiny.

21. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

24. Informal terms for a mother.

25. A dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain.

28. Severe diabetes mellitus with an early onset.

29. 1/10 gram.

31. A stiff protective garment worn by hockey players or a catcher in baseball to protect the shins.

33. Wild sheep of northern Africa.

36. Either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye.

39. United States Protestant theologian (1892-1971).

40. A medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting (especially in cases of drug overdose or poisoning).

42. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

43. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism.

46. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

48. Narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used for gliding over snow.

51. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in southeastern Asia.

53. Furniture with drawers for keeping clothes.

56. A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause).

59. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools.

60. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

61. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls.

62. Rounded like an egg.

63. Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6.

64. The ball-and-socket joint between the head of the femur and the acetabulum.

65. A small cake leavened with yeast.

DOWN 1. A fraudulent business scheme.

2. A rounded thickly curled hairdo.

3. United States neoclassical architect (1847-1909).

4. Sustentacular tissue that surrounds and supports neurons in the central nervous system.

5. A mythical Greek warrior who was a leader on the Trojan side of the Trojan War. 6. Greenwich Mean Time updated with leap seconds.

7. Affectedly trendy.

8. Headdress that protects the head from bad weather.

9. Evergreen trees and shrubs having oily one-seeded fruits.

10. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms.

11. A choice or delicious dish.

12. English scholastic philosopher and assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285-1349).

20. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

22. An ornamental jewelled headdress signifying sovereignty.

23. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders.

26. A sweet innocent baby.

27. (Sumerian) God of the air and king of the Sumerian gods.

30. Antelope with white markings like a harness and twisted horns.

32. A fee charged for the use of pipes.

34. A Mid-Atlantic state.

35. Port city in the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf.

37. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

38. Date used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born.

41. A starch made by leaching and drying the root of the cassava plant.

42. A choice or delicious dish.

44. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.

45. Obvious and dull.

46. A state in midwestern United States.

47. Large antelope with lightly spiraled horns of desert regions of North Africa.

49. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

50. A Dravidian language closely related to Tamil that is spoken in a hilly section of southwestern India.

52. (prefix) Indicating difference or variation.

54. Avatar of Vishnu.

55. A person regarded as arrogant and annoying.

57. The last (12th) month of the year.

58. A rapid bustling commotion.

Yesterday始s Solution

sports SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

NHL Roundup

Penguins keep Hunter winless WASHINGTON: Chris Kunitz scored the tiebreaking goal at 2:36 of the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Washington 2-1 Thursday to keep the Capitals winless under new coach Dale Hunter. Craig Adams also scored for the Penguins, while Jason Chimera got his teamleading 10th goal for the Capitals.

Tomas Vokoun stopped 33 shots, but the Capitals couldn’t back his effort with any offensive firepower.

shutout of the season and Bryan Little’s first-period goal held up as Winnipeg beat Phoenix. Little scored the game’s only goal off a rebound while Coyotes goalie Mike Smith was out of position. Winnipeg (10-11-4), the former Atlanta Thrashers who relocated before this season,

onds left in regulation and then netted the only goal in the shootout to give Columbus a victory over Calgary. Calgary led 3-1 with less than five minutes left in the third period, and appeared to be in control, but Nikita Nikitin and Nash scored to tie it. Calgary became the

the puck between Kiprusoff’s legs.

SHARKS 4, CANADIENS 3, SO At San Jose, California, Joe Pavelski scored in the sixth round of the shootout and Antti Niemi sealed the win with a sliding pad save against P.K. Subban as San Jose

KINGS 2, PANTHERS 1 At Los Angeles, Jonathan Quick made 41 saves as Los Angeles got goals from Dustin Brown and defenseman Jack Johnson to beat Florida. Sean Bergenheim scored for Florida, and Jose Theodore stopped 23 shots. The Panthers are 0-7 against the Kings since Nov 27, 2002. Kris Versteeg, who leads Florida with 12 goals and 26 points in his first season with the club, was scratched for the first time because of a broken nose after getting elbowed by Carolina’s Derek Joslin during Tuesday’s 3-1 win.

RANGERS 5, HURRICANES 3 At Raleigh, North Carolina, Ryan McDonagh, Marian Gaborik and Sean Avery scored in a 4:53 span of the second period as New York rallied to beat Carolina for its fourth straight win. Ryan Callahan and Michael Sauer had the other goals for the Rangers, who got points from 14 players and earned their 11th win in 13 games. Martin Biron made 28 saves in a spot start for No 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Derek Joslin, Jeff Skinner and Jiri Tlutsy scored goals for Carolina, winless in two games under new coach Kirk Muller. Cam Ward made 22 saves for the Hurricanes, who have lost five in a row and are last in the Southeast Division.

STARS 3, SENATORS 2 At Dallas, Eric Nystrom scored the tiebreaking goal with 2:20 left as Dallas rallied for a victory over Ottawa, Milan Michalek had given the Senators a 2-1 advantage at 11:42 of the final period with his team-high 15th goal. Radek Dvorak and Steve Ott also scored for Dallas, and Andrew Raycroft made 33 saves.

Dvorak got Dallas even at 2 with 5:34 left in the third period. Erik Condra had Ottawa’s other goal.

snapped a two-game losing streak.

After the game, the crowd gave the new Jets a standing ovation and saluted them at center ice as the players raised their sticks.

JETS 1, COYOTES 0 At Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ondrej Pavelec made 33 saves in his second

BLUE JACKETS 4, FLAMES 3, SO At Calgary, Alberta, Rick Nash scored the tying goal with 58 sec-

WINNIPEG: Mark Flood #36 of the Winnipeg Jets gets tied up in the sticks of Martin Hanzal #11 and Radim Vrbata #17 of the Phoenix Coyotes in NHL action at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg. —AFP final NHL team to go to a shootout this season, but failed to pull out the win. Alex Tanguay, Lee Stempniak and Rene Bourque were all stopped by Sanford in the tiebreaker. After Jeff Carter and Fedor Tyutin were denied by Miikka Kiprusoff, Nash scored the decisive goal by faking a shot before sliding

NHL results/standings NHL results and standings on Thursday.

Pittsburgh 2, Washington 1; NY Rangers 5, Carolina 3; Winnipeg 1, Phoenix 0; Dallas 3, Ottawa 2; Columbus 4, Calgary 3 (SO); Nashville 6, Vancouver 5; Los Angeles 2, Florida 1; San Jose 4, Montreal 3 (SO). (SO denotes shootout)

Pittsburgh NY Rangers Philadelphia New Jersey NY Islanders

Boston Toronto Buffalo Ottawa Montreal

Florida Washington Tampa Bay Winnipeg Carolina

W 15 14 13 12 7

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division L OTL GF 7 4 82 5 3 65 7 3 80 10 1 58 11 4 43

15 14 13 12 10

Northeast Division 7 1 81 9 2 82 10 1 68 11 2 77 11 5 65

13 12 11 10 8

Southeast Division 8 4 68 11 1 72 11 2 65 11 4 71 15 4 64

Couture and Jamie McGinn scored and Niemi made 29 saves for the Sharks, who avoided matching a season-worst, three-game losing streak. David Desharnais had a goal and two assists, and Cole and Michael Cammalleri each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens.

GA 64 49 68 64 69

50 81 63 86 68

62 77 76 80 91

PTS 34 31 29 25 18

31 30 27 26 25

30 25 24 24 20

Detroit Chicago St. Louis Nashville Columbus

Western Conference Central Division 15 7 1 69 14 8 3 80 14 8 2 59 12 9 4 66 7 15 3 59

51 78 50 68 82

31 31 30 28 17

Minnesota Vancouver Edmonton Colorado Calgary

15 14 12 11 10

Northwest Division 7 3 60 10 1 78 10 3 67 13 1 68 12 2 54

55 66 63 74 64

33 29 27 23 22

Pacific Division Dallas 15 9 1 65 67 Los Angeles 13 8 4 59 56 San Jose 14 7 1 64 51 Phoenix 13 8 3 65 58 Anaheim 7 13 4 54 77 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point standings and are not included in the loss column (L)

31 30 29 29 18 in the

beat Montreal. Ryane Clowe tied the game with 1:26 left in regulation, and after a fast-paced overtime, the Sharks maintained their home dominance over the Canadiens in the shootout. San Jose has won six straight at home against Montreal, last losing 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 23, 1999. Logan

PREDATORS 6, CANUCKS 5 At Vancouver, British Columbia, Mike Fisher scored his second goal of the game with 1:16 left as Nashville snapped Vancouver backup goalie Cory Schneider’s fivegame winning streak. David Legwand, Shea Weber, Jordin Tootoo and Colin Wilson also scored for the Predators. Cody Hodgson, Daniel Sedin, Aaron Volpatti, Alex Burrows and Jannick Hansen had goals for the Canucks (14-10-1). Schneider, who gets sporadic starts behind No 1 goalie Roberto Luongo, was pulled following the first period after giving up three goals on five shots.

Nashville’s Pekka Rinne had it almost as rough, and was replaced

by Anders Lindback after the Canucks took a 5-3 lead in the second period. Lindback made several key saves in the third period and stopped all 19 shots he faced. —AP

Agbeko set for Mares rematch ANAHEIM: Joseph Agbeko, who felt cheated after losing his title to Abner Mares in August, gets another shot at the Mexican boxer in an IBF ordered rematch today at Honda Center arena. Mares dethroned the Ghana-born Agbeko in a controversial decision on August 13, winning the IBF bantamweight title and remaining unbeaten as a professional after being awarded a narrow majority decision by three judges.

However, the fight included numerous low blow punches by Mares, who did not have any points deducted despite receiving five warnings from referee Russell Mora. The next day, Agbeko filed a protest and the IBF ruled in his favor, mandating an immediate rematch. “I have put the first fight behind me,” Agbeko said. “My focus now is today and regaining my title. I expect the referee to do his job.”

Two-time IBF bantamweight champ Agbeko will be fighting in his seventh world championship fight. If he wins today, it would not be the first time, Agbeko has avenged a title loss to an opponent. In October 2009, he lost his bantamweight title to Yonnhy Perez by a unanimous decision. Thirteen months later, he regained the title by dominating Perez in the rematch. Mares is fighting in his fourth world championship fight. In the main bout on the undercard, three-time Aussie world champion Vic Darchinyan will fight for Anselmo Moreno’s WBA bantamweight belt. “I will destroy him. I can’t see this fight going the distance,” Darchinyan said. —AFP

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Colleagues see confidence in Tiger Woods THOUSAND OAKS: Former world number one Tiger Woods is chasing his first win in more than two years, but his colleagues on the US PGA Tour say he’s looking more and more like his old, dominant self. Woods was in contention en route to a third-place finish behind Greg Chalmers in the Australian Open and claimed the winning point in the United States’ 19-15 victory over the International team in the Presidents Cup matches in a two-week stretch Down Under.

He arrived in California for the Chevron World Challenge, the 18-man tournament he hosts for the benefit of his charitable foundation, saying he believed he was finally dialed in on the swing changes he struggled with all year. Woods’ progress with those changes was hampered in 2011 by injuries that kept him out of tournaments and limited his practice time, leading to another disappointing season in the wake of a 2010 campaign overshadowed by his personal travails.

His extended winless streak has raised doubts that the 14-time major champion will find a way to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles. South Korean KJ Choi, who was leading Woods’ tournament with an impressive six-under 66 in the windswept first round, said he was able to catch a glimpse of Woods on Thursday, and liked what he saw. “I was very impressed at the way he was swinging, at his rhythm, at the power that he had. It almost seemed like watching the old Tiger,” said Choi, who was looking forward to playing with Woods in the final group. “Tiger is a good friend. He’s got a very strong will. He’s got the right mental attitude right now and I think it’s going to be a very fun day tomorrow.”

Woods carded a three-under 69 that could have been better. He narrowly missed holing a 20-foot eagle putt at the fifth and saw a chip from off the seventh green circle the cup but fail to drop. He shared second place on 69 with playing partner Steve Stricker, who was also impressed by what he saw from Woods. “I think he’s playing great,” Stricker said. “He’s striking the ball so solidly.

His trajectory on his shots is really good. He got a little unlucky on a couple of irons that he hit. He hit them right where he was looking and either a little short or a little long. “It looks like he’s getting a lot of confidence back again,” Stricker added. “It looks like the Tiger of old, really, and it’s great to see. We need him out there playing and playing well.” — AFP

Choi defies blustery wind to seize Challenge lead THOUSAND OAKS: KJ Choi jumped out of the blocks then stayed steady in gusting winds Thursday to seize the firstround lead of the Chevron World Challenge, three shots ahead of tournament host Tiger Woods. Choi birdied the first five holes at the par-72, 7,052-yard Sherwood Country Club course. The South Korean veteran then held on as the blustery winds picked up, with unpredictable gusts of up to 35 miles per hour, to finish at six-under 66, with Woods and fellow American Steve Stricker sharing second on 69.

Sherwood, in rolling hills west of Los Angeles, missed the worst of the winds that battered southern California on Thursday, leaving more than 300,000 without power, creating traffic chaos and forcing school closures in some areas.

“I think it’s a blessing that the wind wasn’t as strong as they forecast,” Choi said. “I mean, if the winds really start to pick up at 40, 50 miles per hour, we can’t really play. So it’s a blessing that it wasn’t that strong.”

The conditions made for a difficult day of golf, however. None of the 18 players in the field made it around without a bogey. “It was tough just to grab the right club and commit to the shot because the wind was all over the place,” said Stricker, who joined playing partner Woods on 69 with a 40-foot birdie putt at 18.

“KJ’s playing an amazing round because he’s got most of it in the wind,” said Woods, who played three groups in front of Choi and took advantage of the calm early conditions to birdie four of his first five holes. “For him to play that well that early and then keep it going is one hell of a round.” Choi, whose 2011 US PGA Tour season featured a career-high

eight top 10s-including a victory at The Players Championship-said he gets plenty of practice playing in the wind in Dallas, where he has a US home. “I’m used to practicing in those conditions.

I’ve become very comfortable in those windy conditions,” Choi said. “My mindset was just to try and make par and try to be patient.”

Woods, the 14-time major champion who hasn’t won in more than two years, finished with six birdies and three bogeys and said the conditions offered little chance to assess the state of his game. “It was hard to tell anything out there because it was just dancing all over the place,” said Woods, who arrived in California confident that he could continue the solid form he displayed in a fortnight of competition in Australia.

After back-to-back bogeys at 15 and 16

dropped him to two-under, Woods smacked in a birdie putt at 17 to get back to three-under. Had it missed, he said, it would have gone several feet past. “Thank God it went in,” Woods said.

Americans Nick Watney, Jim Furyk and Rickie Fowler were tied on 71, the only other players to break par.

American Matt Kuchar got as low as four-under but was undone by a triplebogey eight at the par-five 16th en route to an even par 72. Australian Jason Day was three-under through 15 before back-to-back double-bogeys at 16 and 17. Nursing a sore right thumb after playing out of the trees at 17, he closed with a bogey that left him two-over.

Given the potential for disaster on the day, Woods was more than satisfied with his position. “Anything under par is a good day today,” he said. — AFP

CALIFORNIA: South Korea’s KJ Choi tees off on the eighth hole during the first round of the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament. — AP

McIlroy shares lead in Hong Kong Open

CALIFORNIA: Tiger Woods hits his approach shot from the 18th fairway during the first round of the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club. — AP

HONG KONG: A battling performance from an under-the-weather Rory McIlroy saw him sharing the lead with Alvaro Quiros after the second round of the $2.75 million UBS Hong Kong Open yesterday. The world number two was left to rue a bogey on the par-five last at the Hong Kong Golf Club as he ended play with a one-under 69, for a tworound seven-under par total, level with Quiros of Spain who shot the same score earlier in the day.

“Obviously it wasn’t the way I wanted to finish,” said the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland.

“I hit a few loose shots coming in.

It’s something I’ll have to try and eliminate tomorrow if I want to try and lead this golf tournament going in to Sunday. I feel like I definitely could have shot a few better today. But you know, if that’s my worst round of the week, it’s not too bad.” McIlroy revealed after his round that he has also been struggling with his health this week, after spending three days on a saline drip during a recent holi-

day to the Maldives with his tennis playing girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, the world number one. “I got sick for a few days so that sort of took a little bit of energy out of me,” said McIlroy. “I think that is sort of a little bit still there. I mean my energy levels.

“It’s the end of the season. I’m sure it’s not just me that’s feeling like this.

I’m sure a lot of the guys are. It’s been a long season and there’s a couple of more weeks left before we get to enjoy Christmas.” Quiros, 28, had earlier powered through his opening nine holes, picking up three birdies along the way, but then stumbled with two bogies on his back-nine just when it looked as though he was going to put some breathing space between himself and the chasing pack. “Without those two (bogies) it was a proper number. Nine-under would have been great,” he said.

Quiros had begun the day tied at six-under with McIlroy and Englishman David Horsey, who struggled to a two-over 72 and dropped to four-under for the tournament.

Breathing a sigh of relief at the end of the day was three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, who needs a good finish to sneak his way into the Race to Dubai top-60 and qualify for next week’s $7.5 million Dubai World Championship. The Irishman finished the day on one-under after two rounds, inching in under the cut, and said he was happy with his solid if unspectacular round of one-over 71.

Joining him at the weekend will be American John Daly, who recovered from an opening-day four-over 74 to shoot two-under today. A highlight of the morning’s play was the fiveunder 65 shot by 18-year-old Asian Tour rookie Panuphol “Coconut” Pittayarat, which saw the Thai youngster grab a share of second place at six-under with Richie Ramsay.

Panuphol’s round included an eagle on the par-five fifth, which he followed up with a birdie two on the next. “My goal was to make the cut and I’m up here now. So I’ll try to keep it up on the weekend and I’ll try to finish well,” he said. — AFP

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SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Seahawks down Eagles Lynch runs for two touchdowns PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young was in a charitable mood on Thursday, gifting the Seahawks four interceptions, three of which were converted into touchdowns, as Seattle eased to a 31-14 home victory.

The loss at CenturyLink Field further dims the playoff hopes of the disappointing Eagles, who fell to the bottom of the NFC East with a 4-8 record. Philadelphia have struggled to overcome the loss of explosive quarterback Michael Vick, who missed a third straight start with injured ribs, and leading receiver Jeremy Maclin, who has also been sidelined for three games through injury.

On Thursday, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha left in the first half with a possible concussion and did not return. “We kind of felt Vince would throw it up to us a lot. He likes to take chances,” Seattle safety Kam Chancellor told reporters. “So we knew if we were in position and played our defense we knew we were capable of getting some picks.”

Young’s night got off to the worst possible start when he was intercepted on Philadelphia’s first possession of the game

by Chancellor, leading to a spectacular 15-yard touchdown by Marshawn Lynch five plays later. Lynch charged and bulled his way through a pile of players at the line of scrimmage before breaking free and running into the end zone. He finished with 148 rushing yards and also scored on a 40-yard sprint in the first half to double Seattle’s lead to 14-0. LeSean McCoy scored twice for the Eagles, who were within striking distance until David Hawthorne secured the win by intercepting Young and racing 77 yards for the touchdown to complete the scoring with four minutes remaining.

“It was definitely the longest run I ever imagined myself running,” Hawthorne said. “Usually in my dreams, I get them right around 20 and I take them him. But that was a long one. I could never be a kick returner. I would quit.” Golden Tate also scored a touchdown for Seattle (5-7) on an 11-yard pass from Tavaris Jackson in the third quarter following the first of two interceptions by Brandon Browner. Steven Hauschka converted a 49-yard field goal seconds before halftime. “Four turnovers. It’s tough to win football games that way,” said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. “All in all we’ve got to do a better job as a football team.” — Reuters

SEATTLE: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner jumps over Philadelphia Eagles’ Chad Hall after Browner caught an interception in the second half of an NFL football game. — AP

Michigan State women beaten by No 9 Miami EAST LANSING: Suzy Merchant knew it would take an exceptional game for her Michigan State Spartans to beat ninthranked Miami. She just didn’t know that two of her top players would be on the bench with two fouls most of the first half. Morgan Stroman scored 20 points on a near-perfect shooting night and faster Hurricanes beat the Spartans 7660 Thursday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. “I’m not surprised,” Merchant said. “We knew what they were going to do. We practiced against six and seven guys on our scout team.

But from 1 to 5, that’s the fastest, most athletic team we’ve faced in my career.

We’ve played Duke, and it’s not even close.”

Porsche Poole had 17 points for the foul-plagued Spartans (5-3), who trailed 38-26 at halftime with starters Lykendra Johnson and Taylor Alton sitting on the bench for much of the first 20 minutes.

“I get frustrated talking to Lykendra about that at this stage of her career,” Merchant said of the Big Ten’s leading rebounder. “She has to learn not to let her frustrations carry over. But those are our two seniors. They need to play at a higher level.” Courtney Schiffauer and Jasmine Hines each had nine points for Michigan State, while Becca Mills grabbed nine rebounds, all in the first half.

Stroman had 13 points at the break, hitting all four of her shots from the

field and all five at the line for Miami (61). She finished 7-for-7 and 6-for-7, respectively. “Coach has been telling me we need more energy,” Stroman said. “When I’m hyped, everyone else is hyped, too.” Shenise Johnson added 13 points and Stefanie Yderstrom had 11 in the Hurricanes’ second closest game this season. “Morgan is so underrated,” Miami coach Katie Meier said. “Our junior class has some perfect student-athletes. And she can stay in the shadows, then say, ‘I’m a McDonald’s AllAmerican, too.’” The Hurricanes forced the Spartans into 19 turnovers and had 11 steals. That was more than enough when Michigan State shot just 3 for 16 on 3-pointers.

Miami shot 45 percent from the field, 30 percent on 3s (6 for 20) and 75 percent (12 for 16) on free throws. They had 15 assists and just 10 turnovers while running at every opportunity. “To only have 10 turnovers the way we play was big,” Meier said. “We average 95 possessions a game, so that means we’re keeping 85 of them.” The Spartans shot 42 percent from the field and 78 percent (7 for 9) at the line, and had a 37-34 edge in rebounds. Miami point guard Riquna Williams went down with a left knee injury and was helped off the court with 1:16 left before halftime. She returned briefly in the second half and finished with nine points. The Hurricanes built a 36-20

edge with pressure defense, drives to the basket and a steady procession to the foul line. The Spartans had 13 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, when they were outscored 11-3 at the line.

“We’ve got to be smarter than that,” Poole said. “We’ve got to stay out of foul trouble. We were better with the ball in the second half and didn’t give up turnovers for touchdowns. But we have to start faster.” With Johnson and Alton back in the lineup, Michigan State pulled to 46-36 on an off-balance jumper by Poole and made it an eightpoint game on a layup by Alton. Miami kept the Spartans at bay with five of their six 3-pointers in the second half, two from deep in the right corner and one from up top by Yderstrom.

But Michigan State rallied again behind Schiffauer’s aggression and Hines’ strength inside. Annalise Pickrel’s jumper with 6:14 to go pulled the Spartans to 59-52 with 6:14 left. “We cut it to seven but just didn’t make a couple of plays when we needed to,” Merchant said. “I liked our fight in the second half and the way we competed. We just couldn’t get over the hump.” Stroman finally missed a free throw but made her second attempt, then converted a layup on a pass from Shenise Johnson to make it a 10-point game.

On the Hurricanes’ next possession, Yderstrom connected again from 21 feet to make it 65-52. — AP

NFL PREVIEW

Saints to make Super Bowl run LOS ANGELES: The New Orleans Saints enter December eyeing a run at the Super Bowl behind the sharp passing of their star quarterback Drew Brees.

“What it comes down to is we have a lot of confidence and we play very aggressive,” said Brees, whose streak of 38 straight games with a touchdown pass is secondlongest in league history behind Johnny Unitas (47).

Brees is looking to lead New Orleans to a fourth consecutive victory tomorrow when they host the Detroit Lions, who are fighting for a playoff spot.

To make matters worse for Detroit’s postseason chances, they will likely be without star defensive end Ndamukong Suh because of suspension. New Orleans (8-3) heads into the game after an impressive 49-24 victory over the New York Giants on Monday. Brees threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns and had an eight-yard touchdown run as the Saints finished with a whopping 577 yards. It was their second most yards in franchise history.

In another key matchup tomorrow, the next stop for the Green Bay Packers in their pursuit of perfection is an opponent that has a reputation of ruining unbeaten seasons-the New York Giants.

In a battle of teams headed in opposite directions, the Packers travel to New York to face the Giants at MetLife Stadium. New York ended Denver’s 13-0 start in 1998 although the Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl. The Giants also snapped New England’s attempt at a 19-0 season with a 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII. “It is different circumstances but it is the challenge of playing a team that is obviously a very good football team,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said.

Green Bay is five games away from a perfect regular season. The Packers will wrap up the NFC North title with a win and a loss by Detroit at New Orleans tomorrow. “It is motivating to go out every week and compete better than you did the previous week,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.

“We have been able to play the way we wanted to play consistently the first 11 games. We will see what happens when we get down this road a little bit.” The Packers’ win streak began with a 45-17 home rout of the Giants in the next-to-last week of the 2010 regular season. The NFL week got started with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-14 on Thursday night.

Marshawn Lynch ran for 148 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns for the Seahawks who posted their third victory in the past four games. The Dallas Cowboys look to win five straight for the first time in nearly four years when they visit the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow.

The Cowboys have not won five in a row since a seven-game run October 21-December 9, 2007. While it has not always been pretty, the Cowboys have climbed their way to the top of the NFC East. They face Arizona before their schedule gets much tougher.

Dallas endured a disappointing 3-4 start to the season but rebounded to reach 7-4 thanks in part to a favorable schedule. “The teams that play in the playoffs and win in the playoffs are the teams that get better,” coach Jason Garrett said.

“We believe that if you improve over the course of the season, week-to-week, you are going to be playing well when you need to be playing really well, and that’s the end of the year.” Quarterback Tony Romo said: “We needed to get going. We had some tough losses earlier in the year, and we were in position to win some games. At some point you’ve got to get on a roll and stack the wins together. Getting these four wins was very big.” In other games tomorrow, Indianapolis is at New England, Denver at Minnesota, Atlanta at Houston, New York Jets at Washington, Kansas City at Chicago, Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, Oakland at Miami, Tennessee at Buffalo, Carolina at Tampa Bay, Baltimore at Cleveland, and St Louis at San Francisco. — AFP

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sports SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Rival elite league stirs trouble in Indonesia JAKARTA: Indonesia’s troubled football federation is once again in strife as a breakaway super league threatens to disqualify top Indonesian clubs from regional events. Rival administrators revived the defunct Liga Super Indonesia, which kicked off Thursday after disputes between clubs and Liga Prima Indonesia, the country’s official top league registered with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

“We believe a letter from the sports ministry makes it clear that there is only one recognized professional league under the PSSI, and that’s the Prima Liga Indonesia,”

PSSI competition committee chief Sihar Sitorus said. “We will be taking action against the Liga Super administrators and we will see if they are kicked out or accommodated.” Eleven of the 24 original Liga Prima clubs boycotted the competition, some saying too many clubs were playing, others citing inadequate salaries and conditions.

The split in the country’s pool of top clubs could hurt Indonesia’s chances of competing in the Asian Champions League and the AFC Cup championships beyond next year. Asian Football Confederation rules for those events state that clubs are required to compete in

J-League set for thrilling climax TOKYO: Japan’s J-League is set for a grandstand finish this weekend with the top three clubs all capable of snatching the title as they head into the last round separated by just two points. Surprise package Kashiwa Reysol, who lead by a point, can become champions in their very first season after being promoted, while second-placed Nagoya Grampus would seal back-to-back titles if results go their way.

Gamba Osaka, one point further back in third, need a win to have any chance of leap-frogging their rivals into first place and claiming, against all odds, their first JLeague crown since 2005. One of Japan’s tightest races since it ditched the two-stage championship that year is given added spice by the fact that all three title contenders are playing away from home. Kashiwa are at Urawa Red Diamonds’ Saitama Stadium, Nagoya travel to Albirex Niigata’s Big Swan venue-where they have never won-and Osaka are hosted by mid-table Shimizu S-Pulse.

Kashiwa striker Hideaki Kitajima said his team would not be cowed by Urawa’s fiery supporters as they go in search of their second successive title, after also winning the second-tier J2 last season. “I’m determined to score a goal in any style,” Kitajima said. “Nobody shrinks against the atmosphere at the Saitama stadium. We’re not playing their supporters, we’re playing Urawa.

Everybody is burning to win.” Fourth-from-bottom Urawa’s relegation fears appear over with Ventforet Kofu needing to win by 14 goals to draw level on both points and goal difference. Avispa Fukuoka and Montedio Yamagata are the two teams confirmed for the drop.

But midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki said despite little to play for, Urawa would do their utmost to stop Kashiwa lifting the title. “We were relieved after we made it almost certain to remain in the first division. We don’t want to see Kashiwa win the title. I’m just looking forward to playing a really strong team,” he said. Nagoya’s challenge will be boosted by the presence of Australia striker Josh Kennedy, the league’s top-scorer with 19 goals, along with Japan star Keiji Tamada and Jungo Fujimoto, who have another 22 between them.

But Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka admitted the team was concerned by their record of one draw, six defeats and no wins away to Niigata, although he was prepared to play through injury if necessary. “Even if I get an injury during the game, I don’t care. But it’s cold at this stadium. I would prefer to play in a dome stadium,” he said. Meanwhile Osaka coach Akira Nishino is hoping for the best possible send-off as he is due to leave the team at the end of the season. “We have the lowest chance among the three teams. It is only our team who can’t win the title unless we win the game,” said Nishino. —AFP

the top domestic league approved by the national association, essentially leaving Liga Super’s 18 clubs out of the running. The PSSI and Liga Prima brushed off suggestions that the split would force the AFC or international regulator FIFA to intervene. “They recognize only one federation in each country. Of course we expect FIFA and AFC will rightly ask what’s going on, and we’ll just have to explain the situation,” Sitorus said.

Liga Prima spokesman Abi Hasantoso said the issue was local and that PSSI could handle it. “The AFC and FIFA told us that we could run the league as long as we have

at least 10 clubs, so with 13, our league is fine.” Liga Super is backed by one of Indonesia’s most powerful politicians and business tycoons, Aburizal Bakrie, whose family empire has been accused of corruption and collusion in several high-profile cases. Sitorus suggested clubs may have walked from the Liga Prima after a crackdown on political links in football. “It may be related to the ban on using government money for professional football,” he said.

FIFA threatened the PSSI with sanctions this year over poor management and a scandalous power grab for the chairmanship. Former

PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid, implicated in several graft cases, was ejected in a no-confidence vote in February, leaving feuding members without leadership for months and forcing FIFA to intervene.

Under new leadership, the PSSI fired the national team’s coach Alfred Riedl without paying out his contract. Indonesia was a successful co-host of the 2007 Asian Cup, but its national team’s record is poor. It was runner-up to Malaysia in the AFF Suzuki Cup last December, but is 132nd on FIFA’s rankings-below Yemen and Kenyaand has never made the World Cup finals. —AFP

Ponting leads Australian fightback against Kiwis BRISBANE: Ricky Ponting, searching for an elusive century to save his Test career, led an Australian fightback on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba yesterday. Ponting, without a century in his previous 28 Test innings and under pressure to keep his place, had a few close shaves to have Australia in reasonable shape at 154 for three in reply to New Zealand’s 295 at stumps. The former skipper, whose last big innings of 209 against Pakistan in Hobart was almost two years ago, was unbeaten on 67 with his successor Michael Clarke not out 28.

Ponting narrowly avoided being run out before he had scored when Brendon McCullum’s throw just missed the stumps at the non-striker’s end and he also survived a video referee’s referral for lbw on 63. Ponting, who turns 37 later this month, unfurled some of his classic drives and pulls among his 11 boundaries to look back in scoring nick. “Ricky’s one of the legends of the game,” Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon said. “We all have confidence in him and we’re going to back him up right to the end of the day. He’s awesome, so hopefully he can go on and get a big one tomorrow.”

Clarke on 23 had a huge slice of luck when in the 42nd over he played Doug Bracewell on to his stumps only for Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf to check for a no-ball. Replays showed that Bracewell had overstepped the popping crease giving the Aussie skipper a reprieve.

Ponting and Clarke’s unbroken 63-run stand rescued the home side after the loss of David Warner (3), Phil Hughes (10) and Usman Khawaja (38) for 91 runs. Twenty20 specialist Warner’s Test innings debut lasted just three balls before he was out in the over before lunch when he failed to get out of the way from a superb lifting Tim Southee delivery and was caught off the gloves by wicketkeeper Reece Young. Hughes was out to a great diving catch by Martin Guptill in the gully off Chris Martin and Khawaja again failed to go on after a start when he was run out on the first ball after tea. Ponting attempted a risky run to the leg side and Kane Williamson swooped in from midwicket and hit the stumps easily beating Khawaja’s dive. “I don’t think anyone really gave us a chance of scoring almost 300 in those conditions and all the talk and all the history of the wicket indicates that’s a good score, I think we’re feeling good about ourselves,” Kiwi topscorer Daniel Vettori said. “But we do need to back it up with the ball tomorrow and that first session will be the key and not let the

game get away from us.” New Zealand added 119 runs for their last five wickets from an overnight 176 for five with Dean Brownlie, dropped twice when he was on three, remaining unbeaten on 77 put together in 249 minutes. Vettori was in sight of his first Test century against Australia when he inexplicably set off

Black Caps tottering at 96 for five just after lunch Thursday, lay prone in disappointment as he sprawled to make his ground and was out for 96 in just over three hours with 10 boundaries. He put on a Gabba record sixthwicket stand for New Zealand of 158 with Brownlie, eclipsing the previous best of 95

BRISBANE: Australia’s Ricky Ponting plays a shot during the 2nd day of the first cricket test between Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba in Brisbane yesterday. —AP for a quick run to mid-off only for Mike Hussey to run him out with a direct throw at the bowler’s end. “It took a direct hit, if it wasn’t a direct hit I would have been in and he’s a very good fielder. I picked the wrong guy,” Vettori said. Vettori, who came to the crease with the

between Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns at the ground in 2001. Off-spinner Lyon wrapped up the New Zealand innings with the wickets of Doug Bracewell (0), Tim Southee (17) and Chris Martin (1) to finish with four for 69 off 21.5 overs. —AFP

Scoreboard BRISBANE: Scoreboard at the close on the second day of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba yesterday: New Zealand 1st innings (overnight 176-5) B. McCullum c Warner b Starc 34 M. Guptill c Haddin b Siddle 13 K. Williamson c Khawaja b Lyon 19 R. Taylor b Pattinson 14 J. Ryder c Warner b Starc 6 D. Brownlie not out 77 D. Vettori run out (Hussey) 96 R. Young c Clarke b Siddle 2 D. Bracewell c Clarke b Lyon 0 T. Southee c Hussey b Lyon 17 C. Martin b Lyon 1 Extras (9b, 1lb, 3w, 3nb) 16 Total (all out; 82.5 overs) 295 Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Guptill), 2-56 (McCullum), 3-78 (Williamson), 4-93 (Taylor), 5-96 (Ryder), 6-254 (Vettori), 7-256 (Young), 8-259 (Bracewell), 9-290 (Southee), 10-295 (Martin)

Bowling: Pattinson 15-1-64-1 (2nb, 2w), Siddle 24-8-57-2 (1nb, 1w), Starc 20-1-90-2, Lyon 21.5-1-69-4, Hussey 2-0-5-0.

Australia 1st innings D. Warner c Young b Southee 3 P. Hughes c Guptill b Martin 10 U. Khawaja run out (Williamson) 38 R. Ponting not out 67 M. Clarke not out 28 Extras (1lb, 1w, 6nb) 8 Total (for 3 wkts; 46 overs) 154 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Warner), 2-25 (Hughes), 3-91 (Khawaja) Bowling: Vettori 9-2-23-0, Southee 12-5-311, Martin 12-2-38-1 (1w), Bracewell 10-2-500 (5nb), Guptill 1-0-6-0 (1nb), Brownlie 2-05-0.

Bad light ended play at 4:38pm (06:38 GMT)

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

Spanish League Preview

Level-headed Alonso not thinking about Barcelona MADRID: While La Liga gears up for the first Clasico of the season next weekend, Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso refuses to be side-tracked and says a win against Sporting Gijon will be just as valuable. Madrid are in ominous form at the moment and have a three-point lead plus a game in hand over reigning champions Barcelona. They are now looking for their 14th successive victory while Barca, who face Levante at Camp Nou, have been stuttering away from home. Real have been in blistering form in attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way with 16 goals in the league, while Gonzalo Higuain is not far behind on 12 and Karim Benzema has seven.

It will not be an easy game, however, against Sporting, who beat them at the Bernabeu last season and have been

playing well, although they were thumped 4-0 by Levante last weekend.

“This season we have taken a step forward, we are playing fantastically and we don’t want it to stop,” said Alonso. “As a group we are functioning well and so that also helps all the players individually.

I am going through one of the best spells of my career but we will have to wait and see how the season finishes. “I have a lot of respect for Sporting. The three points in Gijon are as important as those against Barcelona. “We have not yet thought about that match, although I understand that others will already be looking at it.

The coach will make a decision on that game when it comes, but first we have Sporting.” Barca have drawn and lost their last two away matches but their home stadium remains a fortress where

they have scored 34 goals and are yet to concede. In mid-week they brushed aside Rayo Vallecano 4-0 in a match brought forward due to their participation in the Club World Cup later this month.

There was controversy, though, with Gerard Pique apparently deliberately earning a yellow card for time wasting that means he will be banned this weekend but will be clear to play against Madrid. The football league are now considering whether to take action against him. Striker David Villa has not been a regular in the side in recent months but denies that this is a problem. “I am as confident or maybe more so than I was last season,” he said. “I am working hard so that my team-mates, the fans and my family are happy. There is still a long way to go in this campaign but hopefully it

will be successful.” Villa’s former side Valencia, in third, are on a good run, having won six of their last seven games, and take on Espanyol.

Malaga and Sevilla occupy the Europa League positions and they play Real Sociedad and Getafe respectively.

Osasuna, who play Real Betis, have found themselves on the fringes of the European places following a few good results. Athletic Bilbao will look to bounce back at Mallorca, after their 11-match unbeaten run came to an end in surprising fashion at home to struggling Granada, who have moved clear of the relegation zone and entertain Zaragoza.

Bottom side Racing Santander face Villarreal and there is a mid-table clash between Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. — AFP

Italian League Preview

German League Preview

Bayern trying to avoid third successive defeat BERLIN: Bayern Munich host Werder Bremen today desperate to avoid suffering a third straight German league defeat for the first time in 14 years. The last time the Bavarians lost three in succession was during February and March 1998 under Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni, but a win over Bremen would put them back on top if leaders Dortmund draw at Moenchengladbach. Having been five points clear just a few weeks ago, recent defeats at home to Dortmund and at Mainz have seen Bayern drop to third in the table, with Bremen just two points behind in fourth.

Munich are still only a point behind both secondplaced ‘Gladbach and Dortmund, who meet today in a weekend of key Bundesliga fixtures with just three points separating first and fourth place. Despite having qualified for the knock-out phase of the Champions League, Bayern have stumbled in the domestic league and badly need a win to stop the rot at Munich’s Allianz Arena. Last Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Mainz damaged confidence and both Munich president Uli Hoeness and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are demanding a handsome win over Bremen. “I expect our team to make up for the embarrassment of their pitiful performance at Mainz,” said Hoeness.

“Now, there’s no excuse. The team have ample opportunity between now and Christmas to get back on top.”

Rummenigge had some unorthodox advice for Bayern’s stars against Bremen. “Run, fight, scratch and bite. That’s what I would recommend the team do,” said the Bayern boss. “Now it is extremely important that the team gets back on the right track against Bremen.” Bayern will be without injured star Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is recovering from a broken collarbone and Ukrainian midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk who is suspended. Bremen are missing goalkeeper Tim Wiese, who is grieving after the death of his father.

Munich suffered a scare on Wednesday when star striker Mario Gomez, who has netted 13 goals in 13 league games, suffered a bruised shin after a training clash with Tymoshchuk, but is expected to play. Dutch winger Arjen Robben is set to return after missing the Mainz defeat with a back injury. While Munich have struggled recently, Bremen are on the rise after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Stuttgart and have won three of their last four games. “We feel confident we can go there and get at least a point, maybe three, which would give us a great chance to stay at the top,” said defender Naldo.

Dortmund are unbeaten in their last eight games, taking 22 points from a possible 24, as they travel to ‘Gladbach. The hosts are waiting to see if star wing Marco Reus, who has 10 goals this season, will be fit to play after breaking his toe last weekend. —AFP

Inter Milan, Udinese with different points to prove ROME: Inter Milan host Udinese in the crunch clash of the weekend in Serie A with both teams looking to prove a point in vastly contrasting seasons so far. Inter have largely disappointed this term having started the campaign as title favorites alongside neighbors and bitter rivals AC Milan. A torrid start saw them win only two and lose five of their opening nine games and left them struggling to stay above the relegation zone. But having managed back-to-back successes for the first time this season, thanks to substitute Luc Castaignos’s late winner at Siena last weekend, Inter are now hoping to start climbing up the table. They trail leaders Juventus by 12 points, although with a game in hand, and captain Javier Zanetti says they just have to concentrate on winning matches.

“Juventus are top because that’s where they deserve to be. They’re doing very well and so far have been the most consistent,” said the Argentine veteran.

“We need to look to make up ground and then we’ll see at the end where we finish. I hope as soon as possible that we return to being in the hunt as we have been in the last seven years of great success. “We let the critics talk, we have to try game by game to win as many as possible. “Everything can happen, we know it will be very complicated and difficult but we have to try. “As I’ve already said, Juve deserve to be where they are, Milan have put a good run together, Napoli have maybe paid for being invovled in the Champions League while we started with a lot of difficulties.

“Now, slowly, we’re recovering and it’s up to us to find consistency and most of all to get results.” One team Zanetti didn’t mention was Udinese, who are third in Serie A, two points behind Juve and level with Milan.

Although he may not be talking about them as title challengers, Zanetti recognises the dangers they pose. “We’ll need to play a great match because we’re coming up against a team in great form who’ve been playing together for many

RENNES: Rennes’ midfielder Alexander Tettey of Norway jumps for a header with defender Pablo Estifer Armero of Udinese during their Europa League Group I qualifying soccer match in Rennes on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011. — AP years, who have a very intelligent coach and they’ll definitely cause us problems,” he added.

Udinese’s gameplan is simple and is based around a solid defense-it’s the best in the league and Inter have conceded almost three times as many goals with an effective counter-attack that exploits the speed of top scorer Antonio Di Natale. Udinese played in the Europa League in midweek, drawing 0-0 at Rennes, but gave Di Natale the night off.

Coach Francesco Guidolin, who has repeatedly written off his side’s chances of pushing for honors, says they must concentrate on playing well. “We were unlucky (against Rennes) but if we keep creating chances and play well then the goals and results will look after them-

selves,” he said.

Juve host second from bottom Cesena but will have noted their opponents won their last two, having failed to win in their first 10 matches. Fourthplaced Lazio take on Novara, who are in the relegation zone, on Monday while second-placed Milan travelled to Genoa yesterday. Napoli, fresh from blowing a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Juve on Tuesday, are at home to rock bottom Lecce with coach Walter Mazzarri warning his players not be too focussed on next week’s Champions League clash with Villarreal. Already this season, Napoli have been inconsistent, losing to the likes of Catania, Chievo and Parma while beating Inter, Milan and Manchester City.— AFP

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Chelsea’s coach vows to stay put LONDON: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has launched a staunch defense of his footballing philosophy, insisting it is no “cancer” and that he will stay at Stamford Bridge even if the season ends in failure. The Blues have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions and lost a League Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on Tuesday. They also need to beat Valencia in their final Champions League group game next week if they are to be assured of a place in the last 16. But Villas-Boas, whose side face fourth-placed Newcastle at St James’ Park today, insists the season is still going according to plan.

The Portuguese boss has been criticized for his tactics, most notably his insistence on keeping a high defensive line despite a lack of mobility and pace in Chelsea’s back four. But he said: “The philosophy is not a cancer. We are not speaking about something that is wrong. We are speaking about something we like to do and we do it with pride, which is good football. “I don’t think it is at crisis point. We just have to pull ourselves together again. We can only apply ourselves to hard work and continue to believe we are going to get out of this situation. “When does it become a crisis? At the end of the season when you are able to reflect on whether you have won trophies or not.”

And on whether he believed he would stay on as manager even if Chelsea fail to win anything, he added: “Sure, sure. Because I was brought in for a three-year project.” Villas-Boas, who last season guided Porto to a trophy treble, can take solace from Chelsea playing Newcastle away from home, as their form on the road has been far better than that at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile Alan Pardew laughed-off suggestions his Newcastle side are favorites to beat the struggling Blues. Newcastle lead the London club by a point as they defend an eight-month unbeaten home record.

But Pardew, whose team will be without the injured Cheik Tiote and suspended Jonas Gutierrez, added: “Chelsea are a side filled with icons of the Premier League. They’ve had a tough spell, but they’ve had them before and come through. Their new manager is trying to put in his changes and I’m sure he’ll succeed. Our form is very strong, and it’s a game Chelsea need to win, but to make us favorites for the match isn’t right.” A sell-out 52,000 crowd will pay tribute before kick-off to former Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed, the ex-Wales manager and international who took his own life last weekend, aged 42. “We’ll pay tribute to Gary in the right manner because he was a player and an individual well loved by everyone connected with the club,” Pardew said. — AFP

PSG’s Kombouare vows to fight on PARIS: Antoine Kombouare will fight on as Paris St Germain coach despite overseeing a threematch losing streak that has severely hampered the big-spending club’s fortunes on both domestic and continental fronts. The latest defeat, a 2-0 loss at Salzburg in the Europa League on Thursday, means even victory against Athletic Bilbao in the final round of matches may not be enough to see them advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. Before Thursday’s setback, they Qatari-backed side slumped to consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, including a 3-0 loss to bitter rivals Olympique

Marseille, to slip from first to second in the standings.

The series of results has heaped pressure on Kombouare, with former France international Claude Makelele, an advisor to general manager Leonardo, rumored in the media to be poised to take over on a caretaker basis. “We’re still building (the team), and you don’t build a team in four months,” Kombouare was quoted as saying by sports daily L’Equipe on Friday.

PSG spent over 80 million euros ($107.76 million) on new players before the start of the season, among them Argentine sensation Javier

Pastore, who joined from Palermo for a French record 42 million euros. Following an impressive start to the season, however, PSG have struggled in recent weeks, but Kombouare remains resolute. “We have to be able to react,” he said. “I am a fighter and I want to fight. My future? Ask the club’s officials.” Makelele, who retired at the end of last season, hinted that Kombouare should not feel threatened. “Antoine Kombouare is the PSG coach. I have always been behind him, he has my total support,” he told L’Equipe. “Me, (as) coach? No comment,” he added. — Reuters

SALZBURG: Paris Saint-Germain’s Christophe Jallet (left) vies for the ball with FC Salzburg’s Stefan Hierlaender during their UEFA Europa League football match in Salzburg. — AFP

French League Preview

Girard sets Montpellier European target MONTPELLIER: Rene Girard, coach of Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier, has dismissed talk his side could win the French league title but says a European place is a realistic objective.

Montpellier, who finished 14th last season, currently lead the French top flight by three points from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of today’s home game with seventh-placed Lorient.

However, when asked whether Montpellier were thinking about winning the league, Girard was frank. “We don’t want to cloud our thinking with that,” he said. “In mid-May, I’ll commit myself to it! The best response is to go forward and win matches. The target of avoiding relegation is no longer relevant. But, in all honesty, it’s not to be champions of France either. Finishing in the top five and winning a European place

would be really very good.” Montpellier will lose the services of several African players during January’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and Girard confirmed they would look to plug the gaps in the winter transfer window.

“Four players will be going to the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said. “We’ve pretty much prepared for that. We hope to pick up a player, probably a midfielder, to help us through that period.” Forward Souleymane Camara (Senegal), centre-back Abdel El Kaoutari (Morocco), playmaker Younes Belhanda (Morocco) and midfielder Jamel Saihi (Tunisia) are the players likely to be summoned for Africa Cup of Nations duty. Montpellier reached last season’s League Cup final, losing to Marseille,

and were in contention for a top-10 finish until a return of just one win from their final nine matches saw them slip to 14th.

With a modest budget and a slender squad featuring several graduates from one of France’s most prolific youth academies, burnout is once again likely to be a risk this season.

Girard is aware of the extra pressure that can weigh upon a squad that finds itself at the top of the table and has warned his players that they cannot let their standards slip. “It gives us extra worries,” he said. “It’s something new for us. We have to be careful not to get carried away. I keep saying that nothing’s been done yet. Looming on the horizon we have matches full of danger against teams who will want to topple the leaders. — AFP

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Manchester City eye more home comfort MANCHESTER: Manchester City will look to maintain their imperious home form against promoted sides when they try to cement their lead at the top of the Premier League against Norwich today. Roberto Mancini’s side go into the weekend with a five-point advantage at the top of the table after winning 11 and drawing two of their opening 13 matches. They dropped points for just the second time this season with a 1-1 draw away to Liverpool last weekend. But their league record at Eastlands this term remains perfect, with six wins out of six, having scored 19 goals and conceded just three.

City’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread as they enter the final round of group games next week. They have to beat Bayern Munich at home and hope that Villarreal, who have not picked up any points from their opening five matches, can do them a favor against Napoli. At least City owner Sheikh Mansour has made it clear that if Mancini, who guided the club to the FA Cup last season, can deliver the Premier League, failure in Europe will be tolerated.

Mancini’s men can take another step towards achieving that goal against Paul Lambert’s Norwich and recent history is certainly on their

Matches on TV (Local Timings) English Premier League Newcastle v Chelsea

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 3 Blackburn v Swansea

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 8 Man City v Norwich

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 3 QPR v West Brom

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 7 Wigan v Arsenal

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 4 Tottenham v Bolton

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 6 Aston Villa v United

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Abu Dhabi Sport HD 3 Italian League Napoli v US Lecce

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Aljazeera Sports +5 Internazionale v Udinese

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Aljazeera Sports +1

side against promoted teams.

City thumped Swansea 4-0 at home on the opening weekend and over the previous four seasons they failed to pick up maximum points just once in 12 matches-a 3-3 draw with Burnley in 2009 - against promoted teams. Mancini has been far from happy with City’s recent schedule but still saw his team win 1-0 in the League Cup at Arsenal, just two days after their trip to Anfield. Striker Mario Balotelli and midfielder Gareth Barry are both in contention once again after missing the trip to Arsenal through suspension and Mancini has no injury concerns ahead of the return to Premier

League action.

Norwich may have long odds ahead of their trip north but they will have gleaned plenty of confidence from the way they have performed in other intimidating away matches already this season.

Lambert’s side were beaten by two late goals in a 3-1 loss at Chelsea, suffered the same fate in a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United and managed an impressive 1-1 draw at Liverpool. In spite of City’s fine start to the season, Lambert is adamant Norwich will play their normal game at Eastlands and insists his players truly believe they can be the first side to beat Mancini’s men in the

Premier League this season.

“The way they (City) are playing and the form they’re in isn’t great for us, but like in other games we’ve had away from home, we’re going there to win.” “We’ve never gone into a game thinking that we’re just going to bed in and try not to get turned over, we’ll go there and do everything we can to try to win but we’re under no illusions about how hard it’s going to be,” Lambert added. Norwich defenders Zak Whitbread and Elliott Ward are unlikely to feature due to respective hamstring and knee problems, while striker James Vaughan is a long-term absentee. —AFP

Fergie downplays concerns Ferguson has faith in United regulars MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson has downplayed concerns about Manchester United’s form ahead of a trip to Aston Villa which will give the champions a chance to reduce their five-point deficit to Manchester City. United were held to a draw by Newcastle at Old Trafford last weekend and their confidence took another battering in midweek when a second string side was beaten at home in the League Cup quarter final by Championship side Crystal Palace.

Ferguson, though, is satisfied with his full strength side’s form. Ferguson said: “I think our form last Saturday was excellent. We played as well as we have played all season and if it had gone for us in the goalmouth it would have been a good result because Newcastle have been doing very well. We made enough chances to have won the game comfortably.”

Dimitar Berbatov and the Da Silva twins, Fabio and Rafael, are out of the trip to Villa Park while Michael Owen, Anderson and Tom Cleverley remain longer term casualties.

Ferguson, meanwhile, is contemplating shipping out some of his young players on loan following the League Cup exit. He said: “It works well for the young players and that’s what we are looking for (Federico) Macheda and (Mame Biram) Diouf, they need game time, there’s no doubt about that. They are young and every young player wants to play and we want to give them that opportunity.” Ferguson also backed former United player Steve Bruce to make an early return to management after being dismissed by Sunderland this week.

Bruce was sacked following a disappointing start to the campaign and Ferguson believes he paid the price for the growing demands on

managers to deliver immediate success.

Aston Villa are managed by Alex McLeish, a fellow Scot and former player under Ferguson who has also found himself under pressure following his appointment to the Villa Park job last summer. And the United manager said: “Alex McLeish has been under scrutiny a

Alex Ferguson wee bit but in the climate we have with today’s supporters, that’s understandable, they just don’t have the patience any longer.”

Ferguson believes Bruce also struggled to win over the supporters at the Stadium of Light

because of his background as a boyhood Newcastle United fan. But he is convinced the ex-centre back should have been given more time after losing a number of key players in the summer and bringing in several new faces.

He added: “Being a Geordie didn’t help him because they are so passionate and committed to their team up there. What happens at the side of the Wear really matters to them and I think Steve has suffered because of that.

“And Alex, because he was the manager of Birmingham City, that doesn’t help him either.

But that’s the kind of supporters we have nowadays, they have no patience. “He rebuilt a whole team so that requires a bit of patience from everyone and I think Steve was realizing that himself, that he would have to wait a little bit. “It’s been a complete turnaround and he lost a few players this summer, (Jordan) Henderson, the boy (Asamoah) Gyan, Anton Ferdinand.

“He’s lost a few players like the keeper (Craig Gordon) with a bad injury so he needed that time, and I think losing to Newcastle earlier this season didn’t help him either with the way they are in that part of the world. “But he’ll be back because in general his managerial record is good. It’s disappointing for him at the moment but he’ll be back.” Martin O’Neill, the former Villa manager, has been tipped to replace Bruce at Sunderland and Ferguson said: “Martin’s got a very good track record.

The job he did at Villa Park was excellent, he did a great job with Celtic and won the League Cup with Leicester. “So he has the track record to do well and if that’s the job he’s going to, I’m sure he’ll do well.” —AFP

Spanish League Sporting Gijon v Real Madrid 20:00

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Aljazeera Sports +2 Real Racing v Villarreal

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Aljazeera Sports +1 Barcelona v Levante

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Aljazeera Sports +2 Tomorrow Valencia v RCD Espanyol Aljazeera Sports +2

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LONDON: Arsenal will move closer to reclaiming a place in the top four of the Premier League if they win at Wigan today. Gunners’ supporters were aghast in September when a poor start to the campaign left their club one goal away from dropping into the bottom three. But they are now seventh and with Newcastle and Chelsea playing each other today, and Liverpool not in action until Monday, Arsenal have the opportunity to move ahead of at least one of the three clubs who are currently directly above them. Manager Arsene

Wenger rested almost all of his first choice players on Tuesday for the 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup quarter-finals on a night when the Premier League leaders also fielded a second-string side.

Arsenal top scorer Robin van Persie, who did not feature against City, was convinced the schedule was too hectic for clubs who are also representing English football in the Champions League. “I know it is hard to get the fixtures right for every single team, but I don’t really understand the scheduling for either us or

City,” the Netherlands international said. “These are big games, screened everywhere on TV, and people expect everyone to be fit and put in an amazing performance. “At some point, that’s not realistic-if you are playing four games in nine days, you will suffer in the end. Sometimes I feel the fixtures could be decided a little more sensibly.”

Wigan will kick off at the DW Stadium no longer the Premier League’s bottom club thanks to last week’s win at Sunderland, a result that ultimately cost Black Cats man-

ager Steve Bruce his job. Bruce’s Latics counterpart Roberto Martinez was grateful to Wigan owner Dave Whelan for refusing to call time on his own managerial reign. “Big changes take a long time and the chairman understood that and he supported me through thick and thin,” the Spaniard said. “Now we have the rewards, two years later we have an average group that has played a lot of games in the Premier League but with a very young age, and that gives you real good assets in the football club.” —AFP

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PIATRA NEAMT: Lazio’s Lorik Cana (top) challenges for the ball with FC Vaslui’s Hugo Luz during a Group D, Europa League match, in Piatra Neamt, Romania. — AP

Schalke, Lokomotiv, Stoke book last 32 Europa: PSG slump; Fulham, Haifa forced to wait LONDON: Schalke 04, Lokomotiv Moscow and Stoke City sealed places in the last 32 of the Europa League but a 2-0 defeat at Salzburg left Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare looking over his shoulder on Thursday. The French side were leapfrogged by Salzburg in Group F and a home win over already-qualified Athletic Bilbao in their final match in two weeks might not be enough for Kombouare whose side lost 3-0 at Ligue 1 rivals Olympique Marseille at the weekend. The coach kept his job when big-spending Qataris took over at PSG in June but there have long been rumblings they want to replace him with a bigger name and his largely second-string side did him no favors in Austria.

Jakob Jantscher was completely unmarked at the far post when he swept in a 20th-minute opener for Salzburg and an injury-time goal by Dusan Svento meant the hosts, who next visit also-rans Slovan Bratislava, went above PSG with a better head-to-head record. The long-time record scorer in the Champions League thanks to his exploits with Real Madrid, Spaniard Raul netted his first of the season in the continent’s second club competition in Schalke’s 2-1 home win over Steaua

Bucharest in Group J. His 57th-minute goal after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s shot was blocked also meant the Bundesliga side secured top spot with one match to spare after Maccabi Haifa’s surprise 2-1 defeat at AEK Larnaca, which leaves the Israelis

waiting to qualify. “We played very well in the first 25 minutes but for all our corners we did little with them,” Schalke coach Huub Stevens told reporters.

“In the second half we showed what we are all about,” he added of the 1997 UEFA Cup winners.

Qatar desperate for WCup breakthrough DOHA: Gas-rich but success-starved Qatar believe they can build a football team good enough to qualify for a first World Cup before they controversially stage the tournament’s 2022 edition. The tiny Gulf state came close to reaching the 1998 global showpiece, but were denied by neighbors Saudi Arabia on an agonizing final day of qualifying. The country then suffered a series of familiar failures until they hit the jackpot when FIFA sensationally awarded them the 2022 finals, where they will be certain of featuring as hosts. “The aim is to participate at a World Cup before 2022,” said Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-

Thani, the president of the Qatar Football Association.

That may be easier said than done for a country which will spend billions of dollars on building air-conditioned stadia to combat the dangers of playing in summer temperatures which can climb to a boiling 50 degrees. At the moment, Qatar’s national team stands at 95 in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between Lithuania and Botswana, but are hopeful of making the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2014 finals. “Today, Qatar feels capable,” said former Algerian international Ali Benarbia, who works as an advisor for the QFA. —AFP

Lokomotiv powered to a 3-1 home win over Sturm Graz to seize Group L’s second qualification spot and knock out the Austrians. Anderlecht had already gone through but beat bottom side AEK Athens 2-1 away to make it five wins from five, meaning they will host the Russians on Dec. 14 in a fight for first place and a better seeding.

LATE RED Group E leaders Stoke City needed a Kenwyne Jones header after 81 minutes to draw 1-1 at home with Dynamo Kiev and secure their passage to the next round for the first time. Ricardo Quaresma struck twice, including the winner in stoppage time, to put Besiktas on the brink of qualification from Group E with a 3-2 victory at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Fulham, the 2010 runners-up, lost 1-0 in the rain at already-through Twente Enschede to miss the chance to progress and need a point at home to OB Odense in their last Group K game. Striker Andy Johnson will be suspended against Odense after receiving a late red card at Twente. Third-placed Wisla Krakow prevailed 2-1 at eliminated Odense to move a point behind the English side with group winners Twente travelling to Poland next. —Reuters