04 Nov 2011

‘Magic’ perfumes or snake oil?

Syrian forces kill 20 despite Arab League deal

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FR EE

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Pak players, agent jailed for fixing scam

63 Max 13º Min 28º

www.kuwaittimes.net

MAKKAH: A Muslim pilgrim prays as he visits the Hiraa cave at the top of Noor Mountain on the outskirts of Makkah late Wednesday. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received his first message to preach Islam while he was meditating in the cave. — AP

NO: 15260- Friday, November 4, 2011

ALL ROADS LEAD TO MAKKAH SEE PAGE 11

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Satire Wire

Off the record

Seven billion and the art of living

Seven billion and counting

By Sawsan Kazak

By Sajeev K Peter sawsank@kuwaittimes.net sajeev@kuwaittimes.net

M

y friend Sharafuddeen’s wife delivered a baby girl in the early hours of Oct 31. A happy Sharafu claims that his daughter is the seven billionth child. But the United Nations has not accorded his daughter this status symbolically. According to the UN, this global demographic milestone was celebrated to highlight there are seven billion claimants today to share Planet Earth’s ever-depleting wealth and resources. No doubt the UN has succeeded in spotlighting the issue, though it is yet to be seen how the world will read this message in its seriousness and urgency.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “There is enough on Earth for everybody’s need, but not enough for everybody’s greed.” The world has changed drastically since Mahatma said so. Experts say the ever-increasing gap between the rich and poor points to the severe economic imbalances that exist in the world. Modern day despots, plunderers, inside traders, money-launderers, political wheeler-dealers, drug cartels, et al, are the real movers and shakers of the world today.

This is a globalized world and the fittest alone do not survive. So, many have devised new survival strategies. In the so-called developed nations, you can take refuge in the official shelters built for financial defaulters such as second subprime or third subprime mortgages. Or lead a trigger-happy life using credit cards or borrowed money. Once you master this ‘art of living’ (AOL) on borrowed money, then there is no looking back for you. If this does not work, declare yourself bankrupt. Then you are the property of the state and your safety and comfort become the state’s responsibility and liability.

Unfortunately, these strategies do not work in many of the African and Asian countries. Revolutions, uprisings and occupancies - try any charade - if you are poor, you get even poorer. But if you are rich, you get even more richer.

There is another side to this story. Population boom, once thought to be a bane, is seen as a boon today. In many countries, families with a single child now outnumber those with two. Larger families are in rapid decline worldwide. This world has grown old demographically.

The experts cite examples of Japan and China. Over 20 percent of Japanese are above the age of 65 years.

And China’s thinkers are having second thoughts now about continuing with the country’s one-child policy as they find themselves in the midst of slouching good-old-boys. Britain is becoming a nation of ‘Little Emperors’ with a majority of families having just one child.

Of late, the pioneers of the art of family balancing have found a new mantra. Say ‘no to a girl child’ because you need male offspring to inherit your property, carry on your family legacy and all. And there are many methods to achieve a desired sex (read male), from pre-and post-implantation of an embryo to stateof-the art dying rooms for female feticide.

So we are very close to the goal. In most of the countries across the world, males have outnumbered females! At this rate, maybe in another hundred years or so, we may reach that lethal ratio of one female to ten males or one to hundred, a scenario so dreadful to conjure before our mind’s eye. Sharafu is a happy father, no matter whether his daughter is the seven billionth child or not.

L

ast week the world’s population reached an astounding 7 billion people. This is incredible when you consider the fact that we only reached 6 billion in 1999; and here we are a full billion more since then.

Estimates put the world’s population at 8 billion in 2025. With this many people cohabitating on the planet, it is bound to put a strain on aspects of life. Experts predict that the world will face problems of energy, water, economy among others in the near future and for years to come.

The world’s population does not seem to be slowing down, if anything, we are growing exponentially.

You would think that by now we would have all found a way to get along, but a look at the news indicates the complete opposite of that.

The fact that we have no real control of the growth and that we all have to share this earth, it is obvious that it is futile to keep fighting each other.

But I see the world like one big family (so cheesy, I know), where the earth is our parent and we are the children. When the family decides to expand by having more kids, this is a decision that affects everyone in the family. The new child adds a strain on the family’s resources and needs attention and time and some of the other children sometimes get jealous, but in the long run, the family is richer for the new addition.

Sure families have disagreements and disputes and even sometimes some full blown wars, but in the end, families should always have each other’s backs. OK there is a little

more cheesiness left over: if we are one big family then we should work together in making our lives better.

Instead of millions of dollars being spent on wars, why not spend some of it on research to cure diseases or at least solve some of the upcoming issues we will be facing with an ever growing population. These ideas might seem simplistic, but why shouldn’t they be? A healthy and happy life can only be achieved if we all work together; I will stop now as the cheesiness has reached an all time high.

In my view

Women paying the price?

By Sahar Moussa

sahar@kuwaittimes.net

“T

he worst deal-breaker for a woman who goes on a date is to end up picking up the tab,” said Maria, a disgruntled single 30-year-old expatriate bachelorette. “Nowadays the Don Juans have found many creative ways not to put their hand in their wallet.

They either ‘forget it in the car’ or ‘have it in their apartment.’ Yeah, right! If you care enough for a woman would you seriously think of spending an hour with and then not even giving her a treat? Men are chivalrous when it comes to chasing girls on Gulf Road but are far from generous when it comes to spending a penny. Women love generous men who are giving. This was, is and always will be the norm.”

Another woman told the Friday Times that she’s experienced this situation with her fiance over and over again, ending up paying the bill almost every time they go out for dinner, to see a movie or whatever.

So here are some dating etiquette tips for men on how to woo a woman the right way: 1. The first thing that a man

should ensure he does is to open the door for his date; women love a gentleman and love to be treated courteously, most especially in public, I’m not saying that they have to do this all the time, but it won’t hurt to do it occasionally.

2. When going into a restaurant or café, it’s nice to ask your date or girlfriend where she’d like to sit as this shows consideration and thoughtfulness and impresses a woman. After you both agree on the best location, it’s nice to pull the chair out for her to sit down and will definitely leave a great, positive impression on her.

3. Always ask your date what she’d like to eat first; some women are shy on their first date and will probably ask for salad or something light, saying that they’re on a diet. If your date does this, try to relax her by telling her how gorgeous she looks; suggest sharing a piece of cake, which will definitely win her trust and make her relax - a man who shares his food is a man who’s willing to share his life.

4. The biggest golden dating eti-

quette rule for guys which they really need to remember is to ensure that they bring their wallet - one with enough money or a ‘valid’ credit card inside - with them on their date. For the girls, here’s a bit of advice; if a man tries to dodge the bill, there’s one ‘well-known secret’ to remember; don’t offer to pay this will teach him not to try this cheapskate trick again.

Guys, I’ll tell you a secret that women actually notice and judge a man on - his tipping. A generous tip means a generous-hearted man, whilst any guy who asks for a doggie bag for leftovers on a date will not be getting a second date with the same woman. And women, if your date skips one or two of these important etiquette points, I’d advise you without hesitation to dump him and find a real gentleman - and good luck with finding one!

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Conspiracy Theories

That’s me

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

used to write my column without a photo attached to it. Then, the Kuwait Times Editorin-Chief decided that every columnist should have his or her photo so as to improve the columnist’s connection with readers. It is more readerfriendly and people recognize you, the reasoning went. I rushed to my friend Summer, who has a studio. As an owner of a beauty salon in Jabriya and a professional beautician, my friend insisted I leave it to her. “Leave it to me. You are in the hands of a professional, so do not interfere.” She put some makeup on my face and took the photo.

Honestly, I liked it. I gave it to the Kuwait Times and it was fixed with my column.

Guess what? My happiness did not last. The next morning, after my son saw the photo my entire family attacked me, criticizing me and asking why I was wearing makeup and why I took a photo that to them looked unnatural. Since then, every time my youngest son Saleh sees the Kuwait Times, he reminds me that I have to change the photo. You know boys, “Oh, Mommy, you look simple and natural without makeup.”

Finally, I caved in to his request. I deiced to run away from Summer and let Kuwait Times photographer Yasser take a photo of me with my glasses on. I told him, “No makeup, no Photoshop; just me!”

Why do boys not like their mothers to wear makeup or to try to look younger? I put the question to many of my friends and acquaintances.

Ninety percent of them were in the same boat as me. Their sons, it seems, have the same attitude, whether of Arab, Asian or Western background.

We all had the same results. Boys are boys. Their relationship and feelings for their moms do not change. No matter what religion, race or origin they belong to.

Girls are different, by the way. Many of my friends who have daughters say that they encourage them to wear makeup and fashionable clothes and to try to look younger. Velina truly agreed with me. She says that girls have a different way of looking at their moms. When she went back home on holiday last month she took her mom to the salon for a treat. Then she took her shopping to buy more fashionable clothes and to get a manicure.

Is vanity a gender problem? Or is it that boys are overprotective of their moms and feel jealous?

What is it?

KUWAIT: The Ministry Complex was visibly empty yesterday on the last working day before the start of the long Eid holidays. Photo

by Yasser AlZayyat

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Mubarak Al-Rashed sings a Hindi number during an Indian musical eve.

Self-taught Mubarak Al-Rashed surprises himself and others by singing Hindi songs

By Sunil Cherian

M

Mubarak Al-Rashed (left) practices a Hindi song while his cousin Abdullah (right) accompanies him on drum, at the residence of Manoj.

ubarak Al-Rashed sat and sang ‘Qurbani’ on the shaggy sofa of Indian guitarist Manoj’s cluttered room in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. Adding more spice to the scene, Mubarak’s cousin Abdullah Ali sat opposite to him playing the Indian dholak (drum). It was a fusion of many things. Two welldressed, well-built and well-off Kuwaitis singing and playing Indian music while two Indians, Rafi the singer and Manoj the guitarist, watched to their anand (delight). The foursome was practicing for an Indian music show scheduled for the Eid evening organized

by Kozhikkode District Association at Indian Central School, Jleeb. The star of the show is Mubarak AlRashed, 30, a citizen from Qurain area, a place where Mubarak’s talent to sing, speak and feel old Hindi songs may be not known.

But the rest of Kuwait knows the Hindi lover who has never gone to India. In 2008, Mubarak sang 3 Hindi songs at Qadsiya Stadium during Sa Re Ga Ma, a musical night. Mubarak, who began singing in his car and to his cousin and ‘guru’ Abdullah from early 90s, stood in a T-shirt and jeans at Qadsiya before a baffled crowd, unshaken, but moving his hands like Amitabh Bachchan in the 1978 film Don. That memorable event happened through Mubarak’s Indian and Pakistani friends Rihan and Saud.

Abdullah, a policeman by profession, never was in the limelight. With his terrific music sense, he encouraged and reassured his cousin Mubarak who amassed a collection of Hindi songs. In the late 90s, they frequented the Silver Star video shop in Mirqab to buy tapes that had Hindi songs with Arabic subtitles.

“During those days”, Mubarak said, “Mohammed Bashir, a friend of mine from Mumbai helped me with

the pronunciation”. Mohammed Bashir, who used to play shai banjo (a string instrument) left Kuwait. But Mubarak, as fate would have it, went on making new Indian friends. He met Rafi, a young, energetic and entertaining singer, popularly known as Junior Mohammed Rafi after the Indian music legend, at a party arranged by Hamed Malhotra, an Indian who lived in Bayan. Mubarak, in his usual T-shirt and jeans, sang an Indian number much to the delight of the guests at Bayan that evening. “I thought he’s a Pakistani”, said Rafi of his first meeting with Mubarak.

Rafi also sang his Hindi numbers. The two became instant friends and still continue to associate for stage concerts and other musical events.

Guitarist Manoj, who literally plays almost all music instruments and who runs the music troupe Music Highway, met the two, Mubarak and Rafi, and arranged a program for Al-Watan TV. Mubarak sang a Shah Rukh Khan-film song while Manoj played the back-up. The three collaborated for almost 10 Indian programs, including last week’s Entertainment City program arranged by Prasanth, their common friend.

The three musical friends, Mubarak, Manoj and Rafi, along with Abdullah, met again on Wednesday at Manoj’s place for Kozhikkode Association’s RafiKishore Nite practice. While practicing at the seemingly muddled flat, Mubarak jumped from the sofa shrieking, ‘Is there a mouse here?’ Manoj said ‘yes’, pointing to the mouse on the computer table. There were Pepsi cans on the table too.

I asked Mubarak, now with a growing French goatee beard clothed in a dishdasha, the traditional Kuwaiti dress, if he was taking care of his throat by avoiding cold drinks.

“Aadi,” he said. “I eat everything. Allah takes care of me”.

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

The burden of

By Nawara Fattahova

M

any parents have complained recently about the heavy schoolbags which their children have to carry to and from school every day. Some schools are spread out across two or three floors, with pupils having to climb flights of stairs with these heavy bags between classrooms. Some worry that carrying such heavy weights, especially at a young age, can lead to health problems, more particularly in children who already have existing medical conditions, while a few doctors have warned of possible negative effects on the spine or joints in carrying these heavy schoolbags Dr Tariq Sinan, a radiologist at Mubarak Hospital, is skeptical that carrying schoolbags will do any permanent damage unless the child already suffers from some congenital deformation, however. “In fact in most cases healthy kids carrying heavy bags only suffer from pain that will later disappear,” he said. “When we were kids we also used to carry heavy bags. But kids with bad posture or congenital spinal deformities in spine could be affected by carrying heavy bags which may cause even worse posture and deformities. Such deformities will then need surgeries to correct them.”

Dr Sinan advised school pupils to use trolley-type bags to relieve any pressure on their spines from lugging around heavy schoolbags. “This is the best solution for kids to avoid any pain or health complications,” he said. “The best kind of those trolley bags are the ones with a belt to allow them to be carried in different positions. Also, I don’t advise them to carry one-shoulder bags or to carry it with only one hand.” Sinan remarked that the best solution would be for the Ministry of Education to implement the electronic learning project and replace the books with iPads. He said, “This will save kids from carrying any books, and will solve the problem of the heavy bags.”

Some parents don’t really care about this issue, unless their kid complains of or suffers from pain. “My son is 12 years old and he carries a heavy bag with lots of books and notebooks, all on his shoulder,” said 48-year-old Mohammed. “Although he complains about his bag being heavy, he refuses to use a trolley bag.”

A mother of a nine-year-old girl complained about the heavy weight of her daughter’s schoolbag, saying, “It’s very heavy even for me and I’m an adult, so imagine what it’s like for a small girl.

Haneen is in the fourth grade, and she has to carry about 19 books every day, so I bought her a trolley bag. But for the last few days she’s been carrying it on her back since she has pain in her hand and can’t pull it.”

Haneen explained that she is only carrying the books she needs for each class and that she has to take it with her every day.

“I don’t have any additional items in the bag,” she told the Kuwait Times. “My bag is heavy since I have so many books and notebooks with me, and if I don’t bring them, the teacher would punish me.”

Her elder sister, Nada, aged 13, is in the eighth grade at a local private school. She carries around 15-20 books to and from school every day in one shoulder bag. “I do feel pain in my back, but I won’t use a trolley bag,” she said. “I think they’re not stylish and the students in my school don’t like them. Also, that kind of bags are heavy when empty, and it’s hard to carry them when going up the stairs, which I have to climb daily. But my school wouldn’t mind if I used a trolley bag, though I heard that some schools have banned such bags as they claim the wheels of the bag may damage the marble floors.”

knowledge

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

‘Magic’ perfumes or snake oil?

By Nawara Fattahova

A

lthough a remarkable new fragrance being sold in Kuwait claims to cure a myriad of diseases and enhance sexual desire, many have questioned the legitimacy of these claims.

The perfume is one of a number of such scents claiming to have curative or other properties, although none of them are licensed or certified by the Ministry of Health or any other health body. Some of these magical scents are produced locally or even homemade, whilst others are imported. One perfume whose manufacturers make remarkable claims for its powers is ‘Ghazal Musk,’ an astoundingly multifunctional fragrance which supposedly possesses incredible paranormal powers as well as a pleasant fragrance. One local retailer was promoting this extraordinary fragrance at a trade fair held recently. Marketed as a product with magical properties, the marketing brochure issued by the manufacturer claims that it also has many medical benefits. A small bottle of another ‘magical’ perfume, ‘Tola,’ holding only around 20 ml of the fragrance, costs over KD 100.

‘Tola’ which resembles an oily black oud-type fragrance, is, unsurprisingly, unavailable for tests on its magical properties since, as the retailers point out, it is extremely expensive.

“If you use this perfume once, you will like it and will always want to use it again,” said Um Ghanima, the franchise holder for ‘Tola’ in Kuwait. “It can be used by everyone - women, men and kids.”

According to Um Ghanima, both married and single women can use it. “It has many benefits and uses for various purposes. It’s safe as it is natural and doesn’t include alcohol or essences. It’s pure black and it’s made in Saudi Arabia.”

Although this oud-type perfume doesn’t have any certification from the Ministry of Health or any other medical authority as a drug, the retailer claims that she tested it on herself and members of her family, who she says declared themselves satisfied with the results. “I tested it on myself, my daughters, sister, and other relatives, and they were all satisfied,” she said.

“None of them have complained about any problems or complications. Also none of my customers who tried it complained. It’s very fast-moving item and I’m

satisfied.”

Um Ghanima is also distributing a copy of a printed brochure explaining the medical benefits and ways of using the perfume.

According to the brochure, married women can apply the perfume outside and inside their intimate areas and then rinse it with water.

It can also be used on the sanitary pads. For virgin women, the perfume can be used through dissolving few drops of it in water and using as an intimate wash from outside only.

This brochure also describes the amazing effect of using this perfume. It says that for women it fights various vaginal infections and secretions, combats fungal infections and skin irritations, removes blackheads, gives a pleasant smell, refreshes these areas and even helps to ensure a safe pregnancy. The perfume’s manufacturers also claim that it can be used before sexual intercourse, as well as being handy as a post-menstrual intimate cleanser. Beyond this, they claim, it can also be used to ward off the ‘evil eye’, and as an anti-depressant.

For men, according to the promotional literature, ‘Tola’ can be used to treat psoriasis, eczema and headaches, and to increase sexual desire amongst other things. For children, meanwhile, the manufacturers claim that simply adding a few drops of the perfume to their bathwater will help to give them rosy cheeks and shiny hair.

According to this reporter’s investigation into the matter, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) is not conducting any sort

Heady concoctions claim to cure all, enhance desire of checks on the items sold at trade fairs and exhibitions or insisting on any sort of trials for their more outlandish claims. “Sometimes the inspectors visit trade fairs, but this is rare and mostly based on complaints from customers,” explained Amal, an MCI employee. “If any customer was harmed by using any unsafe product then they can complain at the Customer Protection Department, which may confiscate the products if they’re illegal or harmful. Usually when it is about drugs, inspectors from the Ministry of Health are responsible for checking the products.”

Dr Amro Al-Sayad, an obstetrician and gynecologist at a private clinic in Kuwait, urged the public to always be skeptical of medical claims made on behalf of any products on sale, no matter how expensive, if these claims are not certified or supported by any credible official body. “Customers should be very careful when dealing with and using products on their skin, especially on sensitive places such as the intimate areas, if the product hasn’t been certified by an international organization and then by a local health institution. Usually any drug is rigorously tested for tens of years, and then certified before being sold on the market.”

Dr Al-Sayad was extremely skeptical of the numerous outlandish claims made on behalf of the ‘magical’ perfumes, and warned that using these untested products on the skin, particularly in sensitive, intimate areas, could even be dangerous. “I don’t believe that these products can have all these benefits and effects,” he said.

“This reminds me of tens or hundreds of cosmetic or medical products advertized in the paper, which aren’t licensed. I think it’s really dangerous to use them, especially if the customer’s suffering from some diseases. All products used on the skin should be tested to ensure they’re not harmful, and secondly to assess if they are actually useful.”

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Six dead, 2 hurt in fatal crashes KUWAIT: Five Egyptian men were killed and two others seriously injured when the vehicle they were in smashed into a bulldozer on Kabad Highway yesterday. The injured men were rushed to hospital whilst the dead victims’ bodies were removed for autopsy. Police have launched an investigation to determine the reasons for the crash.

A Kuwaiti man died of the massive injuries he sustained when his car smashed head-on into a lamppost near a hospital in Hawally yesterday. Despite paramedics rushing to the scene, they were unable to revive the man, who was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. The body was removed for autopsy.

Parking rage attack An Arab expatriate has accused a Kuwaiti man of knocking him unconscious by hitting him over the head with a metal pipe following a row over a parking space. The victim told officers that he had been waiting in his vehicle for another car to back out of a parking space before driving into it himself. As soon as the other car left, however, the Kuwaiti motorist drove right past him and into the space.

When he got out of his car and remonstrated with the driver over this, an argument ensued, with the thoughtless driver then fetching a length of metal pipe from his own vehicle which he then hit the hapless motorist around the head with. When the victim fell to the ground unconscious, the other man apparently leapt back into his own car and drove off, leaving him there. A hunt is underway for the attacker.

Caught in the act A Kuwaiti householder who heard ‘strange noises’ coming from the bedroom of one of his family’s maids late at night went to investigate, only to become even more suspicious when the maid rushed to the door in a dressing gown and refused to let him enter the room. He demanded to be admitted, however, finding her boyfriend, a Bangladeshi expatriate, hiding under her bed. The irate householder immediately called police, with the couple’s romantic tryst ending with both being arrested and referred to the relevant authorities.

Son-smuggler A Kuwaiti man was arrested for an ingenious attempt to ‘smuggle’ his young son into Saudi Arabia. The man was apparently travelling to KSA with his wife and child to visit his sick mother who lives there. On reaching the Nuwaiseeb border checkpoint, however, he realized that his toddler son’s passport had expired, meaning that he would have to delay the trip until the passport could be renewed. The frustrated dad decided instead to hide his son under his wife’s abaya in an attempt to ‘smuggle’ him over the border. Unfortunately for the couple, however, the child began shifting around as the customs officer was checking their passports, and was quickly discovered.

Despite the man’s pleas for clemency, the fast-thinking father was taken into custody.

Blackmailer busted A Kuwaiti citizen has filed charges of attempted blackmail against his maid’s ex-boyfriend after she told her employer that her former beau was demanding that she pay him KD60 in order to buy his silence over their illicit relationship. The would-be blackmailer has been summoned for questioning over the allegations.

Stupid stunt A 20-year-old Kuwaiti motorcyclist who attempted to impress passersby by performing wheelies, raising the front wheel of his bike off the ground whilst riding it along the road, was rushed to hospital after sustaining serious back, shoulder and arm injuries when he lost control of the vehicle and was sent flying into the road.

Lost and found A young woman reported missing four months ago by her parents was arrested by police as she left a cafe in Salmiya. The woman’s parents had told police that she fled the family home in Salmiya without giving them any warn-

ing or leaving any word of her whereabouts. On being interviewed, the young woman told officers that she had been sharing a flat with a female friend and did not wish to return to her parents’ home.

With friends like that...

A Kuwaiti man told police that an expatriate ‘friend’ had vanished after taking KD20,000 and $30,000 in cash from him, supposedly to buy some heavy duty construction

equipment on his behalf. An investigation is underway and police are hunting for the accused man.

Car break-in A Kuwaiti man came out of a shopping mall in Hawally only to find that thieves had broken into his car whilst it was parked in the adjacent parking lot, stealing KD165 in cash from the vehicle. He immediately called police, and a hunt is underway for the thief.

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Opposition MPs vow to grill ministers after PM Tweeters freed until after Eid holidays

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and Municipal Affairs Dr Fadhel Safar touring Souk Mubarakiya yesterday. — KUNA

Minister urges crackdown on absenteeism

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and Municipal Affairs Dr. Fadhil Safar yesterday urged all municipality officials to take every possible legal measure to penalize regularly late or absent employees, no matter how senior their position. The minister was speaking during an unannounced tour of Souk Mubarakiya’s fish, vegetable, fruit and meat outlets, during which he noted the absence of all but one of the municipality employees supposed to be working there.

The minister also hailed the recent decision to turn the whole area into a pedestrian-only venue, banning all vehicles, except for those loading or unloading goods there. He stressed that the decision was highly commended by customers there and that it would definitely relieve traffic police the heavy burden of maintaining steady traffic flows in the area.

Dr. Safar said that more development projects are currently being planned, such as a Women’s Market (Souk Al-Hareem) and the development of Safat Square to provide more venues for visitors while taking care to maintain the traditional attributes of historical and heritage areas. During the tour, Safar also heard various complaints from market customers and sales staff which he immediately double-checked by calling on the concerned municipality officials and promised to solve all the problems without favoritism to anybody. “All are equal before law,” he stressed, urging everybody to keep the capital and all the facilities clean, especially the recently refurbished open areas there.

Municipality vows to keep eyes peeled KUWAIT: There would be tough watch and inspections throughout the holidays season and establishment who violate the terms of their licenses, ignore public norms, or endanger consumers health in any way would be held accountable, stressed Head of Kuwait Municipality Ahmad Al-Subih in remarks to KUNA yesterday. Al-Subih said restaurants and cafes found offering services beyond their permits shall face legal ramifications, with no exceptions.

Capital branch director Fahad Al-Otaibi meanwhile said recent inspections by the foodstuff and municipal services department staff revealed activities against the grain of local social norms and customs. The establishment, a restaurant, was found offering party organizer services involving use of loud speakers and live singers and performers’ shows without permit.

A violation was registered against the establishment involving utilization of premises beyond terms of permit, offering foodstuff falling below authorized specifications, and employing staff without health certification. The municipality staff also destroyed 13 kilograms of meat which does not fall within authorized specifications. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Opposition MPs yesterday said they have decided to grill at least three ministers over a variety of charges, but added that this will happen only after the planned grilling of the Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed Al-Sabah over a corruption scandal. Government spokesman Ali AlRashid insisted, however, that the government has no intention of resigning.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Islamist Reform and Development Bloc (RDB), MP Faisal Al-Mislem, announced that the bloc has decided to file an interpelation motion against interior minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah over allegations of harassment of Twitter-users and impeding justice.

Another RDB member, MP Jamaan Al-Harbish, further revealed that the bloc also plans to grill Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Minister Mohammad Al-Noumas over measures taken against mosques and imams, whilst a third opposition MP, Mubarak Al-Waalan, said he has decided to file yet another grilling motion against Minister of Public Works and Municipality Dr. Fadhil Safar over unspecified violations.

All the opposition lawmakers insisted, however, that all the proposed grillings would be filed after the planned grilling of the premier; although no date has yet been fixed for this, it is expected to take place around the middle of this month. Al-Mislem said the DRB decided to grill the interior minister over the alleged harassment of Twitter-users after two leading activists were questioned and then released for comments made on their Twitter accounts which were deemed offensive to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

One of the activists, Hamad AlOlayan, was released on bail of KD 100 yesterday after he was detained for one day while the other, Tariq Al-Mutairi, was questioned and released a day earlier without being jailed. The two activists are expected to be questioned by Public Prosecution Service officials after the Eid Al-Adha holidays. Al-Mutairi categorically denied the accusation that he undermined the Amir’s status, accusing authorities of misusing their powers.

The arrests angered activists and bloggers who gathered outside the Palace of Justice to press for the two men’s freedom. That followed a protest staged late Wednesday over similar recent action

KUWAIT: Leading Kuwaiti youth activist Hamad Al-Olayan (second right) walks out of the Justice Palace (courthouse) yesterday after he and fellow activist Tariq Al-Mutairi were questioned over allegedly making comments deemed offensive to the Amir via their Twitter accounts. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Activists gather outside the courthouse yesterday. against Twitter-users.

Al-Olayan and Al-Mutairi both led protests by Kuwaiti youth activists earlier this year to press for the removal of the prime minister and the election of a new Cabinet.

Al-Mislem, meanwhile said that another reason behind the planned grilling motion against the interior minister is over his involvement in obstructing justice. The MP said that a number of parliamentarians who were beaten by police at a diwaniya in December last year have sued police officials for the

beatings but these cases have not been investigated by the interior ministry.

Another outspoken opposition MP, Musallam Al-Barrak, warned the interior minister against resorting to oppression in the hope of rescuing the prime minister, insisting that the premier must go.

State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and government spokesman Al-Rashid yesterday insisted, however, that neither the prime minister nor any other members of the government will resign, adding that they will continue to run the country.

German Embassy denies death of any diplomat KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany yesterday denied a report in Kuwait’s Arabic language ‘AlShahed’ newspaper of Nov 1, 2011, which was subsequently republished by both the Kuwait Times and Arab Times the next day, that “an advisor (diplomat) at the German

Embassy passed away and the circumstances of the death are mysterious”. This report is completely false, the embassy statement said. As Al-Shahed did not comply with the embassy’s request to publish a correction, “the embassy would herewith like to clarify that contrary to the false claim made

by the newspaper, which based its report on unnamed sources, no diplomat working at the German Embassy in Kuwait has passed away”. “According to officials at Mubarak Hospital, meanwhile, no German citizens have passed away in Kuwait during the last couple of days,” the statement added.

Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

US brigade in Iraq heading to Kuwait At least 4,000 troops to move here

NEW YORK: Farah Al-Gharabally addresses the 6th UN General Assembly on human rights. —KUNA

Kuwait committed to human rights UNITED NATIONS: Kuwait stressed its commitment in supporting and defending human rights principles in accord with the country’s constitution and international conventions. Farah AlGharabally delivered the speech of Kuwait’s permanent delegation at the United Nations before the 6th General Assembly that was held to discuss human rights. Al-Gharabally thanked the Assembly for the confidence they had shown in Kuwait by electing it a member of the Human Rights Council.

“The advancement of peoples and nations are measured by their respect for, and commitment to, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” she stressed, affirming her county’s commitment to those principles, including the right to life and freedom of opinion. Kuwait’s constitution provides for these rights, as well as for the basic equality of all people without regard to gender, race or religion. Kuwait has promoted the rights of women and sought to promote child welfare through the instruments and treaties that it had become a party to. It supported the right to free media, thereby ensuring an atmosphere of democracy.

Kuwait also protected people from torture, denigration and abuse, she added.

In affirming the established principles of Kuwait’s foreign policy, she said that much humanitarian assistance was provided through both governmental and non-governmental organizations. It had established a voluntary contribution to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in support of its functions. However, she said it was necessary to strongly denounce the oppressive Israeli policy that continued to affect the helpless Palestinian population in the occupied territory. She called on Israel to reverse its expansionist policies and further called on States to uphold their responsibilities in that regard. —KUNA

Kuwaiti pilgrim kills Saudi after argument

By A Saleh KUWAIT: An argument between a 24-year-old Kuwaiti pilgrim and a 25-year-old Saudi one in Makkah soon developed into a fight and resulted in the death of the Saudi, said security sources, noting that the deceased had insulted the Kuwaiti and tried to hit him, which made the latter stab him in the neck allegedly in self-defense.

The sources explained that the Kuwaiti, who was with his family for hajj, went out to buy some food for the family to break their fast. They added that he had an argument with the victim in a grocer’s store where the Saudi acted strangely and started picking a fight with the Kuwaiti.

“Brother, I’m on pilgrimage and am fasting.....so leave me alone,” the Kuwaiti allegedly told the Saudi before the latter picked up a juice bottle and charged at him. “I managed to avoid the bottle that broke and I immediately picked it up and hit him in the neck,” said the Kuwaiti, claiming that he himself took the victim to hospital when he saw him bleeding. According to Saudi police, the killer fled the hospital on learning that the man died and was arrested half an hour later. He is still being interrogated.

WASHINGTON: While all but a small number of US troops will be out of Iraq by the end of the year, not all of them will be heading home for the holidays as President Barack Obama promised last month. The Pentagon tentatively plans to move at least 4,000 soldiers from Iraq to Kuwait at the end of the year, pending a final decision expected soon by Pentagon and Kuwaiti leaders, said US officials on Wednesday.

The move is part of a still-developing Pentagon strategy that ends the Iraq war but positions a strong US force just across the border in Kuwait and across the region to reinforce the United States’ commitment to the Middle East and to prevent a power vacuum when the tens of thousands of US forces who have served in Iraq are gone.

According to officials, the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, which is currently stationed in Iraq, will be transferred to Kuwait, where troops will be close enough to serve as a rapid reaction force if needed in Iraq or any of the nearby countries. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been officially endorsed by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. The plan to reinforce the US presence in Kuwait must also be approved by Kuwaiti leaders, although most officials do

not believe that will be a problem. The US has had a substantial presence in Kuwait for years, even before the start of the Iraq war. Other plans still under discussion would affect several US Army National Guard units that are scheduled to go to Iraq in the coming weeks. It is not yet clear whether they will be told to go to Iraq and return home in two months or if they will simply stay home or be deployed elsewhere - such as Kuwait, other nations in the region or even other posts in the US Pentagon officials have been clear all along that they expect to continue and expand US military relations with countries in the Middle East, particularly as a bulwark against Iran, whilst Panetta has said that he expects about 40,000 US troops to be stationed across the Middle East after troops are pulled out of Iraq.

Over the next two months, the US will methodically withdraw the remaining 34,000 or so American troops from Iraq as Obama pledged. The final exit date was sealed after months of intensive talks between Washington and Baghdad failed to reach agreement on conditions for leaving several thousand US troops in Iraq as a training force. The US had also been interested in keeping a small force to help the Iraqis deal with possible Iranian meddling.

Late last month, however, Obama

announced that the eight-year Iraq war would be over by this year’s end, declaring that all US troops “will definitely be home for the holidays”. That vow has now changed a bit, though, as the 1st Cavalry Brigade, based at Fort Hood, Texas, will spend some months in Kuwait, while US leaders grapple with how to redistribute troops around the region for the long term. At the peak of the war, the US had more than 160,000 troops in Iraq. More than 4,400 members of the military have been killed, and more than 32,000 have been wounded. Roughly 150-200 US troops will remain in Iraq as part of a normal US Embassy presence. The US already has about 23,000 troops in Kuwait, which serves as a crucial logistical base as troops move in and out of Iraq. But the US has maintained a military presence there since before the start of the Iraq war in 2003.

During the Gulf War in 1991, the US played a major role in the liberation of Kuwait and has since kept as many as 5,000 troops there. At the same time, the US helped Kuwait modernize its military and the two nations have conducted training exercises together along with other countries in the region. Pentagon spokesmen George Little and Captain John Kirby both said no final decisions had been made about US troop levels in Kuwait. — AP

Lovers of Egypt honor Kuwaiti personalities CAIRO: The Lovers of Egypt Society on Wednesday evening held its annual ceremony to honor overseas contributors to development in Egypt and supporters of strong relations with the country in all fields, with a host of prominent Kuwaiti figures being honored at this year’s event. Speaking to KUNA during the event, one of those honored, Sheikha Rasha Al-Sabah, said that ties between the Kuwaiti and Egyptian people stem from time-honored shared values and principles. The many Kuwaiti contributions to charity work in Egypt, as well as to projects to develop the country’s infrastructure and services, are simply a reflection of this sense of brotherhood, she added.

Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations are not only strong in the field of economic interaction and investment, said Sheikha Rasha, stressing that the levels of cultural interaction and exchange between the two nations is also excellent and just as important. Egyptians were amongst the first to help in the early development of Kuwait’s academic life following the Gulf state’s independence, she pointed out, adding that Egypt has also long been the most popular overseas higher education destination for Kuwaiti students, and was the first country to host female Kuwaiti scholarship students in the 1950s.

Egyptians also helped to draft Kuwait’s first constitution with input from the greatest legal figures in Egypt, and the country again came to the fore in supporting Kuwait during the 1990-91 Iraqi invasion and occupation, Sheikh Rasha continued, saying that

along with all these factors Egypt was the land of prophets, being mentioned in the Holy Quran five times, which is another thing that ensures Kuwaitis’ enduring and strong connection and affection for the country. The prominent Kuwaiti figure said that the Lovers of Egypt Society is a body which Kuwaitis appreciate and value, adding that one could not help but respect and admire its role in bolstering ties among the brotherly peoples in the two countries.

Another of those present at the event, Tahani Al-Burtuqali, the chairperson of the society’s board of directors, told KUNA that many Kuwaiti philanthropists who contributed to projects and initiatives in Egypt had given a great deal to the establishment of the society itself. These figures co-funded the construction of the society’s headquarters in Nasr City, which include a hospital, a senior citizens’ care center, a mosque, and a child daycare center, she revealed, adding that the honoring of some of these benefactors is a gesture of appreciation and recognition.

Another Kuwaiti honored during the ceremony was Kuwait University professor Nouriyah Al-Roumi, who said that the society was not honoring her only but honoring all Kuwaiti and Arab women at the same time by demonstrating appreciation of their role in the service of their communities and in raising the younger, highly qualified and motivated generations. The award is a recognition of Kuwaiti and Arab women’s own achievements and qualifica-

Sheikha Rasha Al-Sabah tions, she added.

The Kuwaitis previously honored by the society include Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahad AlSabah, Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Sheikha Amthal Al-Sabah, Sheikha Rasha Al-Sabah, Sheikha Suad Al-Sabah, Sheikha Maymouna Al-Athbi Al-Sabah, and Sheikha Aida Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah. Other Kuwaiti recipients of honors include Sheikha Amal Al-Sabah, Sheikha Besma Al-Sabah, Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak, Dr. Fayza Al-Kharafi, Dr Nouriya Al-Roumi, Anisa Jaafar (affectionately known as Mama Anisa), Dr Suad AlRifaei, Dr Moudhi Al-Humoud, and Fawziya Al-Kharafi. — KUNA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Gaddafi son said to be in Sahara

12

Flood victims chide Thai PM over lack of support

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Dad caught on video beating his daughter

17 CAIRO: Egyptian kindergarten children of the Degla Azharian language school move around a replica of Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba, which is within the Grand Mosque in Makkah Saudi Arabia yesterday. — AP

2.5m pilgrims in Saudi for hajj Hajj rituals begin today and peak tomorrow MAKKAH: Around 2.5 million Muslims begin today the rituals of the hajj pilgrimage, the world’s largest annual assembly, leaving Saudi authorities with a daunting security and safety challenge.

Saudi authorities have mobilized some 100,000 security and civil defense personnel to insure a smooth pilgrimage and avoid deadly incidents that marred the extremely crowded rites in the past. “We will mobilize all our means to prevent any harm against any pilgrim or any group of pilgrims,” Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, who recently became the crown prince of the Muslim kingdom said on Tuesday.

He made the remark during an inspection tour of hajj preparations as anti-riot and anti-terrorism police paraded in front of the kingdom’s internal security czar as police and rescue helicopters hovered overhead.

The hajj rituals begin today and peak tomorrow when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside Makkah, and end with Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which will be celebrated on Sunday. Around 1.7 million Muslims are due to

descent on Makkah from around the world while between 700,000 and 800,000 pilgrims will be coming from inside Saudi Arabia.

Coping with the world’s largest annual human assembly poses a security headache for Saudi Arabia-guardian of the two holiest Muslim shrines in the cities of Makkah and Madinah, the birth places of Islam. The oil kingpin has invested billions of dollars over the years to avoid deadly stampedes that marred the hajj in the past. In January 2006, 364 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the entrance to a bridge leading to the stoning site in Mina, outside Makkah, while 251 were trampled to death in 2004. In July 1990, 1,426 pilgrims were trampled or asphyxiated to death in a stampede in a tunnel, also in Mina.

The deaths prompted authorities to dismantle the old bridge and replace it with a multi-level with one-way lanes to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims. Saudi Arabia also launched a new $10.6billion project for a new extension to Makkah’s Grand Mosque to increase its capacity to two million worshippers. Investments also included a

light-railway connection linking the holy sites.

The hajj this year coincides with the Arab Spring democracy protests that have swept many nations in the region and led so far to the unseating of three autocratic leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. “My joy has no bounds,” said pilgrim Adel Abu Kasseh of Libya, where former dictator Muammar Gaddafi was killed last month after an eight-month armed conflict to unseat him. “It is the first time that I perform the pilgrimage after my country was liberated,” he said. Prince Nayef has insisted that the violence that has gripped some Arab countries in recent months is an “internal affair”, but he has stressed that Saudi Arabia was ready for all situations.

“The kingdom is ready to face up to all situations, whatever they may be,” he said on Tuesday.

The crown prince also dismissed any threat from pilgrims coming from Shiite Iran, despite rising tension between Tehran and Riyadh over an alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi envoy to Washington and past confrontations. “The Iranians have always shown their respect for the

hajj,” he said. A total of 97,000 Iranians-the maximum allowed for Iran under a Saudi system apportioning pilgrim quotas among the world’s biggest Muslim countries are in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Iranian media said Monday.

“We hope this year’s hajj (pilgrimage) will take place in a very calm and spiritual atmosphere,” the representative of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the pilgrimage, Hojatoleslam Ali Ghazi Asgar, said last week.

Saudi security forces have several times in the past confronted Iranian pilgrims holding anti-US and anti-Israeli protests. In 1987, Saudi police efforts to stifle such a demonstration sparked clashes in which 402 people died, including 275 Iranians. Iran has fiercely denied US accusations that it had a hand in a thwarted plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Adel Al-Jubeir.

It has emphasized its “good relations” with its Arab neighbor across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia’s top cleric, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, said on Tuesday it was a “sin” to attempt to disrupt the pilgrimage “over political reasons.” — AFP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

New uproar erupts against military rulers in Egypt CAIRO: Egypt’s military rulers have triggered a new public outcry with a proposal that critics see as an attempt to enshrine a supreme political role for themselves in the new constitution. The furor is over a new government-sponsored proposal of overarching principles that would guide the drafting of a new constitution. The proposal only requires adoption by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to make it binding. If approved, the measure would shield the military from parliamentary oversight, give it a veto over legislation dealing with its affairs and reduce the powers of parliament to select a panel to write the constitution.

The proposal also would declare the armed forces the protector of “constitutional legitimacy,” wording that is widely interpreted to mean giving the military final say over major policies. Egypt’s best known reform proponent, Mohamed ElBaradei, described the document as “distorted” and demanded its withdrawal.

“There is a difference between a civilian democratic state that guarantees man’s basic rights and military guardianship.”

The Islamic fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s largest and

most powerful political group, is leading the opposition to the document, saying it “raped people’s will.” “This route goes against the will of the people, and will lead to another revolution,” said Saad el-Katatni, spokesman of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice party. “We call on the people of Egypt to reject the document to protect their rights.”

Critics say the document would create a military state-within-the-state and devalue the democratic system the military vowed to install when it took over after Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February in a popular uprising. The uproar over the draft, which dominated the nation’s press yesterday, has deepened tension between political activists and rights groups and the military ahead of this month’s key parliamentary elections. It came after the arrest earlier this week by the military of one of Egypt’s best known bloggers and activists for his alleged role in sectarian clashes on Oct. 9 in which 27 people, mostly Christians, were killed and hundreds wounded.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah’s arrest sent shock waves through the community of activists and pro-reform groups behind Mubarak’s

ouster. They said the move showed a systematic campaign to discredit them as the generals build their own image as the nation’s foremost patriots. The Oct 9 violence was the worst since Mubarak’s ouster and the controversy over who to blame for the bloodshed has signaled a new low in relations between the military and activists, who blame troops for starting the violence and army vehicles of running over protesters. The military denies the charge, insisting that troops deployed to deal with a Christian protest on the day had no ammunition or firearms.

A report Wednesday by the state National Council for Human Rights confirmed earlier witness and hospital reports that 12 of those killed were run over by army vehicles and that troops fired blanks at the protesters. It blames a group of unidentified civilians for the shooting death of protesters and soldiers at the scene. It also called for a criminal probe into the coverage of the incident by state television, which broadcast calls for “honorable” Egyptians to rush to the rescue of the army, a move that brought armed civilians out on the streets assaulting Christians with firebombs, knifes and clubs.

The constitutional proposal, meanwhile, is widely thought to have been drafted at the behest of the military, which has dominated Egypt since officers seized power in a 1952 coup. All of Egypt’s four presidents have since hailed from the military and most of the top jobs at strategically located provinces, regional councils and state organizations are filled by retired generals. Many activists see the document as an attempt by the military to retain power after parliamentary and presidential elections are held. Presidential elections are initially slated for late next year or early in 2013.

They say the military is hoping to create conditions on the ground that allow it to retain real power even after the country has an elected legislature, a new constitution and a civilian president. The proposal says 80 of the 100-member panel to be mandated to write the new constitution will not be members of parliament’s two chambers and will instead be drawn from a wide range of institutions, including the judiciary, universities and civil society groups. The rest will come from political groups represented in parliament’s two chambers. —AP

1,230 passengers flee burning Red Sea ferry Egyptian dies after jumping into sea AMMAN: Rescue services evacuated 1,230 passengers onto life rafts from a burning ferry in the Red Sea yesterday, with one Egyptian dying after jumping into the sea, Jordan’s civil defense spokesman told AFP. By afternoon, only the captain and three crew members remained aboard the stricken ship. The fire broke out as the ferry was some 15 nautical miles from the Jordanian port of Aqaba, Egyptian sources said. The ferry was headed for the Egyptian port of Nuweiba and as the blaze erupted passengers were ordered to take to life rafts.

A tug and a second ferry were dispatched from Nuweiba to join the rescue, the sources added. “The blaze has cost the life of an Egyptian citizen who drowned after jumping from the burning ferry,” Jordan’s civil defence spokesman Farid Shareh said. “His body has been recovered by the rescue teams,” he added. In addition “some people were suffering from breathing difficulties and have been rescued,” the spokesman said.

By late morning, only 50 passengers and 80 crew members remained on the burning ship, a security official in Aqaba told Jordan’s

Petra news agency. Later, Shareh said “all passengers have been evacuated and only the captain and three crew members,” remain on board. Initially, Hussein Sawub, director of the Al-Jisr Al-Arabi company which operates the ferry, said there had been no casualties “in the fire which broke out on the container deck.” Egyptian sources had said that all the passengers were Egyptian but Russian tour operator TEZ TOUR told the RIA Novosti news agency that “there could be no more than 50 tourists from Russia” on the vessel. —AFP

Storm kills 11 in Oman

BEIT LAHIA: A Palestinian youth grieves outside a hospital following an Israeli air strike yesterday.

Two Palestinians were killed and one was wounded in the Israeli air strike, a spokesman for the Hamas emergency services said. —AFP

MUSCAT: Eleven people, including two children, have been killed in flash floods caused by heavy rains that have hit Oman over the past three days, the Arabian Peninsula state’s police announced yesterday. “Eleven people died in several of the sultanate’s provinces when their vehicles were swept by heavy rains as they drove through valleys,” state news agency ONA quoted a police statement as saying. Five bodies, including those of a six-year-old and a 10-year-old, were found yesterday. One body was found on Wednesday while the remaining five were recovered Tuesday, when the storm began. The police issued a warning urging “maximum caution,” as ONA reported that heavy rainfall continued yesterday over the southern city of Sadh, where the storm had destroyed some houses, boats and cars. In June 2010, 16 people were killed when a Cyclone Phet hit the Gulf state. In 2007, Cyclone Gonu tore through Oman, killing at least 49 people and causing damage estimated at $3.9 billion. —AFP

TRIPOLI: In this file photo, Seif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, gestures as he speaks to supporters and the media. —AP

Gaddafi son said to be in Sahara JOHANNESBURG: A fugitive wanted by the International Criminal Court, Muammar Gaddafi’s one-time heir apparent appears to have disappeared in the Sahara Desert’s ocean of dunes and could remain hidden for months in an area more than twice the size of Texas. Seif Al-Islam Gaddafi may be plotting a counterrevolution, scheming about a getaway to a friendly country, or negotiating a surrender to the ICC. Nothing has been heard of him since sources on Oct 28 said Tuareg nomads were escorting him the length of Libya and that he was close to the Mali border.

“My latest information is that they are not in Mali and they are not in Niger yet either,” Malian legislator Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh said this week, adding to the mystery of his whereabouts.

Gaddafi, a 39-year-old British-educated engineer, could be deliberately feeding disinformation from a desert where national boundaries are unmarked and unpoliced and where smugglers and alQaida gunmen roam freely. Analyst Adam Thiam, a columnist for Le Republicain newspaper in Mali, said life in the desert for long periods outside of isolated oases is nearly impossible, but that a zone in Mali has water, livestock and small game. However the area is used by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, an extremist group which has “no love of the Gaddafi family,” Thiam said. Gaddafi violently repressed Libya’s own Islamist movement and was a longtime enemy of Al-Qaeda. —AP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Syrian forces kill 20 despite Arab deal Qatar says implementation key to Arab initiative

HOLON: Israeli soldiers from the army’s Home Front Command and rescue teams take part in defense drill simulating a missile attack at a school yesterday. —AFP

Israelis stage a defense drill for missile attack JERUSALEM: Israel staged a mass drill yesterday, simulating a missile attack in the centre of the country at a time of intense speculation that the Jewish state could launch strikes on Iran, although the military dismissed any link.

Civil defense drills happen several times a year in Israel and the military said this exercise, which caused air-raid sirens to ring out around the Tel Aviv area, had been planned months in advance.

There has been a week-long surge of speculation in Israeli media that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to secure cabinet consensus for an attack on Iranian nuclear installations. On Wednesday, Israel testfired a missile from a military base, with media later reporting that it was probably a Jericho 3 missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Later the same day, the Israeli Defence Forces announced that the air force had concluded a week-long exercise in Sardinia “practicing operations in (a) vast, foreign land”.

Speculation about a possible Israeli attack on Iran has increased ahead of a report by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, next week, which Western diplomats expect will suggest Iran is getting closer to being able to build an atomic bomb. US President Barack Obama said yesterday he had discussed Iran with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the sidelines of a summit in Cannes.

“One (issue) in particular that I want to mention is the continuing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program. The IAEA is scheduled to release a report on Iran’s nuclear program next week and President Sarkozy and I agree on the need to maintain the unprecedented pressure on Iran to meet its obligations,” Obama said.

Yesterday’s simulation of a missile attack involved various Israeli emergency services, with ambulance workers and soldiers, some wearing masks and equipment to protect against chemical weapons, practicing treating the wounded. “This drill was part of the scheduled training program for 2011 and is not influenced by the current events,” the military said in a statement.

Israeli leaders have long said that all options are on the table in tackling Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but they have thrown support behind international sanctions led by the United States meant to curb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

Iran, which opposes Israel’s existence, denies that it is seeking to make a nuclear bomb, saying it is enriching uranium only to power reactors for electricity generation.

Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East’s sole atomic arsenal, sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. A poll yesterday showed that Israelis were split over the prospect of a strike on Iran, with 41 percent in favor of an attack and 39 percent against. Haaretz newspaper said there was a 4.6 percent margin of error in the survey of 495 people.

Israeli military officials have said in private that any strike on Iran would likely spark swift retaliation from Iran itself and its allies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah and Hamas are believed to have rockets capable ofhitting most places within Israel. —Reuters

AMMAN: Syrian security forces killed 20 people in the city of Homs yesterday, activists and a resident said, a day after the government agreed to pull the military out of cities as part of an Arab League initiative to end unrest. After seven months of street protests demanding the removal of President Bashar Al-Assad, and a nascent armed insurgency against his rule, Syria agreed on Wednesday to an Arab League plan to withdraw the army from cities, release political prisoners and hold talks with the opposition. Assad’s critics have dismissed his past offers of dialogue as insincere, saying the killing must stop before any meaningful talks can take place. The main opposition National Council has not commented on Syria’s acceptance of the Arab League plan. However, Paris-based Burhan Ghalioun, one of the council’s leading figures, questioned whether it would be implemented. “The regime has accepted the Arab initiative out of fear of Arab isolation, its weakness and lack of options.

But its acceptance does not mean it will respect its clauses,” Ghalioun wrote on his Facebook page.

In Syria, residents and activists said there were no signs so far of any troop pullout, and security operations continued. In Homs, tanks fired heavy machineguns and anti-aircraft guns in Bab Amro, a hotbed of protests and scene of operations by the military against insurgents hiding there. Activists named two civilians killed in the bombardment. A rubbish truck driver district was among three others killed elsewhere in the city of one million, where army snipers were shooting from rooftops and soldiers fired from checkpoints.

Morning shelling “We slept late because there were overnight street rallies celebrating the Arab initiative. This morning we woke up to rain and shelling,” Samer, an activist in Bab Amro, said by phone.

Activists and residents reported army reinforcements at roadblocks in towns across the southern Hauran Plain, where troops fired in the air to disperse overnight protests. Early in the morning, an armoured column fired machineguns in the air after entering al-Madiq castle near the Roman ruins of Apamea in the Ghab Plain, which has seen protests and has emerged as a refuge for army defectors, local activists said.

In the Damascus suburb of Harasta, at least 120 protesters were arrested overnight after celebrating the Arab League deal, a resident said. Tough Syrian media restrictions have made it hard to verify events on the ground since an uprising against Assad began in March, inspired by other revolts in the Arab world. The Arab plan calls for Syria to allow journalists, as well as Arab League monitors, into the country.

Assad has said security forces are battling Islamist militants and armed gangs who the authorities say have killed 1,100 soldiers and police. The United Nations says the crackdown on demonstrations has killed more than 3,000 people.

Western sanctions and growing criti-

Too early to tell Despite the latest violence, Sami Baroudi, a political analyst at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, said it was too early to judge whether Syria would honor the agreement. “It will take at least a couple of days to see whether the intensity of violence is going down or up, or staying at the same level,” Baroudi said. “I wouldn’t throw this initiative into the waste basket because nothing happened immediately.

“We know from experience that in all civil wars or conflicts you can’t simply turn things off. If there is going to be a withdrawal of the army ... that cannot take place within hours. The whole process could take weeks,” he said. After the deal was announced in Cairo, the United States

HOMS: An image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube yesterday shows the body of handcuffed Khaled Khaledi, who was allegedly tortured and killed by Syrian troops, in the central Syrian province of Homs, according to rights groups. —AFP cism from Turkey and Arab neighbors have raised pressure on Syria to end the bloodshed. “We are happy to have reached this agreement and we will be even happier when it is implemented immediately,” said Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani of Qatar, which leads an Arab League committee behind the plan agreed in Cairo.

China, which along with Russia, has resisted imposing UN sanctions on Syria, welcomed the Arab League plan. “We believe this marks an important step towards easing the situation in Syria and the early launching of an inclusive political process with broad participation from all parties in Syria,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

reiterated its call for the Syrian president to quit. The Arab League has not suspended Syria’s membership or backed international intervention, as it did against Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi’s, who was toppled by NATO-backed rebels. There was no lull in violence as the Arab League ministers met on Wednesday. In one incident alone, Syrian activists said security forces had shot dead at least 11 Sunni Muslim villagers at a roadblock near Homs. A YouTube video purportedly showed several bodies, gagged and with their hands tied behind them. Their killing follows reports by an activist in Homs that nine members of the president’s minority Alawite sect had beendragged from a bus and killed by gunmen near Homs on Tuesday. —Reuters

Rights group slams UAE activist trial DUBAI: A coalition of international human rights organizations yesterday accused the United Arab Emirates of violating international legal standards by prosecuting five jailed activists who have campaigned for political reforms in the oil-rich Gulf country. The activists, including a prominent blogger and an economics professor who has lectured at the Abu Dhabi branch of Paris’ Sorbonne university, were charged with anti-state crimes after signing an Internet petition calling for

constitutional changes and free elections.

The UAE has not seen street protests and uprisings like those that erupted this year across the Middle East, including in neighboring Bahrain. Authorities moved aggressively to keep demands for political change, inspired by the Arab Spring revolts, out of the Gulf federation that includes the glitzy citystate Dubai. The five activists were arrested in April and charged with insulting the UAE’s rulers and endangering the country’s security.

If convicted on all charges, they could face decades in prison. A verdict in the case is expected Nov 27. The defendants have no right to appeal.

The coalition of rights groups that includes Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said the legal proceedings at Abu Dhabi’s Federal Supreme Court have been “grossly unfair” and that the case against the activists has “no basis in international law.” —AFP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Russia slams ‘merchant of death’ verdict MOSCOW: Russia said yesterday it had grave doubts about the guilty verdict handed down by a US jury to a Moscow businessman who was dubbed “the merchant of death” for his global arms trafficking. The larger-than-life tale of Viktor Bout-a 44year-old who spoke multiple languages as he criss-crossed Africa and some of the world’s most remote hot spots-inspired the 2005 Nicolas Cage film “Lord of War”. But Bout was on Wednesday ultimately found guilty by a New York jury of conspiring to sell a huge arsenal to Washingtondesignated terrorists and to kill US service personnel. “Today, one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers is being held accountable for his sordid past,” US Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

But the Russian foreign ministry saw the case very differently and angrily accused US authorities of breaking international standards during both Bout’s arrest and interrogation. It said pressure from the White House and poor prison conditions in Manhattan “put in doubt the very

basis on which the charge was made and, accordingly, the fairness of the verdict itself.” “Our goal is to ensure his return home,” it said in a statement.

Bout could wind up spending between 25 years and life in prison after his February 8 sentencing. His lawyers immediately promised to appeal and the Russian consulate offered continued legal assistance.

Bout looked despondent in a grey suit with a white shirt as he listened to the jury forewoman read out the verdict reached after fewer than eight hours of deliberations over two days. Analysts said Russia is particularly nervous about Bout’s jailing because of his suspected links with the country’s military intelligence service and possible ties to arms trade officials who remain at their posts to this day.

Bout was arrested in Thailand after being caught in a tape-recorded US sting operation and extradited for trial in 2010. He is not targeted by any legal proceedings at home and lived in the open in Moscow. The

Bout case has been one of several irritants in the Moscow-Washington relationship that had begun to improve in 2009 with US President Barack Obama’s “reset” of relations with its Cold War era foe.

Moscow is also upset with Washington for blacklisting Russian officials with ties to the controversial conviction and subsequent death in jail of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky-a tragedy that ignited world concern.

Russia has responded to the travel ban by announcing its own secret list of US officials who cannot enter the country because of alleged rights abuses on their part. Several members of the lower house of parliament’s ruling party said Bout’s conviction proved that more US officials should be kept out of Russia in the future. “This is exactly why the State Duma submitted a draft (allowing lawmakers) to ask the Russian government to introduce sanctions against foreign citizens who infringe on Russians’ rights,” said pro-Kremlin Duma deputy Andrei Klimov.

Bout is alleged to have been the

biggest private black market arms dealer in the post-Cold War period.

He always denied this and claimed to have worked only as a private air transporter who sometimes carried legal shipments of arms. Arms expert and longtime Bout critic Kathi Lynn Austin said the verdict “closes the book on one of the most prolific enablers of war, mass atrocities and terrorism in the post-Cold War era.”

“We should all be grateful that the world is safer now that the man who armed the hot spots of the globe is behind bars,” she said in a statement.

Russian analysts meanwhile said it was now up to US officials to determine whether Bout really was in contact with top officials who still serve in Moscow today. “Either Bout really was in contact with the Russian government agencies and high-ranking officials ... or these people fear that Bout will be forced into giving false testimony against them,” said military analyst Alexander Golts. “But in either case, Russia is in no position to escalate tensions with the United States,” Golts said. —AFP

Time for change?

GMT to be history Debate hurts Britain’s national pride LONDON: Leading scientists from around the world are meeting in Britain from yesterday to consider a proposal that could eventually see Greenwich Mean Time relegated to a footnote in history. For more than 120 years GMT has been the international standard for timekeeping, but it is now under threat from a new definition of time itself based not on the rotation of the Earth, but on atomic clocks. In January 2012, the International Telecommunication Union will meet in Geneva to vote on whether to adopt the new measure, despite protests from Britain. The two-day meeting of about 50 experts at a country house northwest of London, under

the aegis of the prestigious Royal Society, yesterday and today will look at some of the issues involved. Predictably the question has hurt Britain’s national pride-particularly when British believe their old rivals France are leading the push to change away from GMT to the new time standard.

“We understand that in Britain they have a sense of loss for GMT,” said Elisa Felicitas Arias, director of the time department at the France-based International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), which pushed for the change. GMT is based on the passage of the sun over the zero meridian line at the Greenwich Observatory in southeast London,

SOWETO: Britain’s Prince Charles (second left) and his wife Camilla (left) are seen during a tour of Soweto yesterday. The Prince and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, are due to visit Kwa Zulu Natal and Cape Town on a three day visit to South Africa before traveling to Tanzania. —AFP

and became the world standard for time at a conference in Washington in the United States in 1884. France had lobbied for “Paris Mean Time” at the same conference. In 1972 it was replaced in name by Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) but that essentially remained the same as GMT. UTC is based on about 400 atomic clocks at laboratories around the world but then corrected with “leap seconds” to align itself with the Earth’s rotational speed, which fluctuates. But the tiny variations between Earth speed and atomic speed have become a problem for GPS, the global positioning systems and mobile phone networks on which the modern world relies. “These networks need to be synchronized to the millisecond,” Arias said. “We are starting to have parallel definitions of time. Imagine a world where there were two or three definitions of a kilogram.” The meeting in London will look at the implications of abolishing the leap seconds and moving fully to atomic time.

That would see atomic time slowly diverge from GMT, by about one minute every 60 to 90 years, or by an hour every 600 years, and there would need to be “leap minutes” a couple of times a century to bring the two in line. The proposal would then formally be voted on in Geneva. The potential loss of GMT has prompted soul searching in the British press, particularly at a time when the country is itself considering switching to British Summer Time, one hour ahead of GMT, on a permanent basis. The Sunday Times said GMT had “symbolized Britain’s role as a Victorian superpower” but that “just as that role has inexorably diminished, so GMT itself could in effect disappear. —AFP

KIEV: Protesters break a fence in front of the parliament building protected by riot police yesterday. —AP

Protesters rally at Ukraine’s parliament KIEV: Over 2,000 protestors rallied outside Ukraine’s parliament yesterday in protest at the government’s social and economic policy, the latest in a series of demonstrations that are a growing test for the authorities. The protestors, who included veterans of the clean-up from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and entrepreneurs from the small and medium-sized businesses, clashed with anti-riot police who tried to hold them back, an AFP correspondent reported. The demonstrators broke down a metal security fence supposed to protect the building and tried to come up to the building, shouting “Shame”. But riot police forced them back amid scuffles.

One of the policemen, who collapsed after being struck in the face while protesters were breaking down the barriers, had required hospital treatment, the spokesperson of the Kiev police Volodymyr Polishchuk told AFP. Moreover, several policemen, apparently unconscious but without any other signs of injury, were carried by their colleagues to the emergency services, the AFP correspondent reported. According to Polishchuk, three of the demonstrators were detained. The protests against the authorities and clashes between protesters and law-enforcers have become more frequent in recent months.About 1,000 Ukrainian Chernobyl “liquidators” tried Tuesday to storm parliament in Kiev and broke down the metal barrier around the building. Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday challenged the government of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to either win people’s trust or resign, during a rare appearance at a cabinet session.

Yanukovych announced the dismissal of two regional governors and told the rest of his cabinet to improve their performance in the coming weeks. —AFP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Flood victims chide Thai PM over lack of support ‘You’re here just for fun, so don’t come back’

TOKYO: In a handout photo, Japan’s Prince Hisahito, wearing traditional ceremonial attire stands on an ancient boardgame, the Go board, during a rehearsal for the Fukasogi-no-Gi ceremony at the Akasaka imperial estate.

Prince Hisahito, who turned five years old on September 6 took part in the ceremony yesterday as part of his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. —AFP

N Koreans get ready for Kim anniversary MOUNT KUMGANG: Autumn has always been the most cherished season in Korea, a time to harvest and to hike, to store up food and enjoy the last days of warmth before the peninsula’s notoriously brutal winters. Even in the impoverished North, families find time to gather, around a mountain campfire or in a courtyard where cabbage is laid out to make the year’s supply of pungent kimchi. This year, in North Korea, as the days become shorter and the evenings chilly, there is a greater sense of urgency in the air. The whole country is preparing for the big celebrations next April to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the ex-guerrilla fighter who founded North Korea in 1948 and remains the nation’s “eternal president” long after his death in 1994. His son, current leader Kim Jong Il, is simultaneously grooming his own young son, Kim Jong Un, to succeed him. Throughout the capital, Pyongyang, and in cities and towns across the country, soldiers pressed into construction work scurry around building sites trying to finish renovations before the temperatures plummet and snow begins to fall.

Dilapidated homes have been torn down to make way for high rises apartment complexes; the faded facades and interiors of shops, restaurants and office buildings are being refurbished and repainted.

As laborers hammer away, students crowd plazas practicing the choreographed steps that will transform city squares into swaying, synchronized shows of unity in the spring. Young gymnasts toss hoops into the air and a flock of schoolchildren on inline skates rehearses a flag-bearing ceremony. Yet these ambitious preparations belie a sobering fact: The United Nations and aid groups say millions of North Koreans are going hungry in poorer areas outside the capital city. An “unacceptable” number of children under 5 are malnourished, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos warned after a recent visit. In this mountainous country with little arable land, food is chronically in short supply. Stocks are dipping even lower, aid groups say, due to a harsh winter and summer floods that destroyed crops, while aid from overseas has been entangled by disagreements over the nation’s nuclear ambitions. Despite the hardship, life goes on in North Korea. A mother, father and daughter sing at the top of their lungs, a boom box strapped to the dad’s back, as they climb the steep trail toward jagged Mount Kumgang beneath a canopy of blood-red leaves.

Another catches a midday snooze in the back of his ox-cart, his back against a pile of plucked rice plants. In Pyongyang, a bride in red with a spray of flowers tucked into her carefully coifed chignon poses for a wedding portrait at riverside pavilion. The gingko trees that line the streets throughout the capital are in full autumn color, a riot of canary yellow. As evening arrives, the city descends quickly into darkness. Fuel, always in short supply, is being used sparingly as the nation braces for another long, cold winter. By 11 pm it’s pitch black, except for the car headlights and the floodlit portraits of the late President Kim Il Sung that glow in the night sky. —AP

BANGKOK: Frustrated flood victims berated Thailand’s under-pressure prime minister yesterday during a visit to inundated areas of the capital Bangkok, onefifth of which is now under water. The authorities have advised more than one million people to evacuate but many have chosen to stay despite risks including electrocution, disease and lack of food and drinking water, complicating relief efforts. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, facing the first major test of her fledgling leadership, visited flood victims in hard-hit Don Mueang district in northern Bangkok where she was rebuked by disgruntled residents.

“I don’t know if you’ve come here to help or make the situation worse,” shouted a woman who missed out on an aid package because supplies ran out.

During a boat tour of areas submerged by polluted floodwaters an elderly man told Yingluck: “You’re here just for fun, not really to help, so don’t come back!”

The sister of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has been under intense pressure since taking office less than three months ago and has shown signs of emotional strain. “I have a heavy heart seeing people suffer, while I have to coordinate with many people in my work, so it’s stressful,” she told reporters at the government’s flood relief centre later in the day.

“Anyway I will work to the best of my ability and please be assured that all officials will comply,” she added. While the centre of the capital remains dry, some northern and western parts have been submerged in dirty water that is waistdeep or higher in places. “In terms of area about 20 percent of the capital is under flood water but nobody knows the exact population affected,” said a spokesman

for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Jate Sopitpongstorn.

“There are 11,000 evacuees living in temporary shelters across the city.”

Nationwide, 437 people have been killed in the disaster, though so far there have been no official reports of deaths in Bangkok. The authorities have issued an evacuation order for eight Bangkok districts out of a total of 50 in the capital, and for certain areas in four others. The

wealthy elite, triggering protests and the destruction of some dykes.

The authorities are attempting to drain the floods through waterways in the east and west of the sprawling metropolis, which is home to 12 million people.

Officials have vowed to do their utmost to protect the centre of Bangkok from inundation, but have been criticised for giving confusing information

BANGKOK: Residents watch television from their elevated sofa in their flooded house near the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok yesterday. —AFP 12 districts have a combined official population of 1.7 million people far more than government shelters can accommodate.

Worst-hit residents have complained that their homes are being sacrificed to save downtown Bangkok’s shopping malls, luxury hotels and the houses of the

about the threat level for inner parts of the capital. The floods-caused by three months of unusually heavy rains and failure to release enough water from dams in the early part of the monsoonhave damaged the homes and livelihoods of millions of people around the country. —AFP

Sewage boosts disease risk in Bangkok floods BANGKOK: Rancid brown water licks at Samroeng Verravanich’s thighs as he wades through one of Bangkok’s many flooded streets. The garbageman plunges a whitegloved hand into the filth, fishes out a slimy plastic bag and slings it into the red basket he’s towing. “If you have cuts, it can create infections between your fingers,” Samroeng says of the dirty water, holding out a dripping hand peppered with a red rash. “My hands got infected. It hurts and it spreads too - like a virus.” As Thailand’s worst floods in more than half a century continue to creep into Bangkok, mixing with water bubbling up through drains and spilling over canals, many streets have become floating landfills. Plastic bags overflowing with waste and rotten food cling to boats, cars, motorbikes and people as they slowly snake through inundated roadways. Raw sewage and animal carcasses can be seen bobbing in waters ripe for disease.

No major outbreaks have been reported since monster monsoon rains spawned floods that began swallowing areas north of

the capital in late July. But experts warn the biggest health threats will likely emerge in the coming weeks after moving floodwaters subside, leaving stale pools. “There’s a lot of danger around it,” says Mark Thomas, a spokesman for UNICEF, which is assisting with sanitation issues. “You need to keep kids out of the water, and everybody should stay out of the water as much as possible.”

Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, are a concern as well as eye infections and waterborne ailments that can lead to diarrhea and severe dehydration.

Skin diseases and fungal infections are the flood’s biggest plague so far, with nearly 100,000 cases of athlete’s foot reported.

Bouts of diarrhea and respiratory infections are also common, especially with many flood victims sheltering in hot, cramped sites that may not have electricity or clean water.

Some 110,000 people have been displaced nationwide and more than 400 killed, mostly from drowning, since the waters started inundating millions of farm acres before

seeping into Bangkok on their way to the sea. Yesterday, Bangkok’s governor declared Bang Khae district in the west an evacuation zone, meaning residents in eight of the city’s 50 districts have now been strongly urged to move their belongings to higher ground and leave. Floodwaters have been spreading faster on the western side of the Chao Phraya River, which winds its way through the middle of the city, than the water creeping down the eastern bank toward the central business district.

Many submerged homes no longer have running water or working toilets, forcing remaining residents to bathe and defecate in the open, often in waters surrounding their homes. That waste can be spread into water where children play. “We all know the risk is there,” says Dr.Maureen Birmingham, World Health Organization country representative in Thailand. “People get water in their mouths that’s contaminated with feces, and all the diseases that can ensue from that that’s probably the biggest concern.” —AP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

2 Afghans die in suicide operation near NATO base NATO sees Afghan progress despite ‘spectacular’ attacks HERAT: Two Afghan guards were killed yesterday when suicide bombers and attackers besieged the offices of a logistics company working with foreign forces, close to the NATO-led force’s western HQ. Foreign forces were deployed to quash the attack at the offices of Monaco-based international firm ES-KO on the outskirts of Herat city, where NATO troops passed control to Afghan forces four months ago. It happened a few hundred meters (yards) from ISAF’s headquarters in western Afghanistan, which is Italian-led, as well

and air support to the operation, which took place outside the compound of Regional Command West. He could not confirm casualties. Provincial spokesman Mohayddin Noori said that ISAF helicopters were involved in the operation.

Noor Khan Nekzad, a regional police spokesman, said foreign forces killed the insurgents but the ISAF spokesman, who did not want to be named, could not confirm this. An AFP reporter at the scene said he saw a wounded Italian soldier walking away from the area where the attack happened. One witness, who

HERAT: Afghan policemen (right) and foreign soldiers (left) with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) inspect the scene of a suicide attack yesterday. —AP as Herat’s airport. The attack raises fresh questions about security in the relatively peaceful province, which was handed over in July as part of plans for the 140,000 mainly-US foreign troops to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

“Five attackers were involved, two of them detonated at the beginning at the gates and the other three were shot dead by security forces during the operation,” said Delawar Shah Delawar, Herat province’s deputy police chief. “It’s over now,” he said, adding that two Afghan guards of the company were killed. A spokesman for ISAF in western Afghanistan who declined to be quoted by name said it had provided ground

did not give his name, told AFP he saw several wounded people evacuated after two men with guns and rocket-propelled grenades ran into the office and opened fire. Attacks on contractors working with ISAF happen relatively frequently in Afghanistan. ES-KO works at a number of locations in Afghanistan and recent projects have included extending the runway at Herat airport.

The Taleban, leaders of the decadelong insurgency in Afghanistan since the late 2001 US-led invasion ousted them from power, were not immediately reachable for comment. The attack came the day after President Hamid Karzai told a regional conference in

Istanbul that there was no hope for peace in Afghanistan without help from neighbors such as Pakistan, where insurgents have rear bases.

Meanwhile, NATO’s chief insisted yesterday that Taleban insurgents have been weakened in Afghanistan despite “spectacular” headline-grabbing attacks in recent days. Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the NATO mission was “moving in the right direction” and that enemy attacks have actually dropped by 26 percent from July to September compared to the same period last year. “Spectacular attacks capture the headlines. But they don’t capture more ground,” Rasmussen said at a monthly news conference.

“They do not allow the enemies of Afghanistan to seize and hold ground.

And the bigger picture is different.

Overall enemy attacks are decreasing and the enemy has been weakened,” he added. A Taleban car bomb attack struck a NATO convoy on Saturday, killing 17 people including 10 Americans, four Afghans, two British contractors and one Canadian soldier. In another major attack on US interests in Afghanistan, suicide attackers blew up a truck bomb and raided UN and a US development office in the southern city of Kandahar on Monday, killing five Afghans.

Two Afghan guards were killed yesterday when suicide bombers and attackers besieged the offices of a logistics firm working with foreign forces outside Herat city, close to the NATO-led force’s western headquarters.

Rasmussen said NATO forces would continue to apply pressure on the Talebanlinked Haqqani network in order to coax them into negotiating an end to the fighting in the 10-year-old war in Afghanistan.

“The strategy and our objectives are very clear: to stop Haqqani network attacks on our soldiers and the Afghan population. To that end we will keep the Haqqani network under severe military pressure,” he said. “The best chance to facilitate such a political process is to keep up a strong military pressure on the Haqqani network and other enemies of Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the group poses a “major threat” to NATO soldiers and Afghans. —Agencies

Afghan Taleban leader rejects US peace push CHAMAN: A mid-level Afghan Taleban commander, whose fighters held two French journalists hostage for more than a year, said US overtures for peace talks were simply an attempt to divide Islamists. In a rare insight into the thinking of a Taleban commander, Qari Mahmud Mujahid said the United States was just trying to save face after battlefield losses.

“The blood of thousands of our Mujahideen is bearing fruit and now the US and its allies are begging us to help them find a respectable exit from Afghanistan,” he told Reuters in an inter-

view in the Pakistani border town of Chaman. The United States is eager to stabilize Afghanistan as much as possible before the end of 2014 — when all NATO combat troops are due home-and has been stressing the need for all militant groups to pursue peace. The United States has said it remains open to reaching an accord with insurgents ready to sever ties with Al-Qaeda, renounce violence and respect the Afghan constitution.

Mujahid, a stern-looking figure who carries a US made pistol, is not part of the top Taleban leadership structure- he is a com-

mander in Kapisa province, northeast of Kabul. But his views shed light on how midlevel commanders interpret the American drive for reconciliation. “This is their (the United States’) propaganda to divide our various fighting groups. The Taleban had defeated them on the battlefield and now they are working to find out a respectable exit from Afghanistan,” said Mujahid, flanked by guards with AK-47 assault rifles.

On a recent visit to Islamabad, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it was time to bring all militant groups to the negotiating table. —Reuters

TAWU: This undated photo shows Palden Choetso, the nun who set herself on fire in protest against Chinese rule yesterday. —AFP

Another Tibetan nun sets herself ablaze BEIJING: A Tibetan nun died after setting herself on fire in southwest China yesterday, the official Xinhua news agency said, in the 11th such incident involving Buddhist monks and nuns in the restive region. The International Campaign for Tibet confirmed the death of the nun, named Qiu Xiang and aged about 35, saying she called for religious freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, as she set herself on fire. London-based rights group Free Tibet also confirmed the latest incident when contacted by AFP. Xinhua said Qiu set herself alight around 1pm (0500 GMT) in Dawu county, part of Ganzi prefecture in China’s Sichuan province, and that local authorities had launched an investigation into the nun’s death. Local police declined to comment when contacted by AFP. Eight Tibetan Buddhist monks and two nuns have now set themselves alight in Tibetan-inhabited regions of Sichuan since the self-immolation of a young monk at the Kirti monastery in Aba county in March sparked major protests that led to a government clampdown.

At least five monks and two nuns have died in the selfimmolations, rights groups have said. “We heard she called for religious freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet,” International Campaign for Tibet spokeswoman Kate Saunders said, citing sources in the region. Tibetans in Ganzi prefecture are “known to be strong in their religious beliefs” and the region “has been very restive for some time, particularly since July”, Saunders added.

Many Tibetans in China are angry about what they see as growing domination by the country’s majority Han ethnic group. Most of the suicide attempts have taken place around the Kirti monastery, which is also in Sichuan, and which has become a flashpoint for the mounting anger at the erosion of Tibetan culture.

All but two of the incidents occurred in Aba after Chinese authorities in late August jailed three monks for prison terms ranging from 11 to 13 years for their alleged involvement in the March death in Kirti. Monks in Aba prefecture-which borders Ganzi-told AFP last month that the wave of selfimmolations are linked to Beijing’s refusal to engage with the Dalai Lama and allow the spiritual leader to return to his Tibetan homeland. The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, founded a government in exile in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala after being offered refuge there. He remains revered in China’s Tibetan areas but is vilified as a “separatist” by China’s communist authorities. The Dalai Lama has long denied he is seeking an independent Tibet, but only desires greater autonomy for his homeland under Chinese rule. —AFP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Dad caught on video beating his daughter Texas judge ‘needs serious help’

These recent file photos show eight Republican presidential candidates for the party’s nomination to take on US President Barack Obama in November 2012. Top row from left are: Representative Michele Bachmann (55) of Minnesota; businessman Herman Cain (65); former House speaker Newt Gingrich (68); former US China envoy Jon Hunstman (51). Bottom row from left: Representative Ron Paul (76) of Texas; Texas Governor Rick Perry (61); former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (64); former senator Rick Santorum (53) of Pennsylvania. —AFP

Republicans seeking White House in 2012 WASHINGTON: The field of Republican contenders for the party’s nomination to take on President Barack Obama in November 2012 is a crowded affair, with eight candidates drawing the most attention: Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (64), who made a fortune at the head of investment firm Bain Capital and won praise for his oversight of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is generally seen as the candidate to beat and the party establishment’s favorite.

But conservative voters who dominate Republican primaries still view Romney, who lost the nomination in 2008 to Senator John McCain, with suspicion because of his past moderate stances on issues like climate change. His Mormon faith may prove an obstacle among evangelical Christians, some of whom view it as heretical.

Herman Cain (65), who has stunned political observers with a meteoric rise in the polls to challenge Romney, is a fiery speaker and “Tea Party” favorite who would be the first black Republican presidential nominee.Cain, who rose from modest means in the racially segregated South to earn a master’s degree in computer science, is the former head of the Godfather’s pizza chain and proudly trumpets that he is the only candidate never to have held elected officethough he was a leading restaurant industry lobbyist. He has denied media reports that, while in that post in the 1990s, he sexually harassed two women, but acknowledged that one woman received a settlement from the organization he led.Texas Governor Rick Perry (61), who succeeded George W. Bush in that job, surged in public opinion polls after entering the race in August only to sink again after some wobbly debate performances.

Perry, a favorite of the Republican right, has openly courted Christian voters and trumpeted his state’s job creation, which has kept Texas unemployment below the national average of 9.1 percent. The tough-talking Texan has amassed a bulging campaign warchest that should enable him to stay in the contest until it reaches the more conservative South. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (68) led Republicans to retake the House of Representatives in the 1994 mid-term elections that forced then-president Bill Clinton to reshape his agenda. A fiercely partisan conservative, Gingrich has struggled to capitalize on his name recognition despite a string of combative debate appearances. Representative Ron Paul (76) of Texas comes from the libertarian wing of the party-he opposes US entanglements overseas, notably opposing the war in Iraq, and has called for abolishing the Federal Reserve.

Paul, a doctor by training, ran for president in 1988 and in 2008 and is sometimes known as the intellectual godfather of the “Tea Party”. Representative Michele Bachmann (55) of Minnesota, the only woman in the field, briefly soared after winning an Iowa straw poll in August but has since been eclipsed successively by Perry and Cain. Bachmann, who is close to the “Tea Party” movement, has in part suffered from a string of verbal missteps.

Former senator Rick Santorum (53) of Pennsylvania, is best known for full-throated defense of conservative Christian views, notably his ardent anti-abortion rhetoric. Former US China envoy Jon Hunstman (51), a Mormon former governor of Utah and scion of the Huntsman chemical fortune lags far behind Romney in the polls despite his well regarded resume. Political analysts blame his moderate demeanor for his failure thus far to catch fire with Republicans eager for a take-no-prisoners assault on Obama’s policies. —AFP

PORTLAND: The daughter of a Texas judge who posted a YouTube video of the savage beating she received at his hands says she has experienced an outpouring of support, but feels some regret for making it public. Hillary Adams said that until last week, only a couple of close friends knew about the 2004 beating by her father, Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, who handles child abuse cases.

He is now the subject of a police investigation. The 8-minute video showing her father lashing her 17 times with a belt and threatening to beat her “into submission” had been watched more than 1 million times by early Thursday.

“I’m experiencing some regret because I just pulled the covers off my own father’s misbehavior after so many people thought he was such a good person. ... But so many people are also telling me I did the right thing,” she told The Associated Press outside her mother’s home in the town of Portland, on the state’s Gulf Coast near Corpus Christi. “He’s supposed to be a judge who exercises fit judgment,” she said. Police in Rockport, where the 51year-old judge lives, opened an investigation Wednesday after receiving calls from several concerned citizens, Police Chief Tim Jayroe said. William Adams has been receiving threatening phone calls and faxes at the courthouse since the video went online, Aransas County Sheriff Bill Mills said.

“People are upset, understandably upset. But emotions can’t really run this thing,” Mills said. No one answered the door Wednesday at the judge’s home, repeated calls to his office rang unanswered and his attorney did not respond to phone messages seeking comment. A neighbor said she saw Adams and his girlfriend packing luggage, a briefcase and rifles into their truck, as if to leave for a while. Corpus Christi television station KZTV caught up with the judge while he was getting into his vehicle Wednesday, and he confirmed it was him in the video. But he said it “looks worse than it is” and he doesn’t expect to be disciplined.

“In my mind, I haven’t done anything wrong other than discipline my child after she was caught stealing,” Adams said. “And I did lose my temper, but I’ve since apologized.” When told of her father’s comments, Hillary Adams said, “it’s a shining perfect example of his personality and he believes he can do no wrong. ... He will cover up rather than admit to what he did and try to come clean, which is what I really want him to do.” She stressed that she did not post the video as revenge and does not want her father punished. Rather, she did it because she thinks it will force him to seek help, and because he has been harassing her and she thought posting the clip would make that stop. “We need to reach out to victims and the abusers themselves to get people to realize what it actually is,” she said.

Hillary, who was 16 at the time, said she secretly videotaped the beating in her bedroom because she “knew something was about to happen.” She says her parents were angry at her for using her computer to download pirated content over the Internet. In the clip’s opening seconds, William Adams is heard telling Hillary’s mother, “Go get the belt. The big one. I’m going to spank her now.” With belt in hand, he turns off the light and tries forcing his daughter to bend over the bed to be beaten, but she refuses. “Lay down or I’ll spank you in your (expletive) face,” Adams screams while he lashes her with sweeping blows across the legs, ignoring her wails and pleas for him to stop.

crossed the line. “This is an act of brutal violence,” Hopper said. “To beat someone into submission is not discipline. To beat a child into submission makes it harder for that child to take in rules and the values that the parent believes they are imposing on the child.” Adams, Aransas County’s top judge, was elected in 2001 and has dealt with at least 349 family law cases in the past year alone, nearly 50 of which involved state caseworkers seeking determine whether parents were fit to raise their children.

Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the state Department of Family and Protective Services, said in an email that the agency is aware of the video and “will take the appropriate steps in

PORTLAND: Hillary Adams, daughter of Aransas County Courtat-Law Judge William Adams, walks outside her mother’s home Wednesday, Nov 2, 2011. —AP A few minutes into the video, Hillary’s mother barks at her to “turn over like a 16-year-old and take it! Like a grown woman!” For about a minute, the ordeal appears to have ended after both parents leave the room and shut the door. But the judge then storms back into the room and the beating resumes.

Child advocates roundly condemned the beating as abuse. But investigators may decide that the judge’s actions, while shocking, weren’t criminal. The lines between what’s deemed child abuse and what’s considered an acceptable level of discipline differ in various parts of the United States and among various social groups, though the use of objects such as belts and sticks is usually seen as beyond any normal physical punishment, said David Finkelhor, a University of New Hampshire sociology professor who heads the school’s Crimes against Children Research Center.

Jim Hopper, a clinical instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and a child abuse expert, said there is no doubt that the judge’s actions

this matter.” He said the agency would have no further comment. Steve Fischer, a longtime attorney in Rockport, called Adams fair and a “better than average” judge. He said Adams sometimes showed anger, but not in a way that would be considered unusual.

Hillary, whose parents divorced in 2007 after 22 years of marriage, said she waited this long to post the video because she didn’t know what would have happened to her had she posted it just after it happened. “If this had blown up when I was a minor who knows where I would be. I wouldn’t be able to escape.” While Hillary is close with her mother, she suspects the video will only further alienate her from her father’s side of the family. Still, she says she believes it was the right thing to do. “I’m very relieved that these things have been brought to light and not because I want to see my father burn or anything like that. That’s a hideous way of thinking and I don’t want to inflict that upon him,” she said.

“I cannot stress enough - I cannot repeat myself enough, that he just needs help.” —AP

International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Poorest poor in US hits new record WASHINGTON: The ranks of America’s poorest poor have climbed to a record high - 1 in 15 people - spread widely across metropolitan areas as the housing bust pushed many inner-city poor into suburbs and other outlying places and shriveled jobs and income. New census data paint a stark portrait of the nation’s haves and have-nots at a time when unemployment remains persistently high. It comes a week before the government plans to release first ever economic data that will show more Hispanics, elderly and working-age poor have fallen into poverty. In all, the numbers underscore the breadth and scope by which the downturn has reached further into mainstream America.

“There now really is no unaffected group, except maybe the very top income earners,” said Robert Moffitt, a professor of economics at Johns Hopkins University. “Recessions are supposed to be temporary, and when it’s over, everything returns to where it was before. But the worry now is that the downturn - which will end eventually will have long-lasting effects on families who lose jobs, become worse off and can’t recover.”

Traditional inner-city black ghettos are thinning out and changing, drawing in impoverished Hispanics who have low-wage jobs or are unemployed.

Neighborhoods with poverty rates of at least 40 percent are stretching over

More money than ever greases US campaign WASHINGTON: One year before the November 2012 elections, White House hopefuls are awash in more money than ever before, thanks to new federal laws loosening restrictions on campaign fundraising and spending. Money has always been a necessary lubricant for any successful US political campaign, and some observers estimate the 2012 elections-presidential and legislative-could carry a $6 billion price tag. American candidates know well that one of their most important responsibilities is raising campaign cash. But that won’t be a problem for some of the 2012 presidential campaigns, thanks in part to the advent of powerful money-making groups called “super PACS.” The super PACs-ramped up “political action committees”-are flooding campaign coffers and rewriting the rules on how candidates raise cash. The costs of the 2008 presidential election topped $1 billion for the first time in history, and the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics estimates the 2012 campaigns could cost close to six billion dollars.In the past, individuals, unions and corporations in the United States were bound by law to strict limits on how much money they could donate to a candidate’s own campaign committee: $2,500 per donor for the primary election and $2,500 for the general vote.

But after recent changes in campaign finance laws, these newly empowered PACs are allowed to raise unlimited funds which they can donate to a campaign with few restrictions.

Since the 2008 presidential race, “the biggest change is the growth of these super PACs that can accept unlimited contributions and spend unlimited amounts,” said Anthony Corrado, a professor of government at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

“I think that they’re going to have a major effect on the presidential race,” Corrado, a leading expert on the US campaign finance system, told AFP. Experts believe, in fact, that the cashraising potential of super PACs is so great that the 2012 presidential race could be the first in which outside groups actually outspend the candidates. “You’re going to have these outside groups that are capable of taking millions of dollars in, and spending that money in the campaign,” Corrado said. “It really has helped create the perfect vehicle for this new flow of money.” The floodgates were opened after a controversial Supreme Court decision last year-Citizens United v Federal Election Commission cleared the way for corporate spending on elections.

Until then, the rule was that individuals making a campaign contribution were limited to a legal maximum donation of $2,500. But the Supreme Court ruled that corporations, unions and other groups could spend unlimited amounts of money on advertisements that favored the election or defeat of candidates.

As a result, instead of giving money directly to a candidate, big donors now can now give it to the super PAC and allow the group to be responsible for donating the cash to the campaign.

And while earlier campaign donations had to be disclosed, the contributions to super PACs-sometimes in the millions of dollars-usually are made anonymously. In this Wild West of campaign fundraising, new super PACs seem to sprout up almost every day. One of the super PACs wielding the biggest checkbook is the conservative “Crossroads GPS,” run by ex-president George W. Bush’s one-time political guru Karl Rove.

Rove’s group poured millions into last year’s mid-term congressional elections, and some observers feel it had a major impact in many of the races. Now it is planning on stepping up its spending on next year’s election races. —AFP

broader areas, increasing in suburbs at twice the rate of cities. Once-booming Sun Belt metro areas are now seeing some of the biggest jumps in concentrated poverty. Signs of a growing divide between rich and poor can be seen in places such as the upscale Miami suburb of Miami Shores, where nannies gather with their charges at a playground nestled between the township’s sprawling golf course and soccer fields. The locale is a far cry from where many of the nannies live.

One is Mariana Gripaldi, 36, an Argentine who came to the U.S. about 10 years ago to escape her own country’s economic crisis. She and her husband rent a two-bedroom apartment

near Biscayne Bay in a middle-class neighborhood at the north end of Miami Beach, far from the chic hotels and stores. But Gripaldi said in the past two years, the neighborhood has seen an increase in crime. “The police come sometimes once or twice a night,” she said in Spanish. “We are looking for a new place, but it’s so expensive. My husband went to look at a place (to rent), and it was $1,500 for a two-bedroom, one bath. I don’t like the changes, but I don’t know if we can move.”

About 20.5 million Americans, or 6.7 percent of the US population, make up the poorest poor, defined as those at 50 percent or less of the official poverty level. Those living in deep poverty rep-

resent nearly half of the 46.2 million people scraping by below the poverty line. In 2010, the poorest poor meant an income of $5,570 or less for an individual and $11,157 for a family of four.

That 6.7 percent share is the highest in the 35 years that the Census Bureau has maintained such records, surpassing previous highs in 2009 and 1993 of just over 6 percent. Broken down by states, 40 states and the District of Columbia had increases in the poorest poor since 2007, and none saw decreases. The District of Columbia ranked highest at 10.7 percent, followed by Mississippi and New Mexico. Nevada had the biggest jump, rising from 4.6 percent to 7 percent. —AP

As troops leave, US seeks key Iraq detainee custody US lawmakers want Daqduq transferred to Gitmo WASHINGTON: With less than 60 days before the complete withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, the United States is quietly seeking to keep custody of its highest profile detainee there, US and Iraqi officials say. But it is unclear if Baghdad will agree-something it appears highly reluctant to do-or where the United States would take him if it did win outright custody. Hezbollah operative Ali Mussa Daqduq, suspected of orchestrating a 2007 kidnapping that resulted in the killing of five US military personnel, must be transferred to Iraqi custody by the end of this year under the terms of a US-Iraq security agreement.

But US lawmakers fear that Iraq will be unable to hold Daqduq, who was born in Lebanon, for long. Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Obama administration would like for the Iraqis to release him to US custody. Daqduq’s fate and the difficult question of what the US government would do with him highlights one of the big dilemmas facing President Barack Obama as he moves forward with plans announced last month for a complete military pullout from Iraq.

Although violence has ebbed considerably since the height of Iraq’s sectarian slaughter, questions remain about Iraq’s ability to deal with militantsincluding Daqduq, who is accused of training Iraqi extremists in how to use mortars, rockets and explosively formed penetrators, known as EFPs. One of the US officials said it was unclear whether a formal request had been made to transfer Daqduq to US custody. But two Iraqi sources, including a senior Iraqi military official, said the United States had already asked to take him out of Iraq.

“They asked to take him but the Iraqis are rejecting that,” said the Iraqi military official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the record. A senior Obama administration official acknowledged “serious and ongoing deliberations about how to handle” Daqduq but would not elaborate. The Pentagon declined comment.

Daqduq was captured in March 2007 and initially claimed he was a deaf mute.

US forces accused him of being a surro-

gate for Iran’s elite Quds force operatives and say he joined the Lebanese Hezbollah in 1983. The senior Iraqi officer said he is being held in a prison jointly run by the United States and Iraq, and also cited efforts by individuals in Lebanon and Iran to win custody. “The Iranians and the Lebanese are trying to get him back by negotiating with the Iraqi government,” the officer said, without elaborating. It’s unclear what options Obama would pursue to deal with Daqduq if he were taken out of Iraq. It appears highly unlikely Obama would want to add to the population at

option the administration chooses, there will be fierce criticism. “If you do it one way, the left gets mad, if you do it another way, the right gets mad,” Chesney said.

Senator John McCain, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and 18 other lawmakers wrote to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in July saying that bringing Daqduq to Guantanamo would be the best decision. “It is absolutely clear that the policy option that most reduces the risk to Americans’ safety is the one the administration apparently refuses to consider-law of

BAGHDAD: US army soldiers load equipment onto an aircraft (unseen) as they begin their journey home at Al-Asad Air Base. —AP the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, which he promised but has so far failed to close.

Robert Chesney, a counter-terrorism law and policy expert at the University of Texas School of Law, said the Daqduq case highlights the legal quandary Obama faces in detainee policy.

Although Daqduq could theoretically face trial in a US civilian court, a US military commission like the one in Guantanamo Bay would appear to be the most appropriate given his alleged battlefield activities. But whichever

war detention at Guantanamo with or without trial by military commission,” they wrote.

At the time, they warned Iraqi courts might be unable to convict him, if Iraq gained custody. Daqduq, they said, might take advantage of “ineffective incarceration” or other Iraqi challenges.

“If he is released from United States custody, there is little doubt that Daqduq will return to the battlefield and resume his terrorist activities against the United States and our interests,” the lawmakers wrote. —Reuters

Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Emirates sticks to growth plan despite profit slump

US port shut down by anti-Wall St protests

PAGE 20 PAGE 23

CANNES: French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and his US counterpart Barack Obama, right, hold a bilateral meeting yesterday ahead of the start of the G20 Summit. —AP

World tells Europe to fix crisis Merkel, Sarkozy tell Greece time to decide on euro future

ATHENS/CANNES: Greece’s government was on the brink of collapse yesterday, casting doubt on plans for a referendum on staying in the euro, as European leaders talked for the first time of a possible Greek exit to preserve the single currency.

Beleaguered Prime Minister George Papandreou chaired an emergency cabinet meeting in Athens, with his finance minister and some Socialist lawmakers in revolt, after France and Germany gave Greeks an ultimatum to make up their minds.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Papandreou at a torrid meeting in Cannes on Wednesday night that Athens would not receive a cent more in aid until it votes to meet its commitments to the euro zone. Greece was due a vital 8 billion euros instalment this month.

The political turmoil in Greece and uncertainty over the euro zone sent stocks and commodity prices lower in Asia, and fuelled a rush into safe-haven German bonds. But financial markets rallied in nervous trading as the likelihood grew that Greece would not hold the highly risky referendum.

The leaders of China, Russia and the United States pressed the Europeans to act swiftly to contain their sovereign debt crisis in comments before a summit of the Group of 20 major world economies in the French Riviera resort. “Europe

should aid itself, the European Union has everything for that today-the political authority, the financial resources and the backing of many countries,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said. A senior G20 official said the group was assessing the cost of a possible Greek default and looking at the implications if Athens were to leave the currency bloc. On his return to Athens from Cannes, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos broke ranks with Papandreou and said Greece’s euro membership was a historic achievement and “cannot depend on a referendum”. More dissident lawmakers in the ruling PASOK party spoke out against a referendum and called for a national unity government or early elections, casting doubt on whether Papandreou would survive the week in office.

Opposition leader Antonis Samaras, signalling a potential compromise, called for a transitional government to lead Greece to early elections and said the present parliament should first ratify last week’s 130 billion euro ($178 billion) EU bailout deal.

Euro area leaders talked openly of a possible Greek exit from the 17-nation currency area, seeking to maximise pressure on Athens and preserve the euro in case of a “no” vote. Merkel told a midnight news conference that while she would prefer to stabilise the euro with Greece as a member, the top priority was saving the euro, not rescuing the Greeks.

The chairman of euro zone finance ministers, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, said policymakers were working on possible scenarios for a Greek exit. “We are working on the subject of how to ensure there is not a disaster for the people in Germany, Luxembourg, the euro zone. We are absolutely prepared for the situation,” Juncker told Germany’s ZDF television.

France’s Europe minister, Jean Leonetti, said bluntly the euro could survive without Greece.

“Greece is something we can get over, something we can live without,” he told RTL radio in an interview. The spectre of a possible hard Greek default and euro exit hung over the G20 summit, highlighting Europe’s frailty and divisions just when Sarkozy had hoped to showcase his leadership of the world’s major economies.

“On the Greek issue, you have to assess all scenarios and the group is internally assessing the cost of an outright default. We hope we don’t get there,” a senior G20 source said.

“Whether they will stay in the euro or outside is something the euro zone has to decide, but obviously the G20 is concerned and is also trying to understand the impact and implications of a possible exit from the euro by Greece,” he added. US President Barack Obama said after talks with Sarkozy that Europe had made some important steps towards a comprehensive solution to its sovereign debt crisis but needed to

flesh out and implement the plan quickly.

Leaders of the BRICS group of emerging economies-Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa-discussed the euro zone crisis at a separate meeting. The summit had been meant to focus on reforms of the global monetary system and steps to rein in speculative capital flows, but the shockwaves from Greece have upended the talks. Merkel and Sarkozy made clear that Athens would not receive an 8 billion euro aid tranche it desperately needs to avoid default until a referendum had passed. Should it fail, EU/IMF aid would end, plunging Greece into a disorderly default that would reverberate across the euro zone, potentially engulfing big economies like Italy and Spain.

“Our Greek friends must decide whether they want to continue the journey with us,” Sarkozy told reporters at a joint news conference with Merkel after the crisis talks. Germany, France, Italy, Spain and International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and top EU officials met in Cannes on Thursday to explore ways of accelerating implementation of an anti-crisis package agreed on Oct. 27. That plan, which includes debt relief for Greece, a recapitalisation of European banks and a leveraging of the bloc’s rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), was meant to stem the two-year old crisis before Papandreou’s referendum call cast the bloc into turmoil again. — Reuters

Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Dubai’s new rules may not see rush to expanded DIFC Courts DUBAI: Dubai’s move to broaden the jurisdiction of its British common law court gives disputing parties more choice but a Gulf preference for arbitration and concerns about enforcement mean there will be no flood of new cases at the court, lawyers said.

The Gulf Arab Emirate’s ruler this week allowed regional and foreign firms to file disputes with the English-language Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, rather than the Arabic-language civil courts.

DIFC Courts’ oversight had been over civil and commercial disputes related to companies in the tax-free business park.

Expanded jurisdiction for the court may be good news for the business community and raise Dubai’s profile as a regional legal hub but the issue of enforceability overseas-and even within the United Arab Emirates-still remains. “The difficulty that international companies would face in enforcement of the judgement (abroad) may be problemat-

ic,” said Adrian Cole, partner at Simmons & Simmons. “Until the law is propagated, one doesn’t know what the details are.”

Previously, companies based outside the free zone had to settle their disputes at civil courts in which proceedings were conducted in Arabic and judges were not trained in common law.

A system based in British common law would allow for more predictability in judgments, based on legal precedence, as well as a choice in venue to air grievances, said Benjamin Newland, partner at King & Spalding. “Knowing they have a forum right here where a common law judge interprets those agreements will sit better with investors,” he added.

It also gives Dubai a chance to position itself as a regional hub for legal activities and fend off a challenge from neighbours such as Qatar where the Qatar Financing Centre Civil and Commercial Court also uses

British common law. Doha has become a key market, drawing top global law firms, such as Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy.

Dubai created a special tribunal in 2009, operating under common law, to address foreign investor concerns about fair legal practices after Dubai World’s debt crisis.

Claims against its troubled property arm Nakheel , in particular, flooded into the tribunal.

Nakheel was absorbed by the Dubai government this year as part of its $10.9 billion debt restructuring, prompting lawyers to file a flurry of cases with the tribunal ahead of the handover amid fears that future cases would be before the civil courts in Dubai. ”The (civil courts) system outside isn’t always as easily adaptable to novel structures or to the varied demands of parties,” said King & Spalding’s Newland.

Still, lawyers are skeptical that the DIFC Courts will see a flurry of new cases given a

preference for privacy in the Gulf. Most companies in the region list arbitration-an alternative means of resolving disputes privately through a mediator rather than a court-as the preferred method of dispute resolution in their contracts to avoid the publicity surrounding a court battle.

“You could have arbitration and (solve disputes) in a private forum, or you could go to a court system and the details will become public. That will be a major factor when people weigh where they want to go,” said Blanksby.

Foreign companies also prefer arbitration to ensure that both parties are on the same footing if disputes do arise. “People looking at crossborder transactions don’t want to give either side a home court advantage by selecting the court in their home country. Instead, they say ‘lets have it decided in arbitration in London or Dubai or Paris,’” said Newland. — Reuters

Tabreed Q3 net profit rises 54% ABU DHABI: District cooling firm Tabreed reported a 54-percent jump in quarterly profit yesterday, boosted by its core chilled water business, and said capital expenditures will nearly double by the end of next year. Dubai-listed Tabreed, which received funding earlier this year from state-owned fund Mubadala to restructure debt, said third quarter net profit was 54 million dirhams ($14.7 million) for the quarter ended Sept. 30. That compared with profit of 35.1 million dirhams in the prior-year period.

The firm, formally known as National Central Cooling Company, also credited new plants which came on line during the quarter, for the gain. “Tabreed’s chilled water division remained the key driver for the business, delivering further growth in revenues and profits,” Chief Executive Sujit Parhar said on a conference call.

“This performance was driven by new customer connections as well as 11 new plants which have come online during the quarter.” Parhar said two plants are currently under construction, scheduled for completion in second quarter next year. “Capex as of date this year is 520 million dirhams and we would have spent over a billion dirhams for 2011 to 2012,” Adrian Kershaw, Tabreed’s chief financial officer said on the same call.

Tabreed, which repaid a $200 million Islamic bond in July, had net profit of 129.8 million dirhams in the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, up 12 percent from the same period last year. In March, Tabreed secured an extra 3.1 billion dirhams funding from state fund Mubadala, helping it to tackle its debt pile.

The firm sees no need for funding in the short-term. “We are fully funded up to 2012 and confident about funding beyond,” Parhar said, declining to say how much of Mubadala’s funding was spent so far. Mubadala currently owns 27.3 percent of Tabreed. Tabreed is among several Gulf companies which has had to restructure its debt after an economic boom, fuelled by record-high oil prices and easy credit, ended abruptly and caused a property market crash. —Reuters

SYDNEY: A streetscape is reflected in the window of an Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) branch as the bank announced a 19 percent rise in annual profits in Sydney yesterday. — AFP

BEIJING: A salesman uses his phone outside a Lenovo shop in a computer mall in Beijing yesterday. The founder of Chinese computer giant Lenovo Group Liu Chuanzhi has stepped down as chairman, the company said as it reported a nearly 88 percent year-on-year surge in third-quarter net profit. — AFP

Emirates sticks to growth plan despite profit slump Airline should ease fleet expansion DUBAI: Emirates airline , the state-owned carrier which is on a hurried expansion path said it was sticking to its growth plans in the face of a 76 percent slump in half-year profit, hit by fuel costs and currency fluctuations.

The Dubai government-owned airline’s results reflect the gloomy outlook for the travel industry, which is struggling with slowing global demand and high oil prices. Emirates would “stay on course and continue to grow despite the unsteady marketplace,” its chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said in a statement. The airline is the largest customer of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, with a fleet of 161 wide-bodied aircraft and orders for a further 190. It is expected to place new aircraft orders at the Dubai Airshow later this month. “Emirates has weathered the storm of recession better than most airlines in recent years but even Emirates is not immune to an industry wide softening of demand,” said Sudeep Ghai, partner at London-based Athena Aviation. Industry

body IATA has warned that it expects airlines to suffer a weak end to the year due to in part to waning consumer confidence and sluggish international trade. The airline said profit was 827 million dirhams ($225 million) for the six months ended Sept. 30. That compared with profit of 3.4 billion dirhams in the prior-year period. Its financial year runs from April 1 to March 31. Sheikh Ahmed said the airline paid an additional $1 billion in fuel costs compared to a year ago. Fuel typically accounts for a third of an airline’s operating costs. Emirates said fuel costs took up 41 percent of total operating costs in its half-year results, up from 33 percent in the prior-year period.

Brent crude, which peaked this year at around $127 in February, was some 30 percent higher during Emirates reporting period this year over 2010. “Fuel effects may explain the sea change in profits but the decline in load factor is perhaps the greater concern as the airline continues to add huge amounts of capacity in the next

few years,” said Ghai. The carrier said its passenger seat factor, a key measure of profitability, was above 79 percent. That was below the 81.2 percent seen in the same period in 2010. The airline also said currency translation differences resulted in a 24 million dirhams loss in the period compared to a 24-million dirham gain last year. Revenue, including other operating income, was 30.3 billion dirhams, an increase of 15 percent on last year. Its cash position stood at 13.8 billion dirhams on Sept. 30. Emirates has continued to grow exponentially despite a debt crisis that hit the Gulf Arab emirate and several of its government-related entities, leading to the restructuring of billions of dollars in debt. It already operates in 67 countries and has 114 destinations. It launched five new destinations this year.

The rapid expansion of Emirates-as well as Gulf majors Etihad of Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways-has unnerved older airlines and fuelled mutual accusations of protectionism. —Reuters

Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Unilever sacrifices margins to boost sales in Q3 AMSTERDAM: Unilever PLC, the maker of consumer products such as Dove soaps and Lipton teas, says it expects margins to be flat at best this year, as it didn’t fully pass on the cost of rising commodity prices to consumers.

“We have sought to mitigate the impact of commodity inflation on consumers by pricing to recover cost rather than to maintain margin,” Chief Executive Paul Polman said yesterday.

“As a result of these factors we now expect underlying operating margin in 2011 to be flat to slightly down.”

Shares fell 1.5 percent to ?24.325 in early trading. In a third quarter market update, the company said revenues grew 4.9 percent to ?12.1 billion ($16.6

billion). Excluding the impact of acquired operations and exchange rates, revenues grew a healthy 7.8 percent with prices up 5.8 percent and volume up 1.9 percent.

However, the rise was largely due to the impact of volume growth in developing markets, as volumes actually shrank in the US and Western Europe.

Sales in Asia and Africa - the company’s largest but least profitable region - grew 12 percent “powered by China, India, Indonesia and Turkey.”

The company reports full earnings twice annually. Analysts said the sales growth figure was better than expected - Unilever appears to have won market share - but focused on the change in

margin outlook as the most significant part of yesterday’s statement.

“We were already expecting margins to come down by 0.1 percent in 2011, but the consensus was still for a margin increase of 0.1 percent,” said SNS Securities analyst Richard Withagen. The change, he added, “may push consensus estimates lower in the weeks ahead.”

Polman said the company still targets improving margins in the long term. Unilever competes with Procter & Gamble and Nestle, selling “savory” products including Knorr soups and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, and sweet drinks such as Lipton - which it markets together with Pepsi Co. - as well as ice

creams including Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum.

In its earnings report last week, P&G had complained it lost market share in places including Britain due to Unilever’s discounts on hair and laundry products. Unilever’s primary focus has been on personal care products, where it has long owned brands such as Dove, Vaseline, Axe and Suave. Last month it announced a ?390 million deal to take a majority stake in Russia’s largest cosmetics company, Kalina. That follows a $3.7 billion purchase of Alberto Culver in the US this year, which gave it the TRESemme brand, and a euro 1.3 billion buy of Sara Lee’s cosmetic brands in 2010, which include Sanex.—AP

World stocks mixed as Greece uncertainty swirls Wall Street set to head higher

SEOUL: Protesters struggle with riot police as they try to enter the National Assembly during a rally against a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the United States in front of the legislative building in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. —AP

N Korea economy contracts again as sanctions bite SEOUL: North Korea’s closed economy contracted for a second year in a row last year due to international sanctions, sluggish agricultural production and a slowdown in manufacturing, South Korea’s central bank said yesterday.

In a report issued by the Bank of Korea (BOK), the North’s centrally-planned economy was estimated to have shrunk 0.5 percent yearon-year in 2010 compared with a 0.9 percent contraction in 2009.

“Last year, the North Korean economy contracted as economic conditions at home and abroad worsened amid energy shortages and international sanctions and its manufacturing sector remained sluggish,” said BOK official Park Yung-hwan. Seoul’s assessment of its neighbour’s economy does not auger well for the North’s ambitious drive to become a “strong and prosperous nation” by 2012 when it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the state’s founder Kim Il-sung. The North currently ranks as one of the world’s poorest and least developed states. It does not release economic data, and the South calculates the figures through specialist institutes which monitor the North’s economy. The BOK report said North Korea’s nominal gross national income (GNI) amounted to 30 trillion won (US$26.5 billion) last year, which is only 2.56 percent of South Korea’s GNI of 1,173 trillion won.

Meanwhile, inter-Korean trade grew 13.9 percent year-on-year to $1.91 billion, the BOK said. The secretive state was subjected to a new raft of international sanctions in 2009 after it tested a longrange missile, compounding sanctions imposed in 2006 for testing a nuclear device. It carried out a second nuclear test in 2009.

Last year, Seoul and Washington tightened sanctions against the North after they accused Pyongyang of sinking a South Korean warship, killing 46 sailors. The North denies it was responsible.

The North’s moribund economy has also been affected by poor agriculture production, as a result of summer flooding and a particularly harsh winter. —Reuters

BANGKOK: European stocks turned higher after a weak start yesterday even as the region’s leaders struggled to prevent the unraveling of an agreement to bail Greece out of its financial mess. The gains in European markets came despite another session of losses in Asia. Britain’s FTSE 100 swung between gains and losses before edging up 0.3 percent to 5,498.33. France’s CAC-40 rose 0.8 percent 3,134.64. Germany’s DAX was 0.6 percent higher to 6,002.53.

Wall Street appeared set to head higher, with Dow Jones industrial futures rising 0.2 percent to 11,792. Broader S&P 500 futures added 0.2 percent to 1,236.90. Oil prices hovered above $92 per barrel, while the dollar slipped against the euro and the yen.

Markets have been gripped by uncertainty since Greece’s prime minister unexpectedly announced Monday that he would call a national vote on the European bailout plan that entails painful tax increases and drastic welfare cuts in exchange for massive aid to keep his debt-ridden nation solvent.

European leaders then drew a line in the sand, saying the referendum that is expected in early December will determine whether Greece stays in the 17-nation grouping that uses the euro common currency - and vowing Athens will not get new aid until the result is in. Papandreou is scheduled to explain his stance when he meets with leaders of the Group of 20 nations at a summit in France on today. By then, however, his plans for a referendum may have collapsed - along with this government - as opposition to both picked up steam yesterday.

But if a vote went ahead and Greek voters rejected the austerity plan, it could lead to a messy default on the country’s debt that would likely cause massive losses for banks that hold Greek bonds - and possibly spark a wider financial crisis that could send Europe into recession.

“The whole thing has become a mess and will certainly keep risk assets shackled in the short term, on the premise that there is a real possibility that Greece may vote against the revised bailout and austerity and subsequently find themselves having to fund their massive deficit,” Stan Shamu of IG Markets in Melbourne said in a report.

In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng retreated 2.5 percent to close at 19,242.50. South Korea’s Kospi lost 1.5 percent to 1,869.96 and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.3 percent to 4,171.80. Japanese markets were closed for a national holiday. Mainland Chinese shares rose, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.2 percent to 2,508.09. The Shenzhen Composite Index gained 0.4 percent to 1,064.62.

The uncertainty about what lies ahead for the European Union - the world’s largest economic grouping - as well as the subset of nations that use the euro common currency, hit energy stocks hard.

half of the year nearly doubled on strong emerging market sales.

Among mainland Chinese shares, foodrelated companies gained on expectations of higher demand ahead of upcoming festivals, analysts said. VV Food & Beverage Co. Ltd. gained 2 percent.

Shares of German automaker BMW AG rose 2.6 percent after the company reported net profit rose nearly 24 percent in the third quarter on stronger sales of newer models.

Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steel maker, dropped 2.8 percent after the company posted a 50 percent drop in third-quarter net profit.

BRUSSELS: This is a Thursday, July 21, 2011 file photo of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou as he speaks during a media conference after an EU summit of eurogroup members at the EU Council building in Brussels. Demands mounted yesterday for Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to resign, hours after European leaders told him he had endangered a massive bailout plan by calling for a referendum. —AP Hong Kong-listed PetroChina Co., the country’s biggest oil and gas company, fell 3.8 percent. State-owned coal miner China Shenhua Energy lost 3.3 percent. Energy Resources of Australia was down 2.4 percent.

South Korea’s LG Electronics plummeted 13.7 percent following news reports that the world’s No. 3 mobile phone maker was seeking to issue new shares, Yonhap News Agency said. Hong Kong-listed shares of Lenovo Group, a world leader in personal computer manufacturers, rose 3.2 percent a day after reporting that its profit in the first

Separately, a research firm said Thursday that investors put $1.4 billion into Asian hedge funds in the third quarter of 2011, as they sought alternatives to equity and bond markets shaken by the debt crisis and weak growth in developed economies.

“With continued volatility associated with European sovereign debt and weakening global economic growth, Asian hedge funds represent a crucial area of growth potential for investors,” Kenneth J. Heinz, president of HFR, a Chicago-based research company, said in an emailed statement. —AP

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China, India services lose some momentum BEIJING/BANGALORE: China’s service sector lost momentum in October while India’s shrank for a second month, surveys showed yesterday, revealing the lagged impact of policy tightening and faltering global demand on Asia’s two major economies.

Two purchasing managers’ indexes (PMI) on China showed that the services sector expanded in October. The official PMI fell from the previous month and while the HSBC-Markit private-sector gauge rose to a four-month high, it was below the historical average. In India, the HSBC-Markit PMI showed services activity shrank for a second consecutive month and to its weakest level in 2-1/2 years as new business growth stagnated. Its seasonally adjusted PMI slumped to 49.1 in October, below the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction. It was at 49.8 in September.

The PMIs for both countries showed that input costs remain elevated, underscoring the challenges policymakers face as they start to shift their focus towards growth when the bat-

tle against inflation is far from over. China’s PMI readings point to a further slowdown of economic growth and easing inflation, said Xu Biao, an analyst with Everbright Securities in Shanghai.

“In terms of policies, the Chinese government has already started to make some small adjustments to relax a bit-bank lending controls are eased and fresh funds are given to the railway ministry,” he said. “More fine-tuning, leaning towards policy relaxation, is on the way,” Xu added.

China’s official PMI, from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP), fell to 57.7 in October from 59.3 in September.

A new orders sub-index fell slightly to 52.5 in October from 52.8 in September. The official survey, skewed towards big businesses, showed China’s consumer-related service sectors remain stable, but investment-related sectors such as engineering and construction were particularly weak, CFLP said.

The HSBC PMI, which focuses more on

smaller-to-medium sized businesses, rose to 54.1 in October, above September’s 53.0 and its highest level since June, as new orders picked up for a second successive month.

The United States releases an activity report on services later on Thursday and the euro zone reports on Friday. They are expected to show that service sectors in both regions were largely steady in October from September, Reuters polls show.

Input costs for India rose sharply in October, driven up by wages and fuel prices, the survey showed, underscoring price pressures in the country where wholesale inflation, the main gauge, has been above 9 percent for almost a year. India’s central bank, one of Asia’s most hawkish, raised interest rates for the 13th time in 18 months last week. But it said the chances of another rate rise at its next review in December were relatively low because it expected inflation to fall.

In China, while HSBC-Markit PMI suggested the rate of cost inflation was at a four-month

high, the official survey showed input price pressures eased in October.

Beijing has been walking a tightrope between fighting inflation and supporting small businesses that were most hurt by its tightening spree since last year. Consumer inflation has eased from a near three-year high in July of 6.5 percent. Beijing has maintained that tackling inflation is its main policy priority but it has also shown some concern about the risks to growth.

Premier Wen Jiabao was quoted by state radio last week saying that Beijing will finetune policy if necessary. The government has announced measures to support small firms and has intervened to prop up bank shares in the stock market.

Manufacturing PMIs earlier this week showed India’s factory-sector-growth picked up for the first time in six months during October, while China’s big manufacturers grew at their slowest pace since early 2009. —Reuters

Asian markets fall on renewed Greek fears Euro tumbles against yen and dollar

NEW DELHI: Models pose with a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 supercar during its launch event in New Delhi yesterday. The Aventador LP 700-4 sells for 36.9 million rupees (USD 745,590) in the Indian market. —AFP

Ambanis talk on possible telecom deal: Source MUMBAI: India’s Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is in talks with several telecom players, including younger brother Anil, to launch an upcoming broadband and Internet service. Mukesh Ambani’s search for an infrastructure player has raised speculation that the two siblings could work more closely together after ending a long-running feud over the spoils of their father’s vast business empire. “We are in talks with everyone who has ready infrastructure. We are not going to build towers ourselves,” a company source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Reliance may consider using Anil’s Reliance Communications (RCom) telecom tower infrastructure to launch Mukesh’s broadband and wireless business. A deal is yet to be finalised, the source added.

Mukesh and Anil’s father Dhirubhai Ambani, who built up the Reliance empire from a lowly textiles firm to multi-national conglomerate, died in 2002 without leaving a will.

The brothers agreed to bury the hatchet only in 2010, tearing up a non-competition pact that prevented them entering the same sectors. The pair said the move would provide greater “operational and financial” flexibility to their respective groups.

Last year, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of the oil and gas firm Reliance Industries, announced a re-entry into the telecom and broadband segment after a gap of five years. His company-India’s largest private sector firm-acquired Infotel Broadband, which was the only company to win an India-wide licence at an auction for fourth-generation broadband wireless services. But analysts say the tycoon, who is India’s richest man, still needs infrastructure to boost his Internet business, which he sees as having “transformational” potential. India currently has a low broadband penetration relative to its size and population. Reliance has been diversifying revenue streams in addition to its core energy and oil exploration in areas such as broadband, communications, retailing and hotels. Anil Ambani’s RCom, on the other hand, is in a cut-throat price war in the world’s fastest-growing mobile phone sector, where tariffs have been cut to less than one US cent a minute. —AFP

HONG KONG: Asian markets fell on renewed fears for the eurozone after Greece was dealt an ultimatum over its plan to hold a referendum on last week’s deal to tackle the region’s debt crisis. However, the euro bounced back from earlier lows after news emerged that Greece’s finance minister came out against his premier’s plan for the national poll, lifting hopes it might not go ahead.

France and Germany on Wednesday told Greece’s embattled prime minister that he must ensure the national vote he called on last Thursday’s European Union bailout plan is held as soon as possible so it can be put into action.

They warned that if Athens does not stick to the terms of the deal it will not get “one more cent” from the next planned installment of rescue funds. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “Does Greece want to remain part of the eurozone or not?

“That is the question the Greek people must now answer.” With the Greek public already fed-up at swingeing cuts there is a chance they will vote “No” in a referendum, sending Greece and the eurozone into chaos and threatening another global financial meltdown. Hong Kong tumbled 2.49 percent, or 491.21 points, to 19,242.50, Sydney ended off 0.30 percent, losing 12.7 points, to 4,171.9 and Seoul shed 1.48 percent, or 28.05 points, to 1,869.96.

Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.

Papandreou stunned his European colleagues Monday when he said he would hold a national vote on the rescue package unveiled last Thursday after marathon talks in Brussels.

Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, meeting the Greek leader ahead of a G20 summit in Cannes, France, said they would withhold Athens’ crucial eight billion euro handout if the vote fails. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said the IMF would only decide on its next tranche of Greek aid after the referendum.

Papandreou agreed Greece’s future in the euro was at stake and said a vote could be called on December 4. He did not reveal the wording of the referendum question, but said he was sure Greek voters wanted to stay in

the bloc. However, Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday he opposed the referendum idea. “Greece’s place in the euro is a historical conquest by the Greek people that cannot be placed in question ... this cannot be made dependent on a referendum,” he said in a statement.

His announcement against the poll was followed by one from another minister soon

with 78.06 in New York Wednesday. The dollar jumped past 79 yen on Monday in reaction to the intervention after hitting a post-war record low of 75.32 earlier.

Attention will be on Cannes over the next few days, with talks focusing on Europe’s crisis. In European markets, London’s FTSE 100 index dipped 0.08 percent to 5,479.67 points in early trade, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 shed 0.31

HONG KONG: People walk past a screen displaying the Hong Kong stock index’s movement outside a local bank in Hong Kong yesterday. —AP after and means Papandreou had lost his majority in parliament and was in real danger of losing a confidence vote today.

A defeat would mean the referendum would likely not go ahead. The euro, which tumbled against the yen and dollar in Asian morning trade, rebounded in Europe. The common unit was at $1.3791 early in London from $1.3746 in New York late Wednesday.

The euro also rose against the yen, buying 107.57 yen compared with 107.28 yen in New York.

The dollar held up following its gains against the yen this week after the Japanese government intervened to cap the unit’s rise.

The greenback bought 78.00 yen compared

percent to 5,949.70 points while in Paris the CAC 40 rose 1.28 percent, or 45.34 points, to 3,154.22 points, reversing losses in the first minutes of trading. Milan’s bourse fell as Italian 10-year government bonds struck a record yield above 6.402 percent, putting Italy’s borrowing costs close to unsustainable levels, and raising fears about the spread of Europe’s debt crisis.

Despite the ongoing fears about Europe, Shanghai stayed in positive territory on expectations China will soon begin to ease monetary policy after more than a year of tightening as leaders tried to rein in inflation.

Shanghai was 0.16 percent, or 3.98 points, higher at 2,508.09 by the close. —AFP

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Little light at end of US unemployment tunnel WASHINGTON: Unemployment in the United States, deeply entrenched and painfully high, appears set to continue for years amid sluggish economic growth too weak to bring it down, data published Wednesday show. After a steep recession, the world’s biggest economy is growing nowhere near enough to compensate for population growth that swells the workforce, let alone reduce the number of unemployed from 14 million.

The jobless rate has been stuck at 9.0 percent and above for all but two of the past 29 months. On Friday, when the government releases its job market data for October, that is not expected to change: Analysts are forecasting the jobless rate will remain at 9.1 percent for the fourth straight month, despite efforts by policymakers to encourage more hiring.

With Europe’s debt crisis escalating, threatening global growth, the high US

jobless rate undercuts the economy’s resilience against external shock. And it presents a challenge to President Barack Obama, whose $447 billion jobs creation bill is stalled in a gridlocked Congress, where Republican foes oppose new stimulus spending in the face of growing deficits.

There was little encouragement for a more optimistic view from Wednesday’s data. Private payrolls firm ADP reported that US companies added 110,000 net jobs last month, down from 116,000 in September. “This is in line with previous month’s reading and suggests a steady but unimpressive pace of job creation in the official nonfarm payrolls report on Friday,” said Vassili Serebriakov at Wells Fargo Bank.

ADP said the October jobs growth was entirely due to the massive service sector and small and medium-sized businesses. Big businesses shed 1,000 jobs. “It was another in a long line of

mediocre payroll numbers,” said Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisers. “It was nice to see that the service sector added workers but not so positive was a small decline in the manufacturing sector,” Naroff said.

According to ADP, the service sector added jobs for the 20th consecutive month, but the number fell by 8,000 to 114,000. Ian Shepherdson, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics, warned that private-payroll growth was “still not even fast enough to keep unemployment from rising further in the medium-term, never mind bringing it down.”

Most analysts estimated that Friday’s Labor Department report, which includes both private-sector and public-sector data, will show the economy spawned a total of just 85,000 net nonfarm jobs in October, down from 103,000 in September. Private-sector jobs were forecast to fall by 20,000, to

117,000. The Federal Reserve released Wednesday its newest forecasts, which predict the unemployment rate will fall to no better than 8.5 percent by the end of 2012, compared with its June prediction of 7.8 percent.

The Fed also cut its gross domestic product growth forecast for 2012, to 2.5-2.9 percent, not seen as strong enough to generate large numbers of jobs. Another report released Wednesday, by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, showed planned job cuts by US-based employers plummeted 63 percent in October after hitting a 28-month peak the prior month. Despite the improvement, the number of layoffs in the first 10 months of the year was 16 percent higher than the same period last year.

“Meanwhile, the European debt crisis is wreaking havoc on Wall Street,” said John Challenger, the firm’s chief executive. — AFP

US port shut down by anti-Wall St protests ‘Maritime operations remain effectively shut down’

NEW YORK: Traders John Panin, left center, and Joe Tarangelo, right center, work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. European stocks gained yesterday, amid expectations that a Greek referendum on a European bailout plan that shocked the markets would be abandoned. — AP

Russia on verge of ending 18-year wait to join WTO MOSCOW: Russia is on the verge of ending its 18-year wait to join the World Trade Organization after accepting a trade deal with Georgia, the last big obstacle to membership of a club that will seal its integration into the global economy.

Russia’s accession will be the biggest step in world trade liberalisation since China joined a decade ago, making its $1.9 trillion economy more attractive to investors 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. After nearly two decades of tortuous negotiations with the 153-member club, Russia’s last challenge was to reach a deal with Georgia to stop its entry being blocked by the former Soviet republic with which it fought a short war in 2008.

Russia’s top negotiator said late on Wednesday that Moscow had accepted the terms of a compromise deal proposed by Tbilisi on monitoring mutual trade, and a Georgian negotiator said yesterday he expected the agreement to be signed within a week. “We are happy that Georgia supported the draft agreement and that finally an agreement has been reached,” Russia’s WTO accession negotiator Maxim Medvedkov told Reuters by telephone.

Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergi Kapanadze, whose country does not have diplomatic relations with Russia, told Interfax news agency: “Everything should reach its conclusion ... by the 10th of November.” This is the date for a meeting of a WTO working group which can then draw up a final document for approval by WTO trade ministers in Geneva on Dec. 15. —Reuters

OAKLAND: One of the United States’ busiest sea ports remained closed early yesterday after anti-Wall Street protesters marched on it at the climax of a day of protests and strike action. California’s port of Oakland, which does 59 percent of its trade with Asia, sent staff home early as hundreds of protesters besieged the docks, at the fourth busiest US container port by cargo volume, according to its website.

“Maritime operations remain effectively shut down,” said a Port of Oakland statement in an update late Wednesday night, adding that services “will not resume until it is safe and secure to do so.

“Our hope is that the work day can resume tomorrow and that port workers will be allowed to get to their jobs without incident,” it said, adding that there had been no injuries, property damage, or major security problems. The dockside shutdown came after thousands of people rallied in the city center during the day to support a strike called after police fired tear gas while clearing a protestors’ camp last week, injuring one person.

“Celebrate the death of capitalism,” read a banner on a makeshift altar decorated with flowers. Vendors sold ice cream and cotton candy, music blared, and booths handed out anti-capitalist literature. Brother Muziki, an elementary school teacher, was helping carry a banner reading: “Bail out schools and services, not banks!”

“Our classrooms are overcrowded, he said. “The banks are being bailed out but not the schools.” While the protests were mainly peaceful, some acts of vandalism were reported, targeting closedup bank branches downtown. At one point some 200 people chanted outside a Wells Fargo branch, which has graffiti scrawled on its walls including “The 1 percent won’t back down” and “Who’s

OAKLAND: Demonstrators with the Occupy movement stand on a utility box at the Port of Oakland on Wednesday in Oakland, California. Tens of thousands of protestors have marched to the Port of Oakland for a general strike organized by Occupy Oakland. — AFP robbing who?” according to local CBS television.

The protesters had headed towards the port from 4:00 pm, splitting up when they got there into a number of different groups blockading different terminals by early evening-at which point the port declared itself effectively closed. A line of several dozen riot police in gas masks blocked the march at one point but later dissipated without conflict, and most protesters did not even come close to police lines.

A giant black banner strung up across one intersection read: “Death to capitalism. Occupy everything!” Local media reported that two protesters had been hit by a car and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. With their mission accomplished by late evening, the protesters began heading back downtown. Police blocked freeway entrances.

In the Frank Ogawa Plaza outside City

Hall-where violence flared last week after riot police moved in to clear a twoweek old camp-the Occupy encampment had expanded back to more than 50 tents. By the end of the night the mood was upbeat-Jessica Callahan, 20, said she thought the strike day had been a success for Oakland, which has been hard-hit by the global recession.

“A lot of people doubt Oakland,” she said, sitting on a curb at the port as protesters played music and milled around.

“But we can come together and we need to.” Inside the port-which handles some $39 billion in imports and exports per year and generates tens of thousands of jobs in the area-authorities said they hoped operations would get back to normal yesterday.

“Continued missed shifts represent economic hardship for maritime workers, truckers, and their families, as well as lost jobs and lost tax revenue for our region,” they said. — AFP

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US credit unions boosted by anti-bank campaign Unions say business up about five-fold NEW YORK: Tens of thousands of Americans are closing bank accounts and moving their money to credit unions in a Facebook campaign that has gathered momentum from anti-Wall Street protests, an industry group says.

The month-long campaign started by Los Angeles gallery owner Kristen Christian, 27, will culminate tomorrow with Bank Transfer Day. Some credit unions say they are already seeing five times their normal daily new account business.

“I was tired ... of the fee increases, tired of not being able to access my money when I needed to, tired of my funds being used to fund lavish executive vacations and the acquisition of failing assets,” Christian said. “I’ve been shocked at how many people have stood up alongside me.”

Protesters claimed a victory on Tuesday when Bank of America Corp, the second-biggest US bank, scrapped

plans for a $5 monthly debit card fee.

But Christian said it was “too little, too late.” Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives. They often offer better interest rates and lower fees, according to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent federal agency that regulates the sector.

Some 91 million people have US credit unions accounts worth almost $1 trillion, NCUA said. About one million people a year open an account with a credit union, it said. Bill Cheney, head of the Credit Union National Association, which represents America’s 7,400 credit unions, said during the past month credit unions saw huge demand for new accounts, numbering at least in the “tens of thousands.”

Some credit unions will have longer opening hours tomorrow to accommodate customers, he said, adding that people were not making the change quietly. “With social media ... when peo-

CALIFORNIA: An Occupy protestor holds signs calling for citizens to close their bank accounts at big banks and move their money to credit unions in Hollywood, California yesterday. Demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment. — AFP

ple are making the switch they are talking about it,” he said.

Retired Army Major Claudia Jefferson, 45, an avid Twitter user from Atlanta tweeted about her plans to close her account with Bank of America before tomorrow. “I stand with other Americans when I say, we have had enough,” Jefferson told Reuters, calling higher bank fees an insult after the 2008 bank bailouts. “We are sick and tired.”

Seattle resident Patricia Scott, 61, also made the switch and tweeted. Scott said her decision was driven by “the (home mortgage) foreclosure mess and the bank fees going up.” “On principle I just no longer wish to support this type of industry,” Scott said in an interview.

Bank Transfer Day follows Move Your Money, a project begun in 2009 by Arianna Huffington encouraging people to take money out of “too big to fail” banks which says more than four million accounts have moved from the big banks since it began.

Bank Transfer Day coincides with the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, which began on Sept. 17 when protesters set up camp in a New York park, sparking demonstrations and so-called occupations globally. Christian says Bank Transfer Day was not inspired by OWS and does not endorse the protests.

OWS protesters are upset that banks received billions of dollars in bailouts in 2008 while average Americans are still suffering in a tough economy. The protesters also believe the richest 1 percent of Americans do not pay enough taxes.

A couple of dozen protesters were arrested for trespassing in New York last month at a Citibank during an OWS march. They said they were simply trying to close their accounts.

Citibank was not immediately available for comment on whether it might close branches normally open tomorrow. JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America declined comment. A spokesman for Wells Fargo & Co said there no plans to close branches scheduled to open tomorrow. — Reuters

HARMONY: This photo made with a fisheye lens, shows a DirecTV satellite dish on a post in the front yard of a home in Harmony, Pa. Satellite TV provider DirecTV said yesterday, it raked in more subscribers than ever in the third quarter, helped by the NFL Sunday Ticket. — AP

Gold slips, Europe turmoil weighs LONDON: Gold fell yesterday, under pressure from a vulnerable euro and turmoil hitting financial markets on the possibility of Greece exiting the euro zone.

Gold has been rangebound in the past week or so, with the threat of a potentially disastrous Greek default burnishing gold’s safe-haven appeal while fears of a liquidity crunch in case of a default have kept gains in check. “The feeling we get from the market is that people prefer not to take large positions at the moment because of the uncertainty, and it’s similar in all the markets too,” Standard Bank analyst Walter de Wet said. France and Germany, angered at Greece’s shock move to call for a referendum on its latest bailout plan, told Prime Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday that Athens would not receive EU aid until it decides whether it wants to stay in the euro zone. Chaos over Greece’s role in the euro zone battered equity markets and hit the euro, swamping any residual support from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s soothing comments less than 24 hours earlier.

Spot gold was down 0.2 percent at $1,733.5 at 1019 GMT, off an intraday high of $1,739.49, from $1,737.70 on Wednesday. US gold was up 0.3 percent at $1,735.50. “The strong demand that we’ve seen, with gold at $1,650 up until last week, is not there anymore,” De Wet said.

“I think in the way gold has been behaving over the past couple of weeks it seems that people prefer to buy euro/gold which makes sense because of all the problems there.” Gold in euros was trading at around a one-month high of $1,257. The prospect of a hard Greek default and euro exit hung over a meeting of G20 leaders beginning in Cannes yesterday. Eyes are also on the European Central Bank, which will meet on Thursday and is expected to hold interest rates steady. —Reuters

Housing could be key to stronger US rebound WASHINGTON: For the US economy, it all comes back to the housing market. A fresh emphasis on healing the housing sector by officials at the Federal Reserve, in the Obama administration and in state capitals reflects the view that a healthier real estate market would go a long way in strengthening the economy.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday that the US central bank was considering buying more mortgage debt to jolt the broader economy onto a more robust growth path. “The housing sector is a very important sector,” he said at a news conference after a twoday policy meeting. “Problems in that sector are a big reason why our economy’s not recovering more quickly.”

Economists say the Fed could do well to target the housing sector. For one, it is at the center of the economy’s ills; for

another, homebuying can be a catalyst for a wide range of consumer purchases from refrigerators to lawn furniture.

While many other sectors of the economy have found their feet, housing continues to lag abysmally, held back by high rates of foreclosure and homes that have dropped dramatically in value.

Around 7.5 million US households are either in foreclosure or delinquent on their mortgage, and 11 million homeowners owe more than their homes are worth. The Obama administration and a leading housing regulator announced plans last week to widen a program aimed at helping so-called underwater borrowers refinance.

At the same time, state attorneys general are pressing for a settlement with top banks over alleged foreclosure abuses that could require the lenders to

commit about $15 billion to reduce principal for struggling homeowners and modify loans. “Clearly, the housing sector is an obvious candidate for policy intervention,” Goldman Sachs economist Andrew Tilton wrote in a recent note to clients.

Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo caught some in financial markets off guard by recommending in a speech on Oct. 20 that the central bank expand its purchases of mortgage-backed securities, reopening a debate many had thought closed. His ideas drew quick support from two of the most influential Fed officials-Vice Chair Janet Yellen and New York Fed President William Dudley-and has resonated with others. But why housing, and why now? At just more than 2 percent of US gross domestic product-down from 6 percent during

the housing boom-residential investment isn’t that big a component of the $15 trillion US economy.

However, Tilton and others believe housing “punches above its weight” and generates enough momentum to be critical to strong growth. “Housing might be special,” Tilton concluded.

Housing has led the economy out of past recessions. It creates jobs and is a catalyst for spending on goods and services. The sector is usually a key avenue for the transmission of monetary policy but the drop in home values has locked many Americans out of refinancing, while leading others to fear taking the plunge by buying a home. Coaxing mortgage rates a bit lower could lead potential borrowers into the market.

MBS purchases could directly lower housing borrowing costs. —Reuters

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Thai business confidence in tatters Global crisis, floods wreak havoc on Thailand’s economy

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hai business confidence in September was eroded by growing concerns over the global economic slowdown and the country’s flood-hit manufacturing sector, according to the Bank of Thailand.

“This reflects the confidence of households and businesses, which expressed worries over the economic situation and demand in the country and abroad,” said the BOT’s report on monthly economic and monetary conditions in September.

The central bank’s business sentiment index (BSI) dropped to 48.5 points in September from 52.2 in the previous month. A reading above 50 indicates business confidence.

The expected BSI in the next three months, from October through December, declined to 50.6 in September from 55.5 a month earlier. Expectations on inflation and costs continued to be sustained at high levels, the report said. The average inflation expectation was 3.9 per cent for the next 12 months. The August survey had produced a figure of 3.8 per cent.

Headline inflation started to fall, to 4.03 per cent in September from 4.29 per cent in the prior month, because of a decline in oil prices. Core inflation continued its acceleration, rising to 2.92 per cent in September from 2.85 per cent in the previous month because of pass through of prices of prepared foods and condiments.

Domestic consumption and tourism began to be affected by the severe flooding, resulting in lower expansion, the BOT report said. September’s private consumption index dropped 1.6 per cent from the month before, while the number of international tourist arrivals fell to 1.5 million from 1.73 million in the same period. The occupancy rate at hotels dropped to 54.1 per cent in September from 57.1 per cent in August.

Exports grew at a slower pace of 18.4 per cent year on year to $21.3 billion (Bt655 billion) in September, compared with the August level of 28.4 per cent, because of slower sales of especially electronic items to Europe and Japan.

Imports also saw slower expansion of 42.6 per cent to $18.8 billion, compared with the August rise of 45.9 per cent.

However, investment continued to expand.

September’s private investment index stayed at 205.9, up 8.5 per cent from the same period last year. $29bn spending plan Meanwhile, Thailand’s public sector hailed the government’s plan to spend nearly 900 billion baht ($29 billion) to rehabilitate the country and develop an effective water-management system, but questioned whether there was any concrete plan to prevent or even dilute another disastrous flood.

“What we want is the government’s announcement that floods on this scale will not reoccur. Only this will restore foreigners’ confidence and keep their investments in Thailand,” said Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The 900 billion baht ($29 billion) budget is big enough for short- and long-term improvement of the water management system, but it remains unclear how the

Thailand’s domestic consumption and tourism began to be affected by the severe flooding, resulting in lower expansion.

September’s private consumption index dropped 1.6 per cent from the month before, while the number of international tourist arrivals fell to 1.5 million from 1.73 million in the same period.

THAILAND: A Thai flood victim sits on a chair on a narrow strip of concrete outside her house submerged in floodwaters on the outskirts of Bangkok yesterday. —AP Thai government would spend the amount, he said. The Thai government should first implement its policies announced earlier to relieve the impacts in the short term, including soft loans, import duty reductions, help in bringing in foreign technicians and financial assistance for SMEs. ‘More dams should be built’ In the long term, with over half of the budget, more dams should be built, forests should be better protected, depleted areas should be reforested and farmland preserved, he added.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government will spend 80 billion baht ($2.6 billion) to revive industries within three months and banks will lend 300 billion baht ($9.8 billion). The rest would be allocated for long-term solutions.

Chakkrit Parapuntakun, director-general

of the Public Debt Management Office, said that although he has not seen the details of the plan, the government should not have difficulty in raising funds given that public debt is only at 41 per cent of gross domestic product. However, the investment plan should be clear.

With an emergency decree, the government could get the funds within 45 days, he said. Former finance minister Korn Chatikavanit said the Pheu Thai-led government is going to do what Pheu Thai MPs objected to when the Democrat-led government issued an emergency decree to borrow 400 billion baht ($13 billion) for economic stimulus after the 2008 global financial meltdown.

Issara Boonyoung, president of Thailand’s Housing Business Association, said the floods underlined the need for better water management at the national level. Provincial capacity should be

enhanced while greater cooperation with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is a must.

Water management ‘poor’ It is high time to acknowledge that Thailand’s water management capability is poor, with conflicting information coming from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Irrigation Department and Town and Country Planning Department.

“Each year, the government spends tens of billions of baht on flood management while Thailand also suffers droughts. It’s time for us to have a national agenda to improve the system. It’s not time to say who’s right or wrong, but it’s time for everyone to learn from the crisis,” he said.

Teerana Bhongmakapat, dean of economics at Chulalongkorn University, wondered if the Thai government was selling another dream to the public. —MCT

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

The price of success

By George Friedman

I

n a week when the European crisis continued building, the White House chose publicly to focus on announcements about the end of wars. The death of Muammar Gaddafi was said to mark the end of the war in Libya, and excitement about a new democratic Libya abounded. Regarding Iraq, the White House transformed the refusal of the Iraqi government to permit US troops to remain into a decision by Washington instead of an Iraqi rebuff.

Though in both cases there was an identical sense of “mission accomplished”, the matter was not nearly as clear-cut. The withdrawal from Iraq creates enormous strategic complexities rather than closure. While the complexities in Libya are real but hardly strategic, the two events share certain characteristics and are instructive.

Libya After Gaddafi Let us begin with the lesser event, Gaddafi’s death. After seven months of NATO intervention, Gaddafi was killed.

That it took so long for this to happen stands out, given that the intervention involved far more than airstrikes, including special operations forces on the ground targeting for airstrikes, training Libyan troops, managing logistics, overseeing communications, and both planning and at times organizing and leading the Libyan insurgents in battle.

Perhaps this length of time resulted from a strategy designed to minimize casualties at the cost of prolonging the war. Alternatively, that it took seven months to achieve this goal might reflect the extent of the insurgents’ division, poor training and incompetence.

Whatever the reason, the more important question is what NATO thinks it has accomplished with Gaddafi’s death, as satisfying as that death might be.

The National Transitional Council (NTC), the umbrella organization crafted to contain the insurgents, is in no position to govern Libya by any ideology, let alone through constitutional democracy. Gaddafi and his supporters ruled Libya for 42 years; the only people in the NTC with any experience with government gained that experience as ministers or lesser officials in Gaddafi’s government. Some may have switched sides out of principle, but I suspect that most defected to save themselves.

While the media has portrayed many of these ex-ministers as opponents of Gaddafi, anyone who served him was complicit in his crimes.

These individuals are the least likely to bring reform to Libya and the most likely to constitute the core of a new state, as they are the only Libyans who know what it means to govern. Around them is an array of tribes living in varying degrees of tension and hostility with each other and radical Islamists whose number and capabilities are unknown, but whose access to weapons can be assumed. It also is safe to assume that many of those weapons, of various types of lethality, will be on the black market in the region in short order, as they may already be.

Gaddafi did not rule for 42 years without substantial support, as the tenacity of those who fought on his behalf suggests. (The defense of Sirte could well be described as fanatical.)

Gaddafi is dead, but not all of his supporters are. And there are other elements within the country who may not be Gaddafi supporters but are no less interested in resisting those who are now trying to take charge - and resisting anyone perceived to be backed by Western powers. As with the conquest of Baghdad in 2003, what was unanticipated - but should not have been - was that a variety of groups would resist the

Baghdad in April 2003. US President Barack Obama’s announcement of a complete US withdrawal from Iraq gives us a sense of what lies at the end of the tunnel of the counterinsurgency. It must be understood that Obama did not want a total withdrawal. Until just a few weeks before the announcement, he was looking for ways to keep some troops in Iraq’s Kurdish region. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta went to Iraq wanting an agreement providing for a substantial number of US troops in Iraq past the Dec 31 deadline for withdrawal.

While the idea did appeal to some in

American requests to stay were turned down.

Measuring Iranian influence in Iraq is not easy to do. Much of it consists of influence and relationships that are not visible or are not used except in urgent matters. The United States, too, has developed a network of relationships in Iraq, as have the Saudis. But the United States is not particularly good at developing reliable grassroots supporters.

The Iranians have done better because they are more familiar with the terrain and because the price for double-crossing the Iranians is much higher than that imposed by the United States. This gives

Libyan chefs cut a 17-m-long cake decorated in the colours of the new Libyan flag during celebrations marking the start of the Feb 17th push by rebel forces to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli on Oct 28, 2011. — AFP new leaders and wage guerrilla war.

Baghdad taught that overwhelming force must be brought to bear in any invasion such that all opposition is eliminated. Otherwise, opponents of foreign occupation - along with native elements with a grudge against other natives - are quite capable of creating chaos. When we look at the list of NTC members and try to imagine them cooperating with each other and when we consider the number of Gaddafi supporters who are now desperadoes with little to lose, the path to stable constitutional democracy runs either through NATO occupation (unofficial, of course) or through a period of intense chaos. The most likely course ahead is a NATO presence sufficient to enrage the Libyan people but insufficient to intimidate them.

And Libya is not a strategic country.

It is neither large in population nor geographically pivotal. It does have oil, as everyone likes to point out, and that makes it appealing. But it is not clear that the presence of oil increases the tendency toward stability. When we look back on Iraq, an oil-rich country, oil simply became another contentious issue in a galaxy of contentious issues.

The Lesson of Baghdad Regarding Libya, I have a sense of

Iraq, it ultimately failed. This is because the decision-making structure of the Iraqi government that emerged from US occupation and the war is so fragmented it has failed even to craft a law on hydrocarbons, something critical to the future of Iraq. It was therefore in no position to reach consensus, or even a simple majority, over the question of a continued presence of foreign troops. Many Iraqis did want a US presence, particularly those concerned about their fate once the United States leaves, such as the Kurds and Sunnis. The most important point is not that the Iraqis decided they did not want troops; it is that the Iraqi government was in the end too incoherent to reach any decision.

The strategic dimension to this is enormous. The Iranians have been developing their influence in Iraq since before 2003. They have not developed enough power to control Iraq outright.

There are too many in Iraq, even among the Shiite, who distrust Iranian power.

Nevertheless, the Iranians have substantial influence - not enough to impose policies but enough to block any they strongly object to. The Iranians have a fundamental national security interest in a weak Iraq and in the withdrawal of American forces, and they had sufficient influence in Baghdad to ensure

the Iranians a more stable platform from which to operate. While the Saudis have tried to have it both ways by seeking to maintain influence without generating anti-Saudi feeling, the Iranian position has been more straightforward, albeit in a complex and devious way. Let us consider what is at stake here: Iran has enough influence to shape some Iraqi policies. With the US withdrawal, US allies will have to accommodate themselves both to Iran and Iran’s supporters in the government because there is little other choice. The withdrawal thus does not create a stable balance of power; it creates a dynamic in which Iranian influence increases if the Iranians want it to and they certainly want it to. Over time, the likelihood of Iraq needing to accommodate Iranian strategic interests is most likely. The possibility of Iraq becoming a puppet of Iran cannot be ruled out. And this has especially wide regional consequences given Syria.

The Role of Syria Consider the Libyan contrast with Syria. Over the past months, the Syrian opposition has completely failed in bringing down the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad. Many of the reports received about Syria originate from antiAssad elements outside of Syria who

draw a picture of the impending collapse of the regime. This simply hasn’t happened, in large part because AlAssad’s military is loyal and well organized and the opposition is poorly organized and weak. The opposition might have widespread support, but sentiment does not defeat tanks. Just as Gaddafi was on the verge of victory when NATO intervened, the Syrian regime does not appear close to collapse. It is hard to imagine NATO intervening in a country bordering Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon given the substantial risk of creating regional chaos. In contrast, Gaddafi was isolated politically and geographically.

Syria was close to Iran before the uprising. Iran has been the most supportive of the Syrian regime. If al Assad survives this crisis, his willingness to collaborate with Iran will only intensify. In Lebanon, Hezbollah - a group the Iranians have supported for decades - is a major force. Therefore, if the US withdrawal in Iraq results in substantial Iranian influence in Iraq, and al Assad doesn’t fall, then the balance of power in the region completely shifts.

This will give rise to a contiguous arc of Iranian influence stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea running along Saudi Arabia’s northern border and along the length of Turkey’s southern border. Iranian influence also will impact Israel’s northern border directly for the first time. What the Saudis, Turks and Israelis will do about this is unclear. How the Iranians would exploit their position is equally unclear.

Contrary to their reputation, they are very cautious in their overt operations, even if they take risks in their covert operations. Full military deployment through this region is unlikely for logistical reasons if nothing else. Still, the potential for such a deployment, and the reality of increasingly effective political influenc e regardless of military movement, is strategically significant.

The fall of al Assad would create a firebreak for Iranian influence, though it could give rise to a Sunni Islamist regime. The point here, of course, is that the decision to withdraw from Iraq and the inability to persuade the Iraqi government to let US forces remain has the potential to change the balance of power in the region. Rather than closing the book on Iraq, it simply opens a new chapter in what was always the subtext of Iraq, namely Iranian power. The civil war in Iraq that followed the fall of Saddam Hussein had many dimensions, but its most strategically important one was the duel between the United States and Iran. The Obama administration hopes it can maintain US influence in Iraq without the presence of US troops.

Given that US influence with the presence of troops was always constrained, this is a comforting, though doubtful, theory for Washington to consume.

The Libyan crisis is not in such a highstakes region, but the lesson of Iraq is useful. The NATO intervention has set the stage for a battle among groups that are not easily reconciled and that were held together by hostility to Gaddafi and then by NATO resources. —Stratfor

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Years

www.kuwaittimes.net

Actress Berenice Marlohe poses for photographs at the photo call for the new James Bond film titled Skyfall, at a central London restaurant venue, yesterday. The film is the 23rd in the series, and goes into production on November 7, 2011. —AP

Te c h n o l o g y FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Facebook

gets ‘hacky’ in its new home SAN JOSE: Ever since Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook in his Harvard dorm room in 2004 and moved to Palo Alto, Calif., four months later, the company has occupied temporary, rented space. But for the first time in its new Menlo Park, Calif., campus, Facebook is its own landlord.

That means the social networking company, never shy about using its offices to broadcast its upstart hacker identity, is taking self-expression to a new level in its first permanent home. From exposing structural steel girders and offering them as another site for employee graffiti, to choosing bare plywood as the ceiling material over employee walkways, Facebook’s ongoing transformation of the buttoned-down former Sun Microsystems campus is meant to telegraph that the company itself remains a work in progress.

“This is finished. Wel l, it’s actually unfinished,” said Facebook real estate chief John Tenanes, as he walked through a section of the Menlo Park campus where cutaway walls and ceilings prompted a visitor to wonder whether the renovations were complete. “Because our job is never done, we’re only 1 percent of the journey.

That’s what Mark’s mantra is — we’re only 1 percent” along in the changes Facebook hopes to bring to the Int ernet.

At home Tenanes recently led a reporter and photographer through what will soon be Facebook’s first permanent home. The aesthetics behind Facebook’s new digs say much about the company’s corporate values and beliefs _ including its sense of urgency as a company.

About 500 Facebook employees, including the company’s legal and finance departments, have already moved to Menlo Park. Tenanes’ task is to complete renovations to enough of the nine-building former Sun complex to house an additional 1,400 employees by the end of the year, with work on the rest of the existing campus due to be completed by next summer _ allowing the fast-growing company to accommodate 3,600 workers.

“We’re under the gun here a little,” Tenanes acknowledged, standing in the 1,200-foot long courtyard that will be the central artery, where the view was dominated by dirt, construction equipment and half-painted buildings.

In a timetable that provides one measure of Facebook’s growth, the company hopes to build an entirely new West Campus across the street, and win approval to house a combined 9,400 workers in the East and West campuses by the first quarter of 2014.

As in other Facebook offices, all the overhead heating and cool ing ductwork in the new campus is exposed, with power and data cables hanging from the ceiling to individual work spaces. (To foster collaboration, Facebook employees don’t have offices or cubicles; virtually everyone

works side by side at long undivided tables.)

In Menlo Park, however, Facebook has taken the unfinished look even further.

Employees can still write on the wall. But in the new campus, Face book has added floor-to-ceiling blackboards where employees have additional opportunities for self-expression — including, as one person had written in blue chalk, “Don’t be Googley,” a wry poke at Facebook’s biggest rival.

Throughout, Tenanes and his design team have tried to emphasize a scrappy irreverence, an on-the-cheap, do-ityourself-ism that characterizes the computer hacker culture Facebook embraces.

Facebook, for example, won’t remove the “Sun Microsystems” logo from many doors it reused from the former owner.

Tenanes would only say the Sun logos are “artifacts” of an earlier era in Silicon Valley. They also are a pointed reminder its culture internally. “It’s architecture as a management tool,” Hess said.

Throughout the central courtyard, Tenanes and his designers are trying to bring a sense of place to the campus. The central courtyard will get a stand-alone wooden BBQ shack, and the long courtyard will be lined with everything from food and coffee stands, to walk-up laptop repair counters, and possibly even space for a resident artist.

Perhaps fittingly, Facebook’s big man on campus gets the most social workspace — on the ground floor facing the birch-lined space that is the widest area of the five-acre courtyard.

“This will just be an open plaza,” Tenanes said, standing in the dirt outside what will be Zuckerberg’s new workspace come late December. “It’ll be totally a place to hang out.”

to employees about the fate of tech companies that fail to lead the wave of innovation.

“It’s a really cool new space,” said Rob Lauer, a Facebook employee who was traversing one of the building’s hallways on a skateboard while on a break. “It feels really hacky because there’s a lot of construction going on - but that’s Facebook.”

Broadcasting a brand From the GM headquarters in Detroit to the Chrysler building in New York, companies have long used architecture to broadcast their brand, said Alan Hess, an architect and architecture critic for the San Jose Mercury News.

The Facebook headquarters “is very different from what the new Apple headquarters would be, which is extremely controlled” architecture, but Facebook is also using architecture to project its brand externally, as well as transmitting

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Truth about ups and downs Parents of children with Down syndrome speak out

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t was in the recovery room at Akron City Hospital that Meghan and Matt Wilkinson learned the news. Doctors suspected their newborn identical twins had Down syndrome. Meghan needed some time alone. After several attempts, she finally convinced her family to go get a bite to eat. That’s when she broke down. She prayed that the diagnosis was wrong. But she quickly discovered that it really didn’t matter; she had already fallen deeply in love with her boys. Besides, she reasoned, Down syn-

You are my one in a million babies.” Dr Harriet Feick, a neonatologist at Akron Children’s Hospital, broke the news to the Wilkinsons. Meghan said the thing she remembers most is that the doctor didn’t apologize. “She didn’t say ‘I’m sorry’ because there is nothing sorry about this sweet face,” she said, nudging one of the boys who was sitting between her and Matt in their Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, home.

Being upfront from the start with parents is important, Feick explained.

Twin nineteen-month-old brothers Casey (left) and Connor play at their home. — MCT drome was just a small part of what defined them - her “miracle men.”

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a perfect time to introduce you to the Wilkinsons and other inspiring children with DS and their parents. In the Wilkinsons’ case, the boys, Casey and Connor, are two in a million - literally. According to Down Syndrome Education International, identical twins with Down syndrome occur at the rate of 1 or 2 in a million pregnancies. Shortly after the babies were born on Dec 4, 2009, Meghan created a blog (http://caseynconnor12409.blogspot.co m/). The first entry began with a message to her children.

“I worry that I will be a good mother ... but I know for a fact there is not another person on earth that loves you more or the same way that I do,” wrote Meghan.

“I am honored to be your mother.

Everyday I thank God for you both. I think back to that first day of your lives and how I worried secretly that I had done something wrong to cause your (Down syndrome). I worried your dad would think I gave him ‘broken babies’ even though he denied that he thought that. I was certain that I caused this.

“I realize now that you two may not be the sons I had planned on but you are the sons God meant for me to have.

“Sometimes they hate you forever because, for some families, it’s not what they want to hear. And it is so upsetting ... that they have to be mad at someone and it’s often the person who first delivers the news,” the doctor said. But in time, Feick added, she is usually able to win them over. And it’s fascinating, she said, to watch a family go from devastation when the baby is born to undying love by the time they leave the hospital.

A diagnosis of Down syndrome does not have the same connotations it did decades ago, when those with the condition were sometimes institutionalized.

There have been vast improvements in education, job opportunities and acceptance, though there is still a lot of room for improvement. For at least part of their school day, children with special needs are generally placed in classrooms with students without disabilities.

On the work front, more jobs are needed, but organizations such as the Summit Developmental Disabilities Board assist in finding jobs and provide training and support. Hattie Larlham, a non-profit group, provides employment in popular industries such as food service, pet care and agriculture. That program is designed to help those with disabilities become self-sufficient and economically stable. While there may be

day-to-day challenges raising a child with Down syndrome, those problems are often countered with an outpouring of love. “If the hardest part of our day is how many hugs and kisses we are going to get, or how many times the boys are going to smile, then our lives are going to be awesome,” Meghan said.

In the last international study conducted in 1999, using data from the US, UK, New Zealand, France, and Singapore, researchers concluded that approximately 92 percent of women worldwide who receive a definitive prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling will choose to terminate their pregnancies.

Then, and now, only about 2 percent of pregnant women opt to have these invasive tests. But Dr. Brian Skotko, a physician in the Down Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital Boston and a member of the National Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors, said that perhaps as early as the end of this year a new blood test is expected to be available for all pregnant women that can determine whether a fetus has Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down syndrome. “The anticipation is that almost 100 percent of women will choose to get this non-invasive blood test - if it is accurate and it is reimbursed.

Therefore, we will see Down syndrome shift from a postnatal diagnosis to almost exclusively a prenatal diagnosis,” said Skotko.

So will Down syndrome slowly start to disappear? “Everyone who gets that diagnosis will now need to grapple with the very personal question: How do I proceed with this pregnancy?” Skotko said. Andi and Johnathon Fister knew prior to Emma’s birth on July 15 that she had Down syndrome. But they wanted nothing to do with abortion, though they were asked repeatedly by their first doctor whether they wanted to continue with the pregnancy.

“It was our baby. It wasn’t even a thought for us,” said Johnathon, sitting beside his wife in their Akron, Ohio, home, a pink-cheeked Emma in her mother’s arms. “Everyone deserves a life.” Generally, Dr. Feick said, the first thing parents want to know when testing is positive for Down syndrome is whether their child is going to be intellectually disabled. In response, the doctor explains it’s impossible to predict whether a child with the condition who is still in his mother’s womb will be high functioning. And she gently reminds them that it’s impossible to tell that about any fetus.

One complication that can often be predicted prenatally is serious cardiac disease, common in children with DS. “That may often be the piece that makes them say, ‘Well, I don’t want to put a baby through lots of surgeries. And they may not make it anyway,’” Feick said.

Those with Down syndrome are also at risk for other health issues including leukemia, respiratory complications, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and

hypothyroidism. But not all of those with DS have these health problems - such is the case, thus far, with the families we interviewed. “Some fall into normal intelligence,” said Feick, noting that they have remarkably high social IQs. “That’s why people always say they are friendly.

Though their total IQ may be low, they often seem smarter because they are so social. And that’s big,” said Feick.

“Because if you are pleasant, people like to have you around.”

One such fellow who oozes with personality is Adam Kuenzli. When he was born on July 4, 1983, his mother, Carol, suspected immediately that Adam had Down syndrome. When the baby was placed on her chest, Carol noticed that his eyes were typical of someone with the condition. Those suspicions grew when nurses refused to bring the baby to her room. Early the next morning, a pediatrician confirmed her intuition.

“The doctor told us that the baby had Down syndrome ... but that we would all work it out together,” Carol remembers.

“He told us to bring in the whole family.

He said everybody needs to hold him, hug him and bond with him and that he is going to learn everything, but at his own pace. “He said we would all experience Adam’s successes because we would all be working with him. ‘Every milestone he makes you get to celebrate,’ he added.”

When Adam graduated from Stow High School in 2001, he received the prestigious Principals Award. During then-unit principal Bill Humble’s speech, he told the audience that Adam constantly displayed the six pillars of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.

“I have seen him perform countless acts of kindness for others - both for his peers and the adults around school,” Humble said. With tears in her eyes, Carol joined the rest of the audience who stood in honor of her son. Today, Adam is a bagger at his neighborhood Acme Fresh Market and, among other things, is a swimmer with the Summit Special Olympics Athletic Club, a parentrun group that meets at the University of Akron. “I met a woman there,” Adam said. “Her name is Rachel. One of my dreams is to get married some day.

Another dream, and nothing against my parents, is to have a place of my own.”

Adam is a character, as witnessed in one of his hobbies. He has been watching reruns of “Dynasty,” the television soap opera that aired in the 1980s.

When he’s finished watching an episode, he takes a little time to think about the show, puts on some mood music and gets out his notebook. Then he rewrites it - removing Blake Carrington’s character from the script and replacing actor John Forsyth with himself. Playing opposite him is the character Sable Colby, played by actress Stephanie Beacham. As an English teacher at Stow’s Holy Family Catholic School, his mom couldn’t be prouder.

“He is on the 190th episode,” Carol said, patting Adam on the arm. — MCT

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Pumpkins

By Sawsan Kazak

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alloween might be over but pumpkins usually hang around a few months after at the super markets. This is a great time to take advantage of pumpkins’ good taste and nutritional value; not to mention much cheaper now that Halloween is over. Nothing says fall like pumpkin with cinnamon and spices.

Send your suggestions to: sawsank@kuwaittimes.net

• •

1 cup pumpkin seeds Optional: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, or other seasoning of choice

Rinse pumpkin seeds. Use your fingers to remove all the pulp. Drain pumpkin seeds and discard pulp. Spread out on a cookie sheet to dry overnight.

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed, dry skillet over medium heat. pumpkin seeds. Shake and stir the seeds constantly as they are toasting to prevent burning.

When the pumpkin seeds begin to get golden, start to pop open, and release their aroma, they are done.

Sprinkle hot toasted pumpkin seeds with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, or your choice of seasonings.

Toss to coat.

Cool pumpkin seeds before eating or storing.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 months or refrigerate up to 1 year.

If you like your toasted pumpkin seeds extrasalty, soak overnight in a solution of 1/4 cup salt to 2 cups of water. Dry an additional day, then proceed as above.

Pumpkin apricot jam

Skillet toasted pumpkin seeds

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5 pounds fresh pumpkin 1-1/2 pounds granulated white sugar 1 pound brown sugar 1 pound dried apricots, chopped into 1/2-inch chunks 1 pound seedless raisins 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 2 Tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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emove seeds from the pumpkin. Cut into large chunks and peel off skin. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Place in a heavy cooking pot, cover with water, and cook until tender. Drain off water. Mash cooked pumpkin and press through a ricer or sieve to remove any strings. Stir white and brown sugars into the hot pumpkin until wellcombined. Let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate 12 hours. Place mashed pumpkin into a large pot. Add apricots, raisins, lemon juice, ginger, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook until thick, mashing occasionally with the back of a large spoon. Pour pumpkin apricot jam into canning jars and process in a water bath for 10 minutes according to the canner’s recommendations.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

1cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup pumpkin puree fresh cooked or canned 1 tbs sugar 1 cup 2% milk 2 eggs, separated

2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt (use less if on a low sodium diet) 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tbs vegetable oil

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Spicy pumpkin cookies

ombine dry ingredients and spices in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together, pumpkin puree, egg yolks, milk, and vegetable oil. Stir wet ingredient into dry ingredients. Use a mixer to beat egg whites until peaks form. Then, fold them into the batter. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto a greased griddle and cook until golden brown. Serve with syrup.

1 /4 cup soft butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup Cooked (or canned) 1 Egg 1cup Flour 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped almonds(or walnuts) 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon Ginger 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup diced, candied orange peel

P

re-heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour with Baking Powder, Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluy. Beat in egg and pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture.

Add in nuts, orange peel and raisins, mixing well. Drop rounded teaspoonful of dough onto a cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with spoon. Bake 20 minutes.

Curried pumpkin soup

Pumpkin pancakes

1/3 Cup chopped onion 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. curry powder 2 tbsp butter or margarine 1 cup pureed pumpkin (or about 1/2 can of pumpkin) 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp. sugar 2 cups veggie broth (or chicken broth) 1 1/2 cups milk 1 tbsp cornstarch 2 tbsp heavy cream

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n large pan cook onion, garlic, and curry in the butter or margarine for a few minutes until onion is tender. Add pumpkin, nutmeg, sugar and the bay leaf. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. Take out the bay leaf. Stir in 1 cup of the mild and cook over low heat for a few minutes. In another bowl, stir together the remaining milk and the cornstarch until dissolved, then add it to the pan. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook a couple more minutes.

Marbled chocolate-pumpkin brownies 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1 cup canned pumpkin 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

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reheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Grease the foil; set pan aside. In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese and the 1 tablespoon butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar. Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in 1 egg, the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the cinnamon, and ginger until combined. Stir in the 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.

In a small bowl stir together the 1-1/4 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large saucepan combine the chocolate and 3/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.

Gradually add the 2-1/4 cups sugar, beating with an electric mixer on low speed just until combined. Add the 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk and the 2 teaspoons vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture just until combined. Spread chocolate mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture in several mounds on top of the chocolate batter. Using a narrow metal spatula, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate batter. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts.

Bake about 60 minutes or until center is just set when pan is gently shaken. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of pan. Cut into brownies.

3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 3/4 cup butter, cut up 2 1/4 cups sugar 4 eggs 1/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

THEY ARE THE 99!

99 Mystical Noor Stones carry all that is left of the wisdom and knowledge of the lost civilization of Baghdad. But the Noor Stones lie scattered across the globe - now little more than a legend. One man has made it his life’s mission to seek out what was lost. His name is Dr. Ramzi Razem and he has searched fruitlessly for the Noor Stones all his life. Now, his luck is about to change - the first of the stones have been rediscovered and with them a special type of human who can unlock the gem’s mystical power. Ramzi brings these gem - bearers together to form a new force for good in the world. A force known as ... the 99!

THE FASCINATING STORY OF THE 99 Baghdad lies in ruins, destroyed by the marauding armies of Hulagu Khan. The brave librarians of the great Dar Al-Hikma rush to save the glory of the ancient world’s accumulated wisdom, little knowing that centuries later their efforts will bear strange fruit. While the Noor Stones were created to save the library, their power has transcended that task and in our own time has provided extraordinary abilities to an international group of young people, the world’s newest superheroes known as… The 99.

The 99 ® and all related characters ® and © 2011, Teshkeel Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

www.the99.org

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travel

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Top 10 honeymoon destinations Where to start your happily ever after

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nce the wedding is over and the last guest has left, most couples look forward to their honeymoon — five days, a week, maybe more, of unwinding, relaxing and spending quality time together in an exotic spot somewhere around the world. Honeymoons come in all shapes and sizes — a beach vacation, a safari, a ski trip — and are based more on the couple’s joint-personality than on tradition. This list is just a snapshot of 10 of the world’s hottest honeymoon destinations — from sunny beaches to snowcapped mountains and even fairy tale theme parks.

Camino Real Acapulco Diamante Acapulco, Mexico Once the honeymoon destination for John and Jackie Kennedy, Acapulco is still a popular place for newlyweds celebrating their new life together.

Temperatures hover in the 80s throughout the year, and the warm water is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. As if that’s not enough to tempt you, the prices in Acapulco are affordable and can allow for an unforgettable honeymoon even on a tight budget. The Camino Real offers welldesigned rooms overlooking the private Pichilingue Beach, as well as fine dining and a variety of activities. The hotel’s convenient location allows guests to appreciate the night life of Acapulco by night and the natural beauty of the beaches by day.

What’s Cool: Two adults-only pools for a quiet escape The Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada So maybe you didn’t escape to Las Vegas to elope, but who says you can’t celebrate your nuptials at this hot destination? Sin City is an ideal place for newlyweds looking for an action-packed and exciting honeymoon, while having the option of being pampered, all for a reasonable price. The Bellagio offers fine accommodations and a fun night life, but also gourmet dining, stunning gardens, an elaborate pool complex, a first-class spa and even fine art on display. Las Vegas’ romantic side is undeniable, and the whirlwind of available activities is sure to provide an unforgettable vacation.

What’s Cool: Stunning gardens make an ideal setting for a romantic stroll

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Alberta, Canada Prefer to spend this precious time with your honey making snow angels rather than slathering on sunscreen? Situated on the edge of the glacierfed Lake Louise, the Fairmont Chateau offers an abundance of winter sports creating a heavenly honeymoon haven for snow bunnies. The wide variety of winter activities includes downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoeing, ice skating and even dog sledding. Guests can pamper themselves in the hotel’s spa and then set off for a romantic sleigh ride into the wilderness. The idyllic lake setting makes Chateau Lake Louise a popular honeymoon spot even in the warmer months, when guests can take advantage of the resort’s outdoor activities, which include horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hiking.

What’s Cool: Warm up with your sweetie by the fire after a romantic sleigh ride Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida There’s no better place for a fairy tale honeymoon for the bride and her Prince Charming than at Walt Disney World Resorts. Newlyweds can choose from packages such as the honeymoon escape, the deluxe escape and the romantic escape, which combines time at a Disney resort with a cruise to the Bahamas. Packages include accommodations and park passes, as well as a choice of amenities including honeymoon pictures at Disney sites or a couple’s spa treatment. True Disney fans can bring the whole wedding to Disney World with a customized-theme wedding at the park.

What’s Cool: Plan a private fireworks cruise Amankila Mangiss, Bali, Indonesia Even savvy world travelers can find fresh and enchanting destinations to celebrate a new life together — it just may require some more time onboard. One such spot is tucked away on the island of Bali in Indonesia. Amankila translates to “peaceful hill,” and this popular resort meets the expectations of its name. Overlooking the Lombok Strait in East Bali, the Amankila offers stunning views of the sea and a lovely three-tiered pool. A day away from the resort promises an experience of rich culture steeped in religious tradition at one of the island’s 10,000 temples.

What’s Cool: Book the Deluxe Pool Suite with your own private pool Grand Hotel Florence Florence, Italy If it’s romance you’re looking for, a trip to Florence guarantees starry eyes, hearty meals, amazing art and much more. Like a room with a view? Housed in a former 18th-century palace overlooking the Arno river, the rooms at the Grand Hotel are oozing with Florentine culture. Rooms are still fit for royalty, decorated with frescoes and marble. The hotel is ideally situated near the picture-worthy Duomo cathedral, the splendid Uffizi Gallery and the shops at Ponte Vecchio. This need not be the only stop on a Mediterranean adventure, and many honeymooners may choose to travel on to other Italian hot spots, such as Rome, Venice and the Amalfi coast.

What’s Cool: The stained-glass ceiling in the hotel bar sets an Old World romantic mood Caneel Bay St. John, US Virgin Islands Located on the 5,000-acre Virgin Islands National Park, the Caneel Bay resort is surrounded by seven beaches and offers a wide range of pampering and activities — a visit to Honeymoon Beach is a must for all lovebirds. Some rooms have ocean views and a patio that opens right onto the beach, while the resort’s most extravagant lodging option is a private cottage. Daytime activities include relaxing on the beach or participating in the resort’s many activities, which include scuba diving, kayaking and yoga-for-two classes. The food is top-notch and the Beach Terrace offers the highly praised grand buffet on Monday nights overlooking Caneel Beach.

What’s Cool: Inquire about their complete wedding planning service and get married at the hotel!

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia Nestled on an island in the lagoon of Bora Bora, this resort invites newlyweds to revel in post-wedding privacy in a bungalow perched above the lagoon on high stilts. The Canoe Breakfast brings the morning nosh to new levels as breakfast and fresh flowers are loaded into a canoe and delivered to your room. While the resort offers many evening entertainment options and group activities, honeymooners can escape the crowds with a

private barbecue for two on a secluded island.

Guests snorkel and relax while their personal chef prepares an island feast served on fine china and linens in the great outdoors.

What’s Cool: Guests can either relax on the beach or participate in some exciting activities, including safari tours and shark feedings on the water.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Beach Resort & Casino Palm Beach, Aruba Some honeymooners are looking for an action-packed vacation while others just want to soak in the rays and relax. For those who fall in the latter group, Aruba is an ideal destination with its near-perfect weather and beautiful beaches. Only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, this small space is packed with enough beaches, restaurants, nightclubs and casinos to delight even the most finicky members of the just-married set. The focus is on serenity by day, when couples can enjoy the island’s fine beaches, pool complexes and spas, and on action at night, when the island’s clubs and casinos come alive. Meet Lady Luck, but be careful not to lose your shirt at the Copacabana Casino, which re-creates the feeling of Rio at Carnival time.

What’s Cool: A variety of culinary experiences to please every palate — from sushi to tapas to the popular “Fajitas and Ritas” special featuring Mexican food and margaritas Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Big Island, Hawaii Say “aloha” to romance at this Four Seasons resort, where you can spend your days lounging by the adults-only Palm Grove Pool or exploring the natural King’s Pond pool before heading off to the luxurious spa for a relaxing couple’s massage.

The Ultimate Honeymoon Package offers a rental car for your stay, a romantic private dinner on the beach (one night only) and breakfast daily. Guests can indulge their senses during the day and unwind at sunset with a mai tai at the Beach Tree Bar before heading to the second-floor Makai Terrace for an intimate first-class dinner overlooking the ocean.

What’s Cool: First-floor rooms have a private outdoor shower (www.travelchannel.com)

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travel

Years

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2011

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onths in the making, Budget Travel’s annual list of the hottest budget destinations focuses on destinations that are as fun as they are affordable. Some of our picks (like Estonia’s capital, Tallinn) are upand-coming, while others (like Dublin) are classics that have recently dropped in price.

Best of all, we don’t just tell you where to go, we also share the ideal season to visit, where to stay, and what airlines to fly to maximize your savings. Wherever we send you, the key is in the timing: right now.

DUBLIN, IRELAND Why in 2011: Ireland’s banks are struggling-the country recently accepted a $112 billion bailout from the European Union-but the economic turmoil has an upshot for tourists: kind prices. Exchange rates have improved by 7 percent over last year and lodging prices are the lowest of any major city in Western Europe. In fact, scoring a bed in Dublin costs 7 percent less than it did in 2009.

Restaurants are similarly well-priced; even the Michelin-starred Chapter One is offering a four-course, pre-theatre menu for $65-a bargain when you consider that a full meal is $105. And transportation is equally cheap: Dublinbikes, the city’s cycle-share program, rents out bikes for $2.50 for three days, and rides clocking in at 30 minutes or less are free.

Even the $13 tax levied on Dublin International Airport travelers will soon be slashed to $4 in an effort to boost tourism.

LISBON, PORTUGAL Why in 2011: As Portugal liberalizes-it became the sixth European nation to OK gay marriage in May 2010-its capital is transforming into a hotbed of dining, shopping, and art.

According to Hotel.com’s 2010 Hotel Price Index, Lisbon is the third city in the world (after Warsaw and Marrakech) where luxury comes cheapest: on average, a five-star hotel room rings up at a mere $153 a night. Plus, four-star hotel rates have fallen 5 percent since 2009. In spite of its much publicized money woes, the country has beefed up infrastructure in recent years, spending millions of

dollars to improve highways and Lisbon’s public-transportation system ($5 buys you a one-day metro pass). Best of all, because Lisbon is a major European hub, flights are abundant. U.K. budget airline easyJet will open a base in Lisbon this winter, so even if you can’t fly direct from the U.S., you can score a cheap connecting flight from lots of European cities, like London and Barcelona (even now, one-way flights to Lisbon from London start at $44).

Best time to visit Lisbon: Spring. The country’s climate is similar to southern California’s, which means going in May lets you skip summer’s crowds without compromising on warm, sunny weather (temps average 70 degrees). It’s also the month that outdoor festivals kick into gear, including IndieLisboa, a popular 11-day event devoted to independent Portuguese films.

TALLINN, ESTONIA Why in 2011: Two decades ago, this tiny republic was in the clutches of the Soviet Union; now it’s a full-fledged member of the EU (it adopted the Euro on January 1) and it’s fast becoming one of Eastern Europe’s vacation hotspots. Long eclipsed by nearby (and much pricier) destinations like Helsinki and St. Petersburg, Estonia’s capital offers everything from stunning architecture (in particular, the cathedrals in the medieval Old Town) to funky restaurants (one to try: Cafe VS, an Indian restaurant set in a dance club) to raging nightlife (liquor is dirt-cheap; a shot of Estonian vodka averages $1.75, and a bottle of domestic beer generally costs $2.50). On January 1 Tallinn kicked off a yearlong schedule of 7,000+ events-concerts, dance festivals, museum exhibits and more-to celebrate being crowned a 2011 European Capital of Culture. Plus, increasing flight capacity means airfares are likely to decrease-Estonian Air will double its flights to London in March and discount carriers EasyJet and RyanAir are boosting their number of trips to Tallinn.

TALLINN, ESTONIA Why in 2011: Two decades ago, this tiny

republic was in the clutches of the Soviet Union; now it’s a full-fledged member of the EU (it adopted the Euro on January 1) and it’s fast becoming one of Eastern Europe’s vacation hotspots. Long eclipsed by nearby (and much pricier) destinations like Helsinki and St. Petersburg, Estonia’s capital offers everything from stunning architecture (in particular, the cathedrals in the medieval Old Town) to funky restaurants (one to try: Cafe VS, an Indian restaurant set in a dance club) to raging nightlife (liquor is dirt-cheap; a sho t of Estonian vodka averages $1.75, and a bottle of domestic beer generally costs $2.50). On January 1 Tallinn kicked off a yearlong schedule of 7,000+ events-concerts, dance festivals, museum exhibits and more-to celebrate being crowned a 2011 European Capital of Culture. Plus, increasing flight capacity means airfares are likely to decrease-Estonian Air will double its flights to London in March and discount carriers EasyJet and RyanAir are boosting their number of trips to Tallinn.

HOUSTON, TEXAS Why in 2011: Houston is home to Texas’s biggest shopping mall at 2.2 million square feet; 56,000 acres of green space; and the third most Fortune 500 companies in the country, but when it comes to prices, the U.S.’s fourth-largest city is all about scaling down. Hotel rates have dropped 5 percent since 2009 and four-star rooms are going for $96 according to a recent Hotwire report.

And while the city has 8,000 restaurants and a growing culinary scene-local restaurateurs Bryan Caswell and Monica Pope both snagged Best Chef nominations from the James Beard Foundation-good grub doesn’t require a splurge. The typical meal in Houston runs $32.50, more than $2.50 cheaper than the national average. Plus, the city is fl exing its cultural muscle (the Houston Zoo just unveiled its African Forest exhibit), and encouraging tourists to explore to their heart’s content with the Houston CityPASS, which offers access to any combination of six attractions-Space Center Houston, Houston Aquarium and Museum of

Fine Arts included-for $39 (a bargain when you consider that a similar pass goes for anywhere from $64 in San Francisco to $79 in New York).

Best time to go to Houston: The best odds for T-shirt weather and minimal rain are in late spring (April, May) and mid-autumn (October, November), but even in January, the coldest month, temperatures rarely dip below 63 degrees.

COLOMBIA Why in 2011: Forget drug lords and violent political rebels-that’s old news.

Colombia is not only safe, it has mass tourist appeal thanks to attractions ranging from gorgeous colonial cities to Caribbean beaches to Amazonian jungles. In the first quarter of 2010, tourism in Colombia grew 10.8 percent from the same period in 2009, thanks in large part to an 11 percent reduction in airfare. (Colombia recently opened its runways to low-cost carriers like JetBlue and Spirit, as part of an effort to attract U.S. travelers).

More ships are also sailing through the country’s ports-ocean cruises increased 16.2 percent in the past year, and several major lines, including Royal Caribbean and Princess, are offering itineraries that dock in Cartagena.

Plus, hotel deals abound after a construction boom across the country-the result of tax breaks and a strengthening economy. Of the 4,700 new rooms this year, nearly half of them will be in Bogot?, where a cro p of trendy boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs has popped up.

Best time to visit Colombia: The tropical climate means warm weather year-round, so the biggest damper is rain. Precipitation varies across the country, but in the more populated Andean region (which includes the cities of Bogot?, Cali and Medell?n), December through March is the dry season.

Unfortunately, ideal weather coincides with peak tour ism levels, so try April, when crowds-and prices-have thinned and rain hits only sporadically. (www.budgettravel.com)

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Years

Books

FRIDAY, NovemBeR 4, 2011

T

he rock’n’roll generation’s era lasted from Heartbreak Hotel to the death of Steve Jobs (an ex-counterculture dropout whose whole ethos was informed by rock’n’roll, and a love of Dylan and the Beatles, among others). Music was important to us, it was how we defined ourselves and it was what made us different to our parents, who felt alienated by its loudness, nihilism, hedonism and anti-authoritarian stance.

But now all that has come to an end. My kids can’t annoy me by playing loud music - I’m more likely to annoy them by saying that it’s all been done before, and isn’t really any different to the stuff I was listening to when I was their age. Modern music is one huge buffet from which modern kids can pick and choose any bits they like from the past 50 years. Everything is accessible and nothing is fresh. Music just isn’t that important any more - or so it seems.

Instead my kids are part of the digital generation, born to the bip-bip-bip of Space Invaders and 80s electro-pop. Their world revolves around the microchip. If you buy a new computer, you can take it out of its box, plug it in and instantly you are sitting there, like Captain Kirk, at the helm of an enormously powerful machine that can take you anywhere in the universe. A modern computer can be your office, your communications device, your reference library, you can listen to music on it, you can make music on it ... and, of course, you can play games.

To my kids, computer games are the most important thing in the world. In the same way that we might have waited for the new Rolling Stones album or the latest Clash single, my kids now wait expectantly for the new Fifa simulation, or the latest Gears Of War, and the amount of time they put into playing these games is terrifying to someone of my generation.

That’s the important part, though. That is how they’ve rebelled. It is the thing they do that I did not do when I was their age. I do play a lot of games, but gaming has not completely taken over my life.

For my boys, games are more important than TV, films, music and books. Because, of course, games incorporate all of those elements so comprehensively and so seductively.

Books have survived the coming of film, TV and rock’n’roll... and tomorrow’s novels can only be enriched by the likes of Grand Theft Auto OK, I must stop now and confess that I have no daughters.

Maybe girls are different? I know games aren’t such a big part of their world (although the biggest selling and most popular games of all time, such as The Sims and FarmVille, are those that appeal to girls more than boys). And speaking purely subjectively, my wife is obsessed by Angry Birds and Tiny Wings. Games are not going to go away, they are simply going to become more immersive, more beguiling and more time-devouring.

They are taking over. So I was delighted when they asked me to be a judge for the new GameCity prize.

GameCity is a computer games festival held annually in Nottingham, and the prize is the first major one of its type. The idea is to lift games out of the hands of the nerds and industry insiders and award them the cultural status of music, films or books. The aim is partly to find a way of talking about games, to find a language to stand alongside the languages of film or literary criticism, but it is also to make games respectable and accessible to the wider non-games-playing public.

The range of judges, including musician Nitin Sawhney, actress Frances Barber and Labour MP Tom Watson, reflected this ideal, coming as we did from the fields of music, literature, theatre, academia, politics and journalism. What we were asked to do was find a game that you could show to someone who

had never played anything before and say: “Look at this: this is what you’ve been missing out on, this is what games are capable of.”

It was an interesting selection as the shortlist had been compiled from suggestions by the industry itself, and was perhaps aimed too much at games nerds. It was interesting that none of the mega-blockbuster franchises were on the list. There was no Grand Theft Auto, or Halo, or Red Dead Redemption, no Assassin’s Creed or Call Of Duty (in some cases because they didn’t fit into the prize timeframe). It was a shame that there were no RPGs (role-playing games) with stories to tell and huge intricate worlds to explore - nothing like LA Noire to really show the novice gamers just what modern games are capable of. There was a feeling that the industry insiders who had made the list were perhaps trying too hard to be clever.

In the end we gave the prize to Minecraft, a world-building game that is as simple or as complex as you want to make it. It seemed to fulfil the criteria of a game that you would want to keep coming back to. It’s creative, immersive, neatly designed (everything is a cube) and will be fondly remembered for a very long time. It’s a game you get obsessed by and end up playing in your sleep, chopping down trees, mining resources, creating blocks, moving blocks, building blocky castles, avoiding Creepers. In truth it’s perhaps not so much a game as a creative resource and as it’s played in your web browser the graphics are not hugely complex. But, for me, that was part of its appeal. I hate games that use beautiful and elaborate visuals to try to distract from the fact that the gameplay is actually pretty rubbish. I would much rather a game plays well but doesn’t necessarily look amazing (though the best games do both).

As an author who also plays games, and the father of three boys who read books and play games, I often get asked whether I think games will kill off the novel, and the answer is no, of course they won’t. Books have survived the coming of films and TV, rock’n’roll and sudoku, and they will survive the coming of computer games. But they will be influenced by them, just as all those other media had their own impact and influence on books and, let’s not forget, were hugely influenced by them.

The best games have taken stuff from books (where would

computer games be without Tolkien, for instance?) and any novelist worth their salt should be taking stuff from games. What you don’t want are books that slavishly replicate the experience of playing a game because, well, why not just go and play a game instead? In the same way, you don’t want a game that gets bogged down with interminable cut-scenes and has only one, very rigid, way of being played. There are cleverer and more elegant ways of designing them, as demonstrated by the brilliant GTA series.

I am fully aware that if I write a book for kids, however, I am competing for their time and attention with computer games. I know that my books have to give young readers the same kick they get out of playing Call Of Duty: Black Ops in zombie mode.

So they are as full of action and adventure, bloodshed and zombies as any Xbox game, but they also do the one thing that games cannot do - they put you inside the minds of characters so that you can understand how they think and feel.

That’s the essential difference between books and games.

Games create worlds for you to play about in. The best of them are about you, the player. You are either God, in control of everything, or you are a grunt on the battlefields of the second world war, desperately fighting to stay alive. The best books are the ones that are about other people. Novels get inside people in a way that no other medium can. Reading, whether it’s from the pages of a book or the screen of a Kindle, is a very intimate, private and immersive experience, utterly different to any other medium. And that is why we will always read. And when we are not reading, we will play games.—Guardian

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Years

Books

FRIDAY, NovemBeR 4, 2011

Little Women

by Luisa May Alcott

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ho could forget the March children?

Apart from it being one of the greatest novels ever written, the characters are also equally timeless. Thre’s the every caring Meg, the wild-hearted and tomboy Jo, the sweet Beth, and the artist that’s Amy. It deals with issues about growing up, first loves, family, death, and doing whatever it takes to realize your dream, even if it means challenging the convention.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

by Mark Twain

The Catcher in the Rye

by JD Salinger

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ranted, this book is more contemporary than classic, but it will always be included, if not on top of my lists of book recommendations.

Holden Caulfield is like the patron of all angsty kids who went through the phase of hating everybody. He’s sarcastic, hates “phonies” and ultimately wants to get away from where his current situation.

We’ve all been Holden Caulfields before.

Heck, some of us may even be stuck still in that phase. Either way, you couldn’t help relating to him and laughing at all his angst and rants. The ending of the book is particularly rich and the entire novel and eye-opener. And even if you can’t relate to Holden, you couldn’t help but appreciate his sarcasm and wit.

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om Sawyer is one half of probably one of the most known duos of mischief, the other half being Huckleberry Finn. It’s a very nice read and it takes you back to your childhood when you would rather play all day instead of take a bath, fake a fever to skip school, talk to your first crush, and a lot more. But on a more serious note, the novel also shows you the glaring social discrimination present at that time. Nonetheless, it’s a nice and funny read, which balances out the weighty social issues tackled in the book as well.

The Great Gatsby

by F Scott Fitzgerald

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novel considered to be one of the Great American Novels, the Great Gatsby is a very poignant story of love and longing and what one man is willing to do to realize his dreams. Set in post-World War I America, it

depicts perfectly the people, their culture and their ways at that time.

In a way also, it reminds me of the short story Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez, but the novel is much darker and sadder.

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

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ne of the nicest and goodhumored love stories of all time, Pride and Prejudice also deals with serious matters while not forgetting to be a fun and easy read.

The story is set at a time when women are expected to behave a certain manner and whose best accomplishment in life should be to marry a rich gentleman, it challenges years of tradition, culture, and a lot of conventions when it comes to love, family, and reputation.

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Years

Beauty FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Benefits of a bare face:

How to look beautiful without makeup T

here are hundreds of tutorials on the internet explaining how to use makeup to create a no-makeup look. Of course, all of these tutorials makes a person wonder why the writers and experts don’t just skip the makeup altogether, instead of providing a long list of products that make your skin look dewy or sun-kissed. So rather than wear makeup that creates the illusion of not having makeup on, maybe you should read about the benefits of staying away from the makeup aisle and keeping a naked face.

Who has the time?

Not all women have money to buy a truckload of makeup products, nor do they have the time. We can’t all dedicate 30 minutes in front of a mirror before work or school just to apply makeup because let’s face it: it takes us 30 minutes just to roll out of bed in the morning. And don’t forget that at the end of each day, you’ll need to spend even more time trying to get the products off of your face, which will cost more money as you’ll have to buy makeup remover to get the job done right.

Misleading labels Although the makeup models you see on boxes are beautiful with thick eyelashes, flush cheeks, and perfect eyebrows, there’s no way you’ll be able to look like their picture ñ even if you spend all day in front of the mirror. Oftentimes, product labels will claim to improve skin tone and texture, but unfortunately, they fail at delivering on those promises. So if you’re expecting perfect outcomes with mascara, you’re going to be disappointed because most of the brushes that are labeled ìno clumpî will leave you with clumps that have to be worked out with an eyelash brush.

Youthful-looking face Women who choose to go out with no makeup on tend to appear more youthful, compared to women who take the time to apply makeup. You could be adding years to your face by wearing makeup if you’re not using the right foundation formula or shade. After all, some foundations fall into the smallest of creases on your face, which draws attention to the wrong areas.

You’ll get noticed The term associated with women who don’t wear makeup is low maintenance, and it’s a compliment. You’ll find that being able to feel confident with no makeup will get you noticed because men like women who are comfortable with the face they were born with. In fact, a lot of men prefer women who aren’t fussing with lipsticks and blushes every time they need to go to the grocery store.

to be 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Along with 8 hours of sleep, be sure to drink plenty of water and avoid sodas. These two things can greatly improve your skin’s complexion, and help heal the circles around your eyes.

2.Wash your face If your goal is to clear skin without using makeup, then washing your face twice a day should become part of your daily routine.

You’ll spend a fraction of the time washing your face as you would applying and removing makeup each day. Choose facial cleansers and exfoliates according to your specific skin type for best results.

3.Maintain your eyebrows Your eyebrows are the easiest feature to manipulate on your face. You can change the shape and size easily by visiting a salon, or by learning to wax and pluck eyebrows yourself. When you keep your eyebrows maintained, your face looks clean and puttogether without using makeup, while also framing your face and drawing attention to your eyes. But always be cautious as to not over-pluck, because this can create more problems for you in the future.

Touching your face When you don’t wear makeup, you’re able to rub your eye as often as you’d like (although it’s not recommended), and you don’t have to visit the restroom for touchups. Plus your face can become oily with makeup, and this requires oil blotting sheets. For some makeup looks to be complete, you’ll even need fake eyelashes, and when you have an eyelash in your eye, this can become extremely troublesome.

Whatever your reason for not wearing makeup is, it’s important to still look your best, and be confident with your natural beauty.

4.Moisturize your face and body Apply a moisturizer every day to your face and body. For your face, you’ll want to apply a moisturizer that includes an SPF ñ even on days that aren’t sunny. After all, the sun’s harmful rays can get to you even on overcast days. At night, you can use a nighttime moisturizer after you cleanse your skin; this will improve your moisture, and make your skin soft and smooth.

1.Beauty Rest Be sure that you are getting plenty of rest every night; the required amount is said

5.Diet The food you eat is very important for staying healthy and youthful. This being

said, you’ll want to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to make your skin glow. A trick is to eat one cup of fresh fruit or vegetables before every meal in order to get your full servings of important nutrients. Read about beauty foods to improve the look of your skin, hair and nails.

6.Hairstyle Before you decide on a hairstyle, be sure it will suit your face shape and hair type. Not every haircut will look good on every girl, and it’s very important not to have the wrong hairstyle since this distracts from your face, and can cause you to look unappealing.

7.Create healthy hair Only shampoo (how to choose hair shampoo and conditioner) your hair when it is needed; for the average woman, this is every other day, unless your hair frequently becomes oily. You’ll want to only apply conditioner to the ends, and pony-tail a section of your hair before rinsing well with cool water to boost your hair’s shine, softness and smoothness.

Assuming you can closely follow the aforementioned seven points, you’ll be on your way to looking good with no makeup required. (www.beauty-tips.net)

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Years

Style FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Top 10 hair straightening methods T

here are many different ways to create the sleek, shiny look of pin straight hair. Here is a review of the top ten methods of straightening hair, in no particular order. You will read here about hair straighteners, hair straightening products and it will be easier for you to choose your hair straightening method.

1.Shampoo and Conditioner: There are many shampoos and conditioners on the market today to help encourage your hair to straighten, but most need to be used in conjunction with another product. Be sure to look for products that can help protect your hair from the heat of blow drying or ironing, and choose a very good conditioner.

2.Silicone Serum: Adding a touch of silicone serum will give your hair extra shine, but be careful, as a little bit goes a long way.

3.Blow Dry Straight: Blowing drying is an effective way to straighten your hair, but it must be used with a protective product and you should use a

weekly conditioning treatment to keep your hair healthy. Remember that heat is not as important as a good strong air flow.

4.Ion Conditioning Blow Dryers: A new concept in blow drying hair, these blow dryers send negative ions to the hair, replacing moisture and protecting the hair, while also cutting down drying time.

5.Straightening balm: Usually used in conjunction with blow drying or ironing, a straightening balm can help cut down on frizz, especially in humid weather, and protect dry hair.

6.Chemical Straighteners: Chemical straighteners should always be applied by a professional, as everyone’s hair is different. The good news is that chemical straighteners can keep the hair straight for up to six months, but the hair needs a great deal of conditioning, blow dryers should be used sparingly, and adding color could damage the hair.

7.Thermal Reconditioning: This new

procedure, which was developed in Japan, is a permanent way to straighten hair, and is good for all types of hair.

The downside is that it takes a very long time and can be very expensive.

Finally, we’ll take a look at three different kinds of straightening irons: 1.Ceramic Hair Straighteners: Hair irons that have ceramic plates have extremely smooth surfaces, usually have no edges that will catch the hair, and heat up very quickly, in around thirty seconds.

2.Titanium Hair Straighteners: Hair irons with titanium plates infuse the hair with negative ions which help protect the hair and helps prevent colored hair from fading.

3.Steam Hair Straighteners: Steam is an effective way to straighten hair, but beware of badly made products that will eventually break down or cause hot water to spill on you as you iron your hair. (www.beauty-tips.net)

What kind of perfumes should I wear in winter?

W

hen asking what kind of perfumes should I wear in winter, the real question is which scents will evoke the seasonal fragrances and moods. In the summer, light perfumes always claim to elicit memories of warm days on the beach enjoying the sun and water. The fragrances are fruity or reminiscent of spring and summer flowers.

Winter perfumes, on the other hand, tend to be a bit heavier and evoke images of cool autumn and crisp winter days.

Instead of remembering when you were lying on the beach, you think of taking a long walk through fallen leaves or snuggling in a warm coat.

In the winter, most people wear more and heavier clothes.

Unlike spring and summer, there’s not as much skin exposed.

Perfumes worn in the winter should be able to overcome being mostly covered up with clothing, and that’s one reason the scents tend to be a bit stronger. The musk scent is a great example of a heavier scent more appropriate for winter than for summer.

Winter perfumes have scents that reflect the scents of the holidays and cold winter days also. For example, the scents may have a woody flair or remind the wearer of holiday desserts made with vanilla beans. Winter perfumes are usually sparsely worn so the scent is not overpowering. A winter perfume scent should be a subtle scent that makes the wearer think of sexy warmth.

What kind of perfumes should I wear in winter? When you ask that question, the answer is to wear one that works distinctly for you. The same scent will produce a different result on each person. What smells good on one person may smell entirely different on your body. When choosing a winter perfume scent, select those scents which remind you of the season. (www.beauty-tips.net)

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Health FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Foods to avoid to lose weight

S

ome of the well-known “diet” foods may surprise you because they are actually not healthy at all, and can sabotage your weight-losing efforts. This being the case, you should keep a watchful eye on the following foods because they cause weight gain.

What Not to Eat When Trying to Lose Weight

1.Flavored yogurt This is supposedly one of the best diet snacks to reach for when you’re trying to lose weight. But what some people fail to realize is that flavored yogurts contain double the amount of sugar as plain yogurt does. This means you could be adding more fat to your diet without even realizing it! The yogurts that are labeled “light” aren’t safe either since they also contain a lot of sugar.

unsalted almonds, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, and craisins. This combination is filling and heart-healthy! Pair this combination with fresh apples or grapes, and you’ll have a healthy snack or side dish for your meals.

4.Granola This seemingly harmless breakfast food appears to be nothing but good nutrition; however, just one cup without milk gives you 560 calories and almost 30 grams of fat! Granola bars, cookies, yogurt toppings, and breakfast cereals may taste like heaven, but for someone trying to lose weight, the result isn’t worth it.

Granola Tip: There are other alternatives to granola toppings on yogurt, cereals, and granola bars.

Look

Yogurt Tip: Instead of eating flavored yogurts, flavor the plain yogurts yourself by adding a teaspoon of 100% fruit juice, or add fresh fruit to boost the flavor. If this isn’t appealing, try eating Greek yogurt; it contains less sugar with twice the amount of protein, which helps keep you full between meals.

7.Breads Carbohydrates are largely responsible for people gaining weight. Breads are the most common source of carbohydrates in a person’s diet, so by eating less bread, you’ll limit the amount of carbs in your diet. You will also notice that salad dressings and other condiments have a high amount of carbs in them, so use these sparingly.

Sugar Tip: Instead of eating cakes or cookies, trade them in for graham crackers because these contain much less sugar than cookies or cakes.

You can also choose to eat fresh fruit instead of baked goods so you don’t overdose on carbs.

Trail Mix Tip: If you’re looking for a snack that is filled with protein and healthy fats, make your own trail mix at home; use

6.Diet Beverages The seemingly harmless diet soda you drink every day at lunch may be preventing you from losing weight. In fact, you’ll be more likely to gain weight while drinking zero calorie beverages because the artificial sugars found inside of these drinks trigger cravings for real sugars. And although diet sodas are sometimes a better choice than non-diet drinks, cutting these sodas out completely could help you lose more than 30 pounds in one year alone.

Beverage Tip: Nothing will quench your thirst for sodas, but the less you drink, the less you’ll want it. Trade your diet sodas for water, vegetable juices or milk.

2.Sugar-free desserts Leaving the sugar out of your diet is smart; however, if you’re being tricked into eating chemicals or fat with labels that say “sugar-free” you could very well be causing more harm than good. A lot of sugar-free desserts and candy contain sorbitol as an ingredient, which can give you diarrhea and bloating, and this isn’t good for anyone!

3.Trail mix Pre-packaged trail mixes that have dried fruit like banana chips contain 10 grams of fat because they are often deep-fried in bad oils. If you pick up a package of trail mix that contains yogurt dipped raisins, keep in mind that these are coated with partially hydrogenated oils that have saturated and trans fats. These pre-packaged mixes also have a lot of salt, which causes your body to bloat.

is to eat frozen fruits. Grapes are ideal for this; all you need to do is pop a bowl of seedless grapes into the freezer, then suck on them when you feel a sweet tooth coming on. You can also make freeze cubes using 100% orange and grape juice, and then throw them into a blender to make a slush-like substance. Add some frozen strawberries and bananas into the blender and you’ll have a refreshing drink!

for chopped nuts with dark chocolate or all-natural nut butters because these hold significantly less sugar and fats than granola. So instead of granola cereals, reach for an all-bran cereal or oatmeal in the morning.

5.Smoothies These fruit and ice mixtures seem to be the ideal go-to drink for dieters, but they are loaded with calories and fat. A lot of smoothies contain over 500 calories due to the sugars found inside.

Smoothie Tip: A good alternative to frozen drinks

Carbohydrates Tip: When you’re at restaurants or even going through a fast food joint, it’s okay to order a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard; what gets you into trouble is the mayonnaise and the bread.

You can remove the top of the bun, and order your burger without mayo to keep calories in check, as well as your carbohydrate intake in balance. (www.beauty-tips.net)

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Health FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Understanding stress: Symptoms, signs, causes, and effects M

odern life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands. For many people, stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life. Stress isn’t always bad. In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. But when you’re constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body pay the price.

age to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

analogy to describe the three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress:

The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.

How do you respond to stress?

It’s important to learn how to recognize when your stress levels are out of control. The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to

Foot on the gas - An angry or agitated stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.

Foot on the brake - A withdrawn or depressed stress response. You shut down,

The Body’s Stress Response When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.

These hormones rouse the body for emer-

If you frequently find yourself feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, it’s time to take action to bring your nervous system back into balance. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects.

What is stress Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger - whether it’s real or imagined the body’s defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fightor-flight” reaction, or the stress response.

The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life - giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.

The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you’d rather be watching TV. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major dam-

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms Cognitive Symptoms ● Memory problems ● Inability to concentrate ● Poor judgment ● Seeing only the negative ● Anxious or racing thoughts ● Constant worrying Emotional Symptoms ● Moodiness ● Irritability or short temper ● Agitation, inability to relax ● Feeling overwhelmed ● Sense of loneliness and isolation ● Depression or general unhappiness

it. It starts to feels familiar even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll.

The signs and symptoms of stress overload can be almost anything. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently.

Stress doesn’t always look stressful Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving

space out, and show very little energy or emotion.

Foot on both - A tense and frozen stress response. You “freeze” under pressure and can’t do anything. You look paralyzed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.

Signs and symptoms of stress overload The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress.

gency action.

Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus - preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand. (www.helpguide.org)

All about weight loss pills M

any of us are tempted by the promise of a quick fix that is offered by weight loss pills.

The truth is, many of these pills, whether they claim to be herbal, and therefore “good for you”, or not can have very negative and sometimes long lasting effects on the body, and some are just plain dangerous. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at three types of weight loss pills and why they are bad for you.

One popular type of weight loss pills are used to reduce the appetite. This may be tempting for those that have overeating issues, but they can actually be quite dangerous. It has been well documented that these pills, which often include substances such as phentermine, fenfluramine, sibutramine and diethylpropion, can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, heart palpitations or high blood pressure.

Drugs that block the body’s ability to absorb fats, such as Orlistat, are dangerous because the body does need natural fats found in healthy foods in order to function. Blocking these fats can result in a vitamin deficiency and a whole host of digestive track problems, from diarrhea to bowel inconsistency.

Other diet pills are nothing more than diuretics, which force out the body’s supply of water. While diuretics can have positive effects for those that are suffering from a build up of water or swelling, when used as a form of weight loss pills they can be quite dangerous. While they may be successful in ridding the body of excess water, if used in the long term they can flush the water that is stored in the kidneys and liver, which they desperately need to function.

Remember, our bodies are made up of around seventy percent of water, from our blood to our brains.

After all, you need to be getting rid of fat, not water! (www.beauty-tips.net)

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Arts

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Visions of Alice:

The little girl at the heart

of Wonderland One of the most recognizable figures in fiction is Alice, the little girl at the heart of Lewis Carroll’s two classic stories.

An exhibition at Tate Liverpool follows her development from John Tenniel’s original illustrations

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o word exists for imaginary characters such as Hamlet, or Frankenstein and his Creature, who have developed autonomous life, leaping off the stage or out of a book, who add to the variety of human personalities we all know and offer us compass bearings.

Of all such figments, the most recognizable must be Alice, the little girl questor at the heart of Lewis Carroll’s two classic stories, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There (1871).

It’s perhaps surprising that an art gallery, rather than a library, is holding a huge survey exhibition about Alice, but then Carroll’s creation has been and still is the inspiration of artists, photographers, theatrical designers, animators, filmmakers. The new Tate Liverpool show explores this territory, from the author’s own rarely seen manuscript illustrations and marvelously evocative biographical materials (Carroll’s perceptive and often lyrical photographs, works of art by his pre-Raphaelite friends) to the Surrealists, for whom Alice became a cherished myth. The Surrealist movement is represented by some of the most potent works in the exhibition: Salvador Dal?’s illustrated edition of Alice, and the finest painting in Dorothea Tanning’s oeuvre, the eerie Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, with sunflowers bursting colossal tentacles around the little girl with her hair on end in spikes of flame. The Surrealist legacy is still very fertile, in the context of a growing return to myth, fairytale and romanticism. Alice is the prototype of wise child and naive innocent as seen in the vision not only of such artists as Peter Blake and Graham Ovenden, but of their successors in disquiet, Annelies ?trba and Alice Anderson, practitioners of the contemporary uncanny who give a new feminist twist to the heroine. Alice has grown older and more knowing than her original model, and turned into the receptacle of erotic dreams, a femme enfant with whom women artists strongly identify: the knowledge you are Alice as strong as the longing for her. The character of Alice was inspired by Alice Liddell, the second daughter of the growing family who came to live in the Deanery, Christ Church, the college where Charles Dodgson was a fellow.

A very pretty child with a melancholy cast of fea-

ture, she became the dearest of the author’s child-friends, his chief love from among a host of girls - and boys - whom he entertained with puzzles, riddles, jokes, poems, gadgets, ditties and caricatures. He had begun photographing children several years before he wrote the Alice stories. He would focus on the families of artists, inviting himself into the houses of Rossetti, Millais, Arthur Hughes, and the fantasy writer George Macdonald, in a forward way that seems at odds with the shy, stammering persona of the rather undistinguished mathematics lecturer, who was deaf in one ear, and very partial to jelly and cakes. The eccentric and miraculous creator of Alice was one of history’s great refusers. Like Kafka, with whom he has more in common than usually recognized, Dodgson could never resolve himself to move to the next stage of his life: he never took holy orders, never rose in the college hierarchy, never married. He was happy only in the company of children. However, he looked after a large number of other unmarried siblings (especially after he made so much money with the Alice books), campaigned against vivisection, seems to have devised the single transferable vote, and successfully pressed to improve the living conditions of child performers.

Today, Lewis Carroll might be under surveillance and, if not in prison, tagged. His sexuality caused him “unspeakable torments”, writes Carroll’s assiduous biographer, Morton Cohen.

Yet, as Penelope Fitzgerald pointed out, “we can consider ourselves fortunate”, since his diverted sexual energy “was in all probability the source of his genius”.

The first Alice story was originally called Alice’s Adventures under Ground, but Carroll thought this sounded as if it might contain “instructions about mines”. Elf-land was another possibility he considered, before he decided - momentously on Wonderland. But his first idea of an underworld reveals the connection of the Alice books to forebears among dream visionaries who descended into the nether regions, such as Dante and Blake. Carroll was above all a parodist, who fired in his own kiln a great original work from the rubble of others. This member of the Anglican clergy shows very little sign of Christian faith, evincing instead a passionate up-to-the-minute

engagement with nascent ideas about the unconscious, fantasy and altered states. He translated Christian eschatology into early psychological delvings into terrors and absurdity - Alice is opposed and frustrated at every turn, but she’s a dissenter not a collaborationist, and keeps speaking up against the way the people and animalcharacters she encounters insist on the rightness of their way of doing things. A little girl raises a voice of common sense against the arbitrary rules and unjust commandments of the grown-up world; the picture of adult repressiveness was written to cheer her up, as it has done so many readers since.

The dream child who is also a dreamer of truths, and the Carroll vision of the folly of the world are only two of the myriad themes that have excited artists. The Tate show reveals a lineage of art works that have not been explored before: the long interest, especially in this country from the early Victorian era onwards, in graphic illustration. The future Lewis Carroll was born during the heyday of a form of British art that has been sidelined as minor for too long, and the story of Alice’s rise to mythic status also belongs to this history of a great 19th-century enterprise: the picture book. Thomas Bewick, a pioneer of the form, is vividly remembered, for example, by Charlotte BrontÎ in Jane Eyre (1847). In the novel, Jane is also a little girl at the beginning and we see her happily mind-voyaging through the pages of Bewick’s History of British Birds: Jane confides to us how “Each picture told a story; mysterious often to my undeveloped understanding and imperfect feelings, yet ever profoundly interesting: as interesting as the tales Bessie sometimes narrated on winter evenings ... and when, having brought her ironing-table to the nursery-hearth, she allowed us to sit about it, and ... fed our eager attention with passages of love and adventure taken from old fairy tales and other ballads ...

“With Bewick on my knee, I was then happy: happy at least in my way.”

Charles Dodgson was 15 when BrontÎ’s novel exploded into Victorian consciousness, but he doesn’t have to have known this book directly for us to imagine that he knew and even shared the heroine’s feelings. When Alice thinks crossly, at

the beginning of Wonderland, about her sister’s reading matter, “What is the use of a book without pictures or conversation?” she speaks as a Victorian child from a similar background as young Charles Dodgson. For a family like the Dodgsons, living far from the metropolis in not very affluent circumstances in a draughty rectory, illustrated magazines such as Punch were the principal vehicle by which pictures reached them, and they contributed a crucial element in the world that formed the creator of Alice.

As a boy, Carroll made up family miscellany magazines with lots of drawings by himself and his brother Wilfred, copied from pictures that came their way: his early attempts look like Edward Lear’s cartoons, and he recycled several of the poems and jokes for the Alice books: part of “Jabberwocky”, for instance, appears in one of these family magazines, Mischmasch, as a “Stanza of Anglo-Saxon Poetry”, written out in pretence runes. The author of Alice grasped intuitively the power of images to imprint themselves on the collective consciousness in the age of mechanical reproduction. For many years, he tried to make the Alice pictures himself, and their awkwardness sharpens his fantasy’s quirky weirdness. The Tate show includes the original sketches Dodgson drafted - of Alice, the White Rabbit, the Gryphon, the Mock Turtle, and the Caterpillar, as well as the earliest version of the “Long-Tale”, a pioneering “calligramme”, or picture-poem, in the form of a mouse’s curving tail for which Dodgson razored every typographic character individually and pasted it down.

But he couldn’t draw little girls of character, and it was when he realised he needed a better artist than himself and chose John Tenniel that his Alice became the universally recognisable figure she is - from the Alice band to the pinafore and the pumps. Carroll admired Tenniel for his work on the animals in Aesop’s Fables in particular, but he also knew him as a Punch cartoonist and indefatigable illustrator, with the magic metamorphoses of the Arabian Nights and many other titles in his portfolio. Although Tenniel was overburdened with work, and relations with the pernickety and exacting Dodgson were often fraught, he brilliantly rendered the curiouser and curiouser world of Alice. — Guardian

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The First Actresses

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

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Nell Gwyn to Sarah Siddons; Vermeer’s Women: Secrets and Silence

s the pin-up girl of the Restoration, Nell Gwyn seems to have constantly fallen prey to wardrobe malfunctions.

Simon Verelst’s two portraits of her show her first experiencing what paparazzi refer to as “nipple slip”, and then to have lost control of her bodice entirely (it is this kind of page 3 version of the actress that Samuel Pepys, and many of his peers, kept as a pocket reminder of the king’s favorite). The energy of Verelst’s portraits - show-stoppers in the National Portrait Gallery’s The First Actresses - lies not so much in the disorganized dÈcolletage of the actress, however, but in the consummate coolness of her gaze. It’s both shameless and knowing, this look; the screw-you stare of the authentic star “Pretty witty Nell”, as Pepys called her, was the first recognizable celeb in British popular culture; post-Puritan politics had created a gap in the market for a certain kind of sexual frankness, and Gwyn effortlessly filled it: the sensational shock of her immodesty retains its centuries-old power.

Gwyn was, it seems, also a very hard actress to follow. The headline acts who assumed her mantle - Hester Booth in a harlequin frock; Lavinia Fenton, who like Gwyn rose from teenage barmaid to leading lady; the great comedienne Kitty Clive - borrow a lot of her look in their portraits but do not quite live up to her outrageousness. (It’s a bit like seeing Andy Warhol’s silkscreen of Farrah Fawcett after his Marilyn series.)

If Gwyn set a Monroe-ish standard for star quality, she also appears to have established a precedent for promiscuity; Fenton, who excited male audiences in her cross-dressing “breeches” roles, is pictured by Hogarth being leered at by Charles Powlett, the Duke

of Bolton, as she takes the role of Polly in The Beggar’s Opera. Fenton retired from the stage at 20 - already praised by Alexander Pope as “the great favourite of the town; her pictures engraved and sold in great numbers, her life written, books of letters and verses to her published” - to become the duke’s mistress, and mother to his three sons.

Other actresses became the subject of gossip about involvement with their fellow performers; Peg Woffington, also invariably portrayed nearly spilling out of her frock, became the lover of David Garrick after playing Cordelia to his Lear in 1741. (Garrick, whose life runs in parallel with many of the subjects of this exhibition, is pictured in later years with his wife Eva-Maria in a florid portrait by Joshua Reynolds; he appears to be awaiting applause after declaiming a passage from Shakespeare; she appears to have heard it all before.)

Even as actresses became more “respectable”, the associations with easy virtue persisted; Covent Garden and Drury Lane were as infamous for their prostitutes as their stage-stars, and the perception that the two trades were intimately linked proved hard to shift. It is not until Sarah Siddons directs her full attention to the viewer in Sir Thomas Lawrence’s portrait of 1804 that an actress seems at liberty to be anything other than a subject of desire. Siddons, a close friend of Samuel Johnson, and famed for her Lady Macbeth, elevated her profession almost single-handedly by all accounts; you can see a lot of that moral rigour in Lawrence’s painting: she is dressed in black velvet, leafing through a vast book, and her look is no longer one of coy suggestibility but serious intent. Nearly a century and a half

after women had been allowed back on stage, the leading lady had apparently arrived.

The story of the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition is set in motion by the return of Charles II from exile in the Hague in 1660 and his re-establishment of the thea tres. The Netherlands of those years was not, you imagine, a place that could have accommodated Nell Gwyn in its popular culture; no doubt, for the king, that was part of the attraction.

There is something far more austerely Cromwellian about the ideals of female beauty in Vermeer’s Women at the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge. It is, nonetheless, a dazzling spectacle. Whereas the portrait gallery’s actresses seem all about availability to the male gaze, the women who inhabit these Dutch interiors - by Vermeer and his contemporaries - retain a profound mystery and reserve. Just occasionally the artist seems to have chanced upon an unwarranted intimacy: in Jan Steen’s Woman at Her Toilet the figure is unrolling her red stocking on the edge of her bed, but she seems unaware of the viewer’s presence, entirely absorbed in her mundanely sensual task. This feminine selfabsorption is the quality that these painters most prized, and no one was more capable of realising it than Vermeer. His small masterpiece, The Lacemaker, is on loan from the Louvre and is worth the journey to Cambridge itself, as an unequalled study in needle-sharp attention, both of artist and sitter. The more you look at these three rooms of paintings, nearly all made in the 15 years between 1655 and 1670, the more curious you become about the detailed world that created them. The Dutch of the period pro-

moted domestic goddesses of a certain kind in household manuals called things like: On the Excellence of the Female Sex. On one level the paintings of Vermeer, Samuel van Hoogstraten, Pieter de Hooch and Gerard ter Borch seem to be propagandising just this kind of female virtue that is anything but easy - the responsibility and grind of wife and mother. Heads bent in concentration, the women attend to their sewing or - if of a more elevated social position - their musical study at the virginal. They mind children in cots, they examine fish for supper. The more you look, though, the more you sense that behind this depiction of domestic ritual is always a kind of wonder. Vermeer’s paintings in particular, nearly all made in the front room of the house in Delft he shared with his mother-in-law and wife and 10 children, seem the most intense expression of the unknowable quality of other lives; for all their impossible mastery of light and lustre, they stop just deliberately short of any attempt at understanding, giving his women an ineffable existence all of their own.

There are many other little marvels here van Hoogstraten’s highly charged but uninhabited View of an Interior, in which we are granted visual access through three doors, the last of them just unlocked, keys dangling, to reveal only a discarded pair of slippers at the threshold of an immaculately swept floor, an everyday holy of holies; or de Hooch’s everything-is-illuminated Courtyard of a House in Delft which makes your eyes quickstep continually from one perfectly realised piece of brickwork to the next. But it is the extreme stillness of Vermeer’s women you want to return to; actresses who are always anything but.

Comics

C R O S S W O R D

4 8 9

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

To Yester

Word Sleuth Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

ACROSS

1. A protocol developed for the internet to get data from one network device to another.

4. A midnight meeting of witches to practice witchcraft and sorcery.

10. A humorous anecdote or remark.

13. To make a mistake or be incorrect.

14. A written statement of the grounds of complaint made to court law asking for the grievance to be redressed.

15. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

16. Japanese ornamental tree with fragrant white or pink blossoms and small yellow fruits.

17. (possibly Roman) Goddess of horses and mules and asses.

19. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling).

21. Botswanan statesman who was the first president of Botswana (19211980).

22. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

23. (of a young animal) Abandoned by its mother and raised by hand.

24. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

30. A member of the Siouan people formerly living in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska.

34. Airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc..

35. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB gun.

36. Extremely pleasing.

37. Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the function of the thyroid gland.

38. Harsh or corrosive in tone.

41. Lower in esteem.

43. A river that rises in northern Colombia and flows generally eastward to the Orinoco in central Venezuela.

47. A cylindrical drawstring bag used by sailors to hold their clothing and other gear.

50. Basic principles of the cosmos.

54. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

55. Held back.

58. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

59. 32nd President of the United States.

60. Filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock.

62. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

63. The sound made by a gentle blow.

64. A city in central Tanzania.

65. A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event.

DOWN 1. (music) The speed at which a composition is to be played.

2. Someone unpleasantly strange or eccentric.

3. A feeling of self-respect and personal worth.

4. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work.

5. Wool of the alpaca.

6. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

7. A container.

8. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

9. (astronomy) A measure of time defined by Earth's orbital motion.

10. (Greek mythology) Goddess of the earth and mother of Cronus and the Titans in ancient mythology.

11. The biblical name for ancient Syria.

12. Mentally or physically infirm with age.

18. A small bottle that contains a drug (especially a sealed sterile container for injection by needle).

20. A gonadotropic hormone that is secreted by the anterior pituitary.

25. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

26. A small cake leavened with yeast.

27. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

28. A caress with the lips.

29. A dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain.

31. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric.

32. Black tropical American cuckoo.

33. An informal term for a father.

39. A light touch or stroke.

40. Of or related to the genital and urinary organs or their functions.

42. Divulge information or secrets.

44. The capital of Morocco.

45. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World.

46. A machine or person that adds.

48. Tropical starchy tuberous root.

49. An association of people to promote the welfare of senior citizens.

51. A rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders).

52. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion.

53. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

56. The bill in a restaurant.

57. The second larges of the four main islands of Japan.

61. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

Yesterday’s Solution

Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Celebrities Kim Kardashian and sister Khloe arrive for a launch of their fashion accessory range at a department store in Sydney, Australia, yesterday.—AP photos

Celebrity Kim Kardashian receives a kiss from a girl.

E! says didn’t orchestrate Kardashian wedding

K

im Kardashian’s lightning-quick marriage shouldn’t have any impact on the E! Entertainment network’s relationship with the reality TV family despite some shuffling this week, E!’s chief said on Wednesday. E! moved up, and then moved back, a rerun of Kardashian’s lavish wedding to pro basketball player Kris Humphries after Kardashian announced this week that the marriage was kaput. The network, feeling its reputation sullied, put out a statement calling rumors that it had orchestrated the wedding for TV to be “completely false.”

“I don’t even know if Kim has had a chance to emotionally process this the way that she needs to,” said Suzanne Kolb, president of E! Entertainment. “I don’t have any indication that this is going to change her career path.”

Kardashian’s wedding to Humphries, televised on E! to huge ratings last month, was the highlight of the 72-day marriage. The wedding took place on Aug. 20; it was televised Oct 9 and 10. The first day scored the highest ratings in E!’s history. Before the marriage went sour, E! had planned to rerun the wedding in prime time Wednesday and yesterday this week. With Kardashian’s announcement, E! moved the first part up to Monday and was set to run part two on Tuesday. Then, showing some uncertainty about whether that appeared insensitive, E! moved part two to yesterday at 5 pm. An onscreen announcement at the show’s began yesterday told viewers about the divorce announcement.

Asked why E! was rerunning a wedding from a broken marriage, Kolb said, “We are a topical network and this is a topic at the moment.” When it first aired, both parts of “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event” attracted more than 4 million viewers - big numbers for a cable network. Kardashian announced the divorce on her website, and some of the nearly 3,000 comments posted their Wednesday questioned whether the wedding was a hoax and all for show.”I am trying not to read all the different media reports but it’s hard not to see all the negative ones,” Kardashian wrote on her website. “First and foremost, I married for love. I can’t believe I even have to defend this. I would not have spent so much time on something just for a TV show.”

In an interview on Australian television this week, Kardashian said “intuition” led her to end her marriage. “I think when you know so deep in your heart that you just have to listen to your intuition, and follow your heart,” Kardashian said. “There’s no right or wrong thing to do.”

Kardashian is in Australia with her sister Khloe to promote a line of handbags. Kolb said she felt the network’s statement about comments questioning the marriage’s legitimacy was necessary because E!, the show’s producers and the

Kardashians were being unfairly treated. “At some point I felt we had to come out and say that was absurd,” she said.

With a television family such as the Kardashians, “I don’t know if the distinction between reality and contrivance means anything anymore,” said Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University. E! executives may have to tread a little carefully around the controversy, but it also has the potential of being a gold mine, he said. Think of the alternative: In television drama, there’s no bigger story-killer than a couple getting married and living happily ever after. “Chevy manufactures cars out of their assembly line,” he said. “The Kardashians manufacture stories like these. This is what they do. This is their product.”

The Kardashian family has been a cottage industry for E! ever since “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” premiered in 2007. Kim was the star, known best at the time for a sex tape she did with singer Ray J. The initial show produced three spinoffs: “Khloe and Lamar”; “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami”; and “Kourtney and Kim Take New York.” All the shows are currently between seasons, but another season of “Kourtney and Kim Take New York” premieres on Nov. 27, and it will deal in depth with Kim’s marriage problems, Kolb said.

“The show is obviously going to have more drama in it that we originally expected with a newlywed couple,” she said. “At the same time, people are going to be able to see how difficult this was for the two of them.” Not following the Kardashian story would be contrary to the way E! has covered the family for the past four years and the way the Kardashians have chosen to live their lives unfiltered, Kolb said. The rapid dissolution of the marriage put the Kardashian clan squarely in line for public ridicule.

Jay Leno opened his “Tonight” show Tuesday with six straight Kardashian jokes. “Seventy-two days,” he said. “I was on at 10 o’clock longer than that.” David Letterman offered a Top Ten list of “Things That Have Lasted Longer Than the Kardashian Marriage.” No. 5 was “ABC’s remake of ‘Charlie’s Angels.’” No. 9 was “a conversation with Regis.” E! is walking a fine line with bankable reality stars and a potential backlash. “I think you try to milk it and say you’re not going to milk it,” said Derek Baine, a cable TV analyst for SNL Kagan. “You don’t want to seem real crass and taking advantage of a personal tragedy. In fact, it’s their job to boost the ratings. There’s nothing like a good car wreck.” In another interview on Australian television, Kardashian said she has not decided what to do with her 20.5-carat engagement ring, or with the gifts she received from her $172,000 wedding registry.—AP

Celebrity Kim Kardashian signs her autograph.

Fans try to snap pictures of celebrities Kim Kardashian and her sister Khloe as they arrive on stage.

Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 , 2011

T

he audience finds itself inside a giant uterus. Or it flies around cathedral ruins. Or it is transported to a dark, lonely forest. Such are the experiences offered by Satosphere, a new cinema with a massive dome screen in Montreal designed by the Society for Arts and Technology to provide spectators with a 360degree view of art projections. Eight video projectors splash images over the entire surface of the steel-framed shell, which juts from the roof of the building, while 157 speakers emit sounds, creating the world’s first wholly immersive cinema.

So advanced is it that it allows for viewing art in three dimensions without 3D glasses. Satosphere’s first show in October, Marie-Claude Paulin and Martin Kusch’s “Interior,” tickled all the senses as guests also sampled fragrant tomatoes and Sichuan pepper drinks. On screen, figures danced. Satosphere, a scion of the CircleVision theater unveiled at the 1967 International and Universal Exposition’s Bell Pavilion in Montreal, is “cinema for the 21st century,” said its president Monique Savoie.

“In the beginning of cinema we hung a sheet in a room and arranged chairs in rows in front of it. And for 100 years that is how we have addressed the contents, like in a box. “We said to ourselves that now we have a created a playground for the next century.” She added: “Today with the ability to take pictures from multiple viewpoints we can show someone an environment in 360 degrees or we can put that person inside the image.

“Or we can create something which allows us to project a person onto screens, more like mirrors, and allow us to have someone almost floating in the space right in the middle of the experience.” The Satosphere is both for showing today’s most immediate multimedia works as well as a powerful digital tool for creating a new form of art. Architects and developers might also use the cinema to present their ideas before starting construction of new buildings. Even hospitals are interested in the technology that opens up vast new possibilities for creating pleas-

ant virtual environments for recuperating patients.

In offices above the domed theater, teams of researchers are already working on a next generation of the technology. A six-lens camera that uses software to patch together images seamlessly to allow for the filming of 360-degree films. “What makes the Satosphere unique is this idea of projecting something really from ceiling to floor,” said production and development director Louis-Philippe St-Arnault. “Unlike in stereoscope (or 3D) where using glasses you create a feeling of depth, here it is by really moving into the image that you can really feel this notion of three dimensions.”

Another use of the satosphere promoted by Luc Courchesne, a digital art and interactive multimedia guru, would be bringing artists and the public together in a sort of virtual chat room. Two or more people separated by thousands of kilometers (miles), he said, for example in Montreal and Paris, or Vancouver and Hong Kong, could come together in “mirror spaces.”—AFP

On October 17, 2011, a giant steel dome in central Montreal shelters the first “immersion theatre” in the world in Montreal.

— AFP

M

arilyn Manson went on an absinthe binge and tried to hijack a limousine on Saturday night. The shock rocker was in Las Vegas to celebrate Halloween weekend, and after “numerous shots” of the strong alcoholic drink at The Bank nightclub he insisted on heading to a karaoke bar at 4am, where he sang Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’ six times. A source at the Born and Raised bar - where Marilyn and on/off girlfriend Lindsay Usich were partying - told the New York Post newspaper: “More shots followed, some shotgunned beers, before Marilyn got on the mike and sang The Doors ‘Texas Radio’ and a pretty-good version of Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’, which he sang six times.”He was insisting on Timberlake music, so somebody had to download it on their iPod.” Another source added: “It was a Halloween party, but nobody could believe Manson was there. It was wild.” The bar’s sound system started running into problems, however, causing the ‘This is Halloween’ singer to decide to head back to the American gambling capital’s main strip, although he ran into problems when there was no car waiting for him.

A source said: “Marilyn was not happy. He seemed aggravated and wanted to head back to ‘The Strip’. Then he got more annoyed when there was no car waiting for him outside.” Spotting an awaiting driver, the rocker approached him, with the source adding: “While the driver was making a call, Marilyn jumped into the driver’s seat - but the driver grabbed him and literally dragged him out of the car.” Marilyn was said to playfully wave what appeared to be a knife around while waiting for his own limo to arrive, before jumping in and speeding off, telling onlookers: “I am sorry I went nuts, but I’m a rock star!” — Bang Showbiz

File photo shows musicians Keifer Thompson and Shawna Thompson, of the group Thompson Square, pose for a portrait in Los Angeles. — AP

S

hawna Thompson was ready to quit and go home. Nearly 15 years of chasing, of singing in dives and dreary showcases, of near misses and soul-sucking jobs and tears and worried sleeplessness had pushed her to the edge. It was time to give up on Music City because surely it had given up on her and her husband Kiefer.

“I told him my heart can’t take it anymore,” she said. It was one of those relationship moments, the kind they sing about as the duo Thompson Square. One was wavering and the other wasn’t ready to give it up. It had happened before, but this time she seemed so sad, so ready to go back to Chatom, Alabama, in defeat.

“We were right there on the cusp. And I said, ‘I swear, this is the last time I’ll say this: Give it one more year. Something’s going to

happen. I feel it in my bones,’” Kiefer Thompson remembered. He was right, this time. “Two months later we got a record deal,” Kiefer said. The rest has happened in a kind of a dream state for the Thompsons. Not long after signing that deal, they released their self-titled debut album and their first single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” went to No 1. They’ve been on tour with Jason Aldean, are headed out with Lady Antebellum, and have received a slew of award nominations, including in the new artist of the year category at Wednesday’s Country Music Association Awards. Suddenly, they’re getting a taste of everything that eluded them for so long. —AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 , 2011

Lohan jailed for 30 days, but eyes quick release T

Actress Lindsay Lohan arrives at the Los Angeles Superior Court. — AFP

roubled US actress Lindsay Lohan was given a 30-day jail term Wednesday, but will likely only spend one or two days behind bars because of California’s chronic prison overcrowding, officials said. In addition the 25-year-old former child star will be able to fulfill a contract with Playboy for a nude photo shoot before surrendering herself to jailers for a night by next week, the celebrity news website TMZ reported.

Judge Stephanie Sautner handed Lohan the 30-day sentence after she admitted breaching probation for previous offenses, and ordered her to report to jail by November 9 and warning her she could face another 270 days in prison. In the latest in a long line of court appearances, Lohan agreed to carry out more community service at the LA morgue and to undergo further psychotherapy-both of which she had already been ordered to do, but failed to fulfill.

The actress, wearing a black vintage dress, was ordered to return to court on December 14, after which she must attend roughly monthly court appointments to verify she is fulfilling the terms of the ruling. “If you do all that, then this jail time (270 days) will be permanently stayed,” said the judge, describing her ruling as “putting the keys to the jail in the defendant’s pockets.” Lohan was sen-

tenced to 35 days of house arrest in May, as part of a plea bargain over the alleged theft of a $2,500 necklace from a jewelry shop near her home in Venice Beach.

Sautner ruled at that time that the starlet had violated her probation for a 2007 drug and drunk driving offense when she allegedly stole the necklace on January 22. At Wednesday’s court appearance, Sautner ordered Lohan to report to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, south of Los Angeles, by November 9 to begin serving the 30-day sentence. Lohan has been jailed several times in recent years, but has usually managed to be released within hours for procedural reasons.

This time appears to be no exception, as the Sheriff’s Department said the actress will likely serve no more than a day or two behind bars.

“Probably she will be booked in and maybe spend the night and be released the next day,” due to of California’s chronic jail overcrowding, spokesman Steve Whitmore told reporters. In addition, an usual reason for the delay in Lohan starting her prison term was reported-a nude photoshoot. According to the usually well-informed TMZ, judge Sautner delayed the start of Lohan’s jail term at the request of her lawyers-to allow

her to fulfill a contract with Playboy magazine.

The actress is expected to make nearly $1 million for deal agreed with Playboy boss Hugh Hefner in the last two weeks, according to TMZ. A Lohan spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny the report. Lohan-once the promising child star of hit Disney movies “The Parent Trap” and “Freaky Friday”-has a reputation for hard partying and has faced a series of legal troubles.—AFP

Actress Lindsay Lohan sits with her lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley inside the Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles, California on November 2, 2011.

—AFP photos

Arabian Sights film festival in US with Egyptian focus

T

he Arabian Sights Festival, held annually in Washington, is focusing this year on Egypt giving American audiences the opportunity to explore the Arab cinema. The festival’s director, Shirin Ghareeb, told KUNA that the Arabian Sights Festival seeks “to feature the newest and the best out of the Arab world every year, and this year we are featuring eleven films and we are focusing on Egypt because there were a number of exceptional films”.

“Each film from the Egyptian focus is very different ... and it gives a broad range of the artistic development and range of subjects the films deal with,” she added.

“It is our duty as (organizers of) film festivals and cultural organizations around the United States to bring these films to show them to American audiences, otherwise they will never be seen here.” “We are trying to show something beyond what Americans read in the headlines of the American newspapers; they read the events that are going on, mostly politics. This is an opportunity for Americans to see another reality; to see the Arab story as told by Arab directors,” Ghareeb added. Among the vibrant films from the Arab world, featured at the sixteenth Arabian Sights Festival in Washington, “18 Days” is a collective work by ten directors narrating the stories they experienced, heard, or imagined during the January 25 revolution in Egypt, notably director Yousri Nasrallah.

“The selection is based on the number-one criteria; artistic quality, whether by established or new directors, it is a year round process where we look at multiple numbers of films from all over the world but particularly the Arab world,” noted Ghareeb. “We look for originality, their timeliness, their emotional depth, and any countless of reasons that they might stand out.” “Operation Casablanca” is meanwhile a satirical comedy by the Swiss filmmaker Laurent Negre along with renowned Moroccan actor Tarik Bakhari, who plays the role of an illegal Arab immigrant mistaken for a terrorist and arrested by the police.—KUNA

C

hinese actress Zhang Ziyi says her latest film “Love for Life” is a major step forward for China, in that it deals with the sensitive issue of AIDS in the country. Zhang was on hand Wednesday to present the Gu Changwei movie, which also stars Hong Kong heartthrob Aaron Kwok, at the Rome Film Festival.

Zhang, of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” fame, said “Love for Life” shows there’s a new attitude in China that signals “we have opened a little bit, because we are facing this topic, we are

facing this issue, and people are not hiding this anymore.” The film is about a small Chinese village where many people are infected with HIV because of an illicit trade in blood. “Love for Life” is one of 15 films in competition at the festival, which ends Nov 4.—AP

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and director Gu Changwei, right, pose on the red carpet to present the movie ‘Love for Life’ at the 6th Rome International Film Festival in Rome, Wednesday. — AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Follow Justin Bieber,

comes an influx of young singers like Simpson and Mindless Behavior T he kids are all right - at least in the music industry. Take Justin Bieber: He’s 17, has released three platinum efforts, earned Grammy nominations, released a top-selling movie and has sold out arenas around the world, putting him in the elite echelon of pop superstars.

But Bieber isn’t the only young singer blazing the charts and outdoing his elders. Scotty McCreery was crowned “American Idol” champion this year and last month, the now 18-yearold became the youngest male to have his debut album open at No. 1 on Billboard’s 200 albums chart.

Eleven-year-old Jackie Evancho has sold more than 1.5 million copies of her Christmas EP and her debut album, and has another Christmas project on the way; Willow Smith had grown people dancing in the clubs with her song “Whip My Hair”; and even 14-year-old Rebecca Black, though heavily ridiculed, had a

plans for the future.” Like Bieber, Simpson is taking a slow approach with releasing music: He released his first EP last December, and dropped another last month.

“When I put out a full-length album, I want it to be like, ‘Bam!’ And I think I definitely put out these two EPs to grow as an artist (and) to figure out my sound,” he said. Simpson’s also growing as a person: The Australian traded a life on the beach for the hustle and bustle of New York City. “It’s a very different lifestyle than I was living before,” said Simpson, who has surfer-boy looks and stands at 5’10.

His latest EP “Coast to Coast” - which debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard charts ranges from up-tempo pop to R&B-flavoured ballads. He also has a range of musical influences. “I actually grew up listening to country music,” he said. “I was a big fan of Johnny Cash and Keith Urban ... and then I started discovering different genres of music and I started

That’s why we named the album ‘(hash)1 Girl.’”

Their debut landed at No 2 and No 7 on the Billboard R&B and Top 200 albums chart, respectively.

The R&B-pop group also hit the No 1 spot on BET’s “106 & Park” with their music video for “Mrs. Right” and earned a nomination for viewer’s choice at the channel’s award show this year. They have toured with Jason Derulo, the

Willow Smith Backstreet Boys and Justin Bieber, who encouraged the 14-year-olds to “stay together, stay humble and stay kids while you’re in this business,” Princeton recalled. They also hit the road with Janet Jackson, who gave them iPods. “She actually gave us a good compliment, she said we reminded her of her brothers when she was younger,” Roc Royal said.

Dionne Bromfield - 15 What Dionne Bromfield learned from her godmother - the late Amy Winehouse - was to

Mindless Behavior viral hit with her song and music video “Friday.”

Taylor Swift was only 16 when she released her 2006 self-titled, now multiplatinum debut.

The country star believes young performers shouldn’t be boxed into a “kids” category.

“I think an artist represents a certain thing that is all their own, and their age doesn’t really have too much to do with it, in my opinion,” the 21-year-old said.

Bieber, who came on the scene in 2009, knows fame can be fleeting, so he advises newcomers to “make sure you hold on to it and make sure you remember why you’re in this position and not get lost in yourself.” Here’s a look at three emerging acts poised to follow in Bieber and Swift’s footsteps.

Cody Simpson - 14 Cody Simpson was already a star on the rise, but the addition of Bieber’s manager makes his ascension seem guaranteed. “I’m really excited that we have someone with so much influence, and he definitely, really believes in me,” Simpson said of Scooter Braun. “We have big

becoming (a) big fan of like Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown.” But Simpson - who will start to record his first album this month - says he’s leaning toward a sound like Jack Johnson and Bruno Mars. “That’s the type of music I will transition into, or just grow into,” he said.

Mindless behavior (Prodigy, Princeton, Ray Ray, Roc Royal) - 14 For Mindless Behavior member Princeton, being in a boy band is more than just a career opportunity. “It’s really cool to me because growing up as a child, my mom didn’t have any other kids, so being in this group, it’s like I have three brothers,” he said. “We’re all similar and different in many ways, so we get along perfectly.” Prodigy, Ray Ray and Roc Royal round out the Los Angeles-based quartet. Roc Royal says the boys have been influenced by the Jackson 5, New Edition and B2K, and while their female fan base may not be as large, they are just as frenetic. “Most of our songs talk about girls and everyone can relate to our songs,” Roc Royal said. “We’re looking for our No 1 girl.

Justin Bieber ‘Have you heard of Marvin Gaye?’ And everyone was like, ‘Who’s that? What about Britney Spears? What about Christina Aguilera?’” she recalled. “And I remember ‘Ain’t No Mountain’ someone actually thought I wrote that song!”

Now, Bromfield has released an album full of songs she mostly co-wrote. She described the recording of “Good for the Soul,” done during after-school sessions, as “intense.”

“Right now in the UK, pop’s like the biggest thing ... (and) as much as I like pop music, it’s not what I want to portray as my style of music, and loads of people really wanted me to do that,” she said. It was released in the United Kingdom nine days after Winehouse’s death; a U.S. release is planned for 2012. The album out on Winehouse’s label Lioness Records - is a collection soulful tunes that highlight Bromfield’s booming, yet raspy voice. And on some songs, she sounds like a younger Winehouse. “Amy’s voice was Amy’s voice, and only Amy can sing how Amy did sing,” Bromfield said. “But, you know, I was trained up by her so I do, like, take a lot of characteristics that she had.”—AP

Dionne Bromfield write her own songs. But Bromfield was only 12 when she started to work on her first album.

“There would have been nothing to write about apart from getting on the bus and going to school,” she said, adding with a laugh: “Pretty boring.”

Her 2009 debut, “Introducing Dionne Bromfield,” was full of Motown covers like “Mama Said” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Bromfield says growing up, her mother always played soul records and that she’s mainly inspired by Aretha Franklin. “Marvin Gaye is like one of my favourite Motown singers and I remember going in school once like,

Jackie Evancho

Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Coldplay’s ‘Mylo Xyloto’ tops Billboard album chart C

oldplay debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday with “Mylo Xyloto,” while pop star Rihanna scored her 11th No 1 single with “We Found Love” on the Hot 100 chart. “Mylo Xyloto,” the fifth studio album from Coldplay, sold 447,000 copies in the first week of its release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

It beat out stiff competition from “American Idol” alumnus Kelly Clarkson, who entered the charts at No 2 with her fifth album, “Stronger,” selling 163,00 copies.

This is the third studio album for British rockers Coldplay to debut at No 1, following their 2005 release “X&Y” and 2008’s “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends.” Coldplay’s latest record is the third biggest-selling album to top the charts this year, and the largest singleweek sales for a rock record in nearly

three years, according to Jim Donio, president of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), a music business association.

The band have also broken their own record, previously held by “Viva La Vida,” for highest-ever first week album sales on iTunes stores worldwide, amassing over 500,000 copies sold across all 35 iTunes stores, a representative for Capitol Records said. “Mylo Xyloto” has received mixed reviews, despite its chart-topping success. Rolling Stone’s Josh Eells gave the record three-and-a-half stars, saying “the choruses are bigger, the textures grander, the optimism more optimistic,” but other critics were less impressed.

Alexis Petridis of British newspaper The Guardian, criticized the lack of evolution in Coldplay’s music and said that a lot of the album “just sounds like standardissue Coldplay, replete with echoing gui-

tars, woah-oh choruses and vocals that signify high drama by slipping into falsetto.” British singer Adele, who has been dominating the album charts with “21,” dropped to No 4 as Michael Buble’s holiday album ‘Christmas,” released last week ahead of the festive season, debuted at No 3. Country singer Toby Keith rounded out the top five albums on the Billboard 200, with his 15th studio album, “Clancy’s Tavern,” also released last week, while singer-songwriter Tom Waits scored his first Top 10 album with “Bad As Me” entering the charts at No 6.

Completing the Top 10 albums were Scotty McCreery’s “Clear As Day” at No 7 followed by Lady Antebellum’s “Own The Night,” Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” and Casting Crowns’ “Come To The Well,” in that order. In the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Rihanna has become the fastest solo artist to earn 20 hits in the

Top 10 in the course of her six year career, as her latest single featuring French DJ David Guetta, “We Found Love,” took the No 1 spot from Adele’s “Someone Like You.” The previous record for fastest solo artist to reach 20 Top 10 singles in her career was held by Madonna, whom Rihanna beat by 5 months. The single is the 11th No 1 hit for the Grammy-winning Barbadian singer, who became the fifth female artist to reach 20 Top 10 singles, an achievement shared with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Madonna. Rihanna’s sixth studio album, “Talk That Talk,” is due for release on Nov 21.

Next week’s album chart are likely to feature new entries from Justin Bieber, Miranda Lambert and Florence + The Machine, all of whom have released new albums this week. — Reuters

‘Tower Heist’ “T Spanish actor Javier Bardem (L), French actress Berenice Marlohe (2L), British director Sam Mendes (3L), British actress Judi Dench (4L), British actor Daniel Craig (4R), British actress Naomie Harris (3R), producer Barabra Broccoli (2R) and producer Michael Wilson pose for photographers at a photocall to announce the start of production of the 23rd film in the James Bond series ‘Skyfall’, in central London yesterday. —AFP

Daniel Craig bounces back in new Bond film ‘Skyfall’

D

aniel Craig returns as British secret agent James Bond in “Skyfall” the 23rd installment in one of the world’s longestrunning and most successful film franchises. Director Sam Mendes assured fans that Bond’s latest adventure would adhere to the high octane formula that has made the films an enduring genre since Sean Connery first played the suave agent licensed to kill nearly 50 years ago in “Dr. No.” “It, I think, has all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including, to quell any rumors, a lot of action,” Mendes told reporters at the launch of the film in London yesterday. Spanish actor Javier Bardem will play the villain and Judi Dench returns as Bond’s stern boss “M” in a cast that will also include Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, French actress Berenice Marlohe and Britain’s Naomie Harris.

In keeping with Bond’s globe-

trotting legacy, the film has been shot in London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland. Sony Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp, will distribute the film, which is set to hit British theatres on Oct 26, 2012 and US cinemas on Nov 9 after a studio bankruptcy put production on hold for months and the last movie earned mixed reviews. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the series, which began in 1962 with Sean Connery on Her Majesty’s secret service in “Dr No.” Debt-laden Metro-GoldwynMayer Studios Inc, known for its roaring lion logo and behind some of Hollywood’s most fabled films including “The Wizard of Oz,” filed for bankruptcy in November last year. Two months later it confirmed Bond 23 would hit theatres in November, 2012, and in April MGM and Sony announced they would co-finance and distribute the next two Bond movies. —Reuters

Review

is so fun, it’s criminal

ower Heist” is an ensemble, and a strong one at that, led by Ben Stiller, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck and Tea Leoni. But Brett Ratner’s blast of an action comedy truly brings out the best in Eddie Murphy, something many of us may have forgotten even existed. Fast-talking, flummoxed and full of false bravado, Murphy gives a performance as a low-level thief that recalls his signature work in the movies that made him a superstar in the mid-1980s - like “48 Hours” and “Beverly Hills Cop.” When Murphy’s on screen in his classic comic mode, it’s hard to focuson anyone or anything else. It’s as if we’ve turned back time and erased all those family-friendly duds and lame laughers that required him to climb into yet another fat suit or talk to even more animals. “Tower Heist” deflates a bit when Murphy’s not around, but for the most part, Ratner’s movie is slick and crowd-pleasing - even more successfully so than his “Rush Hour” films - and it couldn’t be more relevant in exploring the disparity between the haves and have-nots.

Following “In Time,” this is the second week in a row with a new release that plays like “Robin Hood” for the Occupy Wall Street crowd. Stiller stars as Josh, the longtime manager of a luxury high-rise in Manhattan; it’s actually the Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle.

When the financial guru who lives in the penthouse is charged with stealing billions from his investors - including the hardworking tower staff - Josh comes up with a plan to steal their money back. Alan Alda plays this Bernard Madoff figure with just the right mix of affability and sleaze.

But Josh’s accomplices, a posse consisting of residents and employees played by Broderick, Affleck, Michael Pena and Gabourey Sidibe, aren’t exactly up to the task. They’ve never stolen anything in their lives. The fact that the financier Shaw is under house arrest complicates their plan further. So Josh enlists Murphy’s character, Slide, whom he’s known since they were kids, to give them some tips. Slide isn’t nearly the criminal mastermind he professes himself to be, but these guys don’t know that; in one amusing montage, he sends them out to shoplift random items at the mall just to prove they can rip off something.

One of the genius elements of the script - credited to Ted Griffin (“Ocean’s Eleven”) and Jeff Nathanson (“Catch Me If You Can”) - is that it actually fleshes these characters out, which makes you care about whether they can pull this thing off. And the vivid childhood memories Josh and Slide have of each other is a running joke that adds to the movie’s absurdity; Stiller is solid and hits just the right tone as the righteously indignant anchor at the center of this increasing mayhem. At the same time, Josh strikes up an unlikely flirtation with the tough-as-nails FBI agent on the case, played by Tea Leoni. She grew up in working-class

(From left) In this image released by Universal Pictures, , Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick and Gabourey Sidibe are shown in a scene from Tower Heist. —AP Queens, like Shaw, and she’s disgusted by the flashy swindler he’s become.

Leoni has one great scene in which her character gets drunk with Stiller’s and turns a little too forthcoming; it’s a great reminder of what a natural comedienne she is, and it makes you want to see more of her. The heist itself is, of course, completely ridiculous, but that’s part of the point and part of the fun. Ratner keeps things moving so fluidly that you’ll probably just roll with it. And his film is lighted and shot so beautifully (the work of two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Dante Spinotti) and it feels so substantial in terms of production values, you can’t help but be drawn in. These feel like actual people doing actual stunts especially during the crime itself, which takes place during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade - which sadly seems like a rarity in this age of computer-generated extravaganzas. “Tower Heist,” a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG13 for language and sexual content. Running time: 104 minutes. Three stars out of four.

Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions: G - General audiences. All ages admitted.

PG - Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

PG-13 - Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some materialmay be inappropriate for young children.

R - Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

NC-17 - No one under 17 admitted. —AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Klimt landscape fetches $40 million in New York

The Seoul Lantern Festival

People walk under lanterns on display as part of the Seoul Lantern Festival, which will be held from Nov 4-20, in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. —AFP

“Litzlberg Am Attersee” by Gustav Klimt is on display at Sotheby’s during a preview of their Impressionist and Modern Art sale in New York on October 28, 2011. —AFP

A

Workers walk near a lantern in the shape of traditional Korean warrior on display.

Lanterns in the shape of Korean traditional warriors are displayed. —AP

landscape by painter Gustav Klimt that wasstolen by the Nazis, then returned this year to the family of the Jewish owner,sold for a huge $40.4 million on Wednesday at Sotheby’s in New York. The painting, “Litzlberg am Attersee (Litzlberg on the Attersee),” easilytopped its presale high estimate of $25 million at the impressionist and modern sale. Depicting a pastoral scene of towering, wooded hills rising from water intoa bright sky, the landscape was stolen after the German annexation of Austriain 1938. It was only returned this spring to Georges Jorisch, grandson of thewoman who owned it until the Nazis came.

Sotheby’s autumn sale saw stronger results than rival Christie’s, which had a poor night on Tuesday, with several of the main works, including a Degas bronze sculpture, failing to find buyers. A centerpiece of Sotheby’s catalogue-Henri Matissse’s monumental bronze sculpture of a woman seen from the back, “Nu de dos”-was withdrawn just before the auction after being sold in a private deal. The huge bas-relief bronze was sold for an undisclosed price to an unidentified buyer along with three others that form a group, all consigned by The Burnett Foundation of Forth Worth, Texas.

The auction house had been intending to sell them separately over the year, at prices of about $20-30 million, because as a group the price had been considered too forbidding in a nervous international market. Picasso’s playful and erotic “L’Aubade,” estimated at $18-25 million, sold for $23 million.

Gustave Caillebote’s “Le pont d’Argenteuil et la Seine,” estimated at $5-7 million, sold for $9.26 million, a record for the artist at auction. Overall, 57 lots of 70 sold, or 81 percent, and 13 failed to find buyers, including three works by Miro and one Renoir. It was a sharply better night for Sotheby’s than at Christie’s on Tuesday, when a celebrated bronze sculpture by Degas, two important Picassos and a dreamy Matisse among works failing to sell. Only 51 of 82 lots sold at Christie’s, a total of 62 percent, possibly reflecting jitters among big collectors at a time of renewed anxiety over stock markets and the stability of the euro.”Petite danseuse de quatorze ans,” which shows a childlike ballerina with one foot extended, was meant to be one of the highlights of Christie’s impressionist and modern sales, but failed to find a bid higher than $18.5 million and was withdrawn. It had a presale estimate of $25 to $35 million. Simon Shaw, head of the impressionist and modern art department at Sotheby’s, said: “I am very happy. The sale last night did not go well, but you have to have confidence.”

“We consciously chose not to take properties where expectations on the part of the seller were considered too strong in this market place,” he said. “One has to take very much account of what is happening outside.

We are living in a volatile world.” Next week both houses will hold sales of contemporary art. —AFP

Stars

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Aries (March 21-April 19) This is a great time to be with others and to work in a team effort. You may be sought after as the right person to lead a group. There are all sorts of doors of opportunity opening up for you now.

The comforts in your life are improving and luck is on your side. You may enjoy getting away from this busy activity after work this afternoon in order to enjoy something a little less stressful. You might consider taking a bicycle ride or a walk with a friend. Perhaps you would enjoy feeding the ducks or take in some bird watching at a nearby park—weather permitting, of course.

This evening you will find circumstances bend to your will and things have a way of working out smoothly. It might be fun to let someone else cook this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may find that unusual things happen today in the workplace, but it is just the thing that may strengthen your standing. Communicating with others and making yourself clearly understood is always important but particularly today. Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you most spontaneous. This afternoon you may agree to help a friend with some important matters without realizing that it might help you. This could include teaching someone to balance his or her accounts, or to help a friend make a decision. Your unselfish attitude with others does not go unnoticed. A love relationship that may have seemed a bit sluggish lately is now showing some improvement. You are ready for a weekend getaway.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) New goals for the future have become clear. You are in touch with your own ideals and where your focus is in your life at this time. You seem more confident and your communications to others show much strength. Your leadership qualities are excellent and a higher-up is ready to give you the challenges you ask for now. Money, while not the most important thing in your life, may be the instigator for you to make some professional decisions now. This afternoon family members find you full of great wit and insight. This is a good time to write and communicate with real originality. Inventions and breakthroughs are possible. It seems that even more difficult goals are possible now. Relax tonight; perhaps dinner out would be enjoyable.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Emotional support will have to come from your own self-confidence today. Some sort of temporary obstacle is present—you will, however, work through the problem. Old patterns of organization and power are ripe for an innovative approach, but if you feel you must be the one to make those changes known, you must do it through the written word. This will allow you to phrase your words appropriately—with no emotional overtones. Changes will happen—but not overnight. Hard work is the focus for the day. By the end of work, you feel quite pleased with yourself for all you have accomplished. You are very focused on your career and finances lately and that is a good thing. Your spirit leaps at an opportunity to do something enjoyable tonight.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You usually have a lot of energy as well as a positive attitude for each day. A complicated, difficult situation demands commitment and you are willing to follow through with whatever is before you now. There is a feeling of being at peace and stable on the emotional level.

Stability and permanence satisfy a deep emotional need. Lovers, children and other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized this afternoon. You may be helping a young person with homework or it may be an opportunity to guide someone in matters of importance. Being appreciated and admired for your gifts and talents bring you a great deal of satisfaction. Music is likely to play an important role for you this evening. You may be the one entertaining others!

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Events may make it easy for you to be original, have breakthroughs and find new solutions to old problems. You may find yourself able to put your ideas into practice. Communication and research in all forms could be a key area for career growth now. You could come up with new solutions or inventions at this time. You are in a great mood of self-enjoyment this afternoon and can appreciate your own better qualities. You may see value in or feel love for an older person or someone in authority. Old emotional wounds heal this evening as you face the person fairly and honestly. Sometimes you find it difficult to express your deepest feelings, but that is not the case today. Tonight you may enjoy a bit of poetry or music.

Libra (September 23-October 22) There is a major life event that marks the end of a formative period and the beginning of more independence. You are on your own and this marks the start of increased responsibility and accountability. This is a time for deep thought, review of self—a new chance. College or a new job can bring this all about. Now is the time to make that outward push and ride the crest of the wave into fame and fortune. It will be hard for you to do wrong, for all the cycles are working in your favor. This is also a time when you may marry or take on a new role in the community. You will be in demand and recognition will be forthcoming. Friends and a social life are in order and in general, this is an untroubled day. You may be helpful to an elderly person tonight.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This is a day of great mental activity and heightened communication with others. Intellectualism, the exchange of ideas and the idea of being smart as a fox have a special appeal and importance.

You become very much the expert at search and inquiry into the nature of a subject—be it life, scientific research, or what have you. Your investigations will take you into some interesting places at this time. Your passions for searching, finding out and communicating take hold now. You may be very eloquent in speaking or communicating. People will understand just what you mean. This evening is a good time to settle down with a good book or take in a movie. You will be full of ideas and thoughts that will take hold and develop into inventions or projects.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) There is a lot of energy available for accomplishing just about anything you want to achieve. This energy can cause you to be a bit impatient with others, however. Be aware of your response to others and try to think before you speak. You may be looking for new experiences today— ones in which you can expand your knowledge. The experience itself is what is foremost in your mind, not so much what you can get out of it. You seek contact, involvement and are not too concerned about private matters. You will find yourself giving way to others in almost all situations today—you do not want to be slowed by emotional frustrations. Your ability to manage and supervise people, plus a built-in sense of responsibility does not go unnoticed today.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Personal wealth is bound to be increased while this most energetic of times is most favorable to you. New ways to communicate or an easy manner will make conversations and interactions go well today. You may find yourself more talkative and easy going than usual.

Problems could lose some of their definition and appear less difficult now. A casual get-together after work with some of your friends may end up in a big party. Do not feel bad about attracting most of the attention in a group—you know a lot of people. You appreciate others who have been successful and may surround yourself with those in power. Keep informed of the news this evening; something that is in or near your community will be worth your attention.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) If you have been troubled by affairs of the heart, you will see more clearly this morning. This is also a very good day for jobrelated events. You may shine in your particular job or find that a promotion could very soon be a possibility. You could represent your company or communicate about your skills. You look for ways to solve problems and may find co-workers or higher-ups continuously look to you for some sort of guidance.

This evening a social opportunity may find you making good impressions. If possible, take this opportunity to network. Appearances and style may be most important just now. This evening you call a halt to excessive spending and determine a plan to deepen this very important relationship of yours.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) If you are not in business for yourself, it is certainly a time to consider such a venture. If the game of poker was the game of life, you would have the winning hand. You can continue to hold the winning or upper hand by keeping that poker face during negotiations. You have an inborn sense of mass psychology, what the public wants and what you want. Financial speculation or dealings with partners can soon see positive results. You can project images of what is desirable or ideal, using words and ideas that are enchanting and spell-binding. You would make a very good film director.

Circumstances should work together to help make your dreams real. Letters and phone calls should bring excellent news, especially from your family members.

COUNTRY CODES Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African Republic 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands)0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062 Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686

Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland)0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK)0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677 Somalia 00252 South Africa 0027 South Korea 0082 Spain 0034 Sri Lanka 0094 Sudan 00249 Suriname 00597 Swaziland 00268 Sweden 0046 Switzerland 0041 Syria 00963 Taiwan 00886 Tanzania 00255 Thailand 0066 Toga 00228 Tonga 00676 Tokelau 00690 Trinidad 001868 Tunisia 00216 Turkey 0090 Tuvalu 00688 Uganda 00256 Ukraine 00380 United Arab Emirates00976

Stars

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Aries (March 21-April 19) This is a great time to be with others and to work in a team effort. You may be sought after as the right person to lead a group. There are all sorts of doors of opportunity opening up for you now.

The comforts in your life are improving and luck is on your side. You may enjoy getting away from this busy activity after work this afternoon in order to enjoy something a little less stressful. You might consider taking a bicycle ride or a walk with a friend. Perhaps you would enjoy feeding the ducks or take in some bird watching at a nearby park—weather permitting, of course.

This evening you will find circumstances bend to your will and things have a way of working out smoothly. It might be fun to let someone else cook this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may find that unusual things happen today in the workplace, but it is just the thing that may strengthen your standing. Communicating with others and making yourself clearly understood is always important but particularly today. Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you most spontaneous. This afternoon you may agree to help a friend with some important matters without realizing that it might help you. This could include teaching someone to balance his or her accounts, or to help a friend make a decision. Your unselfish attitude with others does not go unnoticed. A love relationship that may have seemed a bit sluggish lately is now showing some improvement. You are ready for a weekend getaway.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) New goals for the future have become clear. You are in touch with your own ideals and where your focus is in your life at this time. You seem more confident and your communications to others show much strength. Your leadership qualities are excellent and a higher-up is ready to give you the challenges you ask for now. Money, while not the most important thing in your life, may be the instigator for you to make some professional decisions now. This afternoon family members find you full of great wit and insight. This is a good time to write and communicate with real originality. Inventions and breakthroughs are possible. It seems that even more difficult goals are possible now. Relax tonight; perhaps dinner out would be enjoyable.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Emotional support will have to come from your own self-confidence today. Some sort of temporary obstacle is present—you will, however, work through the problem. Old patterns of organization and power are ripe for an innovative approach, but if you feel you must be the one to make those changes known, you must do it through the written word. This will allow you to phrase your words appropriately—with no emotional overtones. Changes will happen—but not overnight. Hard work is the focus for the day. By the end of work, you feel quite pleased with yourself for all you have accomplished. You are very focused on your career and finances lately and that is a good thing. Your spirit leaps at an opportunity to do something enjoyable tonight.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You usually have a lot of energy as well as a positive attitude for each day. A complicated, difficult situation demands commitment and you are willing to follow through with whatever is before you now. There is a feeling of being at peace and stable on the emotional level.

Stability and permanence satisfy a deep emotional need. Lovers, children and other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized this afternoon. You may be helping a young person with homework or it may be an opportunity to guide someone in matters of importance. Being appreciated and admired for your gifts and talents bring you a great deal of satisfaction. Music is likely to play an important role for you this evening. You may be the one entertaining others!

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Events may make it easy for you to be original, have breakthroughs and find new solutions to old problems. You may find yourself able to put your ideas into practice. Communication and research in all forms could be a key area for career growth now. You could come up with new solutions or inventions at this time. You are in a great mood of self-enjoyment this afternoon and can appreciate your own better qualities. You may see value in or feel love for an older person or someone in authority. Old emotional wounds heal this evening as you face the person fairly and honestly. Sometimes you find it difficult to express your deepest feelings, but that is not the case today. Tonight you may enjoy a bit of poetry or music.

Libra (September 23-October 22) There is a major life event that marks the end of a formative period and the beginning of more independence. You are on your own and this marks the start of increased responsibility and accountability. This is a time for deep thought, review of self—a new chance. College or a new job can bring this all about. Now is the time to make that outward push and ride the crest of the wave into fame and fortune. It will be hard for you to do wrong, for all the cycles are working in your favor. This is also a time when you may marry or take on a new role in the community. You will be in demand and recognition will be forthcoming. Friends and a social life are in order and in general, this is an untroubled day. You may be helpful to an elderly person tonight.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) This is a day of great mental activity and heightened communication with others. Intellectualism, the exchange of ideas and the idea of being smart as a fox have a special appeal and importance.

You become very much the expert at search and inquiry into the nature of a subject—be it life, scientific research, or what have you. Your investigations will take you into some interesting places at this time. Your passions for searching, finding out and communicating take hold now. You may be very eloquent in speaking or communicating. People will understand just what you mean. This evening is a good time to settle down with a good book or take in a movie. You will be full of ideas and thoughts that will take hold and develop into inventions or projects.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) There is a lot of energy available for accomplishing just about anything you want to achieve. This energy can cause you to be a bit impatient with others, however. Be aware of your response to others and try to think before you speak. You may be looking for new experiences today— ones in which you can expand your knowledge. The experience itself is what is foremost in your mind, not so much what you can get out of it. You seek contact, involvement and are not too concerned about private matters. You will find yourself giving way to others in almost all situations today—you do not want to be slowed by emotional frustrations. Your ability to manage and supervise people, plus a built-in sense of responsibility does not go unnoticed today.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Personal wealth is bound to be increased while this most energetic of times is most favorable to you. New ways to communicate or an easy manner will make conversations and interactions go well today. You may find yourself more talkative and easy going than usual.

Problems could lose some of their definition and appear less difficult now. A casual get-together after work with some of your friends may end up in a big party. Do not feel bad about attracting most of the attention in a group—you know a lot of people. You appreciate others who have been successful and may surround yourself with those in power. Keep informed of the news this evening; something that is in or near your community will be worth your attention.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) If you have been troubled by affairs of the heart, you will see more clearly this morning. This is also a very good day for jobrelated events. You may shine in your particular job or find that a promotion could very soon be a possibility. You could represent your company or communicate about your skills. You look for ways to solve problems and may find co-workers or higher-ups continuously look to you for some sort of guidance.

This evening a social opportunity may find you making good impressions. If possible, take this opportunity to network. Appearances and style may be most important just now. This evening you call a halt to excessive spending and determine a plan to deepen this very important relationship of yours.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) If you are not in business for yourself, it is certainly a time to consider such a venture. If the game of poker was the game of life, you would have the winning hand. You can continue to hold the winning or upper hand by keeping that poker face during negotiations. You have an inborn sense of mass psychology, what the public wants and what you want. Financial speculation or dealings with partners can soon see positive results. You can project images of what is desirable or ideal, using words and ideas that are enchanting and spell-binding. You would make a very good film director.

Circumstances should work together to help make your dreams real. Letters and phone calls should bring excellent news, especially from your family members.

COUNTRY CODES Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African Republic 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands)0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062 Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686

Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland)0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK)0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677 Somalia 00252 South Africa 0027 South Korea 0082 Spain 0034 Sri Lanka 0094 Sudan 00249 Suriname 00597 Swaziland 00268 Sweden 0046 Switzerland 0041 Syria 00963 Taiwan 00886 Tanzania 00255 Thailand 0066 Toga 00228 Tonga 00676 Tokelau 00690 Trinidad 001868 Tunisia 00216 Turkey 0090 Tuvalu 00688 Uganda 00256 Ukraine 00380 United Arab Emirates00976

W h a t ’s O n FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

T

Crew of the Royal Navy ship play soccer

he crew of the Royal Navy ship, HMS Argyle, visited Shaab Park on Wednesday evening to play a series of matches against the Premier GOAL Academy/Everton Coaches and the PGA/Everton Under 17s team - sponsored by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company. The British warship was visiting Kuwait, along with HRH the Prince of Wales as part of the

50/20 anniversary celebrations organised by the British Embassy in Kuwait.

After six exciting and closely fought matches the Royal Navy ‘A’ team came out on top, although it was the PGA/Everton U-17 youngsters who stole the show with a stunning 2-1 victory over the Navy boys in their final game. The event was supported by

BRETHREN CONVENTION - 2011

B

rethren Believers Assembly Kuwait (BBAK) seen welcoming convention speaker Evg. John P. Thomas at Kuwait Airport. The convention will be conducted from Nov 1 to Nov 4. at NECK Church and Parish Hall.

Time 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm. Free Transport will be made available from all parts of Kuwait (Contact Sunny Emmanuel 66348977 and Thomas Koshy 66914033). All are cordially invited to attend.

(Left - Right, Bobby J Shajy, Rejoy Sam, Thomas Samuel, John Mathew and Shajy C John were present.)

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

Embassy of NEPAL

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he Embassy of Nepal will remain closed on 6 and 7 November, 2011 on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and will reopen on 8 November, 2011. The Consular section will be closed and inactive and it will open strictly from 10-12 pm on Thursday 10 November, 2011 only to receive documents.

GOAL!, providing the perfect venue and Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant who provided a sumptuous buffet for all the players and supporters after the match. Academy Director Mike Finn thanked the match officials and sponsors, congratulated the visitors on their performance and presented the HMS Argyle Captain and players with mementos of their visit to Kuwait.

Harvest Festival - 2011

K

uwait St James Mar Thoma Church will hold the Harvest Festival -2011 on Monday, November 7, 2011 from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm at the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait (NECK) compound with a wide array of entertainment programs. Along with the Vicar, Rev. A. Y. Varghese, the occasion will be blessed by the presence of the vicars of the other Mar Thoma Parishes, vicars of other sister parishes and other prominent dignitaries. Various stalls offering an array of delicious, mouth watering home-made culinary delights will be available on that day. You are sure to be carried away to the nostalgic feeling of Kerala, God’s own country, by eating ‘Kappa’ with meen curry, appam with chicken stew, poori-bhaji etc. and sumptuous homely food in the form of a nadan sadya.

Socio-cultural programs are being organized by the various organizations of the Parish. We solicit the gracious presence of all parishioners and sister parishes members to attend this festival and make it a memorable one. Arrangements are in full swing under the leadership of Vicar Rev. A. Y. Varghese, General Convenor Ivan Chacko and Parish Secretary John Thampan. For more details, kindly call 97542152 / 66278705.

W h a t ’s O n FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

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St. Berchmans Alumni Association 14th Annual Day Celebrations

t. Berchmans Alumni Association celebrated its 14th Annual Day at Carmel School, Kuwait. The programme commenced with the welcome address delivered by the Gen. Secretary Mr. Shibu Pallickal. Mr. Thomas Varghese, the President, delivered the presidential address. Chief Guest Rev. Dr. Tomy Joseph Padinjareveettil, Principal, St Berchmans College, Changanacherry, delivered the inaugural address and lit the lamp.

The Prize Distribution ceremony which followed was an exciting moment for the winners of academic and co-curricular achievements.

Tiju Abey Joseph - Commerce stream and Reethu Louis Neeriamparampil -Science stream received prizes, being the toppers from Berchmans family 14th Extempore Speech competition: Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan and Carmel Schools won the Runner-up Trophy and FAIPS-DPS won the Championship Trophy.

15th Extempore Speech competition: Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan won the Runner-up Trophy and FAIPS-DPS won the Championship Trophy.

Sharwari Pandit of FAIPS-DPS, a 5 times first prize winner, won the Berchmans Eloquent Speaker Award - a 15gram Gold Medal. The audience were left spellbound when Sharwari gave her acceptance speech which proved her eloquence.

Mr Prem Kumar, Principal of Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan School offered felicitations.

15th Berchmans Ever-rolling Trophy Basketball Tournament: Carmel School (Girls) and United Indian School (Boys) won the Runner-up Trophies. United Indian School (Girls) and Carmel School (Boys) won the Championship Trophies. Best player trophies were awarded to Sofiyamma P. Chacko (Girls) and Mohammed Danish (Boys).

Individual trophies and certificates were given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners for the Extempore Speech Competition and also for the team members, from the schools which bagged the Championship and runner-up trophies in the basketball tournament.

It was a moment of pride for the winners who received the prizes from the chief guest Rev. Dr. Tomy Joseph Padinjareveettil, Principal, St Berchmans College, Changanacherry, in the presence of principals of various schools, teachers, parents and other distinguished guests.

Paulson Mangaly andJimmy Paul were given mementos in appreciation of their continued service as officials of the basketball tournament.

Aloysius Thomas and Mr Rajesh Kumar P.G., two Berchmanites who are leaving Kuwait for good, were also felicitated and given memen-

tos.

This was followed by a cultural show which comprised of songs by Ann Tissa Pallickal and Julia Anil Thevalakkara, an Arabic dance by Elizabeth Jiji Vetticad and a group dance by Eleen Rose, Ria Mathew, Karishma Joseph, Noel Varghese, Nirmal Jose, Jeevan Thomas and Jilson Jose which thrilled the audience.

Anchoring of the programme was done by Angela Maria and Ann Tissa.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Vice President K.P.Koshy. Delicious dishes were served to the gathering at the end of the programme.

TV Listings FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

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

I Shouldn’t Be Alive Dogs 101 Planet Earth Queens Of The Savannah Untamed & Uncut I Shouldn’t Be Alive Dogs 101 Wild Animal Repo Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife The Really Wild Show Baby Planet Breed All About It Must Love Cats Dogs 101 Animal Cops Phoenix Michaela’s Animal Road Trip World Wild Vet Planet Earth Weird Creatures With Nick Baker Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife The Really Wild Show Penguin Safari Dogs 101 My Cat From Hell Weird Creatures With Nick Baker Dogs 101 Planet Earth Whale Wars Whale Wars

00:35 Afterlife 01:25 Dinnerladies 02:30 The Weakest Link: S11: Set 02 03:15 Incredible Journeys With Steve Leonard 04:05 Dinnerladies 04:40 3rd & Bird: set 01 04:50 Bobinogs 05:00 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 05:15 Spot’s Musical Adventures 05:20 Me Too: Set 1 05:40 Fimbles: Set 2 06:00 3rd & Bird: set 01 06:10 Bobinogs 06:20 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 06:40 Me Too: Set 1 07:00 Charlie & Lola: Set 2 07:10 Fimbles: Set 2 07:30 3rd & Bird: set 01 07:40 Bobinogs 07:50 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 08:05 Spot’s Musical Adventures 08:10 Me Too: Set 1 08:30 Charlie & Lola: Set 2 08:40 Fimbles: Set 2 09:00 3rd & Bird: set 01 09:10 Bobinogs 09:20 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 09:35 Spot’s Musical Adventures 09:40 Me Too: Set 1 10:00 Charlie & Lola: Set 2 10:15 Fimbles: Set 2 10:35 Dinnerladies 11:40 The Weakest Link: S11: Set 02 12:25 Coast 13:25 Doctors: Set 2 13:55 Eastenders: set 253 14:25 Incredible Journeys With Steve Leonard 15:20 Dinnerladies 16:20 Coast 17:20 The Weakest Link: S11: Set 02 18:10 Doctors: Set 2 18:40 Eastenders: set 253 19:10 Incredible Journeys With Steve Leonard 20:00 Coast 21:00 The Weakest Link: S11: Set 02 21:45 Doctors: Set 2 22:20 Doctor Who 23:05 Afterlife

00:00 00:45 01:40 02:30 03:20 04:05 05:00 05:50 06:40 07:30 10:00 10:50 11:35 13:20 14:10 15:40 16:25 18:10 19:00

Masterchef Australia The Naked Chef Come Dine With Me What Not To Wear Masterchef Australia The Naked Chef Come Dine With Me What Not To Wear Masterchef Australia Daily Cooks Challenge Antiques Roadshow Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me Daily Cooks Challenge Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets

Ben 10: Race Against Time Ben 10 Bakugan Battle Brawlers The Secret Saturdays

00:00 Backstory 00:30 World Sport 01:00 The Situation Room 02:00 World Report 03:00 Anderson Cooper 360 04:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 05:00 Quest Means Business 06:00 World Sport 06:30 Eco Solutions 07:00 World Report 07:30 Backstory 08:00 World Report 09:00 World Report 10:00 World Sport 10:30 The Best Of Backstory 11:00 World Business Today 11:45 CNN Marketplace Middle East 12:00 American Morning: Wake-Up Call 12:30 The Best Of Backstory 13:00 World One 14:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 15:00 News Stream 16:00 World Business Today 17:00 International Desk 18:00 The Brief 18:30 World Sport 19:00 World Report 19:45 CNN Marketplace Middle East 20:00 International Desk 20:30 The CNN Freedom Project 21:00 Quest Means Business 21:45 CNN Marketplace Africa 22:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 23:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson

FROM HELL ON OSN ACTION HD 19:25 19:55 20:40 21:30 23:15

The Hairy Bikers Ride Again Rhodes Across Italy Come Dine With Me Antiques Roadshow Bargain Hunt

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 01:45 02:00 02:30 02:45 03:00 03:30 03:45 04:00 04:30 04:45 05:00 05:30 05:45 06:00 06:30 06:45 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 08:45 09:30 09:45 10:30 10:45 11:00 11:30 11:45 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30

BBC World News Hardtalk BBC World News America World Business Report Sport Today BBC World News Asia Business Report Sport Today Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today BBC World News The Bottom Line BBC World News World Business Report BBC World News World Business Report BBC World News World Business Report Sport Today BBC World News World Business Report Sport Today BBC World News The Bottom Line BBC World News World Business Report

13:45 Sport Today 14:00 BBC World News 14:30 World Business Report 14:45 Sport Today 15:00 GMT With George Alagiah 16:00 Impact 16:30 Our World 17:00 Impact 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 World Have Your Say 18:30 World Have Your Say 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 19:30 BBC World News 19:40 Weekend World 20:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 BBC World News 21:30 Middle East Business Report 22:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:30 World Have Your Say Extra 22:40 Weekend World 23:00 BBC World News America 23:30 Our World

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 Eliot Kid 08:04 Cow & Chicken 08:12 Eliot Kid 08:25 Angelo Rules 08:50 Best Ed 09:15 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 09:40 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 10:05 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 10:30 Courage The Cowardly Dog 10:55 Cow & Chicken 11:20 I Am Weasel 11:35 Adventure Time 12:00 Ben 10 12:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 12:50 The Secret Saturdays 13:15 Samurai Jack 13:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 14:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 14:30 Skunk Fu! 14:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 15:15 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 15:40 Ed, Edd n Eddy 16:05 Camp Lazlo 16:30 Chowder 16:55 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 17:25 Cow & Chicken 17:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 18:15 I Am Weasel 18:40 George Of The Jungle 19:05 Casper’s Scare School 19:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 19:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 20:20 Generator Rex 20:45 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 21:10 Hero 108

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

Swamp Brothers River Monsters: Killer Catfish Overhaulin’ Dirty Jobs Ultimate Survival Mythbusters How It’s Made How Do They Do It? Dirty Jobs Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Overhaulin’ How It’s Made Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Hunters Ultimate Biker Challenge South Beach Classics American Chopper: Senior vs

14:05 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 14:55 Stuntdawgs 15:20 Green Wheels 15:50 Mighty Ships 16:40 Weird Connections 17:05 Catch It Keep It 18:00 Brainiac 18:50 Sci-Fi Science 19:15 The Tech Show 19:40 Future Weapons 20:30 Space Pioneer 21:20 The Future Of...

22:10 The Gadget Show 22:35 The Gadget Show 23:00 Future Weapons 23:50 Space Pioneer

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00 06:20 06:45 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:35 09:00 09:15 09:25 09:35 09:50 10:15 10:30 10:50 11:15 11:35 12:00 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:00 16:10 16:35 17:30 19:10 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:28 21:35

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperor’s New School Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Emperor’s New School The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody Phineas And Ferb Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates Jungle Junction The Hive Handy Manny Imagination Movers Phineas And Ferb Emperor’s New School Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Hannah Montana Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Friends For Change Games Phineas And Ferb Shake It Up Phineas And Ferb Camp Rock Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Emperor’s New School Fish Hooks Hannah Montana Friends For Change Games Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie

Ultimate Survival Extreme Fishing With Robson Swamp Brothers Cash Cab Us Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Overhaulin’ Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Hunters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Cash Cab Us American Chopper: Senior vs Carfellas South Beach Classics Desert Car Kings

00:40 The Gadget Show 01:05 The Tech Show 01:35 Mighty Ships 02:25 Green Wheels 02:50 Bang Goes The Theory 03:40 Brainiac 04:35 The Gadget Show 05:25 How Stuff’s Made 05:50 Mighty Ships 06:40 Stuntdawgs 07:10 Ecopolis 08:00 Catch It Keep It 08:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 09:40 The Tech Show 10:10 Weird Connections 10:35 The Gadget Show 11:25 Ecopolis 12:20 Sci-Fi Science 12:45 How Stuff’s Made 13:15 Bang Goes The Theory

00:55 Style Star 01:25 20 Hottest Women Of The Web 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 50 Most Insane Celebrity Oops 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 The Dance Scene 09:45 The Dance Scene 10:15 25 Most Sensational Hollywood Meltdowns 12:05 E! News 13:05 Bridalplasty 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 14:35 Giuliana & Bill 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 17:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Style Star 20:25 Style Star 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Giuliana & Bill 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

00:40 01:30 02:15 02:40 03:05 03:50 04:40 05:25

Dr G: Medical Examiner The Haunted Dead Tenants Dead Tenants Cuff Me If You Can Forensic Justice Dr G: Medical Examiner Dead Tenants

TV Listings FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

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

Dead Tenants The Haunted Mystery Diagnosis Murder Shift Forensic Detectives Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Street Patrol Fugitive Strike Force FBI Files Murder Shift On The Case With Paula Zahn Extreme Forensics Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Fugitive Strike Force FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol On The Case With Paula Zahn Extreme Forensics Stalked: Someone’s Watching I Was Murdered Who On Earth Did I Marry?

02:00 04:00 06:00 08:15 10:45 13:00 15:30 17:30 19:45 22:00

The Grudge 3-18 The Final-18 G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra-PG15 Spiderman 2-PG15 King Arthur-PG15 Spiderman 2-PG15 The Damned United-PG15 King Arthur-PG15 From Hell-18 Ninja Assassin-18

01:15 Brothers-18 03:15 Date Night-PG15 05:15 Good Hair-PG15 07:00 Dickie Roberts: Former Child StarPG15 09:00 Flash Of Genius-PG15 11:15 Easy Virtue-PG15 13:15 My Son, My Son, What Have You Done?-PG15 15:00 The Sunset Limited-PG15 16:45 Flash Of Genius-PG15 19:00 The Maiden Heist-PG15 20:45 Agora-18 23:00 A Perfect Getaway-18

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

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart The Colbert Report South Park Funny Or Die Presents Entourage Friends Friends According To Jim The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Dharma And Greg Weird Science Just Shoot Me Late Night With Jimmy Fallon According To Jim Friends Dharma And Greg Wilfred Community Just Shoot Me The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Weird Science According To Jim Friends Dharma And Greg Just Shoot Me Wilfred Community The Daily Show With Jon Stewart The Colbert Report Weird Science Late Night With Jimmy Fallon The Office Community Hot In Cleveland The Tonight Show With Jay Leno The Daily Show With Jon Stewart The Colbert Report Family Guy Entourage South Park Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

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

The X Factor (US) Treme Eureka The Invisible Man Good Morning America Law & Order: Criminal Intent Emmerdale

08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Turn Back Your Body Clock The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View The X Factor (US) Live Good Morning America The Invisible Man The Ellen DeGeneres Show Tower Prep Glee The X Factor (US) Survivor: South Pacific Friday Night Lights Law & Order: Criminal Intent

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

Law & Order Treme No Ordinary Family The X Factor (US) Eureka Law & Order The Simpsons The Simpsons Bones Eureka The X Factor (US) The Simpsons The Simpsons The Ellen DeGeneres Show Bones Law & Order The Simpsons The Simpsons White Collar Glee The X Factor (US) Survivor: South Pacific Friday Night Lights No Ordinary Family

01:15 03:00 05:00 06:45

Juice-18 Medium Raw-PG15 The Burningmoore Incident-PG15 What Lies Beneath-PG15

09:00 Timeline-PG15 11:00 Armored-18 13:00 The Karate Kid II-PG 15:00 Timeline-PG15 17:00 Sherlock Holmes-PG15 19:15 Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels-18 21:15 Menace II Society-18

00:00 Finding Lenny-PG15 02:00 Lower Learning-PG15 04:00 Ball & Chain-PG15 06:00 Captain Ron-PG15 08:00 Someone Like You-PG15 10:00 The Prince And Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon-PG15 12:00 I’ll Be Home For Christmas-PG15 14:00 A Lot Like Love-PG15 16:00 Finding Lenny-PG15 18:00 Heart And Souls-PG 20:00 It’s Complicated-PG15 22:15 Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee-PG15

15:00 16:45 19:00 21:00 23:00

Head Of State-PG15 The Great Debaters-PG15 I Love You Beth Cooper-PG15 The Fourth Kind-PG15 Tron: Legacy-PG15

00:30 Tom And Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes-FAM 01:45 Ramses Of Egypt-PG 03:45 The Karate Kid-PG 06:15 Nativity!-PG 08:30 The Thief Of Baghdad-PG 10:00 Dr. Dolittle-PG 12:00 Dr. Dolittle 2-PG 14:00 The Karate Kid-PG 16:30 Inspector Gadget’s Biggest Caper Ever-FAM 18:00 Dr. Dolittle-PG 20:00 Dr. Dolittle 2-PG 22:00 The Enchanted Mountain-PG

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

Whatever-18 Hollywood Homicide-PG15 Moulin Rouge!-PG15 Hachiko: A Dog’s Story-PG15 The Rookie-PG15 The Lovely Bones-PG15 Catch That Kid-PG Awakenings-PG15 The Snow Walker-PG15 Proteger & Servir-18 The Reckoning-18 Indecent Proposal-18

00:00 Please Give-18 01:45 Legendary-PG15 03:45 Glorious 39-PG15 06:15 St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend Of Fritton’s Gold-PG15 08:15 Winning Time-PG15 10:00 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore-PG 11:45 Legendary-PG15 14:00 Coyote County Loser-PG15 16:00 Winning Time-PG15 17:30 Passing Strange-PG15 20:00 The Fourth Kind-PG15 22:00 The Dry Land-18

01:00 03:30 05:15 07:00 09:00 11:15 13:00

Seven Years In Tibet-PG15 Get Low-PG15 Mean Girls-PG15 The Ramen Girl-PG15 The Great Debaters-PG15 Our Family Wedding-PG15 Astro Boy-FAM

02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 11:00 12:00

WWE NXT UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Countdown Trans World Sport Live European PGA Tour WWE NXT Trans World Sport

13:00 13:30 19:00 20:00 22:00 23:00

European Tour Weekly European PGA Tour WWE Tough Enough WWE SmackDown WWE Bottom Line UFC The Ultimate Fighter

02:00 02:30 03:00 05:00 05:30 07:00 09:00 09:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 21:30 22:00

Futbol Mundial Total Rugby Currie Cup European Tour Weekly Volvo Ocean Race Rugby World Cup ICC Cricket World Premier League Snooker ICC Cricket World Golfing World Equestrian World Spirit of Yachting World Hockey Trans World Sport Beach Volley Ball ICC Cricket World Premier League Snooker Total Rugby Live Pro 12 Celtic League

00:00 00:30 01:30 02:30 06:00 11:00 12:00 13:30 14:30 15:00 20:30 21:30 22:00 23:00

Futbol Mundial Trans World Sport Golfing World Premier League Snooker Live European PGA Tour Golfing World Volvo Ocean Race Trans World Sport European Tour Weekly European PGA Tour Golfing World ICC Cricket World Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial

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 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 22:00 23:00

UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed WWE NXT Intercontinental Le Mans Cup UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC Unleashed WWE NXT WWE Vintage Collection Powerboats Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Speedway WWE NXT V8 Supercars Speedway Powerboats V8 Supercars UFC 137 Countdown UFC The Ultimate Fighter WWE Tough Enough WWE SmackDown WWE Bottom Line UFC The Ultimate Fighter

00:00 Globe Trekker 01:00 Glutton For Punishment 02:00 People Of The Sea 03:00 Wild Carpathia 04:00 Planet Sports 05:00 Globe Trekker 06:00 Glutton For Punishment 07:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 Intrepid Journeys 10:00 Tall Ship Explorers 11:00 Glutton For Punishment 12:00 Four Men And A Lady 12:30 Essential 13:00 Globe Trekker 14:00 Sophie Grigson In The Home Counties 14:30 Journey Into Wine- Australia 15:00 People Of The Sea 16:00 Planet Sports 17:00 Globe Trekker 18:00 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 19:00 Sophie Grigson In The Home Counties 19:30 Journey Into Wine- Australia 20:00 Globe Trekker 21:00 Intrepid Journeys 22:00 Secrets Of Ancient China 23:00 Planet Food

AGORA ON OSN CINEMA

00:05 02:00 02:55 03:25 04:20 06:10

Jerseylicious Videofashion Daily Videofashion News How Do I Look?

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Homes With Style

06:35 Area 07:05 Clean House 08:00 Videofashion News 09:00 Videofashion Daily 10:00 Open House 10:55 How Do I Look?

11:50 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

12:50 Clean House: Search For The Messiest...

13:50 Clean House 14:45 Videofashion Daily 15:45 How Do I Look?

16:40 Ruby 17:35 Jerseylicious 18:30 Top 10 19:25 Big Rich Texas 20:25 Open House 21:20 Clean House 22:15 The Dish Presents 23:10 Clean House

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

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 Yogi’s Treasure Hunt The Garfield Show New Yogi Bear Show Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Jelly Jamm Pink Panther And Pals Puppy In My Pocket The Garfield Show Dastardly And Muttley The Flintstones Tom & Jerry Pink Panther And Pals Top Cat New Yogi Bear Show Puppy In My Pocket Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Bananas In Pyjamas The Jetsons Duck Dodgers Looney Tunes Scooby Doo Where Are You! Tom & Jerry The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Droopy: Master Detective Wacky Races Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo Dastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry Puppy In My Pocket The Garfield Show The Flintstones Pink Panther & Pals Gerald McBoing Boing Bananas In Pyjamas Top Cat Wacky Races Tom & Jerry The Scooby Doo Show Dastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry

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

Deep Sea Detectives IRT: Deadliest Roads Engineering An Empire Ax Men Ax Men Swamp People Deep Sea Detectives IRT: Deadliest Roads Engineering An Empire Ax Men Ax Men Swamp People Deep Sea Detectives IRT: Deadliest Roads Engineering An Empire Ax Men Ax Men Swamp People Deep Sea Detectives IRT: Deadliest Roads Engineering An Empire Chasing Mummies Ancients Behaving Badly Clash Of The Gods

Information FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 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 KAC KLM JZR JZR ETH THY UAE KAC QTR DHX MSR FDB ETD GFA KAC THY DHX FCX JZR JZR BAW KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC IRA KAC JZR KAC KAC IRA KAC UAE ABY QTR RJA FDB ETD GFA IRA JZR KNE MEA SYR MSC MSR JZR UAL KAC GFA MSR FDB VOS OMA QTR KNE MSR SVA KAC RJA KAC JZR IRC YYY JZR LMU KAC QTR GFA MEA JZR MLR JZR ETD KAC UAE FDB GFA SVA

Flt 185 1948 447 267 539 620 772 853 1950 138 370 612 67 305 211 544 770 170 201 503 555 157 412 206 53 382 352 617 302 531 332 284 605 362 855 125 132 5504 55 301 213 3463 165 789 404 341 9621 610 201 982 672 219 621 57 93 645 140 745 2122 500 552 640 788 257 6791 1111 241 407 546 134 2219 408 535 403 357 303 118 857 8067 215 510

Arrival Flights on Friday 4/11/2011 Route DUBAI JEDDAH AMSTERDAM/BAHRAIN BEIRUT CAIRO ADDIS ABABA ISTANBUL DUBAI JEDDAH DOHA BAHRAIN CAIRO DUBAI ABU DHABI BAHRAIN CAIRO ISTANBUL BAHRAIN DUBAI LUXOR ALEXANDRIA LONDON MANILA/BANGKOK ISLAMABAD DUBAI DELHI COCHIN AHWAZ MUMBAI ASSIUT TRIVANDRUM DHAKA ISFAHAN COLOMBO DUBAI SHARJAH DOHA AMMAN DUBAI ABU DHABI BAHRAIN TEHRAN DUBAI JEDDAH BEIRUT DAMASCUS/DEIREZZOR SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG CAIRO DAMASCUS WASHINGTON DC DULLES DUBAI BAHRAIN ASSIUT DUBAI KANDAHAR/DUBAI MUSCAT DOHA JEDDAH CAIRO JEDDAH DAMASCUS AMMAN JEDDAH BEIRUT AHWAZ IRAQ AMMAN ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA DOHA BAHRAIN BEIRUT CAIRO COLOMBO/DUBAI MASHAD ABU DHABI NEW YORK DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH

Time 0:20 0:30 0:30 0:45 0:50 1:45 2:15 2:35 2:40 2:40 2:55 3:00 3:05 3:10 3:15 4:40 4:50 5:15 5:30 5:55 6:00 6:40 6:45 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:50 7:50 7:55 8:00 8:05 8:15 8:15 8:20 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:10 9:20 9:35 9:55 10:15 11:20 11:20 11:55 12:35 12:45 12:55 13:00 13:05 13:20 13:25 13:30 13:50 14:15 14:15 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:30 14:35 14:40 14:50 15:00 15:05 15:05 15:05 15:10 15:20 15:25 15:35 16:20 16:25 16:40 16:50 16:50 16:55 16:55 17:00 17:15 17:20

KAC ABY JZR RBG ALK JZR MSC FDB KAC KAC JZR KAC MSR KAC KAC KAC RJA KAC KAC KAC FDB JAI OMA MSR DHX GFA MEA GFA LMU QTR UAE JZR UAL KLM AIC IRA JZR JZR AXB BBC DLH

1672 127 777 3553 227 177 9623 63 502 542 125 786 2130 618 614 674 5534 104 774 562 61 572 647 618 372 2223 402 217 409 136 859 135 981 445 981 3465 513 239 389 43 636

DUBAI SHARJAH JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA COLOMBO/DUBAI DUBAI SOHAG DUBAI BEIRUT CAIRO BAHRAIN JEDDAH CAIRO DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI AMMAN LONDON RIYADH AMMAN DUBAI MUMBAI MUSCAT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN BEIRUT BAHRAIN ASSIUT DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM CHENNAI/HYDERABAD/AHMEDABAD TEHRAN SHARM EL SHEIKH AMMAN KOZHIKODE/MANGALORE DHAKA FRANKFURT

17:25 17:40 17:45 17:50 18:10 18:15 18:30 18:40 18:45 18:50 19:00 19:10 19:15 19:15 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:40 19:50 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:45 21:00 21:10 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:00 22:05 22:05 22:20 22:20 22:45 23:35 23:45 23:50

Airlines MEA AXB AIC PIA JZR DLH KLM ETH THY FDB UAE DHX MSR ETD QTR THY JZR GFA JZR FDB KAC BAW IRA JZR KAC KAC JZR IRA KAC KAC JZR UAE ABY RJA FDB QTR ETD GFA JZR

Flt 407 394 976 216 530 637 447 621 773 68 854 371 613 306 139 771 164 212 200 54 545 156 606 256 671 551 534 604 787 101 240 856 126 5505 56 133 302 214 356

Departure Flights on Friday 4/11/2011 Route BEIRUT COCHIN/KOZHIKODE GOA/CHENNAI KARACHI ASSIUT FRANKFURT AMSTERDAM ADDIS ABABA ISTANBUL DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN CAIRO ABU DHABI DOHA ISTANBUL DUBAI BAHRAIN DAMASCUS DUBAI ALEXANDRIA LONDON MASHAD BEIRUT DUBAI DAMASCUS CAIRO MASHAD JEDDAH LONDON/NEW YORK AMMAN DUBAI SHARJAH AMMAN DUBAI DOHA ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MASHAD

Time 0:20 0:40 0:50 1:10 1:15 1:20 1:45 2:45 3:15 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:00 4:00 4:55 5:50 6:55 7:00 7:30 8:25 8:30 8:40 8:50 9:00 9:00 9:10 9:15 9:15 9:25 9:35 9:35 9:40 9:45 9:55 10:05 10:10 10:20 10:40 10:50

IRA KAC KAC KNE JZR MEA KAC KAC SYR KAC MSC JZR MSR UAL GFA MSR FDB KAC KAC KNE OMA MSR RJA JZR KAC LMU SVA IRC JZR KAC KAC QTR GFA JZR MEA YYY ETD MLR JZR FDB QTR VOS UAE GFA ABY RBG SVA JZR JZR ALK FDB MSC JZR MSR RJA KAC FDB KAC KAC DHX KAC JAI OMA MSR KAC DHX GFA KAC LMU MEA GFA FCX QTR JZR KAC UAE KAC KLM JZR JZR KAC UAL IRA KAC

3406 165 541 790 776 405 1671 501 342 785 9622 176 611 982 220 622 58 561 673 746 646 2123 641 124 617 408 505 6792 512 613 773 141 2220 238 409 1111 304 404 538 8068 135 82 858 216 128 3554 511 266 134 228 64 9624 184 2131 5535 283 62 343 331 171 351 571 648 619 543 373 2224 675 410 403 218 102 137 554 301 860 205 445 268 528 415 981 3408 411

MASHAD ROME/PARIS CAIRO JEDDAH JEDDAH BEIRUT DUBAI BEIRUT DEIREZZOR/DAMASCUS JEDDAH ASSIUT/HURGHADA DUBAI CAIRO BAHRAIN BAHRAIN ASSIUT DUBAI AMMAN DUBAI JEDDAH MUSCAT CAIRO AMMAN BAHRAIN DOHA ASSIUT JEDDAH MASHAD SHARM EL SHEIKH BAHRAIN RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN AMMAN BEIRUT HONG KONG ABU DHABI DUBAI/COLOMBO CAIRO DUBAI DOHA BAGHDAD DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA RIYADH BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI/COLOMBO DUBAI ASSIUT DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN DHAKA DUBAI CHENNAI TRIVANDRUM BAHRAIN COCHIN MUMBAI MUSCAT ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI ALEXANDRIA BEIRUT BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DOHA ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD BAHRAIN/AMSTERDAM BEIRUT ASSIUT KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA WASHINGTON DC DULLES MASHAD BANGKOK/MANILA

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

11:15 11:45 12:00 12:05 12:15 12:55 13:00 13:00 13:35 13:40 13:45 13:50 13:55 14:20 14:20 14:30 14:35 14:45 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:30 15:35 15:50 15:55 15:55 16:00 16:05 16:05 16:20 16:25 16:30 16:35 17:15 17:20 17:35 17:35 17:40 17:40 17:45 17:45 18:00 18:10 18:15 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:45 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:30 19:55 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:40 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:45 21:55 22:00 22:05 22:10 22:15 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:35 23:45 23:45 23:50 23:55

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

ACCOMMODATION

'My Bird World' uses games to teach kids about birds

"T

hese are happy birds — and they want to help you learn!" writes one reviewer about "My Bird World," which is a collection of four interactive bird games that teach youngsters about 24 species of North American birds The game was co-produced by Five Ravens (http://5ravens.com/), the digital division of Birdcage Press, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478) for use on the Apple iPad. My Bird World is available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-birdworld/id454600318?mt=8) for just $4.99.

"With these intriguing and fun challenges, players learn about North American birds, including their songs, food choices, and habitats. The games are filled with fascinating facts, real bird calls and great photos!" says Nancy Trautmann, director of Education at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in a press release.

Players "earn" birds to place in virtual woodland, marsh, forest and other habitats by playing Match Facts or Infestation Predation. After winning birds, it's time to earn their food, whether it's seeds for an American goldfinch or fish for the osprey.

To win food, users play one of the nine levels of Memory or one of the three levels of Flight Patterns.

Every time players feed a bird, they learn more about it and hear it sing. The games test memory, reading, sound and visual pattern recognition, and bird identification.

"We developed these games to make learning painless and fun," says Five Ravens co-founder Wenda O'Reilly, in a press release.

"The more interested and engaged the player, the better they retain the information. It's great for children, but plenty 0f adults are getting hooked too!" More than 400 bird facts are included in "My Bird World." Bird songs and calls come from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library (http://macaulaylibrary.org/index.do), a worldwide collection of natural sounds. A portion of the proceeds also supports Cornell Lab research and education programs about birds. — MCT

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SITUATION VACANT "My Bird World" uses games to teach kids about North American birds. — MCT

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Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

So You Think faces ultimate test NEW YORK: The Breeders’ Cup may not have quite lived up to its grandiose billing as the world championship of thoroughbred racing but it remains the ultimate test for foreign horses. The dual challenges of competing against the best North American horses and the vagaries of racing on dirt have invariably proved beyond most of the top internationals that have ventured to the United States.

But the inclusion of globetrotting sensation So You Think in Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs has renewed hopes that a foreigner can buck the odds and join 133-1 longshot Arcangues (1993) as the only overseastrained winner of America’s richest race.

More than any other horse in the event, So You Think has captured the imagination of the racing world with his globetrotting success on both sides of the Equator, and his participation alone gives credence to the meeting’s stately claims.

An equine superstar in Australia, where he began his career, he has since con-

quered Europe, winning three Group One events in Britain and Ireland, and is now valued at $60 million.

Officially rated as the world’s equal best middle-distance galloper on turf, earning a higher overall Timeform rating than US Horse of the Year Zenyatta and three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Goldikova, a victory under the Twin Spires would elevate the five-year-old stallion to the same legendary status as Phar Lap, Australia’s champion racehorse of the 1930s, and Makybe Diva, the mighty mare who won the lung-bursting Melbourne Cup three times in a row.

If his past performances are anything to go by, So You Think has every chance of winning, despite never having raced on dirt before. The race will be held over a mile and a quarter (2000 metres), his favourite distance. Each of his eight Group One wins to date have been in races between 1800m and 2100m and there are no great standout horses among the locals. An imposing specimen, the near-

black entire boasts all the physical attributes of a champion racehorse; a neck built like a tree trunk, muscular shoulders and a giant rump that gives him his power.

Impeccably bred, he was sired by High Chaparral, who won the 2002 English Derby and the Breeders Cup Turf in 2002 and 2003, out of the New Zealand broodmare Triassic, who is now at the centre of a legal tug-a-war over her subsequent foals.

So You Think was bred in New Zealand but did all his early racing in Australia after being bought for $110,000 at the 2008 bloodstock yearling sales by Malaysian billionaire Dato Tan Chin Nam. Under the guidance of master trainer Bart Cummings, So You Think quickly established himself as Australia’s best horse, winning the country’s weight-forage championship, the Cox Plate, in 2009 and 2010.

He won five Group One races during his three and four-year-old seasons and his dominance began to take on epic proportions with one Australian bookmaker pay-

ing out on his second Cox Plate victory, five days before the race even took place.

So You Think finished a creditable third in the 2010 Melbourne Cup, despite being unsuited to the gruelling 3200m, although it was enough to convince his owner that his colt had the right combination of speed and stamina to succeed on foreign soil. Tan sold a half share in the stallion to Coolmore Stud, the world’s biggest breeding operation, for an estimated $30 million then moved So You Think to Ireland to be prepared by Aidan O’Brien, who was left gushing by the horse’s early performances.

In his first season in Europe, So You Think won three Group One races, the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Eclipse Stakes, beating English Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce, and the Irish Champion Stakes.

He finished fourth in this year’s Arc after getting too far back before his connections agreed to take the ultimate leap of faith and send him to America to tackle one of racing’s final frontiers. — Reuters

NHL results/standings NHL results and standings on Wednesday.

Philadelphia 3, Buffalo 2; Toronto 5, New Jersey 3; Phoenix 4, Colorado 1.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Pittsburgh 8 3 2 39 28 18 Philadelphia 7 4 1 44 38 15 NY Rangers 4 3 3 25 25 11 New Jersey 4 5 1 23 29 9 NY Islanders 3 4 2 18 23 8 Northeast Division Toronto 8 3 1 41 38 17 Ottawa 7 6 0 42 50 14 Buffalo 6 5 0 31 25 12 Montreal 4 5 2 29 30 10 Boston 4 7 0 27 28 8 Southeast Division Washington 8 2 0 40 27 16 Florida 6 4 1 29 29 13 Carolina 5 4 3 32 37 13 Tampa Bay 5 5 2 35 39 12 Winnipeg 4 6 1 30 39 9

DENVER: Goalie Mike Smith No. 41 of the Phoenix Coyotes defends the goal and makes a save on a shot by Paul Stastny No. 26 of the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. — AP

Leafs get past Devils NEWARK: Joffrey Lupul got his first hat trick in almost four years in a wild second period as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New Jersey Devils 5-3 in the NHL on Wednesday.

Lupul scored three times in a span of 7:22 against Martin Brodeur, who returned to the ice after missing six games with a bruised right shoulder. Joey Crabb and Mihkail Grabovski also had goals for the Maple Leafs.

The last time Lupul scored three goals in a game was on Dec. 12, 2007 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lupul now has eight goals this season. He scored just 14 last season in 54 games with the Anaheim Ducks and Maple Leafs combined.

Patrik Elias, Darius Zubrus and David

Clarkson scored for the Devils, who have lost five of six. Phil Kessel increased his NHL scoring lead with two assists for Toronto. He has 10 goals and 10 assists in 12 games.

Luke Adam and Andrej Sekera scored for the Sabres, who have lost four of five. Buffalo’s All-Star goalie Ryan Miller was pulled after Hartnell made it 3-0 just 6:23 into the game.

Flyers 3, Sabres 2 In Buffalo, New York, Ilya Bryzgalov made 29 saves and Philadelphia scored three quick goals in the first period to beat the Sabres. It was the first meeting between the teams since the Flyers eliminated the Sabres in seven games during their Eastern Conference playoff series last season.

Sean Couturier, James van Riemsdyk and Scott Hartnell scored for the Flyers, who won their second straight after losing four of five.

Coyotes 4, Avalanche 1 In Denver, Radim Vrbata scored two goals and Mike Smith stopped 39 shots to lift Phoenix over Colorado.

Taylor Pyatt and Lauri Korpikoski also scored to help the Coyotes win their third straight game. Ryan O’Reilly had the lone goal for the Avalanche. Vrbata sealed the win when he scored an empty-net goal against his former team with 1:33 remaining. — AP

Chicago Nashville Detroit St. Louis Columbus Edmonton Colorado Minnesota Vancouver Calgary Dallas Los Angeles Phoenix San Jose Anaheim

Western Conference Central Division 7 2 2 37 5 4 2 28 5 4 1 23 5 6 0 28 2 9 1 28 Northwest Division 7 2 2 25 7 5 0 33 5 3 3 23 6 5 1 36 4 5 1 23 Pacific Division 8 3 0 28 6 3 2 26 6 3 2 34 6 4 0 30 5 5 2 26

29 31 25 31 40

16 12 11 10 5

18 33 24 34 28

16 14 13 13 9

23 22 31 26 33

16 14 14 12 12

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

Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe

Trickett: Thorpe return is fantastic for sport SINGAPORE: The return of swimming great Ian Thorpe after a five-year hiatus has provided a much-needed fillip to the sport after the negative headlines surrounding performanceenhancing swimsuits, Australian team mate Libby Trickett said yesterday.

The use of the now-banned super suits led to a number of stunning world records at the 2009 world championships but the legitimacy of those times left many believing they were unfairly set.

Now, triple Olympic champion Trickett said she was pleased she was being asked about positive things happening in the sport as she also prepares to return to international action for the first time in two years.

“In the last couple of years there have been a few negative things happen in the sport, the swimsuits played an issue so to have something so positive bring back the publicity to swimming I think is a really wonderful thing,” Trickett told reporters in Singapore yesterday.

Trickett and five-times Olympic champion Thorpe will race in a World Cup meet in the southeast Asian city-state on Friday ahead of the Australian Olympic trials next year.

Her return to the international arena for the first time since the 2009 world championships in Rome would normally have demanded greater attention than she garnered yesterday.

Trickett won an Olympic gold at Athens in 2004 and two at Beijing as well as eight world championship titles, including a record five in Melbourne in 2007.

But after Thorpe spoke to a room packed with international journalists, many filtered out before Trickett had a chance to discuss her comeback... not that she minded the lower profile. “It is Ian Thorpe,” the chirpy Queenslandborn 26-year-old said. “I spent a number of years prior to making the team watching the amazing achievements that he was able to produce.

“It is such a thrill for me at 26 to be able to swim on a team with someone like Thorpey, who could deny someone who has achieved so much for the sport and again, who has brought such great publicity for Australia.” It was not the first time Trickett had the spotlight stolen by Australia’s most successful Olympian.

“The last time I was on a team with Ian in 2004, at Olympic trials, I was the only person to break a world record at the meet but Ian Thorpe fell in the water in the 400m freestyle,”

she joked, referring to his infamous disqualification for a false start. “It’s just one of those things. He’s such a tremendous drawcard and he does such amazing things for the sport so it doesn’t bother me too much. I kind of like laying low a little bit more too.”

Trickett returned to competitive action in June but failed to clinch a place in Australia’s

world championship relay team.

In Singapore, she will race in the 100 metre and 50 metre butterfly as well as 50m freestyle at the two-day World Cup meet.

While admitting to nerves she spoke at her delight to be back in the pool and was hopeful of posting strong times.

“It is such a thrill to be here and it feels com-

pletely surreal compared to 15 months ago when I was on a completely different track of my life, going in a completely different direction and wasn’t really enjoying what I was doing and wasn’t really happy.

“Now I feel completely happy and just loving every minute of everything I do here. I feel good and I expect to race fast.”—Reuters

Marquez seeks vindication from fight with Pacquiao LAS VEGAS: Vindication is the buzzword for Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez as he prepares for the concluding chapter in his trilogy of bouts with Manny Pacquiao next week. On Nov. 12, the two fighters will step into the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas where Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title will be on the line, along with final bragging rights from their encounters.

The boxers have met twice before, fighting to a draw in May 2004 before Marquez lost his WBC super-featherweight title to the Filipino in a controversial split decision in March 2008. On both occasions, though, Marquez felt he had triumphed.

“Now it’s time to shed doubt over who the best fighter is,” Marquez said on a conference call on Wednesday while wrapping up his training camp in Mexico. “I want to win this fight because I believe I won the first two fights.

“We are not the only ones saying that we won those first two fights. A lot of people out there, a lot of fans and a lot of the media, agree.

So we will be ready and prepared.”

Marquez gave southpaw Pacquiao extra motivation for the fight by wearing a T- shirt bearing the legend: “We Were Robbed” when their Nov. 12 showdown was promoted recently in the Philippines.

While Pacquiao claims he was insulted by that fashion statement, Marquez believes he has just as much incentive for their third and final meeting.

“It is personal for me too,” said the 38-yearold Mexican, who has a career record of 53-5-1 with 39 knockouts said. “If he is upset about me saying that I won the first two fights, I am upset that I haven’t got the decisions.

“I am just as motivated as he is. We all have

our opinions. That’s his opinion and my opinion is that I didn’t get the decisions that I deserved. I think this fight is going to be great because we both want it so bad.”

Marquez, a three-division world champion, is in the twilight of his glittering career and will go into next week’s bout as a 9-1 underdog against one of the best offensive fighters of all time.

“(Odds) don’t do anything for me,” said the Mexican, who recovered from three knockdowns in the opening round to earn a draw when they first clashed in May 2004.

“People can bet what they want, people can put the odds how they want them. If they like the 9-1 odds, that’s fine with me. It has nothing to do with the fight.”—Reuters Juan Manuel Marquez

Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Brunel: Italy must win Six Nations BOLOGNA: New Italy coach Jacques Brunel said his team must quickly reach a level that will enable them to compete for the Six Nations title.

The Frenchman was unveiled in his new post here yesterday and immediately spoke of his belief in the team’s potential.

Italy have competed in 12 Six Nations tournaments but have finished bottom nine times, finishing above the bottom two only once.

In 60 matches they have won only eight, drawing one and losing 51 times, yet Brunel is not discouraged by such inglorious history. “The team has potential, they’ve been progressing for several years and I hope to develop this progress even more,” he said. “In the next two to three years we need to arrive in a position in which we are able to win the Six Nations and at the end of the four-year cycle to be in the first six in the world.

“That will require a lot of work, we have to keep our strengths and find a better balance with these strengths, but I believe strongly in this team.” In order to achieve such success the former Perpignan coach believes more work needs to be done at youth level.

“The national team needs to carry the flame for the whole of Italian rugby, it’s a shop window for Italian rugby so we are obliged to get results,” said Brunel. “We need to provide the ambition for the whole of Italian rugby but we also need to find a way of doing so and for that we need an identity. “There needs to be collaboration between the different levels so that what we put into it allows us to get results not just for tomorrow but also for after tomorrow. “The influence we have on young players will determine the future of Italian rugby.” One of the issues that South African predecessor Nick

Mallet always had was his difficulty in finding a top level half-back pairing.

Towards the end of his reign Mallett was fortunate enough to discover two talented young scrum-halves in Eduardo Gori and Fabio Semenzato but he never found a solution to his fly-half issues.

And Mallet also complained that despite the Italian Federation financially assisting the two Celtic League franchises (Treviso and Aironi) neither of them fielded an Italian number 10.

That’s something Brunel wants to change. “I can’t say the same about the number nine and 10,” said Brunel.”Today at nine we have lots of good players, there are three or four who could play at international level. “There’s been a great search in the last few years for a top level 10 but all the teams in the world are looking for this. “The problem we have today which bothers me is that (Riccardo)

Bocchino isn’t playing at the top level in Italian rugby in the franchises. “That’s a little bothersome. We can see things differently at number nine where we have good players but at 10 we need to give young players more possibility to play at the top level. “There’s (Luciano) Orquera but we will look for other players who can play at this level. “But I have to say that all teams have this (problem) apart from New Zealand because they found (Dan) Carter. “There is potential, there are those I know of who’ve already played for the national team but there’s perhaps potential that I don’t know about in the clubs.

“It’s up to us to give confidence to those who are here now and to prepare the future to find the players of tomorrow. “We need to exploit our present strengths right now and to prepare for tomorrow we must obviously go regularly to work with the clubs.”—AFP

I was lucky to be selected for Presidents Cup, says Woods SINGAPORE: Former world number one Tiger Woods said yesterday he was fortunate to have been picked by US captain Fred Couples for the Presidents Cup defence in Australia later this month. Woods, winner of 14 majors and considered one of the finest players ever, has tumbled to 56th in the world rankings and not won a single title since the explosive revelation of his marital infidelities at the end of 2009.

The dramatic collapse has left many questioning his inclusion

by Couples ahead of the likes of U.S. PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley for the matches against an International team at the Royal Melbourne club from Nov. 17-20. “I’m honoured to be picked,” Woods, who has played every Presidents Cup since 1998, told reporters in Singapore yesterday. “Freddie had plenty of different candidates he could have chosen, I’m lucky to be on the team, we have a great team.

“I know I have got four starts guaranteed and I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing who is going to be my partner and then obviously gelling and then hopefully winning our matches.” Woods, 35, finished 128th on the PGA Tour money list this season after making just nine starts following his selfimposed exile at the start of the year and knee and Achilles injuries. The last of those nine starts came at the Frys.com Open last month, where he finished tied for 30th, but Woods was happy that the work he had been putting in on remodelling his swing was beginning to pay off.

“I was very pleased with what I worked on going into Fry’s, unfortunately I did it in streaks, I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be,” he added. “I would get in these nice grooves for nine or 10 holes then I would lose it for two or three holes. “That is something we have been working on, I have been playing a ton of golf at home, when I have played, a minimum of 36 holes.—Reuters

SINGAPORE: In this photo released by Marina Bay Sands, Tiger Woods stands on top of the roof of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. —AP

SHANGHAI: Keegan Bradley of the US reads the green to make a putt on the last hole during the first round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament. —AP

Bradley leads in Shanghai SHANGHAI: American Keegan Bradley shot a seven under par 65 to open up a two-shot first round lead at the WGC Champions tournament at the Sheshan International Club yesterday.

Sharing second place after they carded 67s were Swedish duo players Alex Noren and Freddie Jacobson and another American Bo Van Pelt.

Bradley, 25, earned his first US Tour card a year ago by winning a second tier Nationwide Tour event in South Carolina and is already ranked 30th in the world on the back of his surprise triumph in the US PGA in August.

“I feel like I have to pinch myself out here because of what’s been going on” said Bradley, who outplayed world number two Lee Westwood by four shots in a round which included five birdies and an eagle at the par five 18th.

“To go out in a strong group and

play like that on this course is very rewarding and means a lot to me.”

Bradley got off to a fast start off the 10th tee, holing a three foot birdie putt and picking up another shot at the par five 14th.

He then soared to the top of the leaderboard with an eagle at the 18th, taking on the water in front of the green with a three iron and holing out from 20 feet.

Westwood had kept within touching distance until that point with an eagle at the 14th, where his second shot hit the flag and left him with a tap in. But he later slipped back with successive bogeys at the fifth and sixth.

While the Englishman felt that the thick, humid atmosphere in Shanghai had affected his ball flight and made judging the distance to hit shots more difficult, Bradley had no such problems.

Should the American go on to win the final World Golf Championship event of 2011 it will increase his chances of being voted The US Tour’s Player of the Year at Luke Donald’s expense after the world number one and this year’s PGA leading moneywinner chose to stay at home in Chicago awaiting the birth of his second child.

“Maybe I made Luke nervous today,” he laughed. “I know there is a lot on the line and some awards to be won. But I just hope to keep playing well and let those fall where they fall.”

Donald could also see his 1.3 million euro lead in the European money list halved on Sunday should Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy come through to triumph in Shanghai. However, the US Open champion was five shots off the first round pace after shooting a 70.—Reuters

Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Tensions high between Fiorentina fans, coach MILAN: Tensions are running high between Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and a group of the club’s supporters, with the next episode set for Sunday when they team visit Chievo in Serie A. Leaders Juventus take their unbeaten record to Napoli on Sunday while struggling Inter Milan will attempt to bounce back from last weekend’s loss

behaviour, nor gratuitous vulgarity, aggravated by racism, and expresses its solidarity and support with Sinisa Mihajlovic, victim of shameful and intolerable attacks,” Fiorentina said in a statement.

General manager Vincenzo Guerini added his own appeal: “I appeal to the Fiesole Curva to stop the jeering and offensive chanting against Mihajlovic.

Inter Milan Argentine forward Diego Milito celebrates in this file photo. at home to Juve when they visit Genoa.

Mihajlovic has been given the club’s backing after he was jeered by a section of the crowd during last week’s 10 win over Genoa, the hostile reaction including ethnic taunts against the former Yugoslavia international.

“The club cannot accept degrading

“There was a sad atmosphere after the Genoa game, as if we had lost the match. ....Those insults are not part of our history.”

Italian media said there had been a slight thaw in the tension on Wednesday with fans leaving a banner at the club headquarters apologising for the insults-although they still

reserved the right to criticise the coach with Fiorentina down in 10th after a poor season last term.

“We argue with the coach but we respect you as a man,” said the banner.

In return, Mihajlovic agreed to open up a practice match to the public.

Mihajlovic, who had a notoriously short fuse as a player, took over at Fiorentina at the start of last season when Cesare Prandelli left to take charge of the Italian national side.

The former Catania and Bologna coach managed a ninth place in his first season and his side have made an uninspiring start this term, with three wins, three draws and three defeats.

However, it is his team’s perceived lack of adventure which upsets the supporters as much as their results.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte once again finds himself under pressure to include talismanic Alessandro Del Piero in the side for the visit to erratic Napoli.

The 36-year-old has not started any of Juve’s last six matches since being substituted at halftime in the match against Bologna, making only fleeting late appearances from the bench.

Juventus lead with 19 points from nine games, one point ahead Udinese and Lazio who are both at home, against Siena and Parma respectively on Sunday.

In-form Milan, a further point behind after four wins in a row, host Catania without suspended midfield pair KevinPrince Boateng and Antonio Nocerino, who have both scored hat-tricks in recent games.

They also have to come to terms with the absence of striker Antonio Cassano, due to face heart surgery and out of several months. —Reuters

Bayern travel to Augsburg FRANKFURT: The prolonged absence of Arjen Robben has had little impact on Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga leader now has to show it can also overcome the injury to Bastian Schweinsteiger, arguably the team’s most important midfielder.

Schweinsteiger broke his collarbone in the 3-2 Champions League win over Napoli and underwent surgery hours after the match. The club said Thursday that Schweinsteiger would miss the rest of the year. Bayern has opened a four-point lead on top of the Bundesliga and travels to Bavarian neighbor Augsburg on Sunday.

The promoted club has only one win in 11 games. Also on Sunday, second-place Schalke travels to Hannover. Defending champion Borussia Dortmund hosts Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Schweinsteiger has matured into Bayern’s chief midfield strategist. Hardly any forward move goes without Schweinsteiger being involved. He provided the pass for one of Mario Gomez’s three goals against Napoli.

After he was taken out on a stretcher early in the second half, Bayern lost control of the match and conceded another goal.

“You could see in the second half what an important player for our team Bastian is,” coach Jupp Heynckes said. “You could notice that there was a fissure in our game after he left. He is our pacesetter in midfield and he was in great form. The injury hurts us. “So far we’ve been able to compensate for injuries. I hope we can continue to do that.” Robben, usually one of Bayern’s most influential players, has made only four league appearances this season because of back and groin injuries. The club has not given an updated prediction for his comeback.

But that hasn’t prevented Bayern from dominating the domestic competition.

One of the reasons for Bayern’s success has been Mario Gomez. The striker has 19 goals in 17 games this season - with 12 coming in the 10 Bundesliga matches he’s played.

“The numbers are something for the public,” Gomez said. “What remains forever are titles with the team - the German Cup, championship, and it’d be great if I can contribute.” Heynckes praised Gomez after Wednesday’s match against Napoli.

“It’s not only because of three goals

that Mario played an excellent match, he was also outstanding in defense. You can’t play better,” the demanding coach said.

Schalke’s transition from coach Ralf Rangnick to Huub Stevens has been seamless and the team is looking to cement its place at the top. The trip to Hannover involves a showdown with another Europa League competitor.

Dortmund, bolstered by its first win in the Champions League after a 1-0 triumph over Olympiakos, will be seeking to reclaim second place against Wolfsburg.

Dortmund is one point behind Schalke.

Wolfsburg has been inconsistent and has lost midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger to knee surgery. Felix Magath’s team began the season hoping to claim one of the spots in Europe, but is languishing in 12th place.

Mainz, winless in nine games, hopes to snap that run when it hosts Stuttgart on Friday, but it has lost five straight at its new stadium. On Saturday, Werder Bremen hosts Cologne, Nuremberg plays Freiburg, Kaiserslautern travels to Hoffenheim, Hertha Berlin faces Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen hosts Hamburger SV. —AP

Ana Ivanovic returns a shot in this file photo.

Ivanovic rolls into Bali semis JAKARTA: Former world number one Ana Ivanovic entered the semifinals of the women’s Commowealth Bank Tournament of Champions on Indonesia’s Bali island yesterday.

The Serbian beat Italy’s Roberta Vinci 6-3, 6-3 in an 80minute match with a close second set that saw Vinci making strong returns down the line. The win moved Ivanovic a step closer to successfully defending the title she won last year.

Ivanovic has been pushing through an ankle injury and took a medical time-out with her doctor and trainer, but bounced back to win the a second set with consistent forehand winners. “(Vinci) is a tough opponent and I’ve lost to her twice this year, so I knew I had to be aggressive and settle into the rhythm of the match,” she said.

Earlier in the first round, Russia’s Nadia Petrova beat China’s Shuai Peng 6-4, 6-3, with Peng losing her reach on the ball as Petrova used her strength to dominate the court in the final games.

Petrova got more first serves in than Peng, allowing her to set up winners to Peng’s backhand. The turning point came in the second set when the opponents were neck to neck, on deuce with three games each.

Petrova won the game with a forehand shot and easily put away the next two games to see her into the semifinals to face Ivanovic.

France’s Marion Bartoli will meet Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigies today, and Germany’s Sabine Lisicki plays Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova for a spot in the semifinals. —AFP

Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Ferguson marks 25 years of pure gold at Man United

SPAIN: Valencia’s Adil Rami from France (right) celebrates with Victor Ruiz (left) in this file photo. —AP

Differences divide Valencia derby MADRID: Revelation side Levante may have lost the leadership of La Liga but they can continue ruffling the feathers of the bigger clubs when Valencia visit for the city derby tomorrow.

A 2-0 reverse at Osasuna last weekend was Levante’s first defeat this season, ending a run of seven consecutive victories, and allowed Real Madrid and Barcelona to overhaul them in to first and second place respectively.

Levante are third with 23 points from 10 matches, two behind leaders Real and one short of champions Barcelona, but importantly for their fans they are still two ahead of fourth-placed Valencia.

For the first time in nearly half a century the sides meet at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium with Levante lording it over their more illustrious neighbors.

“We head into a match with a little bit more than just three points at stake,” Levante captain Sergio Ballesteros told reporters.

“We can’t say we are favorites, especially against sides who are competing in the Champions League. It’s ridiculous. The teams with weight, bigger squads and fan bases are them. The differences are brutal.

“We are in a situation completely unlike ones we have experienced in recent years, and we cannot afford to get drawn into individual battles and rivalries. Our objective is clear and understood by everyone... to avoid relegation.”

Tiny Levante have won wide-reaching respect this season going top for the first time in their 102-year history and making headlines when they upset Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid 1-0 in September.

They have even found support among Valencia supporters, who whistled their own hardcore elements when they chanted against their city rivals during Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Valencia, like Levante, are no strangers to financial difficulties but operate on a budget five times bigger and have the bonus of income from European competition.

Unai Emery’s side kept alive their hopes of progressing in the Champions League with a first group win on Tuesday, but lost playmaker Ever Banega to a knee injury.

The Argentine has been one of their most effective players recently and his natural replacement Sergio Canales also succumbed to a long-term knee injury last week.

Leaders Real host Osasuna on Sunday (1100) seeking to extend a devastating run of form. They have won nine on the trot in all competitions, scoring 31 times and conceding only three.

In Wednesday’s Champions League win at Olympique Lyon Cristiano Ronaldo passed the 100 goal-mark since completing his world record transfer to Madrid two years ago. Ronaldo’s goal-scoring feats are mirrored at Barcelona where Lionel Messi broke the 200-goal mark, albeit over a longer period, in their midweek Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen.

Unbeaten Barca travel to play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday having scored 26 in their last nine outings without conceding once. —Reuters

LONDON: An incredible work ethic and a deep-seated love for the game have allowed Alex Ferguson to remain in charge of Manchester United for a quarter of a century, according to long-serving winger Ryan Giggs.

Ferguson, 69, celebrates his 25th anniversary with a home game against former United captain Steve Bruce’s Sunderland team in the Premier League tomorrow.

“He loves everything about his job,” Giggs told the Inside United magazine about the most successful manager in British football. “He loves watching United players, he loves seeing his players develop.

“You couldn’t do what he does at his age and have the work ethic he has got if you didn’t love it. His work ethic is incredible.

“We might get home from a European away game at four in the morning yet you can be pretty much guaranteed he’ll be first in at training at 8am the next day and he’ll be last to leave,” added Giggs who made his debut under Ferguson at the age of 17.

The Welsh international has been involved in each of United’s 12 Premier League title triumphs, just like Ferguson.

“The best piece of advice he’s given me? To work hard,” said the 37-year-old Giggs. “You can have all the qualities in the world but hard work is the key to everything.

“He has seen plenty of quality players come and go over the years but the main thing that sets great players apart from the rest is their work ethic.”

Young Mexico striker Javier Hernandez is at the other end of the age scale to Giggs but he is similarly in awe of Ferguson’s achievements.

“It would be a miracle in Mexico if somebody stayed in the job for 25 years,” said the 23-year-old. “Sometimes a manager is only in charge for two games before they get fired.

“You can talk about all the things he has won and all the years he has been in charge but you wouldn’t know it if you watched him on the bench. Every game looks like it’s his first.

“He is so excited, so enthusiastic, he wants to win so much,” Hernandez added. “He will never get bored of winning.”

Ferguson has lifted more than 30 trophies during his time at Old Trafford but he will need to wring every ounce of talent and fighting spirit out of his squad if

tomorrow’s late match.

Third-placed Newcastle United, this season’s surprise package, entertain Everton tomorrow while Chelsea’s under fire manager Andre Villas-Boas aims to end a sequence of two straight league defeats at Blackburn Rovers.

Chelsea, three points behind

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson he is to win his 13th Premier League crown in May. Mega rich neighbours Manchester City look the real deal this season and have already powered into a five-point lead over second-placed United at the top of the table.

City, who gave a clear sign of their strength by demolishing the champions 6-1 at Old Trafford last month, travel to promoted Queens Park Rangers in

Newcastle in fourth spot, also let slip a 10 lead and missed a penalty when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Belgians Racing Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, on the same points as their London rivals but with a game in hand, take on lowly Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday (1600) while resurgent Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion tomorrow. —Reuters

Bordeaux wading near bottom PARIS: Just two years after winning the French title, Girondins Bordeaux are wading in the depths of the Ligue 1 standings as a high-profile clash with leaders Paris St Germain looms on Sunday.

Bordeaux were crowned champions in 2009 but lost coach Laurent Blanc, striker Marouane Chamakh and influential playmaker Yoann Gourcuff at the end of the following season and the situation has gone from bad to worse ever since.

Last term, coach Jean Tigana threw in the towel in May with captain Alou Diarra leaving to join Olympique Marseille in the close season.

Bordeaux got off to an awful start in this campaign and lie 15th, only two points above safety following only their second win of the season at bottom club

AC Ajaccio last weekend.

“I can’t do in two months the work that has to be done over a year,” coach Francis Gillot said last week. The Ajaccio win, their first in two months, lifted Bordeaux above the danger zone but the side that beat Juventus and Bayern Munich in the Champions League two years ago are still a long, long way from competing with the top teams.

“We are excited to be playing against such a team,” defender Matthieu Chalme told the club’s website (www.girondins.com).

“But in the mean time, we dread this game a little bit because we know they are super strong. We don’t want to be ridiculous.”

PSG, who top the table having won their last six league games, have been

impressive this season with France winger Jeremy Menez, Brazilian midfielder Nene, France striker Kevin Gameiro and Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore proving to be a deadly quartet.

On the other hand, Bordeaux have yet to win a game at their Chaban-Delmas stadium, having drawn five and lost one on their own turf. “We know it’s going to be very difficult, but in one game, anything is possible,” said Chalme.

Elsewhere, champions Lille will be the only team playing on Saturday (2000) when they host promoted Evian Thonon Gaillard.

Recovering Olympique Marseille host Nice on Sunday looking to claim their third league win in a row after snatching a precious point in a 0-0 draw at Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday. —Reuters

Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Cricket cheats jailed LONDON: Three Pakistan cricketers and an agent were sent to prison in Britain yesterday for their involvement in one of the biggest fixing scandals to tarnish the sport.

Former captain Salman Butt received 21/2 years, the longest term of the three players.

Mohammad Asif was sentenced to 1 year, while 19-year-old Mohammad Amir will serve six months. Agent Mazhar Majeed was sentenced to 2 years, 8 months. All four may be released for good behavior after serving half their terms.

The players were found guilty of conspiring with Majeed to bowl deliberate no-balls as part of a betting scam during the test match against England at Lord’s in August last year.

It is the biggest fixing scandal in cricket since South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was banned for life in 2000 for taking bribes from bookmakers. “It appears that the corruption may have been more widespread than the defendants here before me,” said Judge Jeremy Cooke, who presided over the trial at Southwark Crown Court. Cooke said the offenses were “so serious that only a sentence of imprisonment will suffice to mark the nature of the crimes and to deter any other cricketer, agent or anyone else who considers corrupt activity of this kind.”

“In Pakistan, where cricket is the national sport, the ordinary follower of the national team feels betrayed by your activities, as do your fellow countrymen in this country,” Cooke said.

The quartet showed little emotion in the dock as the sentences were announced, remaining silent as they were led away from the courtroom to be taken into custody.

While Butt, Asif and Majeed are expected to begin their sentences at Wandsworth prison in south London, Amir is due to be sent to Feltham young offenders’ institute in west London. Butt’s solicitor, Paul Harris, said he intends to appeal against the sentence. Amir’s lawyer, Henry Blaxland, said he also intended to appeal.

The judge warned that cricket would be for-

ever tainted by the latest scandal, which only emerged as a result of an undercover newspaper investigation. “Now whenever people look back on a surprising event in a game or a surprising result, or whenever in the future there are surprising events or results, followers of the

and Security Unit said the spot-fixing that occurred at Lord’s was unlikely to be an isolated incident. “It’s certainly not rampant. It’s certainly not indicative of rampant corruption of cricket,” Ronnie Flanagan said. “I would have to say it is probably not absolutely isolated. It shows that

MULTAN: Pakistani protesters burn the photographs of former Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif during a protest in Multan yesterday. A British judge jailed disgraced former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt, two of his bowlers and their agent for their part in a fixing scandal which rocked the international game to its core.—AFP game ... will be left to wonder whether there has been fixing and whether what they have been watching is a genuine contest between bat and ball,” Cooke said. “What ought to be honest sporting competition may not be such at all.”

Before sentencing, the chairman of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption

we can never be complacent, we can never drop our guard, we must be ever vigilant and we will be ever vigilant.”

The cricketers were caught after Majeed was recorded by an undercover reporter working for the now-defunct News of the World tabloid saying that the three Pakistan players had accepted

Sangakkara’s century lifts Sri Lanka in third Test SHARJAH: Kumar Sangakkara notched his 27th Test hundred to propel Sri Lanka to an imperious 245-2 on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan yesterday.

The 34-year-old stylish left-hander ended the day on 112 — his second hundred of the series after hitting 211 in the first Test, guiding his team during a 173-run second wicket stand with Tillakaratne Dilshan who made 92.

That repair-damaging stand followed the early loss of opener Tharanga Paranavitana (four) who fell off paceman

SHARJAH: Sri Lanka’s batsman Kumar Sangakkara (left) teammate teammate Mahela Jayawardene (right) leave the ground at the end of the first day of the third and final Test match. —AFP

Umar Gul’s fifth ball of the match after Sri Lanka decided to bat on a batting-friendly Sharjah stadium pitch.

Sangakkara, who topscored with 78 during Sri Lanka’s nine wicket defeat in the second Test in Dubai, also completed 9,000 Test runs when he reached 28, hitting a crisp boundary off paceman Junaid Khan.

The former Sri Lankan captain is the 11th batsman in the world and only the second Sri Lankan behind Mahela Jayawardene (9895 runs) to cross 9,000 or more in all Test cricket. He jumped out of his crease to lift left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for his second six to reach the three-figure mark-his seventh against Pakistan-to show why he is currently regarded as the top batsmen in the world.

He has so far hit 11 boundaries during his near six-hour stay at the crease. Partnering him was Mahela Jayawardene on 32. Dilshan, who had 38 runs in the last four innings, realised he belonged to the top of the order as he shrugged away the poor form, hitting 12 boundaries and a six during his 168-ball knock. Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets. The first Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.

Dilshan’s elevation to the top meant opener Lahiru Thirimanne was axed while paceman Suranga Lakmal was also left out to bring in off-spinner Suraj Randiv and 26-yearold paceman Kosala Kulasekara for his first Test. Pakistan were unchanged from the second Test.

The change at the top did not help Sri Lanka to a flying start as Paranavitana edged the fifth ball of the innings from Gul and was smartly snapped up by Younis Khan in the slips, with the score at four.

money to fix betting markets by bowling three no-balls at pre-arranged times. Majeed was secretly filmed accepting 150,000 pounds ($242,000) in cash from the journalist.

Butt said he had ignored the requests from Majeed, his agent, and the 28-year-old Asif who reached No. 2 in the ICC’s test bowling rankings the month before the Lord’s test - said he had only bowled the no-ball at precisely the time Majeed said it would be delivered because Butt had told him to run faster moments before bowling. In sentencing Butt, Cooke said: “It is clear to me that you were the orchestrator of this activity, as you had to be, as captain, in arranging for these bowlers to be bowling the overs which were identified in advance to Majeed.” The judge also said Butt was “responsible for involving Amir in the corruption,” describing the teenager as “unsophisticated, uneducated and impressionable.”

“An 18-year-old from a poverty stricken village background, very different to your own privileged one, who, whilst a very talented bowler, would be inclined to do what his senior players, and particularly his captain told him, especially when told there was money in it for him and this was part of the common culture,” Cooke said. The 27-year-old Butt, Asif and Amir have already received lengthy suspensions from an ICC anti-corruption tribunal.

Butt was banned for 10 years, five of which are suspended, Amir was banned for five years and Asif was given a seven-year ban, with two suspended. “‘It’s not cricket’ was an adage,” Cooke said Thursday. “It is the insidious effect of your actions on professional cricket and the followers of it which make the offenses so serious.

“The image and integrity of what was once a game, but is now a business is damaged in the eyes of all, including the many youngsters who regarded three of you as heroes and would have given their eye teeth to play at the levels and with the skill that you had.”—AP

SCOREBOARD SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates: Scoreboard at stumps on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Sharjah Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka 1st innings T. Paranavitana c Younis b Gul 4 T. Dilshan c Younis b Ajmal 92 K. Sangakkara not out 112 M. Jayawardene not out 32 Extras: (lb3, nb2) 5 Total: (for two wkts) 245 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Paranavitana), 2-177 (Dilshan).

Bowling: Gul 17-6-43-1 (nb1), Khan 17-2-63-0 (nb1), Ajmal 27-371-1, Rehman 24-5-62-0, Hafeez 1-0-3-0 Overs: 86 Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Younis Khan, Misbahul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan.

Two balls before his dismissal, Paranavitana was dropped at forward short-leg by Azhar Ali, but the opener failed to capitalise on the chance.

Pakistan introduced spin at both ends after 10 overs, but the batsmen remained untroubled. Dilshan survived an easy catch off a short ball from Gul, which seemed to have hit the glove, but Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore remained unmoved. Pakistan also muffed a chance to stump Sangakkar, batting on 68, when the wicket-keeper missed a sharp Saeed Ajmal delivery.

But in the seventh over after tea, Dilshan miscued a drive off spinner Ajmal and was caught in the lone slip by Younis.

Pakistan took the second new ball after 82 overs, but Sangakkara and Jayawardene survived any further loss.—AFP