12th Nov

CR IP TI ON BS SU

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Implementation of ban on energy drinks to minors lax

City win, Chelsea stumble in title race

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NO: 15625

150 FILS

3 40 PAGES

www.kuwaittimes.net

THUL HIJJAH 27, 1433 AH

Oppn rallies to protest against voting changes Speakers call to safeguard constitution, boycott polls

Max 36º Min 22º High Tide 10:19 & 21:57 Low Tide 04:00 & 15:31

By B Izzak conspiracy theories

Long live the constitution

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

W

henever I travel out of Kuwait, the country turns upside down. It is almost as if somebody is waiting for me to anchor abroad and all the exciting news starts to pour in. It seems action of Hollywood blockbusters takes place when I am outside of Kuwait, unfortunately. I arrived back into the office yesterday only to find many things.

Of course, I was watching the unfolding events on TV but it is not the same when you the news and action live. The feeling and excitement are different.

Plus, you have a diversity of voices and news from everywhere. You witness the news developing.

It is a pity I missed the exciting fireworks show that has entered the Guinness Book of World Records. But I have one question: Did we have to spend KD 4 million to get a Guinness book entry?

Who cares? Isn’t it better to get into the Guinness records book for something that is good for humanity and will last, such as scientific research, charity initiatives or artistic development etc. I don’t want Kuwait to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for trivial issues such as the longest pizza or the biggest hamburger, etc, etc. But a show of light to me is like gambling. You go to the casino and you gamble your money - you might lose your cash. In this way we burn the money in the sky.

Imagine if you had given the money to a country where a child’s upbringing costs less than $1 a day.

Or to build infrastructure and irrigation in poor and deprived areas. You might criticize me for being cynical here but I am not. I am a realist. To celebrate the constitution is a beautiful thing. It reminds us of our history. I am one of the people who is supporting a “no-change” policy of the constitution and who holds up to the constitution. The way to celebrate our constitution is to implement its articles.

Our constitution is beautiful. It gives respect, justice and equality to everyone. I hope that nobody will change this status quo.

It is hard to comment on all the missed events in the past week. My editor warned me to hold my horses and discuss one topic at a time. Tomorrow is another day. Let’s wait and see what is happening with the demonstrators at Irada Square. Let’s hope for a peaceful evening!

Long live the constitution of Kuwait!

KUWAIT: Opposition supporters wave national flags and orange protest flags during a protest outside the National Assembly yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of the constitution and to demand the repeal of a disputed electoral law yesterday. (Inset) Opposition exMPs are seen at the rally. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Qatar help for suburbs meets French hostility PARIS: When the blighted housing projects ringing major French cities exploded in nationwide riots, France pledged quick action to fix them. Seven years on, the suburban projects remain islands of despair, lofty promises of rebirth largely forgotten. So a new plan to spend millions to help residents turn their neighborhoods around seemed cause for celebration. Instead, it met a wall of resistance and outright hostility. The reason: the benefactor was the wealthy Arab emirate of Qatar.

The oil-rich state less than the size of Connecticut has exerted an outsized influence as a global bankroller, putting it at the cutting edge of an accelerating power shift between traditional Western powers and emerging economies. As Europe is engulfed in crisis, Qatar has been on a global spending spree, buying stakes in luxury brands, acquiring football club Paris St Germain and financing London’s “Shard” - the EU’s tallest building. Now, to the consternation of the French, the emirate wants to make a major humanitarian investment in the West.

Calls mount for overhauling BBC LONDON: The chairman of the BBC’s gov- most serious crises of its 90-year history. erning board called yesterday for radical “The wholly exceptional events of the change in the world’s largest broadcaster past few weeks have led me to conclude after it was plunged into crisis following that the BBC should appoint a new the resignation of its chief executive in a leader,” Entwistle said in a statement outsex abuse row. Director-genside the broadcaster’s London eral George Entwistle quit on headquarters Saturday. “To Saturday night, just 54 days have been the director-generinto the job, after the flagal of the BBC even for a short ship BBC program period, and in the most chalNewsnight admitted it had lenging of circumstances, has wrongly implicated a politibeen a great honour.” cian in abuse at a Welsh chilThe announcement came dren’s home. His departure the day after Newsnight was leaves the organisation in forced to apologise for wrongchaos as it struggles to ly implicating a senior restore trust in its journalism Conservative party figure in and battles the scandal surabuse at a Welsh children’s George Entwistle rounding Jimmy Savile, the home in the 1970s. The direclate BBC television star now alleged to tor-general admitted he had no knowlhave been a prolific child sex offender. edge of the show before it was aired, in Chris Patten, the chairman of the BBC itself a source of criticism, but said quitTrust, said there must now be a “thor- ting was “the honourable thing to do” ough, structural, radical overhaul” of the since he was ultimately responsible for all way the BBC was run, although he said he the BBC’s output. He has been replaced by would not be quitting over the row. The Tim Davie, a former Pepsi executive who is allegations against Savile, who died last currently the BBC’s director of audio and year aged 84, and the botched Newsnight music, while the BBC Trust finds a more report have left the BBC facing one of the permanent replacement. — AFP

KUWAIT: Tens of thousands of opposition protesters called on the government yesterday to repeal a disputed decree that amended the electoral law, triggering a bitter confrontation between the opposition and the government. The large crowd which gathered at Irada Square opposite the National Assembly as was demanded by the interior ministry loudly cheered speakers as they criticized the government for stalling development and dividing society.

The protesters, estimated by the organizers at 200,000 but at much less than that by witnesses, chanted “the people want the cancellation of the decree” and “we don’t want the one vote” in reference to the Amiri decree which reduced the number of candidates a voter can choose from four in the previous law to just one after the amendment.

“This aims at preventing the true people’s participation in governance and this will be the result of the one-vote system” which will eventually allow influential people to exploit the country’s huge wealth, former Islamist MP Khaled AlSultan said. “We must continue protesting loudly to prevent the government from sliding into deadlock,” he said.

Kuwaiti men wearing white traditional robes streamed into the square where opposition leaders gave speeches from a stage to protesters, many sitting on carpets drinking tea as others sang Kuwaiti songs. Women dressed in black traditional robes sat in a separate area of the audience. Large numbers of police watched the huge protest without interfering but a helicopter repeatedly flew at a low altitude in what Sultan said was an attempt to disturb the gathering. The helicopter left after almost half an hour and never came back.

Continued on Page 13

Dubai top cop spews bile at Brotherhood Some Kuwaiti MPs barred from UAE

By A Saleh

Leila Leghmara It all started a year ago when 10 enterprising local officials from the heavily immigrant suburbs bypassed France’s sleek diplomatic machine and knocked on the door of Qatar ’s emir with a request for help to fund the dreams of budding entrepreneurs without means.

In fairytale fashion, their wish was fulfilled beyond their expectations: The emir pledged a Ä50 million ($65 million) investment fund. But the offer met a storm of protests by politicians back Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: Dubai police chief Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan yesterday said that a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group that was arrested in the UAE had was creating turmoil through social media and that they had been in contact with foreign bodies. “They have committed state security crimes and that’s why the public prosecutors ordered arresting them,” he said, adding that all the arrested suspects had contacts with Brotherhood members in Kuwait and that some Kuwaiti MPs had condemned their arrest.

Khalfan said that some Kuwaiti MPs - whom he did not identify were not welcome in the UAE. “They know this very well and if you wish to know who they are, I suggest that they visit the UAE and they ’ll be exposed,” he said. K halfan also stressed that investigations revealed

that the suspects arrested in UAE had met with Kuwaiti Brotherhood members who are the “mentors of other groups”. “They hold courses and teach members how to act and resist, such as Tareq Al-Suwaidan. His anti-regime attitude is very clear,” he said.

Khalfan highly praised the recent measures Kuwait took in confronting the “illegal” protests organized by some activists. “I personally believe what the government did was one hundred percent right,” he said, noting that the one-vote electoral system was the best. K halfan also expressed pleasure over the unprecedented number of candidates running for the forthcoming elections despite opposition calls to boycott it, saying this proves the Brotherhood opposition’s failure in convincing highly educated youth to boycott the elections.

Continued on Page 13

Syrian oppn strikes unity deal Israel fires missile into Syria DOHA: The Syrian opposition agreed yesterday to unite against Bashar Al-Assad’s regime as Israel fired warning shots into the war-torn country in response to mortar fire that hit the Golan Heights.

After four days of marathon talks in Qatar, the Syrian National Council finally signed up to a wider, more representative bloc centred on a government-in-waiting, as demanded by Arab and Western states. Cleric Ahmed Al-Khatib was elected to head the bloc, dissidents said. Khatib, a moderate originally from Damascus who quit Syria three months ago, will lead the National Coalition of Forces of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition, formed after the SNC agreed to the new group.

Prominent dissident Riad Seif, who had tabled an initiative to unite the opposition, and female opponent Suhair Al-Atassi, were elected as two vice presidents of the coalition.

The Israeli warning shot across the UN-monitored ceasefire line between Syria and the occupied Golan Heights came after a mortar round fired from the Syrian side hit an Israeli position. It came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet Israel was “ready for any development.”

Chief military spokesman Yoav Mordechai said it was Israel’s first firing across the armistice line since the 1973 war.

Reservations in SNC ranks about what many members saw as a move to sideline it had prompted repeated delays in the Doha talks and mounting

DOHA: Cleric Ahmed Al-Khatib gestures after he was elected to lead the newly-formed National Coalition of Forces of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition yesterday. — AFP frustration among other dissident groups and the opposition’s Arab and Western supporters. But after negotiations ran into the early hours of yesterday and resumed in the afternoon, the antiAssad factions agreed to form the coalition. “We signed a 12-point agreement to establish a coalition,” said Seif.

In a copy of the document obtained by AFP, the parties “agree to work for the fall of the regime and of all its symbols and pillars,” and rule out any dia-

logue with the regime. They agreed to unify the fighting forces under a supreme military council and to set up a national judicial commission for rebel-held areas. A provisional government would be formed after the coalition gains international recognition, and a transitional government formed after the regime has fallen. Former prime minister Riad Hijab, who fled to neighbouring Jordan in August in the highest-ranking defection from Assad’s government, hailed the agreement as “an advanced step towards toppling the regime.”

The Israeli army said a mortar round fired from the Syrian side had hit one of its positions on the Israeli-occupied Golan plateau, prompting the riposte from its troops. Military sources told AFP the army fired a single Tamuz anti-tank missile, a weapon known for being highly accurate, towards the Syrian outpost from which the mortar round was fired. “We shot toward them, but deliberately missed,” one said. Earlier, Netanyahu said Israel was “closely monitoring what is happening on our border with Syria and there too we are ready for any development.”

Fighting also flared on the Turkish border as Syrian troops and rebels battled for the town of Ras al-Ain, where thousands of refugees have fled into Turkey in recent days, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Ras al-Ain is one of just two Turkish border crossings the Syrian army still controls. — Agencies

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LOCAL

Kuwait, the Arab Spring through the lens of a Russian Arabist

By Velina Nacheva KUWAIT: Victor Mikhin, a former diplomat at the Russian embassy in Kuwait, returned to Kuwait this week in search of material for an upcoming book on the country that would cover its history, heritage, culture, economy and traditions. Here at the invitation of Kuwait’s Ministry of Information, Mikhin has met with officials and various society members to help him tell the story of Kuwait’s heritage and the country’s recent transformation. Speaking to the Kuwait Times about his upcoming book, Mikhin looked at the country ’s history and the regional geopolitical infrastructure in retrospect.

The book he is currently working on, will be dedicated to the history of Kuwait and “how step by step the Al-Sabah transformed the sliver of land into a beautiful country.” Mikhin, who is a writer, diplomat and a journalist, says: “My main focus is relations between Russia and Kuwait today.”

Kuwait, the first country he was posted to in 1970 after graduating from Moscow’s Foreign Ministry, has remained special for

him. “I can see tremendous changes in Kuwait. The skyline and the infrastructure have changed dramatically,” he says and adds, “Back in 1970, I could walk from one part of Kuwait to the other in a short time. Today, the city has blossomed into a vast territory, heavy traffic, greenery

consistent in maintaining its traditionally good relations with all Arab countries. Stressing that Russia has had very good relations with Kuwait, Mikhin says that there are new emerging players in the region.

“We would like to establish good relations with more Arab

KUWAIT: Victor Mikhin talking to Kuwait Times. — Photo by Joseph Shagra and skyscrapers. I can see changes in every field of life.”

Asked to compare the end of the Iron Curtain to the Arab Spring, Mikhin, an Arabist and a Gulf expert, says that Russia is

countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman,” he said and added, “Saudi Arabia is the most important country in the region. We call it our eldest sister.

Now Qatar, too, has started to

play a special role in the region.”

Known for its firm position on solving the conflict in Syria, Russia, Mikhin says, has Syrian people’s best interest at heart. He explained that to help solve the conflict, Russia has hosted negotiations among some 20 Syrian groups which all have different allies and partners in the region and beyond. “Our position is simple. We want the Syrian people to decide for themselves and no any other country should do that for them,” he said. “My message is clear: Stop the war. Syrians must decide.”

The Middle East Peace Process, he says, has been a mission that has been on the United Nations’ agenda for a long time. Russia is also determined to extend a helping hand to the people in Palestine, he says, applying a step-by-step approach. “ We (Russia) would like to see an organized Palestinian state where every Palestinian has a home,” he said by way of defining Russia’s position on the Middle East Peace Process.

Born in 1942, Mikhin is a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and of the Russian Journalists Association.

Hadas expels member for joining polls KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti society has expelled a member after he registered to run in next month’s parliamentary elections that the opposition has vowed to boycott.

The Islamic Constitutional Movement (Hadas) said former lawmaker Khodhair AlEnezi had broken the society line announced last week to boycott the elections on Dec 1.

“We do stress our steady stance not to field candidates and not to vote in the elections,” the society said in a statement. “We commend the wide commitment to the boycott that will reflect on the popular boycott of the next elections. In line with our clear position, we announce that the candidate Khodhair AlEnezi was sacked from the movement and consequently does not represent it in both his candidacy and his positions,” it said.

The movement, established in 1991 following the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi invasion and which at one time had six candidates in the parliament, said there was no candidate representing it in the elections.

The opposition said it was boycotting the elections to protest against the amendment of the 2006 electoral law that reduced the number of candidates a voter can elect from four to one.

It said the decision aimed to curb its influence and to ensure the election of a rubberstamp parliament.

Several formations said they would push for a national boycott of the elections to weaken the next parliament and have it dissolved on the grounds that it would not be a representative of the people.

However, despite the calls, an exceptionally high number of candidates have signed up their names for the elections in a clear indication of the deep divisions in the Arabian Gulf country.

One day after Kuwait celebrated the 50th anniversary of the constitution with impressive fanfare, the opposition is holding a rally in the Irada Square in the capital. The decision marks a move from the last two street demonstrations that ended in clashes between protesters and the police.

The interior ministry said it would not tolerate unlawful gatherings and demonstrations. A statement from the ministry said gatherings and rallies were allowed under the constitution, but were confined to the Irada Square.

Structural works speed up in Jamal Abdul-Nasser Road project KUWAIT: The supervising authority in charge of Jamal Abdul Nasser Road Development project - one of the prime transportinfrastructure projects taking place in the state of Kuwait and worldwide - announced the advancement in structural works following the comprehensive do over of design and drawings by reason of employing an alternative erection system known as ‘Segmental Span-by-Span’ method, and through which; almost 20 KM length of elevated motorways are to be constructed more economically and speedily.

The works - materializing in the construction of the elevated highway elements including bridge segments, foundations and piers - are advancing concurrently on construction sites along the project line as well as offsite in the project’s segment Pre-Cast yard in Al-Doha area.

The Ministry of Public Works represented by the Director of Highways Department, Engineer Abdul-Aziz Al-Sabah, stated in a brief: “Through our joint efforts with the collaboration of Louis Berger Group and Pan Arab Consulting Engineers, we have managed to continue and advance with project works in a fast pace following a complete do over of design material, working drawings, shop drawings, coordinations and approvals that was completed on account of applying a new construction methodology for the bridges and elevated roads”. “So far, on foundations,

Pile cap works ( steel works ) we’ve completed 311 piles, 4 pile methodology of work that comcaps ready for pier constructions plies with the current situation of and a batch of bridge segments the road that was measurably diffabricated in the precast yard in ferent from the time of tendering. al-Doha. On road works, we’ve The alternative entails an erection opened 4 detours to date in order technique identified as to continue with structural opera- ‘Segmental Span by Span’ method tions. We are pleased to see the which basically denotes completproject materialize in face of all ing one deck span of segments the challenges, and witness such after the other, and comes prefersignificant step forward for this able to the formerly suggested mega-structure on-site” he ‘Balanced Cantilever’ method in added. its economical value and speed of Elaborating further, Engineer erection.

Abdul-Aziz said that due to the “Other Span-by-Span advanrecent dire site circumstances and tages include easy geometry conconstraints, it has become very trol, lesser work space required difficult to maintain works and and minimum use delays”. assure its speed without having In a brief description of the high public disturbances, motion structural elements being underand time wise, even with detour way, Engineer Abdul-Aziz said: “A roads. Therefore, it was necessary pile cap is a thick concrete cuboid to find and employ a new that embeds on concrete piles,

Column works ( steel works )

fairly long slender columns driven into the ground to provide a stable foundation. The bridge loads are transferred from the deck to the supporting piers and through the pile-cap onto the piles underground. The concrete elements are water-proof and are designed to withstand harsh ground conditions due to its advanced water proof membranes”.

Moreover, the Engineer said that offsite pre-casting of bridge segments is now being underway in the 100,000 m2 Segment Precast Yard of the project located remotely in Doha area past any residential districts. The Precast yard is a fully mobilized facility in which bridge segments are being fabricated, cured and stored until need on site. This process guarantees an elevated speed on construction and quality control in addition to very limited public disturbance.

“As part of its ongoing commitment to enhance the motorway and road network in Kuwait, the Ministry of Public Works is undertaking the Jamal Abdul Nasser Road development Project which aims to transform and upgrade the existing highway to a multi leveled motor-express way built upon international standards to stand for the next 100 years. We would like to extend our apologies for any inconvenience this venture may cause due upon its execution however we guarantee that the end results are well worth the sacrifices”.

KUWAIT: Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in Kuwait, Khemissi Arif, held a reception recently on the occasion of Algeria’s National Day. The event took place at the Salwa Al-Sabah’s Hall and was attended by Minister of Oil Hani Husain as representative of the Kuwaiti government, as well as ambassadors and other dignitaries. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Fire breaks out in factory

By Hanan Al Saadoun KUWAIT: A huge fire broke out in a factory for boats at Mina Abdullah area, security sources said. A number of fire centers were engaged in fighting the fire.

A Saudi citizen who got into a fight with a Kuwaiti soldier in the camping area, later got into his car and ran over the soldier, killing him late last night. The soldier was declared dead when he was brought to the Jahra Hospital while the Saudi, who was arrested, has confessed

Amir turns down minister’s resignation KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has turned down resignation of Minister of Commerce, Industry and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, the Minister of Information announced yesterday.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah AlMubarak Al-Sabah, also the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, said in a statement that HH the Amir received, earlier yesterday, with attendance of HH the

Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah, Al-Saleh and ordered him to proceed his duties as minister in the government.

Minister Al-Saleh expressed gratitude for confidence of Their Highnesses, the Amir and the Prime Minister, affirming that he would spare no effort, and would cooperate with the his fellow ministers, to service of “dear Kuwait under the leadership of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince”. —-KUNA

Scrutiny of nominations begin KUWAIT: The elections authority began scrutiny of nomination applications to determine names that may be removed within the next two days.

Meanwhile, as election campaign began and candidates started deciding their slogans and when they will be opening their headquarters, a government source said the success of the election process lies in electing an assembly that can fulfill the countries’ ambitions to become a financial center without any obstacles, and clinch the economic laws that the country needs.

The source said the next assembly will be balanced and cooperative and will end all escalations and crises afflicting the national assemblies. He said the government will present a

Water proofing works at pile cap

to the crime, the first reported from the camping site this year.

The Kuwaiti soldier, who was working in the Ministry of Defence, had a fight with the Saudi citizen, and when the Saudi got into his car, the soldier stood in front of it. The Saudi man told his interrogators that he ran him over by mistake, and later went to the camp that both of them were using, to seek help. He said he left the place thinking that the soldier had not died. He was later caught from his residence at Sabah Al Nasser area.

comprehensive work plan and it will be implemented with the government’s cooperation. He added that citizens will find a level of performance and major development that the country has not seen in years.

The source promised to consider several laws that are kept on the backburner though they are beneficial to the country and its citizens, adding that the government wants a true partnership with the National Assembly within the constitutional framework and for each authority to respect the limits of its jurisdiction.

The source said the government wishes to appoint the largest possible number of MPs as ministers to increase cooperation when the new government is formed.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LOCAL

Kuwait urged to pay $2.16bn Dow fine

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday at Seif Palace, with attendance of HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, retired Lt Gen Fahad Ahmad Al-Ameer and other retired senior officers. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: Dow Chemical is contacting law firms in several cities worldwide including New York in order to decide how best to deal with a situation that could arise if Kuwait fails to pay a $2.16 billion penalty as a result of canceling a deal with the government four years ago, a local newspaper reported yesterday.

Legal sources quoted by Al-Qabas indicated in the meantime that the American company could “lay their hands” on Kuwaiti foreign assets if the Gulf state fails to pay the fine in cash.

Minister of Oil Hani Hussain is expected to make a statement in the near future about this case and its fallout, said the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. They also argued that the writ the government made against the court ruling which enforced the fine “was a tactic to buy time”, knowing very well that it would be little value.

While the sources suggested that the fine is to be paid before the end of the year to protect foreign assets from a potential ‘Dow’ takeover, other sources within Kuwait’s oil sector recommend that the Petrochemical Industries Company - the state-owned body required to pay the fine being the party that had struck the deal with Dow Chemical - should engage in talks with the American company to try and reach a settlement, using the “significant profits Dow Chemical gains from its local investments” as leverage.

Kuwait bans sale of energy drinks to those under 16

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: After repeated incidents including two deaths caused by wrongful consumption of energy drinks, the Ministry of Commerce issued a decree last month banning sale of such drinks to those less than 16 years of age.

The decree was in line with the World Health Organization regulations and the recommendations of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health.

This decree makes it obligatory for store owners selling energy drinks to put up a sign informing customers that energy drinks were not meant for sale to those under 16. They would also have to put warning stickers on the drinks saying that these could be harmful for pregnant women, patients with diabetes or high blood pressure, or those suffering from allergy to caffeine, in addition to the dangers the drinks pose to children.

Although, it has been almost a month since this decree was issued, yet it was not being implemented and respected by most stores.

“When I was buying grocery from the baqala near my house, I saw a boy of 11 or 12 years of age demanding one of the popular energy drinks. The salesman handed over to him the

Implementation yet to come

can nonchalantly, though the boy did not buy it because he found it expensive. Clearly, the decree is not being respected,” said 30-year-old Maha.

KUWAIT: A boy is drinking an energy drink that is easily purchased from a local supermarket. The image is used for illustrative purposes only. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat In fact it is hard to enforce such a regulation on all the stores, and that is why regular inspections take place to check any violations.

“Our inspectors pay surprise visits to the stores and groceries to check various violations. In

order to penalize the store on this account, we have to have evidence to prove that they were indeed selling such energy drinks to children.

Of course, we can register a case based on a complaint made by a witness who claims to have seen a salesman selling an energy drink to a youngster, which will then be transferred to the court.

Then it will be up to the judge to decide, based on the testimony of the witness,” Ahmad Al-Sherida, speaking from the Municipality hotline, told the Kuwait Times.

According to him, inspectors of the Ministry of Commerce, which issued this decree, should be ensuring its compliance by the stores. “Our center is a connecting center of all areas of Kuwait and we then send the complaints to the center in-charge. Unfortunately, people cannot just inform us by phone, they will have to come and fill a form along with their ID so that we know it is serious,” added Al-Sherida.

According to the decree that was issued, the penalty may include closure of the violating store for a week and even up to a month if the violation was repeated. In case of still more repetition of the violation, the license of the store may also be cancelled.

Nine injured in road accidents

By Hanan Al Saadoun KUWAIT: Two people were seriously injured in a car accident on Fahaheel, Al Dabbous street, after the municipality round about. While a 44-yearold Indian suffered fractures in his right hand and right thigh, a 50-year-old Bangladeshi expat received a head injury. Another Indian origin man, who was 21 years of age, fainted after the accident. All were taken to the Adan Hospital.

Two Kuwaiti men were injured in a car accident in Al Ardiya industrial area and had to be rushed to the Farwaniya Hospital. A 26-year-old Kuwaiti man suffered facial injuries while his 27-year-old compatriot complained of pain in the back. Both were taken to the Farwaniya Hospital.

Three Kuwaiti youth, all 18 years of age, were

injured in a car accident at Marina crossing.

While one was injured in the right shoulder, another suffered a fracture in the left knee and injury in the right one, and the third too was left with an injured right knee. A 20-year-old Kuwaiti man who felt dizzy after the accident refused to be taken to the hospital. The three young men were rushed to the Mubarak Hospital.

A car accident in Al Abdali area near kilo 5 left a 24-year-old Kuwaiti man with seemingly heart and breathing troubles. He was rushed to the Jahra Hospital and admitted to its intensive care unit. A car accident on King Abdulaziz near Coast Club left a 44-year-old Bangladeshi with pain in the legs and back. Another Bangladeshi citizen, aged 51, also suffered pain in the chest.

Both were taken to the Adan Hospital.

Veteran Kuwaiti Scout honored KUWAIT: The Kuwait Boy Scouts Association will host a ceremony this evening to honor veteran Kuwaiti scout Ibrahim Al-Maqhawi. The event will be attended by KBSA President Dr. Jaaafar Al-Arayan, who is also sponsoring it.

Al-Maqhawi is a member of the first Boy Scout team formed in Kuwait in 1936. The team was founded by Mohammad Al-Maghrabi, who was a member of one of the first teachers’ delegations that arrived in Kuwait from Palestine. According to historian Thamer Al-Sayyar, it consisted of 34 Mubarakiya School students, including the late Amir HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmadi Al-Sabah, the late father Amir HH Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as well as Sheikh Salem Al-Ali al-Sabah, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and Sheikh Khalid Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The team even held the first Boy Scouts’ camp in Kuwait that year, which took place at the Al-Beda’ Beach.

‘Popular’ decision next week KUWAIT: The government is set to announce a number of decisions aimed at improving the economy and standard of living as well as pushing development projects forward, a local newspaper reported yesterday quoting Cabinet sources.

“The decrees go along two routes, the first of which focuses on enhancing citizens’ monthly income and standard of living in general,” sources who spoke to Al-Rai on the condition of anonymity said. The second route pertains to “various development projects and will address citizens’ key interests including housing, education, health and public roads,” sources added.

The sources did not give a clear timeline or details of the decisions “that remain under discussion,” but hinted that they could be announced next week. Meanwhile, AlAnba newspaper quoted cabinet insiders who spoke about recommendations to increase the marriage allowance by 30 percent, as well as the child support allowance to KD100, which could give an idea about the type of announcements to expect.

Emergency clinics During the coverage of the constitution day, three clinics were set up and 10 ambulances with technicians were put on stand by while communication officers were assigned to deal with the public. A unit was also deployed at sea, along with firemen. A special wireless frequency was assigned to deal with any exigency. A total of 100 technicians remained on the job. The administration dealt with 547 cases, of which 28 were taken to hospitals and 519 cases were treated at the site.

The administration thanked the technicians from the medical administration for their efforts in making the constitution day a success and thanked all participating personnel for their cooperation.

Strict Municipal actions against violators

By Hanan Al Saadoun KUWAIT: Head of emergency team at Hawally municipality Riyadh Al Rabie said that 171 citations were handed out to violators as a result of the inspection rounds on the ground undertaken by municipality teams during the month of October. These were in addition to citations issued on account of illegal constructions and those issued to roaming salesmen. One shop was shut down and 32 warnings handed out apart from 15 cases of encroachment on state property which were removed.

Emphasizing the importance of abiding by the municipality regulations, Al Rabie said in a press release that 112 citations were handed out on account of non-compliance with food regulations, of which 38 pertained to working without obtaining health certificate or having an expired one.

A total of 28 citations were on account of employing laborers without obtaining necessary health papers for them or having expired ones, 15 for exhibiting goods past their expiry date and nine for opening the shop without approval of the municipality.

Six citations were handed out for not abiding by sanitary and hygiene conditions and two for exhibiting goods outside the shop.

He said 38 citations were handed out due to violation of provisions governing advertising, most of them for lacking license for the advertisement on display.

Further, 720 kilograms of fruits and vegetables were confiscated from roaming salesmen and 20 citations were given to them.

The team removed 825 advertisements which were in violation of regulations and confiscated 4630 CDs from roaming salesmen. It received 35 complaints. Al Ravie said the team deals with all the complaints received as per municipality regulations.

He said the objective behind issuing citations was to protect public health and to confiscate products which do not meet prescribed conditions and are still exhibited in the markets. Saying that all food items in the governorate fall under their control, he called the consumers to ensure that the products they were buying were valid. He advised anyone facing a problem to call municipality hotline no. 130 which works round the clock to address any such issues.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LOCAL

kuwait digest

In my view

Dispute over single vote

Lot of thanks for the Amir

By Dr Shafiq Al-Ghabra

T

By Abdallah Bwair

local@kuwaittimes.net

K

uwait has lived through disorder and irresponsible behavior by some people in the form of unauthorized marches that spread panic among its citizens.

They put our beloved Kuwait in harm’s way by such actions which are the reason behind lack of development, laws and projects. They are the same people who have also filed innumerable grilling motions in the parliament for no reason.

They have mastered the art of insulting others, mainly the former prime minister His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Sabah, and instigating young people to draft them into practices that go against Kuwait’s interest such as storming into the parliament’s buildings or taking part in unlicensed rallies.

They are the same people who used offensive language at the Iradah Square which we had never heard before. It became par for the course for them to offend through such verbal attacks and they spared no one. They used words which were unacceptable and offensive towards His Highness the Amir’s brother, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmda AlJaber Al-Sabah.

After that, they went so far as to undermine the status of HH the Amir by claiming that the emergency decree issued by him to adopt the single vote system was illegitimate. This is an unacceptable deviation from acceptable political discourse.

What is the motive behind such incendiary campaigns and law breaking? What is the message that people behind such wrongful practices wish to send?

An Arab saying goes like THIS: “He who lacks modesty does whatever he desires.” This applies perfectly to the opposition which called a “mega rally” on the 50th anniversary of the constitution, one they describe as “the largest in Kuwait’s history”. This group put Kuwait at a huge risk, and were it not for HH the Amir’s timely intervention, Kuwait would have been lost and we would have been lost with it as well. Therefore, it is time for us to say a huge ‘no’ to those who messed with our country’s security. Kuwait, including its leadership and people, has remained patient during the past few years. We have been patient without actually knowing what you really want. But thanks to HH the Amir’s intervention, your actions have been exposed.

The distinguished relationship between Kuwaiti people and their leadership is too strong to be affected by ill intentions. It is time for all Kuwaitis to stand and announce their support to HH the Amir in his mission to reinforce the country’s status which was put at risk until HH stepped in and ensured that the law is enforced equally against all.

kuwait digest

The democracy that we seek

By Dr Moudi Al-Hmoud

I

recently volunteered to enroll in the scientific research section of the American University in Washington DC, which has given me an opportunity to closely study the various events happening locally and internationally. This experience allowed me to meet researchers, professors and students, in addition to watching two major events closely: the United States presidential elections, and the international perspective of the events in my beloved country, Kuwait.

The US elections have shown why America is the world’s most mature democracy. Programs focusing on actual national issues were the center of discussion during debates between analysts and spectators. Facts about true achievement on the ground were the standard based on which politicians and parties were assessed, and votes were cast. It also showed that everyone, including House members and the nation’s president, are equal in front of the media and voters.

Sophisticated democratic speech that lacked undermining, accusations or reference to others’ backgrounds was adopted by all. I saw firsthand how the US elections unified a nation with various

backgrounds, and how everyone went back to their jobs following the elections to fulfill their duties fully without asking for anything in return.

It truly was democracy at its finest. On the other hand, I was sad to witness the political developments in my own country. With all due respect to my brothers and sisters in the national movement (liberals), I was hoping that they would have followed the advice of former MPs Abdullah AlRoumi and Saleh Al-Fadhalah who called for giving top priority to Kuwait’s interest. Boycotts do not build countries, and change that comes from inside the parliament is required. By taking part in the polls, we can only enforce reform and put the country back on the right track.

The road to completing Kuwait’s democracy is still a long one, and true reform can only be achieved through elected parliaments. This is the democracy that we seek.

In the end, I would like to congratulate Islamist groups, including Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists, on their decision to participate in the upcoming elections, which is evident despite their claims of boycott. —Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

Political scene still too foggy

By Thaar Al-Rashidi

S

o far nothing indicates that we are living through a democratic “wedding”, as we used to say every time there was an election in Kuwait. Indeed, we are living through a democratic wedding, but it is more like a wedding in which the bridegroom and his family came to the wedding, but the bride and her family did not show up, and it seems that the bride will not show up. Any one who tells you that he can inform you with any kind of certainty about what will happen politically over the next week is a first degree liar. The scene is still too foggy, and visibility is zero. Political events are happening at a pace so fast that we are unable to see what we are pass through in terms of changes that are happening. Our case is like that of a group which is aboard a vehicle at the 7th Ring Road, with the vehicle zooming at a speed of 180 km per hour at midnight with foggy weather conditions and visibility as low as 100 meters with the vehicle lights blown out. May Allah protect us!

Boycott seems to have yielded political results as candidates without any relation to politics have emerged. It is up to you to refuse or to participate. It is all your concern as long as your decision comes out of your head, and is not the result of someone else’s advice or instructions or in lieu of some financial payment given to you. If that is so, you are no more than a political merchant, exhibiting your principles for sale in a political shop, available to anyone who pays more. There are many buyers and many takers for such principles put on sale these days.

The atmosphere is not healthy at all, but polluted. The smell of political money fills our nose, and our political street is full of bodies which are being used for a certain purpose. Even then, I believe that the road to reform is very easy and not complicated. But it seems that no one wants to use that road these days.

Protest rallies that happened in Kuwait were not against the regime or against the rule. Not a single protest happened against the rule or the regime, and will never happen. If that sordid thing were to happen one day, then the Kuwaiti public, and in particular the opposition, will be the first to oppose such a rally. The protest rallies are due to political differences about certain political decisions only, nothing more and nothing less.

Our Kuwaiti spring started 300 years earlier and we fully believe in the rule of Al Sabah family. We defend it and do not accept an alternative rule. This picture should remain in our mind as long as Kuwait lives. —Al-Anba

he decree approved by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, to limit the number of votes that each citizen is entitled to from four to one in the five constituencies has led to a strong political dispute. The single vote issue and Dec 1 elections have triggered a popular movement and many youth activities are calling for reforms and more productive role for the political opposition in Kuwait.

While the independent youth movements are demanding cancellation of the decree and restoration of the four votes and five constituencies system, the opposing Kuwait political movements are also insisting for the same, making them an opposition which is currently in majority. In comparison, the other forces of an urban nature that have been reduced over a time span into a minority, now fear the growing power of the opposition and its expanding base in the tribal majority areas. It is not difficult to infer that the current dispute, and the Kuwaiti political movement linked to it, pulsate with vigor and have linkages going back to the deeper changes that happened in Kuwait over the past 20 years.

Knowledge production increased over the past two decades and the level of the Kuwaiti peopleís social awareness rose. New social powers appeared on the scene, including the middle class that cuts across all strata of society, and it abhors bad management, monopoly controls, absence of economic transparency and the problem of corruption. The role of people of outer areas increased over the past 20 years among tribes who are now educated even as they face increasing marginalization.

A large sector of the society discovered that its progress and development have become more linked to its ability to create political conditions that enable it to hold powers that be to account, and place the right man in the right place, while strengthening freedoms and pushing for development of an integrated project for the state and its democracy, which will certainly include respect for the rights of all components of the society.

However, if we study the Kuwaiti political situation deeply, we will see that the current movement is not revolutionary in nature. Rather, it is a reform movement that is propelled largely by a loyalty towards the political system, Kuwaitís constitution and the Amir. The new generation that forms the majority of the population, is looking for a more modern country, more realistic laws and an economy that faces competition strongly and is more favourably inclined towards the middle and marginalized classes while being appreciative of their competencies. It should be noted that in all the movements ñ youth groups organized two major demonstrations under the slogan ìDignity of a Nationî, with one of them attracting nearly 100,000 participants ñ peaceful and positive slogans that demanded dignity and withdrawal of the decree remained dominant.

The Kuwaiti youth movement grew out of political practice carried out on social media like ìTwitterî and others. The movement, which has been in the making for years before the Arab spring, is characterized by its ability to erase or blur differences among various societal groups by concentrating on the civility of the state that can accept all: tribes (the new population majority that feels marginalized), the urbane who are the old city founders who are afraid of the power of the tribal majority, the Shiites with their history and status and fear of religious factions and the women being the weakest and more productive half of the society. There is a lot of spontaneity in this youth movement and it is void of ideological moorings. The youth movement has gained momentum lately and with new apolitical groups also joining in, it is gaining more strength and experience by the day. What is important in the youth movement is that it is increasingly controlling the Kuwaiti political formula and applies overt pressure on MPs and the traditional opposition. The traditional political opposition powers in Kuwait which were represented in the last National Assembly, and known as the majority powers, from Islamic and liberal factions, have developed through the Kuwaiti democratic experience.

Among the most important leaders in the majority is former MP Musallam Al-Barrak who became a symbol (or party by himself ) for opposition powers. The strength of this leadership lies in being a mediating interactive force in the negotiating space between the executive authority and the youth movements. While the opposition is affected by the youth movement, it still has a certain ability to influence the youth, but that requires flexibility on the part of the executive authority in coming up with solutions for the current crises.

Without this, the youth movement will not accept MPsí flexibility if it materializes. This again confirms that there is a reformist movement in Kuwait which has a strong stamina, and that political powers want to withdraw the decree, as happened in the case of many previous decrees and stands, and not to compromise the regime or threaten the stateís foundations.

The Muslim Brotherhood faction is not the instigator of this movement, as the ìbrotherhoodî or the constitutional movement in Kuwait is no more than one launched and sustained by the opposition powers. This faction is also loyal to the state and the Amir despite its opposition to the decree just like most powers in the opposition in Kuwait. The Brotherhood people were part of the previous governments and participated in parliament like others did. The constitutional movement became an open political faction since 1990 and witnessed many changes in its base and wings.

We must clearly understand while grappling with the Kuwait situation that the traditional opposition did commit many mistakes in the past but also achieved success in several legislations, especially in the field of supervision and accountability. The opposition stood up against corruption and presented proposals for the independence of the judiciary though these did not materialize.

Of course, it also suffered from internal fragmentation.

The opposition got involved with personalization of differences with a minister, submitting a grilling motion at a wrong time or stirring issues that insulted other groups of the society. The situation weakened the opposition and at times, made it look like the reason for escalation. It is certain that, before the last decree which was made by the Amir, the chances of the opposition in the coming assembly were not very bright, but the political division that appeared after the one vote decree alongside the evolution of the youth movement, provided the traditional opposition with fresh impetus.

The dilemma of Kuwait opposition is linked to the existence of a major defect in Kuwait democracy which does not recognize parties and political entities, and this means that political factions in Kuwait are functioning unofficially and there is no law that legalizes their role.

This makes every person considered in the opposition as empowered to put across a policy he wants by himself which weakens the National Assembly. — Alaan

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LOCAL

Opposition hits hard at Constitution anniversary Fireworks display ‘big violation’ KUWAIT: The opposition ‘boycotted’ Saturday night’s celebration in which tens of thousands watched Kuwait’s $15 million spectacular record-breaking fireworks display. They also questioned the government’s golden jubilee celebration of the ratification of the Constitution that they accuse it of violating repeatedly.

“The Constitution they are celebrating was deliberately violated and suspended multiple times by those whose interests it actually threatens,” former MP Salem Al-Namlan said in statements to Al-Rai. Former MP Abdurrahman Al-Anjari described the ceremony which marked the golden jubilee of Kuwait’s Constitution as “a celebration of the constitution’s assassination,” while member of the scrapped 2012 parliament Nayef Al-Merdas indicated that the event was “hardly appropriate when the constitution was not being enforced.”

Former MP Abdullatif Al-Omairi weighed in from a different angle, saying

that the KD4.16 million ($15 million) spent on the massive fireworks show was ‘a violation of the Constitution as it amounted to wastage of public funds.’

“The Constitution guarantees public funds, so should it be celebrated by wasting public funds on a ceremony or by respecting its articles?” he remarked sarcastically.

In the meantime, reactions continued to pour in from the oppositionists who are boycotting the upcoming elections claiming the government was plotting to produce a rigged parliament with a progovernment majority through an emergency decree that reduced the number of candidates a voter can elect from four to one. The opposition claims the change effected in the election mechanism should have been made by parliament saying it would have been a ‘better constitutional way’ to amend the electoral law. Reacting to the relatively large number of candidates who will be con-

KUWAIT: Partial view of the audience.

testing for the 50 parliament seats on Dec 1, former MP Dr. Faisal Al-Mislem said that “betting on quantity instead of quality is a lost bet.” Arguing that the decision to boycott has succeeded “after taking over news headlines,” Al-Mislem expressed confidence about a boycott by the voters also “which would be like a referendum on the emergency decree that the whole world will be able to see.”

Former MP Saleh Ashour who decided to contest in the next elections admitted that the next parliament “will lose a number of strong and experienced politicians” as a result of the boycott advocated by the opposition, liberal groups and tribal communities. However, Ashour said that the next parliament faces “a true and huge challenge that can only be overcome through cooperation with the government for recuing the nation.”

While Ashour did not specify the type of challenges that future MPs should be looking for, observers believe that their

first task would be to refute accusations of being pro-government as the opposition claimed. Even before that, most observers agree that candidates should be ready to deal with topics that the opposition is likely to raise during activities staged parallel to the election campaign.

Meanwhile, local newspapers reported yesterday that the Islamic Constitutional Movement fired member Khuddaiyer Al-Enizy after he registered to run in the elections. The group, widely considered the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Kuwait, made the decision as Al-Enizy violated the decision to boycott the elections.

In another update, the Elections Affairs General Department announced on Saturday that fourth constituency candidate Sheikh Ahmad Dawoud Salman Al-Sabah withdrew his nomination, reducing the number of candidates to 386 by the end of that day.

KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Satish C. Mehta and other officials receiving Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.

Indian minister visits Kuwait KUWAIT: Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, visited Kuwait during Nov 10 -11, for promoting the 11th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) which would be held in Cochin from Jan 7-9, 2013. He was accompanied by T.K. Manoj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of

KUWAIT: Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi addressing the meeting.

Overseas Indian Affairs and V.N. Ajayan, APS to the Minister. Kuwait was the first stop-over in the minister’s visit to the GCC region in connection with PBD 2013.

During the visit, the Embassy of India, Kuwait organized a Pravasi Bhartiya Divas promotional event at its premises which was attended by about 200 people from the Indian community in Kuwait. The programme started with the welcome speech by the Ambassador Satish C. Mehta, followed by a short film on PBD 2013.

Subsequently, the minister addressed the gathering and urged them to attend PBD 2013 in large numbers so as to make it successful.

The minister informed that during PBD 2013, focus would be on the issues facing Indians abroad and the participants would have the opportunity to interact with chief ministers of various states. He also highlighted various measures initiated by his ministry aimed at the welfare of Indians working overseas. The minister also answered the queries raised by the community members. This was followed by a reception organized by the ambassador in honour of the minister.

Earlier during the day, the minister interacted with members of the Indian Doctors Forum at a luncheon meeting. Later, he also attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the Indian Business Council. Government of India has been organizing Pravasi Bhartiya Divas every

Increase in sale of luxury cars KUWAIT: Luxury car sales in Kuwait increased during the first ten months of 2012 by 22 percent compared to the same period last year, a local newspaper reported yesterday quoting data gathered from various car dealers across the country.

Moreover, Al-Qabas further indicated that luxury car sales represent 14 percent of the total car sales in Kuwait’s market during the past ten months which saw 90,750 new cars being sold.

“A total of 12,293 luxury cars were sold in Kuwait during the past ten months, compared to 10,107 sold during the same period in 2011,” reads the report which quotes experts in the auto business who believed that the ‘boom’ in luxury car sale can be attributed to salary increases and allowances that the government passed last year, combined with the relatively low interest rate.

According to the report, Range Rover boasted a 54 percent sales increase in Kuwait, the largest in the local market during the period specified above. The British carmaker sold 765 new cars by October-end since the beginning of 2012, compared to 496 during the first ten months of 2011.

Meanwhile, Japanese carmaker Lexus sold the largest number of luxury cars in Kuwait with a figure of 2,954, which was 42 percent more compared to the same period of last year in which 2,073 new cars were sold.

year since 2003 to recognize and highlight the contribution of the Indian community abroad in the country’s development. Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards are also conferred on the occasion every year. PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from across the globe.

About 2000 NRIs/PIOs from all over the world are expected to participate in PBD 2013.

Al-Babtain affirms message of peace versus calls for conflicts ROME: Promotion of knowledge and moderate principles can be helpful in confronting calls for rifts and confrontation among various nations of the globe, affirmed the renowned Kuwaiti poet, Abdul Aziz Saud Al-Babtain.

Al-Babtain, who has already translated words into action with inauguration of Arab-European Cultural Dialogue Institute, noted that the establishment of the institute “was an accomplishment in the quest for dialogue with the western capitals, most notably Rome, for sake of transmitting the message of justice, love and mutual respect” with the western nations.

Al-Babtain, Chairman of the Foundation of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain’s Prize for Poetic Creativity, opened the institute in the Italy capital last week-his latest accomplishment on path of promoting dialogue between Arab and European nations.

He confirmed that the gigantic cultural project was in line with the message of the foundation aimed at activating interaction of civilizations for welfare of human race and living in a world free of conflicts, wars, killing and annihilation. It is also aimed at “changing the prevailing mentality that pushes human race toward self destruction and create a new mentality that absorbs concepts and values of peace and love.”

The institute was set up in coordination with the Italian Altiero Spinelli Institute and Belgium’s Meseuro Center. Cooperation with these two European foundations falls in line with the foundation policy of coordinating with institutions that adopt the same belief in cultures, arts, creativity, sciences and knowledge. These are effective weapons in the face of advocates of confrontation, promoters of hatred and animosities among the peoples of diverse cultures, Al-Babtain said.

High turnout of attendees at the inauguration ceremony reflected sincere desire among Europeans to get acquainted with “the Arab mentality,” said the famous Kuwaiti poet, who added that values such as peace loving have been taught at Kuwaiti schools since the times of great scholars and teachers, such as Abdul Aziz Hussein, Mohammed Rujeib and Ahmad Al-Adwani. “We are enlightened with this living heritage by which we proceed with the serious work to contribute to the welfare of peoples,” he added.

The institute was opened late on Friday. The rector of the Third University of Rome, Fabiano Guidi, addressed the inauguration ceremony, praising the Kuwaiti poet for his substantial role for promoting the culture of human interaction for peace throughout the globe.

“It’s high time that the human race, after witnessing too much senseless killing and the earth became crowded with dead bodies of victims of annihilating wars, become aware of consequences of evil acts,” Al-Babtain added, re-affirming his vision that mankind should shift toward a new path, based on promotion of education, values of peace and peaceful interaction and con-existence.—KUNA

PRATAP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LOCAL

Two in police custody for human trafficking Driver leaves with employer’s money

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank’s Services Department Manager Hesham Al-Busijan rewarding employee Abbas Al-Blushi for his efforts and dedication throughout his ten years in the department.

GCC audit bureaus grateful for leaderships’ support RIYADH: GCC audit bureaus are grateful for the support and trust bestowed by leaders of the Gulf countries, Chairman of Kuwait Audit Bureau Abdulaziz AlAdsani said here yesterday.

At the conclusion of the 11th meeting for heads of GCC Audit Bureaus Council, Al-Adsani said that the meeting had discussed training courses for audit personnel.

He added that the gathering had also approved a number of recommenda-

tions which were proposed by GCC undersecretaries’ during previously held sessions especially the one concerning the auditing of the GCC Secretariat.

Al-Adsani noted that the meeting had agreed on increasing its budget for its scientific research contest from 90,000 to 150,000 Saudi Riyals.

The next meeting for the heads of GCC audit bureaus council will be held in November 2013, in the Kingdom of Bahrain. — KUNA

GCC security pact up for ministerial review MANAMA: The final draft of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) security agreement is ready and will be reviewed by interior ministers of member states today. “The interior ministry undersecretaries have discussed the final draft and it was forwarded to the interior ministers who will review it when they convene,” said Gazi Al Omar, assistant undersecretary in Kuwait’s Interior Ministry.

The GCC is going through critical times that require a unification of policies, plans and ways of executing strategies of individual security agencies, the official said..

The move would allow the GCC as a whole to deal more effectively with any negative consequences of events in the region on national security of member

states, Al Omar said. He said the political situation in the region demanded that GCC states responded quickly and took appropriate preventive measures to confront potential threats to their security and stability.

“We call for new coordination measures and tools for follow-up and prompt reactions in [dealing] with the emergency security developments and events within the GCC,” he said. “This can be achieved through unifying policies and joint action plans, the exchange of information and data and bringing viewpoints closer on the impact of these events on the national security of the member states and on the adequate measures to deal with them.”

KUWAIT: Two people were arrested on charges of human trafficking and forgery following investigations carried out by the Migration Investigation Department officers. The racket came to light with the arrest of illegal residents whose claim during interrogation that they were registered as employees of a certain company led to the discovery that the firm was not even registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. As officers summoned its Kuwaiti owner, he told them about a Syrian man who he claimed handled all issues pertaining to the company. He said he did not keep track of the Syrian’s doings.

Meanwhile, police arrested an Egyptian man who the workers had claimed had helped them obtain residencies in exchange of money. The suspect admitted working with the Syrian man to forge a rent contract at the latter’s residence, based on which they obtained a new license from the Ministr y of Commerce and Industry. They issued 27 work permits for laborers who each paid KD700 for their residency.

Based on their confessions, the suspects were referred to the Public Prosecution to be held pending legal procedures.

Fatal accident A couple died in a car collision reported recently at the Wafra Road. The vic tims, a Kuwaiti man in his sixties and his wife, were pronounced dead on the scene. A case was filed at the Abdullah Port police station for investigations. Meanwhile, an Asian man was rushed to Al-Razi Hospital with fractures and multiple injuries after he was hit by a car in Kabad. Police are looking for the runaway driver based on the descriptions of his white American-made vehicle, provided by eyewitnesses.

In another accident, a child was crushed underneath a yellow Hummer in Al-Nahdah. The driver of the Hummer, who had stopped momentarily, fled from the scene in his vehicle. The 5year-old Kuwaiti boy is currently recovering at the intensive care unit of the Ibn Sina Hospital from serious injuries including a lacerated lever and several broken bones. According to eyewitnesses, the suspect had stopped after hitting the child who was playing with other children outside his cousin’s house, but got back into his vehicle and drove away out of fear that the child might have died.

Dishonest driver A Kuwaiti female senior citizen who paid for her driver’s plane ticket home to attend to his sick mother later found that he had cheated her by withdrawing KD10,000 from her bank account over one month before leaving the country. The Asian suspect had reportedly informed his former employer that he had decided to stay back in his home country since his mother had died. The Kuwaiti woman had not only paid for the driver’s airfare but also gave him KD500 when he requested an emergency leave to attend to his sick mother. A few days later, the woman sent her daughter to withdraw some cash, a task she usually assigned her driver. The daughter discovered that a total of KD10,000 were withdrawn from her mother’s account over the course of one month right before the driver left.

The woman has filed a case at the Kaifan police station.

Home robbery Thieves stole jewelry worth thousands of dinars from a Qurain house they broke into this past weekend. The house’s Kuwaiti owner called the police after discovering the theft upon returning from a chalet where his

family spent the weekend. The value of the stolen jewelry was estimated at KD16,000. Crime scene investigators lifted fingerprints from the house as investigations are ongoing. ) Drunk arrested A man who walked into a police station recently to report his missing car was put behind bars because he was under the influence of liquor. The officers at the Fintas police station noticed the man’s unstable behavior, and were quick to find that he was in an inebriated state. Police pressed intoxication charges against him. He remains in custody pending legal action.

Trespassers questioned Two Kuwaiti men were arrested for trespassing into a restricted area recently. Police found no hunting rifles inside their Japanese -made sports utility vehicle (SUV) but is questioning them about their motives. Cases of hunters entering into the restricted areas located in different parts around Kuwait’s deserts are frequently reported. Of the two, one was identified as a Ministry of Public Works employee and the other a Ministry of Defense serviceman.

GCC chief calls for WMD-free Gulf RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr Abdullatif AlZayani called yesterday for riding the GCC and Middle East region of all kinds of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

“The GCC believes that the Gulf and Middle East regions must be free from nuke or mass destruction weapons, “ Al-Zayani said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the third annual regional seminar on the fight against weapons of mass destruction.

The seminar is organized by the Ministry of Defense today in cooperation with the U.S.

Central Command with the participation of the United States and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen.

Al-Zayani underscored that the GCC countries face a number of regional and international challenges which calls for the creation of more opportunities to strengthen cooperation between them and the friendly countries.

He said it is the right of any state to possess and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in accordance with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

and under its supervision. “The GCC countries give priority to strengthening and enhancing their joint capabilities, such as the Peninsula Shield Force, the establishment of a regional maritime center and the establishment of an air missile defense which ensures joint response to all biological and radiological threats,” he said.

The GCC Chief noted the GCC countries are working to establish a center to monitor nuclear radiation for the GCC’s use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and in order to avoid radiation and nuclear hazards. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team launched a three-month operation to clean the Shamlan Dock at Sharq’s Fish Market, which takes place in cooperation with various state departments and volunteers including the Kuwait Ports Association, the Kuwait Municipality and the Kuwait Fishermen Association.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Threatening emails have brought down CIA chief

Israel, Gaza militants trade fire in escalation Page 8

Page 9

MANDALAY: People on a boat work near a damaged bridge in Kyauk Myaung township, east of Shwebo, following a powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar killing at least 13 people, injured dozens and sparking panic in the major central city of Mandalay yesterday. — AFP

13 killed in strong Myanmar quake Tremor felt in neighbouring Thailand SHWEBO: A power ful earthquake which hit Myanmar yesterday killed at least 13 people, injured dozens and sparked panic in the central city of Mandalay, residents and aid workers said.

The shallow 6.8-magnitude quake struck in a rural area 116 kilometres (72 miles) north of Mandalay followed by a series of aftershocks, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Another strong quake with a magnitude of 5.8 shook the same region late yesterday, it added. The tremor was felt by an AFP team near the town of Shwebo, which is north of Mandalay and close to the epicentre of the earlier quake.

There was no immediate information on whether the latest quake caused further deaths or major damage. Four labourers flung into the Irrawaddy river from a partly-built bridge in the region were among those believed to have died,

according to a situation report from the Save the Children charity.

The collapse of a monastery in the nearby village of Kyauk Myaung killed two people and one died in Mandalay, it said. A further six were killed in Sint Ku township, including two people who died when a gold mine collapsed.

“People everywhere are very worried that another earthquake might strike,” the aid organisation said. Residents of Mandalay fled shaking buildings in terror, although no major damage was reported there. “I ran from my bed carrying my daughter out to the street. There were many people in the road. Some were shouting and others felt dizzy,” Mandalay resident San Yu Kyaw told AFP by telephone. An official from Myanmar’s Relief and Resettlement Department confirmed a death toll of seven so far, with four still considered missing from

Bahrain opposition leader says hopes fading for talks MANAMA: Envoys from the US and other countries are acting as intermediaries with the Gulf nation’s rulers in attempts to ease 21 months of unrest, the head of Bahrain’s main opposition group said yesterday.

Even so, he said protest groups see little hope for breakthrough dialogue as crackdowns widen. The remarks by Sheik Ali Salman, head of the top Shiite political bloc Al Wefaq, underscore the sense of a deepening crisis in strategic Bahrain after a week that included deadly bomb blasts and an expanded deployment by the paramilitary National Guard.

Yesterday, clashes erupted after the funeral of a teenage boy killed on Friday. Opposition groups claim he was hit by a car while fleeing a security clampdown, but Bahraini officials say the death resulted from a traffic accident.

More than 55 people have been killed in Bahrain’s unrest since February 2011 after an Arab Spring-inspired uprising by the country’s majority Shiites to weaken the influence of the Sunni monarchy and seek a greater say in the nation’s Sheik Ali Salman affairs. The showdown also has placed Washington in an increasingly difficult policy bind.

The US does not want to jeopardize its relations with the leadership in Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet as the Pentagon’s main counterbalance to Iran’s military expansion in the Gulf. But Washington is growing uneasy with the harsh measures against Bahrain’s opposition, including a ban on protest rallies imposed late last month.

Salman told The Associated Press that American envoys and others are serving as “indirect mediators through meetings with the opposition and the (government) authorities ...

These communications are efforts to end the crisis.”

But Salman said there are fading hopes for dialogue to resolve the crisis because of the escalating crackdowns and convictions of opposition figures, including some sentenced to life in prison. —AP

the bridge construction site. He told AFP information was still patchy and the number of dead could rise. Save the Children, which has an office in Mandalay, said reports indicated that 25 were injured in the bridge collapse on the Irrawaddy, with 10 taken to hospital.

It said 20 people were thought to have been taken to hospital in Shwebo and a further 10 were being treated in Mandalay. Construction standards are generally poor in the country formerly known as Burma, one of Asia’s most impoverished nations.

A large crack stretching from the second to the sixth floor of Mandalay’s highest building, the 25storey Mann Myanmar Plaza, appeared after the quake, a local resident told AFP. He said people were afraid to enter the structure and it remains closed. The USGS issued a yel-

low alert after the morning quake, saying “some casualties and damage are possible” but the impact should be relatively localised.

The quake hit at 7:42 am (0112 GMT) at a depth of just 10 kilometres. It was followed by two shallow 5.0-magnitude aftershocks within 20 minutes, according to the USGS. “The quake was quite strong. I was shopping in the market at the time and I saw women crying in fear when they felt it.

We expect more quakes are coming. Everybody is afraid,” said 23-year-old Win Win Nwe, a resident in Shwebo. It comes little more than a week before US President Barack Obama is due in Myanmar on a historic visit, as the West begins to roll back sanctions to reward dramatic political reforms under President Thein Sein.

The quake was felt in neighbouring Thailand including in Bangkok. Earthquakes are relatively

common in Myanmar. The USGS said six strong earthquakes, of 7.0-magnitude and more, struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the centre of the country.

Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, an official at the National Earthquake Information Division in Naypyidaw, said it was the strongest quake in the area since a 6.0-magnitude quake in 1991.

More than 70 people were killed in March 2011 when a powerful 6.8-magnitude quake struck Myanmar near the borders with Thailand and Laos, reducing homes and government buildings to rubble and affecting thousands of people.

Aid workers praised Myanmar’s regime for its speedy response to that quake, in contrast to the handling of natural disasters by the previous junta which had ruled the country for decades. — AFP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

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

Iran parliament to investigate blogger’s death DUBAI: Iran’s parliament will investigate the death of a blogger in police custody, a lawmaker said yesterday following international condemnation of the incident. Sattar Beheshti was arrested in his home on October 30, rights groups reported, after receiving death threats. The 35-year-old who ran an anti-government blog died in custody, possibly as a result of torture, Amnesty International said in a statement last week.

Deputy parliament speaker Mohammad Hassan Abu-Torabi Fard said yesterday a committee would investigate Beheshti’s death, according to the Mehr news agency.

“The national security and foreign policy committee of Parliament has investigated this topic and has formed a committee in this regard,” Abu-Torabi Fard was quoted as saying by Mehr.

Conservative and outspoken lawmaker Ahmad Tavakoli, who represents Tehran, criticised Iran’s judiciary for failing to address Beheshti’s death.

“I recommend that instead of dealing harshly with bloggers, you go after corrupt officials,” Tavakoli said, according to Mehr.

Iran has rejected criticism of its human rights record in the past as political and motivated by Western opposition to the Islamic Republic. But

its leadership has taken action on other allegations of mistreatment of prisoners.

In 2009, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the closure of the notorious Kahrizak detention centre. The order was given because the centre could not preserve “the rights of detainees”, said legislators at the time. Media is tightly controlled in Iran and blogging has become one of the few outlets - albeit a risky one - for criticising the state. Iran clamped down on dissent after mass protests against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009.

Iranian authorities have acknowl-

edged three people arrested in the post-election unrest were killed in custody. Beheshti’s family initially gave interviews to media outlets on the circumstances of his arrest, but the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said on Thursday it had not been able to contact them in recent days and believed the family had been ordered by authorities to keep silent.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Friday Iran must immediately explain Beheshti’s sudden death, and that the government must “halt its intense harassment of the victim’s family.”

The day before his arrest, Beheshti said he had been threatened. “They sent me a message saying, ‘Tell your mother she will soon be wearing black because you don’t shut your big mouth’,” Amnesty quoted him as saying. The European Union’s foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said yesterday she was deeply concerned by Beheshti’s death in custody and urged Tehran to stop the repression of bloggers and internet activists. “The EU expects the Iranian authorities to conduct a thorough enquiry into the case, in order to establish the exact circumstances of his death,” Ashton said in a statement. —Reuters

Israel, Gaza militants trade fire in escalation 6 Gazans killed, 4 Israeli troops hurt after jeep attack

SIDON: Lebanese army soldiers walk towards demonstrators in the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon following a gun battle between supporters of the Shiite movement Hezbollah and hardline Sunni cleric Ahmed al-Assir, yesterday.

Two people were killed and seven injured during the clashes which took place near a Palestinian refugee camp. — AFP

Yemeni leader held under house arrest ADEN: A tribal leader suspected of links to al Qaeda was put under house arrest on Saturday in the southern city of Aden after security forces warned him a week ago to hand himself over to the authorities, an official said. Yemen has stepped up a campaign to defeat Islamist militants this year.

It is an arena for US drone strikes because al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has used its Yemen base to target Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Tarek al-Fadli, who was raised in Saudi Arabia and fought in Afghanistan, heads a major tribe in Abyan province. He disappeared several months ago when the Yemeni army, backed by US drones, fought to clear al Qaeda militants from southern Yemeni towns they had occupied during an uprising last year against veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Fadli reappeared last week in his home in the port city of Zinjibar, one of the towns the army took back from al Qaeda, leading to a stand-off between his supporters and

troops. On Tuesday, he was given an ultimatum to surrender as the government sought to avoid a clash with the tribal leader. Fadli agreed on Saturday to move to the southern capital of Aden where he was placed under house arrest.

“We managed to move Fadli out of his home in Abyan and now he’s under house arrest in Aden,” said an official from Abyan.

“Now Fadli will remain under house arrest until the people of Abyan present evidence that would lead to his trial.”

The stand-off, which lasted nearly a week, highlighted the challenges facing President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi - who took power after Saleh stepped down in February - in trying to assert state authority following the uprising.

Impoverished Yemen adjoins the world’s top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia. Its wealthier Gulf neighbors and Washington are concerned al Qaeda and other Islamist fighters could pose a threat to Saudi Arabia and nearby oil shipping channels. — Reuters

International prosecutor probes new cases in Libya UNITED NATIONS: The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says she is collecting evidence for filing possible new war crimes charges against supporters and opponents of Moammer Gaddafi during last year’s Libyan civil war.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she expects to decide soon on “the direction” of a possible new case that could see the first charges stemming from the Libyan civil war since the ICC issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son and heir-apparent Seif alIslam Gaddafi, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi in May 2011. They were accused of committing crimes against humanity by targeting civilians in a crackdown against rebels that led to the Libyan leader’s ouster and death.

Libya has challenged the ICC’s right to try Seif al-Islam. Bensouda said she doesn’t expect the tribunal’s judges to take too long to decide whether he should be prosecuted at the court in The Hague, Netherlands, or in his home country.

“I think they will ... consider giving clarity to the parties and participants as soon as possible,” she said. In a wide-ranging interview, Bensouda also discussed the importance of capturing the infamous African warlord Joseph Kony, her recent visit to Kenya to seek cooperation in the upcoming trial of four prominent Kenyans for crimes stemming from the country’s 20072008 post-election violence, and her frustration at being unable to act in response to the ongoing attacks on civilians.

Bensouda was at UN headquarters to give her first briefing on ICC activities in Libya to the Security Council since she took over the prosecutor ’s job from Luis Moreno-Ocampo in June. The council referred the Libyan uprising against Gaddafi to the court in February 2011.

The prosecutor said in the interview after Wednesday’s council briefing that if the judges rule that Seif al-Islam should be tried by the ICC “it will be difficult” to enforce the decision. But she said Libya has been operating within the Rome statute that established the court in challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction, and she expects the government’s cooperation in handing Seif al-Islam over if that is the judges’ decision.

If the judges decide to allow Seif al-Islam to be tried in Libya, “we will continue to monitor what Libya is doing,” she added.

Seif al-Islam is being held by a militia group in the Libyan town of Zintan.

Bensouda said she has been urging the government to appoint a lawyer for him.

Al-Senoussi was captured after fleeing to Mauritania and was extradited to Libya in September.

Regarding possible new Libya cases, the prosecutor said she is collecting information on allegations of rape and sexual violence targeting men and women, gathering evidence against other members of the Gaddafi government, and investigating allegations of war crimes committed by rebel forces against Gaddafi loyalists and residents of Tawerga. The town was used as a staging ground by Gaddafi’s forces to launch attacks on Misrata, Libya’s thirdlargest city and its commercial hub, where rebel fighters fought off a bloody siege in what became one of the turning points of Libya’s civil war.

Bensouda said she is examining allegations that civilians in Tawerga were subject to killings, looting, torture and forced displacement by Misrata militias which could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

As for Kony, Bensouda said finding the Lord’s Resistance Army leader - the first suspect indicted by the ICC on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in 2005- is proving difficult because his small band of fighters is moving between remote areas of South Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic that are very difficult to access.

She said the 100 US Special Forces troops sent by President Barack Obama about a year ago to help Ugandan-led African Union troops hunt down Kony have been playing an advisory role, “but I think they are also progressing to actually taking part in tracking him and finding him and eventually getting him arrested.”

Lt. Col. James O. Gregory, a spokesman for the Special Forces, said late Friday that “unfortunately, I cannot discuss any potential role changes for our forces involved in this mission.” —AP

JERUSALEM: Israel is “prepared to escalate” its response to Palestinian rocket fire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned yesterday, after one of the worst flare-ups along its border with Gaza in recent years.

“The army is acting and will act forcefully against the terror organisations in the Gaza Strip.

They are receiving strong blows from the army,” Netanyahu told ministers at the beginning of his cabinet meeting.

“The world must realise that Israel won’t sit by idly in the face of attempts to attack us. We are prepared to escalate our actions,” he said. The flare-up began on Saturday evening when Gaza militants fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli jeep along the Gaza border, injuring four soldiers, one of them severely.

Three remained in hospital yesterday.

Israel retaliated with airstrikes, shelling and artillery fire that left six Palestinians dead and 32 injured by yesterday morning, and Palestinian militants fired at least 57 rockets into southern Israel.

The latest barrage of rockets, yesterday morning, hit the Israeli border town of Sderot, injuring four civilians, Israeli police said.

The outbreak of violence was one of the most serious since Israel’s devastating 22-day operation in the Gaza Strip over New Year 2009, and raised the spectre of a broad Israeli operation against the Palestinian territory.

“It’s a very severe situation, rockets are landing on our towns and villages, almost on a daily basis and of course no democratic country can tolerate such a thing,” finance minister and Netanyahu confidant Yuval Steinitz said.

“If this will proceed, we will consider a much stronger and massive retaliation in order to protect our citizens.” The flare-up comes ahead of Israeli elections in January, but ministers said the build-up to the vote would not prevent an operation if it was

RAFAH: A Palestinian child stands on the rubble of a home following an Israeli military air strike in Rafah town in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. The flare-up which began November 10, was one of the most serious since Israel’s devastating 22-day operation in the Gaza Strip over New Year 2009, has culminated in six Palestinians being killed and 32 injured by Israeli strikes after militants fired on an Israeli jeep, wounding four soldiers, medics and witnesses said. — AFP ty and two rocket-launching Barhum. necessary.

The radical Popular Resistance “Israel will have to prepare sites “in response to recent Committees vowed that “the itself for an operation, whether events.”

Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesman Zionist enemy will pay a high or not elections (are scheduled),” infrastructure minister Uzi for the Hamas-run health min- price for this crime against Gaza.”

Landau said at the beginning of istry, said 32 people had been And Islamic Jihad warned that injured, 10 of them requiring “every aggression against the the cabinet meeting.

Yesterday morning, amputations. Medics said 10 Palestinian people will be folPalestinian medics said the people were in “serious to critical lowed by a response from the resistance.” death toll stood at six, after a condition.”

Tensions have been rising on Qudra named the four civilmilitant was killed and two other people wounded in an Israeli air ians killed as 20-year-old Matar the border since Thursday, when strike near the northern Gaza Abul Ata, 17-year-old Mohamed an Israeli soldier was wounded Harara, 15-year- old Ahmed after explosives packed into a town of Jabaliya overnight.

The dead man was named as Harara and 18-year-old Ahmed border tunnel were detonated in an attack claimed by Hamas’s Mohammed Shwikani, a 20-year- Dardasawy.

The violence prompted armed wing. old militant with the armed wing Several hours earlier, a 13authorities on both sides of the of Islamic Jihad, the group said.

Early yesterday, medics border to close some schools, year-old Palestinian was shot reported finding the body of and in Gaza the Hamas govern- dead by gunfire from an Israeli another Islamic Jihad militant, ment and militant groups vowed helicopter in the same area. In December 2008, just six weeks 20-year-old Mohammed Abed, revenge. “ The occupation attacked before general elections, Israel who was killed in another air Palestinian civilians east of Gaza launched a huge operation in strike east of Jabaliya.

The Israeli military said it had City and Khan Yunis. We consider Gaza against rocket fire, which attacked seven different targets this escalation as very danger- killed 1,400 Palestinians-half of overnight, including arms ous. It must stop immediately,” them civilians-and 13 Israelis, 10 dumps, a weapons-making facili- said Hamas spokesman Fawzi of them soldiers. —AFP

Russia helping on Arafat exhumation RAMALLAH: Palestinians are coordinating with Russia, as well as Swiss and French experts, on the exhumation of late president Yasser Arafat, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said yesterday.

Arafat died in a French military hospital near Paris on November 11, 2004 and French experts were unable to say what had killed him, with many Palestinians convinced he was poisoned by Israel.

“We are currently in coordination with the

French investigators, the Swiss experts, and also the Russian government to open the tomb,” Abbas said in a speech marking the eighth anniversary of Arafat’s death.

His comments were the first time Palestinian officials have said that Russia is involved in the new investigation into Arafat’s death. “We hope for new facts that we can tell our people and the public,” Abbas said, adding that the investigation was “bigger and more important” that the “media uproar” cre-

WEST BANK: Palestinian boys hold up posters of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during ceremonies across the West Bank to mark the eighth anniversary of his death in the northern city of Nablus yesterday. — AFP

ated by an Al-Jazeera inquiry into Arafat’s death. French prosecutors opened a murder inquiry in August after Al-Jazeera television broadcast an investigation in which Swiss experts said they had found high levels of radioactive polonium on Arafat’s personal effects. A French team is due to arrive in Ramallah on November 26 to begin work on exhuming the body, Palestinian sources told AFP last month, adding that Swiss experts would arrive at the same time for an operation that could take “several weeks or a month.” Polonium is a highly toxic substance rarely found outside military and scientific circles. It was used to kill former Russian spy turned Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, who died in 2006 in London shortly after drinking tea laced with the poison.

The French murder inquiry was opened in late August at the request of Arafat’s widow Suha, who had refused to give her permission for an autopsy at the time of his death. This week, Nasser al-Qidwa, Arafat’s nephew and the head of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, repeated his “opposition in principle” to an exhumation, “primarily because samples collected after eight years may not be clinically exploitable.”

“Ever y Palestinian is convinced that Arafat was murdered,” he told AFP, “but even opening his tomb won’t convince the sceptics of the truth.” The anniversary is being marked in the West Bank with a series of events, including candlelit vigils for the iconic leader. In Gaza, local members of Arafat’s Fatah movement said the ruling Hamas movement was preventing them for participating in ceremonies to mark the late president’s death. — AFP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

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

US on edge over Human Rights Council election UNITED NATIONS: The United States has launched a last-minute scramble for votes to secure its spot on the UN Human Rights Council in an election today.

US diplomats are said to be “nervous” as they compete with Germany, Greece, Ireland and Sweden for three seats among 18 on the panel to be picked by the United Nations General Assembly.

The 47-member council has taken on a steadily higher profile since it was created six years ago, but the Western nations group is the only one that will hold a competitive poll for seats.

In the run-up to the election, rights groups criticized the behind-closeddoors deals by Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe that will see countries such as Pakistan, Venezuela and Ethiopia guaranteed seats. Russia, China and Cuba, often tak-

en to task for their rights records, will leave the council at the end of the year.

The Geneva-based council’s new importance could be seen by the stepped up lobbying for spots. Germany sent Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle to New York this week to press his country’s case.

“This is really a key issue, human rights, for us,” Westerwelle told a reception for UN ambassadors. “This is important for the German government, important for the chancellor, important for my work as foreign minister,” he said.

The Human Rights Council should not be a venue for making “sweeping allegations,” the minister added.

“Developed countries do not have a monopoly on safeguarding human rights.” “We want to act as a bridge builder. Cooperation not confrontation is the motto which guides our action.”

The United States, coming to the end of its first three-year term on the council, has had to launch an all-out campaign for votes because of its late decision to seek a second seat.

“The United States has a strong diplomatic machine. They are lobbying in every capital and in New York, but all the others started first so they are nervous,” said one UN diplomat.

“Despite its highly effective engagement in the Human Rights Council, the US faces a tough yet healthy competition,” said Philippe Bolopion, a United Nations specialist for Human Rights Watch.

Hillel Neuer, executive director of the UN Watch monitoring group, said the United States had been “polling last” in some unofficial surveys. In a pitch for ballots, Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, highlighted Washington’s stance on human rights at

a reception for other envoys this week.

The United States made a 30-point list of pledges in a statement to council members that emphasized US action to get a special investigator named on rights in Iran, as well as domestic US legislation on the rights of gays and lesbians.

The United States committed “to be a strong advocate for all people around the world who suffer from abuse and oppression and a stalwart defender of courageous individuals across the globe who work, often at great personal risk, on behalf of the rights of others,” said the statement.

While all 193 UN members will decide the western group’s representation, the other seats were picked in advance in regional conclaves.

Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya and Sierra Leone will join for Africa; Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, South

Korea and United Arab Emirates for Asia; Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Estonia and Montenegro for Eastern Europe.

The regional groups “have precooked this election by offering as many candidates as they have been allotted seats, making a mockery of the standard driven process envisioned by the General Assembly when it created the Human Rights Council,” said Bolopion.

“This means that questionable candidates such as Ethiopia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates or Venezuela, to name a few, will join the council without even having to make the case that they “uphold the highest standards” of human rights, as required under the General Assembly resolution that established the council.” The new nations will take up their seats on January 1. — AFP

Obama’s final win in Florida gives him 332 electoral votes Obama wins Hispanic vote

AFGHANISTAN: This July 13, 2011 handout image provide by International Security Assistance Force NATO, shows ISAF Commander Gen. David Petraeus poses with his biographer Paula Broadwell in Afghanistan. The plot surrounding the resignation of CIA chief David Petraeus over an extramarital affair thickened yesterday with reports that his alleged lover had sent emails to a second woman seen as a threat to her love interest. — AFP

Threatening emails have brought down CIA chief WASHINGTON: The plot surrounding the resignation of CIA chief David Petraeus over an extramarital affair thickened yesterday with reports that his alleged lover had sent emails to a second woman seen as a threat to her love interest. The affair came to light as the FBI was investigating whether a computer used by Petraeus-the celebrated ex-US commander in Iraq and Afghanistan-had been compromised, the New York Times and other US media reported, citing government officials.

NBC News and others have reported the Federal Bureau of Investigation was focusing on Paula Broadwell, co-author of a favorable biography of Petraeus, for possible improper access to classified information.

Unnamed officials told the Times that Petraeus’s lover was Broadwell, a former Army major who spent long periods interviewing Petraeus for her book.

Broadwell has offered no public comment on the revelations.

The Times and The Washington Post, citing an official briefed on the case, said Saturday that the probe had been triggered by “harassing” emails sent by Broadwell to an unidentified second woman. The recipient of the emails was so frightened, according to the Post, that she went to the FBI for protection and to help track down the sender.

According to the Post, the second woman did not work at the Central Intelligence Agency and her relationship with Petraeus remains unclear. However, the emails indicated that Broadwell perceived her as a threat to her relationship with the top US spymaster, the paper said.

Broadwell, a counterterrorism expert, lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband Scott Broadwell, a local radiologist, and their two young sons.

She is said to be well known in the city through her volunteer work to raise money for wounded soldier organizations.

Broadwell reportedly planned to celebrate her 40th birthday at a big party in Washington this weekend. But late Friday, her husband emailed guests to cancel the invitations. President Barack Obama had no inkling Petraeus, 60, was about to leave until Thursday morning and refused to accept his resignation straight away, according to the Times.

“He was surprised, and he was disappointed,” the newspaper quoted one senior administration official as saying.

“You don’t expect to hear that the Thursday after you were re-elected.”

A senior intelligence official told the Times that US director of national intelligence James Clapper learned of the situation on Tuesday and had told Petraeus that “the right thing to do” would be to resign.

As he heads into his second term, besides picking a new CIA chief, Obama will likely have to replace not only

departing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but also Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

Speculation is already rife about who will succeed Clinton, who has stressed she wants to reclaim a private life put on hold by decades in the spotlight.

Now the rumor mill is spinning with talk of who might follow in the footsteps of Petraeus, a former paratrooper and retired four-star general credited with turning around the Iraq war. His deputy Michael Morell will serve as acting CIA director, and is expected to fill in for Petraeus at an upcoming congressional hearing about the CIA’s alleged failure to protect a US consulate in Libya from a deadly September 11 attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

One name being floated as a possible Petraeus replacement is John Brennan, the White House counter-terrorism adviser and a CIA veteran who has played an instrumental role in Obama’s drone war against Al-Qaeda militants.

Others, according to the Wall Street Journal, include Michael Vickers, undersecretary of defense for intelligence, and Congressman Michael Rogers, a Republican who heads the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

“It needs to be someone who has a lot of credibility... and doesn’t have a partisan reputation,” Georgetown University professor Stephen Wayne told AFP. Wayne also floated the name of former Republican senator Chuck Hagel but said his guess would be that Morell will stay put permanently if he does well in the interim.

The most celebrated military officer of his generation, Petraeus took over at the CIA a little more than a year ago. He was credited by some with rescuing a failing US war effort in Iraq in 2007, after then president George W. Bush ordered a surge of troops into the country.

Obama later asked Petraeus to lead a similar surge of US forces in Afghanistan in 2010, leaving a top post as commander of all US forces in the Middle East to do so. His military background, however, sometimes clashed with the CIA’s culture and there was some friction with the congressional committees that oversee the spy services.

In this case, however, the extramarital liaison raises potential security concerns in light of Petraeus’s highly sensitive position. He himself said in a message to CIA staff, released to the media Friday, that “such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.”

Still, Foreign Policy in a blog post called his downfall a “huge loss for the United States.” “Petraeus’s exit leaves a bitter taste. We all make mistakes. Here’s hoping he makes a comeback,” the journal said. — AFP

MIAMI: With almost all ballots in Florida counted, US media on Saturday projected President Barack Obama the winner in that state four days after he won Tuesday’s national election. Florida brings his total of electoral votes to 332 versus 206 for Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Florida was the last state where the outcome was in doubt because three counties were still counting ballots. Obama had 50.01 percent of the vote in Florida compared with 49.13 percent for Romney, with nearly all ballots counted, according to figures from the Florida Secretary of State’s Office. The president’s lead stood at nearly 74,000 votes.

CNN projected that Obama would win Florida. NBC and the Associated Press also were among the media outlets that called the state for Obama based on the latest tally.

Also in Florida, Tea Party-backed US Representative Allen West, the firebrand Republican lawmaker known for his blistering attacks on Obama and other Democrats, lost his re-election bid, according to the state’s latest vote tally on Saturday.

With the victory in Florida, Obama swept all of the battleground states, with the exception of North Carolina, which he won narrowly in 2008. The Democratic Party in Florida had declared victory on Thursday and Republicans tacitly conceded defeat.

Florida was the scene of a historic fight over ballot counting after the 2000 presidential election, when the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Republican George W. Bush should be awarded the state’s electoral votes and the presidency.

The delay in finalizing Florida’s result this year did not affect the national outcome but raised concerns that some of the problems in 2000 had not been resolved 12 years later.

Exit polls indicate that Obama picked up 61 percent of Florida’s Hispanic vote to 39 percent for Romney, underscoring the Republican Party’s lack of appeal to the country’s fastest-growing electoral group.

South Florida’s large Cuban-American

community, usually a solid Republican voting bloc, also voted for the Democrats in record numbers, according to exit poll data released by the Obama campaign.

Obama won 48 percent of the CubanAmerican vote, and upset Romney in Miami’s Little Havana district, considered the heart of the Cuban exile community, where a survey of precincts showed Obama won 56 percent of ballots cast. In West’s congressional district, the 51-year-old former Army officer has not conceded defeat to his Democratic challenger, Patrick Murphy. West said there were voting irregularities and has called for a partial recount.

The complete but unofficial vote count showed that Murphy, a 29-year-old political

newcomer, defeated West by 2,442 votes.

Murphy had 50.36 percent of the vote compared with West’s 49.62 percent, meaning he was outside the 0.5 percent margin that would trigger an automatic recount under Florida rules. A West campaign spokeswoman could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday.

On Friday, a Palm Beach County judge rejected a request by West to impound voting machines and ballots.

West, one of two black Republicans in the House of Representatives, had amassed one of the biggest campaign war chests among House Republicans. The contentious race was one of the most expensive House races in the country. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama (C) and Major General Michael S. Linnington (L), Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, during a Veteran’s Day wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday in Arlington, Virginia. — AFP

With new term, Obama doubles down on Asia WASHINGTON: After a convincing re-election victory, President Barack Obama looks set for another four years of reorienting the United States toward Asia at a time of uncertainty over a rising China.

In his first foreign trip since Tuesday’s election, Obama plans a historic visit to encourage reforms in Myanmar-seen as a key success during his first term-and will go to Thailand and Cambodia.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will also head to Asia this month. While the timing is coincidental-Obama is attending the East Asia Summit in Cambodia-experts saw a powerful sign. “Actions speak louder than

words; the visit shouts Obama’s intent for a purposeful focus on Asia in his second term,” said Ernie Bower of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, pointing out that the trip is the first by a president solely to Southeast Asia since the Vietnam War. Obama spent part of his childhood in Indonesia and took office vowing to pay more attention to Southeast Asia, charging that the dynamic and mostly US-friendly region had been neglected as George W. Bush’s administration was absorbed by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Though issues like Syria are not going to go away, the fact that the US will not be at war by 2014 when it pulls combat troops out of

INDIANAPOLIS: This aerial photo shows the two homes that were leveled and the numerous neighboring homes that were damaged from a massive explosion that sparked a huge fire and killed two people, yesterday, in Indianapolis. Nearly three dozen homes were damaged or destroyed, and seven people were taken to a hospital with injuries, authorities said yesterday. — AP

Afghanistan should mean Asia can move up on the administration’s second-term agenda,” said Nina Hachigian, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress.

Obama initially focused on cooperation with China but later hardened his line, boosting the US military role in the region as Southeast Asian countries and US ally Japan accused Beijing of growing assertiveness in territorial disputes.

The US election came just before China launched a once-adecade leadership change, with Xi Jinping-whom the Obama administration has courted in a series of high-level meetings-set to succeed President Hu Jintao.

China had criticized Obama’s rival Mitt Romney, who accused the incumbent president of being too soft on issues including human rights and especially trade practices such as Beijing’s allegedly undervalued currency.

After Obama’s victory, the state-run Xinhua news agency ran a commentary urging the US administration to “rethink its policy on China.” It called for cooperation on “common challenges like terrorism, climate change (and) economic turbulence.”

But Walter Lohman, director of the Asian studies center at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said that the US election and China’s leadership changes would not change the dynamics in ties between the world’s top two economies.

The United States is still faced with a China that Lohman said was marked by rising nationalism, a growing military and aggressive

pursuit of border claims.

“It’s not just campaign rhetoric,” Lohman said of US concerns on China. “Just because we’re through with the silly season doesn’t mean we’re going back to the good old days. I think we’re in for a long-term rough patch with the Chinese.” One question mark is how Obama’s next team will impact Asia policy. Clinton has made the continent a priority, but she plans to leave the administration along with her energetic top diplomat on East Asia, Kurt Campbell.

Obama’s visit to Myanmar, where he will meet President Thein Sein and freed opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi, would have been unthinkable when he entered the White House four years ago.

US officials point to Myanmar, also known as Burma, as a success in Obama’s policy declared in his inaugural address of extending a hand to US adversaries in return for progress. Republicans had sharply criticized Obama’s attempts at dialogue with Iran and Syria.

But Aung Din, head of the US Campaign for Burma advocacy group, urged Obama not to go to the country, saying that the military still remains in charge of parliament and would be strengthened by the presidential visit.

Lohman praised Obama’s decision to visit Thailand, the oldest US ally in Asia. Bush went twice to the kingdom, but one trip was for a regional summit and his 2008 visit focused on Myanmar and the Beijing Olympics. President Bill Clinton paid a state visit to Thailand in 1996. — AFP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

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

South-East Europe faces ‘disturbing’ rise in human trafficking BUCHAREST: Government officials and NGO’s this week warned against a ‘disturbing’ rise in human trafficking in South-East Europe with minors increasingly becoming a target for criminals.

“We see an increase of human trafficking in South-Eastern Europe for different purposes, not only for sexual exploitation”, the OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, MariaGrazia Giammarinaro, told a conference organised in Bucharest by France and Romania. More and more young children and teenagers from Ukraine, Moldova and the Balkan countries are being forced to work like slaves, to beg or to prostitute themselves.

In Romania, most of the women identified as victims of human trafficking last year were aged 16, according to official figures. “The exploitation of minors is on the rise and this is a very

disturbing trend”, Eric Panloup, a French government advisor on human trafficking in Southeastern Europe, told AFP.”Traffickers are targeting the most vulnerable persons and of course minors are among them”, adds Panloup who is closely working with NGOs, police and justice officials accross 16 countries of the region.

Besides prostitution, minors are also forced to commit theft or burglary as they face lesser sentences if caught, experts stressed. Reliable figures on the number of victims are hard to gather due to the illegal character of the trade and to diverging statistical methods. But social workers, police officers and government officials who gathered in Bucharest from Ukraine, Serbia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey all agree: human trafficking is on the rise as the economic crisis is biting.

For years, most of the victims from

South-East Europe were smuggled to Western Europe. But today, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus are also “countries of destination”. “In 2011, Ukrainian victims were mainly found in Russia and Poland”, Yelizaveta Stepanuk who works for a women’s rights group said.As far as sexual exploitation is concerned, sea-side resorts along the Black Sea as well as in Montenegro and Croatia have also become magnets for criminal networks.

To combat this plague, investigators from Eastern and Western Europe try to increase their cooperation.

France and Romania have set up joint police teams to bust criminal rings using children as beggars or thieves.

“But if we want to fight efficiently, we cannot only focus on repression.

We need to work hand in hand with NGOs to improve the assistance given to the victims”, Panloup, a military police officer, insists.

“NGOss can build a relationship of trust with the victims and that’s the first step to put an end to exploitation”, Patrick Hauvuy, the director of a French network of shelters said.

In many countries of Eastern Europe where governements are unable to offer basic services to their citizens, charities have become the only ones helping the victims to rebuild their self-esteem and reintegrate society. “Victim will testify only if they feel protected”, Panloup stresses.

Preventing people from falling into “too-good-to-be-true” promises of jobs abroad is also a key element in order to avoid ending up in a brothel in Northern Europe or in a backbreaking job on a Russian construction site.But that is no easy tasks as many countries in South-East Europe are struggling with high poverty rates and unequal access to education and jobs.

“There is also a lack of democratic cul-

ture in some of our countries”, Romanian junior minister for Internal affairs Marian Tutilescu told the audience. The severe economic crisis accross Europe has also made things worse. “We fear that some of our citizens working in Western Europe will lose their job and fall a prey to traffickers”, Ecaterina Berejan who works for the National Committee against human trafficking in Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, told AFP. “Posters warning of the dangers of human trafficking are nice but they are not enough. What do we do in ghettos when a family is earning 50 euros a month and a girl can make up to 200 euros a day by being a prostitute?”, Valeriu Nicolae, a Romanian working on private social projects in one of the poorest districts of Bucharest, asks.

“How can we fight human trafficking when nothing is done to create jobs in these areas?”. — AFP

Crisis-hit Slovenia chooses president Turk will come first in the election: Polls

LONDON: Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron (Front-R), Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (Front-C) and leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband (FrontL) stand in front of former prime ministers John Major (Second row-R) and Tony Blair (Second Row C) and Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne (Second Row-L), during Remembrance Sunday service in Whitehall, Central London, yesterday. — AFP

Irish PM lays wreath for British war dead BELFAST: Ireland’s prime minister laid a wreath to honour fallen soldiers at a British Remembrance Day service for the first time yesterday, the latest gesture of reconciliation between historic foes.

Annual Remembrance Day services to honour Britain’s war dead and the wearing of the traditional poppy are controversial in Ireland because of abuses committed by soldiers in Northern Ireland and during British rule in Ireland before independence. Enda Kenny took part in a service in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland on the 25th anniversary of the Irish Republican Army bombing of a Remembrance Day service in the town that killed 12 people, one of the worst atrocities of three decades of sectarian violence. He stood head bowed during two minutes of silence before taking his turn to lay a wreath on the war memorial yards from the spot where the IRA bomb exploded in 1987. His green laurel wreath laid on behalf of the Irish Government stood out among wreaths of red poppies. He did not wear a poppy.

The gesture came a year after a visit

by Queen Elizabeth to Ireland, the first by the British sovereign since independence. During the visit, the Queen laid a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance in

Dublin to honour those Irish men and women who died fighting for Irish freedom from British rule.

Also yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore became the first Irish minister to attend a Remembrance Day service at Belfast City Hall, laying a wreath at the city’s cenotaph. Tens of thousands of Irish soldiers fought for Britain in both world wars, but they receive relatively little recognition in Ireland, which took advantage of World War One to fight British rule and remained neutral during World War Two. With relations with Britain the warmest for decades, the Irish government in June pardoned thousands of servicemen who deserted to fight for the Allied forces during World War Two. During more than 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland when more than 3,600 people died, the participation of an Irish leader in a Remembrance Day ceremony would have been unthinkable.

The violence was largely ended by the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 which set up a power-sharing administration between unionists, who want to maintain Northern Ireland’s position in the United Kingdom, and nationalists, who aspire to a united Ireland. — Reuters

LJUBLJANA: Slovenians voted yesterday in a presidential election as the small ex-Yugoslav republic, once a star pupil in the EU, battles with an economic crisis that threatens to make it the next eurozone member to need a bailout.

The post of president is largely ceremonial but the present head of state Danilo Turk has been a thorn in the side of centre-right Prime Minister Janez Jansa as he attempts to implement reforms and austerity cuts.

Opinion polls indicate however that Turk will come first in the election, although not with enough of the vote to win in the first round. A run-off, likely pitting Turk against Jansa’s centre-left predecessor Borut Pahor, is set for December 2.

Casting his vote in central Ljubljana, Turk said he was optimistic. “My chances are looking good, I hope for the best,” Turk told journalists. His rival Pahor said: “I’m the only one among the candidates who has felt all the cruelties of this crisis. I know what can be done for things to get better and what can’t be done.”

Jansa’s favourite among the three candidates, former culture minister and European MP Milan Zver, is expected to come third, with polls giving him some 24 percent compared with 33 percent for Pahor and 42-44 percent for Turk.

Turnout by 1000 GMT was just over 14 percent of the 1.7 million eligible voters. Slovenia is in the throes of one of the deepest downturns in the eurozone with the European Commission predicting last week that output will shrink a painful 2.3 percent this year and 1.6 percent in 2013.

Large volumes of bad loans at

SEMPETER: A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Sempeter, Slovenia, yesterday. Voters in Slovenia are choosing a president at a time when the tiny country is facing a severe financial crisis. — AP Slovenia’s banks have raised fears that the country of two million people may become the latest in the 17-nation European currency union to need outside help.

Slovenia’s credit ratings have been slashed, mostly because of the banks, and borrowing rates on its sovereign debt have soared to seven percent, a level regarded as unsustainable in the long term without assistance.

Unemployment in the 21-yearold nation is hitting record levels and trade unions plan major protests on November 17 against tough government spending cuts. Jansa took office in February after the collapse of Pahor ’s administration last year and has

launched a series of measures aimed at putting public finances back on an even keel and reforming pensions and the labour market.

During the electoral campaign Turk, 60, a law professor who worked at the United Nations under former secretary general Kofi Annan, openly and repeatedly questioned Jansa’s policies.

“The economic situation is difficult but not extraordinary, there is no use of dramatising the situation and threatening. The government’s assessments of the situation are more alarming than they should be,” he warned in one television debate.

In January Turk even refused

to give Jansa a mandate to form a new government after the winner of December’s early elections, Ljubljana mayor Zoran Jankovic, failed to form a coalition.

Eventually Jansa was elected by MPs. By contrast, Turk’s rivals in yesterday’s election, Pahor, 49, and Zver, 50, have backed the government’s efforts. “If there was a runoff between Pahor and Turk, certainly Jansa and the whole government would prefer Borut Pahor. For Jansa that would be the less-bad choice, he will be much more cooperative as president,” said Matevz Tomsic from the Nova Gorica Advanced Social Studies faculty. — AFP

‘Lucky’ British traitor Blake turns 90 in Russia W African leaders meet on military plan for north Mali ABUJA: West African leaders met at an emergency summit yesterday to plot a military strategy to wrest control of northern Mali from Islamist groups as fears grow over the risks the extremists pose to the region and beyond.

Leaders from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States gathered in the Nigerian capital Abuja to approve a military blueprint that will eventually be sent via the African Union to the UN Security Council for review.

“Maximum pressure must be maintained with a strengthened military intervention plan,” UN special representative for West Africa Said Djinnit told AFP ahead of the summit’s opening.

“Everybody wants a military intervention that targets only the terrorists... Our preferred option remains dialogue.” Mali rapidly imploded after a coup in Bamako in March allowed Tuareg desert nomads, who had relaunched a decades-old rebellion for independence, to seize the main towns in the desert north with the help of Islamist allies. The secular separatists were quickly sidelined by the Islamists, who had little interest in their aspirations for an independent homeland and set about implementing their version of strict sharia law, meting out punishments including stonings and destroying World Heritage shrines.

Discussions among west African states so far have involved the deployment of more than 3,000 troops from the region to Mali, with more contribu-

tions to be requested from other countries. An ECOWAS source has said military chiefs were requesting a total of 5,500 troops. Regional leaders have stressed that dialogue remains the preferred option to resolve the crisis in what was once one of west Africa’s most stable democracies, but they have also warned that talks are not open-ended.

Representatives from countries outside ECOWAS were also invited to yesterday ’s summit, including from Mauritania and Algeria, which neighbour Mali, as well as South Africa and Morocco, which currently hold seats on the UN Security Council.

Mauritania was represented by Foreign Minister Hamady Ould Hamady, while Algeria sent its minister in charge of African affairs, Abdelkader Messahel.

Libya was also represented, an ECOWAS spokesman said. Security was tight at the summit venue, with mobile phone networks inaccessible from inside as heads of state arrived. ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo has said the bloc should pursue a dual approach of dialogue and military pressure. The UN special envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi, a former prime minister of Italy and ex-president of the European Commission, has said every effort would be made to avoid military intervention.

But some analysts have questioned whether a negotiated solution is possible with Islamist extremists intent on establishing a theocratic state. —AFP

MOSCOW: British spy turned Soviet agent George Blake celebrate his 90th birthday yesterday, living a comfortable retirement in Moscow and feted as a hero in Russia but still seen as a traitor in Britain.

Blake was destined to spend most of his life in prison after being found guilty in the 1960s of spying for the Soviet Union but dramatically escaped his British jail and made it to the safety of Moscow. He has stayed ever since, marrying a Russian wife, Ida, taking the Russian name of Georgy Ivanovich, becoming a grandfather nine times over and living a quiet life in the Moscow region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin took the unusual step of congratulating Blake on his birthday, saying the British spy belonged to the “stellar cast of strong and courageous men.” “You and your colleagues made a great contribution towards peace, ensuring security and strategic parity,” Putin said in reference to the Soviet Union’s nuclear standoff with the United States during the Cold War. The Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) for its part simply titled its own message to Blake “the birthday of a legend”. The SVR noted that Blake had been decorated multiple times for his “great achievements in ensuring state security”, receiving medals including the Order of Lenin. “I am a happy man, a very lucky man, exceptionally lucky,” Blake said in a rare interview last week with the government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Unlike fellow British double agent Kim Philby, who along with other members of the Cambridge Five spy ring he knew personally, Blake appears to have immediately adapted well to the new circumstances.

He and Ida had one son, named as Misha, now a 40-year-old finance expert. Blake also had three sons with his first wife in Britain, from whom he separated after his flight.

Remarkably, all Blake’s children will come to Russia to celebrate his 90th birthday with him. “All this upheaval turned into a miracle. I am in touch with my grandchildren and children in England who often come here. And here I have my wife and son who are very loved,” Blake said.

Blake was born in the Dutch city of

MOSCOW: A picture taken on June 28, 2001, shows George Blake, the British double agent, who spied for USSR, walking in Moscow. — AFP Rotterdam in 1922. His mother and sisters fled the Nazi-occupied Netherlands in World War II to England where Blake followed them after fighting with the Dutch resistance.

Even before the end of the war he was work ing for the British secret ser vice in London, rapidly becoming a specialist on the USSR and being dispatched to Korea as the Cold War intensified.

A communist, Blake began supplying secrets to the KGB in 1953 and helped reveal to his Soviet masters a tunnel that the British

and US secret services were building in Berlin.

Exposed by the Polish double agent Michael Goleniewski in 1961, Blake was put on trial, accused of causing the death of several agents through his treachery and sentenced to 42 years in jail.

But his escape from Wormwood Scrubs prison in London four years later and flight back to his masters in Moscow has gone down as one of the greatest jail breaks of all time.

In the Rossiyskaya Gazeta interview, Blake recalled how he had managed to spring jail with the help of released former inmates by breaking a window at Wormwood Scrubs, climbing over the perimeter wall and getting into a waiting car.

His one mishap was to break his wrist in the jump down from the wall. “I sometimes feel it (the pain) to this day,” said Blake.

Apparently without any help from the Soviet secret services, Blake was taken by car across Europe to East Berlin where he then presented himself to Soviet agents who took him to Moscow. “These have been the calmest years of my life,” he said. “When I worked in the West, the danger of exposure always hung over me. Here, I feel myself free.” Blake recalled his contacts in Moscow with Philbywho fled to the USSR before ever being arrested-which included motoring trips and reminiscing about England. “Yes, there was something to remember. But analyse-no. We understood. We knew our stories and who had done what,” said Blake.

Blake appears to have enjoyed life in Russia much more than Philby, whose time in Moscow until his death in 1988 many believe was scarred by drinking and depression. “This is my character. I can adapt to anywhere where I have to live. I even got used to being in the Scrubs,” said Blake. — AFP

12

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

international

US military court hears Afghan massacre accounts JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD: A US military court here heard yesterday some chilling accounts of children and other civilians killed when a US soldier allegedly went on a shooting rampage in Afghanistan in March.

Pre-trial hearings were being held here to determine if Sergeant Robert Bales should face a full court-martial. Bales, 39, is accused of leaving his base in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province on the night of March 11 to commit the killings, which included nine children. He allegedly set several of their bodies on fire.

The killings are thought to be the deadliest crime by a US soldier during the decade-long conflict and tested Washington and Kabul’s already tense relationship to the limit.

Bales faces 16 counts of murder, six of attempted murder, seven of assault, two of using drugs and one of drinking alcohol. Witnesses and relatives of victims testified via videolink from Afghanistan.

Rafiullah, a boy of 15 who spoke in Pashtun, said he was at home with his grandmother, Na’ikmarga, and his sister, Zardana, when a US soldier came. “He had rifle and a

pistol,” Rafiullah said of Bales. “He put a pistol in my sister’s mouth and then my grandmother started to wrestle with him. At that time I ran out of the door ... My sister and I were running. As soon as he left the room, my grandmother ran too.”

When asked what happened next, Rafiullah answered: “He shot my grandmother and then my sister, and then me. He shot me on my legs. Zardana was shot on her head.” Samiullah, the father of Rafiullah and Zardana, said he was not in the village the night of the massacre, but returned as soon as

he heard the news.

He said when he arrived, he saw the bodies of four dead Afghans on the ground. The first two were Khudai Day and the daughter of Nazir Mohammad, he noted. “I ran and took the blanket off and looked at him. I couldn’t look so I put the blanket back on,” Samiullah said. “Yes, he was shot on his head.”

He said a young girl was lying by her father’s side. “She was shot in her head and her head was all bloody,” the witness recalled. Khan, a local boy dressed in black shirt and a traditional white cap, said he

saw his father killed on the night of the incident.

Bales remained silent throughout the testimony. Last Monday, prosecutors set out their case, saying Bales had been drinking whisky with colleagues before the massacre and watching the movie “Man on Fire,” starring Denzel Washington as an ex-assassin on a revenge mission.

Should the Article 32 hearing result in a court-martial and Bales be found guilty, he could face the death penalty. Bales was transferred from Afghanistan back to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas short-

ly after the massacre, before being moved back to Fort LewisMcChord recently, home base of the US 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment.

His wife and two children were moved to the sprawling military base south of Seattle for their own security, and to shield them from the glare of the media in the wake of the killings. Before the hearings, Bales’ wife reiterated her belief that he was innocent, saying that he did not remember the shootings and said he was shocked when he was told details of the allegations against him. —AFP

Pakistan urges all Afghan insurgents to pursue peace Afghan council to present road map to Islamabad KABUL: Pakistan hopes to persuade Afghan insurgent groups, including the lethal Haqqani network, to pursue peace but worries resistance from political factions opposed to the Taleban could undermine reconciliation efforts, Islamabad’s ambassador said.

Mohammad Sadiq, speaking in an interview, also suggested US efforts would be better directed at engaging insurgent groups-rather than attempting to defeat them by launching military strikes against their leaders.

Sadiq was speaking just ahead of an expected visit to Pakistan by an Afghan peace council due to give Islamabad a road map of how it wants its influential neighbour to help end the war with the Taleban, now in its 11th year.

“Afghans are much more united in wanting to join the reconciliation process than they were two years ago,” he said.

“But still there are very important people who fought against the Taleban and are not still ready to talk and negotiate with the Taleban. And we are working with them.”

Sadiq was referring to former members of the Northern Alliance, which toppled the Taleban in 2001 with US backing. Some now occupy government positions or are in the opposition.

President Hamid Karzai set up a High Peace Council comprised of members of diverse Afghan ethnic and political groups to try to ease mistrust between the Taleban and its traditional enemies and forge a peace deal.

The task has gained urgency as most NATO combat troops prepare to withdraw at the end of 2014 and hand over security to Afghan government forces.

Lack of progress has fuelled fears of a civil war and some Afghans worry the Taleban will try and seize power again if no comprehensive

political settlement is reached before then.

Afghanistan’s government has failed to secure direct talks with the Taliban and no significant progress is expected before 2014, a senior Afghan official closely involved with reconciliation efforts told Reuters on Friday.

Afghan officials have often seen Pakistan as a reluctant partner in attempts to broker talks, saying Islamabad is long on promises and short on action.

Kabul accuses Pakistan’s spy agency of using groups like the Haqqani network as proxies to counter the influence of rival India in Afghanistan. Islamabad, which has a long history of ties to Afghan militant groups, denies the allegations. “ The prime minister of Pakistan had appealed to all insurgent groups to engage in negotiations,” said Sadiq.

“We will encourage all insurgents. We will encourage the entire armed opposition of Afghanistan to participate in peace negotiations with the Afghan government.”

The Haqqani faction, allied with the Taleban and operating on northwest Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, is seen as the most dangerous Afghan militant group, blamed for highprofile attacks in Kabul and other cities.

Afghanistan said in August it believed a top commander of the group, Badruddin Haqqani, had been killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan.

Pakistan has resisted US pressure to pursue the Haqqanis, seen as the most implacable US foe in Afghanistan - arguing that negotiations stand a better chance of delivering stability.

“I think normally with insurgents one thing is very clear - that deaths have not weakened them because they replace commanders very quickly. They’re able to replace them in a day

or so,” said Sadiq, suggesting the Americans should have learned from the Russian experience in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

“They have people. By killing their people you cannot weaken them. The Soviets killed 1 million, 2 million people. It didn’t weaken the insurgency against them.”

Afghanistan is known to want access to Taleban leaders belonging to the so-called Quetta Shura, or council, named after the Pakistani city where they are believed to be based, an issue the peace council is likely to raise. An official with the council said it would also be pushing Islamabad to repatriate Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taleban’s former second in command, in detention in Pakistan.

Afghan officials believe Baradar could serve as an effective conduit for negotiations with Taleban leaders if sent to Kabul. An Afghan official told Reuters that Pakistan had promised to hand over Baradar in September.

Pakistan denies giving sanctuary to insurgents and says no Taleban leaders are in Quetta. Asked what Pakistan would be willing to do to push the struggling reconciliation process forward, Sadiq said: “Expectations should be reasonable about what we can do because Pakistan and Taleban are not one party. We don’t control them, we don’t give them weapons, we do not give money to them.”

Sadiq said Afghanistan should strive to make sure any government that runs the country should include all ethnic groups and parties to preclude any repeat of past turmoil.

“A representative government will automatically help in reducing the insurgency, reducing the tension among ethnicities, it will go a long way in preventing a civil war.” —Reuters

Girlfriends, bikes, phones blamed for India road deaths NEW DELHI: A Indian state leader has said a deadly trio of riding flashy motorbikes, speaking on the telephone while driving and trying to impress women has caused a jump in fatal road accidents among young people.

“If there is a good motorcycle, a good mobile and a good girlfriend then accidents are bound to happen,” Raman Singh, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh state told a traffic safety conference on Saturday.

More than 110,000 people were killed in Indian road accidents in 2011 — more than 300 every dayaccording to the National Crime Records Bureau, with bad roads, speeding vehicles and poor driving among the many contributing factors.

Singh told a seminar in the state capital Raipur that 55 to 60 percent of all road accident victims were youths. “It’s a common sight to see youngsters driving two-wheelers while talking on cellphones which often leads to accidents. Youths should avoid such habits,” Singh said, in comments reported by the PTI new agency.

Singh lamented that while people spent large sums on motorcycles, they were often reluctant to buy proper helmets. —AFP

S Lanka troops accused of jail ‘massacre’ COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s main opposition party yesterday demanded an independent inquiry into a prison riot that left 27 convicts dead, alleging many were shot by security forces in a cold-blooded “massacre”.

The United National Party (UNP) called for a parliamentary investigation into the riot that erupted on Friday evening at the maximum-security Welikada prison in the capital Colombo. “ This is nothing but a massacre,” UNP spokesman Mangala Samaraweera told AFP. “Most of the convicts appeared to have been killed in cold blood. We want a parliamentary select committee to go into this.”

Troops were deployed to quell the riots and the military retained a heavy presence at the sprawling prison complex Sunday.

During the riot, armed inmates climbed onto the roof and fired at troops and police. A handful escaped and hijacked a three-wheel rickshaw taxi which was stopped by heavy gunfire from security personnel.

Prisons Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera told parliament Saturday that 27 inmates were killed and 43 others-including 13 police commandos, four soldiers and two civilianswere injured. He said there would be an internal prisons department inquiry into the riot, which was sparked by a police commando raid for contraband inside the prison on Friday. —AFP

HONG KONG: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, second right, accompanied by his wife Laureen, right, Canadian veterans and officials, attends at a Remembrance Day ceremony at Sai Wan War Cemetery in Hong Kong yesterday. —AP

Canadian PM honours war dead in Hong Kong HONG KONG: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday visited a war cemetery in Hong Kong, paying tribute to Canadian troops who lost their lives defending the city against Japanese invaders during World War Two. Harper marked Remembrance Day, an annual memorial day for the war dead that has been observed since the end of World War One in 1918, in the southern Chinese city, one of the first Asian battlegrounds of the Second World War. The prime minister was on the last stop of an Asian trip, during which he also visited India and the Philippines. “Of the courageous, desperate and bloody defence of Hong Kong in which badly outnumbered Canadians gave their lives, here they laid nearly three hundred of them,” Harper told a solemn crowd of more than 100 at the cemetery.

“By their deaths, they made possible the freedom we enjoy, the democracy by which we govern ourselves and the justice under which we live,” Harper said. Students from local Canadian schools sang songs and laid poppies on

pearly white gravestones, some of which bore no names, at the picturesque hillside Sai Wan War Cemetery laden with Canadian flags for the occasion.

A total of 1,505 Commonwealth casualties of World War Two are buried or commemorated at the cemeter y where 444 of the graves are unidentified. Japanese forces on December 8, 1941 attacked the former British colony, which was defended by hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned allied troops from Britain, Canada and India.

The assault came a day after Japan landed what it hoped would be a killer blow on the United States at Pearl Harbour. Hong Kong surrendered on Christmas day after 18 days of desperate fighting where around 4,000 soldiers from both sides were killed in battle.

About 290 Canadians were among the some 2,100 allied troops killed in t h e b a t t l e. H u n d re d s o f s u r v i vo r s endured years of abuse and starvation as prisoners of war, leading to more than 260 additional Canadian deaths. —AFP

BEIJING: In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang attends the opening session of the 18th Communist Party Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. In line to take over Chinese Premier and oversee China’s massive but rapidly slowing economy for the coming decade, Li speaks English and comes from a generation of politicians schooled during a time of greater openness to liberal Western ideas than their predecessors. —AP

Cautious enforcer to be China’s next PM BEIJING: The man in line to oversee China’s massive but rapidly slowing economy for the coming decade speaks English and comes from a generation of politicians schooled during a time of greater openness to liberal Western ideas than their predecessors.

But Li Keqiang also has been a cautious career bureaucrat who rose through, and is bound by, a consensus-oriented Communist Party that has been slow to reform its massive state-owned enterprises while reflexively stifling dissent - and he has played the role of enforcer to keep a lid on bad news.

Li, to be promoted within the leadership’s top council after a pivotal party congress closes later this week and expected to take the economy-focused post of premier from outgoing Wen Jiabao next spring, was governor of the agricultural province of Henan in 1998 during an unusual explosion of AIDS cases. Tens of thousands of people had contracted HIV from illegal blood-buying rings that pooled plasma and re-injected it into donors after removing the blood products.

But Beijing hadn’t acknowledged the problem yet, and Li oversaw a campaign to squelch reporting about it, harass activists and isolate affected villages.

When the government finally did go public four years later, Li showed canny political instincts with a rapid course reversal, channeling government assistance to victims and making public shows of compassion.

“He just tried to escape from this crisis” at first, said Wan Yanhai, a prominent Chinese AIDS activist who fled to the United States with his family in 2010 following increasing police harassment. “He’s probably not a bad guy, but he’s not shown himself to be very capable of managing crises in a strong and responsible way.”

Li’s formative years are typical of the fifth generation of communist leaders. He was introduced to politics during the chaotic 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, then entered the prestigious Peking University. In contrast to the current leadership crop of engineers, Li studied law and economics, during a time of great liberal influence in the party and optimism in China. After graduation, Li went to work at the Communist Youth League, an organization that grooms university students for party roles, when it was headed by nowPresident Hu Jintao.

After Beijing erupted in the 1989 prodemocracy protests centered on Tiananmen Square, Li originally tried to build bridges between the league and student activists.

However, after martial law was declared, he quickly abandoned such efforts and within four years rose to head of the league at a time when it was becoming irrelevant to young people amid increasing choices and a growing market economy.

Li had been seen as Hu’s preferred successor, but the need to balance party factions prompted the leadership to choose a consensus candidate, Xi Jinping, who’s expected to take over as party chief after a pivotal party congress ends Wednesday and later as president.

Li’s relationship with Xi remains ambiguous, although the two are expected to follow the existing model under which Hu stayed somewhat aloof as head of state while Wen acted as the public face of the administration.

Both are seen as part of a generation of

leaders more comfortable with the West than their predecessors, said Ding Xueliang of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

“Their reference for great power status from Day One was the United States, unlike Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, who looked toward the Soviet Union,” Ding said. After Henan, Li’s next posting was in the northeastern rustbelt province of Liaoning, where he oversaw a revival that drew foreign investment from BMW and Intel. One of the province’s largest cities, the port of Dalian, even attracted the glitzy World Economic Forum, where global tycoons mixed with top Chinese leaders and captains of industry.

In a U.S. State Department cable released by the Wikileaks organization, Li is quoted telling diplomats that Chinese economic growth statistics were “man-made,” and saying he looked instead to electricity demand, rail cargo traffic and lending as more accurate indicators.

Married to an English literature professor, Li and his family have largely steered clear of the webs of corruption surrounding other leading Chinese officials, although questions have been raised over whether his brother’s powerful position at the government tobacco monopoly clashes with Li’s role in making health policy.

Since his 2007 appointment to the Standing Committee, Li has overseen modest progress in his areas of responsibility, including public health, food safety and housing, which have long been plagued by funding difficulties, lax supervision and soaring prices.

He’s maintained a steady, if low-key, schedule of meetings and speeches, with a visit last year to the Chinese autonomous region of Hong Kong attracting the greatest attention - though not necessarily for the right reasons. The stifling security surrounding him and his unwillingness to meet with political critics seemed to cast him as a typical Chinese leader, tone deaf to public opinion in the former British colony that has maintained its own legal system and political freedoms.

In an April speech to the Boao Forum, a gathering of government officials and business leaders in southern China, Li made the case for structural reform of China’s economy, citing the need for greater balance, coordination and stability. China wants to create an “open, transparent, fair, competitive, and predictable marketplace and legal environment,” he said. Yet similar pledges have been made many times before, including in China’s latest Five Year Plan, and questions remain about Li’s willingness to take on vested interests, particularly in the state-owned enterprises, said Patrick Chovanec, a business professor at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.

“It remains to be seen whether Li will come out as a leader, or just follow a weak, watered-down consensus,” Chavonec said.

That demand for consensus severely constrains the scope of any administrative reform, even though Li and the party say they are necessary, said US Naval Academy China scholar Yu Maochun.

“You can’t change the key parts of China’s economic structure without fundamentally changing China’s political structure, so I don’t expect much” from Li, Yu said. —AP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

NEWS Oppn rallies to protest against... Qatar help for suburbs meets French hostility Continued from Page 1 Sultan said the current crisis in Kuwait is all about violating the constitution, creating a toothless Assembly and seize control of the country’s resources.

Former Assembly speaker Ahmad AlSaadoun said Kuwait is at a crossroads and it’s time for the government and the regime to reconsider their decision. “We will not accept the situation to continue in the same way...

What is going on is a plot against the constitution,” Saadoun said. “This movement will continue and the situation is not in the interests of the country. The side that can defuse the crisis is the government,” Saadoun said.

Former liberal MP Mishari Al-Ossaimi blasted the government for the celebration on the

50th anniversary of the constitution, saying “they were not marking the anniversary but celebrating how they were successful in breaching the constitution”. Ossaimi said that battle for the constitution will be long and decisive as safeguarding the constitution is a matter of “life and death” for the Kuwaiti people. “The crisis is all about the violation of the constitution. We are here today to defend our constitution,” Ossaimi told the cheering crowds.

The speakers also called on the Kuwaiti people to boycott the election scheduled to take place on Dec 1 in order to foil the “government’s plot against the constitution”. Sultan said that some candidates who registered to run in the polls have been paid money but he did not name the side or sides that paid.

Dubai top cop spews bile at...

Continued from Page 1 “How can an MP remain in office all life long?”, he also asked, suggesting limiting MPs’ membership to two or three terms.

“Some MPs have been in office since I was a child and I’m 60 now,” he said. He also stressed that the best way to fight the Brotherhood was by exposing them to the youth through cooperation with former Brotherhood members who will show that they might be skilled in so many things except politics and religion. “A few years ago, the UAE received a number of Egyptian Brotherhood-affiliated preaches who held authentic certified qualifications, but we found out they had never gone to university. How can we trust an organization that

opts for forgery with the fate of a whole state?” he demanded, accusing some Brotherhood members of working for Zionists and Israelis.

Khalfan claimed that Gulf regimes had never violated human rights, insisting that the welfare of GCC citizens proves that these regimes have safeguarded their subjects’ rights. On the Qatari-based Al-Jazeera TV channel, Khalfan said that it has a key role in slandering regimes and provoking Arab public opinion. “Nobody has claimed the ownership of the channel so far. It’s like a foundling whose fatherhood is denied by everybody,” he alleged, pointing out that AlJazeera has not criticized the new regimes that came to power following the revolutions “as if everything is completely OK”.

Continued from Page 1 home, horrified that an outsider would leave its footprint in France’s restive neighborhoods.

Wounded pride may have played a role. Many found it hard to accept that a small Arab country might succeed where France itself had fallen short. “France failed in its mission,” said Leila Leghmara, one of the officials who made the trip to Qatar. “And now Qatar looks like the savior ... We touched where it hurt.”

Permeating the hostile response was suspicion that the tiny Muslim state may have a special agenda at a time when fears of terrorism by Islamist extremists and a perceived infiltration of Muslim culture in French life have been on the rise. Was Qatar using its deep pockets to buy the sympathies of the many Muslims in the housing projects - and ultimately become a power broker within France itself? Far-right leader Marine Le Pen called the Qatari investment an “Islamist Trojan horse” while independent politician Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who champions national sovereignty, said France would be “prostituting itself” by accepting the money. Even some members of mainstream parties balked at the Arab largesse.

The saga came to a head last month when the French government effectively hijacked the initiative, pledging matching funds but spreading the butter over all of France’s disadvantaged regions and eliminating the focus on the disadvantaged suburbs. Far worse for the project’s originators, the government put the funds under the control of a state bank, kicking the founders out of the driver’s seat.

Now, a year after their visit to the palaces of Doha, the 10 who bucked a system that has failed

the suburbs worry the money may never reach those they hope to help - ordinary people from their neighborhoods with big ideas bereft of any hope of backing. The rioting that raged for weeks in 2005 was fueled by pent-up frustration about the dead-end futures of immigrants and their descendants in the forgotten suburbs.

The project’s original champions dismiss fears of sinister forces at play in Qatar’s offer. “Qatar isn’t going to buy France,” said Leghmara. “This delirious thinking has to stop.” Defenders of the plan note that nobody saw anything pernicious when Qatar raised its stake last year in France’s media and defense group Lagardere to 10 percent, making it the largest single shareholder - even though that investment goes to the heart of France’s security apparatus.

Investing in the poor neighborhoods that ring French cities does represent a rare example of Qatar using its soft power to directly influence lives, as it is doing elsewhere. Last month, Qatar’s emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, visited the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory controlled by the Islamist militant Hamas - branded as terrorists by the West. He launched $400 million worth of projects, including housing, a hospital and roads.

The no-strings-attached humanitarian investment in the West by an emerging economy is rare, perhaps unique. However, Qatar insists that its fund for France is not charity. “Qatar does business, not philanthropy,” Ambassador Mohamed Al-Kuwari told Metro, the free daily, in his country’s only reaction to the noisy controversy. “We have no political mission.” Whatever Qatar’s motives, experts say the emirate’s helping hand for the suburbs simply touches on France’s sensitivities about its place in the world as it struggles

with its economic downturn and strives to remain a diplomatic power. “The symbol is very powerful,” said Karim Bitar, senior fellow at the Paris-based Institute for International and Strategic Relations.

“Qatar has become the conjunction of all French fears.”

Two French presidents tried to figure out how to deal with the Qatari offer, first conservative Nicolas Sarkozy and now socialist Francois Hollande - who last month confirmed the compromise of spreading the funds across all neglected regions. “Each time a nation wants to invest, we say very good, we’ll do it together because we can tell you what is strategic, and what is not,” Hollande said in explaining his decision on France 24 TV. The 10 officials looked to Qatar because of the glass ceiling that keeps most residents of the suburbs - stigmatized by their often Arabic names or even their addresses - from getting decent jobs let alone the financial backing for business ventures. French benefactors in the private sector simply aren’t there. “There are lots of people who want to succeed,” said Leghmara. “But they find themselves standing in front of closed doors.”

Aneld has received pitches for hundreds of projects in need of funding, from high-tech enterprises to a literary cafe. Salim Benradhia’s plan for an affordable gourmet restaurant on a barge on the Seine is among them. “In the suburbs, we don’t always have access to Paris restaurants,” said Benradhia, a father of two in Clichy-Sous-Bois, where the 2005 riots ignited. “This would make a beautiful night out.” But the banks refused him a loan. Now Benradhia, like others, fears that if the state bank in charge of the project makes all the calls on funding, “we will once again be left on the sidelines.” — AP

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

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Issues

Manning plea offer carries risk, reward

By Andrew Longstreth

n offer of a partial plea by the US Army private accused of leaking documents to WikiLeaks appears to be a two-pronged defense strategy that seeks to win sympathy from the judge and to shift the focus of the trial to charges that are more difficult to prove, legal experts said. The offer from the accused private, Bradley Manning, was made public late Wednesday by his attorney, who indicated in a blog post that his client was willing to plead guilty to less serious offenses than those charged by prosecutors while contesting the other accusations in court.

The so-called naked plea is a rarely used tactic employed in military court proceedings and would only have to be accepted by the judge overseeing the case. It does not require consent from prosecutors who have brought 22 charges against Manning in what has been described as the largest leak of classified government documents in history.

Manning is accused of passing the documents to WikiLeaks, the online whistleblowing site founded

by Australian Internet activist Julian Assange.

WikiLeaks has never confirmed that Manning was the source of any documents it released.

Among other charges, Manning is accused of unauthorized possession of information related to national defense and stealing records belonging to the United States. In his blog post, Manning’s lawyer, David Coombs, wrote that his client is “attempting to accept responsibility for offences that ar e en capsulated within, or are a subset of, the charged offenses.” This process is known as pleading by exceptions and substitutions. Coombs did not respond to messages seeking comment.

The plea tactic seems aimed at achieving two goals, legal experts said. First, it is seen as an attempt by Manning to curry favor with the judge in a bid for a more lenient sentence. Under this theory, Manning hopes the judge will go easy on him for acknowledging actions he would not be able to refute at trial, said Victor Hansen, a former military lawyer and a professor at New England Law School.

“He can say ‘I manned up to what I did,’” said Hansen.

At the same time, Manning could be trying to pare down the prosecution’s case to the most difficult charges to prove, including accusations that he intended to aid the enemy - in this case, AlQaeda. Proving that Manning intended to aid the enemy could require prosecutors to establish that Manning wanted the leaked information to reach Al-Qaeda, and that is a high legal bar, said David Velloney, a military law expert who is a professor at the Regent University School of Law. “He’s looking to fight the case in the most tactically favorable way and in the light most favorable to him,” said Velloney.

But there are dangers in Manning’s strategy.

Even if the judge accepts the deal, there is no guarantee that Manning will be credited for pleading guilty to certain offenses in this late stage of the case. By pleading guilty to certain facts, Manning also gives up any right to contest them at trial, which could make it easier for the government to prove its most serious charges. “That’s the costbenefit analysis you have to do,” said Philip Cave, a military law expert in private practice.

WikiLeaks founder Assange faces extradition to Sweden from Britain for questioning in a sexual molestation case. He has taken refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. Assange and his supporters have said the Swedish case against him could be part of a secret plot to have him shipped for trial to the United States and either executed or imprisoned at the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. US officials have denied those assertions. But they have acknowledged that a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, has been collecting evidence about WikiLeaks and some of its activists. Officials have not ruled out US criminal charges against Assange. —Reuters

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

The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary.

India, China look beyond turbulent past

By Siddhartha Kumar and Bill Smith ndia and China recently paid subdued homage to those who fell during their 1962 border war, which has influenced the emerging nations’ bilateral relations to this day. The defeat of its ill-prepared troops during the month-long conflict along the Himalayan frontier still rankles India. As a flurry of recent television debates analyzed reasons for the loss and compared the countries’ military hardware, the government gave assurances that India had strengthened its armed forces and was capable of protecting the national sovereignty.

The dispute over the 4,000-km border remains unresolved, with 14 rounds of talks coming to naught. “The war, and the distrust it spawned, has clouded the relationship until now,” said Srikanth Kondapalli, professor in Chinese Studies at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. “Sixty-two played a defining role in bilateral ties, it led to a very cautious and suspicious approach on the diplomatic front.” Xiao Jie, a commentator for the Global Times, run by the ruling Communist Party People’s Daily group, said India’s position on Tibet has played a “large role in Sino-Indian relations.”

India was one of the first countries to recognize communist China in 1949, and accepts Chinese rule of Tibet, but it has irked Beijing by hosting the Himalayan region’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and its government-inexile.China and India had no territorial dispute before Britain’s occupation of Tibet in 1888 and 1904. As late as 1949, two years after declaring independence from British colonial rule, India under premier Jawaharlal Nehru promoted closer ties under the slogan “Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai”, or “Indians and Chinese are brothers”.

But things soured after the British were expelled from Tibet. “In 1951 after the (Chinese army) drove out the imperialist forces from Tibet, India didn’t want to give up (its own claim), which negatively influenced the SinoIndian relationship,” Xiao said. Analysts say the rivalry is now playing out more widely in the region. Mutual suspicions are exacerbated by China’s relations with India’s arch-rival Pakistan, and Beijing has been pouring investments into natural resources and infrastructure projects into nearby Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

But ties have improved in recent years, helped mainly by greater trade and business links, and making an outbreak of overt hostilities increasingly unlikely. Indeed, the two Asian giants have chosen to almost ignore the

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anniversary of the conflict, signalling their intention to look beyond the troubled past. New Delhi and Beijing have instead focused on the positive shift, particularly their strong economic and trade ties. “We are clearer about where we stand with China. We have had differences historically. I believe that the passage of time and the emergence of a new economic order in the world has brought China and India far closer together,” Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said. “The potential for growth between China and India, I think is enormous.”

China has become India’s largest trading partner. Bilateral trade has surged to 75 billion dollars annually, and is set to surpass $100 billion by 2015. Marking the 50th anniversary of the war, the tightly controlled Chinese media said both countries should become “inseparable strategic partners”. Both sides should over-

come “deep scars” inflicted by the conflict and should make the anniversary a starting point for a promising bilateral cooperation, the Global Times said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China “wholeheartedly wishes to settle the boundary issue through negotiation”. “China is willing to work with India to look forward,” he said. “China and India are partners, rather than rivals. We have far more common ground than disagreements, more mutual interests than conflicts.” “The remarkable growth trajectory in India-China business will certainly help to improve overall relations in two to three years,” India-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive secretary Prita Acharya said.

There are about 200 Indian companies in China and the chamber’s courses in Mandarin for businessmen, entrepreneurs and managers

have been popular, she said. Occasionally conjoined in the portmanteau word Chindia, the countries have become key drivers of the global economy and the rise of Asia’s influence.

Experts stress the importance of burying past differences, as theirs is considered to be among the most important relationships of the new century.

“India and China need to evolve a matrix wherein their legitimate interests, as derived from the compulsions of the 21st century, are accommodated, and neither side is compelled to adopt a posture of belligerence or extreme deference,” strategic analyst C Uday Bhaskar wrote in the Economic Times. “Such equipoise has remained elusive for 50 years and the challenge for the leadership on both sides is to remember history objectively and not be trapped in its bitterness.” —dpa

A friendlier Iran?

By Farshid Motahari he sound of silence rang loud in Tehran this week after the Pentagon announced that Iran had shot down a US drone.

Normally the accusation would be cause for the Iranian regime to crow about its success in standing up to the great military power of the United States. Not this time. The only reaction came Friday, with mention of Iranian forces firing at an “anonymous” plane.

“Someone didn’t want to endanger the re-election of someone else,” an anonymous political scientist in Tehran said, linking the incident to the leadership’s stance on US President Barack Obama’s recent win of a second term and Tehran’s broader interest in easing relations with Washington.

Even though Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said, officially, that Iran didn’t care who won the recent US election, it is clear that the country is not actually so indifferent. “With Obama, Iran at least has a hope of coming out of the current crisis. With a Republican victory a war would not have been out of the question,” said the political scientist.

That said, Obama is in favor of continued sanctions against Iran because of its ongoing nuclear programs, but has stated that he is against a threatened unilateral military strike against the country by Israel. Thus, some differences remain, but one thing is clear - Iran wants to end its isolation over its controversial nuclear program which it insists is peaceful, but which Western powers fear could be used to create a weapon - and a new drone crisis would not have served that goal. “The sanctions have driven the country into an economic crisis, and Iran can no longer afford to go further down that path,” an anonymous foreign diplomat in Tehran said. “A breakthrough would only be possible under Obama, otherwise Iran would become a second North Korea.”

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The rial, the Iranian currency, has lost a third of its worth since the beginning of the year. Official figures cite an inflation rate under 30 per cent, but in reality it’s over 50 per cent. Flights within the country are 70 per cent more expensive. The government forbade the import of “luxury goods” like coffee, soap, shampoo and toilet paper, in order to protect the currency.

Four years ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated his American counterpart luck on his election, perhaps the biggest shattered taboo in the 33-year history of the Islamic Republic.

No such well-wishes were forthcoming this time, but, in the run-up to the election, Ahmadinejad hinted at improved relations between the countries, saying that “if the US administration takes a step to create understanding between the two states, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to rethink its negative mentality of the US and help improve the relations between the two countries faster”.

Ahmadinejad has said that he thought that direct bilateral talks could lead to a solution to the nuclear dispute more quickly than earlier talks, which have included the members of the UN Security Council and Germany. Some American media have even reported that there are already secret contacts between the countries. Those have neither been neither confirmed nor denied. After Obama’s reelection, the reactions in Tehran were reserved, but not negative.

Ahmadinejad’s mouthpiece, the IRNA news agency, said that the country hoped that a second term would bring “positive effects and developments.” Mehmanparast spoke of a “wall of mistrust” between the countries, “but one that could be weakened”.

Even Ahmadinejad’s opponents are indicating that they’re more open to the idea of talks with the enemy. “Talks with the USA are not a taboo theme,” conservative politician Mohammad-Javad Larijani said. “If it serves the national interest, we will talk with Satan himself in hell.” —dpa

Hard times for Kirchner amid discontent

By Oscar Laski rgentine President Cristina Kirchner is enduring one of the toughest stretches of her term as her approval rating drops amid anger over inflation, crime and the prospect of her seeking re-election. Tens of thousands of Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires and other cities last week banging pots and pans - a common conduit for venting frustration in Latin America - to complain about the president.

The widow of former president Nestor Kirchner, who succeeded her husband in 2007, is scheduled to finish her second term in 2015 - and supporters in Congress are pressing for a constitutional amendment to let her seek a third. But the outlook is not rosy for Argentina’s first elected female president. Although the economy has been growing at an average rate of eight percent since 2003, the expansion is expected to slow this year because of the sluggish world economy. High inflation is sapping consumption despite across-the-board wage hikes.

Political analyst Graciela Romer said Thursday’s pot-banging marches had galvanized a very heterogeneous society - and demonstrators turned out in greater num-

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bers than at a similar rally in September.

Many are fed up with Kirchner’s heavy-handed governing style and the prospect of her seeking re-election. Many are also concerned over inflation and crime. “We are not looking at an indifferent nation. The level of participation is very high,” said another analyst, Jorge Giacobbe, of the massive demonstration. People from all levels of society took part, he noted - a change from the rally two months ago, which was largely attended by middle and upper class people. And most of the banners seen at Thursday’s rally had slogans against a third term for Kirchner.

Indeed, the shine

seems to be wearing off the Kirchner brand, after nearly a decade in which one or the other of the power couple ruled. Nestor Kirchner served from 2003 to 3007, and died of a heart attack in 2010.

Cristina Kirchner’s popularity rating is tumbling from 60 percent at the start of her second term to just 30 or 40 percent now. In the Oct 2011 election, she won 54 percent of the votes. A third term would require a constitutional amendment approved by a two-thirds majority in congress, something that seems unlikely with Kirchner’s numbers these days, though legislative elections - and a litmus test of voter angst - are due next year.

“The president is losing the support of the middle class,

which voted for her. You do not get 54 percent of the votes without that support,” said Romer. More than 80 percent of the population rejects the idea of a third Kirchner term, according to a survey by the Management & Fit institute. Topping the list of concerns was crime (79.4 percent) followed by inflation (64 percent), according to the poll. Romer said that besides these issues, people are angry over a ban on buying dollars. Argentina has implemented drastic measures to control foreign exchange since the end of 2011, in a bid to preserve its monetary reserves slated to repay its debt. The country has a hard time tapping international capital markets, even though it has restructured 93 percent of the $100 billion in debt on which it defaulted in 2001. Yet the opposition has so far failed to capitalize on the public ire at the Kirchner administration.

Opposition parties are so unorganized they took part in Thursday’s rally without identifying themselves. Union leaders, meanwhile, are preparing a general strike. “There are citizens who do not feel represented by political parties. These spontaneous outbursts are yellow lights, but they are not political alternatives,” Romer said. Giacobbe said the rally last week shows that “one cycle is ending but no new one is taking shape”. —dpa

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

sp orts McIlroy tops money list

Kallis ready to bowl

Kenyan sweep Athens Marathon

SINGAPORE: Rory McIlroy followed in the footsteps of Ryder Cup team mate Luke Donald when he became the second player to win the money list titles in both Europe and the United States yesterday.

World number one McIlroy finished third at the Singapore Open to amass a lead of more than one million euros ($1.27 million) over nearest rival Peter Hanson of Sweden and secure the European Tour Race to Dubai title with two events remaining.

Hanson is not playing until the season-ending Dubai World Championship later this month while Northern Irishman McIlroy will play in Hong Kong next week and then round off his season in the Middle East. Last year Englishman Donald became the first player to achieve the feat while McIlroy is the youngest European number one since Scotland’s Sandy Lyle in 1979, who was 21 when he won his first of three order of merit titles. McIlroy built a huge lead in the PGA Tour money list after clinching his second major at the PGA Championship in August and then winning two of the four FedExCup playoff events the fol-

BRISBANE: After a stellar day with the bat and in the field on Sunday, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis declared himself fit and ready to play his part with the ball in the last two days of the first test against Australia. Kallis scored an impressive 147 to help South Africa to a first innings total of 450 at the Gabba and then helped in the removal of two top order Australian batsmen with slip catches as the hosts were reduced to 111-3.

The 37-year-old missed South Africa’s only warm-up match for the tests with a chest infection but said there would be no problem if skipper Graeme Smith tossed him the ball today.

“I’m ready to go,” he told reporters. “It’s managing the workload as well, just got to be careful with that, but as far the body goes, it’s alright for the moment.”

With 12,788 runs, 280 wickets and the third highest number of catches (189) taken by a player in the longer form of the game, Kallis’s status as one of the greatest all rounders of all time is secure. And with a newly transplanted head of hair, he shows absolutely no sign of contemplating the end of a test career that began back in December 1995.

“I’m happy with the way I played,” he said. “It was tough this morning. I thought Oz bowled really well and got the ball into good areas. —Reuters

ATHENS: Raymond Kimutai Bett led a Kenyan sweep of the top six places at the 30th Athens Classic Marathon yesterday.

Bett won in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 35 seconds, followed by compatriots Paul Kibet Kosgei in 2:12:20 and Alex Sumko Kirui in 2:12:26. It was Bett’s second victory at the event. He also won in 2010. Bett’s time was the best ever at the annual event, but 40 seconds behind the course record of 2:10:55 set by Stefano Baldini of Italy when the 2004 Athens Olympics was run over the same course. The course’s long hilly stretches prevent runners from clocking world record-challenging times.

Consalater Chemtai Yadaa of Kenya won the women’s race in 2 hours, 40 minutes, beating Ukraine’s Svitlana Stanko by seven seconds. Viola Chelangat Kimeno of Kenya was third, a further 21 seconds behind. More than 26,000 runners, a record turnout, took part in the marathon. — AP

Beljan leaves hospital to keep Florida lead LAKE BUENA VISTA: Charlie Beljan checked out of a Florida hospital a day after a major health scare and thanks in part to a couple of peanut butter sandwiches retained his Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic lead on Saturday.

The 28-year-old rookie was taken to hospital on Friday after suffering an elevated heart-rate and shortness of breath, but returned to Lake Buena Vista to shoot a one-under 71 and hold a two-stroke lead going into the final round. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to get through it,” Beljan told reporters. “I just stayed strong.”

Beljan’s stirring third round left him with a 13-under total of 203, two strokes clear of fellow Americans Brian Gay and Josh Teater, and South Korea’s Charlie Wi. Beljan was again plagued by Friday’s symptoms, but said peanut butter sandwiches helped calmed him down.

“On about (holes) eight and nine I told my caddy, ‘Look I am not feeling good, I am starting to get the same type of symptoms,’” said Beljan, who is fighting for a spot on the PGA Tour for 2013.

“So we ate a couple of peanut butter sandwiches and we tried to breathe a little bit. Then the birdies on 10 and 11 kind of helped slow it down.” Beljan made four birdies for the round after

stumbling with bogeys on the first and third holes.

“I was extremely nervous and scared this morning showing up here in front of everybody not knowing how I was going to be able to handle things,” he said. “But to get through today was a big stepping stone.

“It was nice to be able to walk around and to be able smile,” Beljan said. “Yesterday (I) was hanging on for my life.” He is hoping for an even brighter Sunday, even with 10 golfers within three strokes of his lead.

“I am looking forward to a nice night’s sleep ... sleeping with my shoes off in a bed and having an opportunity of a lifetime tomorrow,” he said.

Doctors were not sure he should have spent the day playing golf.

“They released me saying that they thought I was good enough maybe not to go play golf, but at least to leave the hospital,” said Beljan, who left the course in an ambulance on Friday.

“But shoot, the position I’m in, it’s kind of hard not to show up.” Beljan shot a sparkling 64 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead despite suffering breathing problems and having to lie down on the course several times during his round. He only had an hour’s sleep at hospital, and that was with his golf shoes on, he added. — Reuters

Manassero bags Singapore Open SINGAPORE: Italian teenager Matteo Manassero displayed all the nerve and experience of a seasoned veteran to edge out Louis Oosthuizen on the third hole of a playoff and claim a thrilling Singapore Open victory on Sunday.

The first two days of the $6 million co-sanctioned event were dampened by lengthy storm delays but with the weather gods smiling down on the Sentosa Golf Club, the tournament reached a gripping climax over the final two rounds.

As an impressive Manassero threatened to run away with the event on a day when he ended up playing 36 holes, the 2010 Open Championship winner Oosthuizen emerged from the pack and could and should have won the tournament in the playoff.

The duo birdied the par-five 18th in regulation to finish locked on 13-under 271 and after they repeated the feat on the first extra hole, Oosthuizen had a four-foot birdie putt to claim the title on the next but his nervous effort horseshoed around the back of the cup.

Both men found the fairway on their third attempt at deciding a winner, with the South African’s approach landing short and left of the flag before Manassero ripped a beauty that rolled down off a slope to within 10 feet of the hole.

Oosthuizen’s eagle putt curled above the hole and his opponent made no mistake, picking up a third European Tour event before his 20th birthday with an assured putt into the middle of the cup that was met with a joyous roar from the packed gallery.

“It has been an extremely long day, the adrenaline kept me going and the playoff was just a great honour to play with Louis,” Manassero told reporters.

“It’s the first playoff of my career and it has just been amazing really. Of course to end it with an eagle was great.”

Almost forgotten in the mayhem was a brilliant final round six-under 65 from world number one Rory McIlroy that lifted the Briton up to third place on 10under and secured the European Tour order-of-merit title with two events to spare.

“I played well all week but just didn’t convert the birdie chances I gave myself,” said the Northern Irishman, who was cheered on all week by tennis-playing girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki.

“I missed a lot of putts over the last four days. If I had holed a few more it would have been a different story. I am

very happy how I played today and how I finished.”

Halfway leader Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, who closed with a 68, finished a shot further back, and three-times Singapore Open champion Adam Scott of Australia was tied for fifth alongside Italy’s Francesco Molinari on eight-under 276.

However, the day belonged to Manassero, who arrived at the course at the crack of dawn to complete his third round and immediately recorded four consecutive birdies on the way to forging a two-shot lead heading into the final 18 holes.

“Fortunately, the key was starting really well this morning after coming back on the course and I started with some birdies in a row which was very good and gave me a lot of adrenaline to go forward,” Manassero added.

The 19-year-old Italian stretched his lead to three strokes by the turn as his closest challengers began to wilt in the scorching heat but Oosthuizen was made of sterner stuff and chipped away at Manassero’s advantage until he took the lead with his birdie at the last.

Manassero, three groups back of Oosthuizen, had been in defensive mode since the fourth hole and after dropping a shot on the 15th, he needed to attack again and his short birdie putt on the 72nd hole set up the thrilling playoff. —Reuters

SINGAPORE: Matteo Manassero of Italy poses with his trophy after winning the Singapore Open golf tournament in the third playoff match against Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa. —AP

LINCOLN: Nebraska defenders Daniel Davie (23), Graham Stoddard (38), Will Richards (19) and Charles Jackson (27) wrap up Penn State’s Evan Lewis in the first half of an NCAA college football game. —AP

A&M shakes up title race TUSCALOOSA: Before Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame took the field, they got some good news. No. 15 Texas A&M upset No. 1 Alabama 29-24 on Saturday taking one less unbeaten team out of the race for the Bowl Championship Series game.

Johnny Manziel and the Aggies shook up the national title race in Tuscaloosa, jumping out to a quick three-touchdown lead and then holding on at the end to Alabama’s 13-game winning streak.

The Southeastern Conference has won the last six BCS championships, but with Alabama losing and three other teams unbeaten, it will be tough for the SEC to even get in the game without help.

Kansas State made its case for No. 1 - in both the polls and the BCS rankings - with a thorough 23-10 victory at TCU. No. 4 Notre Dame methodically beat Boston College 21-6.

No. 2 Oregon, third in the BCS standings, routed California 59-17 late Saturday night.

Alabama would likely need to win and have two of those three teams lose to reach the national title game.

Texas A&M 29, Alabama 24 At Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Johnny Manziel and No. 15 Texas A&M shook up the national championship race by beating No. 1 Alabama.

The Crimson Tide didn’t go quietly. AJ McCarron nearly pulled off a second straight scintillating comeback. He threw one touchdown pass and motored the ball downfield before Deshazor Everett stepped in front of his fourth-down pass at the goal line with 1:36 left. Manziel passed for 253 yards and rushed for 92 and led the Aggies to a 20-0 first quarter lead.

Kansas State 23, TCU 10 At Fort Worth, Texas, Collin Klein ran for two touchdowns, a week after leaving the game early with an apparent head injury.

The Wildcats improved to 10-0 for only the second time under coach Bill Snyder, and moved within two wins of likely reaching their first BCS championship game. TCU (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) didn’t take advantage of Klein’s interception on the fourth play of the game. The Heisman Trophy hopeful then hit Chris Harper for a 62-yard pass, and ended that drive with a 7-yard TD run.

Oregon 59, California 17 At Berkeley, Californiam Marcus Mariota overcame a brief injury to throw for a careerhigh 377 yards and tie a school record with six touchdown passes as Oregon made a case for the top ranking in the country by beating California.

The win over California (3-8, 2-6) could be enough to move Oregon up to No. 1 after topranked Alabama lost to No. 15 Texas A&M. Even more importantly, the Crimson Tide loss cleared one potential rival for a spot in the BCS title game, leaving Notre Dame and Kansas State as the only other major undefeated teams eligible for a bowl. The Ducks are currently third in the BCS rankings.

Notre Dame 21, Boston College 6 At Boston, Everett Golson ran for a touchdown and threw for two more on Saturday

night to help Notre Dame stay unbeaten.

Golson completed 16 of 24 passes for 200 yards, connecting with Troy Niklas for a 7-yard touchdown at the end of the first half and with John Goodman from 18 yards out early in the second.

Manti Te’o grabbed his sixth interception of the season - a school record for a linebacker to end BC’s last real chance at a comeback with just under 6 minutes left.

Georgia 38, Auburn 0 At Auburn, Alabama, Aaron Murray passed for 208 yards and three touchdowns, freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall each ran for more than 100 yards and Georgia clinched a spot in the SEC championship game.

Georgia, the Eastern Division champion, earned its second straight trip to the Dec. 1 SEC championship game in Atlanta. Topranked Alabama, beaten by No. 15 Texas A&M 29-24 on Saturday, can win the Western Division title by beating Auburn on Nov. 24.

Florida 27, Louisiana-Lafayette 20 At Gainesville, Florida, Jelani Jenkins returned a blocked punt 36 yards for a touchdown with 2 seconds remaining and Florida rallied in the closing minutes to avoid a huge upset. The Rajin’ Cajuns led 20-13 after Alonzo Harris’ 2-yard run and a blocked punt for a touchdown. But Jacoby Brissett rallied the Gators. Brissett found Jordan Reed down the middle for a 39-yard gain and then hit Quinton Dunbar for 3-yard score with 1:42 remaining.

ond place on the school’s career wins list with his 146th victory.

Stanford 27, Oregon State 23 At Stanford, California, Kevin Hogan threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, and Stanford overcame four turnovers to rally past Oregon State.

UCLA 44, Washington State 36 At Pullman, Washington, Brett Hundley threw three touchdown passes to help UCLA beat Washington State.

Nebraska 32, Penn State 23 At Lincoln, Nebraska, Taylor Martinez threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Turner for Nebraska’s first lead, and the Cornhuskers overcame a double-digit, second-half deficit for the fourth time this season.

Texas 33, Iowa State 7 At Austin, Texas, David Ash passed for 364 yards and two touchdowns and Johnathan Gray ran for two touchdowns as Texas whipped Iowa State.

Usc 38, Arizona State 17 At Los Angeles, Marqise Lee caught 10 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, Curtis

LSU 37, Mississippi State 17 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Zach Mettenberger passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and LSU kept alive faint hope of a Southeastern Conference title.

Looking sharp a second straight week, Mettenberger completed 19 of 30 passes without an interception. His top target was Jarvis Landry, who had nine catches for 109 yards both career highs - including a 19-yard touchdown to help the Tigers beat the Bulldogs for the 13th straight time.

Clemson 45, Maryland 10 At Clemson, South Carolina, Tajh Boyd threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns as Clemson won its sixth straight and record 12th in a row at Death Valley.

RICHMOND: Richmondís Ben Edwards has his helmet knocked off after a reception in the second quarter as he’s tackled by Delawareís Ricky Tunstall during an NCAA college football game. —AP

Syracuse 45, Louisville 26 At Syracuse, New York, Ryan Nassib threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns, Jerome Smith ran for 144 yards and Syracuse handed Louisville its first loss of the season.

McNeal rushed for 163 yards and two more scores, and Southern California bounced back from consecutive losses against slumping Arizona State.

South Carolina 38, Arkansas 20 At Columbia, South Carolina, Connor Shaw threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score for South Carolina who finished with six league wins for only the second time in 20 years in the South Eastern Conference.

Rutgers 28, Army 7 At Piscataway, New Jersey, Brandon Coleman caught his second touchdown of the game on a 31-yard pass from Gary Nova and Rutgers survived a valiant effort by mistakeprone Army.

Oklahoma 42, Baylor 34 At Norman, Oklahoma, Landry Jones threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, Damien Williams ran for 99 yards and two scores and Bob Stoops moved into sole possession of sec-

Texas Tech 41, Kansas 34 At Lubbock, Texas, running back Eric Stephens threw a 3-yard jump pass to Darrin Moore for a touchdown in double overtime to lead Texas Tech past Kansas. —AP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

sp orts

South Africa corner Australia in Brisbane

AHMADABAD: England players (from left) Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Matt Prior appeal successfully for the dismissal of Indian state of Haryana batsman S Rana during a practice match. —AP

Trott slams century in Test series warm-up AHMEDABAD: Jonathan Trott warmed up for the upcoming test series against India with a fluent century yesterday that completed the visiting England side’s domination over Haryana in a four-day practice game that ended in a draw. Trott, who was 61 not out when England resumed on an overnight score of 118-0, reached 101 with 13 fours and one six as England declared its second innings on 254-6 to set an improbable target of 442 in less than two sessions of play. England was left four wickets away from victory as Haryana was reduced to 133-6 in its second innings.

Seamer Tim Bresnan was the pick of the England bowlers, taking 2-13 in seven overs. Bresnan also had the tourists’ best figures of 3-66 in the first innings.

England is looking to win its first test

series in India in 28 years during the four-game series that commences Thursday at Ahmedabad. Mumbai, Kolkata and Nagpur are the other venues for the series.

For India, it is a chance to avenge a 40 defeat in a four-test series in England last year that led to it losing its No. 1 ranking. After the four tests, England also plays two Twenty20 games before returning home for Christmas. It will then come back to play five one-dayers in January.

Scores England XI 521 and 254-6 declared (Jonathan Trott 101 ret., Nick Compton 79, Ian Bell 48; Sanjay Budhwar 3-51) drew with Haryana 334 and 133-6 (Nitin Saini 50, Tim Bresnan 2-13).—AP

Mohammed Nooh of GTE-Olayan inaugurating the Tournament and presenting the man of the match award to Renju of KEA.

TEC, KEA enter semi-finals KUWAIT: The 15th Prof. Ramachandran Memorial Cricket Tournament (RMC) conducted by College of Engineering Trivandrum Alumini Association (CETAA) and sponsored by GTE Olayan Co began on November 2, 2012 at the NCC grounds at Mina Abdullah Industrial area.

Mohammed Nooh of GTE Olayan Co inaugurated the tournament in the presence of KG Mohan, President and Venugopal, Secretary of CETAA. TEC and KEA entered the semi-finals from pool B by winning both their matches while TKM and AECK won from Pool A to strengthen their chances from Pool A. In the first match, KEA scored 102 for 4 in 12 overs against NSS mainly due to the fine efforts of Binu (45 - man of the match) and Shiva (37) who added 75 runs for the 3rd wicket. Only Aneesh among NSS could make any impression with 2 wickets in the first over.

NSS in reply made a valiant effort but fell short by 16 runs with only Praveen (23 and Sachin (21) putting up a real challenge. Anish and Dany took 2 wickets each for KEA. In the 2nd match, hosts CET lost early wickets and finished on a none too impressive 73 for 7 off their 12 overs with only skipper Zamir (19) and Arief (14 no) putting up any real resistance.

Merton (man of the match with 3 wickets) was mainly instrumental in restricting CET. In reply, TEC made heavy weather initially but won in the last over by 7 wickets with good contributions from Ramesh (27) and Prasoon (21).

In the 3rd match, MACE could make only 61 for 4 off their 12 overs against TKM

in spite of a bright start with Anfar (2 wickets) being the pick of the bowlers. Only Roy (18) and Sageer (16) made any noteworthy contribution for MACE. TKM led again by Anfar (40 no - man of the match) hit of the runs with 1.2 overs to spare loosing.

The 4th match saw a record breaking performance by reigning champs AECK who scored 234 for 1 in their 12 overs.

Both openers Melvin 109 (man of the match) and Mahesh (111 n.o.) scored hundreds with a run rate of nearly 20 per over.

Facing a daunting task, NIT folded up for just 25 in 9.3 overs to leave AECK winners by 209 runs. Sajeeb (4 wickets) and Raman (2 wickets) helped skittle out NIT. In the 5th match, TEC scored 105 for 3 in their 12 overs against NSS mainly due to their skipper Suresh (45 - man of the match) supported well by Ramesh (35 ).

Aneesh again bowled well for NSS with 2 wickets. In reply NSS fought gamely but again fell short by a margin of 23 runs with only Praveen (37) and Sachin (17) making any impression.

Dinto and Jinesh took 2 wickets each for TEC. In the last match of the day, CET repeated their earlier performance by loosing early wickets and could make only 68 in their 12 overs against KEA. Brilliant keeping by Jim Chacko added to CETs woes with Anish taking 3 wickets & Prasoon and Sreejith 2 each. In reply, KEA after a slow start comfortable hit off the runs in 9.3 overs loosing only 1 wicket.

Renju (36 no - man of the match) and Biju (21) were the batting stars for KEA.

Shaji Jose presenting the man of the match award to Melvin of AECK.

BRISBANE: Centuries from Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla put Australia on the ropes before South Africa’s bowlers landed some early blows of their own to leave the hosts struggling at 111 for three after the third day of the first Test yesterday.

The tourists were reduced to 10 fit batsmen after an injury to JP Duminy on Friday but 147 from the evergreen Kallis and 104 from the in-form Amla helped them to an imposing first innings tally of 450. Their much vaunted pace attack took over just after tea and, finding movement on the Gabba track that had evaded the Australians, removed opener David Warner (4), debutant Rob Quiney (9) and Ricky Ponting (0) in quick succession.

Ed Cowan, who finished the day 49 not out, and captain Michael Clarke, unbeaten on 34, restored some stability to the Australia innings with a stand of 71 before stumps were drawn but South Africa still have high hopes of a win.

“If we can nip out a couple tomorrow morning and put some real pressure on Australia, who knows?” Kallis told reporters.

“I think we’ve just got to give ourselves an opportunity, I think the game’s far from dead.

There’s enough in the wicket as well. As long as we keep applying the pressure, that’s all that we can do. If Oz play well, then fair enough.”

Morne Morkel took 2-25 but Dale Steyn perhaps had the bigger impact, tempting Warner into an outside edge that Kallis caught in the slips and then, fielding at fine leg, flicking a Quiney hook shot back inside the boundary rope and catching it infield.

Ponting exited after he had faced just five balls when he went for a Morkel delivery well outside his off stump and Kallis again took the catch in the slips to leave Australia on 40-3.

Morkel had yet to concede a run and memories of last year’s Cape Town test, where South Africa bowled Australia out for 47, were surely flashing through the minds of both teams.

“It wasn’t ideal but the partnership we have at the moment is the crucial one for us,” Australia’s Ben Hilfenhaus said of Cowan and Clarke. “Hopefully, they can continue that tomorrow and make our way closer to their total.”

The tourists had resumed on 255 for two after the second day had been washed away by rain and Amla soon had the 10 runs he needed for his 17th test hundred, a third in his last four tests.

The 29-year-old cut James Pattinson for the seventh four of his innings to reach the mark, continuing the purple patch that included a century against England at Lord’s and an unbeaten 311 at the Oval.

Amla had added just one more run to his tally when a Peter Siddle ball caught him high on the pad and umpire Asad Rauf sent him back to the pavilion.

TV replays confirmed the ball would have gone over the stumps but Amla decided not to appeal after consulting Kallis and their 165-

run partnership was over.

There was now a stiff breeze blowing across the Gabba but in the next over, Kallis smacked two runs through midwicket to bring up his 44th test hundred.

Australian quick James Pattinson (3-93) had the experienced all rounder caught at gully by Quiney four overs after lunch and then came back in his next over to remove AB de Villiers for 40.

Vernon Philander (11) brought up the 400 mark for South Africa with a huge six before he too was caught, in the slips by Clarke off Peter Siddle.

Steyn survived an lbw decision off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus thanks to the TV review system, leaving Jacques Rudolph (31) to become Australia’s seventh victim and Lyons’ second. The Gabba paused for two minutes’ silence in memory of the dead of the two World Wars but reflection failed to galvanise the Australians and South Africa batted on until Hilfenhaus removed Steyn (15) and Morkel (0) just after tea.

South Africa’s number one ranking is on the line in the series, which concludes with matches in Adelaide and Perth after Brisbane. —Reuters

BRISBANE: Australia’s wicker keeper Matthew Wade attempts a run out during day three of the first cricket Test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba stadium. —AP

SCOREBOARD BRISBANE: Scoreboard at the close of play on the third day of the first test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba yesterday: South Africa first innings (overnight 255-2) G. Smith lbw Pattinson 10 A. Petersen c Hussey b Lyon 64 H. Amla lbw Siddle 104 J. Kallis c Quiney b Pattinson 147 AB de Villiers c Warner b Pattinson 40 J. Rudolph c Quiney b Lyon 31 V. Philander c Clarke b Siddle 11 D. Steyn c Wade b Hilfenhaus 15 R. Kleinveldt not out 17 M. Morkel c Siddle b Hilfenhaus 0 JP Duminy absent hurt Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-3, nb-6) 11 Total (all out, 151.4 overs) 450 Fall of wickets: 1-29 2-119 3-284 4-374 5-377 6-403 7-426 8-446 9-450 Bowling: Hilfenhaus 32.4-9-73-2 (w-1), Pattinson 34-6-93-3 (w-2, nb-3), Siddle 36-6-

111-2 (nb-3), Lyon 37-4-136-2, Hussey 4-021-0, Quiney 7-3-10-0, Clarke 1-0-4-0.

Australia first innings E. Cowan not out 49 D. Warner c Kallis b Steyn 4 R. Quiney c Steyn b Morkel 9 R. Ponting c Kallis b Morkel 0 M. Clarke not out 34 Extras (lb-8, nb-7) 15 Total (for three wickets, 26 overs) 111 Fall of wickets: 1-13 2-30 3-40 Still to bat: M. Hussey, M. Wade, P. Siddle, B. Hilfenhaus, J. Pattinson, N. Lyon.

Bowling: Steyn 8-2-27-1, Philander 8-0-24-0 (nb-2), Morkel 7-1-25-2 (nb-1), Kleinveldt 30-27-0 (nb-4).

Preview

West Indies to ‘stay hungry’ in Bangladesh DHAKA: West Indies captain Darren Sammy wants his players to “stay hungry” and to build on recent successes when they meet Bangladesh tomorrow in the first of two Tests.

Sammy’s men are buoyed by victory in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last month following a 2-0 home Test win over New Zealand. They are looking to continue the good work in a Bangladesh tour which also includes five one-day games and a Twenty20.

Sammy, who led the West Indies to a 1-0 Test victory over Bangladesh here last year, said his team must maintain the momentum.

“I think World Twenty20 was a great achievement for us but we have got to stay hungry. We can’t keep thinking because we won the World Twenty20 that we have turned the corner,” he said.

West Indies, a major force in world cricket from the 1970s to the 1990s, slumped miserably in the new century. They have, however, shown an improvement under the unassuming Sammy as captain and hardworking coach Ottis Gibson.

With Chris Gayle in good touch and the ever-reliable Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has played in 144 Tests, they boost a strong batting line-up.

Gayle plundered 150 and 64 not out in the first Test against New Zealand in July-his first Test after a two-year exile following a falling-out with the cricket administration.

Sammy said his mission is to win every match. “We have definitely improved as a team. We

are a bit more consistent and won both the Tests against New Zealand and our mission here is to win all matches in Bangladesh,” he said.

The West Indies have won four of their eight Tests against Bangladesh. Their 2-0 home series loss came in 2009 when they had to field a depleted squad after main players fell out with the Caribbean cricket board.

Bangladesh have just three wins in 73 games since attaining Test status 12 years ago, but Sammy is not taking them lightly.

“Bangladesh is a team we have never taken lightly, they are always difficult opposition at home,” said Sammy, whose team will be without spearhead paceman Kemar Roach.

Roach injured his knee and was replaced by Fidel Edwards in the squad, which also has Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul and Narsingh Deonarine as spinners.

Bangladesh will need to make a big effort in what will be their first Test for 11 months-a gap which opener Tamim Iqbal termed disappointing.

“Our situation isn’t good, we play Tests after long gaps. We should have this mentality of adapting ourselves from one format to the other,” said Iqbal.

Bangladesh will rely more on their spinners in the absence of injured paceman Mashrafe Mortaza and have included uncapped off-spinner Sohag Gazi in the 14-man squad. The second Test will be played in the new venue of Khulna from November 21. —AFP

LEVI: Sweden’s Andre Myhrer slaloms past a pole on his way to clock the fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, men’s World Cup slalom. —AP

Myhrer wins World Cup race LEVI: Slalom world number one Andre Myhrer started the new season the way he finished the last when he won the opening World Cup race in Levi yesterday.

The Swede snatched the slalom globe by winning the last two races of the season last winter to narrowly beat Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, the overall World Cup champion.

Myhrer again beat Hirscher by a 0.06 of a second margin to triumph in a combined time of one minute 49.55 seconds. World silver medallist Jens Byggmark completed a fine day for the Swedes by taking third place, 0.61 behind his team mate in difficult conditions with rain and fog forcing the skiers to take risks.

Myhrer’s fifth World Cup victory was an important one as the 29-year-old Swede, also known for his guitar skills,needed to prove his victory in the 2012 World Cup owed nothing to chance.

“I spent the holidays doing nothing. I just rested as my back was hurting. But now I feel well and I trained well,” he said. “To see Jens and Marcel go down and take so many risks was an inspiration to try as hard.”.

A winner in Schladming last season, Myhrer said the world title in the Austrian slalom haven in Feburary was his main goal of the season.

Hirscher was also delighted by his runner-up spot as he had never made it to the podium in Levi. “It’s not a course for me. I think I have never made it into the top 10 here,” he said.

The difference was that the Austrian was using for the first time a new line of skis he personally designed and also took a relaxed approach to the competition.

“I tried not to think about the race. I just drank beer. As for my new skis I felt as excited as a kid building a model,” he said “I know that everybody back home expects me to win every race but for me, it’s a perfect start to the season. It’s not about defending my World Cup title, it’s about skiing well,” he added.

Third in the opening giant slalom two weeks ago in Soelden, Hirscher was named Austrian sportsman of the year a week ago and he leads the World Cup overall standings on 140 points, ahead of Italy’s Manfred Moelgg and Soelden winner Ted Ligety of the U.S. — Reuters

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

S P ORT S

Rockets pound Pistons

LOS ANGELES: Abner Mares (left) connects with Anselmo Moreno of Panama during their WBC super bantamweight title bout.— AP

Mares defends title LOS ANGELES: Abner Mares attacked relentlessly on the way to a unanimous decision over Anselmo Moreno on Saturday night, defending his WBC super bantamweight title and handing Moreno his first defeat in a decade.

Leo Santa Cruz also defended his IBF bantamweight title, stopping Victor Zaleta in the ninth round of a brutal fight on a thoroughly entertaining card at Staples Center.

Earlier, Welsh light heavyweight Nathan Cleverly defended his WBO title with an eighth-round stoppage of Shawn Hawk.

Mares (25-0-1) rarely stopped moving forward in a fascinating brawl with Moreno (332-1), the elusive Panamanian star. In the fifth round, Mares scored the first career knockdown of Moreno, who had won 27 straight fights since October 2002.

“I could tell he felt my power and my aggression,” Mares said. “He did take advantage of me when I waited too long, but he’s a super champion and he gave me hell. I couldn’t let him get comfortable with his style, because he’s very good. I made it my fight tonight.”

Mares stalked Moreno from the opening bell, playing the bull to Moreno’s matador in every corner of the ring. Moreno weathered the early rounds with his usual defensive flair and athleticism, but Mares is a nonstop puncher who usually corners his man — and

he did it in the fifth round, staggering Moreno with a three-punch combination and then stepping back while Moreno fell to the canvas. “I was a little shocked when he went down,” Mares said. “I felt the punch, but didn’t think it was that powerful.” Machismo took over the fight in the eighth round, with both boxers taking turns standing still and daring the other to throw his best shot. Mares’ pursuit never stopped, however, sprinting after Moreno in the 12th round, with Moreno backpedaling at the same pace.

Judges Marty Denkin and David Sutherland scored the bout 116-110 for Mares, while James Jen Kin gave every round to Mares in a 120-106 whitewash.

“The fight should have been closer,” said Moreno, who still holds a 118-pound title belt.

“I’m unhappy that the one judge didn’t give me at least one round, but Abner fought a great fight. He’s a great champion. He was very strong, and I got caught by his shots. I was careless when I went down, but it was a great fight for the people. I’m happy for that.”

Mares, who would love to fight Nonito Donaire next if their promoters can settle a deal, also showed his familiar lapses in punch discipline, hitting Moreno with a very low blow and a kidney punch. Mares didn’t lose a point, but Moreno was docked in the 11th round for dangerously pulling down Mares’ head in a clinch.—AP

Klitschko defeats Wach to retain four title belts HAMBURG: World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko was made to go the distance against Polish challenger Mariusz Wach but earned an unanimous points decision on Saturday to retain his four title belts.

The 36-year-old Ukrainian, who holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA crowns, was never seriously troubled by the 32-year-old who saw his unbeaten record snap after 27 wins in 27 fights.

His older brother Vitali Klitschko holds the WBC crown. “It was a very tough fight and Mariusz had to take a lot of punches,” Klitschko said in a ringside interview. “I thought that Wach would go down but he fought on.” Klitschko also remembered late coach Emanuel Steward who died on Oct. 25. “On July 7 after our last fight we sang happy birthday to him. We miss you, we love you, you are always here in the ring, thank you Emanuel,” said Klitschko.

With Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone,

who is co-producing ‘Rocky - the Musical’ with the Klitschko brothers, making a prefight appearance in the ring for the 16,000 fans in the O2 arena, Klitschko set the pace from the first round.

Wach may be the first opponent taller than Klitschko, who is 1.98 metres, but he lacked the speed of the Ukrainian.

The Pole did get one chance in the fifth round, pummelling his opponent after a huge right to the head but the Ukrainian was saved by the bell.

It was back to form in the following rounds and Klitschko, who improved his record to 59 wins from 62 fights, pinned Wach to the ropes in the seventh and eighth but failed to knock him down.

Instead Klitschko dished out painful punishment in the final rounds with the eyes of fans on referee Eddie Cotton to see whether he would put an end to it. The three judges gave Klitschko a 120-107 120107 119-109 victory. — Reuters

HOUSTON: James Harden scored 20 points, Omer Asik had 14 and the Houston Rockets beat the winless Detroit Pistons 96-82 on Saturday night in their first game without coach Kevin McHale.

The team announced earlier Saturday that McHale was taking an immediate leave of absence to deal with a family matter. Assistant Kelvin Sampson took over, and said before the game he hoped the team would come together to win for McHale. The Rockets did just that, using a thirdquarter run to build a big lead and break a threegame losing streak with their first victory at home.

The Pistons fell to 0-7. Brandon Knight scored 16 points, and Greg Monroe added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Marcus Morris added 12 points for Houston and Toney Douglas had 11. Jeremy Lin helped out with seven points, eight assists and four rebounds.

Bobcats 101, Mavericks 97 In Charlotte, rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds to help the Bobcats snap a 16-game losing streak against the Mavericks.

Kidd-Gilchrist was 8 of 12 from the field and had a pair of key offensive rebounds off missed foul shots late in the game. Kemba Walker added 26 points and seven assists for Charlotte and Ramon Sessions made some big shots down the stretch and in overtime, finishing with 12 points.

Dallas lost for the second straight night on the road after a 3-0 start. OJ Mayo scored 22 points and Vince Carter had 19 points for the Mavericks.

Carter, who was 5 for 8 from 3-point range, missed an opportunity to win the game at the end of regulation when his fall-away jumper was short.

Pacers 89, Wizards 85 In Indianapolis, Paul George scored 20 points and Indiana stopped a three-game slide. Roy Hibbert added seven points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for the Pacers (3-4). Gerald Green had 15 points and Lance Stephenson scored 12 in his first start of the season.

Washington carried a 72-70 lead into the fourth quarter, and Jordan Crawford promptly made a 3pointer to extend the lead to five. But the Pacers then grabbed control with a 10-0 run.

Emeka Okafor and Bradley Beal had 17 points apiece for the Wizards (0-5), and A.J. Price finished with 12 points and 14 assists.

Bulls 87, Timberwolves 80 In Chicago, Nate Robinson scored 18 points and the Bulls ended the Timberwolves’ three-game winning streak. Chicago lost starting point guard Kirk Hinrich to a right hip strain in the second quarter, and Robinson helped pick up the slack by playing 31 minutes. Joakim Noah added 17 points and seven rebounds and Luol Deng had 16 points and seven boards for the Bulls (4-2). Chicago beat Minnesota for the sixth straight time.

Nikola Pekovic led the short-handed Timberwolves (4-2) with 18 points and eight rebounds. Andrei Kirilenko added 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

The Timberwolves had just 11 players available.

Ricky Rubio (left knee surgery) and Kevin Love (fractured right hand) have been out all season. J.J. Barea missed his second straight game with a sprained left foot, while Brandon Roy missed his first game of the season with a sore knee.

Jazz 94, Suns 81 In Salt Lake CITY, Al Jefferson had 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Utah held on for the win. Michael Beasley’s follow dunk after a Jazz turnover cut Utah’s lead to 79-74 with about 5 minutes remaining. But Jefferson’s steal and a 19-footer by Paul Millsap halted a nearly 6-minute scoreless streak for the Jazz and started a 7-0 run, capped by Marvin Williams’ 3-pointer. Millsap added 18 points and 13 rebounds for Utah. Luis Scola led the Suns with 21 points and Jared Dudley scored 16. The Suns were down 22 points with 2:45 remaining in the third, but opened the fourth with a 9-2 run to close to 79-70 on Sebastian Telfair’s driving layup with 9:24 left.

OAKLAND: Golden State Warriors’ Richard Jefferson (right) drives the ball against Denver Nuggets’ Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game. —AP

NBA results/standings Philadelphia 93, Toronto 83; Indiana 89, Washington 85; Charlotte 101, Dallas 97 (OT); Chicago 87, Minnesota 80; Houston 96, Detroit 82; Boston 96, Milwaukee 92; Utah 94, Phoenix 81; San Antonio 112, Portland 109; Denver 107, Golden State 101 (OT).

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT NY Knicks 4 0 1.000 Philadelphia 4 2 .667 Brooklyn 2 2 .500 Boston 3 3 .500 Toronto 1 5 .167 Central Division Chicago 4 2 .667 Milwaukee 3 2 .600 Indiana 3 4 .429 Cleveland 2 4 .333 Detroit 0 7 0 Southeast Division Miami 5 1 .833 Atlanta 2 2 .500 Charlotte 2 3 .400 Orlando 2 3 .400 Washington 0 5 0

GB 1 2 2 4 0.5 1.5 2 4.5 2 2.5 2.5 4.5

76ers 93, Raptors 83 In Toronto, Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday and Nick Young scored 16 points apiece, helping the 76ers pick up another road win.

Spencer Hawes had 12 points and 11 rebounds, Dorell Wright added 15 points and Philadelphia won its third straight, with all three victories on the road. It’s the first time the 76ers have done that since February 2003. The Sixers, who won 106-100 at Boston on Friday night, knocked off another Atlantic Division opponent thanks to a huge second quarter that saw them turn a six-point deficit into a 19-point lead. Andrea Bargnani led Toronto with 23 points, while DeMar DeRozan had 19. Jose Calderon had 14 points and 11 assists, but the Raptors lost their third straight.

Celtics 96, Bucks 92 In Milwaukee, Paul Pierce scored 25 points, Kevin Garnett added 18 and the Celtics rallied for the victory. Boston (3-3) got even with the Bucks after Milwaukee knocked off the Celtics 99-88 in Boston on Nov. 2. Monta Ellis led the Bucks with 32 points, while Samuel Dalembert added 14 points and eight rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 10 points and 10 assists for the Celtics, giving him 30 straight games with 10 or more assists, the third-longest streak in NBA history. Magic Johnson has the longest streak at 46 games from April 1983 to February 1984.

Nuggets 101, Warriors 101 In Oakland, Danilo Gallinari scored five of his 21

Western Conference Northwest Division Oklahoma City 4 2 .667 Minnesota 4 2 .667 Denver 4 3 .571 Utah 3 4 .429 Portland 2 4 .333 Pacific Division LA Clippers 4 2 .667 Golden State 3 4 .429 Phoenix 3 4 .429 Sacramento 2 4 .333 LA Lakers 2 4 .333 Southwest Division San Antonio 6 1 .857 Memphis 4 1 .800 New Orleans 3 2 .600 Dallas 4 3 .571 Houston 3 3 .500

0.5 1.5 2 1.5 1.5 2 2 1 2 2 2.5

points in the final 36 seconds and Denver closed with an 11-0 run to beat Golden State in double overtime.

Andre Iguodala added a pair of late free throws and the Nuggets, who didn’t arrive in the Bay Area until 3:30 a.m. following a late flight from Utah, held on for their fourth consecutive victory after opening the season 0-3. Kenneth Faried added 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Iguodala had 19 points for Denver.

Klay Thompson led Golden State with 23 points, but the second-year guard missed a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left. Carl Landry added 22 points and nine rebounds off the bench, but the Warriors went scoreless over the final 2:47.

Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 109 In Portland, Gary Neal had 27 points for the Spurs, and Manu Ginobili hit two big free throws in the final seconds. The Blazers made four straight 3pointers to tie it at 109 with 40.5 seconds left, but Portland stumbled from there and was saddled with its third consecutive loss. Nicolas Batum had a career-high 33 points.

Tim Duncan added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who snapped a sevengame losing streak at the Rose Garden.

San Antonio played without Tony Parker because of a flu bug that has been making its way around the team. Patty Mills started in his place.

The Spurs trailed by as many as 14 points in the third quarter but opened the final period with a 140 run to go up 87-79. — AP

Annual shooting tourney concludes

By Abdellatif Sharaa

SPAIN: MotoGP world championship winner Jorge Lorenzo from Spain falls on a corner during the last Motorcycle Grand Prix of the season at the Ricardo Tormo circuit. — AP

KUWAIT: With Deputy Chairman of National Security Department Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah AlSalem Al-Sabah and President of Asian and Kuwait Shooting Federations, ISSF Vice-president Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, the tournament of the late Sheikh Ali Sabah Al-Salem came to a close Saturday at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex.

The tournament attracted a large number of shooters from the club and the military, police and

Pedrosa grabs Valencia GP VALENCIA: Dani Pedrosa won the seasonending Valencia Grand Prix after starting from the pit lane and taking advantage of world champion Jorge Lorenzo’s crash yesterday.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga was second on his Yamaha, more than 37 seconds behind, while retiring two-time world champion Casey Stoner earned his 69th career MotoGP podium with a third-place finish in his final race.

Pedrosa had won pole position in Saturday’s qualifying, but he opted to take the pit-lane start penalty for a last-minute change of tires due to a rain shower that slicked the 4-kilometer (2.48-mile) Comunitat Valenciana track.

The Spaniard made quick work of the field to steer his Honda into second place before taking over the lead when Lorenzo went off on his Yamaha after hitting a wet patch with 17 laps to go.

“It was a thrilling race,” Pedrosa said. “I had never started from pit lane before, but after the warm-up lap I had a moment of inspiration when I just knew I needed to change tires. “It’s fantastic to win the last race of the season.”

It was Pedrosa’s 22nd career MotoGP victory. He finished the championship in second place behind Lorenzo, but his seven wins on the season gave him one more than his fellow Spaniard. Lorenzo ended with 350 points.

Pedrosa had 332, while Stoner was a distant third with 254. Seven of 21 riders failed to finish the accident-filled race. Stoner turned in a final lap to salute the fans.

“I am a little disappointed for not being able to win this race, but it’s a nice way to retire getting on the podium” Stoner said.

“Thanks to all my team, my supporters and my sponsors for all these years.”

The Australian rider is retiring at 27 after winning the MotoGP title with Ducati in 2007 and his current Honda team in 2011. He won 38 MotoGP races since joining the circuit fulltime in 2006.

In Moto2, Marc Marquez capped his world championship season with a win after starting from second place. Julian Simon and Nicolas Terol completed the all-Spanish podium.

Marquez finished the season with 324 points. Fellow Spaniard Pol Espargaro was second with 268 points, while Andrea Iannone of Italy was third with 193.

In the Moto3 class, British rider Danny Kent passed world champion Sandro Cortese of Germany on the last lap. Cortese finished second, with Zulfahmi Khairuddin of Malaysia in third. Cortese finished the season with 325 points. Luis Salom was runner-up with 214, with fellow Spaniard Maverick Vinales in third place with 207. —AP

Group picture of officials and female shooters was defence minister, then the police and security force when he became interior minister.

Al-Osaimi said KSSC board of directors is keen on organizing this tournament to keep alive the memory of the Sheikh and his honorable stands.

Sheikh Thamer Al-Sabah and with Sheikh Slaman Al-Humoud along with sheikhs Sabah Bader AlSabah, Nasser Ahmad Al-Sabah, Nassser Bader AlSabah, Abdullah Bader Al-Sabah and Abdullah Ahmad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah distributed prizes and cups to the winners.

Sheikh Thamer Al-Sabah made a special presentation to Kuwaiti Olympian Fuhaid Al-Daihani and handed him a cheque on this occasion.

Heba Erzouqi receving her trophy national guard sports association who competed in the Olympic skeet, trap, double trap and air gun events. Shooting school students also participated.

Kuwait Shooting Sports Club secretary General Obaid Al-Osaimi welcomed the guests and participants in this annual event, as the late Sheikh Ali AlSabah contributed to launching Kuwait shooting to the international level, when he participated in the CISM (military championship).

He said that Sheikh Ali was instrumental in rebuilding Kuwait military after liberation when he

Results are as follows: Skeet Men: Zaid Al-Mutair, Mohammad Al-Daihani, Nasser Al-Daihani.

Trap Men: Abdelrahman Al-Faihan, Talal Al-Rashidi, Khalid Al-Mudhaf.

Double Trap Men: Fuhaid Al-Daihani, Saad AlMutairi, Mishfi Al-Mutairi.

Trap Women: Sarah Al-Hawal, Rasha Al-Fares, Sumayah Al-Juhail.

Skeet Women: Afrah Abdelrahman, Sheikha AlRashidi, Iman Al-Shamma.

Skeet Juniors: Abdelaziz Al-Saad, Maffer Al-Rashidi, Mohammad Al-Azmi.

Trap Juniors: Talal Al-Rashidi, Abdelmohsen AlHamly, Khalid Murad.

Trap Shooting School: Saud Mijbel, Yousuf AlMutairi, Nasser Al-Mutairi.

Air Pistol Men: Mishal Al-Mutair, Abdulla Al-Mulla, Hassan Al-Mulla.

Air Rifle Men: Khalid Al-Subaie, Abdulla Al-Harby, Ali Al-Rabie.

Air Pistol Women: Iman Bouland, Huthama AlBaghly, Israa Dashti.

Air Rifle Women: Heba Erzouqi, Mariam Erzouqi, Zahraa Al-Saffar.

Air Rifle Women Junior: Heba Erzouqi, Zahraa AlSaffar, Shaima Buhamad.

Air Pistol Women Junior: Ghizlan Hussein, Sheikha Hassan, Rawan Al-Qattan.

Air Rifle Junior: Ali Farhan, Bundar Al-Mutairi, Mubarak Al-Subaie.

Air Pistol Junior: Sultan Al-Thafir, Ahmad AlObaidan, Khalifa Al-Thafiri.

Air Rifle Shootign School - Men: Hamad AlOwaisher, Rashid Al-Shimmari, Fahad Al-Ahmi.

Air Rifle - Shooting School - Women: Jouri AlJudaie, Najlaa Al-Aryan, Dana Al-Judaie, Air Pistol - Shooting School - Men: Ahmad AlNaibari, Adelaziz Al-Shimmari, Nawaf Al-Shihabi.

Air Pistol - Shooting School - Women: Hawaraa Buhamad, Sarah Al-Khaldi, Shouq Al-Enezi.

18

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

S P ORT S

The tragic title fight that changed boxing SEOUL: Thirty years ago this month, South Korean boxer Kim Duk-Koo entered a Las Vegas ring for a world championship bout that would end with his death, trigger at least one suicide and change the sport forever.

For a generation of South Koreans, millions of whom watched live on television, the fight between Kim and world lightweight champion, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, remains a powerful memory. Now a new book and accompanying documentary that coincide with the 30th anniversary hope to shed fresh light on the bout, its tragic aftermath and the impact it had on the lives and families of its two protagonists.

For Kim, then 23 and fighting for the first time in the United States, the glitz of Caesar’s Palace with its celebrity audience including the likes of Frank Sinatra, was a different universe from his impoverished upbringing in Korea.

“I remember when we landed in Las Vegas for the fight,” his trainer, Kim YoonGu, now 56, recalled. “The city was all lit up at night. It was like landing on a garden of flowers in the desert. We’d never seen anything like it,” he told AFP at the

boxing gym he runs in Seoul.

US boxing commentators had pretty much written Kim Duk-Koo off before the November 13, 1982 clash with Mancini, a powerful 21-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio making his second defence of the world title. But Kim was confident. Before leaving Seoul he had a carpenter rig up a mock coffin which he said he would use to bring back Mancini after the fight.

Unimpressed with such bravado, his trainer stomped it to pieces which he then hid under the ring in Kim’s training camp.

The fight when it came was a particularly brutal one.For 13 rounds, the two men went toe-to-toe in a slugging match that left both with badly swollen faces and struggling to see through bruised, puffed-up eyes.

At the end of the 13th, Kim Yoon-Gu tried to lift his fighter, telling him Mancini was exhausted and exhorting him to put in one last effort to finish him off. “He clenched his teeth, nodded and said ‘Yes, I’ll do that’. And that was it.

That was the last thing he ever said,” Kim said.

At the beginning of the 14th, Mancini connected with a straight right that snapped Kim’s head back and sent him crashing to the canvas.

The Korean managed to haul himself up by the ropes to beat the count, but referee Richard Green stepped in to stop the fight. Kim Yoon-Gu had been tending to his corner and missed the actual knockout blow, but when he saw Kim on the ground, he knew at once that the fight was over. “He was obviously hurt, but at that time we had no idea it was so serious,” he said.

Back in his corner, Kim collapsed and was taken from the ring on a stretcher to hospital where he was diagnosed with a blood clot on the brain and underwent emergency surgery.

He lapsed into a coma from which he never recovered and four days later he died. On the flight back to South Korea, a traumatised Kim Yoon-Gu locked himself in the toilet and “cried and cried until we landed. “I thought about quitting the sport entirely. In the end, I decided to stick with it, but it was a very, very difficult time,” he said at his gym where photos and posters of Kim Duk-Koo adorn

the walls.

The consequences of the KimMancini bout were far-reaching and tragic in their own right. Four months after her son’s death, Kim’s distraught mother killed herself by drinking a bottle of pesticide.

Four months after that, referee Richard Green also took his own life, although there was no indication that his suicide was linked to the outcome of the fight for which he was never held in any way responsible.

Mancini, a devout Catholic, endured a prolonged period of depression and, although he fought again, was never the same boxer.

“In all the obvious ways, he was haunted,” American sportswriter Mark Kriegel, author of a new biography of Mancini titled “The Good Son,” told AFP in a telephone interview.

“He also got over it. The complications for Ray have more to do with the fact that the rest of the world didn’t get over it and continued using that fight as a kind of reference point for his life,” Kriegel said.

Kriegel’s book, and an accompanying

documentary of the same name, climax with an emotional reunion in June last year between Mancini and Kim’s family.

Kim’s fiancee, Lee Young-Mee, had been pregnant at the time of the 1982 title fight and seven months later gave birth to a son, Kim Jiwan, now 29.

While being interviewed by Kriegel for the book, Jiwan had suggested a trip to the United States to meet with Mancini.

“As full of duty and obligation as Ray was, he wasn’t going to turn down a request from the son of the man who, without intention, died at his hands,” Kriegel said.

At the meeting in Mancini’s home, Jiwan admitted to the “hatred” he once felt for the boxer, before absolving him of any blame. “I think it was not your fault,” he said.

The Kim-Mancini bout proved to be a watershed in boxing, triggering a series of major changes to the sport.

Championship bouts were reduced from 15 to 12 rounds, the standing eightcount was introduced and the medical tests required of boxers before a fight were overhauled. —AFP

France buck trend as All Blacks, Springboks and Pumas triumph PARIS: World Cup finalists France carried the flag for the northern hemisphere in weekend rugby union action, outclassing a leaden-footed Australia to post a first win over the Wallabies since 2005.

But there was no such drama for Australia’s southern hemisphere Rugby Championship rivals New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.

The All Blacks ran out 51-22 winners over Scotland, the Springboks edged Ireland 16-12, while Argentina beat European champions Wales 2612 in the shock result of the first round of November touring internationals.

In more gentle introductions to the rigors of a new international season, England routed Fiji 54-12, while Italy scraped past Tonga 28-23. In Paris, Philippe Saint-Andre had spoken of his desire to blood a new generation of French players with an eye on the next World Cup in 2015.

Handing out three new caps and fielding some largely untested players, his side rode out some strong Australian first-half pressure to turn the screw in impressive style in the second period and run out comfortable 33-6 victors.

“When you see what other southern hemisphere countries did today...

I’ve told my players to enjoy the win because it’s not often you beat Australia, especially by 30 points,” Saint-Andre said.

Importantly, the result meant France leapfrogged England into fourth spot in the IRB world rankings ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2015

pool allocation draw on December 3.

IRB rankings will be used to rank the 12 directly qualified teams for England 2015 into three bands for that draw with the sides ranked one to four in band one - and crucially avoiding each other until the knockout stages - those five to eight in band two and the remaining four in

wing Tim Visser marked his home-turf Test debut with a try-double and showed why he is a hot bet to be part of the Lions plans next year.

But the bottom line was that the visitors were in a different league when it came to turning chances into points, star playmaker Dan Carter controlling things with aplomb.

PARIS: Maxime Machenaud of France (right) runs despite the tackle of Australia’s Nick Phipps during their international rugby union match at the Stade de France stadium. —AP band three. Next up for Australia are England, and coach Robbie Deans was left in doubt that “significant” improvement was needed to get their November tour back on track.

World champions New Zealand made the Scots pay for defensive lapses at crucial moments in racking up a 51-22 victory in Edinburgh, extending their unbeaten run against Scotland to 29 Tests. Dutch-born

Carter played a part in three of New Zealand’s six tries and also kicked six conversions and three penalties. Argentina, fresh from a first year of rubbing shoulders with the cream of the southern hemisphere, produced the surprise result of the weekend, coming from behind to win 26-12 thanks to second-half tries by Juan Imhoff and Gonzalo Camacho.

“They played the All Blacks, South

Africa and Australia over a six-week period and they have certainly learned from that and we were exposed to it today and we very much came second,” said interim Wales coach Rob Howley.

In Dublin, South Africa overcame a 12-3 half-time deficit to beat Ireland 16-12 thanks to a verbal sand-blasting at the break from coach Heyneke Meyer. “There were a few harsh words, it was really unacceptable,” Meyer said of his team’s performance in the first 40 minutes. “We gave up too many penalties, we couldn’t get going, it was very hard work.”

Following Argentina’s victory in Wales, Ireland now need to beat the Pumas in two weeks time to boost their crucial ranking points.

“Obviously, we need to get something out of a match in a fortnight’s time against Argentina and pick ourselves up for Fiji next week,” Ireland coach Declan Kidney said.

The weekend also saw the kick-off of an unprecedented November schedule for Tier 2 and 3 Unions.

Playing in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, the United States repeated their Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool phase defeat of Russia with a 40-26 win.

The second match saw an exciting Samoa side beat Canada 42-12, signposting the Pacific Island team’s intent prior to a mouth-watering match against Wales next weekend.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset hailed the IRB November International Series as “a major milestone in the drive to increase the competitiveness of Test rugby”. —AFP

AVC - Kuwait

SPAIN: Winner of the 48th Rally of Catalunya Sebastien Loeb from France (right) and co-driver Daniel Elena celebrate after their victory on the podium. —AP

Loeb wins Rally of Spain SALOU: World champion Sebastien Loeb ended his season in style here yesterday with victory in the closing Rally of Spain. The Citroen driver beat Jari-Matti Latvala in a Ford Focus with his Citroen teammate Mikko Hirvonen taking third.

This was Loeb’s 76th career win, the French rally legend coming in seven seconds clear of Latvala, who claimed third in the overall drivers’ standings, with Hirvonen 1min 46.8s adrift.

Loeb, the nine-times champion who is planning to compete in only four or five rallies next season as he shifts his focus to the World Touring Car Championship, said: “This win has a special flavour, the last one in a complete season for us. It’s true it’s good to remain unbeaten here in recent years, and it’s good to finish on a high note.”

Loeb, who was crowned the 2012 champion in the Rally of france in October, ended up with 270 points in the overall standings, from Hirvonen on 213 and Latvala with 154. This was his eighth win in the Rally of Spain. —AFP

Logano, Sadler in tight race AVONDALE: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. moved a big step closer toward defending his Nationwide Series championship with a strong run at Phoenix International Raceway.

He also got some help from Elliott Sadler, who had a rough day start to finish. The two title contenders started Saturday tied for the championship, and likely would have gone into next weekend’s finale at HomesteadMiami Speedway locked into a tight race.

But as Stenhouse battled Joey Logano and Brian Vickers for the lead headed to the white flag, Elliott Sadler imploded 10 positions behind them.

Sadler was racing hard for 12th with Justin Allgaier and Cole Whitt when he triggered a three-car accident. “I just got loose.

It’s hard to put this into words,” Sadler said.

“It’s been a long, great season and my guys deserve better effort from me than wrecking the car on the last lap.” —AP

Kerala Challangers

Kerala Challengers, Real Betalbatim, AVC advance DBO make shock exit in KIFF League KUWAIT: Last season’s champions Don Bosco Oratory made an early exit from the KIFF League when they were held 0-0 by a resolute Kuwait Goan Association, while Kerala Challengers, Real Betalbatim and AVC Sports & Cultural Association won their matches in the 5th week of league matches in the ongoing KIFF League for the JP D’Mello Memorial Rolling Trophy being played at the MOH Ground in Shuwaikh, Kuwait and organized by the Kuwait Indian Football Federation.

Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) needed only a draw to be the first team to qualify for the quarter finals and did just that. A strangely restrained Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) had an off day on the field as KGA not only held their defense well, but also made sporadic attacks on the DBO goal and were unfortunate when a shot by Christovam hit the upright in the 15th minute of the first half.

A desperate DBO knowing a draw would mean their exit tried their best in the second half but erratic shooting and a easy header missed by Alexandro in the second half ended the game goalless. Chrisovam of KGA was declared the Man of the Match and received his award sponsored by Integrated Logistics Company, from the hands of Joseph Gomes, Asst. Sports Secretary of KIFF . The match was officiated by David and assisted by Francis Fernandes and Julio Cardoso.

In the second match at 8:15am, a youthful United Goans Centre were unable to penetrate the Real Betalbatim defense ably led by veteran and captain Theodore Pinto and lost 1-2 in an engrossing match. Diminutive Elvis opened the scoring for Real Betalbatim in the 10th minute of the first half, while Marshall added a second, soon after that.

United Goans gave it their best and finally

scored through Francis in the second half, but could not get the equalizer due to some good keeping by the Real Betalbatim keeper. Denzil Jadhev of Real Betalbatim was declared the man of the match and received his award from Pascoal Alphonso President of United Goans Centre. The match was officiated by Mubarak Yousuf and assisted by David and Francis on the lines.

In the battle for leadership in group A, a literally strong Kerala Challengers edged Navelim Y.C (NYC) 2-1 in a fast paced and at times robust match. NYC greatly missing their star midfielder Bernardo Pires due to illness could not match the skills of Kerala Challengers in midfield and their forwards led by the charismatic Fajelu missed a number of chances before Fajelu finally scored in the 15th minute of the first half. In the second half Kerala Challengers kept up the pressure and

Jamal made it 2-0 when his beautifully executed free kick found the far corner of the net past the outstretched hands of Britto in the NYC goal. NYC got one back when a good move from the left flank enabled their goal machine Cruzedio to score in a goalmouth melee. Kerala Challengers however defended well after that to deny NYC a second goal and now top the group with two wins in two games.

Man of the match was Fajelu of Kerala Challengers and the award was given by Lawrence Pinto the President of Rising Stars.

The game was officiated by Julio Cardoso assisted by Sarto Baptista and Nicholas on the lines.

In the last match of the day, AVC Sports & Cultural Association easily outclassed Sparks 5-0 in a one sided match which saw the first hat -trick of the tournament. Flamboyant

Kevin Vaz finally found his scoring touch when he opened the scoring for AVC with a simple tap in and soon made it 2-0 with a fine volley.

Braulio scored three more to ensure AVC now top their pool with 4 points from two games and needing just a draw in the last game to qualify. Man of the match was awarded to Braulio the hattrick man of AVC and given by Adley D’Lima the treasurer of KIFF. The game was officiated by Tiego Fernandes supported by Sarto Baptista and Christopher Fernandes on the lines.

Coming Friday’s schedule is as follows:Santos United take on Kerala Challengers at 6:45am, followed by Indian Strikers versus Real Betalbatim FC at 8:00. Navelim Y.C will than play Rising Stars at 9:15am and the last match will be between Malabar United and United Goans Centre at 10:30am.

19

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

SPORTS

Messi surpasses Pele tally as Barca win at Mallorca

STUTTGART: Hannover’ s Christian Schulz (right) challenges for the ball with Stuttgart’s Rafael Holzhauser , during the German Bundesliga soccer match.—AP

Wolfsburg stun Leverkusen BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen missed going third in the Bundesliga yesterday as they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at VfL Wolfsburg while league leaders Bayern Munich are out on their own, according to their rivals. Wolfsburg scored three goals in 33 electrifying minutes at home as Brazil midfielder Diego floated in a free-kick after four minutes, then converted a chance on 16 minutes.

Dutchman Bas Dost then drilled in Marcel Schaefer’s cross on 33 minutes to leave Leverkusen on the ropes and gave Wolves’ caretaker coach LorenzGuenther Koestner his second league win since Felix Magath left the club last month.

Ex-Germany striker Stefan Kiessling showed national coach Joachim Loew what he is missing with a consolation goal in the 91st minute for Leverkusen, his seventh goal of the season in 11 games.

“It was a disaster in the first half, it has to be said,” fumed Leverkusen centreback Philipp Wollscheid. “That just doesn’t work. We were all asleep, you can’t win a game like that.”

It was Leverkusen’s first defeat since they were beaten 3-0 at defending champions Borussia Dortmund on September 15, but leaves them fifth with Wolfsburg up to 16th - still within the relegation spots. Yesterday, Hanover scored four goals in 16 minutes, including two from super-sub Norway striker Mohammed Abdellaoue, to come back from two goals down and seal a 4-2 win over VfB Stuttgart to stay sixth.

Likewise, Borussia Moenchengladbach, eighth, came from behind to seal a 4-2 win at second-frombottom Greuther Fuerth, who had defender Thomas Klein sent off on 12

minutes for bringing down Patrick Herrmann who was through on goal.

Fuerth were then reduced to nine men when Milorad Pekovic was sent off for a handball in the 91st-minute to compound the hosts misery.

On Saturday, Eintracht Frankfurt coach Armin Veh insisted Bayern are in a “league of their own” after Munich’s 2-0 victory kept them seven-points clear at the top of the league.

Goals by France’s Franck Ribery and Austria’s David Alaba gave Bayern their tenth win from 11 league games and Veh says the Bavarians are currently untouchable.

“We were up against opponents who are in a league of their own,” said Veh, who won the Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart in 2007.

“We tried to press Bayern early and not let them get going. “We did that very well, but Bayern are smart and you have to cover a lot of ground. The second goal settled the outcome and it broke our resistance.”

Second-placed Schalke 04 stayed in touch with Bayern after coming from behind to beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen.

Dortmund moved up to fourth with a 3-1 win at bottom side Augsburg.

Hamburg were held to a goalless draw

by Freiburg while ten-man Hoffenheim drew 1-1 at home to Fortuna Duesseldorf after defender Marvin Compper was sent off for the hosts after a second yellow card.

Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel has meanwhile said he will make a formal complaint to the German Football Federation (DFB) about the conduct of the fourth official during Friday’s 2-1 win at home to Nuremberg.—AFP

German League results/standings VfL Wolfsburg 3 (Diego 4, 16, Dost 33) Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Kiessling 90+1); VfB Stuttgart 2 (Gentner 21, Ibisevic 37-pen) Hanover 96 4 (Sobiech 57, Schlaudraff 65-pen, Abdellaoue 68, 73-pen); Greuther Fuerth 2 (Nehrig 10-pen, Prib 43) Borussia M’gladbach 4 (Wendt 22, Stranzl 51, Herrmann 57, Marx 90+2).

German League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Bayern Munich 11 10 0 1 32 4 30 Schalke 11 7 2 2 22 12 23 Eintracht 11 6 2 3 21 16 20 Dortmund 11 5 4 2 23 12 19 Leverkusen 11 5 3 3 19 17 18 Hanover 11 5 2 4 24 18 17 Mainz 11 5 2 4 15 13 17 Borussia 11 4 4 3 17 21 16 Werder Bremen 11 4 2 5 18 17 14

Hamburg 11 Freiburg 11 VfB Stuttgart 11 Hoffenheim 11 Duesseldorf 11 Nuremberg 11 VfL Wolfsburg 11 Greuther Fuerth11 Augsburg 11

4 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 1

2 4 4 3 5 2 2 4 3

5 4 4 5 4 6 6 6 7

11 14 12 17 10 9 9 9 6

14 13 19 23 16 17 18 20 18

14 13 13 12 11 11 11 7 6

Nice peg back Marseille PARIS: A late equaliser from Nice midfielder Fabrice Abriel held Marseille to a 2-2 draw yesterday, while Lyon were also pegged back as Sloan Privat salvaged a point for strugglers Sochaux in a 1-1 draw.

With Paris Saint-Germain in action against defending champions Montpellier in Sunday’s evening fixture, Marseille moved a point clear of their arch-rivals at the top of Ligue 1, but the gap could have been greater as Elie Baup’s side were left to rue an 88thminute strike from Abriel.

Meanwhile, Lyon could have usurped both sides with three points at Stade Auguste Bonal but were left frustrated as a draw was only sufficient enough to draw them level with PSG on 22 points.

Mathieu Valbuena missed a first-half penalty before Andre Ayew headed in the former’s clipped cross to give Marseille the lead against Nice five minutes before half-time.

Dario Cvitanich then notched his fourth league goal since arriving on the Cote d’Azur six minutes after the interval, diving to nod in Eric Bautheac’s free-kick at the far post to haul Nice level.

Valbuena put Marseille back in front, stabbing home after Andre Ayew’s initial effort rebounded off the crossbar

and the back of Nice goalkeeper David Ospina.

But the home side were undone two minutes from time as Abriel swept in Camel Meriem’s miscued volley from close-range to earn draw specialists Nice a seventh stalemate of the season.

Meanwhile, Maxime Gonalons was on target for a second successive league game, flicking a Steed Malbranque setpiece beyond Sochaux goalkeeper Simon Pouplin to put Lyon ahead on 24 minutes.

However, following a neat exchange of passes with Ryad Boudebouz, Privat drew Sochaux level on 71 minutes as he drilled low past Remy Vercoutre to earn the home side a valuable point.

Elsewhere, Bordeaux made it backto-back wins with a 4-0 rout of Lorient at Stade du Moustoir. Brazilian striker Jussie opened his account for the season as he prodded home after the hosts failed to deal with a corner. He then set up Ludovic Obraniak to double Bordeaux’s lead on 33 minutes.

Henri Saivet nodded in from another corner eight minutes after half-time to increase the visitors’ advantage, while Jussie then unselfishly squared the ball to Yoan Gouffran, who completed the demolition to extend Lorient’s winless run to seven matches.—AFP

MADRID: Lionel Messi struck twice as leaders Barcelona survived a second-half spellof pressure at Mallorca to win 4-2 and strengthen their position at the top of La Liga yesterday.

Xavi Hernandez, Messi and Cristian Tello got first-half goals for the Catalans before Victor Casadesus and Michael Pereira reduced the lead after the interval.

Messi then hit his fifteenth in the league to wrap up the game and make it 76 goals now in 2012, beating Pele’s tally of 75 from 1958 and taking him to within nine of Gerd Muller’s all time record total of 85 set in 1972.

The win increases Barca’s lead to six points at the top, ahead of games for Atletico and Real Madrid, who sit 2nd and 3rd, later yesterday.

Barca made five changes from the side that had lost 2-1 to Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, David Villa and Tello all starting.

The visitors began slowly and Mallorca enjoyed the better early chances. Barca keeper Valdes was alert to tip wide a header from Israeli international Tomer Hemed on 22 minutes.

However, five minutes later Barca were ahead when Xavi curled a perfect free-kick over the defensive wall after Jose Luis Marti fouled Fabregas on the left edge of the area.

Mallorca centre-half Pedro Geromel saved an almost certain second on 34 minutes when a Tello cross was about to find Villa in front of an open goal.

Barca were now on top and looking to add to their lead and did so on 43 minutes when Messi went on a run and hit a well struck shot - though Dudu Aouate in the Mallorca goal should have done better than allow the ball to squirm out of his hands and into the net.

A minute later and Tello controlled a pass on the left-wing before cutting inside and unleashing a right-footed drive that went across Aouate and into the far corner.

SPAIN: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates after scoring during a match against RCD Mallorca during a Spanish La Liga soccer match in Mallorca.—AP Half-time arrived and Barca causing too much trouble before remaining, and Alvaro Negredo suddenly had a three-goal cush- Messi smashed home his second struck a penalty four minutes lation they hardly deserved. on 76 minutes to make the game er to give the away side some Mallorca began to find their way safe after Alexis Sanchez had clev- hope. However Bilbao held on to back into it early in the second- erly chested a cross into his path. claim the win that moves them half, however.

Earlier yesterday Athletic Bilbao to within a point of Sevilla, who A Casadesus drive was blocked battled to a hard fought 2-1 win have 15, in mid-table. Also on 15

by Fabregas before Michael over Sevilla despite finishing the points are Valladolid and Pereira converted a right wing game with ten men.

Valencia, who drew 1-1 with Ali cross to reduce the lead on 55 Oscar de Marcos put Bilbao Cissokho in the thick of the minutes. Two minutes later ahead on 27 minutes side-footing action. Valencia’s French fullBusquets’ outstretched hand home a cross from Jon Aurtenetxe back opened the scoring in the made enough contact with the before Markel Susaeta doubled first-half but then received a ball for the referee to award a the lead just before the interval. straight red for a trip in the area penalty that Casadesus converted Ander Herrera received his on Omar Ramos. Victor Perez to reduce the arrears to 3-2. marching orders for a second converted the penalty for a share Mallorca rallied without really caution with fifteen minutes of the points.—AFP

Spanish League results/standigns Athletic Bilbao 2 (De Marcos 27, Susaeta 45+1) Sevilla 1 (Negredo 79-pen); Real Mallorca 2 (Pereira 55, Victor 58-pen) Barcelona 4 (Xavi 28, Messi 44, 70, Tello 45); Valladolid 1 (Victor Perez 65-pen) Valencia 1 (Cissokho 15).

Spanish League table ahead of final two matches yesterday (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Barcelona Atletico Madrid Real Madrid Real Betis Malaga Levante Vallecano Valladolid Valencia Sevilla

11 10 10 11 11 10 11 11 11 11

10 8 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4

1 1 2 1 3 2 1 3 3 3

0 1 2 4 3 3 5 4 4 4

36 22 25 18 15 12 16 16 14 13

14 11 7 17 9 14 25 12 13 13

31 25 20 19 18 17 16 15 15 15

Real Zaragoza Bilbao Getafe Real Sociedad Real Mallorca Grenade Celta Vigo Deportivo Espanyol Osasuna

11 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2

0 2 1 1 2 2 1 4 3 2

6 5 5 6 6 6 7 5 6 7

14 16 12 12 12 11 13 18 12 11

18 21 16 16 19 18 17 25 18 15

15 14 13 13 11 11 10 10 9 8

Lazio weather storm to dominate Roma ROME: Stuttering Lazio relaunched their Serie A campaign by dominating Roma 3-1 in a rain-lashed Rome derby, as high-flying Fiorentina piled the pressure on AC Milan and Napoli fought back to beat Genoa 4-2 yesterday. Inter Milan have a chance to close the gap on leaders Juventus to just a point when they face Atalanta away in yesterday’s late match. But the battle behind the two favorites for this season’s scudetto gathered pace as both Lazio and Napoli made up for recent setbacks. Roma got the perfect start when midfielder Erik Lamela sneaked in behind Lazio’s defence to head a corner past Federico Marchetti at the back post. Heavy downpours ensued, making play difficult but Lazio weathered the storm to get back on level terms in the 35th minute.

Antonio Candreva stepped up for a freekick and hit a piledriver from 35 yards that rocketed past the defensive wall and beat Mauro Goicoechea in the Roma net.

Germany international Miroslav Klose then made amends for a miss moments earlier when he latched on to a pass-shot from Brazilian Hernanes to beat Goicoechea from close range to level.

Roma were stung minutes into the second half when Daniele De Rossi was given a straight red card for a punch-slap to the face of Stefano Mauri as the pair tussled in the area. Mauri doubled Roma’s agony when he pounced on a defensive mistake to put Lazio 3-1 up. Roma fought back and reduced arrears in spectacular style when Miralem Pjanic hit a long-range freekick in the 90th minute which beat retreating ‘keeper Marchetti but it proved too little too late.

Napoli, meanwhile, cemented third spot after a valiant fight back from Ciro Immobile’s 23rd minute opener for Genoa took them to a 42 win. Former Genoa defender Giandomenico Mesto levelled for the visitors in the 54th minute, but Napoli were stunned when midfielder Andrea Bertolacci restored Genoa’s lead a minute later.

Napoli’s Edinson Cavani was showing great movement throughout and the Uruguayan striker was rewarded in the 79th minute when he rounded the defence to level.

Slovak midfielder Marek Hamsik virtually secured the points with a goal on the stroke of full-time but striker Lorenzo Insigne added a fourth in injury time to leave Napoli third on 26 points, one shy of Inter and five adrift of Juve. Fiorentina maintained their purple patch with a deserved 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro.

Milan’s defence was virtually absent when former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani collected a loose ball on the edge of the box following a throw-in to beat Christian Abbiati at his near post.

On the half hour tempers flared when Pato was bundled down in the box by Argentine Facundo Roncaglia. Milan were awarded a penalty, but Pato sent his effort over the crossbar.

That miss proved costly when Fiorentina doubled their lead in textbok fashion on 38 minutes.

Borja Valero collected the ball from a throw-in on the left flank, outpaced Riccardo Montolivo on his way into the area and dribbled past Philippe Mexes to beat Abbiati at his far post.

Bojan Krkic came on in place of Dutchman Urby Emanuelson at half time but it was another substitute, Giampaolo Pazzini, who grabbed Milan’s consolation goal on the hour when he pounced on a rebound off the post to beat Emiliano Viviano.

Fiorentina remain fourth on 24 points while Milan’s sixth defeat of the season leaves the Rossoneri languishing in 13th on 14 points.

Torino grabbed a precious 1-0 win at home to struggling Bologna while Parma and Siena shared a scoreless draw.

Udinese’s solid start to the campaign continued when they grabbed a precious 2-2 draw away to Chievo thanks to Gabriele Angella’s second goal of the match in injury time.—AFP

ITALY: Lazio’s Antonio Candreva celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Lazio and AS Roma at Rome’s Olympic stadium.—AP

Italian League results/standings Palermo 2 (Dybala 7, 26) Sampdoria 0; Torino 1 (D’Ambrosio 65) Bologna 0; Parma 0 Siena 0; Chievo 2 (Andreolli 38, Paloschi 89) Udinese 2 (Angella 42, 90+1); Genoa 2 (Immobile 23, Bertolacci 55) Napoli 4 (Mesto 54, Cavani 79, Hamsik 90, Insigne 90+4); Lazio 3 (Candreva 35, Klose 43, Mauri 46) Roma 2 (Lamela 9, Pjanic 90); AC Milan 1 (Pazzini 59) Fiorentina 3 (Aquilani 10, Valero 38, El Hamdaoui 89).

Italian League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Juventus 12 10 1 1 29 9 31 Inter Milan 11 9 0 2 22 10 27 Napoli 12 8 2 2 20 9 26 Fiorentina 12 7 3 2 19 9 24 Lazio 12 7 1 4 19 17 22 Roma 12 5 2 5 28 23 17 Catania 12 4 4 4 15 16 16 Parma 12 4 4 4 14 16 16 Atalanta 11 5 2 4 10 13 15 Udinese 12 3 6 3 16 18 15 Cagliari 12 4 3 5 11 17 15 Torino 12 3 6 3 13 10 14 AC Milan 12 4 2 6 18 16 14 Palermo 12 2 5 5 11 17 11 Chievo 12 3 2 7 12 23 11 Pescara 12 3 2 7 9 23 11 Sampdoria 12 3 2 7 13 18 10 Genoa 12 2 3 7 12 19 9 Bologna 12 2 2 8 12 18 8 Siena 12 3 4 5 12 14 7 Note: Sampdoria (one point), Torino (one point), Atalanta (two points) and Siena (six points) all docked points for involvement in ‘Calcioscommesse’ illegal betting scandal

Rockets pound Pistons

South Africa corner Australia in Brisbane

17

16

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

The tragic title fight that changed boxing

Page 18

MANCHESTER: Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale (second left) vies with Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder David Silva (left) and Manchester City’s Argentian defender Pablo Zabaleta (right) during the English Premier League football match.—AFP

City hang on to United’s tail Man City 2

Tottenham 1

MANCHESTER: Edin Dzeko ensured that Manchester City kept pace with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with a late winner in a 2-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

As was the case with United’s win at Aston Villa the day before, City had to come from behind to secure a late win and stay within two points of the leaders after Sergio Aguero cancelled out Steven Caulker’s opener for Tottenham.

The result extended City’s remark-

able unbeaten home record in the Premier League to 35 games-a sequence dating back nearly two years. It also offered respite for manager Roberto Mancini, who had taken the bold decision to leave controversial forward Mario Balotelli out of his squad for the game. Aguero struck on 65 minutes with a polished example of finishing, latching onto a loose ball and committing two defenders before rolling the ball into the Spurs goal from six yards.

And with just two minutes remaining, all three points went to City as David Silva played a beautifully judged pass to substitute Dezko, who found the back of the Tottenham net with a superb shot on the turn. Spurs had taken a first-half lead on 21 minutes through Caulker, although it owed as much to poor defending and a rare slip from England goalkeeper Joe Hart as

impressive finishing.

Aguero was ruled to have fouled Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone’s free-kick from the right flank was met by centre-back Caulker, the ball hitting Hart firmly in the chest and then squirming agonisingly over the line.

It was a piece of defending in keeping with City’s recent form, particularly in Europe, but Mancini had cause to go in at the half-time interval feeling aggrieved at referee Michael Oliver, who turned down two strong penalty appeals.

Two minutes after the opening goal, Williams Gallas appeared to handle as Aguero attempted to flick the ball forward in the Spurs area and, late in the half, Huddlestone body-checked Pablo Zabaleta.

Huddlestone drilled a low, hard shot inches wide of the left-hand post as Spurs sought to extend their lead but

City began to look more threatening as the first half wore on.

In quick succession, Gareth Barry shot wide, Aguero hurried a shot off target, Carlos Tevez shot directly at Brad Friedel, and, in injury time, Silva’s lay-off set up Zabaleta, whose sixyard shot was, again, straight at the Tottenham keeper.

City failed to carry that impetus into the second half, however, with Aguero wasting the best chance of the early exchanges when he beat the offside trap but fell over as he attempted to control Yaya Toure’s pass.

Mancini threw on Maicon-to the delight of Spurs fans, who remembered the torrid time he was given by Gareth Bale in a Champions League tie with Inter Milan two years ago-as he committed more bodies into attack.

After Toure had shot into the side

netting, the tactic paid dividends, with Aguero’s equaliser following just before the midpoint of the second period.

Tevez rolled a shot just wide as City sought the winner, before making way for Dzeko after 72 minutes, although it was the visitors who carved out the next decent opening.

Toure and Vincent Kompany failed to stop Bale in his tracks and the Welsh international winger produced a vicious left-foot shot that was well blocked by the diving Hart.

By now City were in the ascendancy, with Dzeko heading just over from a Silva corner and Aleksandar Kolarov seeing a shot deflected into the side netting after tidy play by Aguero.

Silva shot just wide and Aguero was denied by an excellent double save from Friedel after being played in by Dzeko, who had the final say in the 88th minute.—AFP

Suarez earns point as Terry’s return cut short Chelsea 1

Liverpool 1 LONDON: Luis Suarez earned a 1-1 draw for Liverpool at Chelsea yesterday after John Terry made a goal-scoring return from suspension but also picked up a serious-looking injury.

Terry, returning to Premier League action after his suspension for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, opened the scoring for Chelsea with a powerful header in the first half. But he was carried off with a knee injury before the interval after an accidental collision with Suarez. Suarez, who was banned himself for racial abuse last season, headed in the equaliser with 17 minutes left and could have won the game when he raced through soon after, only to be foiled by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The draw meant Roberto Di Matteo’s side failed to exploit the chance to put real pressure on leaders Manchester United, who now enjoy a three-point lead over the European champions. Terry

had missed four domestic games prior to yesterday’s encounter at Stamford Bridge, although he had played in the Champions League and was an unused substitute in the 3-2 win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

The former England captain used his programme notes to thank fans for their reaction when he warmed up against the Ukrainian champions.

“It was an incredible feeling-the Chelsea fans mean everything to me and that gave me goosebumps,” he wrote. He was celebrating in front of them after 20 minutes when he headed home the opener.

Daniel Agger had lost Terry as Juan Mata sent over a corner, with the Chelsea captain taking full advantage of the space and thumping his header into the top-right corner for his 50th Chelsea goal.

The hosts deserved their lead after having the better of the early exchanges.

Oscar had the first chance of the game after Joe Allen was caught in possession by the Brazil midfielder. Eden Hazard slipped the ball through and Oscar’s finish was just over Brad Jones’ crossbar.

The visitors were set up in a different formation, using three central defenders to look after former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and with wing-backs in Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique.

EPL results/standings Manchester City 2 (Aguero 65, Dzeko 88) Tottenham 1 (Caulker 21); Newcastle 0 West Ham 1 (Nolan 37); Chelsea 1 (Terry 20) Liverpool 1 (Suarez 73).

English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Man Utd Man City Chelsea Everton West Brom West Ham Tottenham Arsenal Fulham Newcastle Swansea Stoke Liverpool Wigan Norwich Sunderland Aston Villa Reading Southampton QPR

11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 10 11 11

9 7 7 5 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 2 0 1 0

0 4 3 5 2 3 2 4 4 5 4 6 6 2 5 6 3 6 2 4

2 0 1 1 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 6 4 3 6 4 8 7

29 20 23 21 17 14 18 18 24 12 16 9 14 12 8 7 10 12 15 8

16 10 11 14 12 11 16 11 19 15 15 10 16 18 18 11 17 18 29 20

27 25 24 20 20 18 17 16 16 14 13 12 12 11 11 9 9 6 5 4

Newcastle undone by old boys Allardyce and Nolan Newcastle 0

West Ham 1

LONDON: Liverpool’s Spanish striker Suso (right) vies with Chelsea’s Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi (left) during the English Premier League football match.—AFP Raheem Sterling was used as a sup- played Mata through and the Spaniard port striker but Brendan Rodgers’ team slipped the ball between Andre Wisdom’s struggled to create clear-cut chances in legs before lifting a shot over.

Mata had another chance just after the early stages, with Nuri Sahin and the break when he drove in from the Agger trying their luck from distance.

Terry had not looked in any trouble right and arrowed an effort just wide.

Torres also went close, meeting defensively but suffered his freak injury 10 minutes before the break. As he tack- Oscar’s free-kick but seeing his flicked led Suarez on the edge of the penalty header saved by visiting goalkeeper Brad area the Liverpool striker lost his footing Jones, who used his knee to save the and tumbled onto Terry’s right leg, which effort. Steven Gerrard looked to have was planted on the floor. Terry instantly injured his knee clearing the danger, but signalled to the bench that he was hurt was able to carry on.

The next chance went to Torres again and he was carried off on a stretcher, when Ryan Bertrand crossed to the near with Gary Cahill coming on.

Chelsea could have gone into the post after being sent away by Mata, but break two goals ahead when Oscar Torres’ finish went wide.—AFP

NEWCASTLE: Sam Allardyce returned to haunt former club Newcastle United yesterday by guiding West Ham United to a 10 win that took the London club into sixth place in the Premier League table.

On an afternoon of reunions in the north-east, former Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan claimed the only goal of the game eight minutes before half-time to give Allardyce’s side only their second away win of the campaign.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who was sacked by West Ham in 2006, saw Demba Ba go close with a header that was clawed off the line by visiting goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. The result left Newcastle in 10th place.

A dull first half at St James’ Park sprung to life in the 37th minute when Nolan popped up to put the visitors in front. Joey O’Brien’s shot from outside the box was heading wide until Nolan poked out his

foot to steer the ball into the net from six yards and break the deadlock.

Newcastle were quick to threaten at the other end, with Shane Ferguson drawing an impressive block from O’Brien and Hatem Ben Arfa seeing a shot hit the side netting after accumulating a couple of deflections en route.

Yohan Cabaye also had a sight of goal prior to the interval, after former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll fluffed his attempted clearance, but the France international could not find a way past Jaaskelainen.

Ba, who started despite concerns over a shin injury, thought he had equalised early in the second half but the officials ruled that Jaaskelainen had done enough to prevent his header from crossing the line. The Finnish goalkeeper then had to turn a shot from Ba around the post, while Newcastle substitute Shola Ameobi headed just wide from a corner. Carroll spurned a great opportunity to score against his old employers when he saw a side-footed effort saved by former team-mate Tim Krul after robbing Mike Williamson in the 72nd minute. Krul went up for an injury-time corner but he could not get his head to Ben Arfa’s delivery and Cabaye put a subsequent shot over the crossbar.—AFP

Business

Steel sanctions cut into Iran’s finances Page 22

90% of MENA employees loyal to their companies

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Page 23

US fiscal cliff triggers risk aversion in markets

BMW M: 40 years of excellence Page 25

Page 24

PAUDEX: A Chinese themed limited edition model of a watch by Swiss watchmaker Blancpain which shows the Chinese time and calendar, as well as the signs of the zodiac and phase of the Moon, is on display in western Switzerland.

(See Page 23) — AFP

Arab Spring economies to recover slowly Weak demand in Europe, other regions to weigh: IMF DUBAI: Most economies hit by the Arab Spring uprisings will recover only slowly next year as they grapple with high inflation and rising unemployment due to poor global conditions, the International Monetary Fund predicted in a report yesterday. In its twice-yearly outlook for the Middle East and North Africa, the global lender said a partial return of political stability could permit somewhat faster growth in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen during 2013. But weak demand in Europe and other regions will weigh on the Arab Spring states, it said. In many of those countries, exports are shrinking and have not yet bottomed out, it added.

“Growth is expected to remain below longterm trends, and unemployment is expected to increase owing to continued anaemic external demand, high food and fuel com-

modity prices, regional tensions and policy uncertainty.” Masood Ahmed, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, conceded his organisation and other forecasters had initially underestimated the difficulties Arab Spring economies faced.

While they were previously expected to start recovering strongly this year, that has not happened, he said.

“Contraction has stopped, but we still have growth rates that are barely keeping up with population growth, and certainly well below what is needed to cut unemployment,” he told a news conference. The IMF forecast total gross domestic product in the five countries would expand by 3.6 percent next year, accelerating from an estimated 2.0 percent this year and 1.2 percent in 2011. In 2010, the year before the uprisings, GDP grew 4.7 per-

Kuwait hits 3-week high MIDEAST STOCKS DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s bourse declined for a second session yesterday as investors booked gains in petrochemical stocks, while Kuwait’s bourse closed at a fresh three-week high on hopes of economic and political improvement. Shares in Saudi’s National Petrochemical Co dropped 9.9 percent after the firm said it shut down its Saudi Polymer project temporarily due to technical issues. Investors booked profits in other petrochemical firms too, with heavyweight Saudi Basic Industries losing 0.6 percent and Advanced Petrochemicals dropping 1 percent.

The petrochemical index lost 0.8 percent. Banking stocks also weighed on the bourse with Al-Rajhi Bank slipping 0.4 percent and Saudi Hollandi Bank losing 1.8 percent. Saudi’s index dropped 0.5 percent ending at a 5-week low. This was the benchmark’s lowest close since Oct 6.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s index advanced to a fresh 3-week high.Kuwait Finance House and Ahli United Bank each advanced 1.3 percent and developer Mabanee Co jumped 5.1 percent.

Analysts say increased trading in Kuwait’s heavyweight stocks is the result of buying by stake-linked funds to support a market that fell to an eight-year low on Nov 4. Kuwait’s HH Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah said last week he would deal with political problems and revive the economy, which could also mean stalled

development projects will be revived.

“On a scale of one to 10 in terms of (government-owned) national portfolio activity I would say it’s still at a two or maybe three,” said Fouad Darwish, head of brokerage at Global Investment House.

“We saw increasing activity on names such as Zain and Mabanee... which signals a structured strategic accumulation of two stocks that have reasonable financials for Q3. The National portfolio for sure had a hand in this surge only inviting others to follow by emanating confidence needed in the market,” Darwish added. Shares in Zain closed flat.

The index gained 0.2 percent to its highest close since Oct 18. Elsewhere, Dubai’s index closed 0.2 percent lower and Abu Dhabi’s benchmark slipped 0.1 percent.

“Investors believe that there is good value in the UAE equities at the moment and they are holding their shares until they rally,” said Nabil Al-Rantisi, managing director at Menacorp in Abu Dhabi. “Institutional buying has been net positive... new buyers are waiting for a catalyst.”

Banks in Abu Dhabi decline, with National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank falling 2.4 and 1.2 percent respectively. Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate each rose 1.6 percent, both closing at 1.3 dirhams per share. In Qatar, the benchmark fell 0.5 percent to close at its lowest close since Oct. 30. — Reuters

cent. Because of sluggish global demand, the group’s current account balance of trade in goods and services will improve only marginally next year, to a deficit of 4.6 percent of GDP from this year’s 5.4 percent deficit, the IMF predicted.

It suggested some countries should consider allowing greater flexibility in their exchange rates - code for permitting their currencies to depreciate - in order to stimulate exports. Analysts believe the IMF may be urging Egypt to let its pound depreciate in talks now underway on a $4.8 billion IMF loan to Cairo. But Ahmed did not specify which countries the IMF felt should consider depreciation. Weaker currencies could fuel inflation, which the IMF forecast would rise to 8.6 percent for the group next year, the highest level since 2008, from 7.8 percent this year.

Inflation is expected to rise in Egypt and Morocco as they try to curb their large budget deficits by scaling back food and fuel subsidies, the IMF said. Political turmoil has prompted Arab Spring states to try to buy social peace by boosting spending on welfare steps such as subsidies.

The IMF predicted the five countries’ combined budget deficit would shrink only slightly next year, to 8.0 percent of GDP from 9.1 percent. Ahmed said he was concerned countries were still not making difficult decisions to cut their deficits. “Some countries are financing current spending, much of it in subsidies, by cutting back on investment, mortgaging the future of the economy,” he said.

Libya Libya, which ousted its dictator Muammar

Gaddafi last year, is a spectacular exception to the pattern of slow recovery among Arab Spring because of its oil wealth. Oil output is returning to its pre-civil war level faster than expected, the IMF said. The country’s GDP shrank 60 percent last year but is expected to rise 122 percent this year, 17 percent in 2013 and 7 percent annually on average between 2014 and 2017, assuming the domestic security situation improves, the IMF predicted.

It forecast Libya would run a huge state budget surplus of 19 percent of GDP in 2012, and a current account surplus of 22 percent.

Inflation shot up to 16 percent last year because of the civil war’s damage to factories and transport systems, but it is likely to fall to 10 percent this year as business becomes more normal and drop to just 1 percent in 2013, the IMF said. — Reuters

Retailers bank on Diwali to open Indian wallets MUMBAI: Indian retailers hope to boost disappointing consumer spending with a frenzy of special offers during this week’s Diwali festival, led by automakers crowding the market with nearly 20 new cars. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, has always been an auspicious time to splurge, sparking an annual race between retailers to provide the most attractive offers.

But in this year’s flagging economy, overcoming consumers’ trepidation may prove to be a difficult task.

“I haven’t seen so many product launches in a short span of days ever,” said Ankur Bisen, vicepresident in retail with Technopak, an Indian consultancy firm. “Cars, luxury jewellery, watches, tablets, iPads, even Microsoft’s Windows 8, retailers are trying new product launches to attract consumers,” he told AFP. Months of gloom for the Indian economy have brought consumer spending down to seven year lows, according to the Fitch ratings agency, so businesses are desperately seeking a kickstart.

This Diwali, Indians will be lured into buying from an impressive range of small cars, sedans, utility and luxury vehicles launched by auto giants such as Ford, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra Ssangyong, BMW and others. Auto dealers are offering a twin attraction-higher discounts on cars bought and better exchange prices for old cars-to boost what has been a forgettable year for India’s car market amid rising input and fuel costs. Electronics giant LG has “blissful offers” to woo customers, giving away a range of Blu-ray players, camcorders or glasses-all 3D versions-

free with selected high-end 3D smart televisions.

Rival Samsung is offering a free Galaxy 7.0 tablet with the purchase of certain smart TVs, refrigerators or washing machines, while the hotselling iPhone5 has also hit the shelves this month. Indian banks, struggling with bad debts, are also trying to cash in. State Bank of India, the country’s largest commercial bank, has cut its processing fee on home and auto loans by half, for loans borrowed between mid-October to the end of the year.

Others have taken similar steps to remain competitive and some have slashed their auto or home loan rates, despite the central bank’s tight monetary policy, analysts said. Companies are hoping their eye-catching offers will tap India’s expanding middle-class as it fast moves to a more Western-style consumer economy, but the Diwali spending rush has its roots in traditional India. “October is the start of the agricultural new year and generally festivals are times to ‘bring in the new’,” said Mahantesh Sabarad, auto analyst with Fortune Equity Brokers. With each festive season, the demographics of shoppers are quickly changing as more and more young people and women join the workforce, giving them disposable incomes to spend as they wish on mobiles, jeans and pizzas.

“It’s a no-brainer that Diwali will be competitive,” said Pramod Gubbi, vice-president at Mumbai’s Ambit Capital, as firms vie for these new consumer groups’ attention. But the rush of discounts and offers still may not be enough to get consumers opening their wallets for pricier

items in the current climate. A range of factorsrising fuel prices, food inflation, job uncertainties and muted wage hike expectations-are likely to hurt buying decisions, said Deep Mukherjee, director with India Ratings and Research, a Fitch group firm. —AFP

JAMMU: An Indian vendor displays artificial garlands ahead of Hindu festival of lights Diwali yesterday. — AFP

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

BUSINESS

Algeria ready to exploit controversial shale gas ALGIERS: Algeria, the world’s fourthlargest gas exporter, has decided to develop its shale gas potential as well, but experts fear this could cause severe environmental problems.

Officials say the country’s shale gas reserves are 600 trillion cubic feet (17 trillion cubic metres), or around four times greater than its current known gas reserves. Algeria may be the world’s eighth-largest natural gas producer in 2011, according to the BP Statistical Review of Energy, but domestic consumption is surging.

Official forecasts say that, from 2019, local demand will eat up all the country’s production.

At present, 50 years after it gained independence, the country remains

almost totally dependent on hydrocarbons, which account for 90 percent of its exports.

So as long as it fails to diversify its export base, it has no alternative than to develop shale gas, an unconventional fossil fuel, to secure its energy future, experts say.

A new hydrocarbons bill, to be introduced in parliament in the coming weeks, encourages the exploration of unconventional gas and oil resources.

However, the effect on the environment of the production of shale gas is of great concern to ecologists. Chems Eddine Chitour, director of fossil energy development at Algiers’ Ecole Polytechnique, is concerned that the

method used for obtaining the fuel trapped in formations of shale rock could be geologically dangerous and also put a strain on the largely desert country’s water supplies.

Induced hydraulic “fracturing weakens the ground and the subsoil, making earthquakes more likely,” he said.

“It mobilizes vast quantities of water and will permanently destroy the ecosystem of the Sahara. Injecting 15,000 cubic metres (530,000 cubic feet) per well, with a well every 100 metres (yards), is catastrophic for a country with such water scarcity.”

Chitour, like many ecologists, also said the chemicals used in the injection risked polluting the water table.

But former Sonatrach CEO Abdelmadjid Attar countered that “conventional hydrocarbon exploitation carries the same environmental risks.” Algiers says safeguards will ensure environmental protection, but Chitour is not convinced. “ The absence of debate on the energy future of the country is a mistake,” he said, adding that this would have adverse effects for generations.

There must be a “comprehensive strategy (to ensure) that shale gas will comprise only a very small amount of the energy supply.”

The costs of shale gas exploitation are also high, Energy and Mines Minister Youcef Yousfi said, and “exporters and importers will have to

share the risk”. And Yousfi’s predecessor, Nordine Ait Laoussine, said “there is still much left to do on the conventional side, not only in unexplored areas but also in those already in production.”

To develop its shale gas potential, Algeria’s hydrocarbons company Sonatrach has signed agreements with the Anglo-Dutch oil group Shell, Italian Eni and Canadian Talisman.

In 2011, Sonatrach drilled its first shale gas wells in the Ahnet basin near Tamanrasset, about 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) south of Algiers.

On Thursday, Sonatrach announced a new gas discovery in the southeast, near Illizi, and will also begin offshore exploration in 2014. — AFP

Steel sanctions cut into Iran’s finances New EU steel export ban poses serious problem LONDON: Iranian manufacturers and builders face serious shortages of steel and other metals as a new European Union export ban adds to troubles for an economy already reeling from sanctions on its finances and oil exports.

Reliant on imports to make up a shortfall in its own steel production, data shows Iran’s purchases of foreign steel already falling as buyers are being hit by EU and US measures which hinder banks, insurers and others supporting trade with Tehran until Iran agrees to alter its nuclear programme.

Short of major currencies, some Iranian steel buyers have resorted to barter deals. But explicit sanctions imposed by the European Union on Oct 15 on sales of steel, aluminium and other key materials have prompted some traders to halt all sales and Iranian businesses now face rising prices and scarce supply.

Given steel’s central role in the economy, in the skeletons of new buildings or for constructing machinery, disruption to trade in the metal may cause far-reaching damage - exactly the aim of the Western powers who want to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons and reject its denials that it has any such aim.

“The ban on metals like aluminium and steel recently imposed by the EU has a sort of ‘multiplier’ effect of pushing the Tehran regime into a new cycle of activities to dodge the effect of the sanction, a course which will end up creating new complications and pushing up costs,” said J Peter Pham, a director with US think-tank the Atlantic Council. “At the current pace, Iran’s... industrial base will be rendered a cripple.” Newly re-elected, President Barack Obama and his allies have resisted calls, notably in Israel, for military action against Iran’s nuclear industry but have stepped up economic sanctions to press the clerical leadership into changing diplomatic tack.

Slowing activity Iran has imported up to 10 million tonnes

of steel annually in recent years but data from the International Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB) suggest a declining trend, even before the EU ban. Imports were about 4 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2012, almost a quarter down from the same period last year.

Builders across Iran are suspending construction projects and channelling any spare funds into land purchases or safe-haven assets like gold in a frantic bid to hold onto the value of their wealth rather than take a risk with long-term investments. “Sanctions have completely crippled all civil projects.

Now even the strongest contractors have stopped works,” Farid, 49, who runs a major Tehran building firm, told Reuters by email.

Like many Iranians, he did not wish his full name to appear in international media to avoid difficulties with officials. Another Tehran executive, a 42-year-old engineer, said his company had put off building a factory due to problems obtaining key materials from Europe and the poorer quality of Chinese and local substitutes: “Many projects have been stopped,” he said by telephone. “Industry has become seriously weakened.”

In a measure of official concern over supplies for industry as the value of its currency has slumped along with sanctions-hit oil exports, Iran has banned its firms from exporting steel. It is also trying to boost it domestic production but that will take years to end the need for imports.

While earlier sanctions have hampered trade, the EU measures on metals have further discouraged sellers: “Until a few months ago we were still trying to sell steel to Iran,” a source at a British-based trading house told Reuters. “But now that these new sanctions have come up, we have stopped completely.”

While there remain grey areas of law that foreign traders have been using to keep doing business with Iran, the new EU regulations have had a chilling effect: “Our lawyer says the

new sanctions are ambiguous on purpose, to scare people off,” the trading source said. “And they are succeeding in that.”

The world’s biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, is based in Luxembourg, putting all of its global plants under EU sanctions rules. The firm said it complied with the new orders. Its plant in Kazakhstan, ArcelorMittal Temirtau, has sent a substantial share of its output to Iran in the past. It said sales to the Middle East had declined “significantly” and it cut production by 17 percent in the nine months to September.

Grey areas China, whose leaders have been cool to the Western push for sanctions, has increased steel exports to Iran slightly but volumes from other big suppliers South Korea and Russia have declined since the beginning of the year, ISSB data showed. Not every supplier, however, has taken immediate steps to stop or reduce sales to Iran and some traders are taking advantage of the murky formulation of the latest EU ban.

“Our lawyers said it would be fine as long as contracts date before Oct 15,” a European trader said, referring to the date when the EU regulations were implemented. One trading source involved in cargo around the Black Sea said shipments of steel to Iran from western Europe had slowed considerably, but supplies were arriving in from elsewhere, via Turkey and across the Caspian Sea. “Turkey looks increasingly like the major gateway these days,” he said. “The Caspian Sea area has also provided exports - but bear in mind with colder weather the rivers will freeze up, so that route will not yield much for now.” Barter deals are taking place too in some case to avoid the currency and financing difficulties: “Korean trading companies bring in (steel) billet and the value of that billet gets paid in oil,” a Swiss-based trader said. — Reuters

NEW YORK: A gas line forms for free fuel from a tanker in the Far Rockaways section of the Queens borough. — AP

Weekend gas lines ease in NY but might return NEW YORK: At least for one day, drivers in the New York region on Saturday seemed to be getting a break from spending hours in gas lines after Superstorm Sandy. Around New York City, they still waited longer than usual at stations. But the lines that stretched a dozen Manhattan blocks earlier in the week at some stations were far shorter.

Many were closed - for lack of fuel or taking a break.

In Brooklyn, drivers waited about 20 minutes at most in blocklong lines much less than in previous days. But on Staten Island, the few open stations were busier, with about 20 cars lined up on one street amid stalled traffic. No one knows exactly what will happen in the coming week as commuters and businesses look for fuel to get back to work.

The gas rationing announced earlier

this week - the first in the nation’s largest city since the 1970s Arab oil embargo - is forcing motorists to alternate days they line up at stations based on whether their license plate ends with odd or even numbers.

In New Jersey, state-imposed gas limits continued in 12 of 21 counties. The rationing based on license plate numbers will be evaluated to see how much longer it’s needed, according to Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie. The restrictions, coupled with power restoration, have mitigated the long waits that drivers endured at service stations just after the storm, said Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store and Automotive Association. “It may take another week or so before it gets back to normal,” he said. — AP

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds

.2740000 .4450000 .3560000 .2950000 .2790000 .2900000 .0040000 .0020000 .0764330 .7446660 .3870000 .0720000 .7300130 .0430000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2815500 GB Pound/KD .4575660 Euro .3579060 Swiss francs .2967590 Canadian dollars .2811280 Danish Kroner .0479840 Swedish Kroner .0417450 Australian dlr .2923470 Hong Kong dlr .0363240 Singapore dlr .2298930 Japanese yen .0035430 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0766850 Bahraini dinars .7471140 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0751000 Omani riyals .7315840 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - transfer Irani Riyal - cash

3.558 5.188 2.943 2.158 3.261 232.950 36.488 3.451 6.877 9.229 0.271 273

.2850000 .4590000 .3690000 .3070000 .2910000 .2990000 .0067500 .0035000 .0772010 .7521510 .4070000 .0770000 .7373500 .0510000 .2836500 .4509040 .3605760 .2989720 .2832250 .0483420 .0420560 .2945280 .0365950 .2316070 .0035690 .0052260 .0021750 .0029670 .0035150 .0772570 .7526870 .4012020 .0756600 .7370400 .0069690

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

GCC COUNTRIES 75.444 77.735 734.830 751.430 77.036

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 48.100 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 46.171 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 Tunisian Dinar 178.700 Jordanian Dinar 398.070 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.898 Syrian Lier 3.868 Morocco Dirham 33.076 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 282.800 Euro 362.270 Sterling Pound 452.480 Canadian dollar 286.380 Turkish lire 158.080 Swiss Franc 301.170 Australian dollar 296.520 US Dollar Buying 281.600 GOLD 332.000 167.000 86.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria

SELL CASH

297.500 752.070 3.710 286.000 555.400 46.100 49.200 167.800 48.380 364.300 37.180 5.600 0.032 0.162 0.249 3.700 400.750 0.191 95.310 44.900 4.350 234.200 1.832

50.500 734.580 3.080 7.070 78.220 75.510 232.660 35.130 2.693 453.500 43.000 301.900 4.200 9.570 198.263 77.110 283.200 1.370

10 Tola

GOLD 1,828.460

Sterling Pound US Dollar

734.400 2.961 6.924 77.790 75.510 232.660 35.130 2.163 451.500 300.400 4.200 9.430 77.010 282.800

COUNTRY

Currency

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 451.500 282.500

SELL DRAFT

296.000 752.070 3.461 284.500

232.700 46.215 362.800 37.030 5.185 0.031

SELL DRAFT

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

298.24 286.73 302.77 362.65 282.35 452.54 3.63 3.467 5.179 2.161 3.234 2.950 76.94 751.80 46.18 402.25 734.84 77.97 75.50

SELL CASH

299.000 288.000 306.000 362.000 283.500 454.000 3.690 3.600 5.615 2.320 3.700 3.150 77.050 752.000 48.100 400.000 740.000 77.850 75.950

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 400.720 0.190 95.310 3.270 232.700

Rate for Transfer

Selling Rate

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro

282.300 284.645 453.370 363.115

Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

300.535 747.385 76.835 77.490 75.245 397.945 46.239 2.163 5.221 2.940 3.454 6.839 692.485 4.505 9.255 4.380 3.360 92.045

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY

Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Yemeni Riyal Euro Canadian Dollars Nepali rupee

282.700 2.945 5.199 2.170 3.468 6.920 77.075 75.545 751.500 46.205 455.100 2.990 1.550 365.300 288.400 3.345

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

282.300 364.250 454.050 284.700 3.600 5.180 46.210 2.157 3.457 6.870 2.945 751.900 76.900 75.350

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

BUSINESS

Swiss watches tick to Chinese heartbeat GENEVA: With the Chinese increasingly coveting European luxury goods, Swiss watchmakers are eyeing a huge new market for their wares, but disagree on the best way of capturing it. The question being mulled by famous Swiss watch brands is whether to create more specialty editions aimed at appealing specifically to the Chinese or instead simply wait for fast-shifting Chinese tastes to adapt to European fashion. At a Hublot workshop in Nyon, a small town set on the shores of Lake Geneva between Geneva and Lausanne, workers clad in white lab coats huddle around an extra slim watch conceived specially for the Chinese market.

As they carefully place the dainty hands on the titanium face, Hublot spokeswoman Anais Treand insists that the watch, priced at 14,300 Swiss francs ($15,100, 12,700 euros), will be a hit in China since it is “light and delicate”. This year, China accounted for 7.8 percent of Swiss watch exports in terms of value, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, and watchmakers claim there is plenty of room for expansion.

“My 32-year-old son has been over there for 10 years. He is beginning to have a good feel for Chinese trends,” Hublot chief Jean-Claude Biver told AFP, nodding towards a jade-faced watch made with Chinese consumers in mind.

The company, which since 2008 belongs to French group LVMH, has decided to adapt to the Chinese with special marketing and products in a bid to capture a chunk of this massive potential market, he said.

Other brands have also jumped on the Chinese bandwagon, producing often very limited and exclusive models inspired by Chinese culture. Geneva watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has thus just launched the “Legend of the Chinese Zodiac”-a series of luxury timepieces based on a 12-year cycle beginning with the Year of the Snake.

‘The extreme focus on China is dangerous’ Crafted in pink gold or platinum, two models have so far been issued in separate, limited 12-piece series: one with a blue water snake slithering across the

face, and the other with a brown one symbolising the wood snake, whose next year won’t come around until 2025. In famous watchmaking city La Chaux-deFonds, in western Switzerland, Jaquet Droz has meanwhile just launched two limited series featuring two orange tigers and two yellow dragons hand-painted on off-white enamel baked at more than 800 degrees Celsius-a traditional Chinese technique.

“These kinds of pieces are very successful in Asia, but not only there,” said Jenna Racine, a spokeswoman for the brand, which has a long history of catering to Chinese desires; back in the 18th century it was the first to ever import watches into the Forbidden City. But others in the industry caution against pandering to Chinese tastes, which they say are changing quickly.

“The extreme focus on China is dangerous,” said Thierry Stern, the head of Geneva watchmaker Patek Philippe, in an interview with Swiss daily Le Temps earlier this year. Biver of Hublot agreed that “you shouldn’t adapt too much to (the Chinese), because when they evolve, you

90% of MENA employees loyal to their companies DUBAI: According to a ‘ Work Satisfaction in the MENA’ poll conducted by Bayt.com, the region’s number one job site, 90 percent of employees in the region claim to be loyal to their company. However, 61 percent do not feel that they are well compensated in their current job.

Overall, the majority (58 percent) of people in the MENA region are satisfied with their current employment, with 27 percent of these being ‘very satisfied’. Seven out of 10 (71 percent) like the company that they work for, while eight out of 10 (80 percent) are proud of their employer’s brand and 94 percent say that their job is meaningful to them.

When asked if they feel challenged in their current position, 83 percent stated yes, with a further three quarters claiming that their job stresses them either ‘occasionally’ (39 percent) or ‘most of the time’ (35 percent).

Most feel that they are growing and learning in their job (although 35 percent would like to grow more). In terms of possibilities for promotion, a quarter (23 percent) say that there are ‘plenty’ of opportunities in their company, while 38 percent state that there are none.

A third (32 percent) of poll respondents claim that the thing they would most like to change about their job is their salary. Other respondents would like to change their role and responsibilities (23 percent), or their training and development path (20 percent).

“There is a general level of satisfaction with their employment situation amongst the majority of people across the MENA region, though there are clearly areas in which employees wish their company would improve.

These seem to be mostly incentivebased, which suggests companies looking to reduce churn should consider more training and motivation schemes for their staff,” said Suhail Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com. “At Bayt.com, which was twice consecutively voted among Top Ten Places To Work in the UAE by GPTW, we gather information from the region’s job seekers, employers and employees, to create a comprehensive picture of the MENA workplace environment.”

Management style plays a significant role in employee levels of satisfaction, with the majority (45 percent) of poll respondents stating that they are supervised ‘just right’; that their management’s expectations of them are mostly realistic (according to 60 percent), and that the communication channels in their company are open (70 percent - though 36 percent of these state that they are not open enough).

“Communicating openly, honestly and often is one of our key values at bayt.com and repeated HR surveys we conduct across the region emphasize the importance of maintaining transparent open communication channels to ensure maximum employee engagement and lift employee morale which directly affects output and productivity” added Suhail Masri.

“Our emphasis on communication is manifested both internally via various structured and unstructured mechanisms as well as externally through our bayt.com Blog, Jobseeker Career Digests, Recommended Jobs mailers, Jobs alerts, and various other newsletters and bulletins.”

Only 28 percent of polled professionals believe that their management is unprofessional. A further 13 percent claim that their co-workers are unprofessional, though 95 percent state that they do in fact get along with their co-workers. Data for the Bayt.com “Work Satisfaction in the MENA” poll was collected online from September 13 - October 29, 2012, with 13,655 respondents covering more than 12 countries in the MENA region.

won’t be on their wavelength any longer.”

While his brand was making specialty watches for the Chinese, he said, such special models accounted for just a couple of the around 100 new Hublot models created each year.

Chinese tourists not hit by crisis According to Marc Hayek, the head of Blancpain, another brand belonging to Swatch, future sales depend not only on the Chinese market itself but also on wealthy Chinese tourists abroad. “In that area, there has been more progress than we would have thought,” he told AFP. Swiss financial daily Handelszeitung has for instance calculated that each Chinese tourist visiting the central Swiss city of Lucern-around 90,000 last year alonespends an average of 2,000 Swiss francs on Swiss watches.

Hayek, the grandson of Swatch founder Nicolas Hayek, is himself wearing a Blancpain watch specially made for the Chinese, crafted in platinum and equipped with a traditional Chinese calendar and hours, one of which corresponds to 120 minutes, along with

Zodiac symbols and lunar phases. But despite his own delicate timepiece worth 82,000 Swiss francs, he insists catering to Chinese tastes should be undertaken with care, since watches should “remain truly 100 percent within the DNA of the brand”.

Heyek said he would never have agreed to simply decorating watches with drawings of Chinese animals, but had given his consent to specialty Chinese models that themselves were technically revolutionary and required years of research to develop. While Swiss watchmakers face off against each other, the biggest threat to their Chinese ambitions may just come from within the country.

In a recent interview with Swiss trade publication Watch Around, Bruce Du, who heads Chinese watch brand FIYTA, stressed his company was focusing heavily on producing luxury watches with quality matching the famous Swiss brands. And with its recent purchase of Geneva brand Montres Chouriet, FIYTA may just have the means to be a fierce competitor. — AFP

Congress made this cliff and may now jump off it Tax hikes on rich a toughest question WASHINGTON: The “fiscal cliff,” a metaphor drawn from nature, was actually created by members of the US Congress, who designed it to be so horrible that they and the president would come to their senses and avert it in the nick of time. That time is now with the start this week of a lame-duck session of Congress. But it is not at all certain that Republicans and Democrats are ready to make the compromises necessary to undo the trap they set in August 2011.

With all the time available since then, optimists assumed that Congress and President Barack Obama would return after last week’s elections with a plan - perhaps a temporary fix - to avoid the $600 billion in tax increases and budget cuts set to star t in Januar y that threaten to throw the economy back into recession. But they didn’t. Some also assumed the election would give one party or the other an edge that could break the impasse over how to reduce the nation’s deficit. It didn’t.

Both sides say publicly and privately that they have the advantage - and a mandate from voters to do things their way. It remains to be seen whether such asser tions are just opening moves. Once again, optimists assume the parties will rescue themselves - and the country - from the crisis they created. But confidence is low, which is one reason global markets tumbled last week.

Can this marriage be saved?

A different metaphor might now present itself, drawn from life. For 16 months, Democrats and Republicans behaved like a husband and wife in an ugly divorce proceeding, not speaking to each other except through invective. Now they will see if their troubled marriage can be salvaged, for the sake of the children, which in this case is the US economy.

The non-par tisan Congressional Budget Office reiterated last week that jumping off the cliff would boost the jobless rate to 9 percent from the current 7.9 percent.

For Obama, who won four more years in office in Tuesday’s election, this is his moment to bring a “balanced approach” to healing the nation’s fiscal problems. In the Democrat’s eyes, that means keeping lower tax rates for the poor and middle class, while forcing the rich to pay more income taxes. White House spokesman Jay Carney renewed the president’s vow to veto legislation that simply extends the tax cuts, which originated during the administration of President George W Bush. If Republicans were to agree to the higher tax rates on the wealthy, that would open the door to deals on a new round of spending cuts, including sensitive “entitlement” programs, such as the Medicare healthcare program for the elderly, some Democrats say privately. The top US Republican, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, does not see it that way. He has long argued that raising taxes on top earners would hur t small-business hiring and slow an already sluggish economy. With voters giving Republicans another two years to rule the House, Boehner argues it would be a mistake for Obama to conclude that he has a mandate from voters to hike income taxes.

“Instead of raising tax rates on the American people and accepting the damage it will do to our economy, let’s start to actually solve the problem,” Boehner said in a Saturday radio address. “Let’s focus on tax reform that closes special-interest loopholes and lowers tax rates,” he added.

The problem is that tax reform will take months, if not years, to do in Congress, and lawmakers have only about six weeks to avert the fiscal cliff by at least coming up with a shortterm compromise and addressing more radical reform in the following months.

A senior Senate Democratic aide said Republicans were “underestimating the bully pulpit he (Obama) has.

He’s going to focus on this and this alone for the next two months.

They’re underestimating his ability to sway the American people” if they block a tax hike on the rich. The Democratic aide said that if Obama produced a new plan for avoiding the fiscal cliff, including higher income taxes on the rich, “Boehner’s reaction to that document will be the most pivotal point” in the upcoming fight.

Will Boehner reject it as a deadend plan, or will he find “good things in there and say, ‘Let’s negotiate,’” the aide said. A senior Senate Republican aide argued his party had the advantage. If negotiations break down over raising taxes on upper-income groups, thus causing all income tax rates to rise in January, “Will Obama really want to start his new term by pushing the economy into recession?” the aide said. With the election over, Democrats and Republicans in Congress anticipate that Obama will offer up new ideas toward a compromise, possibly before he departs for a trip to Myanmar at week’s end.

Game of chicken Despite elections that were supposed to break Washington’s deadlock over fixing the economy, the post-election world still has fundamental disagreements, even if the rhetoric has cooled. Some in Congress argue there is always a way to find compromise, or “wiggle room,” as one Senate Republican leadership aide called it. Instead of a $250,000 threshold for raising income taxes, he threw out $500,000, although quickly adding, “We might even push to get it higher than $500,000.”

But that too poses problems.

Boehner and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who faces re-election in 2014, could stir up fierce opposition from their rightwing members, including Tea Party activists, if they back any income tax increase. Furthermore, Democrats have squirmed over the prospects of arguing to lower-income constituents that someone earning $500,000 a year or more is middleclass.— Reuters

Do economic theories matter in stock market?

By Hayder Tawfik

T

rying to listen to economists or politicians in this global financial turmoil to find out or at least to get some answers for the future direction of the stock market indeed has been a big waste of time and energy. Applying economic theories to find out where and how to invest in the stock market and at the same time ignoring investors behavior can be very costly indeed. The fact is that commentators are still debating the global financial turmoil whereas most developed stock markets have nearly doubled since the crisis started back in 2007.

How can one explain this?

The simplest answer is when you buy a stock, which is clearly very undervalued on all measures, then you have to just wait for other investors to realize this and the stock price starts going up. This simple strategy is what the Sage of Omaha (Warren Buffet) uses when he invests in companies. The quality of investment research is absolutely paramount before getting into any investment. Smart value investors should take advantage of the animal spirits that drives most investors and should invest on asset’s fundamental value.

Fortunately or unfortunately, some just like a casino, where players watch

over each other and try to guess the strategies of other players so they can play their own bets, can view stock markets. All these players disregard one major investment discipline that is fundamental analysis and value creation. Once players’ start betting on the stock market then asset valuation becomes totally obscured as traders strategies becomes based purely on animal spirits.

Real value and theoretical value Most investors base their investment on probabilities or theoretical assessments disregarding the calculable risks, which are part of nature and the human making. Others take the Warren Buffet route and work on pure investment valuation. Warren Buffet in most of his investment looks for generating income on his capital investment i.e. wealth creation. He is not obsessed with the share price as much as some others because he takes very long term view. Long-term capital growth is very important in his investment strategies. Investing in companies that are generating free cash flow and at the same time trading below their intrinsic value is the way to succeed and create wealth.

Whenever investors disregard valuation fundamentals they become irrational speculators and they end up paying unrealistic prices just for the sake of satisfying their animal spirits.

The rally in the stock markets over the last few years was first a reflection of the extreme undervaluation that it reached back in 2008 and lately on the future prospect for global economic recovery. How much of this already discounted in the market is a subject of great discussion. My personal view remains that we have entered what I term as very low interest rates era which will last for few many years to come and this coupled with the quantitative easing measures taken by few governments in the West will propel most stock markets higher till they reach the extreme overvaluation. Hayder Tawfik is the Executive Vice President of Asset Management, at Dimah CapitalHT@dimah.com.kw.

24

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

business

US fiscal cliff triggers risk aversion in markets Dollar gains amid risk aversion he dollar traded in a volatile manner against its major counterparts as last week revolved around the US presidential election, the Greek Austerity vote and a number of major central bank meetings.

The dollar Index dropped sharply amid the announcement of the reelection of President Barack Obama as prospects of the continuation of the ultra-ease monetary policy triggered the sell-off. However, after the election, markets in the US melted over 3 percent on worries on the potential fiscal cliff debate coming in the next couple of weeks. John Boehner added that Republicans would be willing to accept new tax revenue to reduce the nation’s budget deficit if accompanied by a tax overhaul and changes to entitlement programs. “Shoring up entitlements and reforming the tax code, closing special interest loopholes and deductions, and moving to a fairer, simpler system, will bring jobs home and result in a stronger, healthier economy.” Boehner also called for bipartisan negotiations to avoid the fiscal cliff of tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to begin in January. The news drove the greenback higher across the board as the markets shifted to risk

T

aversion. The USD index closed the week at 81.026.

The euro opened the week at 1.2835 and reached a high of 1.2876 amid the US election. The single currency dropped dramatically as concerns over the US fiscal cliff triggered risk aversion in the market.

The currency continued to drop as EU finance ministers announced that they might not make a decision on unlocking funds for Greece, even though the Greek government secured enough parliament votes to approve the austerity program. The Euro closed the week at 1.2714.

The pound opened the week at 1.6020 and reached a high of 1.6043 mimicking the euro’s reaction to the US election. Cable then lost its gains and reached a low of 1.5930 as investors sought refuge in the dollar and the yen. The currency closed the week at 1.5896. The Australian dollar gained dramatically against the dollar as the Reserve Bank of Australia refrained from reducing their key lending rate. The Aussie opened the week at 1.0337 and reached a high of 1.0480 amid the central bank’s announcement, the currency eased as concerns over the global economy spurred risk aversion in the markets. The Aussie

closed the week at 1.0387. The Japanese Yen gained significantly against the dollar as investors flocked to buy the safe haven currency on growing concerns about the looming fiscal problems in the US, which could drive the US economy into recession. The USD/JPY opened the week at 80.27 and reached a high of 80.57 then dropped sharply to close the week at 79.49.

Services expanding at a lower pace The services sector in the US kept growing in October, a sign that the biggest part of the economy is withstanding a global slowdown. The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index declined to 54.2 last month from 55.1 in September. A measure above 50 signals expansion in industries that account for almost 90 percent of the economy.

Record exports narrow trade deficit US exports climbed to a record in September, contributing to an unexpected decline in the trade deficit that gave the world’s largest economy a boost at the end of the

third quarter. The gap shrank by 5.1 percent to $41.5 billion, the smallest since December 2010. The gain in sales to overseas buyers was broadbased, with improvements seen from soybeans to fuel and civilian aircraft. Growing demand from emerging markets in South and Central America may be helping to overcome a slowdown in Europe and China.

Jobless claims Claims for unemployment insurance dropped last week as the effects of Hurricane Sandy started to show up. Applications for jobless benefits fell by 8,000 to 355,000 in the week ended Nov 3. Officials stated that the loss of electricity due to the storm, suppressed filings, while others said workers who lost their jobs because of the weather were starting to apply. It may take three to four weeks to see the full impact, the spokesman said, which indicates claims may jump back in coming weeks as more storm-related applications begin to be processed.

Europe ECB rate decision The European Central Bank kept interest rates on hold as the economic outlook worsens. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said that the economic outlook is worsening and the bank stands ready to activate its bond-purchase program if governments fulfil the necessary conditions. “We are ready to undertake” Outright Monetary Transactions, “which will help to avoid extreme scenarios,” Draghi said at a press conference after policy makers left the benchmark interest rate at a historic low of 0.75 percent. He also added that “The risks surrounding the economic outlook remain on the downside” and underlying inflation pressures “should remain moderate.”

Greek government vote EU finance ministers may not make a decision on unlocking funds for Greece until late November as they await a full report on the country’s compliance with the terms of its bailout, even though the country’s Parliament narrowly backed more unpopular austerity measures.

The approval of the austerity bill,

which will further cut salaries and pensions and increase taxes, was a key step towards persuading Greece’s international creditors to release the next Ä31.5 billion ($40.15 billion) instalment of the country’s bailout loans. Without it, the government has said the country will start running out of cash by 16 November. EU Ministers will await a final report from the troika that oversees Euro-area bailouts on Greece’s efforts to meet the conditions of its second bailout since 2010 before taking action. While a preliminary version may be available for the November 12 meeting, it will not be enough for ministers to base their decision on.

German industrial production German industrial production fell more than estimated in September, weighed down by manufacturing, pointing to the huge impact that the euro0zone crisis is having on Europe’s largest economy. Industrial output in Germany dropped by 1.8 percent on the month in September, coming in well below the mid-range forecast in a Reuters poll of 37 economists for a 0.5 percent fall. Factories produced 2.2 percent fewer intermediate goods and produced 3.5 percent fewer capital goods on a monthly basis, dragging overall output down to -3.3 percent below the previous -0.8 percent and the expected -0.3 percent.

United Kingdom BoE keeps policy unchanged The Bank of England kept its key lending rate and asset purchase program unchanged. The move follows the country’s official exit from recession last month. However, the BoE will be watching the recovery closely. The decision was widely expected by economists following the positive GDP performance in the third quarter of the year. The bank’s Monetary Policy Committee kept its asset purchases at £375 billion despite expectations that the total would be boosted by £50 billion but the 1 percent growth in the previous quarter largely reduced such measures.

Services and manufacturing disappoint Growth in the United Kingdom’s

services sector cooled more than estimated in October, signaling weakness in the economy at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Services Purchasing Managers Index fell to a 22-month low of 50.6 from 52.2 in September, below expectations of a drop to 52.0. In Parallel, the Manufacturing sector gained less than estimated in September as machinery and chemical production declined, adding to evidence that the economy’s recent rebound is losing momentum. Factory output rose by 0.1 percent below the estimated 0.4 percent.

Commodities Oil drops Oil fell towards the end of the week on speculation that the shutdown of refineries on the US east coast due to Hurricane Sandy will add to already sufficient supplies.

Crude fell 2.2 percent to $85.21 a barrel, while Brent fell to $105.82 a barrel.

Gold rallies Gold rose to a three-week high of $1,737.60 an ounce, as hopes that the US monetary policy would remain loose after President Obama’s re-election and concerns about the fiscal cliff increased investors’ appetite for safe-haven assets such as gold.

Australia RBA rate decision Australia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a high as the global economy stabilizes and domestic inflation picks up, driving the local currency to a five-week high. Policy makers left the benchmark rate at 3.25 percent.

The move surprised most economists, as most economists were expecting a 25 basis point cut. “With prices data slightly higher than expected and recent information on the world economy slightly more positive, the board judged that the stance of monetary policy was appropriate for the time being,” The RBA Governor said in the statement.

Kuwait Kuwaiti Dinar at 0.28210 The USDKD opened at 0.28210 yesterday morning.

Memac Ogilvy’s annual meeting: Ingredient for modern business KUWAIT: Memac Ogilvy, one of the leading multinational communications agencies in the Middle East, recently held its regional management meeting in Lebanon to review the agency’s performance in 2012 and agree on plans for 2013. The five -day meeting, held at the Phoenicia Hotel, was chaired by Memac Ogilvy Chairman and MENA CEO Edmond Moutran, and attended by Regional Discipline Heads and Managing Directors from the agency’s 14 offices.

Edmond Moutran opened the conference by thanking all offices on this year’s excellent results and particularly on the outstanding achievement in becoming the “most awarded advertising agency in the MENA region” in 2012. He also praised both Tunis and Dubai offices for earning their prestigious place at “The Cadre”, Ogilvy’s most coveted creative circle, and boosting Memac’s consolidated ranking to third position among Ogilvy’s 450 worldwide offices. “Creativity is a business necessity in our challenging and crowded environments where people are struggling to get ahead through tenacity, creativity and imagination” said Edmond

Moutran. “As difficult as it may be, I expect 2013 to be even more brilliant as at Memac Ogilvy we deeply beleive creativity is an essential ingredient for modern business success”, he added.

Pervasive creativity, digital communication, talent management and awards, were at the heart of the Memac Ogilvy’s agenda and workshops to ensure the agency continues to add value to the business of its clients. While pervasive creativity has become Memac Ogilvy’s state of being, where the impulse to create, to innovate and to look for inspiration in everything is ever present and unrestrained, digital communications across all disciplines was of prime highlight during the meeting.

Edmond Moutran pointed how social media is taking hold across the world and how it’s changing corporations and markets by building customer relationships, managing their reputation, and running their businesses.

“Social media is driving change in markets around the world, shifting the way we form opinions and make purchase decisions. We rely on our social networks for news, information and recommendations.

At Memac, we understood that early on and will continue to design programs and implement solutions that span across all disciplines, driving our clients’ businesses forward”, said Edmond Moutran.

Talent management and training was also one of the meeting’s key focal topics. In placing people at the core of Memac’s business, Edmond Moutran shared plans to embed the agency’s talents across Ogilvy’s best performing offices in a worldwide Talent Exchange program. The meeting comes in the last quarter of a year full of outstanding accomplishments with the agency opening additional offices, winning new clients, and receiving accolades from the global advertising industry by winning: five awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity; the exceptional Grand Prix and five additional awards at the Clio Awards in New York; two Grand Prix and 29 additional awards at the Dubai Lynx; seven awards at the One Show; one award at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi; two awards at the New York Festival; three awards at the Epica; and the acclaimed “ Winner of Most Influential Ad” by TED Initiatives.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

business

BMW M: 40 years of excellence KUWAIT: The first BMW sports machine saw the light in 1973, a 950-kilo 2002 powered by a two-litre four-valve four-cylinder for rally racing, with maximum output of 240 hp. The model designation of the new car was 3.0 CSL. The doors and lids were made of aluminium, the five-speed gearbox featured a magnesium housing.

Overall weight was 1,092 kg or 2,408 lb. This was the last of two-valve engine that BMW built for racing.

BMW’s traditional philosophy: The human focus BMW Motorsport GmbH entered the 1973 GmbH took to the race track in the 1973 season. And it was not only the 3.0 CSL coupÈ that hit the headlines from the very beginning: For the first time a complete racing team from the car transport vehicle to the key tag came in the same design. These were the three blue, violet and red colour stripes on a brilliant white The CSL coupes in these colours soon known to everybody in the world of motor racing were unbeatable.

BMW M1 BMW M1 turned into something of a patchwork puzzle. The spaceframe was manufactured at Marchesi, the glass-fibre reinforced plastic bodyshell was produced at T.I.R., Giorgio Giugiaro’s company ItalDesign assembled them and provided the interiors fittings. The cars were then transported to Stuttgart where Baur installed all the mechanical assemblies. Since the minimum production requirement for homologation in FIA Group 4 was 400 units, the ultra-low mid-engined M1 measuring a mere 1.14 metres in height also came as a road-going model. The first car with the famous letter “M” made its debut in the market.

BMW M1 six-cylinder also featured in production cars In 1984, The fast-revving four-valve straight-six origi-

nally featured in the M1 now made its appearance in the M635CSi Coupe and in the M5. Particularly the M5 hand-built in Preussenstrasse quickly became a legend in the world of motoring: The M5 was a genuine “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, with output of 286 hp exceeding the engine power of the 518i almost three times. While at first sight the M5 could hardly be distinguished from its regular production counterpart, its top speed of 245 km/h or 152 mph caught many drivers of big saloons and sports cars thoroughly by surprise when the M5 simply left them standing no matter how hard they tried. The term “Executive Express” was born.

1986: The debut of the M3, the most successful touring car ever After completing its activities in Formula 1, Motorsport GmbH focused all its energy on touring car racing. And in 1986 this resulted in the birth of the BMW M3, a compact two-door sports saloon representing BMW’s first parallel development in series production and motor sport: The road version requiring a production run of 5,000 units within one year for recognition as a touring car was conceived for racing right from the start and tailored in virtually every respect to the regulations in Group A. Developing maximum output of 195 hp from its four-cylinder 16-valve power unit and featuring a catalytic converter as standard, this high-performance saloon became the benchmark in motor sport from now on.

The second M5 also built as a touring car The M5 entered its second generation in 1988, the straight-six power unit originally displacing 3.6 and subsequently 3.8 litres, with output increasing first to 315 and then to 340 hp. Another change was that the engines no longer bore the “M” in their internal production code, but rather an “S” designating the origin of BMW Motorsport GmbH power units from now on.

The car of the century: The second BMW M3 In 1990, Motorsport GmbH was already working on the new BMW M3 which was launched on the market in 1992. But the new car was no longer adorned by striking spoilers and widely flared wheel arches, like its predecessor. Instead, the new M3 - reflecting the signs of the times - came in a more discreet look and was recognisable to the connoisseur only through specific details the unmistakable sound generated by the three-litre sixcylinder four-valve power unit developing maximum output of 286 hp.

This M3 six-cylinder was also BMW’s first engine with VANOS variable valve timing, an infinitely adjustable system varying the intake camshaft as required. This system patented by BMW M boosts torque above all at low and medium engine speeds. Customers and the media alike simply loved this M3 right from the start.

The readers of sport auto, the German motor magazine, made this most agile of all BMW 3 Series their “Car of the Year” no less than twice in a row.

Developing maximum output of 295 hp, this car was produced in a small, special series moved up the performance benchmark right to the top. Between 1992 and 1996 Motorsport GmbH built more than 85 fourdoor racing 3 Series based on this M3. In 1995, the bestselling BMW M3 received even more power in a farreaching process of evolution. And this extra power 321 hp from 3.2 litres, more than 100 hp per litre - set a new benchmark for the competition and was also accompanied by extra torque. With this new line of business the company required a new name. Since August 1993 the former Motorsport GmbH became: BMW M GmbH. A world-first achievement in transmission technology: SMG BMW M GmbH was the first car maker in the world to introduce the Sequential M Gearbox (SMG), offering

this unique technology in the M3. Also in 1995, another engine with M Power scored an outstanding triumph: This was the big six-litre 12-cylinder based on the 750i engine powering the closedtop McLaren sports car to victory in the 24 Hour Race at Le Mans. A few years later in 1999, BMW celebrated the greatest success with this power unit, the BMW V12 bringing home overall victory at the legendary 24 Hour Race in Le Mans.

1998: The M5 with its 400 hp 8-cylinder The new M5 was now different from outside, its redesigned front skirt with its extra-large air scoop, the wide light-alloy wheels and the four tailpipes were already well-known from the M roadster and M coupe.

For the first time the heart of the M5 is an all-new 8cylinder offering the ultimate in power and torque: Maximum output is around 300 kW (400 hp) and torque peaks at around 500 Nm (369 lb-ft). And like its predecessor, the new M5 again features an ultra-precise and smooth six-speed manual gearbox.

2000: Entry of the third M3 in exciting new design Making its debut in the year 2000, the M3 featured the compound brakes, with floating brake disks combining the advantages of better heat dissipation and a longer service life than regular systems. This new BMW M3 offered a bit more of everything: more power, more performance, more unique style. In simple facts and figures, this means 343 hp, 365 Nm (269 lb-ft) and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. And contrary to its predecessor, the new M3 once again expressed its outstanding performance and driving qualities more clearly through truly exciting design. In 2003, the M3 CSL “CoupÈ Sport Lightweight” was born, powered by the engine tuned to 360 hp, the CSL was a superb performer on the tightest corners and provided impressive testimony to this ability.

Indian PM sees end of fiscal ‘gloom and doom’ Investor sentiment dampened by growth deceleration

ATHENS: An on-strike municipality worker holds a flare in front of the Greek Parliament during a demonstration in central Athens to protest new austerity measures and excepted layoffs in the public sector. — AFP

Greece set to vote on budget to unlock aid ATHENS: Greece was expected to approve a 2013 budget yesterday that includes unpopular spending cuts and tax hikes so it can receive an international aid payment and avoid insolvency. The parliamentary vote is a test of confidence in Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ three-party coalition government as it tries to steer the country through a debt crisis and out of a five-year recession.

A separate austerity and reform package, also a condition of resuming the bailout and unlocking more than 30 billion euros in aid from the International Monetary Fund and European Union later this month, was approved on Wednesday by a thin majority.

The government faces plummeting popularity, disagreements over policy within the coalition and violent protests outside parliament but has used its majority in the assembly to push the difficult measures through.

“Today we must demand sacrifices so there is hope for future generations,” Finance Minister Yannis Stounaras said in parliament on Saturday. “Re-establishing our credibility is our only passport to recovery.” Greece’s biggest private and public sector unions, representing around half of Greece’s 4 million workers, will hold a protest outside parliament against the budget at around 1500 GMT. Samaras and his allies say the budget will put Greece back on track to meet goals agreed with its lenders. The leftist-led opposition says it will deepen a recession that has put one in four working-aged Greeks out of a job. “For three years you have been going from bailout to bailout, rescue to rescue,” said Panagiotis Lafazanis, a leader for the deputy caucus of the leftist SYRIZA. “You’ve already bankrupted the Greek people.”

Lawmakers started debating the law at around 1000 GMT and were expected to vote at around 2200 GMT. After abstaining from Wednesday’s vote on the austerity package because it objected to labour reforms, the junior ruling Democratic Left party has pledged to support the budget. It and its ruling partners - Samaras’s New

Democracy and the Socialist PASOK party are expected to pass the budget in what will be effectively a confidence vote in their coalition with a majority of 168 of parliament’s 300 seats.

Growing debt According to the budget draft, the Mediterranean state’s economy will shrink for its sixth year running, by 4.5 percent. The budget deficit will be 5.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), down from 6.6 percent expected this year. But once debt maintenance costs are removed, Greece will show a tiny surplus for the first time in decades.

These deficit figures assume Athens’ lenders will extend a deadline for it to narrow it fiscal shortfall by two years in exchange for the new belt-tightening package. The biggest cost-reductions next year are pension cuts of up to 15 percent for almost half the total 9.4 billion euros in budget savings and public wages cuts of 1.2 billion. Greece’s fiscal adjustment has hit workers more than the wealthy elite. This has become a sore point in the nation of 10 million, where media have published lists of bankers, lawyers, shipping magnates who they say moved cash to Switzerland.

“It’s always the same. The poor pay and no one touches the rich and the tax evaders.

Winter is coming and I can’t afford heat,” said 41-year-old housewife Angeliki Petropoulou.

The budget foresees debt rising to 346 billion euros, or almost 190 percent of GDP, from 175 percent this year. EU and ECB officials say that means that Athens will not be able to reduce its debt to 120 percent of GDP by 2020, the level the IMF has said is the ceiling for debts to be sustainable in the long term. That has triggered a debate on how to reduce the debt, which include discussions on cutting interest rates on Greece’s official loans, letting the ECB give profits from Greek bonds it holds back to Athens, helping bail out Greek banks with the EU’s EFSF rescue fund, and other measures. —- Reuters

MUMBAI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said the economic “gloom and doom” clouding the country in recent years has been dispelled and that he is determined to push ahead with further reforms. In a speech on Saturday evening in Mumbai, Singh said that in 2006, 10 percent annual growth looked “eminently achievable” and “the sense of optimism was all pervading”. But he admitted that since then, Indian exports have shrunk and the fiscal deficit has gone up.

“Growth decelerated to 6.5 percent last year and may be only around six percent in the current year,” he said. “This has dampened investor sentiment.

“Doubts are being raised in some quarters about the India growth story going astray,” he said at a corporate function organised by The Economic Times. Singh vowed that a raft of reforms announced in September would revive the economy and attract foreign investment, with more policy changes in the pipeline.

“We have dispelled gloom and doom, improved the climate for foreign investment (and) are working hard to restore investor confidence and the

growth environment,” Singh told business leaders in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. In a stronglyworded speech, Singh said that his government “bit the bullet” when introducing recent reforms, including to the retail sector that will allow global chains such as Walmart and Tesco to open branches in India for the first time. The move has attracted fierce opposition, and many Indian states may still act to keep out giant supermarkets to protect small shop owners.

“Some of the steps were considered by many of our critics as politically impossible. We bit the bullet and did what we felt was the right thing to do,” Singh said. “Undoubtedly, more needs to be done.”

The reforms have already cost the ruling coalition its majority with the exit of an allied party that has threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against the government when parliament reopens later this month.

The Congress-led government has suffered a difficult second term in power amid policy paralysis, worsening economic data and corruption allegations, and is looking to revive its fortunes with

the next general elections due in 2014. “We can, and we must, correct our own weaknesses, and create new opportunities for economic growth and employment,” Singh said, pointing to recent lowering of fuel subsidies as one move to tackle the fiscal deficit. He promised imminent changes to tax avoidance rules to address “very negative reaction from investors”, and said infrastructure projects would be given rapid clearances to end one of the biggest drags on growth. Singh also pledged action to meet soaring energy demands, crack down on middle-men and graft, and bring in a long-awaited Goods and Service Tax that would replace a thicket of state and central taxes.

The prime minister said India had experienced a “revolution of rising expectations” that had “unleashed new energies in our society and... fostered an atmosphere of great impatience and cynicism”. Critics say that his reform package was only the start of work needed to continue India’s transformation over the last 20 years, and that Singh, 80, has proved too weak to drive through his legislative programme. — AFP

Former Citi chief gets $6.7m bonus NEW YORK: Citigroup has paid its former CEO Vikram Pandit, who resigned abruptly last month, a bonus of $6.7 million for work he did for the bank this year. The bank, which disclosed the payment in a regulatory filing Friday, also paid its former chief operating officer John Havens, who left the bank at the same time Pandit did, $6.8 million. Citi characterized the payments as “incentive awards” and said the two executives weren’t entitled to any severance payments as a result of their departures.

The executives will get 40 percent of the money right away, and the rest will be paid in installments through 2017. Citi said Pandit and Havens will continue to vest in deferred stock and deferred cash incentive awards previously granted to them.

Those were worth $8.8 million for Pandit and $8.7 million for Havens. Pandit’s sudden departure from Citi on Oct. 16 shocked the financial industry. Citi gave no explanation at the time, but it was widely reported that Pandit had fallen out of favor with the company’s board. The bank was embarrassed by several missteps including

NEW YORK: In this file photo, Vikram Pandit, CEO of CitiGroup, speaks at the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association annual meeting. — AP failing a financial checkup this spring with the Federal Reserve, which refused Citi’s request to raise its dividend.

Pandit joined Citi in 2007 and steered the

bank through the financial crisis. He accepted a token $1 in compensation in 2010 as the bank righted itself. His pay increased to $15 million in 2011, roughly in line with most of his counterparts. But Citi’s shareholders, unhappy with a 44 percent plunge in the bank’s stock price that year, rebuked Citi by rejecting his pay package in a non-binding vote this spring.

In the filing, Citi’s chairman, Michael O’Neill, said in a statement that Pandit and Havens made important contributions to Citi that warranted the payments. “ Vikram steered Citi through the financial crisis, realigned its strategy, bolstered its risk management processes and returned it to profitability ...,” O’Neill said. “Based on the progress this year through the date of separation, the Board determined that an incentive award for their work in 2012 was appropriate and equitable.”

As part of the agreements Citi made with Pandit and Havens granting the payments, the two executives agreed not to become affiliated with another major bank or to poach Citi executives or clients for a year. — AP

Pressure on multinationals accused of avoiding Brit tax LONDON: Pressure is mounting on multinationals, notably Google and Starbucks, to justify the amount of tax they are paying in Britain amid accusations that the levels are far too low.

According to figures cited by Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke, Google paid only £3.4 million ($5.4 million, 4.2 million euros) in British corporation tax last year on revenues totalling about £2.5 billion, while Starbucks did not pay a penny on sales worth £400 million.

Starbucks has confirmed not paying any corporation taxes in Britain for the past three years owing to fees paid to other areas of its business,

such as royalty payments for the use of its brand.

This resulted in the company posting a series of losses and not having to pay any corporation tax.

The thorny issue gathered momentum last week at a gathering in Mexico of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 developed and emerging nations. British finance minister George Osborne and his German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble called in a joint statement for “concerted international cooperation to strengthen international standards for corporate tax regimes.” However, Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne also insisted that those strong standards

must not deter large international companies from making vital investments. Google has come under closer scrutiny in several European nations where cash-strapped governments are increasingly wary of being shortchanged on tax revenue. According to a newspaper report in France, French tax authorities have made a billion-euro ($1.3 billion) claim against Google over financial transfers between an Google holding company in Ireland and its French unit. Google France told AFP this week that it had received no such tax claim, and that it complies with tax laws in all the countries in which it operates. —AFP

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

BUSINESS

Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive launches Chevrolet Trailblazer 2013 KUWAIT: In a special and unique event, Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Kuwait, launched the long-awaited AllNew 2013 Trailblazer, Chevrolet’s toughest yet most refined SUV. The legendary Trailblazer was unveiled on Friday, November 9, 2012 at a breathtaking event held at Marina Crescent in the presence of officials from Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons, representatives from General Motors, media officials as well as Chevrolet enthusiasts and fans who wanted to be one of the first to witness the all-new, aweinspiring Trailblazer.

The all-new 2013 Trailblazer is available in two- and four-wheeldrive configurations and is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with Variable Valve Timing matched with a six speed automatic transmission, which delivers an optimal balance of power, performance and fuel economy.

Sophisticated exterior design The all-new 2013 Trailblazer has a strong, purposeful appearance with a body-in, wheels-out design that delivers high approach and departure angles. An integrated aluminum roof rack system is free of stanchions, creating a sleek and

refined look and fully capable of carrying loads up to 100 kg. The Trailblazer also has hexagonal, 18inch aluminum wheels that have been designed to suppor t the weight of the vehicle as well as its towing capacity. The horizontal LED tail lamps on both the lift gate and the rear quarter surfaces provide depth and detail. A more “squared off” rear window creates presence and volume to the upper rear portion of the vehicle silhouette and the integrated running boards aid entry and exit from the vehicle and serve as enhanced protection from road debris.

Spacious and refined interior Luxury and spaciousness make you feel at home in the all-new 2013 Trailblazer. The leather seats, with their French stitching, flow along the car with their delicate patterns enveloping the dashboard and the area surrounding it.

A dynamic, dual-gauge instrument cluster combined with LED Ice Blue illumination with contrasting white digits and points creates a sophisticated appearance. The seven-passenger interior offers intuitive three-row tumble and/or fold-flat seat versatility and bestin-class spaciousness in the third row.

Rugged SUV capability The Trailblazer’s foundation for both its on- and off-road capabilities is its robust body-on-frame architecture. The vehicle’s off-road capability is also backed up by its best-in-class ground clearance and is equipped with Hill Descent Control that allows a smooth and controlled descent in rough terrain without the driver needing to touch the brake pedal.

Exceptional safety The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer is also equipped with an array of safety features which include Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Traction Control, Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning, Electronic BrakeForce Distribution, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, Rear Park Assist, Six Air Bags for Driver and Occupant Protection.

Fans of the All-New 2013 Trailblazer who wish to test drive the car may drop by Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons’ showrooms to witness the legendary vehicle. Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons adds the finishing touch to the ownership experience with high-quality aftersales services. With the world’s biggest and most advanced automotive service center, customers will never have to worry about their service and maintenance needs.

VIVA announces first KD 25,000 prize winner KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s newest and most advanced mobile telecommunications service provider, announced yesterday the first winner of the KD25,000 prize, the latest addition to the ‘Win a car every week’ campaign as part of Eid Al-Adha celebrations.

The first lucky winner of the KD25,000

won the Ford Mustang Coupe.

VIVA congratulated the lucky winner and invited its customers to participate in the longest on-going campaign of its kind. Abdulrazzaq Al-Essa, Senior Communication Manager at VIVA said: “This addition to our campaign is par t of the

KUWAIT: Winner Mohammad Sharif with members of VIVA’s Marcom Team.

KUWAIT: Winner of the Ford Mustang Fahad Rahi and Abdulrazzaq Al-Eissa Senior Communication Manager are seen. grand prize was Mohammad Sharif, and the latest lucky winners were Rangiv Malaka who won the BMW 320i and Fahad Rahi Alshammari who

ongoing commitment to always give our customers more than they expect. We look forward to further delighting our customers with this

and many more offers in the future.”

Entering the draw can be done through two options. The first option is to subscribe with 500 fils per day giving customers infinite minutes and SMS to any VIVA line.

This option entitles the customer to one chance to enter the draw each week. The second option is to subscribe to the BlackBerry KD 3.9 service, which gives customers full and unlimited BlackBerry Services.

This option provides customers with seven automatic chances to enter the draw each week. In addition, customers who purchase a new prepaid line are given a single entry to the draw on the week they activate their new line and send the SMS “GO” to 535.

Customers can also subscribe to both options, increasing their chances each week to win KD 25, 000 or a luxurious car. In the case a customer does not win, the points will be accumulated and carried on to the next draw. The upcoming draw prizes will be KD25,000, a brand new Mercedes Benz C180 and the Chevrolet Camaro. VIVA also created the ‘Flavor of the Week ’, an additional means to entering the draw and increasing the customers’ chances to win a new car every week. The ‘Flavor of the Week’ will be a ‘special service’ for that week, to which the customers can subscribe. This week’s ‘Flavor of the Week’ will last until November 14, 2012, and will give prepaid customers two chances to win KD25,000, or a Mercedes Benz C180 or the Chevrolet Camaro upon using KD1 international bundle by sending “3” to 535 or “2” to 242, and one chance to win KD25,000, or the Mercedes Benz C180 and the Chevrolet Camaro upon using the 500 fils international SMS bundle by sending “6” to 535 or “On” to 240. Prepaid customers interested in the full, unlimited, local KD 3.9 BlackBerry offer, can send an SMS with the number ‘2’ to ‘535’.

Al-Ghanim’s Executive Sales Manager Abdullah Al- General Motors’ Regional Sales Manager Martino Picotti Muezzin

Ali Abdulwahab Al-Mutawa Co inks deal KUWAIT: Ali Abdulwahab Al-Mutawa Commercial Co has signed a contract with Kuwait Real Estate Company to supply and install Nolte Kitchen in their newly renovated luxury Luluat Al-Marzouq building in Salmiya.

Nolte is considered one of largest

and luxurious companies in Germany and around the world in the kitchens industry. Since the firm was established in 1959, Nolte has been providing their best products around the world. Ali Abdulwahab AlMutawa Commercial Co is a leading

Bahrain’s GIB picks banks for dollar bond DUBAI: Gulf International Bank, majority owned by the Saudi Arabian government, has mandated banks to arrange a dollar-denominated bond, planned before the end of the month, four sources familiar with the matter said yesterday. Bahrainbased GIB picked itself, as well as JP Morgan Chase Inc, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Barclays Plc, Standard Chartered Plc and Societe Generale to arrange the deal, the sources said, requesting anonymity.

“GIB’s bond issue is more of a credibility rebuilding exercise. This was one bank which was a bluechip name once,” said a banking source away from the deal. “It’s not like they have any immediate funding needs but they do want to go out there and re-establish the trust with overseas investors.

Obviously, their Saudi book has grown in recent years and the proceeds can be used to further bolster that,” the banker added.

GIB posted combined losses of $1.15 billion in 2007 and 2008 in the wake of the global financial crisis and was forced to sell nearly $5 billion of toxic assets to its shareholders in a bailout in 2009. The bank, in September of this year, updated a prospectus for its $4 billion bond programme in which it said proceeds from any potential debt issue would be used for general corporate purposes. Plans to issue in Malaysian ringgit have not materialised so far this year although the bank conducted investor meetings for a possible Islamic bond, or sukuk, under a 3.5 billion ringgit programme.

IFR Markets, a Thomson Reuters service, said in July that GIB may have opted to hold off on issuing a ringgit sukuk because of a widening in swap rates making it more expensive to swap ringgits into hard currency. Despite its name and its base in Bahrain, GIB is 97.2 percent owned by the Saudi government, a level of risk international investors are likely to be more comfortable with. Other shareholders are Gulf sovereign wealth funds, including Kuwait Investment Authority and Qatar Holding. GIB said in the prospectus that it expects about $69 million of non-performing exposure to become performing by the end of 2012 after restructuring negotiations currently underway are finalised. —Reuters

retail and wholesale company, and one of the oldest trading companies in Kuwait enjoying over 90 years of success. The company has adopted a vigorous expansion policy and is the agent of more than 40 distinct global brands.

Al-Tijari announces Najma winners KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al-Najma Account Daily draw yesterday.

The draw was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry represented by Abdulaziz Ashkanani.

The winners of the Najma Daily Draw who got KD 7,000 are: Adam Soud Adam Al-Jabri, Jassim Reyadh Joul, Mohammad Shaheen Abdullaaly, Asmaa Mahdi Awad Al-Shimari, and Shahbaz Khan Mohammad Aslam.

The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announces the biggest daily draw in Kuwait with the launch of the new Najma account. Customers of the bank can now enjoy a KD 7,000 daily prize which is the highest in the country and another 4 mega prizes during the year worth KD 100,000 each on different occasions: The National Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha and on June 19 which is the date of the bank’s establishment.

With a minimum balance of KD 500, customers will be eligible for the daily draw provided that the money is in the account one week prior to the daily draw or two months prior to the mega draw. In addition, for each KD 25 a customer can get one chance for winning instead of KD 50. Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

Alghanim employees donate to Kuwait Red Crescent Society KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries (AI) employees recently donated generously to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), in support of their programs and services. Barges Humoud Al-Barges, the President of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, accepted the donation and expressed his sincere gratitude to the employees for their generosity.

Barges indicated that the donated funds would help support the invaluable work that the KRCS is doing in Kuwait.

Jim Batchler, Chief Human Resources Officer - Alghanim Industries, commented on the donation, stating, “We are pleased that our employees’ generous contributions will have a positive impact on the community. Our employees look forward to their continued relationship with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.” AI employees will continue to participate in similar initiatives as part of their ongoing commitment to the community.

27

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Anti-regime Cuban blogger back at it after arrest HAVANA: Despite two arrests in a month, a defiant Cuban blogger is right back at it, criticizing the Havana government as part of a drive that has made her famous abroad even if she is little known at home.

Yoani Sanchez took to social media Friday and had little to say about the eight hours she spent in detention.

But she did say she was delighted with her role as regional vice chair for Cuba of the Inter American Press Association’s Press Freedom Committee.

The Miami-based media watchdog named her to the post Thursday while the 37-year-old activist was held in a Havana police station with other opposition figures, trying to find out about dissidents picked up a day earlier.

Those 16 people were freed Thursday

night and early Friday.

When Sanchez was freed, she tweeted to her 355,423 followers, “Once again I can walk along the streets of Havana after being detained for several hours. I am fine. Thanks for your support!”

Bloggers close to Cuba’s communist regime regularly attack Sanchez on social media. Oddly, her recent arrests were announced by her main detractor, a blogger who goes by the name of Yohandry Fontana. Yohandry (www.yohandry.com), who tweets all day, just as Sanchez does, defended her arrest.

“She was arrested for provoking Cuba on orders from the United States.. just a few hours after” President Barack Obama won re-election on Tuesday.

Sanchez, whose blog Generacion Y is translated into 15 languages, had been

arrested October 5 in the southeastern city of Bayamo and was freed 30 hours later in Havana.

She had tried to cover the trial of Spanish political activist Angel Carromero, the driver in a road accident that left leading Cuban opposition figure Oswaldo Paya dead in July.

The arrest of Sanchez was covered profusely by Yohandry. In Cuba, such events are rarely made public.

Sanchez tweeted Friday that one of the main challenges of her new role at the IAPA will be to prepare a detailed report on freedom of the press in Cuba.

Although she is an international celebrity, Sanchez is almost unknown in Cuba, especially outside Havana.

In Cuba, the Americas’ only one-party Communist regime, it is illegal to speak

out against the government, news outlets are controlled by the state, access to the Internet is tightly controlled and there is no broadband.

“Her face is not familiar for most Cubans, but her name is,” said dissident Elizardo Sanchez, who runs the National Human Rights and Reconciliation Commission, which is illegal but tolerated by the government.

Her work at the press association “is going to be very difficult, although all of us in the emerging civil society are going to support her,” he said.

Sanchez noted that many Cubans had learned of the blogger’s existence after an allusion to her in Fidel Castro’s book “Fidel, Bolivia and Something Else,” published in 2008.

“Many people know her from the

Cuban government’s attacks on her, and even those of commander Fidel Castro himself,” Elizardo Sanchez said.

In his book, the father of the Cuban revolution does not mention Sanchez by name. But he criticizes the comments she made after the Cuban government denied her permission to go to Spain to receive an award bestowed by the country’s top-selling newspaper, El Pais, in 2008.

Time magazine named Sanchez as one of the world’s 100 most influential women in 2008.

Sanchez gained notoriety that year because there were many foreign journalists in Cuba to cover Raul Castro’s election to succeed his brother Fidel, who had withdrawn from the scene in 2006 because of health problems. —- AFP

Fault under Japan nuke plant ‘may be active’ ‘Very silly’ to allow continue operating TOKYO: Japan’s only working nuclear power plant sits on what may be a seismic fault in the earth’s crust, a geologist has warned, saying it is “very silly” to allow it to continue operating. Mitsuhisa Watanabe says the earth’s plates could move under the Oi nuclear plant in western Japan, causing a catastrophe to rival last year’s atomic disaster at Fukushimaalthough some of his colleagues on

country’s only working reactors.

Under government guidelines atomic installations cannot be sited on a fault the meeting place of two or more of the plates that make up the earth’s crust-if it is still classed as active, that is, one that is known to have moved within the last 130,000 years.

A positive finding would mean regulators must order the suspension of operations at the plant in

work needs to be done.

“It’s desirable for all members to reach a conclusion by consensus,” Shimazaki said.

However Watanabe, asked if the government should allow KEPCO to continue running the plant at Oi, said: “It would be a very silly option.”

“We would have learned nothing from Fukushima. I’m afraid we would see a repeat (of the disas-

TOKYO: Protesters hold “no nuclear” signs as they shout slogans during a rally in front of the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, yesterday. Thousands joined the rally to call for the end of nuclear power. —AP a nuclear advisory panel disagree.

“It is an active fault. The plates shifted some 120,000 to 130,000 years ago for sure,” Watanabe, of Tokyo’s Toyo University, said.

“In research that I have conducted on active faults in Japan and overseas, structures built above them were all damaged” when they moved and caused an earthquake, he said.

Watanabe, a tectonic geomorphologist, is part of a five-member team tasked by the Nuclear Regulation Authority with looking into the tectonic situation underneath the plant, which houses the

Fukui prefecture.

But other scientists on the panel say it is too early to class it as an “active” fault that might pose a risk to the plant, calling for “a scientifically calm approach”.

The team’s head, Kunihiko Shimazaki, who is also a member of Japan’s nuclear regulatory body, says the geological scarring they can see was probably caused by little more than a long-ago landslide.

Instead of the definitive green light that plant operator Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) was hoping for, the committee last week said only that more

ter) one day.”

He maintains that the plant could be vulnerable to a sizeable earthquake, which might “cause a very serious problem... similar to the Fukushima one”.

But he stresses that the science thus far is simply not conclusive and argues work should halt out of an abundance of caution.

“We are not seeking to decommission the plant,” Watanabe said.

“We should first stop operation and then carry out underground investigation thoroughly before reaching a conclusion.”

All Japan’s nuclear reactors were

shut down in the months after the disaster at Fukushima, when an earthquake-sparked tsunami knocked out cooling systems and caused meltdowns that scattered radiation over a large area.

Hundreds of thousands were made homeless and tracts of prime agricultural land were left unfarmable.

Despite widespread public fears over the safety of nuclear power, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in June ordered the restarting of reactors at Oi amid fears of a summer power shortage.

That ended a brief nuclear-free period for a country that-until the Fukushima disaster-had relied on atomic power for around a third of its electricity needs.

The move was welcomed by the influential business lobby but was deeply unpopular with a vocal antinuclear movement. Regular antinuclear protests continue to be held in Tokyo.

Yesterday, the 20-month anniversary since the Fukushima disaster, several thousand antinuclear protesters rallied in Tokyo’s government district.

“No need to wait for the panel’s finding! We must stop the Oi plant now!” one shouted outside the parliament building.

With a possible eye on the general election expected over the coming months, the government announced in September it would work towards a policy of phasing out nuclear power by 2040.

Critics rounded on the announcement as both populist and “incoherent” because it contained get-out clauses that would mean as-yet unfinished nuclear plants would still come online.

Watanabe said a heavy burden rests on those tasked with ensuring public safety, citing the jail sentences imposed on six seismologists in Italy after a court said their underestimation of the possible effects of an earthquake had contributed to the death toll in the central city of L’Aquila.

“We have to sound the alarm as soon as we find the possibility of active faults,” he said. “The accident in Fukushima had really never been imagined. Scientists must learn from that.” —AFP

Online on the go: Do you want an app or a mobile website?

BERLIN: Accessing the internet while on the go usually means a choice between a mobile version of a website or a specially created app.

Apps have the disadvantage that they must first be installed. They then operate independently, cut off from the broader internet. However, once installed, they tend to be faster at accessing information.

But don’t rule out the old website just yet. They are uncomplicated and users don’t have to waste time checking for a compatible app before starting a search.

“You can call it up without any pre-installation and the information can be found via a normal web search,” says Benedikt Hanswille of the German Federal Association of the Digital Economy.

Mobile websites have usually been modified to fit smaller screens and to be controllable by touch. Smartphone users are usually directly rerouted to such sites, though it’s possible to save a little energy by just typing in the address directly and cutting down on the download time. Usually they employ the letter “m” or word “mobil” instead of “www” in the address.

The websites usually have the same information as on the standard site, although some navigation elements might get lost when the sites are shrunk down.

“If the user wants the desktop version of a website on a mobile device, there’s usually a button for that towards the bottom of the website,” says Luca Caracciolo, manager of the e-business magazine t3n.

But there are drawbacks. Mobile websites usually have fewer functions than apps.

“Generally, websites have no access to the phone’s hardware,” says Hanswille, though some satellite navigation functions will work in the browser. Useful functions like push are also usually exclusive to apps.

Apps are also prized for their ability to access address books, calendars and stored music.

“If you set aside the initial download of the application, apps have shorter download times,” says Hanswille. That’s because, thanks to their set layout and appearance, the programme only has to update the newest contents. Of course, that function also makes apps less flexible than the alternative.

But, for the same reason, using apps should involve smaller amounts of data transfer than with mobile websites, which is important for smartphone users with limited data plans. However, Hanswille notes some exceptions to the rule.

“Some apps load various pictures and data in advance, to optimize use and speed up things,” he says, noting that this data might never get used, meaning unnecessary traffic.

Of course, the same can happen with mobile websites. However, these are usually set for transferring smaller data volumes.

Still, be on the lookout for offenders.

To combat such cases, some browsers allow users to regulate their data stream, says Ragni Zlotos of German computer magazine c’t. “Opera mobile allows you, regardless of server settings, to get the various websites delivered in data-comprised format.”

Others say the odds are better of being able to access data offline are better with apps, though there are no hard and fast rules. “Developers have to build these kinds of functions in,” says Caracciolo.

TOKYO: Japan’s home electrical appliances collector Kenichi Masuda displaying Toshiba’s “Walking Type Toaster WT-2” and “Snack-3” cooking machine in Tokyo. For Masuda, these quixotic gadgets show the bravery and idealism of Japanese companies in a high-growth era. Japanese consumer electronics evolved from this trial-and-error period to sweep the world in the late 20th century, with Sony’s Walkman standing as perhaps the epitome of Nippon Know-how. —AFP

New crop of video games comes out BERLIN: The new crop of console video games is coming out. This time, they’re not necessarily an excuse to just sit around.

Several of the new entries - Just Dance 4 or Fable: The Journey - require players to jump about to get the motion going. If you do choose a game where you can just sit, there are at least beautiful settings to take your mind off the winter weather outside.

The Wii U, successor to the Wii, comes out at the end of November. However, so far, it remains difficult to find games for it.

One that has made its way to shelves is Just Dance 4, from Ubisoft, offering 47 songs by various artists for players just waiting to show off their dance moves.

Titles include: Moves Like Jagger from Maroon 5; Maneater by Nelly Furtado; and So What by Pink. There are also some oldies, like Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley, in case more mature fans decide to join in.

The game comes with a variety of modes, several for multiple players. One new addition is Battle mode, where two players get to face off and show the world who has the better moves. Dance Crew mode allows up to four players to dance together.

Just Dance 4 costs about 40 euros ($52).

There are also versions for the XBox 360 and Playstation 3, though they require special movement controllers for those systems. XBox players can also consider Microsoft’s Dance Central 3, for about 50 euros, as an alternative.

Microsoft’s Fable: The Journey is also designed to get players to move. It returns players to the familiar world of Albion. But, this time, action is controlled with the Kinect camera attachment, meaning opponents and puzzles are defeated by the player’s own movements as he navigates the game’s various levels.

The special controls also help when traveling by horse, either to give the animal directions or to pet it, which makes the animal more cooperative. The action is similar to new releases like Harry Potter Kinect from Warner Interactive and Dragon Ball Z Kinect from Namco Bandai.

All cost about 40 euros.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Forza Horizone goes old school, with commands delivered via button and joystick. In the fifth instalment of the game, players can leave the racetrack and cruise off-road on a set based on the US state of Colorado. Players can choose to race on dusty trails, compete in normal street traffic or engage in absurd races, like one with a hot air balloon. Forza Horizone sells for about 60 euros.

WWE 13 brings wrestling to your home.

Designer THQ has put the show elements of the game centre stage, meaning anything can happen during a game ... like the ring collapsing. Creative players can use applications to create their own characters, arenas and more.

The XBox 360 and Playstation 3 versions cost about 60 euros, while the Wii version sells for around 40 euros.

Electronic Arts’ Medal of Honor: Warfighter is designed for adults. It’s a mix of mission-based games, switching between character-based levels and those where whole elite units are sent to places like the Philippines and Somalia. The game also includes a diversion into the soldier’s private life.

During the multi-player mode, players can take on a variety of roles. Good teamwork leads to more experience, which can be cashed in for armaments or other advantages. The XBox 360 and Playstation 3 versions cost 60 euros, while a PC version costs 50 euros.

TAIPEI: A woman visits an HTC store in the Younghe district of New Taipei City yesterday. Taiwan’s leading smartphone maker HTC said it has reached a global settlement with technology giant Apple, bringing an end to all outstanding litigation between the two companies. —AFP

28

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

health & science

CHICAGO: Stroller Strides fitnesss instructor Jennifer Lungren demonstrates the ab pull which can be done while out walking baby. —MCT photos

Lungren demonstrates the cardio baby tickle.

Lungren demonstrates walking lunges.

How to work a stroller - and infant - into a workout CHICAGO: Once you have a baby, it’s easy to let exercising fall to the wayside. After all, if you can barely fit in time to shower, then making time to work out may seem as extravagant as taking a quick trip to the moon. But while hitting the gym daily with an infant or tot may be nearly impossible, getting your workout done doesn’t have to be. Simply pop your baby into the stroller and hit the streets. Jennifer Lungren, an instructor in Virginia for Stroller Strides (a fitness program for moms with tots), shared her best tricks to working out with a baby on board. Before you start, warm up with a 5-minute jog or power walk. After each exercise, repeat the run or power walk for 35 minutes. If any of the exercises are painful, stop immediately.

Squat Starting in a standing position with your hands on the stroller handlebar, place your feet hip-width apart with your feet and knees facing forward. Sit down as if you’re moving backward into a seat, and squeeze your glutes and thighs to bring yourself back into the starting standing position.

Push the stroller out as you sit, and pull it back in as you come up.

Reps 15-25 Side plie squat With your right side facing the stroller and right hand on the stroller, stand with your

toes facing out and take a large step away from the stroller. Squat down, dropping your bottom as low as you can with your body weight in your heels, pushing the stroller away from you. As you come up, pull your right leg in to meet the left leg. Repeat all the reps on this side, and then switch sides.

Reps 15-25 Walking lunges Standing behind the stroller with your hands on the handlebar step forward with your right leg. The stroller will move forward as you move forward. Bend your front knee to a 90-degree angle so that your right thigh is parallel to the ground and your right shin is perpendicular to the ground.

Your back leg should be almost straight.

Keep your torso upright with your hips and shoulders facing forward. Use your right leg to return to your starting position. Don’t use your stroller to help lift you; it may tip backward if you put too much weight on it.

Instead, use the power of your front leg.

Alternate with the other leg.

Abs pull Face the stroller with your right side, standing with your feet no more than hipdistance apart with your toes facing out.

Use your right hand to push the stroller away while reaching overhead with your left arm. Your right arm should extend out straight. Use your abs, focusing on the left

side, to pull the stroller back. Go through all the reps and then switch sides.

Reps 15 Cardio baby tickle Standing in front of the stroller with your feet together, jump your legs apart and lower your bottom into a squat position with your body weight in your heels. As you lower, reach forward with your arms and do a tickle motion toward your baby, but don’t actually touch your baby, as this could put stress on your lower back.

Reps: Do this for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat four times.

Peek-a-boo stroller crunches Lie on your back next to the stroller facing your baby with your feet flat on the ground, knees bent at 90 degrees. Put your hands behind your head, keeping your elbows back. Squeeze your belly button to your spine and crunch up. As you come up, peek into your stroller, saying “Peek-a-boo” to your baby, and lower back down. Exhale as you come up, keeping your elbows back.

Reps 25 Cardio drills Standing in front of the stroller, bend at the knees and push your hips back, running with your feet staying as low as possible.

Reps Run for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat four times. —MCT

Lungren demonstrates peek-a-boo stroller crunches.

Lungren demonstrates a side plie squat.

Researchers unsure why Type 1 diabetes cases on upswing DALLAS: At 57, the last thing Marjorie Poche expected when she went to see her doctor about a cough was finding out she had Type 1 diabetes. “Had I not gone to the doctor, who knows what would have happened?” She says she was told that her untreated diabetes could have led to a coma. “I figured my exhaustion was due to lack of fitness,” she says from her home in Plano, Texas.

Her diagnosis puts her in the midst of a disturbing trend-the rise of Type 1 diabetes. Experts are struggling to comprehend the reasons, but the answers may hold the key to a new understanding and treatment of the disease. Type 1 diabetes was thought to affect a fixed portion of the population. The increase suggests that environment or behavior may play a role. That means there may be things we can do to prevent or at least lower the risk.

About 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes, including about 7 million whose illness is undiagnosed, according to the American Diabetes Association.

There are two types of the disease, both of which are related to the body’s use of insulin, which transports sugar from the blood into cells. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. With Type 2, the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells fail to use the hormone efficiently. Being overweight has long been known as a risk factor, and the disease, which used to be associated primarily with older patients, now increasingly strikes younger ones as well.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that affects about 5 percent of those with diabetes. With Type 1, the body’s immune system destroys the pancreas’s ability to generate insulin. While it used to be associated primarily with younger patients, about half of the cases are diagnosed for the first time at age 20 and older.

A recent study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health says that Type 1 is rising. The study looked at data from 20,000 children over an eightyear period that ended in 2009.

During that time, the annual rate of Type 1 cases for youths older than 10 jumped from 18.6 per 100,000 to 19.7 per 100,000. Non-Hispanic white youths had the highest rate of new cases.

Dr. Kathryn Sumpter, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and medical director of the diabetes program at Children’s Medical Center, says that in many ways, the increase in Type 1

helps correct common misconceptions about the disease and offers new ways of understanding it. While we once used the terms juvenile diabetes to refer to Type 1 and adult-onset diabetes to refer to Type 2, she says, now we know that each type can occur at a wide variety of ages. She was 20 when she learned she had Type 1.

“We’re learning that the distinctions between Type 1 and Type 2 are not as black and white as we thought they were,” she says. “There are some differences, but the brick walls we built before in terms of one being totally autoimmune and the other totally about lifestyle factors aren’t as physiologically relevant.

We have some patients where we can’t decide if it’s Type 1 or Type 2.”

Still, it may be worth examining why some older patients manifest Type 1 differently than young people do, says Dr Priscilla Hollander, Poche’s doctor and medical director for diabetes for the Baylor Health Care System. “Many people may have the antibodies that attack the insulin-producing cells in their blood years before the disease strikes,” she says. “The question is, what triggers this cascade of aggressiveness?”

The search has led experts to explore a possible connection with another medical mystery-the overall increase in autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, celiac disease and thyroid disorder, particularly because patients with one autoimmune disorder are more likely to also have other autoimmune disorders. Sumpter and Hollander cite two theories for explaining the increase in Type 1 as gaining traction in the field.

The accelerator hypothesis sug-

gests a link between obesity, once thought to be a factor only in Type 2 diabetes, and Type 1. In the case of Type 1, the thinking goes, the excess weight may lead to inflammation and stress on the cells, which could trigger the autoimmune response.

The hygiene hypothesis puts the blame on an exposure to fewer bacteria and viruses in our increasingly well-scrubbed lives. The hypothesis suggests that change may cause our autoimmune systems to overreact and go after cells that are not only not a threat but serving vital functions in the body. The hypothesis has also been linked to the rise in asthma and allergy cases.

Other theories finger pollution and toxins in the environment as culprits. Additional studies offer conflicting data about a vitamin D deficiency or a too-early introduction of cow’s milk or gluten into a baby’s diet. Sumpter says she welcomes all these ideas because they’re getting people thinking of Type 1 in fresh ways that could lead to new cures.

“Intellectually, it’s an exciting time for doctors and patients,” she says. “I think we’re getting closer to clues that can help us reduce the risk of developing diabetes and can lead to much better treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 and potentially even a cure for Type 1.”

Poche says she makes coffee when she gets up in the morning, checks her blood sugar and watches her diet. She checks her blood sugar before playing tennis, as she’s learned that exercise can cause her blood sugar to drop. “I’m still very active, and I’ve lost 20 pounds,” she says. “I look and feel pretty darn good now.” —MCT

TEXAS: Marjorie Poche, who found out she had Type 1 diabetes at 57, tests her blood sugar at her home in Plano, before going out to play tennis. —MCT

H E A LT H

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Bronzed Aussie lifesavers ‘nip’ in at age of five

ASSE-Kuwait Chapter organizes an awareness program on breast cancer KUWAIT: American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Kuwait Chapter as a part of continuous efforts in its professional journey, organized an awareness program on breast cancer sponsored by National Cleaning Company (NCC) on 5th November 2012 at Hotel Safir, Fintas. Mohammad Riaz Shareef, Vice president of ASSE Kuwait chapter, in his opening remarks briefed on the importance of the awareness program and the objective of the meet (To be the Voluntary organization that raises public awareness of breast cancer, and advocates early detection to save lives and save breasts of all women in Kuwait). N Vasudevan, President, ASSE Kuwait chapter addressed the gathering with a brief on ASSE Kuwait Chapter in a nutshell.

Janet Najare, Head, Women in Safety Engineering (WISE) Committee of ASSE, delivered an introductory presentation on “WISE Committee” and its activities in Kuwait. She introduced the key note speaker Dr Noha Abdullah Al Saleh,

Consultant General Surgery/Surgical Oncology Kuwait Cancer Control Center.

During the presentation, Dr Noha Abdullah Al-Saleh, described about the self & clinical diagnostic methods to recognize the disease in its early stage, she referred to the importance of making early regular examination regardless of any symptoms, confirming early detection increases the chances and effectiveness of recovery.

The Awareness session was very much interactive and it was followed by question and answer session. As a token of appreciation, ASSE Executive Committee & WISE Committee members handed over memento to Dr Noha Abdullah Al Saleh.

More than 90 women, including ASSE Kuwait Chapter member’s spouses, lady ASSE members, NCC staff & general public participated in the awareness program. The awareness session concluded with vote of thanks by Vasudeven, and dinner sponsored by

COOGEE BEACH: It’s early on a Sunday morning and parents are lathering their children in sunscreen and tying swimming caps on their heads as they prepare them for the nation’s biggest surf lifesaving “school”. In a country known for its laid-back lifestyle and expansive sandy beaches, Surf Life Saving is the biggest volunteer organization with more than 150,000 members-of which the five to 13-year-old “nippers” make up about 40 percent.

One of the biggest nippers groups is at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east, with some 1,130 children involved in sessions that include swimming, diving, board sports in the waves and running on sand. “It’s a surf lifesaving school for Aussie kids,” explained Doug Hawkins, youth coordinator for the lifesaving program at Coogee Surf Life Saving Club.

All the while, the kids gain experience and confidence in the surf and learn about the dangers of the coast, such as the rip currents that pull swimmers out from the beach and first aid.

“Most parents send their kids to nippers to get them safe in the surf, so their parents can let them go to the beach by themselves or be down the beach with them knowing that these kids are pretty safe in the water,” Hawkins says. “Australia is an island, we’ve got thousands of beaches. Wherever they go, we need to know they’re going to be safe.” The Surf Life Saving movement emerged in Australia at the beginning of the 1900s when laws that banned bathing in daylight were repealed and people were increasingly drawn to the surf despite most not being strong swimmers.

The first volunteer lifesaving clubs opened in Sydney in 1907 as concerns about drownings and rescues mounted, with the organization now known as Surf Life Saving Australia formed the same year. Lifesavers with their iconic red and yellow caps now patrol the coast from Bondi Beach in the east to Perth’s Cottesloe Beach in the west, most of them unpaid volunteers, rescuing more than 12,000 people each year.

Coogee lifesaver Adrian Johnson believes the movement embodies the national character. “I think one of the strong parts of the Australian ethos is mateship and helping out,” he said as junior nippers raced around him. “So it’s a very strong community-based volunteer organization, and we wouldn’t have safety on the beach if we didn’t have volunteer lifesavers who were willing to give up their time and come down here every weekend.” Johnson, who has been bringing his three children to the beach for years, said he was first attracted to the sport because it was a family-friendly activity.

“A couple of things attracted me to lifesaving, one was the physical part of it, staying fit,” he said. “(And) you’re actually out in the water helping people-perhaps it’s the first time they’ve been in the surf. — AFP

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

WHAT’S ON

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! This summer, let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

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NAFO family picnic n the happy occasion of Hijra the New Year, Thursday November 15, NAFO Kuwait is scheduled to conduct a family picnic for its members, their families, relatives and friends in a chalet at Wafra farm house, according to officials.

The entire group will move from Salmiya in the morning, most probably in bus/busses, for this day long fun-filled picnic. Games and entertainment for all age groups have also been arranged to make the outing furthermore enjoyable. Lunch and snacks will be served during the day.

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Goan Culinary Club he Goan Culinary Club - Goa encourages you to log on to their website where you can find a video of Odette and Joe Mascarenhas sharing their thoughts on Goan cuisine. These videos were recorded at the launch of the Goan Culinary Club in Goa on March 3, 2012. Thanks to support from all at the Goan Culinary Club, we have made great progress in six months.

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Sheikh Mohamed Abdallah supports AsiaN in Arabic

First Sahara’s golf challenge he winners of the recently concluded inaugural corporate golf challenge held on November 2 were announced during the closing ceremony held at Sahara Kuwait Resort.

The General Manager Hassan Bayerli expressed his appreciation to the participating companies and led the prize giving. The participants enjoyed the warm reception, the excellent playing condition of the golf course and the delectable food.

Sahara Kuwait Resort is looking forward to a larger field of companies to

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participate in the next year’s Corporate Golf Challenge where they can mix leisure and business with the opportunity of promoting their companies through networking. Winners of the event were: 1st Place - Crown Plaza, 2nd Place Abdul Razzaq Abdulla and Partners, 3rd Place - ENAYA Insurance. Longest Drive Competition - Bader Haider, Chipping Competition - Christian Jones, Beat the Pro Competition - Qatami Al-Qatami , Ahmed Al-Sarawi and Bader Haider.

heikh Mohammed Al-Abdallah AlSabah, Minister of Information and Minister of Cabinet Affairs in Kuwait, values the step that AJA association for information and literature, made by releasing an Arabic version of their website AsiaN, the next news network, in their first anniversary, after having Korean, English, and Chinese versions.

This came while the HH the Amir was meeting with, the head of the AsiaN and founder member of AJA association Lee

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Sang Ki (Korea), Egyptian writer and head of AsiaN in Arabic Ashraf AboulYazid, the Chinese editor Wang Xuan, and the Turkish reporter and photographer Albago Senis. Sheikh Mohammed announced that Kuwait supports completely this effort and any other initiatives that are meant to unite the Asian countries. He also confirmed on the importance of new media and its role.

KTAA invites all to the KTAA he Kuwait Textile Arts Association under the auspices of the Sadu House Invites everyone to the KTAA fall bazaar of handcrafted items, on Saturday November 17, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The exhibition features quilts, bags, table linens, designer jewelry, shawls, greeting cards, crochet, hand embroidery, and lots more.

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Arabic courses

KNES kindergarten kids enjoy at Rawda Park

WARE will begin Winter 1 Arabic language courses with new textbooks and curricula will begin on December 2, 2012 until January 24, 2013. AWARE Arabic language courses are designed with the expat in mind. The environment is relaxed & courses are designed for those wanting to learn Arabic for travel, cultural understanding, and conducting business or simply to become more involved in the community. For more information or registration, please log-on to our website.

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he Kindergarten and Pre-School children of Kuwait National English School took an opportunity to enjoy one of Kuwait’s many parks this week.

The children participated in a variety of activities and had a healthy picnic lunch. Children of this age need opportunities to enjoy nature and Kuwait National English School would like to thank the citizens of Kuwait for making these parks possible.

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Youth Chorus song competition outh Chorus is organizing the Seventh Christian Group Song Competition on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 6:00 pm at the United Indian School Auditorium, Abbasiya. The team has to present one Christian song (Malayalam or Tamil) within seven minutes. The minimum number of members in the team should be 7 and the maximum 20, including the orchestra personnel. The first, second and third prize winners will be awarded with trophies and certificates.

In addition, the first and second prize winning teams will be given the prestigious rolling trophies - Youth Chorus ever rolling trophy for the first and Omana Jose Memorial ever rolling for the second, and Youth Chorus ever rolling trophy for the Third. All the other participating teams will be awarded with Youth Chorus memento.

KNES bake sale

Indian Embassy Announcements

he Student Council at the Kuwait National English School raised KD 52 in a ‘Bake sale’ on Tuesday October 23 for local Kuwaiti cancer charities. Both staff and students baked and brought in cakes for selling in the canteen. The Student Council included Head Boy; Osama Hussein Al-Shatti, Head Girl; Aamar Jaafar, School prefects; Reda Al-Ghafeer, Abdullah Najem, Mariam Bazzi and Nourhan Eldin as well as Year seven representatives; May Ettouni, Saud Kashti and Year eight representatives; Sophie Bush, Adam Kharsa and Year nine representatives; Amal Al-Enizi, Abdulrahman Al-Saidan and Year ten representatives; Sondous Al-Jazzaf and Manal Fares. The school also participated in raising charity funds through a non-uniform day.

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Indian Embassy passport and visa Passports and visa applications can be deposited at the two outsourced centers of M/S BLS Ltd at Sharq and Fahaheel. Details are available at www.bls-international.com and www.indembkwt.org.

Consular Open House Consular Wing is providing daily service of Open House to Indian citizens on all workings days from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs and from 1430 hrs to 1530 hrs by the Consular Officer in the Meeting Room of the Consular Hall at the Embassy. For any unaddressed issues, Second Secretary (Consular) can be contacted. Furthermore, the head of the Consular Wing is also available to redress grievances.

Indian workers helpline/helpdesk Indian workers helpline is accessible by toll free telephone number 25674163 from all over Kuwait.

It provides information and advice to Indian workers as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. The help desk at the Embassy (Open from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4:30PM, Sunday to Thursday) provides guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal and other issues. It also provides workers assistance in filling up labour complaint forms. For any unaddressed issues, the concerned attachÈ in the Labour section and the head of the Labour Wing can be contacted.

KTPA elects new office bearers he 79th meeting of Kuwait Tamilosai Poet Association (KTPA) was convened on November 2 in Kuwait, to elect the new office bearers for the year 2012-2013. The following office bearers were unanimously elected by the members.

Dr K Kurnar: President, Anbazhakau: Vice President, Vittukatti Mastan: Secretary, Paltukotai Satthiyan: Joint

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Secretary, Ajisudeen: Treasurer, Maniiai Raja: Deputy Treasurer, Annie Francis: President- Ladies wing, Rani Mohan: Press Secretary. Honorary President Sathik Batcha, Dr Paul Manual, Sheik Adham, Kavisai Sekar, Porchselvan, Pinnalur Manikandan, Hasan Mohammad, Muthuraman, Lukman and all other members felicitate the new office bearers and delivered their

resourceful talks in the meeting.

As a special event, a ‘Kaviarangam’ was organized under the chairmanship of Ranimohan. Prominent Tamil poets U K Sivakumar, ‘Arivikavi’ Anantha Ravi, ‘Nammapattu’ Manickam and ‘Ilangai’ Ganesh enthralled the audience with their excellent poems. The glorious evening witnessed a spectacular music performance by the versatile musician of

Tamilosai Francis, singers Kalifulla, Rani Mohan, Gangesh, who regaled the audience with their cheerful, resonant and mellifluous voices with memorable cine songs. Manickam delivered the vote of thanks.

Prayer session for Al-Haj Mamunur Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

reputed business personal Al-Haj Mamunur Rashid Mamun also known as Fahaheel based strong social activists died on October 15. Mamun who was living in Kuwait with his family since last 30 years and establish his own identification in the both socially and commercially by his honesty, hard working and good behavior.

A duamahfil was organized by his family members and a large number of people including his friends, relatives attended the function. The event was presided over Mohd

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Salim while chief guest was Abdullah AlMamun along with a guest of honor lined up on the stage.

The function started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Hafez Shibuddin - both Mawlanaa Saduzzaman and Faysal Ahmed conducted the function.

Mowlana Asad delivered his speech in the light of Quran and Sunnah including a short brief of Mamunur Rashid. Followed by prayer session conducted by Hafez Al-awuddin. The audience left the hall after the Tabarak and dinner.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

WHAT’S ON

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department.

All processing of visas and immigration matters in conducted by The Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VFS) immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office); Tel: +971 4 355 1958 (VFS) - +971 4 508 7200 (Visa Office); Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office).

In Kuwait applications can be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre 4B 1st Floor, Al-Banwan Building Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al-Salem Street, opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working hours and days: 09:30 - 17:30; Sunday - Thursday. Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm.

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ACK visit Warba’s call center arba Bank has recently hosted a field trip by the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) students, Quality Management section, to introduce them to the bank’s call center, while highlighting the importance of serving customers with complete efficiency 24/7. The call center’s highly trained officers emphasized the main elements applied by the center in terms of quality control via state-of-the-art technologies, which follows the international standards adopted by global call center systems. It is worth to mention that all staff members of the call center at Warba Bank have achieved the International Certificate of Specialized Call Center Programs from ‘CariZma

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Company,’ which is approved by its strategic partner ‘The Call Center School’ in the USA. Throughout a course of a week, Warba Bank hosted more than 60 students in three different groups who were welcomed by Call Center and Branches Manager Ahmed Al-Bukhari and his team. The students implemented what they have learned in the center through the detailed presentation conducted by the staff members. On this occasion, Al-Bukhari described his complete delight with the visit and stressed the importance of supporting students and academics by presenting a real view of the work environment in Islamic banks.

During the trip, students were familiarized more closely with the products and services offered by Warba Bank, in addition to the different methods of communicating with customers through the call center. Al-Bukhari said, “Customers can call Warba Bank to know more about the bank’s latest products and services, in addition to receiving information on their balance and deposits. Customers can also apply for new accounts, credit cards or personal finance (Murabaha), or even register in the Short Message Service (SMS).

The center is also pleased to receive the calls of its shareholders.”

Since its establishment, the bank has been keen on maintaining a call center

that abides by the latest international standards, in addition to adopting a unique strategy to develop the expertise of its officers, ensure quality control while apply the best practices of serving customers. The bank’s call center focuses on understanding the changing needs of its different customer segments while ensuring an efficient service with utmost confidentiality. The call center works on building and maintaining the trust of its customers by offering top quality services.

Fantasy World first AR Drone challenges in ME antasy World organised the AR Drone 2.0 Challenges in Souk Sharq Roman theater, the first of its kind in the Middle East. Thousands of people gathered around the stage in open space and enjoyed this unique event hosted by the famous media figure “Sally Al-Qadi” who was step by step with each participants as well as interacting with the audience who got the chance to win some prizes presented by Fantasy World.

Based on the international challenges that happened in Las Vegas in January 2012, Fantasy World has always been the pioneer in the market by always bringing the best, latest and trendiest to all its customers, and the AR Drone 2.0 challenges was the perfect example. 14 challengers competing on five obstacles within a time lim-

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EMBASSY OF CYPRUS In its capacity as EU Local Presidency in the State of Kuwait, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the Member States of the EU and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, would like to announce that as from 2nd October 2012 all Schengen States’ Consulates in Kuwait will use the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS is a central database for the exchange of data on short-stay (up to three months) visas between Schengen States. The main objectives of the VIS are to facilitate visa application procedures and checks at external border as well as to enhance security. The VIS will contain all the Schengen visa applications lodged by an applicant over five years and the decisions taken by any Schengen State’s consulate. This will allow applicants to establish more easily the lawful use of previous visas and their bona fide status. For the purpose of the VIS, applicants will be required to provide their biometric data (fingerprints and digital photos) when applying for a Schengen visa. It is a simple and discreet procedure that only takes a few minutes. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database. Therefore, as from 2nd October 2012, first-time applicants will have to appear in person when lodging the application, in order to provide their fingerprints. For subsequent applications within 5 years the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS. The Cypriot Presidency would like to assure the people of Kuwait and all its permanent citizens that the Member States and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, have taken all necessary technical measures to facilitate the rapid examination and the efficient processing of visa applications and to ensure a quick and discreet procedure for the implementation of the new VIS. ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India will remain closed on the following days during the month of November 2012: Nov 13, 2012 - tomorrow - Deepawali Nov 25, 2012 - Sunday - Muharram

it in the first round, round two had the top six qualifiers competing again on the same challenges for the first three places. Khalid Al-Ali, 13 years old was announced champion of the Fantasy World AR Drone 2.0 Challenges, scoring 2,200 points and finishing all five obstacles in an outstanding time of 2:08 minutes. The champion was awarded the trophy and the gold medal of the challenges along with the 2nd and 3rd runner up. All other participants were winners as well as they were awarded with participation awards. Fantasy World gave special thanks plaque to “Souq Sharq” and “Your Events Management” for all their efforts that resulted in a very successful event.

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EMBASSY OF LEBANAN Due to exceptional circumstances Lebanon is going through currently, a mass celebration that was planned next Wednesday, Nov 14, 2012 at the Lebanese Embassy’s garden has been called off.

Ambassador of Lebanon to Kuwait Dr Bassam Al-Nu’mani welcomes well wishers on the occasion of Independence Day at his residence on Thursday, Nov 22, 2012 between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

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EMBASSY OF UKRAINE

Japan Anime Film Festival he Embassy of Japan in the State of Kuwait, in cooperation with Kuwait National Cinema Company is planning to hold “Japan ANIME Film Festival” on November 13 AND 14, 2012 at Cinescape Laila, Salmiya. In this festival, we would like to show total four “Anime” movies, two of which are very popular ones worldwide, and the others are chosen from newly released films in Japan.

Program of the festival as follows: 1-”MIYORI in the Sacred Forest” A modern fantasy movie with English subtitle (voice: Japanese) Time & date: From 5:00 pm - November 13 2-”LUPIN the 3RD - The Castle of Cagliostro”

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Congress leaders Rajan Daniel, Jacob Channapetta, Kochapally Vijaya Bhanu, Muhammed Hilal welcome the Indian Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi on his arrival in Kuwat for a short visit.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Canadian Embassy in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 7:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed for lunch from 12:30 to 13:00. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday.

One of masterpieces of Japan’s action Anime with English voice Time & date: From 7:30 pm - November 13 3-”CRAYON SHIN-CHAN The Storm called: The Adult Empire Strikes Back” A decade longrunning popular family comic Anime with English subtitle (voice: Japanese) Time & date: From 5:00 pm - November 14 4-”Children Who Chase Lost Voices” A hottest 2011 release, a modern fantasy movie with Arabic subtitle (voice: Japanese) Time & date: From 7:00 pm - November 14 The opening ceremony of this festival will be held at 5:00 pm on November 13 with a speech from Ambassador-Designate Toshihiro Tsujihara.

The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait would like to remind that the external polling station No 90046 was created in the Embassy’s premises at the following address: Hawalli, Jabriya, bl.10, str. 6, build. 5. The working hours of the polling station: Sunday from 13.00 to 17.00 pm; Monday from 13.00 to 17.00 pm; Tuesday from 13.00 to 17.00 pm; Wednesday from 13.00 to 17.00 pm; Thursday from 13.00 to 17.00 pm; Friday from 10.00 to 13.00 pm; Saturday from 10.00 to 13.00 pm On October 28, 2012 the working hours of the polling station from 8.00 am to 20.00 pm. Please be advised to refer to the Embassy to check your data in the Electoral Register as well as to pick up your personal invitation from the polling station if you did not receive this document by post.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:50 I’m Alive 01:45 Animal Cops Phoenix 02:35 In Search Of The Giant Anaconda 03:25 Into The Lion’s Den 04:15 The Magic Of The Big Blue 05:05 Wild France 05:55 Animal Cops Phoenix 06:45 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 07:35 Wildlife SOS 08:00 Monkey Life 08:25 Pandamonium 09:15 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 10:10 Dogs v Cats 11:05 Wildest India 12:00 New Breed Vets With Steve Irwin 12:55 Dolphin Days 13:20 Dolphin Days 13:50 Wildlife SOS 14:15 E-Vets: The Interns 14:45 Animal Cops Phoenix 15:40 Wildest India 16:35 Orangutan Island 17:00 The Really Wild Show 17:30 Must Love Cats 18:25 Animal Planet’s Most Outrageous 19:20 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 20:15 Monkey Life 20:40 E-Vets: The Interns 21:10 Wild Britain With Ray Mears 21:35 Orangutan Island 22:05 Wildest India 23:00 Baboons With Bill Bailey 23:55 Bad Dog

23:50 Animal Cops Houston 00:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 01:15 Come Dine With Me 02:55 MasterChef Australia 06:45 Baking Made Easy 07:15 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 08:10 MasterChef Australia 09:50 Fantasy Homes In The City 11:20 Bargain Hunt 12:05 Antiques Roadshow 12:55 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 13:35 Baking Made Easy 14:10 Gok’s Fashion Fix 15:50 Bargain Hunt 16:35 Antiques Roadshow 17:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 18:10 Come Dine With Me 19:00 Baking Made Easy 19:30 The Hairy Bakers 20:00 Out Of The Frying Pan 20:50 Come Dine With Me 21:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt EditionEdition 00:40 Hellriders 06:05 Mythbusters 07:00 Street Customs 07:50 Mythbusters 08:45 Ultimate Survival 09:40 Border Security 10:05 Dirty Money 10:30 How Do They Do It? 10:55 How It’s Made 11:25 Machines Of Glory 12:20 World’s Top 5 13:15 Wheeler Dealers 14:10 Border Security 14:35 Dirty Money 15:05 Auction Kings 15:30 Ultimate Survival 16:25 Street Customs 17:20 Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 18:15 Mythbusters 19:10 How Do They Do It? 19:40 How It’s Made 20:05 Border Security 20:35 Scrappers 21:00 Auction Kings 21:30 Around The World In 80 Ways 22:25 Deadliest Catch 23:20 An Idiot Abroad 23:20 Surviving Disaster 00:15 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 01:05 The Colony 02:45 Weird Or What?

03:40 Bad Universe 04:35 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 05:25 Things That Move 05:50 Things That Move 06:15 Build It Bigger: Rebuilding Greensburg 07:05 Meteorite Men 08:00 Punkin Chunkin 2010 08:50 How Do They Do It? 09:40 Head Rush 09:43 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 10:10 How Stuff’s Made 10:40 Meteorite Men 11:30 Gadget Show - World Tour 11:55 How Tech Works 12:20 Engineering Ground Zero 13:10 Da Vinci’s Machines 14:00 Building The Future 14:50 Sport Science 15:45 How Do They Do It? 16:35 Weird Connections 17:00 Head Rush 17:03 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 17:30 How Stuff’s Made 18:00 Gadget Show - World Tour 18:25 How Tech Works 18:50 Mighty Ships 19:40 Meteorite Men 20:30 Brave New World 21:20 Da Vinci’s Machines 22:10 Gadget Show - World Tour 22:35 How Tech Works 23:00 Brave New World 23:50 Meteorite Men 20:20 Bang Goes The Theory 00:20 00:50 01:15 01:40 01:55 02:10 02:20 02:30

Little Einsteins Special Agent Oso Lazytown Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Handy Manny Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

02:55 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 03:00 Lazytown 03:25 Special Agent Oso 03:50 Imagination Movers 04:20 Handy Manny 04:40 Special Agent Oso 05:00 Timmy Time 05:10 Lazytown 05:35 Little Einsteins 06:00 Jungle Junction 06:30 Little Einsteins 06:50 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Jungle Junction 07:45 Handy Manny 08:00 Special Agent Oso 08:15 Little Einsteins 08:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:10 The Hive 09:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:50 Handy Manny 10:05 The Hive 10:15 Animated Stories 10:20 Mouk 10:45 The Hive 10:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 11:45 Art Attack 12:10 Imagination Movers 12:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:00 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 13:10 Handy Manny 13:25 Jungle Junction 13:40 Imagination Movers 14:05 The Hive 14:15 Special Agent Oso 14:30 Lazytown 14:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 15:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:00 Mouk 16:15 The Hive 16:25 Art Attack 16:50 Doc McStuffins 17:05 Art Attack 17:30 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 17:45 Art Attack 18:10 Mouk 18:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 19:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:00 Animated Stories 20:05 Timmy Time 20:20 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 20:25 Doc McStuffins 20:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:10 The Hive 21:20 Timmy Time 21:30 Mouk 21:45 Handy Manny 22:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:25 The Hive 22:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 23:00 Timmy Time 23:10 Animated Stories 23:15 A Poem Is...

23:20 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 23:30 Jungle Junction 23:45 Handy Manny 23:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:30 01:25 02:20 03:15 04:10 Ride 06:00 08:00 08:55 09:50 10:45 11:40 12:05 12:35 13:30 14:25 15:20 16:15 16:40 17:10 17:35 18:05 18:30 19:00 19:55 20:50 21:45 22:40 23:35

Echo Beach TNA: Greatest Matches M1 Selection 2010 Transworld Sessions Pinks: Lose The Race, Lose Your AMA Motocross 2011 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2009 Tread BMX The Alli Show AMA Motocross 2011 Fantasy Factory Fantasy Factory Pro Bull Riders 2011 Mantracker I’ll Do Anything World Combat League Fantasy Factory Fantasy Factory Tread BMX Tread BMX The Alli Show The Alli Show Mantracker Pro Bull Riders 2011 I’ll Do Anything World Combat League Monster Jam Enfusion

00:40 Guy’s Big Bite 01:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:30 Heat Seekers 01:55 Food Network Challenge 02:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:35 Food(Ography) 04:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:50 Heat Seekers 05:15 Guy’s Big Bite 05:40 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 06:05 Unwrapped 06:30 The Next Iron Chef 07:10 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 08:00 Food Network Challenge 08:50 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 09:40 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 10:30 Kelsey’s Essentials 10:55 Cooking For Real 11:45 Food Crafters 12:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:35 Heat Seekers 13:00 The Next Iron Chef 13:50 Guy’s Big Bite 14:15 Cooking For Real 14:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 15:30 Food Crafters 15:55 Unique Eats 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:50 Heat Seekers 19:15 Guy’s Big Bite 19:40 Unique Eats 20:30 Chopped 21:20 The Next Iron Chef 22:10 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 23:00 Andy Bates Street Feasts 23:50 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam

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

Kimchi Chronicles Somewhere In China Don’t Tell My Mother Street Food Around The World Market Values Travel Madness Weird & Wonderful Hotels Bondi Rescue David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 Kimchi Chronicles Somewhere In China Don’t Tell My Mother Street Food Around The World Market Values Travel Madness Weird & Wonderful Hotels Bondi Rescue David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 Kimchi Chronicles Delinquent Gourmet Endurance Traveller Don’t Tell My Mother Street Food Around The World Market Values Travel Madness Travel Madness Weird & Wonderful Hotels Kimchi Chronicles Delinquent Gourmet David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 2 Bondi Rescue David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 Street Food Around The World

19:00 Bones 20:00 Revenge 21:00 Justified 22:00 Boardwalk Empire 23:00 Downton AbbeyGrimm23:00 Grimm 01:00 Thick As Thieves-18 03:00 True Justice: Violence Of Action-PG15 05:00 Stool Pigeon-PG15 07:00 True Justice: Dark VengeancePG15 09:00 Rocky-PG15 11:00 Stool Pigeon-PG15 13:00 Friday Night Lights-PG15 15:00 Rocky-PG15 17:00 Ip Man 2-PG15 19:00 The Kingdom-18 21:00 Road To Perdition-18 23:00 The Nun-18

00:00 Nothing To Lose-PG15 02:00 The Joneses-PG15 04:00 The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy-PG 06:00 Fever Pitch-PG15 08:00 Little Fockers-PG15 10:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 12:00 The Family Stone-PG15 14:00 In Her Shoes-PG15 16:15 Held Up (1999)-PG15 18:00 Submarine-PG15 20:00 Analyze That-PG15 22:00 The Guru-18

23:00 Naked Science

22:00 Frenemy-18

00:00 Clouded Leopard 01:00 I, Predator 01:55 Built For The Kill 02:50 Mother Croc 03:45 Caught In The Act 04:40 Journey Into Amazonia 05:35 Amazonia’s Giant Jaws 06:30 Built For The Kill 07:25 Mother Croc 08:20 Caught In The Act 09:15 How Big Can It Get 10:10 Ultimate Vipers 11:05 Animal Autopsy (AKA Inside Nature’s Giants) 12:00 Superfish 13:00 Secrets Of The Mediterranean 14:00 Croc Labyrinth 15:00 Caught In The Act 16:00 Killer Shots 17:00 Lion Battle Zone 18:00 Animal Autopsy (AKA Inside Nature’s Giants) 19:00 Built For The Kill 20:00 Mother Croc 21:00 Caught In The Act 22:00 How Big Can It Get 23:00 Ultimate Vipers

01:00 03:30 05:30 07:30 09:15 PG15 11:15 13:00 14:45 PG15 16:45 19:00 21:00 23:00

Zoo Confidential 23:00 Dangerous Encounters 00:00 Assassination Games-18 02:00 Alien Resurrection-18 04:00 True Justice: Violence Of Action-PG15 06:00 The Warrior’s Way-PG15 08:00 Kull The Conqueror-PG15 10:00 Dad Savage-PG15 12:00 Biker Boyz-PG15 14:00 Kull The Conqueror-PG15 16:00 The Green Hornet-PG15 18:00 Biker Boyz-PG15 20:00 Hustle And Flow-18 22:00 The Perfect Host-PG15 The Rite-18hting-PG15 22:00 Homecoming-18 00:00 Melissa & Joey 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Angry Boys 02:00 Angry Boys 02:30 Louie 03:00 Happy Endings 03:30 Hot In Cleveland 04:00 Samantha Who? 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Seinfeld 06:30 Friends 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Samantha Who? 08:30 Happy Endings 09:00 Seinfeld 10:00 Whitney 10:30 Parks And Recreation 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Friends 12:30 Samantha Who? 13:00 Seinfeld 14:00 Hot In Cleveland 14:30 Parks And Recreation 15:00 Whitney 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Friends 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Happy Endings 18:30 Hot In Cleveland 19:00 Modern Family 19:30 Best Friends Forever 20:00 The Cleveland Show 20:30 Melissa & Joey 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:30 The Colbert Report Global Edition 22:00 How To Make It In America 23:00 Family Guy 23:30 The Cleveland Show ll on 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00

Parenthood The Killing True Blood Justified Bones The Killing Parenthood Emmerdale Coronation Street C.S.I. New York The Ellen DeGeneres Show The River Bones Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show C.S.I. New York Parenthood Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show C.S.I. New York

Eat Pray Love-PG15 Ripley’s Game-PG15 Flight Of The Phoenix-PG15 Yona Yona Penguin-PG Oscar And The Lady In PinkBoy-PG15 Lies In Plain Sight-PG15 Oscar And The Lady In PinkGlorious 39-PG15 Coyote Ugly-PG15 The Weather Man-18 On The Edge-18 Square Grouper-18

01:00 Ripley’s Game-PG15 03:00 The Prince And Me 4: The Elephant Adventure-PG15 04:45 Bob Roberts-PG15 06:30 Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon-PG15 09:00 Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story-PG 11:00 Adventures Of Sharkboy And Lavagirl-PG 13:00 12 Dates Of Christmas-PG15 15:00 B-Girl-PG15 17:00 Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story-PG 19:00 Arthur-PG15 21:00 Your Highness-18 23:00 Rabbit Hole-PG15

01:00 The Ugly Duckling In Tales Of Mystery-FAM 02:30 Adventures Of A Teenage Dragonslayer-PG 04:15 Emperor’s Secret-PG 06:00 The Ugly Duckling In Tales Of Mystery-FAM 08:00 Mia And The Migoo-PG 09:45 Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage Of The Dawn Treader-PG 11:45 Spooky Buddies-PG 13:15 Tommy & Oscar-FAM 14:45 Adventures Of A Teenage Dragonslayer-PG 16:15 The Lucky Dragon-PG 18:00 Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage Of The Dawn Treader-PG 20:00 Return To Halloweentown-PG 22:00 Mia And The Migoo-PG 23:30 Tommy & Oscar-FAM 22:15 Resident Evil 4: Afterlife-1 02:00 03:00 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 15:00 22:00

Trans World Sport Live Test Cricket Trans World Sport Extreme Sailing Series Extreme Sailing Series Rugby Union International Test Cricket Live Grand Slam of Darts

02:30 NFL Gameday 03:00 Grand Slam of Darts 07:00 Rugby League Autumn Internationals 09:00 PGA European Tour 14:00 Grand Slam of Darts 18:00 NFL 20:30 NFL 23:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 21:00 NHL 23:00 Trans World Sport 03:30 05:30 06:30 07:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 15:00 16:00 18:00 21:00 22:00 22:30

Rugby Union International Trans World Sport Total Rugby Golfing World Top 14 Modern Penthalon Sea Master Sailing Show Jumping La Baule Top 14 Highlights Trans World Sport Golfing World Top 14 Beijing Marathon Golfing World Top 14 Highlights Anglo Welsh LV Cup

21:00 NHL 23:00 Trans World Sport 01:00 02:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 14:00

UFC The Ultimate Fighter V8 Supercars Highlights UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE Bottom Line WWE Experience V8 Supercars V8 Supercars European Le Mans Series European Le Mans Series Spa

KUWAI

KNCC PROGRAM FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (8/11/2012 TO 14/11/2012) SHARQIA-1 ALEX CROSS (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-2 MISS MOMMY (DIG) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

SHARQIA-3 FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:45 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

MUHALAB-1 ALEX CROSS (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

MUHALAB-2 MISS MOMMY (DIG) DAMARUKAM (DIG)(TELUGU) FRI FLIGHT (DIG) THU+SAT+MON FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:15 PM 10:00 PM 12:45 AM

MUHALAB-3 LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) MISS MOMMY (DIG MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:15 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-1 THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

FANAR-2 WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

FANAR-3 ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO TUE+WED TAKEN2 :2D NO TUE+WED ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO TUE+WED PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO TUE+WED ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO TUE+WED ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-4 LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR MISS MOMMY (DIG) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-5 FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT FLIGHT NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-1 ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION DAY HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-2 FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:30 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

MARINA-3 HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-1 THE SWEENEY (DIG) 1:15 PM THE SWEENEY (DIG) 3:45 PM THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - PART 1 (Re-Release) 6:15 PM THE SWEENEY (DIG) 8:45 PM THE SWEENEY (DIG) 11:15 PM AVENUES-2 ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-3 FLIGHT (DIG)

FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-4 HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

AVENUES-5 FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-6 LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-7 TAKEN2 :2D NO TUE+WED TAKEN2 :2D NO TUE+WED PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO TUE+WED TAKEN2 :2D NO TUE+WED TAKEN2 :2D NO TUE+WED PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-8 LOOPER (DIG) NO TUE+WED LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION DAY NO TUE+WED LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION DAY NO TUE+WED LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION DAY NO TUE+WED LOOPER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-9 WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-10 HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM

5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:45 PM 9:15 PM 11:45 PM

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 1 FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 2 ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

360 º- 4 LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR TAKEN2 :2D TAKEN2 :2D NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM 1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

360 º- 5 FLIGHT (DIG) 1:30 PM SAT FLIGHT (DIG) 4:15 PM NO THU THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE (Re- Release) 7:00 PM FLIGHT (DIG) 9:45 PM FLIGHT (DIG) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 360º- 6 WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 7 TAKEN2 :2D TAKEN2 :2D TAKEN2 :2D TAKEN2 :2D TAKEN2 :2D

1:30 PM

360 º- 8 HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED

4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

360 º- 9(VIP-1) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

360 º-10(VIP-2) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 11 THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

360 º- 12 MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

360 º- 13 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN THE DARK KNIGHT RISES RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 4:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

3:30 PM

AVENUES-11 MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

360 º- 3 HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) ALEX CROSS (DIG)

HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO TUE+WED HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM 1:45 PM

360 º- 14 PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO TUE+WED PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO TUE+WED MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO TUE+WED PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO TUE+WED MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO TUE+WED PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360 º- 15 LOOPER (DIG) NO TUE+WED LOOPER (DIG) NO TUE+WED LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION NO TUE+WED LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION DAY NO TUE+WED LED ZEPPELIN: CELEBRATION DAY NO TUE+WED LOOPER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:15 PM 7:45 PM 0:15 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.1 MISS MOMMY (DIG) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.2 FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.3 THE SWEENEY (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG) ALEX CROSS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.4 HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) TAKEN2 :2D HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) TAKEN2 :2D NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

BAIRAQ-1 LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA(DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR WRECK-IT RALPH (DIG-3D) LEGENDS OF VALHALLA: THOR HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-2 HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) HERE COMES THE BOOM (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) MISS MOMMY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:30 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

BAIRAQ-3 FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

PLAZA MISS MOMMY (DIG) FLIGHT (DIG) NO TUE+WED MISS MOMMY (DIG) THE SWEENEY (DIG)

3:45 PM 5:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM

Classifieds MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

FOR SALE All furniture / appliances of 1 BHK flat on sale, to be sold all together, for family, expected price KD 850 or best offer.

Contact: 94427060, 66982274.

(C 4207) 12-11-2102 BMW 730 LI model 2008, full option, mileage 45000 km, BMW service maintained, price KD 8300, price negotiable.

Contact: 97227427. (C 4206) 11-11-2012 Daihatsu Sirion 2012, 20 km, automatic, 5 door, KD 2100. Contact: 60976100.

(C 4202) 6-11-2012

SITUATION VACANT A lady maid is needed to work for a single Arab/American man in a flat located in Salmiya.

Working hours and salary are negotiable. Please call 66417504. (C 4209) 12-11-2012

SITUATION WANTED Western educated “Project Manager” with 2 EngineeringDegrees (Civil/Elec.), 4-Master Degrees (Project Mgmt/ Engineering/ Education & Training/ MBA), plus 17-years experience in Middle East/ Australia, seeking Executive Position. Contact: 65695468

email: rav@engineer.com (C 4195) 11-11-2012

Ministry of Interior

CHANGE OF NAME

15625

website: www.moi.gov.kw

I, Jagadhabi Anand, holder of Indian Passport No. H1819620, Passport issues in Kuwait on 02.03.2009, hereby change my name to Jagadhabi Anad Raju.

(C 4211) I, Mohammed Hamedudeen, S/o Mohamed Tajudeen, holder of Indian Passport No. G6678181, issued in Kuwait on 18.4.2008 by Embassy of India, hereby would like to change my name as Mohamed Hameedudeen. My address is: 68/1 Umar Street, P. Kondhagai 709703, Nagapattinam DT. Attestation no.: KWTKC5432412. 08 Oct 2012.

(C 4208) 12-11-2012

No:

112 Prayer timings Fajr:

04:47

Duhr:

11:32

Asr:

14:34

Maghrib:

16:56

Isha:

18:14

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Monday 12/11/2012

Depature Flights on Monday 12/11/2012

JZR

257

BEIRUT

15:05

SVA

501

JEDDAH

15:45

Airlines Flt

Route

Time

QTR

134

DOHA

15:30

Airlines Flt

Route

Time

KAC

617

DOHA

15:45

PIA

205

LAHORE

0:15

OMA

645

MUSCAT

15:40

AIC

982

AHMEDABAD

0:05

QTR

141

DOHA

16:15

JAI

574

MUMBAI

0:30

JZR

535

CAIRO

16:25

AFG

406

KABUL

1:00

KAC

773

RIYADH

16:25

THY

772

ISTANBUL

0:35

KAC

118

NEW YORK

16:35

UAL

981

WASHINGTON DC DULLES

1:10

KAC

741

DAMMAM

16:30

JZR

267

BEIRUT

0:45

UAE

857

DUBAI

16:40

DLH

637

FRANKFURT

1:20

OMA

646

MUSCAT

16:40

JZR

539

CAIRO

0:50

ETD

303

ABU DHABI

16:50

JAI

573

MUMBAI

1:30

JZR

238

AMMAN

17:15

QTR

148

DOHA

1:00

RJA

640

AMMAN

16:55

PIA

206

PESHAWAR

1:35

ETD

304

ABU DHABI

17:35

ETH

620

ADDIS ABABA

1:45

GFA

215

BAHRAIN

17:15

ETH

621

ADDIS ABABA

2:45

JZR

538

CAIRO

17:40

QTR

6130 DOHA

1:45

SVA

510

RIYADH

17:20

THY

773

ISTANBUL

2:55

QTR

135

DOHA

17:45

GFA

211

BAHRAIN

1:50

QTR

144

DOHA

17:50

QTR

6131 DOHA

3:15

UAE

858

DUBAI

17:50

UAE

853

DUBAI

2:35

ABY

127

SHARJAH

17:55

FDB

68

DUBAI

3:45

RJA

641

AMMAN

17:55

ETD

305

ABU DHABI

2:45

UAL

982

WASHINGTON DC DULLES

17:55

UAE

854

DUBAI

3:50

GFA

216

BAHRAIN

18:15

FDB

67

DUBAI

3:05

KAC

542

CAIRO

18:05

ETD

306

ABU DHABI

4:00

JZR

184

DUBAI

18:30

MSR

612

CAIRO

3:10

JZR

177

DUBAI

18:15

MSR

613

CAIRO

4:10

SVA

511

RIYADH

18:35

QTR

138

DOHA

3:45

KAC

786

JEDDAH

18:30

QTR

139

DOHA

4:50

ABY

128

SHARJAH

18:40

DHX

170

BAHRAIN

5:15

BAB

438

BAHRAIN

18:40

QTR

149

DOHA

6:05

QTR

145

DOHA

18:50

THY

770

ISTANBUL

5:30

FDB

63

DUBAI

18:45

JZR

164

DUBAI

6:55

JZR

134

BAHRAIN

19:05

JZR

503

LUXOR

5:55

MSC

405

SOHAG

19:15

GFA

212

BAHRAIN

7:00

UAL

982

BAHRAIN

19:10

BAW

157

LONDON

6:40

KAC

618

DOHA

19:20

THY

771

ISTANBUL

7:35

KAC

412

MANILA

6:45

KAC

742

DAMMAM

19:30

KAC

545

ALEXANDRIA

7:45

FDB

64

DUBAI

19:25

KAC

206

ISLAMABAD

7:40

KAC

674

DUBAI

19:35

JZR

560

SOHAG

8:15

FDB

53

DUBAI

7:45

KAC

104

LONDON

19:35

FDB

54

DUBAI

8:25

KAC

302

MUMBAI

7:55

KAC

774

RIYADH

19:50

BAW

156

LONDON

8:45

UAE

855

DUBAI

8:40

OMA

647

MUSCAT

19:55

JZR

256

BEIRUT

9:05

GFA

223

BAHRAIN

8:45

FDB

61

DUBAI

20:00

JZR

534

CAIRO

9:15

KAC

284

DHAKA

8:45

JAI

572

MUMBAI

20:10

GFA

224

BAHRAIN

9:30

ABY

121

SHARJAH

9:05

AXB

389

MANGALORE

20:20

KAC

671

DUBAI

9:35

QTR

132

DOHA

9:10

MSR

618

ALEXANDRIA

20:25

ABY

122

SHARJAH

9:45

FDB

55

DUBAI

9:15

ABY

129

SHARJAH

20:35

UAE

856

DUBAI

9:55

ETD

301

ABU DHABI

9:20

QTR

146

DOHA

20:45

FDB

56

DUBAI

10:00

KAC

352

COCHIN

9:50

MSC

401

ALEXANDRIA

20:50

ETD

302

ABU DHABI

10:05

BAB

439

BAHRAIN

19:30

MSC

404

ASSIUT

20:15

KAC

283

DHAKA

20:30

FDB

62

DUBAI

20:40

OMA

648

MUSCAT

20:55

KAC

331

TRIVANDRUM

20:55

KAC

351

KOCHI

21:10

JAI

571

MUMBAI

21:10

ABY

120

SHARJAH

21:15

MSR

619

ALEXANDRIA

21:25

MSC

402

ALEXANDRIA

21:50

171

BAHRAIN

21:50

GFA

213

BAHRAIN

9:55

ALK

229

COLOMBO

20:55

QTR

133

DOHA

10:10

DHX

BAB

436

BAHRAIN

10:05

MEA

402

BEIRUT

21:20

GFA

214

BAHRAIN

10:40

ALK

230

COLOMBO

21:55

10:50

MEA

403

BEIRUT

22:20

308

ABU DHABI

22:20

KAC

344

CHENNAI

10:40

QTR

136

DOHA

21:25

BAB

437

BAHRAIN

IRC

6521 LAMERD

11:10

GFA

221

BAHRAIN

21:30

KAC

541

CAIRO

11:30

ETD

JZR

165

11:20

ETD

307

ABU DHABI

21:35

KAC

165

ROME

11:50

QTR

137

DOHA

22:25

222

BAHRAIN

22:30

DUBAI

MSC

403

ASSIUT

11:30

UAE

859

DUBAI

21:40

IRC

6522 LAMERD

12:10

GFA

MEA

404

BEIRUT

11:55

JZR

135

BAHRAIN

21:50

KAC

103

12:20

KAC

301

MUMBAI

22:35

361

MUSCAT

22:40 22:40

LONDON

UAE

871

DUBAI

12:50

FDB

59

DUBAI

22:00

MSC

406

SOHAG

12:30

KAC

MSR

610

CAIRO

13:05

DHX

372

BAHRAIN

22:00

MEA

405

BEIRUT

12:55

FDB

60

DUBAI

GFA

219

BAHRAIN

13:35

AIC

975

CHENNAI

22:30

KAC

785

JEDDAH

13:00

UAE

860

DUBAI

22:50

373

BAHRAIN

23:00

FDB

57

DUBAI

13:50

TAR

327

TUNIS

22:45

JZR

176

DUBAI

13:50

DHX

KNE

472

JEDDAH

14:10

JZR

239

AMMAN

22:45

MSR

611

CAIRO

14:05

KAC

25

ISLAMABAD

23:00

KAC

672

DUBAI

14:10

GFA

217

BAHRAIN

22:50

UAE

872

DUBAI

14:15

QTR

147

DOHA

23:10

SVA

500

JEDDAH

14:30

JZR

185

DUBAI

23:05

GFA

220

BAHRAIN

14:20

JZR

502

LUXOR

23:35

KAC

546

ALEXANDRIA

14:30

UAL

981

BAHRAIN

23:25

FDB

58

DUBAI

14:30

TAR

328

DUBAI

23:45

QTR

140

DOHA

14:35

BBC

43

DHAKA

23:45

KAC

673

DUBAI

15:05

GFA

218

BAHRAIN

23:50

JZR

561

SOHAG

14:50

DLH

636

FRANKFURT

23:55

KNE

473

JEDDAH

15:10

KAC

411

BANGKOK

23:55

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 6

ACROSS 1. French marshal in the Napoleonic Wars (1769-1815).

4. Having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly.

11. A loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral.

15. (informal) Of the highest quality.

16. Fit or ready for use or service.

17. The content of cognition.

18. An effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds.

20. A small cake leavened with yeast.

21. Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6.

22. A member of the Semitic speaking people of northern Ethiopia.

23. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members.

24. Dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid.

26. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work.

28. A unit of information equal to 1024 bytes.

29. Of or relating to a member of the Buddhist people inhabiting the Mekong river in Laos and Thailand.

30. A simple protein found in the seeds of cereals.

37. Medium-sized tree-dwelling monkey of the Amazon basin.

38. Genus of erect herbs of the Middle East having showy flowers.

42. The sacred city of Lamaism.

43. Any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae.

45. An associate degree in applied science.

47. A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles.

48. One who works hard at boring tasks.

50. English financier (1519-1579).

55. Large semi-evergreen tree of East India.

58. Any of various large tropical carnivorous lizards of Africa Asia and Australia.

59. Small genus of evergreen trees of tropical America and western Africa.

62. Having a smooth, gleaming surface.

64. Have legs that curve outward at the knees.

65. The sixth of the seven canonical hours of the divine office.

69. Small space in a tissue or part such as the area between veins on a leaf or an insect's wing.

71. The cry made by sheep.

72. A unit of length equal to one thousandth of an inch.

73. Characteristic of or resembling hell.

75. A slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water.

76. A close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities.

77. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows generally northward to the Atlantic Ocean.

78. An extension at the end and at right angles to the main building.

DOWN 1. An independent agency of the United States government responsible for aviation and spaceflight.

2. Electronic warfare undertaken to insure effective friendly use of the electromagnetic spectrum in spite of the enemy's use of electronic warfare.

3. Not only so, but.

4. A woman in childbirth or shortly thereafter.

5. Of or relating to or characteristic of Israel or its people.

6. The branch of engineering science that

studies the uses of electricity and the equipment for power generation and distribution and the control of machines and communication.

7. A very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk.

8. Having the wind against the forward side of the sails.

9. A three-year law degree.

10. No longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life.

11. In the Arabian Nights a hero who tells of the fantastic adventures he had in his voyages.

12. (Philippine) A dish of marinated vegetables and meat or fish.

13. French physicist noted for research on magnetism (born in 1904).

14. (British) An open river valley (in a hilly area).

19. A Black youth subculture and religious movement that arose in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1950s.

25. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

27. Being one more than one hundred.

31. An avalanche volcanic water and mud down the slopes of a volcano.

32. An edict of the Russian tsar.

33. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools.

34. United States tennis player (born in Czechoslovakia) who won several singles championships.

35. A mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity.

36. An advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience (`houseman' is a British term).

39. The basic unit of money in Albania.

40. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

41. Salty fluid secreted by sweat glands.

44. All of the inhabitants of the earth.

46. Any plant of the genus Caragana having even-pinnate leaves and mostly yellow flowers followed by seeds in a linear pod.

49. Giant treelike plant having edible nuts and leafstalks that yield a refreshing drink of clear watery sap.

51. Perennial mountain rice native to Mediterranean region and introduced into North America.

52. A congenital cleft in the middle of the upper lip.

53. 1/1000 gram.

54. Italian physiologist noted for his discovery that frogs' muscles contracted in an electric field (which led to the galvanic cell) (1737-1798).

56. A mouth or mouthlike opening.

57. A range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline).

60. A water wheel with buckets attached to the rim.

61. Think moodily or anxiously about something.

63. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

66. A slender double-reed instrument.

67. Horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits.

68. An open sore on the back of a horse caused by ill-fitting or badly adjusted saddle.

70. The habitation of wild animals.

74. A radioactive element of the alkali-metal group discovered as a disintegration product of actinium.61. An associate degree in nursing.

Yesterday’s Solution

Word Search

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Yesterday’s Solution

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19)

There is a new understanding today as you involve yourself with new information, whether you are teaching or not—there is a new understanding that you have a responsibility to pass over to others. This may be religious, spiritual, medical or any other sort of revelation. There is a kind of spiritual or philosophical rebirth. Small kindnesses are most important today. You may search for ways to serve and set examples. Your imagination is stimulated and you find ways to make people laugh. Seeing both sides of an issue and figuring out resolutions to opposing views are important issues now. Work, health, diet and the other things that take care of us, if we take care of them, can provide a lot of satisfaction as a new life-phase begins for you. Tonight is for love.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You make preparations to have a get-together with young people this afternoon. This may mean you attend or you prepare for a wedding shower, a baby shower or a birthday party. Whatever the case, this busy time can be highly emotional and fun. Change is difficult but you always know how to make things turn into a most positive direction. Close relationships and other ties between people become a focus for much of your passion.

The creative side of you is showing and later you will find that there are plenty of compliments to go around. This is a good day; you will remember it fondly and will be proud to have been a part of it. You and your loved one may discuss travel for the near future. Travel and adventure are compelling.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You prepare the house for the holidays by gathering the necessary boxes of decorations and maybe even a few fresh flowers or herbs to spread around. There are good smells and the combination of memories and good smells urges you to work at a fast pace. A cycle of nostalgia begins now, emphasizing a need for security and a sense of roots. Family, home, relatives and real estate play a bigger part in your life. You want to belong on a private, intimate, personal level . . . to be needed and to feel it’s okay to have needs. A natural transformation of your values and the way you appreciate and love yourself and others is taking place. You may cease to waste time and money acquiring the worthless and instead, develop an eye for the worthwhile.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

There is a feeling of being at peace on the emotional level.

Music is likely to play a more important role for you this morning. Some of you have a music-writing talent; perhaps a library book would guide you.

Family members may call on you to help make decisions concerning group issues this afternoon. By giving others time to think through your ideas— positive results happen. You have a natural sense of what others want at this time. This is also a great time to reflect and understand your own situation.

You may spend some time this afternoon in fulfilling some earlier promise made to a young person. You may be a mentor or coach to several young people. Your energies are directed into positive directions. Tonight is a good evening.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

You are at your mental best with sharp ideas and clear thoughts.

This is an excellent time to make decisions and take care of mental busy work. You may have gotten a new toy or a new piece of equipment, but whatever it is, you are destined for fun. This afternoon you may find yourself having a good time, surrounded by friends and young people. You appreciate your particular situation and enjoy support from those around you.

Conversations surrounding dreams, psychic phenomena, flying saucers and the likes may be fun to delve into this afternoon. This can be inspiring or it can be confusing, depending on how you are able to integrate it into your overall experience. You and a loved one enjoy artistic endeavors this evening.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Unconventional approaches to philosophy, religion, law and politics come into play as a bigger part of your life now. Developments in these fields can have a big impact on you. Travel sets you apart, giving you a new and, in some sense, revolutionary perspective. Higher education, publishing, broadcasting or advertising could play an unexpected role in setting new directions for you. The test of faith, the inquisition, the purging of the superficial—these issues take hold at the very roots of your existence now.

This is a kind of spiritual or philosophical rebirth and it is not always gentle.

Ultimate answers come from far away. Being more involved with neighbors or sibling(s) this evening satisfies a deep emotional need.

Libra (September 23-October 22) Material things and the whole concept of value take on more importance for you now. Financial security and enjoying the finer things in life, appreciating and creating things others long to have, are the experiences that assume a high priority. If you are paying your bills today, you may decide to update your address book. This afternoon, you could find yourself in a bazaar, selling your special recipe or helping at some booth, in an art show. If not, it is certainly a time for garage sales and cleaning out closets.

Lovers, children and other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized. You communicate with consummate skill and it is stimulating just being with you. You enjoy visiting with a friend this evening. Over-the-fence chatter.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Instant gratification is one of the temptations to which you are subject now. This is a practical and materialistic kind of focus—one that emphasizes the making and spending of money. Learning what really counts is an important lesson that may be learned the hard way; yet, if you have children, you may be teaching this lesson to them. Later today, you will have an opportunity to help others with a talent or hobby that you have developed. It could be you have studied the art of herbs, homeopathy, barbering, horoscope rendering or many other things that are within your capability and interest. Others enjoy the fact that you take the time to show them a subject that is so useful, profitable and fun. Eventually, you can create a side business.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You are a very sensitive person who can depend on feelings and intuition to get around in life. You can sometimes be impatient if you have some ongoing project to finish. Interruptions occur today so pay attention to your response to others. Loved ones will come to your attention all day— you may have to stop and listen to an older member of your family as well as a young person. One way to handle the slowdown might be to set a time limit and then go to the next project. Cooking, growing things and music will keep you happily busy most of this day. You may encourage a young person to enjoy a hobby or teach a science experiment this evening. A love relationship will seem as if it has been touched by magic now.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Guiding young people or volunteering for some notable job will fill most of your morning. You may feel as though you have spread your time a bit thin today as you struggle to attend an event or activity previously planned. Stay focused, you will be pleased at the results. Things may seem quite unique in the way they work out to your favor. This evening is a great time to organize and get things accomplished—for yourself or others. You and your family members enjoy catching up with each other’s activities and plans. Ideas are flowing and come with ease—you enjoy the art of communication. Temporary situations may promote a healing between battle-worn relationships. There is an opportunity to be with your sweetheart later this evening.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

The influences around you and the influences of your past may put you to thinking about creating some poetry, writing a story or perhaps creating some form of music. You have a little while this morning to take advantage of some quiet time and do just that; become creative. An outline will get you quickly into a promise of more to come. You may find yourself teaching a class within your religious organization later today. Others value your ability to make some difficult topics easy to understand. Clear decisions and helpful guidance for others is what you enjoy when you are not hard at work in your usual employment. New ways to communicate or an easy manner will make conversations and interactions go well today. This evening is for you.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Too much information boggles the mind. Everyone seems to be talking at once. You may just have to be quiet and let everyone talk at once; eventually, they will see you and you will have a turn. You visit with family, old friends and perhaps old neighbors as you go back to see the people where you used to live. Everything may be pouring in at once and there is good news. Somehow, after your visit, you have a greater appreciation for things of value and the idea of value itself. This could be a period of great respect and appreciation for the people that helped you grow and mature.

Whatever project you decide to dive into today gets some encouragement and you may find yourself working into the mealtime hour.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

ST TAT TE OF K KUW WA AIT

Tel.: e 161

DIRECTORA ATE T GEN GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIA V AT TION METEOROLOGICAL DEP PARTMENT A DA AY: Y Sunday

Ext.: 26 2627 - 2630

Expected Weeather for the Next 24 Hours BY Y NIGHT:

Partly cloudy to cloudy with light to moderate south easterly to southerly wind, with speed of 10 - 32 km/h with a chance for scattered light rain

BY Y DA AY:

Partly cloudy with light to moderate south easterly to southerly wind, with speed of 12 - 35 km/h with a chance for scattered rain that might be thundery at times

WARNING A

No Current Waarnings arnin

MIN. N. EXP P.

KUW WAIT A CITY

36 °C

24 °C

22451082

KUW WAIT A AIRPOR RT

35 °C

22 °C

Mirqab

22456536

NUW WA AISEEB

34 °C

20 °C

Sharq

22465401

WA AFRA

38 °C

23 °C

Salmiya

25746401

SALMI

32 °C

19 °C

Jabriya

25316254

ABDAL LY

35 °C

21 °C 21 °C

25623444

JAL ALIY YA AH

34 °C

Maidan Hawally

FAILAKA A

31 °C

24 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

30 °C

27 °C

Mishref

25381200

UMM AL-MARADEM

29 °C

26 °C

W Hawally

22630786

WA ARBA A - BUBY YAN A

31 °C

21 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

DA AY

DA AT TE

WEA ATHER T

West Jahra

24772608

Monday

12/11

partly cloudy + scattered rain

Tuesday

13/11

South Jahra

24775066

Weednesday

14/11

North Jahra

24775992

Thursday

15/11

sunny

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

SFC. CHART

11/11/2012 1200 UTC

4 DA AY YS FORECAST

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

Temperatures Wind Speed

Wind Direction

MAX.

MIN.

36 °C

22 °C

SE-S

12 - 35 km/h

partly cloudy

28 °C

20 °C

NW

20 - 45 km/h

clouds to decrease

28 °C

17 °C

NW

10 - 32 km/h

27 °C

13 °C

NW

06 - 28 km/h

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WAIT A AIRPOR RT

PRA AYER Y TIMES Fajr

04:47

MAX. Temp.

37 °C

Sunrise

06:09

MIN. Temp.

18 °C

Zuhr

11:33

MAX. RH

70 %

Asr

14:34

MIN. RH

09 %

Sunset

16:55

MAX. Wind

S 39 km/h

Isha

18:14

TOT TA AL L RA AINF FALL A L IN 24 HR.

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

00 mm

11/11/12 14:23 UTC

V1.00

T1.06

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Mousa Khadada Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

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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 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

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

McCartney narrowly avoids a fatal crash ir Paul McCartney narrowly avoided a potentially-fatal crash when the pilot of his helicopter became “disorientated” in bad weather. The Beatles legend and his wife Nancy Shevell were just two feet away from disaster as the helicopter plunged towards trees, but fortunately the pilot dramatically lifted the chartered Sikorsky S-76C away at the last minute. The drama happened as the aircraft attempted to land at night on a helipad at Paul’s East Sussex estate and the helicopter eventually touched down safely after diverting to a nearby airport. The couple were said to be unaware of how close they came to crashing but the near miss is being investigated by the Department of Transport.

According to The Mail on Sunday newspaper, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has categorized the episode - which occurred on May 3 - as a “serious incident”, which it defines as “involving circumstances indicating that an accident nearly occurred”. The report also reveals flying conditions that night included “low cloud-base, poor visibility and rain”. Despite this, the pilot went ahead and prepared to land on Pauls’s helipad, which is in the corner of a field encircled by woodland. It added: “While maneuvering, the commander became disorientated and the helicopter descended towards tops of trees in the forested area to the south and west of the landing site.” The pilot then “executed a go-around” or aborted landing. Peter Norton, chief executive of the British

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Helicopter Association, said: “He -the pilotwas going to land and realized he wasn’t in control of the aircraft because of the weather conditions and visibility; he pulled in lots of

power to climb away and correct the aircraft to its proper flight-path and missed whatever it was by two feet.” Paul’s spokesman said: “Paul has been spoken to. It has been put to him, everything. It’s a no comment.”

Blanchett given honorary Australian doctorate scar-winning Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett has received an honorary doctorate from Sydney University for her services to the arts as director of the city’s flagship theatre company, reports said yesterday. Blanchett, 43, received the doctor of letters in a ceremony at the university’s Great Hall on yesterday, according to media reports. “This means a great deal to me as someone who didn’t complete my arts degree at Melbourne University. I left to go to NIDA (the National Institute of Dramatic Art),” Blanchett told the Sun-Herald newspaper. The honor was for Blanchett’s” work as an actress and as artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company, as well as her advocacy of the importance of the arts in education,” according to media reports of the official citation. Blanchett and her

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playwright husband Andrew Upton are credited with turning around the Sydney Theatre Company’s finances during their tenure, which began in 2008 and expires at the end of 2013. She and Upton announced in January that they would step down as co-artistic directors and CEOs at the end of next year due to Blanchett’s overseas film commitments and the pressure of three young children. Renowned indigenous singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who is blind and taught himself to play the guitar, was also honored with a degree for his contribution to music and culture.

Prince Harry phones Styles would never date a woman older than his mom

home from Afghanistan ritain’s Prince Harry has phoned home three times from the frontline in Afghanistan. The 28-year-old royal is currently serving as an Apache copilot gunner in the war-torn country and has made sure he’s let his family know he’s doing well, as well as checking up on them. His father Prince Charles revealed the phone calls on his and the Duchess of Cornwall’s official trip to Australia and said he was pleased to hear from him. Maj Reynolds who returned home to Kincumber near Sydney in July after a six-month deployment building military accommodation and airstrips in Afghanistan, said after chatting to the Charles: “He was talking about the Apache and what a lethal bit of kit they are - once the Taliban see it they disappear. “And he was also saying he had received calls from his son, he said he had phoned three times.

“It’s good Harry is phoning home, it’s so easy to do now with the internet, a letter is always good but you can’t beat a call home.” Harry is set to spend Christmas in Afghanistan.

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arry Styles would never date a woman older than his mother.

The 18-year-old One Direction singer has been romantically involved with a string of older females - including TV host Caroline Flack, 33, and 32-yearold DJ Lucy Horobin - but he says he would draw the line at anyone older than his 43-year-old mum, Anne. When asked how old is too old, Harry replied: “Any woman older than my mum Anne who is 43.”Harry is constantly linked to many different women, but he insists most of them are just friends. He told You magazine: “I guess I go out in London and quite a lot of the girls I get photographed with are just friends and

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then according to the papers I have, like, 7,000 girlfriends.” As well as interesting love lives, Harry and his band-mates Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik - have had huge success in the past two years and they say they deserve every part of it. Liam added: “There are a lot of people who get paid a lot for doing not much at all - socialites who appear in reality shows or people who earn, like, a million pounds a day working a couple of hours buying and selling shares. What we earn, we earn for doing an awful lot. We are constantly working.”

Levine terrified of Shakira

dam Levine is terrified of Shakira. The Maroon 5 singer will be joined on ‘The Voice’ by the singer and Usher next season when they replace Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera but he has no plans to subject her to any initiation ceremonies because he knows the pregnant star is more than a match for him. He said: “[Fellow coach] Blake Shelton and I don’t have it in our hearts to do anything terrible and I know Shakira, she could knock me out.” While he is excited about working with Shakira, Adam will miss Christina, despite their bickering on the show. He told Us Weekly magazine: “We never hated each other. It was just silly bickering, like brother and sister. That’s in the past, I’ll miss her next season.” Adam recently hit out at criticism of Christina’s fuller figure. He said: “It’s not cool. I’ve never liked it. I think it’s horrible and I’ll totally defend Christina when people say things like that because it’s no one’s business. “The one thing about the culture right now, celebrity culture particularly, is people feel like they can just say nasty things about other people whether it’s Christina or whether it’s me. Of course I have her back and of course I defend her.”

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Reed can’t wait to get a tan ikki Reed can’t wait to get a tan now she has finished work on the ‘Twilight’ franchise. The actress plays vampire Rosalie Cullen in the film saga and is thrilled she can finally change her look from the deathly pale complexion of her character. She told Life & Style magazine: “I’m glad ‘Twilight’ is over because I can finally get a tan although I am going to miss my character.” The 24year-old actress recently admitted she thinks the final ‘Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2’ premiere will see the cast - which includes Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart - break down in tears. She said: “It’s not the last time we’ll see each other, but it’s the last time we’ll see each other in that way and it’s weird to say that it’ll never happen again. “It is sad. I’m really sad.” In August, the brunette beauty’s co-star Peter Facinelli joked he had already started crying at the thought of the franchise coming to an end. He explained: “I’ve been crying every day.

We had a big sad sob fest yesterday.”

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Washington’s wife wasn’t impressed by his latest role enzel Washington’s wife wasn’t impressed by his latest role. The actor plays an alcoholic pilot in ‘Flight’ and he admitted his spouse Pauletta was a “little disturbed” by his character. Denzel said: “After a scene where I’m drunk and arguing the whole day, the last thing I want to do is any of those things so it was therapeutic. But my wife was a little disturbed by this one to be honest.”

Denzel’s character fights with his son in the movie but in real life the 57-year-old actor admitted his sons are more physically powerful than him these days. He added to People magazine: “In basketball I used to be able to beat them, then it got to the point where they could beat me. My oldest is a football player, so he’s strong.” The Academy Award winner is currently filming upcoming crime-drama movie ‘2 Guns’ alongside Mark Wahlberg and Paula Patton. The motion picture tells the story of DEA agent and a Naval Intelligence Officer investigating each other because they believe each other is stealing money from the mob.

D Ora would love to collaborate with Cole ita Ora would love to collaborate with Cheryl Cole. The ‘How We Do (Party)’ singer would love to work with pop star Cheryl - who has forged her own solo career as well as be part of Girls Aloud - on a track or video. She said: “I love Cheryl Cole.

It would be awesome to collaborate. She could do all the dancing and I would admire and compliment her on her gorgeous looks.” Rita, 21, has also had a stint as a judge in the early stages of ‘The X Factor’ - which Cheryl was a full time panel member on from 2008 to 2010 - but doesn’t think she’d want to follow in her footsteps. She added to More magazine: “I’d love to do it again, but being a guest was enough for me right now. I have so much going on, it was so much to take in and if I was going to do it properly it would have be the one thing that I do.” Rita’s debut album ‘Ora’ is out now.

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Suggs hopes to ‘bring joy’ with a new album uggs hopes to “bring joy” to people’s lives with Madness’ new album. The band’s front-man thinks their newly released record ‘Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da’ reflects their aim to represent the “good things” in life and hopes to encourage people to say yes more. Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, Suggs explained: “Most of our albums are an affirmation of life - the good things in life. Right now things can seem depressing and morose so we are just saying, ‘Yes, yes, yes, yes’, rather than, ‘No, no, no, no’, like everyone else. “We realize things aren’t easy but we hope to bring joy to people’s lives.” The group are known for their classic hits such as ‘Our House’ and ‘Baggy Trousers’ but for the first time in their career they worked with new producers to create their 10th studio album.

However, Suggs, 51, insisted the new creative input didn’t affect their overall sound and they kept an open mind, adding: “There are seven of us so when we get in the studios it always sounds like us. “We are working with people we have never worked with before. We are trying to capture the sound of what we sound like live. “Everyone in the band writes songs so you always get an eclectic mix. We were trying to make an album of great songs. There was no concept behind it.”

Madness’ new album ‘Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da’, featuring their new single ‘My Girl 2’, is out now. —Agencies

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37

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

LIFESTYLE M u s i c

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M o v i e s

‘Fun Size’ waddles when it should romp t’s funny how the beloved movies of one’s less politically correct youth turn out to have a lot more edge to them once you show them to your own kids. “Back to the Future” has more sexuality than you remember, and little blasts of profanity.

“Adventures in Babysitting,” “Bad News Bears” and “Goonies,” even more. “Fun Size” is in that traditionat least in terms of the naughty stuff that tweens and teens will snicker over.

Pity it isn’t as much fun as its title implies.

Victoria Justice jumps from Nickelodeon to the big screen with a PG-13 romp that only rarely romps, a movie that surrounds the lovely 19-year-old with funny people and struggles to find them laughs.

Justice (TV’s “Victorious”) plays Wren, a Cleveland high school senior dreaming of the day she can slip off to New York and college, which is where her late father taught her that “you find out who really are.”

First, she’s got to talk mom (Chelsea Handler, given nothing funny to do) into letting her apply to NYU. Mom’s a bit distracted. Her grieving for her late husband has taken the form of dating/ sleeping with a much younger, goofier, oddly named Keevin (Josh Pence).

And Mom is determined to hang out with Keevin’s loser friends on Halloween, which ruins Wren’s plans to hit the hot high school party that night with her hot-to-trot pal April (Jane Levy, amusingly on the money). Wren has to babysit her silent-but-deadly 8-year-old brother, Albert (Jackson Nicoll), whose pranks are epic but who basically stopped talking when their dad died.

The romantic entanglement of the evening is Wren’s desire to hook up with musician Aaron Riley (Thomas McDonell), the “god, stud, legend” who is throwing the party. Meanwhile, her nerdy true-blue pal Roosevelt (Thomas Mann, of the raunchier teen farce “Project X”) has little hope of making time with Wren, dressed as a tarty

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Musician Justin Bieber performs during the Believe Tour at TD Garden in Boston on Saturday. —AP

Matthew Fox is lost to the dark side in ‘Alex Cross’ t will take a moment for even the most die-hard fan of ABC’s “Lost” to recognize the scary-thin, massively ripped and totally insane serial killer in “Alex Cross.” But when it kicks in, the realization hits harder than the mixed martial arts blow that the crazed hit man called Picasso delivers in a brutal early scene of the thriller, opening Friday.

The baddie is Matthew Fox, who played noble Dr. Jack Shephard on “Lost” for six seasons.

“There are people that are going to be horrified by this,” Fox, 46, says with a chuckle. “They are so attached to the idea of that (“Lost”) character and his ultimate goodness that to show up and see me doing this, well, they might not be happy.” Neither is Tyler Perry, who plays homicide detective/ psychologist Alex Cross in his first dramatic role-a film reboot of the best-selling novels by James Patterson. Perry finds a formidable on-screen opponent in Fox, who dug deep to find darkness.

Fox guesses he lost close to 40 pounds from his 200-pound frame during a fivemonth physical regimen before filming, incorporating weight loss as well as body sculpting.

“There were no French fries, man,” Fox says, moments after placing two fries in his mouth during a recent lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel. He’s not as thin today as he appears on-screen, and he enjoys the odd fry again, but he still focuses on his salad and healthy club sandwich.

“Some of the meals were very, very leafy,” he says. “I was craving all the things I love-pasta, steak, my mother’s pie.” Fox worked on mixed martial arts training along with the intense workouts. “I played college football (at Columbia). I thought I knew my way around exercise,” Fox says with a sigh. “Either I was wrong, or things have changed drastically. Maybe it’s both.

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This was full-bore. Many times I felt like throwing up.”

For the final step in his transformation, Fox shaved his hair “pretty much to the bone” to present himself to director Rob Cohen. As for the spooky and extensive tat-

their relationship chilly to ensure their tense performances.

“We didn’t really interact much,” says Fox. “Those two guys essentially want to kill each other (on-screen). We didn’t have moments where he was like, ‘Dude, you

Tyler Perry, left, and Matthew Fox star in “Alex Cross.” —MCT toos seen on-screen? Those were already inked in. “I’ve been getting tattoos for a lot of years, and like a lot of people into it, it keeps building on itself,” says Fox. “I’m probably really pushing the limit of an actor with tattoos.”

Cohen says Fox wouldn’t allow pictures to preview his initial visit. “He wanted to surprise me. When I saw him and how ripped he had gotten, I thought, ‘This is no Dr Jack.’ We were going where he hadn’t gone before.” That included a mental readjustment as well. Fox and Perry even kept

look like a freak.’” “There was no joking around, no relaxing between them,” says Cohen, adding that Fox “stayed by himself on set. He was very intensely internal.”

Fox admits that his Picasso character stayed with him even after he stopped shooting each day. “It was kind of incessant.

I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I would get back to the hotel room after a scene and do everything possible to take a break, to check out of it.” However, Fox says his mental state had nothing to do with a reallife altercation with a Cleveland bus driver

who said Fox assaulted her in August 2011.

(Prosecutors did not charge Fox, and a civil lawsuit was later withdrawn.)

He concedes that the incident might have been caused by his strange physical appearance. “I know I looked scary, and that was something I underestimated at the time. You sort of lose track. After five months of progression of changing my appearance, I never said, ‘You have to be careful because you look like a Nazi skinhead.’ “I can tell you this,” Fox adds. “I have never hit a woman in my life. Never have and never will. That’s not who I am.”

Though former “Lost” co-star Dominic Monaghan kept the controversy alive with a tweet disputing that assertion, Fox says he’s moving on personally. He will, however, continue to explore the dark side onscreen, playing a Navy SEAL during a zombie apocalypse alongside Brad Pitt in “World War Z,” out next summer.

“What has happened in the world has sort of fractured him. He doesn’t know where he fits anymore,” says Fox of his “Z” character. “He’s a definitely a little unhinged.” Cohen believes this dark side will truly highlight Fox’s acting potential. “‘Lost’ shows a Matthew Fox he can easily access. But going to these other places, this is where he can really shine over time.” As for Fox, he just wants the great parts that are coming his way. “If there are ‘Lost’ fans out there expecting to see any version of Jack Shephard ever again _ that was that.

My choices going forward are going to be different. Whatever is next might be a good guy or a bad guy. Or something in between.” —MCT

Shemekia Copeland sings real Chicago blues o much of what’s sold as blues these days has so little relation to the real thing that one sometimes wonders whether the term carries much meaning anymore.

Fortunately, several core artists continue to champion blues that’s not pop, rock, soul, rap or what-not. You don’t see them promoted on network TV shows or benefiting from vast marketing campaigns, but they’re out in the clubs and concert halls, night after night, nurturing an indelible American music that cannot be destroyed merely by neglect. They won’t let it.

Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland ranks high among them, her gutsy vocals and stripped-down instrumental accompaniments proof positive that the blues is alive-at least whenever she’s in front of a microphone. She proves it again in her newest recording, “33 1/3” (Telarc), a gripping, stripped-to-basics release that reaffirms her position as one of the great hopes for the art form.

Yet the album also bristles with a freshly contemporary message, the singer taking on such far-flung subjects as domestic violence (in “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Tattoo”), the vanishing American dream (“Lemon Pie”) and religious hypocrisy (“Somebody Else’s Jesus”). “I always say that if the world ended tomorrow and a college student found this album thousands of years from now, they’re going to know what was going on in 2012,” says Copeland, daugh-

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ter of the late Texas blues master Johnny Clyde Copeland.

“And they’re going to know what I felt about it. That’s the way albums used to be: You knew what was happening. “Also, I wanted an

Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland poses for portrait at her Chicago, Illinois home. —MCT album that you can listen to all the way through. Nowadays, it’s all about: ‘What’s the new single? I’m going to download this song; I’m going to download that song.’”

Copeland clearly hopes to signal an alternative, perhaps somewhat nostalgic approach by calling her album “33 1/3,” an explicit referencing the era of the long-play record that

encouraged artists to develop larger themes.

For anyone who loves real Chicago blues, though, the greatest payoff of “33 1/3” is the sound of the music itself: raw, concise, and stylistically unyielding. Listen to Copeland hiss “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Tattoo” (with smoldering guitar accompaniment from Buddy Guy) or lavish that larger-than-life voice of hers on her father’s “One More Time” and you’re hearing blues delivered at a high artistic level.

Last year, Copeland told me that one of her major goals always has been to “make blues mainstream-that was like my big dream.” Yet she acknowledges that that notion probably will remain a dream for the foreseeable futurewhich doesn’t stop her from pursuing it.

“You know what? Everything in life is a struggle,” says Copeland. “You can look at the blues charts, and you can see what my struggle is. ... “It’s impossible for a real blues musician to compete. I can’t compete with a bunch of rock ‘n’ roll guitar players and a bunch of pop artists. “We don’t have the funds. ... “Me, I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing, and hope and pray that the right people are able to listen to it and care.” One thing’s for sure: If they listen, they’ll care. —MCT

Victoria Justice, from left, Chelsea Handler and Thomas Mann perform a scene in the Paramount Pictures comedy “Fun Size”. —MCT Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” because he thinks a costume based on biologist E.O. Wilson is a pretty cool idea.

And nobody is making time with anybody thanks to Albert’s getaway. The plump (“Fun-size”) kid is dressed as Spider-Man, with one arm just a bloody stump. He escapes his sister’s care and has many adventures involving pranks and assorted run-ins with thugs, girls out clubbing and the like.

Many of these misadventures are with Fuzzy (Thomas Middleditch, funny), a mop-topped convenience store clerk who’d be more at home with his best bud Scooby-Doo. Fuzzy explains to one and all that he has an 8-year-old boy in his car.

“Dude, that’s messed up.” Even though we know where most of this is going, Max Werner’s middling script is sprinkled with surprises-some of them rude, others downright crude. Houses are egged, a Volvo is “violated,” fart jokes abound and Roosevelt’s “moms” (Ana Gasteyer is one) score a couple of big laughs. But Justice does nothing here that would make her stand out from the current crop of pretty young things trying to jump from TV to the movies.

And TV director Josh Schwartz hasn’t learned the “funny lens” (extreme close-up) or “faster is funnier” rules of big-screen comedy. “Fun Size” waddles along at half-speed, never building momentum. Even the good gags are robbed of their punch by the pedestrian way this thing was shot and cut. He does better with the sentimental stuff. But the movie’s not titled “Sentimental Size,” is it? —MCT

China says Hollywood putting pinch on domestic films C hina’s films are taking a hit from a trade deal that allows for more US movie imports, the country’s broadcast regulator said yesterday, with their share of the box office take sliding even as the industry’s total revenues outpace those of last year. The movie pact, which exempted 14 films from China’s annual quota of 20 foreign films per year, was hammered out in February during a trip to the United States by Vice President Xi Jinping, the man expected to take the ruling Communist Party’s top spot after a congress held this week in Beijing.

After signing the deal, the number of American films in China and their proportion of revenues have increased by a “large margin”, Vice Minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television Tian Jin said. “The past dominance of domestic films in the Chinese market has been shaken,” Tian told a press briefing on the sidelines of the congress held once every five years.

China’s 2012 box office revenues reached 13.27 billion yuan ($2.12 billion) at the end of October, Tian said, already outpacing revenues from all of 2011. But the share of revenues for domestically produced films was only 41.4 percent, constituting “a huge drop”. Tian said the US film industry is reaping massive profits while domestic producers are under greater pressure, mainly because Chinese movies cannot com-

pete with the Hollywood spectacles.

“The competitiveness of Chinese-made films must be raised,” he said. Chinese film industry experts have said that Hollywood’s looming shadow means Chinese producers need to focus on quality if they are going to elevate their appeal to a Chinese audience.

February’s deal stemmed from a victory in a 2009 US World Trade Organization case that challenged Beijing’s restrictions on import and distribution of copyright-protected materials.

The US movie industry has long complained about China’s tight restrictions on foreign films, which they say helps fuel demand for pirated DVDs that are widely available in China.

It also argued that it was being boxed out of a booming market, as the fast-growing Chinese middle class spends more money in theatres.

The Chinese film market is seen as one of the largest potential markets for Hollywood, but it has also been tightly controlled by the stateowned China Film Group. Chinese films frequently compete for international awards, but winners overseas are often not those supported

by China’s government, which tend to fan nationalist and patriotic sentiment. —Reuters

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

The Philippines’ mortician to the stars efore dictator Ferdinand Marcos and a host of other famous Philippine figures met their Maker, they met Frank Malabed. An assassinated democracy hero, a high-profile socialites and political statesmen are others to have been sent to the afterlife by the country’s most prominent-and arguably passionatemortician. “I make people beautiful even in death,” the bespectacled 62-year-old grandfather with a sparse walrus mous-

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Filipino mortician Franck Malabed arranges his embalming equipment at his residence in Manila. —AFP photos

Diggin’ In:

tache told AFP from his home office in a working-class Manila neighborhood.

“Embalming is either 100 percent or zero. It cannot be 99 percent. A dirty carpet or scratched casket can be changed, but if you botch the job you cannot tell the family you’re going to replace the body.” Malabed dreamed as a child of

becoming an engineer, but his father was a mortician and his teenage years were spent learning the art of caring for the dead. He tagged along in the 1960s when his father went to work each day at Clark, a then-huge US air base in the Philippines that played a key role in the Vietnam War. The father retired as the war escalated, leaving the 18-year-old son to take over on the embalming frontline as thousands of dead US soldiers were brought back from Vietnam to be prepared for their journey home. “We had 30-40 casualties a day,” Malabed said, recounting how Filipino and American morticians worked at a hangar on bodies wheeled out on gurneys from the nearby runway.

Malabed later married the daughter of a family that ran a chain of provincial mortuaries, and found life caring for the dead was very comfortable.

“It was not my first choice, but when I got into it I found out I was good at it,” he said, adding the pay was also reasonable.

Malabed is a devout Catholic and he prays before he starts work. But he said he never believed in ghosts, witches or evil spirits. Neither did he suffer nightmares from being with the dead alone for hours at a time in a room, armed with with hypodermic syringes and make-up kits. Malabed’s most famous client was Marcos, the dictator whose two-decade rule of the country ended in 1986 when millions of protesters took to the streets in a “people power” revolution. After Malabed moved to Manila in the 1970s to work for a large mortuary, he embalmed a brother and a sister of Imelda Marcos, the president’s wife.The family noted his good work and he was later tasked with looking after the bodies of other Marcos relatives, including the president’s mother. In 1987, a year after Ferdinand Marcos was toppled and sent to exile in Hawaii, Malabed set up his own business that offered luxury USmade bronze caskets and personalized mortuary services. Business really kicked off when Marcos died in exile 1989 and the family wanted his body preserved for an eventual return to the Philippines.

Malabed shuttled between Manila and Honolulu every month to take care of the body until 1993, when the Philippine government finally allowed it to be flown to

Franck Malabed arranges his embalming equipment.

tim. Malabed boasts his reputation for attention to detail has some wealthy clients signing him up for future services while they are still alive.

“I am a perfectionist... I cannot be rushed,” he said. Bodies must be washed and disinfected by hand, he said, and blood thoroughly squeezed out from their veins through massage. Otherwise, the injected chemicals could lead to grotesque skin discolouration. He accused some fellow Filipino embalmers of taking dubious shortcuts so they could earn more money working on more corpses.

“I am probably the only mortician in the Philippines who does not snip a dead person’s funeral clothes down the back to make them fit. Those are the last clothes they will ever wear on earth, so they must be intact,” he said. He said he worked on just five corpses a month and charges only “about half” the 550,000-1.8 million pesos ($13,300-43,500) in professional fees quoted by top Manila funeral homes. Malabed

the dictator’s northern Philippine hometown of Batac.

The widow demanded a hero’s burial in Manila, but when that was rejected Malabed pumped in special cavity fluid to make sure the body remained intact for 25 years. He put the corpse in a glass case for public exhibit at a mausoleum built at the family’s provincial home, where the body remains today. Even now Malabed remains on good terms with the family, and attended an 82nd birthday party for Imelda Marcos last year.

‘I am a perfectionist’ But unknown to many, Malabed also embalmed Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, the Marcos family’s arch-political foe whose shooting assassination at Manila airport by government forces in 1983 altered Philippine history. “I don’t care about political affiliations. If anyone needs my service they just have to dial my number. I am on call 24 hours a day,” Malabed said.

Dressed by Malabed in the same bloodstained jacket the democracy champion had worn on his fatal homecoming from US exile, the Aquino corpse became the rallying point for street protests that later led to Marcos’s downfall.

The murdered politician’s wife, Corazon,

Malabed shows a photo of him sitting next to the mausoleum of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos in Hawaii. would lead the “people power” revolution and assume the presidency from Marcos.

Aquino’s son and namesake is the country’s current president. Other famous clients include recent plane-crash victim Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, both parents of ex-president Fidel Ramos, and local actress Claudia Zobel, a 1984 car-crash vic-

was reminded of his own mortality when he suffered a mild stroke last year, but this has not slowed him down. And he is content knowing he will be in good hands when called by his Creator. “My two daughters are also licensed embalmers.

They will know what to do,” he said. — AFP

‘ Partridge in a Pear Tree’ centerpiece In the making of centerpiece, ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree,’ here are some materials needed.

on Haynie can take a lot of little nothings and turn them into a big something. Give the floral designer sticks from the yard or woods, a small clay pot and faux pears and within minutes he whisks the pieces into a centerpiece he calls “Partridge in a Pear Tree.” “Any kind of twigs work,” says Haynie. “Lilac is a hard wood that’s good. Vitex, also called chaste tree, is nice. Old wood from a fig works, too. Just go out and prune in the garden and you’ll come up with what you need.”

Haynie, who had a floral business in Warsaw, Va., and formerly ran the Buffalo Springs Herb Farm in the Shenandoah Valley, moved to Williamsburg, Va.,

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Small branches are notched so they fit snug.

more Christmas-like. “It’s a good project for kids to do, and is fun to make, “he says.

The Partridge in a Pear Tree topiary can be made in various sizes, including larger versions for mantels and tables, and can be decorated with different fruits and birds. —MCT

‘Partridge in a Pear Tree’ Materials: 4 wood sticks, 14 inches, 8 inches, 7 inches and 5 inches long 6 faux pears 2 inch clay pot, sponged with any color acrylic craft paint to give it vintage look 1 small faux partridge Wood glue Clear-drying glue, or glue gun Plaster of Paris, or some similar material to fill and secure clay pot Decorative small gravel, or moss 1 stem faux leaves, or fresh bay leaves 1 small faux garland, optional

a few years ago. He now shares his time and talents with Colonial Williamsburg, especially during the holidays, helping decorate colonial taverns with botanical creations.

He recently created a “Partridge in a Pear Tree” topiary for Williamsburg’s annual Holiday Symposium. It can be made in any size-larger for the center of a table or for the ends of a sideboard, with smaller ones as accents. You can also change the look, using faux apples or ornaments, and colors to coordinate with your decor. For instance, a red bird would look good with rosy-colored apples.

Bells and red bows can even be used to embellish the topiary. Miniature pine cones could be used for Thanksgiving, then switched out for something

Directions: Using a small hand saw, notch the 14-inch-long stick and the three other shorter sticks so they fit snug and form a “mast,” much like you see on a sailing vessel.

Glue the sticks in place.

Fill the clay pot with Plaster of Paris, or whatever material you choose that will help the pot stand upright when the topiary is completed.

Immediately insert the “mast” into the pot while the plaster is soft, before it hardens.

Using clear string, like fishing line, attach a faux pear to each end of the three horizontal sticks.

Using clear glue, or a glue gun, attach a faux leaf on either side of each pear. You may need to use

Books to check out: “Christmas Decorations From Williamsburg,” a gift-perfect, 135-page hardback copyrighted by Colonial Williamsburg in 1991. It features all the traditional wreaths, swags, kissing balls, mossed topiaries and centerpieces made with fresh fruits and

evergreens, as well as dried botanicals. Recipes included, too. $19.95.

“Colonial Williamsburg Decorates for Christmas,” an 80-page softback, copyrighted in 1981, with how-to steps for basic boxwood and pine wreaths, fruit cones and dried herb wreath. $10.95.

“The Art-Full Tree: Ornaments to Make Inspired by the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum,” with 143 pages of ideas with materials lists and instructions, as well as patterns, stitch guides and photographs of original art in the museum, so you can create folk art for your own Christmas tree. $16.95. — MCT

In the making of centerpiece, ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree,’ glue a partridge on the top of the vertical branch.

In the making of centerpiece, ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree,’ wire a faux pear onto each branch.

scissors to trim down leaves or fashion smaller leaves from larger leaves to suit the scale of your topiary.

Glue faux partridge to top of tree.

Loosely wind faux garland around vertical stick.

Embellish top of pot with small decorative gravel.

Small branches are notched and glued together.

In the making of centerpiece, ‘Partridge in a Pear Tree,’ small branches from plants in the garden form the topiary, which is supported in a 2 -inch clay pot.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

Homeowners are investing in all areas of the kitchen, including the ventilation system, as it becomes the main gathering place for families and friends.

Under the hood: Style, power and a purr bove every stove or cooktop hangs an opportunity to express yourself. No more are we stuck with a boring, bulgy box that howls from a space beneath the spice cabinet. Now that the kitchen is one of the most popular places to gather, range hoods are evolving and competing to be a focal point.

They are floating elegantly above a voluptuous kitchen island and commanding attention from a wall.

Make the right choices, and you can have a sleek new kitchen ventilation system that has power and a purr-for an investment starting at about $400, plus installation. It would be easy to spend a lot more.

Prices for custom and high-end decorative hoods can quickly climb to thousands of dollars. Homeowners are turning on to the trend. From the artsy to designs with attitude, decorative range hoods are turning up

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in settings from contemporary to traditional. “If you’re doing a traditional home, there’s no reason you couldn’t use a more decorative hood,” said Lora Donoghue, past president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s Carolinas Chapter. Form over function?

Not necessarily. Range hoods are more powerful than

the size of the range. “Basically if you can draw it on a CAD (computer-aided design) program, they can make it,” said Liz Gant, Ferguson’s appliance manager.

A custom hood will need a liner and an insert, which includes all of the innards that do the dirty work.

A decorative range hood is a second option. The single unit combines a hood and insert. These often have a more contemporary look. Lighting is usually built into a ventilation system. Halogen, florescent and LED fixtures are common. While design is important, customers want a model that works well above all.

That means power without the howl. “The No. 1 concern is consumers want something quiet,” Gant said.

About blowers A family that cooks four times a week can produce about a gallon of grease and two gallons of water in the form of steam every year, says Jan Byers, manager of the Sub-Zero/Wolf showroom in Charlotte.

The blower in the kitchen’s ventilation system is designed to remove both. The best option is a blower that is vented to the outdoors. Range hoods that recirculate air through a filter generally don’t perform as well. The strength of the blower should be based on the size and features of the range. — MCT

Futuro Futuro’s Autumn range hood. Prices start at $2,095 for the 27-inch wall-mounted model.

Zephyr’s Okeanito wall-mounted range hood, from the Cheng Collection, starts at $2,838 for a 36-inch unit. The motor is priced separately, starting at $209 at Queen City locations.

The price for Futuro Futuro’s Concorde range hood, shown in this rendering, starts at $1,495 for a 36-inch wall-mounted model. — MCT photos

ever, with blowers moving air at rates from about 400 to 1,300 cubic feet per minute or more. Check online consumer reviews to avoid noisemakers.

The might and muscle is important these days.

Ranges in many homes are big, sometimes six to eight burners. That’s a lot of territory for a range hood to cover to remove the grease and steam bubbling up from the pots and pans.

“If it isn’t leaving the house, (the greasy steam) is on-guess what: beautiful new cabinets, carpeting, upholstery, walls, pictures and you,” says Jan Byers, manager of the Sub-Zero/Wolf showroom in Charlotte, NC. Many homeowners still prefer traditional decor. About 70 percent of customers want a traditional look when they come to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, on South Boulevard in Charlotte. A custom hood built by a cabinet maker is often their choice. A hood can be built to match the cabinets-and

The price for the Master wall-mounted range hood, from Futuro Futuro, starts at $1,495 for a 36-inch model.

Whirlpool’s 36-inch GXW6536DXS wall-mount range hood with a glass canopy is an economical option, priced at about $400 at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

Now that the kitchen is one of the most popular places to gather, range hoods are evolving and competing to be a focal point. Here, the Venice Range Hood.

The 40-inch Best by Broan IS502 range hood fits over a 36-inch cooktop. The price starts at about $3,141 at Queen City locations.

The Philippines’ mortician to the stars

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012

38 Artist Marcus Eriksen, a Gulf War veteran, poses for a photo at his home studio in Los Angeles.

Photo provided by artist Marcus Eriksen shows his “My Angel in the Desert” sculpture.

Vets preserve memories of

war with their own art he fallen Iraqi soldier’s face is frozen in agony, his eyes and mouth wide open, his arms spread in surrender, his death in the Kuwaiti desert captured for posterity. The sculpture’s title: “Angel in the Desert.” Marcus Eriksen was a young Marine sergeant during the Gulf War, riding with a convoy to Kuwait City, when he encountered the Iraqi soldier. It was the first dead body he’d seen. The image was haunting, the experience unforgettable. But it took more than a decade before he started welding the memory into art.

Using a mannequin, an old uniform and plaster cast of his face and hands, Eriksen produced a mold and lined it with 70,000 steel ball bearings. He meticulously recreated the scene: the soldier on his back, knees bent. His insides exposed beneath his shirt. And swooping curves in the sand that suggested he’d moved his arms like a kid making snow angels. This, says Eriksen, is not “an anti-war message. It’s a reality of war message.”

Every November, America honors its veterans with grand parades, speeches and tributes. But more than 350 veterans of Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan have turned to art to preserve more intimate and enduring memories of war, and more than 2,500 of their works have found a home at Chicago’s National Veterans Art Museum.

The modest museum, which focused at first on Vietnam vets but has since expanded, includes paintings, prints, drawings, poetry, photos, sculpture, collages and video.

Most of the vets are trained artists who’ve used their skills to illustrate harrowing life-and-death experiences, explore personal demons and celebrate fallen comrades. This is art that dredges up nightmares for some, and healing for others Eriksen, among them.

Now 45, he vividly remembers Feb. 24, 1991, when he and about a dozen other Marines stood around staring silently at the dead soldier sprawled 30 feet from his incinerated truck. “No one would cry,” he says. “As a Marine, you just suck it up.”

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my mind, even if I don’t focus on them. And, of course, there’s the mystery - what happened, how did he recover, what impact did it have on his life.” Some people, she says, are disturbed by her painting; others think the raw image isn’t even art. White, who turns 65 on Tuesday, is retired from nursing and grappling with service-related PTSD, which she says has grown so intense that she has become agoraphobic. “Just going to the grocery store is a challenge,” she says. “Sometimes I just stay in my house.”

Painting has brought some solace, and also puts her in contact with a world beyond her Missouri home; she follows the works of artists who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and sees a commonality in their creations. “It gets back to the same song, just another verse,” she says. “War is war.”

“I don’t regret being there,” White says of Vietnam.

“There’s a lot I wish I could have done. I got off the plane, did what I could. I got back on the plane and came home. Some people didn’t. So this artwork is like leaving a sign behind that I was here. It’s like a cave painting. I never intended it to be that, but in a way it’s a legacy.”

A toy soldier is trapped in an orange pill bottle, the lid screwed on top. His arms are raised over his head, his rifle is

This undated image provided by the National Veterans Art Museum shows “Transfer’s of War (triptych 1, part 2)” by Ash Kyrie. — AP photos dier. A second one shows the bottle tipped over, the soldier crawling out on his belly. That one is appropriately called Escape. “They’re both me,” Muncy says. “It’s not then and now. It’s a back and forth. Sometimes I still feel like the guy trapped in the bottle.”

A desperate Vietnamese mother clutches her starving baby on her chest as she flees her village. Looking back, she sees the chaos of her hamlet under attack. A Viet Cong soldier has his rifle pointed at the head of a villager on his knees, praying before he’s executed.

“The Refugee” by Vietnam veteran and artist Richard Olsen.

Artist Marcus Eriksen, a Gulf War veteran, works on a mold of his mentor, Capt.

“Seeing him put a face on the suffering,” Eriksen recalls. “I knew he was dead but his family didn’t. ... All that death and destruction - was it worth it? If you’re going to commit young people to kill and be killed, you have to have a solid reason for it. And I don’t think we had that.”

Eriksen, now an environmental activist in California, began creating his sculpture shortly after the first bodies of US troops started coming home from Iraq in 2003. It stirred up emotions of his days in uniform.

“It allowed me to remove the burden of my memories of Kuwait, of all the bodies, of the stench. ... Just making the sculpture ... would bring tons of sadness,” Eriksen says. “I would think about that person and what happened every day. At some point, I thought, ‘Do I want to feel that way the rest of the day?’ Eventually you tell yourself, as I did, no, I’m not going to beat myself up a millionth time. I’m done with that.” A man with a mustache, a fringe of brown hair and almost cartoon-like huge brown eyes looks out from the canvas. His lips are a barely defined pink oval. His expression is blank.

Title: Thousand Mile Stare More than 30 years passed before Helen White painted the picture of the officer she saw at the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, where she served as an orthopedic nurse. She doesn’t remember his name, his face or much else beyond the fact that he’d arrived there after surviving a firefight that had killed almost everyone else. His eyes telegraphed his trauma.

“They were wide open, they were scanning, looking for safety and looking for danger,” White says. “If you see the stare, it’s not something you forget. ... The memories stay in

Image provided by the National Veterans Art Museum shows “Thousand Yard Stare” by Helen White.

“Army Man In A Bottle II” by Malachi Muncy. held high in one hand, his right knee is bent as if he’s trying to climb out.

Title: Trapped This print - created on paper made from an old Army uniform - hints of Malachi Muncy’s two life-changing tours with the Texas National Guard in Iraq.

He was just 18 when he first deployed, and once in the combat zone, Muncy says he began taking sleeping pills to

shut out the world. The constant dangers he faced on truckdriving convoys were overwhelming.

“So much bad stuff happened,” he recalls. “Watching IEDs explode, and mortars hit. Being pinned down on bridges, you wonder where the fire is coming from. You just sit and wait to get shot at and you have no control over whether you’re going to live or die ... I was having nightmares. I really felt I was going to do stupid things and hurt the wrong people. I was having thoughts I couldn’t expel.”

Muncy got into trouble, he says, pointing a weapon at a superior after a mission in which he went 36 hours without sleep. When he returned home, life unraveled. He slept all day, he says, started hanging around with the wrong crowd, got hooked on methamphetamines, amassed a pile of speeding tickets and was arrested for shoplifting. He took an overdose of pills - he’s not sure if it was a suicide attempt.

And yet, almost inexplicably, he returned for a second tour in 2006. Muncy, who later was diagnosed with PTSD, says he wanted to get away from “the mess” and all the pills.

That second stint went far more smoothly and Muncy, now 27, began keeping a journal. When he returned to Texas - he works at a coffee house in Killeen, outside Fort Hood - he attended college and became interested in poetry, photography and other arts.

“It’s about sharing the experience,” he says. “It’s not just something that haunts you.”

Using a toy soldier and a pill bottle he’d kept on his key chain, Muncy produced one print showing the trapped sol-

Title: The Refugee Richard Olsen created the yellow-and-black linocut after returning home following a year’s tour as an Army helicopter pilot with the 33rd Transportation Company in Vietnam.

He came back in 1963, and the war in faraway Southeast Asia was not yet fully on America’s radar, so producing these images was his way of sounding an alarm.

“It was like, ‘Hey, you guys, there’s a war going on,’” Olsen says. “Why make pictures of flowers? Why not make pictures of war?”

Olsen had always wanted to be an artist growing up in Wisconsin - he earned a master of fine arts degree - and Vietnam allowed him to create works that he says reveal a “little man swept into a world beyond his control.”

“I had to tell the story ... the valiance, the heroism, the sacrifices, the personal giving for causes bigger than yourself,” says Olsen, now a 76-year-old professional artist living in Georgia. “It occurs on both sides.”

Olsen’s work - paintings, drawing and prints - is ripe with pain, sacrifice and patriotism.

There’s a POW, viewed from behind, on his knees, his hands bound behind his back with his shoe laces, waiting to be killed; an eerie bluish outpost at 4 a.m., illuminated by a searchlight; a tender portrait of his bunk mate, a lieutenant who didn’t make it home. And then there’s Hill 881, site of one of the bloodiest Marine battles in Vietnam.

The hill painting was created by copying stencil shapes onto a canvas. It repeats the same scene of three soldiers: one climbing a hill, one higher up, tumbling down after being hit, and the third at the top falling backward as he’s shot. That final image was inspired by the famous Robert Capa photo of the fallen soldier in the Spanish Civil War. “I wanted to make it an endless plight ... of the Marines trying to take the hill over and over and over,” Olsen says.

“There’s just an absurd twist to it.”

Olsen moved beyond Vietnam to an artistic career that has spanned more than 50 years; he’s produced more than 1,000 paintings, many of them abstract. His work has been shown in galleries around the country.

Yet those days when he flew his chopper over the dense thicket of jungle maintain a deep hold on him.

“War is the depth of the human experience,” he says. “It’s the most meaningful part of anyone’s life.”

A stately building in Kabul is consumed by a bomb. Gray clouds of smoke and red bursts of fire billow from the windows. Splashes of red, blue and yellow tents on clotheslines frame the bottom of a degraded print. —AP