14 Dec 2011

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

4 dead, scores injured in Belgium lone wolf attack

www.kuwaittimes.net

MUHARRAM 18, 1433 AH

Tunisia swears in opposition stalwart as president

Scientists home in on missing link of physics

Nagatomo gives Inter victory over Genoa

with cosmetic changes

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7PM forms 8 new 28Cabinet 20 Prosecution questions ex-MPs over corruption

By B Izzak and Agencies

Customs foils bid to smuggle subsidised fuel Busairi: Market stable KUWAIT: Kuwait customs have foiled an attempt to smuggle hundreds of tonnes of heavily-subsidised diesel to an Asian country, the customs department said in a statement yesterday. An Asian man who offered to bribe a customs officer at Kuwait’s main commercial port of Shuwiakh to facilitate shipping the smuggled fuel, was arrested by police, the statement said.

It estimated the busted quantities at around 350 tonnes but did not name the destination country, other than to identify it as being in Asia.

Local media and MPs in the dissolved parliament Mohammad Al-Busairi have repeatedly claimed that large quantities of Kuwaiti fuel are being regularly smuggled by sea to neighbouring Iran and Iraq.

In June, the media reported that authorities busted a ring linked to a regional intelligence service that has smuggled large quantities of fuel to a neighbouring country from a small port usually used by Iranians.

Fuel in Kuwait is sold at a heavily-subsidised price that has not changed for about 12 years.

Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sees off German President Christian Wulff at the airport yesterday after his two-day official visit to the state. — KUNA

Iran rebuffs request to return spy drone US drone crashes in Seychelles TEHRAN: Iran’s defense minister yesterday shrugged off a US request for the return of an American spy drone captured by Iranian armed forces and instead demanded an apology from Washington. Tehran last week identified the drone as the RQ-170 Sentinel and said it was captured over the country’s east. The nearly intact drone was displayed on state TV and flaunted as a victory for Iran in a complicated intelligence and technological battle with the US. “ Their plane invaded Iran and Iranian forces reacted powerfully,” said Defense Minister Gen Ahmad Vahidi “Now, instead of offering an apology to the Iranian nation, they impudently ask for the return of the plane.”

US officials say the unmanned aircraft malfunctioned and was not brought down by Iran. President Barack Obama said Monday the US wants the top-secret aircraft back and has delivered a formal request for the return of the surveillance drone, though it isn’t hopeful that Iran will comply. “We have asked for it back. We’ll see how the

Iranians respond,” Obama said during a White House news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki on Monday. Vahidi said the United States should apologize for invading Iranian air space instead of asking for drone back.

Continued on Page 13

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad adjusts his shirt prior to a meeting at his office yesterday. — AFP

KUWAIT: New Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah yesterday formed a new Cabinet that comprised only 10 ministers with just small changes in the line-up, state television reported. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah issued a decree approving the new government, the eighth Cabinet since Feb 2006. All previous cabinets were forced to resign because of political disputes. All key ministers in the previous government, which resigned on Nov 28 over corruption allegations, were retained but the three ministers who quit a few days earlier were dropped.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, who held the interior post in the previous government, was also given the defence portfolio, while Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah was retained as foreign minister. The ministers of finance, oil, and electricity and water remained the same. No date has so far been set for the new elections which must be held within 60 days of the 50-seat parliament being dissolved.

The new compact Cabinet will serve for only several weeks to oversee the polls because under Kuwaiti law the Cabinet must resign after declaring election results.

The move came as controversy over the decision to dissolve the Assembly continued yesterday over what some experts described as a constitutional error. Former MP Saadoun Hammad, who threatened to challenge the decision to dissolve the Assembly before the administrative court yesterday, said he has delayed the action till today because of some procedural hurdles that would be cleared.

Hammad will ask the administrative court to

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suspend the forthcoming elections and to declare that dissolving the Assembly was in breach of the constitution because it was recommended by an unconstitutional Cabinet.

The controversy began last week after Sheikh Jaber chaired the old Cabinet that resigned along with the former premier Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

That Cabinet recommended to the Amir to dissolve the Assembly, citing national interests.

Some experts and politicians said the new premier should not have chaired the old Cabinet and should instead have formed a new Cabinet Continued on Page 13

Cabinet lineup • Prime Minister: Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah • First deputy PM, interior and defence minister: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud AlSabah • Deputy PM, foreign minister: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.

• Minister of oil and parliamentary affairs: Mohammad Al-Busairi • Education and justice: Ahmad Al-Mulaifi • Commerce and industry and development: Amani Buresli • Islamic affairs, social affairs and housing: Mohammad Al-Numas • Finance and health: Mustafa Al-Shamali • Public works and municipalities: Fadhel Safar • Communications and electricity and water: Salem Al-Othaina • Information: Sheikh Hamad Al-Jaber AlSabah

Palestinian flag raised at UNESCO PARIS: The Palestinian flag was raised for the first time yesterday above a UN agency, the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, in a diplomatic victory won despite stiff resistance from the US and Israel. Attending the ceremony, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said membership of the UN’s education, science and culture agency represented the key first recognition of his state and he hoped other world bodies would follow suit. “This admission is a first recognition of Palestine,” Abbas said.

“It is moving to see our flag raised today at a UN agency.

I hope that this will be a good omen for Palestine’s admission to other international organisations.”

Admission to UNESCO has had no impact on the Palestinians’ bid for full UN membership. They would need nine votes out of 15 in the Security Council, but the United States has made clear that it would veto the bid.

Abbas said efforts were continuing to gain full UN membership and admission to other international institutions. “We are currently holding talks with the parties,” he said when asked about the Security Council at a press conference. “We have not yet asked for a vote but this could happen at any moment. If we don’t have a majority, we will repeat our request again and again. We intend to address all international organisations,” he said, adding: “But we will chose the right time to do this.”

The Palestinians were admitted to UNESCO in late October, when its general assembly voted 107-14 to make Palestine its 195th member. The result angered the United States, Israel’s staunch ally, which says the Palestinians must reach a peace agreement with the Jewish state before they can become full members of Continued on Page 13

PARIS: The Palestinian flag flies next to the UNESCO flag moments after it was raised for the first time at the UNESCO headquarters yesterday. (Inset) French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee palace before a meeting yesterday. — AP/AFP

in the

news Iran to free Kuwaitis held since mid-Nov

Canada bans niqab at citizenship swearing in

DUBAI: Kuwait said Iran planned to free soon two of its nationals held in the Islamic republic for nearly a month on charges of spying, state news agency KUNA reported late yesterday. Kuwaiti media said last month that Iranian authorities had arrested two nationals working for a private television station at a town in southern Iran. It said the two were held on suspicion of spying and illegal entry, charges denied by the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry. KUNA quoted a Foreign Ministry source as saying that Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah had urged his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Salehi, during a telephone conversation to help free the Kuwaitis. “The minister, Salehi, promised to redouble his efforts, asserting that they (Kuwaitis) will be freed within days,” KUNA said.

Kuwait earlier this year accused Iran of planting spy cells in its territory. A Kuwaiti court earlier this year sentenced three men - two Iranians and a Kuwaiti - to death for being part of an alleged Iranian spy ring in a case that has strained relations between Kuwait and Tehran. Iran has denied the spying allegations and said it did not interfere in Kuwait’s internal affairs.

TORONTO: New Canadian citizens must remove any face coverings, such as the Islamic niqab or burqa, while they take the oath of citizenship, the country’s immigration minister said Monday. Jason Kenney said most Canadians have misgivings about Islamic face coverings and said new Canadians should take the oath in view of their fellow citizens. He said he has received complaints from lawmakers and citizenship judges who say it’s difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are actually reciting the oath. The Conservative minister called the issue a matter of deep principle that goes to the heart of Canada’s identity and the country’s values of openness and equality. He said women who feel obliged to have their faces covered in public often come from a cultural milieu that treats women as property rather than equal human beings. “I do think that most Canadians find that disquieting to say the least,” Kenney said in a telephone interview. The new Canadian rule takes effect immediately. Kenney made the announcement in the French-speaking province of Quebec, which has experienced heated debates over how much Canada should bend to accommodate newcomers. Kenney said his government would not go further by drafting laws to ban women from wearing veils that cover their faces in public. (See Page 9)

KUWAIT: US Army soldiers walk to the customs building as they prepare for the flight back to Fort Hood after exiting from Iraq at Camp Virginia yesterday. — AFP

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LOCAL

Praise for media role in democratic countries German president visits KJA

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Kuwait Journalist Association (K JA) hosted a meeting with the German President Christian Wulff who is currently visiting Kuwait along with a delegation. They discussed the role played by the media in democratic countries. President Christian Wulff praised the strong Kuwait-German relations that traces back to many years. He then stressed the importance of three issues that are funda-

ical participation. So we should make fast changes in our countries by keeping up with the general opinion. I thank the editors-in-chief and the journalists for attending this conference,” he noted.

He also said that Kuwait is a pioneer in the field of democracy in the Gulf region but its position has regressed due to some actions taken by the government like closing down the office of Al-Jazeera satellite news channel and failure to issue licenses to some media outlets. “I

KUWAIT: Adnan Al-Rashed, Mohammad Abu Al-Hasan, Christian Wulff.

— Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat mental to any democratic society: multiplicity of religions and languages, equal opportunities for the sexes and freedom of speech. “I met with the new Prime Minister and I heard the official opinions. I’m also keen to hear the opinions of the media about the coming election,” he said.

According to Wulff, young politicians should be given a chance in the Parliament. “I think that those who are over 50 years old can’t understand the new generation properly. Young people now deal with modern social media like Facebook and Twitter. The new generation feels oppressed and they want to increase their polit-

was keen to visit your country to see what’s really happening and how do the journalists think in these countries. This is so that we can speak with you and not about you,” stated Wulff.

Waleed Al-Nasif, Editor-in-Chief of Qabas newspaper expressed his anxiety about the euro and the European economic situation.

Wulff replied that the financial market is not centered locally and has a global impact. “For this reason, we should strengthen cooperation.

The banks have been facing a crisis since 2007 and there is debt crisis with many countries taking out huge loans. We should manage with the available money and this is the policy of

Germany. We can’t fight debts with debts. Also our inflation rate is low. If there were more local currencies in Europe, the situation would have been worse. I think that more countries should trust the euro, better than withdrawing,” he said.

He added that GCC countries should learn from the euro experience and its use as a unified currency. “The GCC countries can benefit from the good relations with Europe. They can learn from the mistakes of the unified currency and place clear points from the beginning, such as those working in Europe now. We are glad to have the euro. Regarding investments, I think that I would always invest in the German cars, airplanes, and boats,” he pointed out.

On his part, Ridha Al-Faili, Editor-in-Chief of Annahaar newspaper noted that obstacles faced in our democracy paves the way toward development. “We don’t have political parties in Kuwait. Also, civil society organizations here play a great role in democracy. In addition, the media also plays great role with more than 17 dailies and many satellite and official channels.

We are also proud that there are no press laws to imprison journalists. Only a financial penalty is levied to protect the individuals and state interests. The media plays great role in providing information to both the public and candidates,” he noted.

Adnan Al-Rashed, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al Anba newspaper spoke about pan-Arab media influence. “In Germany, the press is 100 percent German. Here we are affected by other Arab countries. Media began functioning in Kuwait in 1928. Since the beginning of the 1960s we have been cooperating with Arab and even other foreign journalists. And we succeeded in reaching many foreign countries. The media has played a role in highlighting many of the issues that were discussed in the Parliament,” he stated.

Wulff concluded by saying that the strong relations between Kuwait and Germany could not have been achieved had there been no trust between the two countries. “Germany respects Muslims and Islam as a religion. There are mosques in Germany. We also hope that Christians receive the same rights in other countries. We care about the stability and safety of this region and we know it’s not easy due to hostile neighbors: Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

We respect Kuwait’s rapid development in only 50 years. We wish you even more prosperity.”

KUWAIT: Christian Wulff (left) and Ahmad Behbehani during the conference held yesterday at KJA.

New members to GCC will not be discussed

By A Saleh KUWAIT: The prospect of new countries joining the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) will not be mentioned in the closing statement of the summit to be held next Monday, sources said yesterday. The proposal to extend membership to Jordan, Morocco and Egypt has not been implemented and faces a strong objection. Officials added that the whole issue will be postponed until the consultative summit, held six months after the ordinary summit, is convened.

In other news, a new list of election candidates will be announced in Sulaibkhat, in which candidates from Rashidi, Hajiri and Azmi tribes will be included. Officials said that the candidates will be post graduate degrees hold-

ers representing tribes in the second constituency.

Meanwhile, the youth are preparing for a campaign to fight vote buying in Sulaibkhat, previously launched under the slogan ëSulaibkhat is not for sale.í Also, the Public Prosecution Department has ordered the arrest of those who stormed the National Assembly. The Detectives Department has asked 15 suspects to surrender. Their Identities were determined after verifying fingerprints from Abdallah Al-Salem Hall.

Kuwait will launch a diplomatic campaign in Asian countries to begin the new year to expand economic investments and sign deals . Senior Kuwaiti officials will visit Asian countries to expand investments to avoid the European financial crisis.

News

in brief

Bedoons to protest on Friday KUWAIT: Bedoons (stateless residents) plan to stage a mass sit-in on Friday demanding basic human rights, naturalization and better living conditions. A call to hold the demonstration was made during a gathering of dozens of stateless residents at an open square in Taima district of Jahra on Monday. It was cut short due to police intervention who allowed the crowd fifteen minutes to disperse. Under Kuwaiti law, only citizens have the right to stage public gatherings. Monday’s demonstration by bedoons has been the third to be held since the beginning of the week.

Jaber Hospital to be completed on time KUWAIT: Engineer Ali Nadoom, the Director of the Jaber Hospital construction project, said that some 20 percent of the project have been completed. He said that when completed the building will be 64 meters high, of which some 10 meters have been are completed. He said that the average working hours on the project range between 18 to 20 per day. He explained that there was a slight delay which will not affect the handing over of the hospital as per schedule by 2013.

He said the delay was due to the presence of marginal labor force in Kuwait and that they needed technical labor from abroad. - Al-Watan Kuwait-Malaysia cooperation KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Jaber AlSabah, Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Interior and Defense Minister, underlined yesterday the significance of cooperation and coordination between Kuwait and Malaysia. He discussed the issues in a meeting with Malaysian Ambassador to Kuwait, Dato’ Adnan Haji Othman. During the talks, the two parties discussed several security issues of mutual interest.

KUWAIT: Ali Al-Rashid’s representative touring the career fair venue yesterday.— Photos by Joseph Shagra

‘Career fair 2011’ helps jobseekers, employers meet requirements

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Kuwaitis and expatriates thronged the Kuwait International Fair Ground (KIFG) to take advantage of a three-day job fair that began yesterday in Mishref. Around 50 local companies are currently participating with hundreds of job offers in various fields ranging from oil and gas, health sector, hospitality, banking and finance, education and the services sector. The job fair is open till tomorrow from 9 am to 1pm and 4:30 pm to

9:30pm. The event was inaugurated by Ali Al-Rashid Minister of States for Cabinet Affairs along with the KIFG officials.

Addressing attendees and the media, AlRashid expressed gratitude to the organizers for successfully hosting the placement fair.

In his words, the goals and objectives of the fair meet with the government’s efforts to create suitable job opportunities for job seekers who are academically qualified in variety of fields. “This is quite a hard task to do, but they did their part to help job seek-

Wataniya Telecom renews its sponsorship of Qadsia KUWAIT: As part of its continuous support to the sports teams and the a t h l e t i c f i e l d i n Ku w a i t , a n d a s a motivator to prac tice all types of sports, Wataniya Telecom announced the renewal of its contract with AlQadsia Sporting Club’s football team by sponsoring the team for an additional three years.

Th e s p o n s o r s h i p co n t r a c t w a s signed under the presence of the Vice President of Al-Qadsia Sports Club, Sheik h K haled Al-Fahad AlAhmad Al-Sabah and the Director of Public Relations at Wataniya Telecom, Abdolaziz Al Balool.

The sponsorship of the football team period includes three local seasons, beginning from 2011-2012 and ending in 2013-2014. It was also agreed to place the logo of Wataniya Telecom on the Qadsia team players’ official clothing.

Commenting on the renewal of the sponsorship contract, Abdolaziz Al-Balool PR Director at Wataniya Telecom ensured that this initiative co m e s a t t h e co re o f Wa t a n i y a Telecom’s social responsibility program and aims at suppor ting the s p o r t s s e c to r i n g e n e r a l a n d t h e Kuwaiti teams in particular.

Al-Balool added: “Football is considered to be the most favorite sport

The Qadsia event in Kuwait and after the success of the first sponsorship contract that lasted for three years, and the unique partnership that brought together AlQadsia Club and Wataniya Telecom, we considered renewing the contract for the benefit of both sides

and for the sports community as a whole. Wataniya Telecom is committed to continue supporting the national teams in order to improve the standard of local sports and to reach achievements at the global level too.”

ers find suitable companies and employers.

Thank you for your effort and we hope that we have all achieved our individual goals,” he added.

Companies participating in the fair include Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, IFA Hotels and Resorts, government ministries, Maidan Clinic, Rahma Photography, Al-Rashid Hospital, Dar Al-Shifa Hospital, Ali-Abdul-Wahab & Sons, PCIC, MRI Network-Action Recruitment Management, Dubai Group of Companies, Loyac, Nestle,

IBK, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait Company for Development of Small Projects, Koot Food Group, Arab Open University, SPETCO, IKEA, Habchi & Chalhoub and several Arabic newspapers.

Abdulrahman Al-Nassar, CEO KIFG, said that the exhibition plays a prominent role in serving the society. “With this exhibition, we aim to help job seekers find suitable opportunities and at the same help employers find qualified staff members that can meet their needs and requirements,” he said.

Candidates pay Twitter activists for publicity KUWAIT: Several Kuwaitis popular on Twitter received offers to endorse certain candidates in the 2012 parliamentary elections in exchange of money, according to a report published yesterday. Some members of the micro-blogging site say they already turned down several offers.

Using help of ‘Twitter activists’ for promotion isn’t something new to Kuwait. According to Al-Qabas report, several companies and banks have contracts with people who promote their products to the thousands of Twitter users on their followers’ lists.

One famous Kuwaiti ‘Tweeter’ told Al-Qabas that he turned down a number of offers to promote potential candidates, and before that offers from companies to promote their products.

At the same time, he claimed knowledge of certain cases in which some Twitter users receive up to KD600 monthly payments to promote certain companies with an average of eight tweets a day. “Offers are expected to be even higher come elections time”, the citizen speculated. The Twitter activist further explained that people who agree to these offers will use subtle methods to promote their payers, in order to avoid having the relationship announced. Meanwhile, another Twitter activist said that he is currently weigh-

ing options to choose from multiple offers made by potential candidates to promote their campaigns. He notably added that the price he collects for the tweets he makes differ depending on the type of the post, as he is paid higher for tweets he create than those he retweets. Promoted tweets isn’t a strange sight on the social networking website; as it announced a couple of

months ago a new service by which US Presidential Candidates can pay for tweets promoting their campaigns.

Such tweets would be recognized by a purple square containing an arrow.

Global news agencies such as Reuters has contacts with special companies that analyze orientations of ‘tweeters’; something that has recently been used during the British elections.— Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate’s Public Relations Department participated in an exhibition held on natural catastrophes at Latifa AlFares Secondary School recently. Lt Abdelmohsen Al-Dousari and Sergeant Omair Al-Zabi held a presentation on volcanoes, floods and ways of disaster management. —Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun

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local

Gulf region facing tough military ‘challenges’ Defense expo gathers international expertise

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: Michael Hornby poses for the Kuwait Times yesterday.—Photos by Ben Garcia

Gitmo sit-in outside US embassy set for January KUWAIT: A committee representing families of Kuwaiti citizens detained at the Guantanamo Bay prison plan to stage a sit-in in front of the American Embassy in Kuwait on Jan 11, 2012, the anniversary of the first arrest made from the group following the Sept 11 attacks. The announcement was released by the committee’s chairman, Khalid Al-Oudha, whose son, Fawzi, along with fellow citizen Fayez Al-Kandari are the only remaining Kuwaitis in Guantanamo.

“We plan to hand [the US ambassador] letters from Fawzi and Fayez’s mothers to US President Barack Obama, with hopes that they would bring his attention to the agony of the prisoners, which has been going on for a decade,” Al-Oudha said in statements to Al-Rai daily.

He reiterated that his son was among the Arab philanthropists caught and sold to US troops in Afghanistan in 2001, and added that he is not giving up on legal options to free the Kuwaiti detainees despite recent recommendations made to the US government which render their release almost impossible.

In related news, chairman of the Kuwait Society for Basic Principles of Human Rights, Dr Adel Al-Damkhi, urged a team from the British embassy in Kuwait to “contribute to the release of Kuwaiti detainees in Guantanamo,” during a recent meeting between the two sides. — Al-Rai

Ruling family member asked to refrain from contesting elections KUWAIT: A member of Kuwait’s ruling family has been asked to refrain from contesting the upcoming elections citing concerns over the impact of his action. He received a letter from the Al-Sabah Family Council a few days after announcing plans to stand for election from the first constituency.

Sheikh Meshal Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is reportedly disappointed with the letter sent by the Al-Sabah Family Council, instructing him to avoid “engaging in improper behavior that damages the reputation of the country and the ruling family. “ “How can the electoral process that helps serve the country and its people, be regarded as an improper behavior that damages it and the ruling family?” Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah questioned, insisting that he decided to run for Parliament as a “Kuwaiti citizen exercising one of his rights, regardless of his relationship with the ruling family.” The disgruntled ‘sheikh’ also complained about the Al-Sabah Family Council “which works in extreme secrecy as none of its members are known to the outside world.”

In other news, fierce competition among candidates in the third constituency is quickly shaping up, according to sources. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said that the Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM) has pinned high hopes on member Mohammad Al-Dallal’s chances in the National Assembly because he exclusively represents it in the third constituency. Other Islamist candidates and former MPs, Dr Faisal Al-Mislem and Waleed Al-Tabtabae are strong candidates who may be reelected based on their wide base of support in Khaitan and Kaifan respectively. Meanwhile, former MP Roudhan Al-Roudhan is also speculated to be a formidable candidate to be reelected thanks to the support he enjoys in the third constituency (Khaitan, Roudha and Jabriya), in addition to the reputation garnered during his tenure as Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

Member of the opposition bloc Ahmad Al-Saadoun doesn’t appear to be facing stiff competition. His popularity among voters has increased following the events that led to the Parliament’s dissolution. The same can be said about liberal former MP Saleh Al-Mulla, who in addition to his large supporters’ base in Al-Adailiya, has the backing of the Democratic Forum. On the other hand, former MP Naji Al-Abdulhadi has a fifty percent chance of being re-elected to Parliament. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Allowance(NDA) has reportedly decided to avoid nominating any of its members to contest elections. Instead, the liberal movement will support “national candidates whose agenda goes in line with the NDA’s principles,” according to sources with knowledge of the issue.

The same sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity also indicated that former MP Mohammad Al-Saqr will not run for elections as an NDA member but as an independent candidate. Al-Saqr is widely speculated to be a frontrunner for the speaker’s post, setting the stage for a clash with veteran MP and former speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun. Former speaker Jassem AlKhorafi announced on Monday that he will contest the 2012 elections. —Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Integrated communications and scouring for mines in shallow waters are just few of the military challenges facing the Gulf region today. A Canadian company, currently participating in the First International Defense Exhibition has found a solution to these. Speaking with the Kuwait Times, Michael Hornby, Director, Strategy and Marketing, General Dynamics Canada, noted that the company he represents is ready to share their knowhow which could significantly improve the region’s military capabilities.

“The truth is, the Gulf region is facing tough challenges in communications between armies [unit] because they have been using different technologies,” he said during the second day of the three-day forum. He said that the Gulf countries are in possession of different military equipment which makes them virtually impossible to communicate with one another. “But General Dynamics Canada supports open system standards, in our new communication equipment, we facilitate easier communications between different units of the army,” he said. “We also have equipment/sensors that can detect mines in both shallow and deep waters too.”

Hornby went on to say, “The challenge today does not lie in deep water but in the coastal or shallow water regions.”

He explained that the company’s participation in the military exhibition was part of its strategic plan in the Gulf region.

This is because it is considered part of a very important location. “We are here today because we believed in the importance of this region, they are part of our strategic plan. We are here to demonstrate what Canada has to offer in this region,” he said.

Taking the point further, he stressed that General Dynamics Canada aims to raise its profile, brand name to ensure the people in the region “know what we have and what is available to meet their needs and know firsthand what the existing opportunities are,” he said.

General Dynamics Canada exhibits three electronic equipment product lines that are best used militarily for land, sea

and air-based categories. The Tactical Mobile Router (TMR) provides communication amongst army vehicles from army units to its headquarters. TMR can be installed in armored vehicles which use advanced protocols to transfer messages

KUWAIT: General Dynamics Canada booth at the exhibition venue. with reliability, efficiency and reasonable latency in a disrupted heterogeneous network environment. Another landbased product which was not on display but was being promoted at the venue was a computer monitor called ‘smart display.’ The smart display collects data from the military tank, headquarters or even armored vehicle sensors, intelligence or any surveillance equipment units.

For the sea-based equipment, General Dynamics Canada takes pride of its underwater ISR [Intelligence, Surveillance

and Reconnaissance], enough to understand anyone’s mission if installed in surface ships. ISR can detect or locate incoming submarines, or detect torpedoes. “It is virtually an anti-submarine warfare. The ISR is a sonar equipment that can be dropped in the water, some can float and some can sink in the water but they accurately detect any mines or upcoming dangers and send it to the headquarters. It processes information,” he said. For air-based military equipment, Hornby demonstrated the use of ISR cameras which can be installed in any of the military or marine patrol aircraft.

“What this equipment does is listen, and sense upcoming dangers through an installed ISR sensors and transmit information to marine headquarters or aircrafts,” he said.

When asked whether equipment can be customized according to customer specifications, Hornby answered in the affirmative. “When a customer orders products from us, there are some specifications suited for their environment. So we cater to their needs; we customize, we don’t just sell but provide according to their specifications,” he said. On whether products can be acquired only through government deals, he said that his company is willing enter into a joint venture with the government and the private sector. He added, “Or we deal with the in-country subcontractors, a company that can manage the platform. It makes more sense for the in-country company to deal with their own system, so we deal with this system.” When probed further about countries in the Gulf they have already signed contracts with for their military equipments, Hornby was vocal that opportunities definitely exist. “We do have opportunities in the region, but we cannot divulge information the companies, countries and products taken from us, unless the country is willing to divulge it to public, or if they themselves reveal it,” he said.

He stressed that his company is not involved in politics, when quizzed about the prevailing tension with Iran.

“Regardless of what is happening geo-politically, we don’t mind that, we are not into that.” He concluded, “This region is very important to us economically and whatever happens, we would be here. We are here to support each other.”

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LOCAL in my view

kuwait digest

Education and human development

Cut the crashes, cut the costs

By Fares Saade, Principal, Giuliano Sparacino, Associate, and Dr. Ulrich Koegler, Partner, Booz & Company

he situation on the roads in the Middle East region is well-known to anyone who has ventured to drive on them: road safety is a major issue, with the statistics coming in consistently and significantly higher than those gathered in OECD countries. One of the reasons for this could be that the region’s governments are not fully aware of the socioeconomic cost that comes with car crashes, and therefore are unprepared to efficiently respond to such incidents, at the risk of the lives of those involved.

Traffic incidents are, of course, by no means isolated to the Middle East region. They are a global issue that costs more than 1.2 million people their lives annually, with an additional 10 million plus left crippled or injured as a result of a road accident. What sets this particular region apart though is the fact that is represents a significant percentage of the overall global figures. In OECD countries, an average of 6.2 people die per year in traffic incidents - in the Middle East, this figure is considerably higher at 17-22 people per 100,000. Underdeveloped databases and underreporting may mean that this figure is, in reality, even higher than those published.

There’s no doubt that the seriousness of the situation is recognized by government officials; such figures are hard to ignore. However, despite this awareness, the social and economic costs of road accidents are still underestimated, including direct costs (medical treatment and damage repairs, for example), and indirect costs (loss of economic productivity). Taking all of those measures into account, the impact of road crashes is substantial, accounting for a massive 1-2 percent of GDP in MENA countries.

Since many governments today have the ability to calculate only the direct costs, which amount to just 25 to 30 percent of the total cost of crashes, their policies and infrastructure planning do not accurately weigh the economic benefits of investments in increased safety-such as intelligent transport systems, or road improvements such as asphalt drainage systems. An accurate analysis of the full costs might also further encourage the development of public transportation, which reduces road usage. Finally, a complete overview of the costs of road fatalities and injuries is essential for the regulatory framework and insurance market, in order to provide fair compensation to the victims of crashes.

The first step for MENA governments is to create a comprehensive set of estimates for the socioeconomic cost of crashes, and promote its use across agencies. Such estimates would allow different agencies to make appropriate trade-offs between different projects competing for limited government funds, which invariably leads to additional and more targeted investments in road safety. Governments could also use these figures to raise awareness about the steep human and economic cost of crashes, as well as to review the legislation and methods for setting the crash victims’ compensation.

Beyond these benefits, MENA government can ultimately use these estimates as the cornerstone of a strategic, integrated plan for road safety. They can start by analyzing current road safety from multiple perspectives, such as transport planning, societal awareness, and enforcement of safety measures. Based on this analysis, they can coordinate among police, transport authorities, emergency responders, insurance companies, schools, and others to determine challenges-such as unsafe driver behavior, weak enforcement of traffic laws, or underused technologies for traffic management-and then set corresponding priorities to address them. Such priorities would make up an integrated plan covering areas including regulations, driver awareness and behavior, enforcement, and investments in infrastructure and safety measures. Finally, thanks to the more sophisticated cost-benefit analysis that is possible with a complete understanding of the cost of crashes, governments can define the budget for this plan based on the expected benefits in terms of fewer road crashes. The deaths and injuries that occur on the roads of the MENA region are tragedies with emotional costs that can never be fully calculated. But a more accurate accounting of accidents’ socioeconomic costs is key to creating a program that prevents unnecessary loss of life in the future.

By Dr Yaqoub Al-Sharrah he recently released United Nations Human Development report contains an index that classifies countries according to their level of human development. While the differences between advanced countries is narrow in most cases, the gap becomes wider as we read towards the list of developing nations.

What I’d like to focus on in this report is the assessment of Kuwait’s educational system compared to other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The deterioration in the level of education today is a major point of discussion among experts who value its direct connection with a country’s human development level. Despite the fact that many experts in Kuwait raised the importance of human development to achieving development, we find that the situation in the country is actually getting worse.

The report, released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), indicates that education in the GCC region is struggling to keep up with the advancement of education in other parts of the world. In its index, Kuwait dropped

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Different opinions are not always wrong

The deterioration in the level of education today is a major point of discussion among experts who value its direct connection with a country’s human development level. Despite the fact that many experts in Kuwait raised the importance of human development to achieving development, we find that the situation in the country is actually getting worse

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij orrupt media’ is the term used by the oppo- damage national interests from the government’s sition blocs to describe private TV stations own point of view. and newspapers which broadcast or publish Based on the opposition blocs’ and the governopinions that differ with their agenda and points of ment’s point of view, we have honorable, corrupt, view. A media outlet which defends a certain topic responsible and irresponsible channels and newspathat contradicts with the interests of the opposition pers in Kuwait. Regardless of this, all these outlets blocs are labeled as being corrupt. are only exercising their right of expression which is In the meantime, the opposition blocs exercise protected by the Constitution. This freedom must be the ‘right’ to publically insult or make baseless alle- safeguarded against being subjected to the opposigations against their opponents, while they tion’s or the government’s wishes. describe media outlets A media outlet which endorse their has the right to A media outlet has the right to broadpoints of view as being broadcast opinions cast opinions freely, in line with the dishonorable. freely, in line with point of view of its owner even if the The government is the point of view of Ministry of Information likes it or not. an accomplice to the its owner even if the opposition blocs in Ministry of Actually, raising interesting topics and committing the crime Information likes it garnering public attention is the main of curbing freedoms or not. Actually, raisstrategy of a successful media outlet. and rejecting different ing interesting topThis is definitely unlike state-owned opinions. It has laid ics and garnering down its own rules and public attention is media whose job is to spread a unilaterclassifications as to the main strategy of al opinion reflecting the government’s what can or cannot be a successful media point of view. The government asks broadcasted, and what outlet. This is defimedia outlets to be ‘responsible’ and is considered as a violanitely unlike statetion. Their interpretaowned media whose ‘honorable’ by submitting to its instructions go in line with the job is to spread a tions by not expressing their opinion government’s point of unilateral opinion and promoting a certain message. view. Most recently, the reflecting the govminister of information ernment’s point of stated that media is free in Kuwait as long as it does view. The government asks media outlets to be not violate the audiovisual law; limiting the free- ‘responsible’ and ‘honorable’ by submitting to its dom of expression. Moreover, the minister has instructions by not expressing their opinion and proinstructed that media outlets only report news that moting a certain message. The government, howev‘take into account the best interest of the country’” er, ignores the fact that free media seeks to change and ‘maintain credibility’ to avoid news which could the present situation and introduce new ideologies, ‘instigate sectarianism or violence in society.’ So, even if that causes tension among people. Neither similar to how the opposition blocs have set their the government, nor the opposition have the right own standards about what is honorable and what is to deny media outlets this right. They can counter it corrupt media, the government has set rigid classifi- by supporting media outlets in promoting their cations on what materials promote sectarianism, opinions. — Al-Qabas

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from the 47th place in 2010 to the 63rd this year.

This puts Kuwait behind three other GCC countries, which are the United Arab Emirates which came in the 30th place among 187 countries, Qatar in the 37th place, and Saudi Arabia in the 56th.

Such indicators are enough to support arguments against people who defend Kuwait’s education and deny the fact that it suffers crucial problems that contribute to the country’s decline in the global human development index.

Several studies and reports have previously suggested that Kuwait’s level of education has been suffering from setbacks that has placed it out of line with social requirements to achieve development. This is sad considering Kuwait now falls behind GCC countries which used to seek its assistance in improving education in the sixties and seventies.

UN Human Development reports should improve our country’s educational strategy. This process must tackle all aspects including the problems that our education suffers from, and come up with a solution that makes it a major contributor toward boosting Kuwait’s rank in the global human development index. The process must also focus on improving the three elements of education: the teacher, the curriculum and the student. At the same time, it falls in line with the state’s vision for the future.

It’s a sad fact that Kuwait’s position has slipped sixteen spots below at the Global Human Development Index given all our high capabilities. — Al-Rai

kuwait digest

kuwait digest

The all-inclusive GCC council

Crisis in the making

By Dr Ahmad Al-Duaij t is generally believed that Gulf Cooperation military capabilities. They felt the need to involve Council (GCC) countries have committed to co- some countries that boast of military prowess to ordinate on all problems that may arise in the deter Iran’s attempts at interfering in the Gulf counregion. The current situation requires that the Gulf tries’ affairs. region takes a unified I believe this move is stance to face the politinot practical at all , espeNext week, on Dec 19 and 20, the cially since the number cal upheaval. This calls for 32nd GCC Summit will be held. Among of GCC countries will rise total coordination to issues to be discussed will be the mem- to 9 and may be 10 (it express a unified opinion in all political issues. bership of Hashimite Kingdom of should definitely be Sadly, this is only wishJordan and Morocco in GCC. Yemen renamed). What can be ful thinking.

The better than reviewing enjoys a special status along with the foundation on which Sultanate of Oman takes Iraqis. Egypt is also reserved a special the Arab League is a stance that serves only its interest . Qatar has status and is a strong candidate to join formed? Its membership been pursuing its own the GCC. The GCC was established on should be limited to interests in recent years. countries that adopt 25/5/1981 by six oil-producing Arabic as its official lanProbably that’s why we sheikhdoms. At that time, the region guage. There should be see that its decisions are not compatible with deciexperienced political changes with the true economic integrasions taken by other GCC Iranian revolution led by Ayatollah tion and coordination on members.

Khomeini in 1979, resulting in the fall political issues among Following the events new Arab League memof the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza bers. Rich GCC countries that took place in Yemen , Pahlavi and the establishment of the should invest in the poor particularly the war between the Yemeni govArab countries, in Islamic Republic of Iran. ernment and the Shiite exchange for guaranteeHouthies, the Arab Spring revolutions coincided with ing the safety of the latter from the Iranian threat. the Shiite-led revolution in Bahrain. Rich GCC coun- Iran, under the current regime in Tehran is a true dantries are sparsely populated and don’t have advanced ger. — Al-Watan

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By Abdullah Al-Adwani f political analyst Abdul Razaq Al-Shayjie is correct in his observation that two major former politicians have agreed to support a candidate in the second constituency for the speaker’s post, then this move will have serious repercussions on Kuwait during the coming period. The high profile candidate is reported to be a media personality, also a former MP. The two politicians supporting him are allegedly from the ruling family.

Unfortunately, if this is true, a crisis is in the making and we are entering a dark tunnel.

The list of candidates for the upcoming elections has been compiled although elections have not begun. No applications for nomination has been filed yet. But what is clear is that mostly everything has been arranged in support of certain MPs. It has already been decided on who will be supported for an elected office in the next council.

I wonder what or who is interfering in the elections to the National Assembly Council and the election of the speaker? Who benefits from this interference? Is it the new Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak? Or is it a plot to fail HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Why is there a fight over the speaker’s position by ruling family members who have nothing to do with this matter? At last we say, that people will, shall become victorious. We say it and repeat it.

Kuwaiti people are aware of what is going on and such things will not pass by so easily. — Al-Anbaa

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‘Economic challenge could hinder Arab democratic transition’

KUWAIT: Nigerian Minister of Health Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu (center right) poses with the Nigerian Ambassador in Kuwait Bala Ahmed Gusau (third right) and some Nigerian professors in Kuwait during a dinner party in honor of the minister at the embassy house in Mishrif on Monday. — Photos by Chidi Emmanuel

Nigerian minister lauds Kuwait, woos investors ‘Kuwait more African than some African countries’

By Chidi Emmanuel KUWAIT: The Nigerian Minister of Health Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu has lauded the efforts of Kuwait government in health and human development. The minister who was on a three-day visit to Kuwait to attend the 17th joint action forum of the African Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) praised the

Nigerian Minister of Health Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu Kuwait-Nigeria bilateral relations which he said is worthy of emulation. “Kuwait is more African than some African countries. It has contributed so much in the development of Africa. Kuwait has committed a lot of money and resources in eliminating River Blindness in

Africa,” Prof Chukwu said. “African Program for Onchocerciasis Control program is aimed at controlling diseases such as river blindness and other health problems.

“APOC supports mass drug administration to control onchocerciasis (river blindness) through direct funding, advising and assistance, and monitoring and reporting on projects implemented by various governments,” the minister added.

The four-day forum which began on Sunday was inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of Kuwait Fund for Economic Development (KFAED) Sheikh Sabah AlKhalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

The forum continues till today. The event attracted more than 120 representatives across the globe. APOC countries include Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

On the home front, the minister said that the Nigerian government is working very hard in setting up a sustainable health system by providing infrastructure and qualified manpower.

Prof Chukwu said that the Ministry of Health is partnering with other agencies and private investors to boost the health care and make it more accessible to Nigerians. He urged Kuwaitis, expatriates and the Nigerian diaspora to invest in the booming Nigerian medical sector.

Maher Salman wins a brand new BMW KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company VIVA has announced the weekly winner of its “Win a Car Every Week ” campaign, as the luck favored Maher Salman Mohamad who won a new BMW 3 Series 2011 in the 11th weekly draw. Maher, expressed his happiness for being the lucky winner of the new BMW car as it is a dream come true and it has been made possible by VIVA. VIVA congratulated the winner and invited customers to participate in the ongoing campaign in order to be one of the winners in the upcoming weekly draws. VIVA also reiterated its commitment to continuously provide unique and exclusive offers designed to better ser ve and reward its sub scribers.

The campaign, which was launched on September 15th 2011, is only applicable to prepaid customers where they can enter the draw through two options, the first option is to subscribe with 500 fils per day which gives them infinite minutes and SMS within VIVA network.

For every 500 fils spent, the customer is entitled 1 chance to enter the draw. The second

option for prepaid customers includes subscribing to BlackBerr y KD 7 which gives them full and unlimited BlackBerry Services, where customers will gain fifteen points .

Customers are able to subscribe to both options in order to enter the draw to win a luxurious car, where their points will be accumulated and carried on to the next draw if they did not win.

To increase their chances to win a

new car every week, prepaid customers can subscribe to the ‘Flavor of the Week’ which will be a ‘special service’ for that week allowing more opportunities to win every week.

This week ‘Flavor of the Week’ will give prepaid customers 6 more chances upon subscribing to the KD3 international weekly bundle where they can get 30 international minutes to call anywhere in the world.

FEZ: The Eighth Edition of the Fez Forum on the Alliance of Civilizations, Cultural Diversity and the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation cautioned yesterday that the grinding economic challenges pose real risk to the democratic transition in the Arab region.

The forum sponsored by Moroccan King Mohammad VI and themed “The Young and the Challenges of Globalization: Environment, Education, Training and Creativity,” came to a close here yesterday after adopting a final communique. The conferees highlighted in the document the need to tackle the economic challenges through proper means and national consensus based on deep political conviction of democracy, equitable distribution of wealth and peaceful power swap.

They urged pursuing the constitutional and political reforms in the Arab countries in the framework of partnership between the governments, on one hand, and the civil society institutions, on the other, in order to ensure smooth democratic transition and avoid any social imbalances.

They lauded the Moroccan experiment in democratization as an example for other Arab and African nations, noting that Morocco started

adopting the multi-party system long ago and that recent reforms of the constitution exceeded the aspirations of the people.

The four-day gathering, organized by the Moroccan Center for Interdisciplinary Strategic and International Studies (CMIESI), brought together eminent political, cultural and religious celebrities from around the globe including Director-General of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic and Social

Development (KFAED) Abdul-Latif Al-Hamad. It debated topics such as; joys and sorrows toward the achievement of the objectives of the development Millennium; human development and the achievement of the objectives of the Millennium within a policy of South-South cooperation; and the young people’s conception of conditions for consistent world partnership and a specific agenda of implementation. — KUNA

Minister seeks promotion of Kuwaiti culture KUWAIT: During a visit today to the headquarters of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL), Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah applauded the achievements of the Council in the dissemination of Kuwaiti publications and the promotion of Kuwaiti cultural events in the region.

In a press statement, he sounded appreciation of the Council’s endeavors to foster works of fine arts and Kuwaiti artifacts and to present the opportunity to creative

Kuwaitis to exhibit their talents in their chosen fields of artistic expression.

He urged the Council to pursue archaeological surveys in various parts of Kuwait with the emphasis on promoting the love of archaeology in the young generation. He also suggested to the Council to prepare an all comprehensive map of Kuwait on which tourist and cultural points of interest in the country are shown. Such a map would be of optimum utility to tourists, he emphasized. — KUNA

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Underage girl fakes kidnap in Bayan Blackmailers caught in Jahra

KUWAIT: Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah visited the Cultural Village yesterday to check on the quality of services provided at the village. The minister further announced plans for the village to host several events and activities in the near future reflecting Kuwait’s sea and bedoon heritage.

Study indicates increase in crime rates KUWAIT: According to figures by the Interior Ministr y, there was slight increase in annual crime rate between 1980 and 1989, then there was a greater increase between 1993 and 1998, followed by a drop till 2003, and an eventual increase again between 2004 and 2010.

The figures come from a statistical study on “Crime rates in the State of Kuwait for 1980-2010, and forecasts for 2011-2020”.

The study shows the highest average was that of crimes involving money and attack on life for the period 1980-2010, with Hawally Governorate recording the highest number of cases, followed by AlAsema for the same period.

The study stressed the need for more effort to increase awareness among nationals and residents, enforcing respect of law and order, and stressing on the religious aspect of violation of law. This should be sought through all media outlets, including printed press, radio, television, the internet, and social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

The authorities concerned should shed more light on risk and penalties for specific crimes, and signs and posters indicating these should be placed at all state facilities, it recommended.

There is also the need to hold seminars and exhibitions for the public to increase their legal and security awareness and instruct them as to how to counter crimes and prevent them through understanding causes and motives. This must go hand in hand with stress on these issues in school curricula, with encouragement of volunteer work, and more opportunities to work and interact with security bodies.

The study also indicated law officers and representatives must effectively and professionally perform their duties and honor their responsibilities, that parents and educators must continually guide the young to be responsible citizens who uphold law and social and Islamic tradition, and that tougher legislation be introduced, especially for new crimes and forms of breach of law that affect our society’s stability and security. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Police are on the hunt for a young man who has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor in Bayan. The underage girl’s father was supposed to pick her up on Sunday night from her friend’s home in Adan where he had dropped her off a few hours earlier. However, his daughter’s friend informed him that she had left shortly before.

The desperate father realized that his daughter was missing after he contacted her cousin who denied meeting the girl that day. The following morning, he received a phone call from his daughter stating she had been kidnapped. Two hours later, the girl called again and said that her ‘kidnapper’ had dropped her off near the Adan Hospital. The father headed to the spot, accompanied by a police officer.

During investigations, the girl admitted that she had taken a taxi from her friend’s home and headed to meet her boyfriend in Bayan.

Charges were pressed at the Adan police station against the boyfriend.

Like father, like son A man is facing charges in connection with verbally assaulting his son’s teacher. The teacher allegedly chastised the child for his unruly behavior. The incident reportedly took place at a school in Sabah Al-Salem where the father met with the teacher to talk about his son’s poor academic performance. When the teacher explained that low marks reflect the student’s performance in class, the man took offense and insulted the teacher. The victim then pressed charges with the local police station.

Fatal crash A motorcyclist died in an accident that took place recently in Sharq. Investigations are currently ongoing to reveal circumstances that led to the incident. Police and paramedical staff rushed to the location near a car showroom where the accident involving a motorcycle was reported. Criminal investigators removed the body of the young man after he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Arab duo held Jahra police arrested two Arab men who tried to blackmail women using pictures obtained through online chats.

Investigations into the case were ongoing following complaints filed by several women who were asked to pay up so as to avoid having their personal photographs, which were sent voluntarily, uploaded online for public viewing. The two were arrested in Sulaibiya. The photos were saved in their computer ’s hard disk drive. They were referred to higher authorities.

Street fight Three Kuwaiti teenagers, including a member of the ruling family, are being held after allegedly using knives in a fight that broke out with another group over traffic disputes.

The three were reportedly driving in Jaber AlAli when their car collided into another vehicle that carried a citizen, his sister and brother-in-law. The two parties were involved in a heated dispute. The three teens used knives

to threaten the others. They were arrested after police arrived at the scene.

Drunk driver Ahmadi police arrested a drunk driver after a hot chase. He eventually crashed into a lamp post. Traffic police chased him down after he deliberately rammed into a patrol vehicle and drove away. The suspect was forced to halt after hitting the lamp post and was immediately arrested. He was referred to proper authorities.

Kidnap attempt Police are searching for two people who attempted to kidnap a girl from her school in Waha recently. The 13-year-old was allegedly waiting for her family to pick her up after school when two suspects halted their car nearby and attempted to bundle her into it.

The kidnap attempt failed when other students screamed for help, prompting suspects to flee. Investigations were begun after the girl’s family repor ted the incident to Sulaibikhat police station.

Armed thief at large An armed suspect mugged a man near an ATM outlet in Fahaheel. The man approached the Egyptian victim while he was withdrawing cash and demanded at gunpoint that he hand over the money. The suspect then fled with KD 200. The man filed a complaint with the area’s police station immediately.

—Al-Rai, Al-Watan, Al-Anbaa

Al-Haroun arrives in Japan TOKYO: Kuwaiti Minister of State for Planning and Development Affairs Abdulwahab Al-Haroun arrived in Tokyo yesterday to inaugurate the Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee and meet senior Japanese officials.

The 16th Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee, due today, is expected to focus on the economic opportunities between

the two nations, especially with the advent of the 50th anniversary of Kuwaiti-Japanese diplomatic relations, according to the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce Industry. On Thursday, Al-Haroun is also scheduled to attend a seminar on investment opportunities in Kuwait, which will cover the nation’s fiveyear development plan running through 2014 and other mega proj-

ects. Upon arrival at Narita International Airport, the minister was received by First Secretary at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan Mohammed Al-Mutairi, Third Secretary Abdulaziz Al-Dalah and Japanese officials.

The committee’s annual meeting, first launched in 1995, will be organized by the Japanese Cooperation Center for the Middle

East (JCCME). Established in 1973 under the sponsorship of the Japanese government, the nonprofit foundation has been promoting Japan’s investment and transfer of technology to the Middle East.

The JCCME also has a Japan Desk in Kuwait, which plays a bridging role between private companies of Kuwait and Japan to help them establish joint ventures. — KUNA

TEC celebrates triathlon success

The winners following the ceremony.

TEC officials in the front row at the closing ceremony.

KUWAIT: The Shaab Sea Club hosted the closing ceremony of the 4th TEC Triathlon that took place last Saturday. I t was sponsored by Wataniya Telecom. The event featured several activities including competitions and traditional displays, as well as special participation from Dunken Donuts and Paintball Kuwait.

Al-Foudari with two members of the triathlon’s supervising committee.

The paintball Kuwait stand.

Several Touristic Enterprises Company officials attended the ceremony, including director of the beaches and sea clubs department, Ali Al-Qallaf, the triathlon’s coordinator Nasser Al-Foudari and Shaab Sea Club supervisor Salem Al-Jeeran. The event also featured a ceremony to reward winners of the triathlon. The tournament started

Participants pose for a photo.

with cycling from the Aqailah beach to the Ras Al-Ardh Sea Club, followed by a running race towards the Shaab Sea Club, and finally the participants competed in 100 meters swimming event at the club’s main pool. Emanuel Galyurdine of France was crowed winner of the triathlon and received the KD1000 grand prize.

TEC officials with the organizing committee.

The organizing committee before the start of the triathlon.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

Four dead in Belgium lone wolf attack Liege attacker had criminal record LIEGE: A lone gunman armed with grenades opened fire on a square packed with children and Christmas shoppers in the eastern Belgian city of Liege yesterday, killing three people and wounding 75.

Officials named the gunman—who was himself also killed in circumstances that are not yet clear—as Nordine Amrani, 33, a known criminal who had been summoned by police that morning but who never showed up. Among the three passers-by killed when Amrani went on his shooting spree near the city’s courthouse was a 15-year-old boy who died instantly and a 17-year-old boy and 75-year-old woman who died later in hospital.

The lunchtime attack sent terrified residents running through the streets for their lives, fleeing into churches and shops as the gunman fired on a crowded square. “We heard two huge deafening noises and then lots of explosions, people were running everywhere,” a baker named only as Patricia said on RTL-TV. “We closed the door, turned off the lights and hid behind the counter with the customers.” The country’s federal crisis centre said it was neither a terrorist incident nor linked to a pending criminal trial. “It’s very difficult to determine the reasons for the attack, but we’re investigating all avenues,” the centre’s Benoit Ramacker told AFP. King Albert II and Queen Paola rushed to the scene as did newly-named Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo and Belgium’s Home Affairs Minister Joelle Milquet broke off European Union talks and too was headed for Liege.

“It’s uncertain yet whether he (Amrani) killed himself or whether his weapons exploded,” public prosecutor Danielle Reynders told a news conference. “He left his home this morning with his backpack and his arms,” she said, adding that he climbed on to the roof of a bakery shop “and fired and then threw three grenades”.

Hours later groups of people sat weeping on sidewalks amid the screech of ambulance sirens and the roar of helicopters. Pools of blood lay on the streets. The shooting took place around noon on Saint-Lambert square, home to the courthouse and located near a busy Christmas market in the town of 196,000 people.

Some initial reports said it was a foiled bid to rescue a suspect from the courthouse. Police had raided Amrani’s Liege home recently seeking cannabis plants but had found weapons instead. In 2008 he was sentenced to almost five years behind bars for illegal possession of arms and growing cannabis. Reynders said although the gunman had a record for drugs dealing, arms possession and holding stolen goods, there had never been a sign he was unbalanced in any way. — AFP

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Hezbollah identifies undercover CIA officers WASHINGTON: The militant group Hezbollah has revealed the identities of CIA officers working undercover in Lebanon, a blow to agency operations in the region and the latest salvo in an escalating spy war.

Hezbollah made the names public in a broadcast Friday night on a Lebanese television station, al-Manar.

Using animated videos, the station recreated meetings purported to take place between CIA officers and paid informants at Starbucks and Pizza Hut. The disclosure comes after Hezbollah managed to par tially unravel the agency’s spy network in Lebanon after running a double agent against the CIA, former and current U.S. intelligence officials said. They requested

anonymity to discuss matters of intelligence.

In June, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah bragged that his group had identified at least two spies working for the CIA. It is not clear whether one of those spies was, in fact, the same double agent working for Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist group by the US Nasrallah has called the US Embassy in Beirut a “den of spies.” The fiasco happened despite top CIA officials being warned to be extra careful when handling informants after Hezbollah and Lebanese officials arrested scores of Israeli spies in 2009.

The outing of the officers is particularly damaging because it will hinder the ability of these CIA employees to

work overseas again - especially in the Internet age where references to their names will be widely available to other foreign intelligence agencies.

The CIA dismissed Hezbollah’s assertions. “The agency does not, as a rule, address spurious claims from terrorist groups,” CIA spokeswoman Jennifer Youngblood said. “I think it’s worth remembering that Hezbollah is a dangerous organization, with alManar as its propaganda arm. That fact alone should cast some doubt on the credibility of the group’s claims.”

Former officials said one of the named officers was considered a rising star at the CIA and had been involved in many important operations in Iraq. Whether or not this

employee would be able to continue a CIA career outside the US is unknown. Former officials said it is likely Hezbollah has already shared photographs of the case officers with Iran, its closest ally.

It was not immediately clear whether the exposed CIA officers in Lebanon have been pulled out of the country. The Associated Press is not publishing the names of the officers because they could refer to operatives who remain undercover. Revealing the identities of CIA officers has happened in the past. The last instance came about one year ago when the name of the CIA’s Pakistan station chief was leaked to reporters there.

The CIA initially let him stay but even-

tually decided it was too dangerous for him to remain in the country.

Case officers met with informants at locations more than once, a practice frowned upon because it risks their exposure. The disclosure indicates that Hezbollah is sending a sharp message to the CIA to stay out of Lebanon, suggesting that it could have captured the CIA officers at any time since it knew their identities. In 1984, Hezbollah kidnapped the CIA station chief in Beirut. He was tortured and later killed.

Al-Manar said the CIA team in Lebanon consisted of 10 officers and all used diplomat cover. The station said their jobs were to oversee intelligence networks in Lebanon. — AP

Tunisia swears in oppn stalwart as president President promises clean break

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, listens to Russia’s new ambassador to Tehran Levan Djhagaryan, left, during a meeting to submit his credentials, at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. — AP

Algeria’s Islamists hope for election win ALGIERS: Algeria’s Islamists, buoyed by election victories of their brethren across North Africa over the past two months, are looking to triumph themselves next spring in nationwide polls. But Algeria’s Islamists have a bloody legacy of history to overcome - and that complicates their efforts to replicate Islamist breakthroughs in Tunisia and Morocco.

Algeria witnessed the first victory of an Islamist party in 1991 polls, but the army aborted those elections to keep the Islamists from power. It led to more than a decade of harrowing civil war that claimed an estimated 200,000 lives and left the country deeply traumatized.

Last week, parliament passed a new law that makes it easier to form a political party, opening the way for more Islamist forces competing for power. But it bans from politics former members of the now-outlawed Islamic Salvation Front, the party that won the first round of the elections 20 years ago. “It is forbidden for those responsible for the exploitation of religion that led to the national tragedy to found a political party or participate in its creation,” says the new law. One key to the Islamists’ fate is whether they’re able to heal divisions in their ranks. Unlike in Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria’s Islamists are split up into rival parties, with the most powerful participating in the governing coalition. That may change as the promise of political power helps to overcome old animosities.

“We are not yet at the point of an alliance, but discussions are open,” said Abu Djara Soltani, the leader of the Movement of Society for Peace, the largest Islamist party with 52 seats in the 289-member parliament. “It is our duty, as Algerian Islamists, to meet the expectations of our society that wants to be ruled by Islamists,” he said.

He described the victory of Tunisian and Moroccan Islamist parties in elections as “a positive inducement” to burying enmities.

But some observers say there may be too much bad blood for the Islamists to band together.

“The latest events do seem to favor the Islamist movement in Algeria, but it is still very divided and there is too much animosity between the different currents to form an alliance in the few months ahead of

elections,” said Mohammed Saadi, an Algerian political analyst.

There are at least three legal Islamist parties, with another waiting for approval.

The Movement of Society for Peace seeks to change the country from inside the system and holds four Cabinet positions prompting the other parties to say it has sold out.

The Islah and al-Nahda parties, which together hold 20 seats in parliament take a more confrontational stance to the regime.

But if the Movement of Society for Peace were to quit the ruling coalition and offer an alliance they have signaled they might be open to it.

John Entelis, an Algeria expert at Fordham University in New York, said most of the divisions are based less on ideology than personal rivalries between leaders. “ They see themselves in competition, which is what the government wants them going after each other,” he said.

Like many of the Islamist movements around the region, he said, their rhetoric has become increasingly less about religion. “They minimize the Islamic side of it in favor of the social and economic dimensions,” he said.

Mohammed Said, the leader of the Islamist Party for Justice and Liberty, said the time has come for religious parties in the region because everything else from communism to liberalism has been tried.

“There are now Islamic movements on the scene and I think the Arab-Islamic societies are today ready to let them have their chance,” said Said, whose party is awaiting approval to run in the election.

Even if the Islamists triumph next spring it’s unclear whether the powerful generals who have controlled politics since Algeria’s independence from France in 1962 will allow such a victory. As President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has fallen ill, the generals have been taking more power back for themselves and appointing supporters to high positions. In a sense, Algeria was ahead of the rest of Middle East in its pro-democracy movements. Country-wide demonstrations led the government to rewrite the nation’s constitution in 1989, ending the one-party state and allowing pluralistic elections.—AP

ALGIERS: In this May 2, 2011 file photo, Algerian anti riot police block a street as students, calling for political change, protest in Algiers. Algeria’s Islamists, buoyed by election victories of their brethren across North Africa over the past two months, are looking to triumph themselves next spring in nationwide polls. — AP

TUNIS: Almost a year since the Arab Spring started in Tunisia, the north African nation yesterday swore in veteran opposition rights activist Moncef Marzouki as its first elected president. The 66-year-old French trained doctor, who was forced into exile for a decade by former strongman Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, had tears in his eyes when he solemnly promised to be the “president of all Tunisians”.

“I have the great honour of becoming the first president of the first free republic of the Arab world,” Marzouki, wearing a traditional camel-coloured tunic over his jacket, told AFP after his inauguration. “I will be the guarantor of the national interests, the state of laws and institutions,” he said with his hand on the Quran as he took his oath before the constituent assembly that had elected him yesterday.

His first task will be to name Hamadi Jebali-the number two of the moderate Islamist Ennahda par ty which won October elections-as prime minister of a new government to be unveiled today, he told reporters.

Most ministerial posts are expected to go to Ennahda, according to political sources, while its allies from the centreleft Congress for the Republic party and some independents are also expected to take several portfolios.

Marzouki moved into Ben Ali’s old seaside palace, beside the Roman ruins at Carthage, almost a year since the self-immolation of a Tunisian street vendor started a protest movement that spread across much of the Arab world. “I will be faithful to the martyrs and to the objectives of the revolution,” the new leader said. “Without their sacrifice, I would not be here,” he added, calling on people to also “pray for

TUNIS: Tunisia’s veteran opposition figure Moncef Marzouki (L) shakes hands with former President Foued Mebazaa (R) in the Carthage Palace after Marzouki was sworn-in yesterday, in Tunis. — AFP the people of Syria and Yemen”.

The new Tunisian leader said “other nations are watching us as a laboratory of democracy. The main challenge is to attain the revolution’s goals.” “Our mission is to promote our Arab-Muslim identity and be open to the world; to protect the veiled (women) and girls in niqab as well as those who aren’t veiled,” he said, promising to safeguard health, education and women’s rights.

Calling for national reconciliation, he urged the opposition “to participate in the nation’s political life and not confine itself to a role of observer”. Before taking up residence in the palace, Marzouki held talks with the outgoing president Fouad Mebazaa,

who was appointed interim president after Ben Ali’s January 14 ouster at the beginning of a tumultuous year for Tunisia. The north African country’s new president was Ben Ali’s bete noire throughout his political career and was forced to live in exile in France for a decade.

Critics accuse Marzouki of being a pawn of Ennahda, which came in first in the October 23 constituent assembly elections with 89 seats. Marzouki’s Congress for the Republic Partywhose symbol is a pair of red glasses inspired by his outsize spectacles-was second, winning 29 seats. On Monday Marzouki was elected with 153 votes in the 217-member constituent assembly, with three of the 202

Settler raids on army base, Jordan border anger Israel PM JERUSALEM: Radical Jewish settlers attacked an army base and staged protests in a closed military zone on the Jordan border overnight, sparking a sharp condemnation yesterday from the Israeli premier. In the early hours of yesterday morning, around 50 settlers forced their way onto a key army base in the northern West Bank and vandalised military vehicles there following rumours troops were about to evacuate settlement outposts, the military said.

Several hours earlier, some 30 settlers broke into a Christian baptismal site in a closed military zone along the Jordanian border to stage a protest. Both incidents were swiftly condemned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “to act aggressively” against anyone attacking Israeli troops.

“This incident must be completely condemned. The security forces need to concentrate on defending our citizens and not on such outrageous lawbreaking,” he said in a statement. An army statement said the early-morning attack had targeted the Ephraim base near the northern town of Qalqilya.

“Overnight, approximately 50 rightwing activists infiltrated the Ephraim regional division headquarters, set fire to tyres and damaged vehicles with stones, bottles of point and by placing nails on the road,” it said. “In addition, rocks were thrown at the Ephraim regional division commander’s vehicle.

The commander was not injured,” it said, condemning the attack.

Police said two people were arrested in the wake of the attack which took place after rumours reportedly began cir-

cling in the settler community that troops were poised to dismantle several outposts set up without Israeli government permission.

In the earlier incident, settler activists broke into the Qasr al-Yahud Christian baptismal site along the Jordan border to protest against Muslim opposition to the closure of a controversial ramp leading to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City. Seventeen people were detained for questioning, police said.

The two incidents were the latest in a slew of revenge attacks by settlers, which for the most part targeted Palestinian and Arab property, but have also been directed at leftwing Israeli activists and the military. These so-called “price-tag” attacks, usually carried out in response to steps against settlements, have been condemned by Israeli leaders, but the Palestinians say little action has been taken to prosecute those responsible.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak lambasted the perpetrators for their “nefarious actions” which he said had no place in Israeli society. “These activities have the characteristic of homegrown terror and will not be tolerated. The defence minister has instructed the IDF to act with resolve in all of its efforts to curb this worrying bout of activity,” he said in a statement.

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni said the incidents were symptomatic of the “radicalisation” of Israeli society which was taking place with “the tacit agreement and a wink from the Netanyahu government,” while Home Front Security Minister Matan Vilnai described it as a case of Jewish terrorism. — AFP

deputies present voting against, two abstaining and 44 opposition members casting blank ballots. Marzouki, who headed the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LTDH) from 1989 until Ben Ali supporters forced him out in 1994, has a deep-seated passion for human rights. An admirer of India’s independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, he travelled to that country, as well as South Africa after the end of apar theid.

Marzouki, a father of three, is divorced from his French wife. A prolific writer, he has penned several books in French and Arabic including one titled “Dictators on Watch: A Democratic Path for the Arab World.” —AFP

Iran indicts 15 ‘spies’ for US TEHRAN: Iran has indicted 15 people on charges of spying for the United States and Israel, Tehran’s chief prosecutor said yesterday, according to the Fars news agency. “An indictment has been issued by the prosecutor’s office against these 15 people,” Jafari Dolatabi was quoted as saying.

“These people were spying for the United States and Israel,” he said. Dolatabi did not identify the suspects nor give any details of when they were arrested and under what circumstances. Iranian officials have several times in the past announced the arrest of suspected spies for the United States, but provided little information to substantiate the detentions or allegations.

In May, Iran’s intelligence ministry announced the arrest of 30 CIA “spies” conducting espionage and sabotage. It provided few specifics beyond saying the alleged ring promised US visas and residency to educated Iranians in several Muslim countries in a bid to gather information on Iran’s infrastructure and its nuclear, aeronautic, defence and biotech sectors.

Iran regularly accuses the United States of seeking to undermine its regime through covert operations. In 1953, the CIA mounted a coup to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected government and install an authoritarian regime headed by a pliant shah.

After Iran’s 1979 revolution ousted the shah, and Islamic students subsequently stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans inside hostage for 444 days, the United States cut off diplomatic ties with Iran.

Evidence of part of the US spying programme towards Iran came to light last week when the Islamic republic displayed a US reconnaissance drone it said it had captured. US President Barack Obama on Monday acknowledged Iran had the drone, a sophisticated and stealthy RQ-170 Sentinel, and requested its return. — AFP

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Swiss charge three in nuclear weapons case GENEVA: Swiss prosecutors said yesterday they had charged a father and his two sons for helping an unknown state build up an illegal nuclear weapons programme, after they admitted the crime. Prosecutors launched a case against Marco and Urs Tinner in October 2004 and their father Friedrich the following year on suspicion of links with the network of Abdul Qadeer Khan, the “father of the Pakistani atom bomb”, who supplied Libya with nuclear weapons technology.

“Based on the admissions made by the Tinner brothers and their father and at their request, the

Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) in November 2011 ruled that accelerated proceedings should be conducted,” said the prosecutors office.

“In the indictment, the accused and the OAG request that the court return verdicts of guilty in relation to offences under the War Material Act and against one of the sons for forgery of documents.” Prosecutors said they would ask the Federal Criminal Court to accept a plea bargain covering sentences and costs in a shortened process for the family of engineers.

“As a result of the admissions made by the

suspects, no evidence will be heard in the main proceedings,” the statement said. The brothers spent three-and-a-half years in pre-trial custody before being released in December 2008 and January 2009. Their father had been earlier released in 2006, according to prosecutors.

Marco and Urs lodged a claim with the European Court of Human Rights over the lengthy period behind bars but the Strasbourg court ruled in April that their rights had not been violated. The men were suspected of helping Tripoli develop centrifuges to enrich uranium from 2001 to 2003 and collaborating with Khan,

EU tells Ukraine of ‘serious concern’ over Tymoshenko ‘Trial was politically motivated’ KIEV: A European Union envoy, on a mission to Ukraine to save a Dec. 19 summit from failure, said yesterday he had voiced serious concern again to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich over the jailing of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

Tymoshenko, a former prime minister, was jailed for seven years in October on charges of abuse of office after a trial which the EU says was politically motivated. She says it is a “lynching” by Yanukovich, an old political foe who only narrowly beat her in a run-off for the presidency in February 2010 after a bitter contest. The Tymoshenko affair has thrown into jeopardy next week’s summit in Kiev which was meant to lay the ground for a new strategic relationship between the exSoviet republic and the 27-member body. EU commissioner Stefan Fuele, the bloc’s point man on Ukraine, held more than three hours of talks with Yanukovich on Monday night and then visited Tymoshenko for a half-hour at the Kiev prison where she is being held. “I underlined that the EU is concerned about lack of progress on a number of critical reforms in Ukraine, including those in the constitutional and judicial spheres and we have had substantial discussions on these,” Fuele said of

his talks with Yanukovich and others.

“I also reiterated our serious concern over recent cases of selective justice in Ukraine, including the cases of Yulia Tymoshenko and

assured her that we would continue to follow closely her appeal and would insist upon the need for her to benefit from of all her rights to defend herself in a fair process,” Fuele said.

KIEV: Daughter of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Yevhenia Carr, and lawyer Sergei Vlasenko near the Appellate Court in Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. The Kiev Court of Appeal began consideration on the merits of an appeal filed by Tymoshenko who in October was sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of authority during signing gas contracts with Russia. — AP others,” Fuele said in a personal statement. With Tymoshenko, he had discussed her health and developments in her case. “I informed her about the EU s concerns regarding this process and

Russian editor fired after Putin cursed in photo MOSCOW: The editor of a prominent Russian news magazine said he had been fired after the weekly printed a photograph featuring an obscene message addressed to Vladimir Putin as part of extensive reports on alleged fraud in a Dec. 4 parliamentary election.

Maxim Kovalsky said yesterday he had been dismissed as editor of Kommersant-Vlast over the magazine’s Monday edition, which included several articles examining alleged electoral violations favouring Prime Minister Putin’s United Russia party.

The dismissal appeared to serve notice that Putin still holds vast influence over Russian media, despite mass protests against his rule and a decline in his ruling party’s support at the election. “The reason is the issue about the election,” Kovalsky told Reuters. He said he believed the Kremlin had put pressure on Kommersant Publishing House owner Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire metals tycoon, and that he had no regrets about the publication.

“I acted absolutely consciously and believe I did the right thing,” he said. A spokeswoman for Metalloinvest, a company owned by Usmanov, confirmed that Kovalsky and the head of the magazine’s parent company Kommersant-Holding, Andrei Galiyev, had been fired. Asked for comment, the spokeswoman sent a report on gazeta.ru, a news site also owned by Usmanov, that cited Usmanov as saying unspecified material that appeared in recent issues of KommersantVlast had violated journalistic ethics.

“These materials border on petty hooliganism,” the news site quoted Usmanov, a billionaire who is partowner of the London soccer club Arsenal, as saying. It reported that he was considering suing Kovalsky.

Kommersant Publishing House director Demyan Kudryavtsev said he had tendered his resignation because he felt responsible for the “unacceptable” publication, Interfax news agency reported.

It was not immediately clear whether his resignation had been accepted. The shakeup at Kommersant, whose publications include a leading daily by the same name, followed protests by tens of thousands of Russians over alleged election fraud in the biggest opposition rallies of Putin’s 12-year rule.

Tens of thousands of Russians protested on Saturday over the parliamentary election they said was rigged in favour of United Russia, calling for the annulment of the official results and a new election.

Voters sharply reduced the ruling party’s parliamentary majority but opponents say the official results were inflated. Alegations of fraud have spread on the Internet and in some newspapers, while they are largely ignored by state media. Monday’s issue of KommersantVlast had a large section on the election, including articles on alleged violations.

The cover featured a photograph of Putin and a headline with a play on United Russia’s name that suggested ballot-stuffing, and the following subhead: “How the elections were falsified: eyewitness accounts.” A photograph on page 29 showed a ballot paper marked for the liberal Yabloko party and scrawled with the comment: “Putin, f**k off!”.

The photo caption read: “A ballot filled out correctly, deemed invalid.” — Reuters

The envoy gave no indication that there had been any change of heart by Yanukovich or any sign he would intervene to bring about Tymoshenko’s release-indeed the authorities have been piling up

charges against her rather than the reverse.

Last Friday, authorities convened a special court in her prison cell and formally “re-arrested” her on a new criminal charge of tax evasion, prompting her lawyer to say that the authorities clearly intended to keep her locked up indefinitely.

The abuse of office charge, for which she was sentenced in October, relates to brokering a gas deal with Russia in 2009 when she was prime minister. Political insiders in Kiev say the prosecution of Tymoshenko, a charismatic populist whose fiery rhetoric brought tens of thousands out on to the streets in the 2004 “Orange Revolution” protests, is personally driven by Yanukovich.

Yanukovich was ultimately denied the presidency by the Orange revolution and insiders say he has never forgiven Tymoshenko for that or for her biting personal attacks during the 2010 presidential campaign. About 1,000 of her supporters, chanting “Yulia Freedom! Yanukovich to prison!”, gathered outside Ukraine’s Appeals Court on Tuesday when her appeal against October’s verdict opened.

Tymoshenko’s defence lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko told the court that her health prevented her being present at the hearing. — Reuters

but in Tuesday’s statement, Swiss prosecutors did not name Libya in its charges but referred only to an “unknown state.”

Newspaper reports claimed the family were later recruited by the CIA to help halt Libya from gaining nuclear capability. In 2007 the Swiss government ordered that material seized in the course of the investigation be destroyed to stop nuclear weapons plans falling into hostile hands.

The prosecutor’s office did not release specific details of the charges filed. Libya agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons plans in 2003 under pressure from the West. — AFP

Canada bans burqa at citizenship swearing in TORONTO: New Canadian citizens must remove any face coverings, such as the Islamic niqab or burqa, while they take the oath of citizenship, the country’s immigration minister said Monday.

Jason Kenney said most Canadians find the practice of reciting the oath behind a veil disturbing and said new Canadians should take it in view of their fellow citizens. He said he has received complaints from lawmakers and citizenship judges who say it’s difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are actually reciting the oath.

The Conservative minister called the issue a matter of deep principle that goes to the heart of Canada’s identity and the country’s values of openness and equality. He said women who feel obliged to have their faces covered in public often come from a cultural milieu that treats women as property rather than equal human beings “I do think that most Canadians find that disquieting to say the least,” Kenney said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “Most Muslim Canadian women I know find the practice of face covering in our society disturbing, indicative of an approach to women that is not consistent with our democratic values,” Kenney added.

Kenney made the announcement in the French-speaking province of Quebec, which has experienced heated debates over how much Canada should bend to accommodate newcomers. While in the rest of Canada such issues are more often raised by conservatives, in Quebec it’s the left-

leaning and Parti Quebecois separatists who often discuss it.

Kenney said his government would not go further by drafting laws to ban women from wearing veils that cover their faces in public. France became the first countr y to enact a law designed to forbid face-covering veils such as the niqab or burqa anywhere in public. Violators risk fines or being ordered to take citizenship classes.

“We shouldn’t have the state using its power to dictate what people choose to wear in their private lives, but when there are important points of intersection with the state in obtaining state services I think it’s entirely reasonable for people to show who they are,” Kenney said.

There are no laws banning veils or headscarves in the U.S., though there have been unsuccessful attempts in some states to ban “Sharia law.” The sponsor of such a bill in Oklahoma wanted to prohibit women from wearing headscarves in driver’s license photos. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2010 banned veils that obscure the face for security reasons, but later changed it to accommodate Muslim women.

The burqa is a head-to-toe gown with a mesh-like panel over the face that allows a woman to see and breathe. The niqab is a veil that leaves only the eyes exposed.

The new Canadian rule takes effect immediately. Kenney defended it by saying it has nothing to do with religious freedom, and said when Makkah women make a pilgrimage to Mecca they’re required to show their face. — AP

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Police charge three in Florida A&M band with hazing TALLAHASSEE: Three Florida A&M band members were charged Monday in the beating of a woman during hazing rituals that became so severe that her thigh was broken, police said. The beatings came about three weeks before drum major Robert Champion was killed during a band trip to Orlando. Police say hazing also was involved.

Tallahassee police said that on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Bria Shante Hunter was beaten with fists and a metal ruler to initiate her into the “Red Dawg Order” - a band clique for students who come from Georgia. Hunter told police that days later the pain became so unbearable that she went to the hospital.

Besides her broken thigh bone, she had had blood clots in her legs.

Sean Hobson, 23, and Aaron Golson, 19, were charged Monday

with hazing and battery, and James Harris, 22, was charged with hazing.

Champion’s death and now the arrests have exposed a hazing tradition that has long haunted the university.

Former clarinet player Ivery Luckey was hospitalized after he said he was paddled around 300 times in 1998.

Three years later, band member Marcus Parker suffered kidney damage because of a beating with a paddle.

After Champion died, the university indefinitely suspended performances by the famed Marching 100 and school President James Ammons has vowed to break what he calls a “code of silence” on the hazing rituals. Leon County records show that all three arrested men were in jail on Monday night. A university spokeswoman confirmed they were students. Attempts

to reach listed numbers for them were unsuccessful.

Police say that the hazing happened at Harris’ off-campus apartment in Tallahassee and that at one point he stopped Golson and Hobson from hitting Hunter further. Hunter did not immediately return a call to her cell phone. Officers said in the arresting documents that Hunter was targeted by the other members of the “Red Dawg Order” because she tried to get out of going to a group meeting. She was repeatedly punched on the tops of her thighs by Golson and Hobson, according to information the police got from others who witnessed the incident.

The second beating came when Hunter and other pledges could not recite information about the “Red Dawg Order” properly. It was during

that one that a metal ruler was used on Hunter ’s legs. Police say that Hobson sent Hunter a text message on Nov. 5 that stated “I apologize for the hurt I put you through. I apologize for the mental and physical strain you have endured.” When interviewed later by police, Hobson acknowledged he was a member of the “Red Dawg Order” but denied harming Hunter or sending her a text message.

Harris also denied to police that he allowed his apartment to be used to hold the meetings and he denied that saw Hunter getting hit. After Champion’s death, the school fired band director Julian White, who contends he tried to report problems with hazing to his superiors. He has since been reinstated and placed on administrative leave at the request of the Florida Depar tment of Law

Enforcement which asked the university to halt all disciplinary actions until the criminal investigation is finished.

Four students connected to Champion’s death were expelled, but then reinstated at the request of the law-enforcement agency.

Last week the Board of Trustees reprimanded Ammons over his job performance, including how the university has dealt with hazing. The panel that oversees the state university system has also called for a probe into whether school officials ignored past warnings about hazing. “ The Board of Trustees and President Ammons hope that through these arrests all involved in perpetuating this culture will really begin to view hazing as a serious matter,” said university spokeswoman Sharon Saunders. — AP

Emotional homecoming for final US Iraq veterans ‘Troops coming home to such bad economic times’

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, speaks as Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney listens during a fundraising event in Parsippany, NJ, Monday. — AP

Romney, Gingrich tussle before voting MANCHESTER: Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich challenged each other to return millions made in private business as the race between the top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination turned increasingly acerbic and personal at the start of a three-week sprint to the first state vote.

Far from the lead-off state of Iowa, the two men campaigned Monday in nextup New Hampshire, where Romney has long dominated in polls but where Gingrich is aggressively working to make inroads after making only sporadic visits all year. Gingrich has risen to the top of polls nationally and in early voting states in recent weeks, and has even started to eat into Romney ’s lead in New Hampshire, a must-win state for the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts.

Time is running short for Romney, the former front-runner in the Republican nomination fight, to curb the rise of Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives who has shot to the top of polls of likely Republican voters in Iowa, which holds its caucuses on Jan. 3.

While stepping up his campaign appearances in Iowa, Romney has almost overnight pivoted from critiquing President Barack Obama to focusing more on contrasting his background as a former private sector executive with Gingrich’s decades as a congressional leader and Washington-based consultant. Following a week after Iowa’s caucuses is the New Hampshire primary, where Romney has been heavily favored after devoting more time and resources than anywhere else. A Gingrich win or even just a strong showing there would provide him with an invaluable surge of momentum ahead of other early-voting states where he is already looking strong.

Romney, who has struggled to win over the conservatives who dominate the primaries, has been promising a more aggressive campaign style. His stepped-up criticism of Gingrich came two days after the new front-runner held his own during a nationally televised

debate, turning aside attacks from Romney and other rivals.

On Monday, Romney called on Gingrich to return the estimated $1.6 million he received for providing strategic advice to Freddie Mac. The quasi-government agency guarantees home mortgages, to the ire of free-market conservatives. Gingrich has said he acted as a historian, not a lobbyist.

“That would make him the highest paid historian in history,” Romney told Fox News Channel. He suggested that Gingrich was an ultimate insider who leveraged his position as a former House leader to line his pockets when he left office. Said Romney: “One of the things that I think people recognize in Washington is that people go there to serve the people and then they stay there to serve themselves.”

Gingrich countered quickly, saying that Romney should give back the millions he made at Bain Capital, a venture capital firm founded by Romney.

Romney has been accused of making millions through massive layoffs and heartless cost-cutting at businesses acquired by Bain.

“If Governor Romney would give back all the money he’s earned from bankrupting companies and laying off employees over the years at Bain, then I would be glad to listen to him,” Gingrich said. Romney struck back, saying: “ There’s a big difference between ... working as a lobbyist and working as a legislator, and working to connect businesses with government.” Romney’s campaign also pressed the notion of Gingrich as a Washington insider, with news releases labeling him an “unreliable leader ” and pictured with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, whom Republicans loathe.

Romney’s allies already are running a negative ad campaign in Iowa assailing Gingrich’s record in Washington. Romney also began airing an ad last week portraying him as a devoted family man, an indirect poke at Gingrich, who has admitted to marital infidelity and is on his third marriage. — AP

MEXICO CITY: Raul Hernandez Lechuga (C) aka “EL Lucky” -an alleged member of drugs cartel “Los Zetas”— is presented to the press in Mexico City, yesterday. Hernandez was arrested in the state of Veracruz by members of the Mexican Army. — AFP

DAVENPORT: Tears streamed unashamedly down the face of Steven Farquhar as he hugged his small children at a welcome home ceremony after his fourth-and final-deployment to Iraq. Farquhar, 28, was among the last US soldiers to leave Iraq after a nearly decadelong war that killed 4,487 US troops and Pentagon officials and wounded more than 32,000 others.

“I’m real pleased to see the changes and the growth that happened over there between my last deployment and this one,” Farquhar said as his children clung to his legs amid the crowd of happy families and wellwishers in an Iowa National Guard helicopter hanger.

“It makes me so happy to see them standing on their own and it makes me real happy that we’re bringing everyone home as well,” he told AFP. Unlike the last lengthy US war which was fought largely by draftees in Vietnam, a relatively small number of professional soldiers and National Guard volunteers have borne the burden of leaving their families for multiple 12- to 18-month deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While the formal withdrawal of US forces from Iraq by December 31 will certainly ease the pressure on military families, continued operations in Afghanistan means the danger of combat zone deployment is far from over.

It’s an incredible stressor and a sacrifice that the general public simply cannot understand, soldiers and their families say.

‘It’s hard to explain that dad’s at work’ “I’ve had a lot of people say oh, well, you walked into this. Yeah, but I definitely didn’t know what I’d have to overcome doing it,” Dawn Gaule, 23, said as she held her boyfriend’s squirming daughters on her lap while they waited for him to march into the hanger. “It’s hard. And with them asking where’s dad-it’s hard to explain that he’s at work.” Getting back into the swing of civilian life can also be hard-especially with so many troops coming home to such bad economic times. “It’s about to get a lot tougher,” cautioned Captain Darrell Melrose, coordinator of the Illinois National Guard’s employment initiative program. The military and service groups have developed an alphabet soup of helpful programs that were not available to vets returning from Vietnam or the brief 199091 Gulf War. While online video chats and e-mail have cut the distance to the battlefield, family support groups make sure that the troops don’t

have to worry as much about what’s happening back home.

They help with everything from snow shoveling and house repairs to mental health counseling. They host outings for the kids and events where parents and spouses can talk about their fears. Returning troops also go through a series of “outprocessing” and reintegration programs to help them deal with the

‘I’ve been beating the pavement’ Despite all the programs and support groups and well-wishers, there are still soldiers who fall through the cracks. The unemployment rate among non-active veterans who’ve served in the past decade was 11.1 percent in November, compared with 8.1 percent for people who had never served.

And unlike the civilian population. which

DAVENPORT: Dawn Gaule (C) poses with her boyfriend James Hauswirth (L), his daughters and his father at a welcome home ceremony at facility in Davenport, Iowa after a year-long deployment to Iraq on November 23, 2011. Hauswirth was among the last US soldiers to leave Iraq after a nearly decade-long war that killed 4,487 US troops and Pentagon officials and wounded more than 32,000 others. — AFP psychological transition to civilian life and with more concrete problems like finding work, applying for college and managing their finances. “We’re trying to make it so they’re not afraid to ask for help,” said Captain Jeremy Dugena of the Illinois National Guard’s Yellow Ribbon Program.

A group of Illinois Guardsmen weren’t shy about talking during a recent Yellow Ribbon seminar about the problems that can come up after the honeymoon period of their homecoming ends. “Do you know all know the warning signs of when it’s not alright?” asked Brian Fask, a counselor with Veterans Affairs. “If you’re still drinking all the time, it’s a problem,” one woman said. “ When you become real aggressive with friends or family,” said another.

Peru guerrillas kill soldier, wound 12 LIMA: Peru’s Shining Path guerrillas, who vowed last week they would no longer attack government forces, were blamed by authorities for killing a soldier and wounding 12 others Monday. The afternoon attack on a military escort accompanying a field hospital took place in the southeastern district of Santa Rosa in the Ayacucho region, Defense Minister Luis Alberto Otarola told reporters.

Remnants of the Shining Path guerrilla forces killed the driver of a military vehicle during the attack, officials said.

The Apurimac Ene River Valley (VRAE) region where the attack took place is one of the pockets of territory where the Shining Path still operate. Authorities estimate they now number just several hundred.

They also operate in the Alto Huallaga river region. That branch’s leader “Artemio,” whose real name is Jose Flores, has repeatedly suggested-and again just last week-that the group would stop its attacks and instead seek a “political solution.”

Government officials have rejected negotiations with Artemio, saying his capture is imminent.

But the stronger and more aggressive VRAE faction of the guerrillas, which has broken off ties with Artemio’s fighters, has avoided talk of a ceasefire. The rebels were all but eliminated in the 1990s under president Alberto Fujimori, and survivors fled to the mountainous jungle regions on the eastern flanks of the Andes, where they worked as hired guns for drug runners raising coca-the source plant of cocaine.

Sporadic clashes with the police and army in the VRAE has left about 30 people dead each year since 2008, when authorities launched a crackdown there. Some 70,000 people were killed between 1980 and 2000 as the Peruvian government crushed the Shining Path and a rival leftist guerrilla group, the Tupac Amaru movement, according to Peru’s independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

saw their unemployment rate drop a point from a year earlier, the unemployment rate rose 1.1 points for those vets. Federal laws are supposed to make sure that guardsmen can go back to their jobs when their tours are over, but not everyone qualifies or fills out the necessary paperwork. Others are finding that their job-or even their companies-have disappeared in the downturn.

Robert White, 52, was working a temporary job in a factory before he deployed on his second tour. Now he’s looking for work as a truck driver after having spent a year driving cargo shipments from Kuwait to Iraq. “I got back in September and I’ve been beating the pavement,” he told AFP. “I’ve got a couple prospects, but nothing definite yet so I’m still searching.” — AFP

Lula is beating cancer: Doctors SAO PAULO: A 75 percent reduction in the size of a tumor in former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s throat has surprised his doctors and could put the popular showman back on the active political roster as early as March. The medical team treating Lula at the Hospital Sirio-Libanes said they were “impressed” with his recovery, as the 66-year-old former union boss started his third and final round of chemotheropy on Monday.

“It was an extraordinary reduction (75 percent) that surprised the medical team,” said oncologist Artur Katz, adding that a 30 to 40 percent shrinkage would have been a positive response to treatment. Lula completed his second and final consecutive four-year term as Brazil’s president in 2010 but still wields considerable political influence at home and abroad. His quick recovery will only enhance his messionic image among Brazil’s poor and certainly raise the possibility in analysts’ and politicians’ eyes that he could run again, as early as 2014, if President Dilma Rousseff passes on re-election.

But even if he doesn’t, Lula plays a vital role in his left-leaning Workers’ Party, which will be contending for municipal elections in 2012. He has also been a powerful advisor and peacemaker for Rousseff this year as she deals with infighting in her ruling coalition and weathers the resignation of now seven ministers, six of them due to corruption scandals.

Lula is due to follow up his chemotheropy with a series of radiation treatments in January and February but, if he continues improving, his doctors say he will be able to return to politics as early as March. He will also likely retain full capacity of one of his defining traits as a public speaker - his burly, booming voice.

“Surgery is totally ruled out,” said Kalil Filho, one of Lula’s physicians, in light of the considerable shrinkage of the tumor on his larynx. Lula’s diagnosis in late October shocked Brazilians and raised debate about political life without the country’s first blue-collar president, who remains a charismatic force in Latin America’s largest economy.

Before taking office in January, Rousseff, Lula’s anointed successor, was herself treated successfully for lymphatic cancer at the same medical center that is treating Lula. — Reuters

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Philippine police arrest former top poll official

MANILA: Protesters shout slogans while displaying placards demanding either the impeachment or resignation of embattled Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona during a rally yesterday outside the court in Manila, Philippines. —AP

MANILA: Philippine police arrested yesterday a former top election official who has been charged with voting fraud along with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Former Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos surrendered to a Manila regional trial court in suburban Pasay city and was placed under arrest, police Supt.

Samuel Turla said. Authorities plan to hold Abalos in a police detention facility, unlike Arroyo, who is being detained in a government hospital while she recovers from a bone ailment.

Abalos said he surrendered to underscore his innocence to charges

by President Benigno Aquino III’s administration that he played a role

in rigging 2007 senatorial elections to ensure the victory of Arroyo’s candidates in a Muslim autonomous region then governed by her political ally.

Aquino succeeded Arroyo last year after a landslide election victory due in part to his promise to rid the Southeast Asian nation of widespread corruption and crushing poverty.

Aquino has blamed Arroyo for a decade of corruption scandals that eroded public trust in government and held back foreign investment.

Arroyo has denied any wrongdoing and accused her successor of using “black propaganda” to damage her image.

Police arrested Arroyo, 64, on Nov. 18 at a private hospital. She was later

moved to a public veterans’ hospital amid calls for her to be treated like other crime suspects. Arroyo’s popularity ratings plummeted to record lows after she was accused of voterigging and corruption during her nine turbulent years in power.

On Monday, Aquino’s allies in the House of Representatives impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, whom he accused of hampering Arroyo’s prosecution. Lawmakers sent the eight impeachment complaints yesterday to the Senate, which is to act as an impeachment tribunal.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Corona is likely to face trial in January after Congress returns from a monthlong Christmas break.

Corona was impeached over allega-

tions of corruption and court decisions favoring Arroyo, who appointed him as chief justice shortly before her term ended in June last year.

Aquino thanked lawmakers yesterday for impeaching Corona. “We are now going through a process to stop the continued destruction by a wayward magistrate of the sacred institution that is the Supreme Court,” Aquino said.

But Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez called Corona’s impeachment “an assault on all the rights, power and privilege of the entire judiciary,” which he said was being “forced to surrender its constitutionally mandated powers and functions to the whim and caprice of political machinations.” —AP

US lawmakers freeze $700m to Pakistan as distrust grows Fertilizer used in bombs in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD: A crisis in relations looked set to deepen after a US House-Senate negotiating panel agreed to freeze $700 million in aid to Pakistan until it gives assurances it is helping fight the spread of improvised explosive devices in the region.

Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of US foreign aid and the cutback announced is only a small proportion of the billions in civil and military assistance it gets each year.

But it could presage greater cuts as calls grow in the United States to penalise Islamabad for failing to act against militant groups and, at worst, helping them, following the secret US raid on a Pakistan military town in which al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed.

Home-made bombs or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are among militants’ most effective weapons against US and coalition troops in Afghanistan as they struggle to fight a resurgent Taliban insurgency.

Many are made using ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer smuggled across the border from Pakistan. The freeze on US aid was agreed as part of a defence bill that is expected to be passed this week.

The United States wants “assurances that Pakistan is countering improvised explosive devices in their country that are targeting our coalition forces”, Representative Howard McKeon, a House Republican, told reporters.

The United States has allocated some $20 billion in security and economic aid to Pakistan since 2001, much of it in the form of reimbursements for assistance in fighting militants.

But US lawmakers have expressed increasing frustration with Pakistan’s efforts in the war.

There have been numerous proposals to make US aid to Pakistan conditional on more cooperation in fighting militants such as the Haqqani network Washington believes operates out of Pakistan and battles US troops in Afghanistan.

But Pakistan’s civilian leaders have in the past warned against aid cuts, saying it would only harden public opinion against the United States.

Pakistan says it is doing all it can to fight al Qaeda and the Taleban and has lost thousands of soldiers since it joined the US-led war in 2001, some of them at the hands of coalition troops. Islamabad has accused NATO of deliberately killing 24 Pakistani soldiers in an air strike near the Afghan border last month and shut down supplies for foreign troops in Afghanistan in anger.

The decision to freeze aid could prompt Pakistan to harden its stance towards Washington. “I think the Pakistan side will understand the type of signal that is coming, which shows it’s not only a question of aid,” said former general and security analyst Talat Masood.

“The whole attitude of the US and the relationship will be affected by these measures because they know Pakistan will not be in a position to control the smuggling.”

Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman, Abdul Basit, suggested pressure from the United States would hurt ties. “We believe in cooperative approaches rather than doing things which can only complicate matters,” he said. US lawmakers said that many Afghan bombs are made with fertilizer smuggled by militants across the border from Pakistan into

Afghanistan.

“The vast majority of the material used to make improvised explosive devices used against US forces in Afghanistan originates from two fertilizer factories inside Pakistan,” Senator John McCain, a Republican, said in the Senate last week.

A Congressional Research Service report in October said the Pakistani factories, owned by one of the country’s biggest companies, Pakarab, have been producing over 300,000 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate per year since 2004.

The United States has urged Pakistan to strictly regulate the distribution of ammonium nitrate to Afghanistan. So far, Pakistan has only produced draft legislation on the issue.

Analysts say U.S. demands will be tough to meet because of rampant corruption on both sides of the porous border which makes smuggling easy. One businessman explained how easy it is to get through security.

“We pay a 1,200-rupee ($13) bribe to the Pakistani Frontiers Corps on the border for every car carrying fertilizer,” said Kamal Khan in the border town of Chaman.

“Fertilizer is smuggled on trucks, pickup trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and donkey carts.”

Pakistan’s fragile economy is heavily dependent on agriculture so cutting down on fertilizer output would hurt the sector.

“If you say, ‘ok you can only produce these ureas and you cannot produce the nitrates’ it means you are going to impose unrealistic terms on Pakistan,” said Amir Rana, director of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies. —Reuters

Police rescue chained students from seminary in Karachi KARACHI: Police in the Pakistani city of Karachi have rescued 54 students from the basement of an Islamic seminary, or madrassa, where they said they were kept in chains by clerics, beaten and barely fed. Police raided the Zakariya madrassa late on Monday on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial hub. They were now investigating whether it had any links to violent militant groups, which often recruit from hardline religious schools.

Most victims had signs of severe torture, and had developed wounds from the chains, police said. The main cleric of the madrassa escaped during the raid. “Those 50 boys who were kept in such an environment like animals,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told journalists.

Many of the students-who varied in age from 15 to 45 and were kept 30 to a room-were still in chains while shown on television. “I was there for 30 days and I did not see the sky or the sun even once,” Zainullah Khan, 21, told Reuters at a police station where the students were questioned and then released to their relatives. “I was whipped with a rubber belt and forced to beg for food.”

Student Mohi-ud-Din said: “I was kept in the basement for the past month and was kept in chains. They also tortured me severely during this period. I was beaten with sticks.” Senior police official Rao Anwar said many of those rescued were drug addicts brought to the seminary for treatment.

“These people were not taken to the madrassa forcefully. In fact the parents of many of them had themselves got their children admitted there,” he said. “Some of them are drug addicts, and others involved in other crimes, and they were tortured and kept in chains so that they did not run away.” A man who identified himself as Abdullah told local television that he had brought his 35-year-old drug addict brother to the madrassa for rehabilitation. “The chains are not a problem. They are needed because without them heroin addicts run away,” he said. Thousands of madrassas are spread across Pakistan, which is fighting an insurgency by al Qaeda-linked Taleban militants. Many people are too poor to afford non-religious schools or feel state institutions are inadequate so they send their children to madrassas, where they memorise the Quran, learn Arabic and study the traditions of Islam. —Reuters

KARACHI: Pakistani children look through a window of a room after being rescued by police during a raid at an Islamic seminary on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan early yesterday. —AP

YANGON: A vendor (R) sells posters of Myanmar’s independence hero General Aung San and his daughter democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon yesterday. —AFP

Suu Kyi’s Myanmar oppn party wins legal status YANGON: Myanmar authorities yesterday gave Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party the green light to rejoin mainstream politics, paving the way for the Nobel laureate to run for a seat in the new parliament. The announcement in state media follows a series of reformist moves by a new military-backed government dominated by former generals, who are now reaching out to political opponents and the West.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) was stripped of its status as a legal political party by the junta last year after it chose to boycott a rare election, saying the rules were unfair. A brief announcement in the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper yesterday said that the country’s election commission had approved the NLD’s application to re-register as a political party.

The country formerly known as Burma has surprised even its critics over the past yearreleasing democracy champion Suu Kyi from years of house arrest, holding dialogue with the opposition and freeing some political prisoners. In one of a number of dramatic developments, Suu Kyi has said she will take part in by-elections expected early next year, although no date has been set.

She voiced guarded hope earlier this month that democracy would come to Myanmar, as she welcomed Hillary Clinton to the home that was her prison for years during a landmark visit by the US Secretary of State. “I am very confident that if we work together...

there will be no turning back from the road to democracy,” Suu Kyi said at the time.

On Monday her party said it had chosen the image of a fighting peacock gazing at a white star as its new symbol, replacing its trademark bamboo hat, which was used by a breakaway group that participated in the 2010 election. Suu Kyi’s party won a 1990 poll but was never allowed by the generals to take power. It refused to participate in the November 2010 vote-the first in two decadesmainly because of rules that would have forced it to expel imprisoned members. Suu Kyi, who has spent most of the past two decades in detention, was under house arrest at the time and was released just days after the polls.

An amendment to a law on political parties has since removed the contentious clause that said prisoners could not be party members, as well as a condition that all parties must agree to “preserve” a controversial 2008 constitution.

An NLD spokesman said Suu Kyi was likely to travel to the capital Naypyidaw herself to complete the party registration process.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa hailed the authorities’ announcement as “another important development” in the reform process. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, now chaired by Indonesia, announced during its Bali summit last month that it had allowed Myanmar to chair the bloc in 2014 as a reward for reforms it has made over the past year. —AFP

SEOUL: A South Korean Vietnam War veteran scuffles with a police officer to try to enter Chinese Embassy during a rally to denounce a Chinese fisherman, who killed a South Korea Coast Guard officer when a boat was stopped for suspected illegal fishing in South Korean waters, in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. —AP

S Korea to get tough on illegal Chinese fishermen SEOUL: Angry South Koreans slammed Chinese fishermen as “pirates” yesterday, while President Lee Myung-bak vowed to spend more on policing the country’s waters af ter a Chinese boat captain allegedly stabbed a coast guard officer to death. During a protest at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, a right-wing demonstrator rammed his SUV three times into a police bus guarding the building while others defaced a Chinese flag. A popular South Korean Internet post called for the shelling of illegal Chinese fishing boats.

The anger came a day after officials said the Chinese captain of a boat susp e c te d o f i l l e g a l l y f i s h i n g i n S o u t h Korean waters killed one coast guard officer and wounded another.

The JoongAng Ilbo daily newspaper called the fishermen “pirates” in a frontpage headline, and the Chosun I lbo newspaper said in an editorial that the coast guard should have more ships at its disposal and be more forceful in the fight against heavily armed fishermen.

President Lee told a Cabinet meeting that South Korea will get tough on illegal Chinese fishermen, according to the presidential Blue House office. Lee’s possible visit to China next month may also be reconsidered if the case is not smoothly resolved, a Blue House official said, speak ing on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Police say they’ve asked for a warrant to extend the detainment of the Chinese boat captain. South Korea asked China’s ambassador just last week to try to rein in illegal Chinese fishing. On Monday it lodged a strong protest with the diplomat over the latest incident. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin yesterday expressed regret for the officer’s death, though the apology glossed over Seoul’s accusations that the captain fatally stabbed the South Korean officer.

Asked at a daily media briefing whether China would compensate the

dead officer’s family, Liu said the Chinese government is working with South Korea “to investigate and verify the situation.”

He said China is ready “to settle relevant issues.” Monday ’s deadly incident has touched off predictably angry sentiments among some Chinese, who accused South Korean authorities of bullying behavior. “Is this illegal fishing or illegal enforcement?” said a posting on Sina Corp.’s microblog, a Chinese version of Twitter.

Officers from two South Korean coast guard ships boarded the fishing boat Monday over suspicions it was illegally operating in Yellow Sea waters rich in blue crabs, anchovies and croaker, when the captain attacked with a knife, coast guard officials said. Ahn Sung-sik, a South Korean coast guard investigator, told reporters that the captain denies using violence.

Last week, South Korean authorities raised fines levied on foreign fishing vessels caught operating in Seoul’s selfdeclared exclusive economic zone, an apparent reflection of the government’s impatience with a rising number of Chinese boats found fishing in the waters.

The coast guard says it has seized about 470 Chinese ships for illegal fishing in the Yellow Sea so far this year, up from 370 last year. The coast guard usually releases the ships after a fine is paid, though violence occasionally occurs.

Chinese fishing fleets have been going farther afield to feed growing domestic demand for seafood. With some 300,000 fishing vessels and 8 million fishermen, the Chinese fishing industry is by far the world’s largest, producing an annual catch in excess 17 million tons. But catches have decreased in waters close to China’s shores, forcing the fleet to venture farther.

In 2008, one South Korean coast guard officer was killed and six others injured in a fight with Chinese fishermen in South Korean waters. —AP

School bus crash sparks fury in China BEIJING: At least 15 children were killed when a school bus crashed in China’s eastern province of Jiangsu, state media said yesterday, the latest in a string of traffic accidents that has triggered public fury across the country. The bus fell into a ditch as it veered off the road to avoid a pedicab, the official Xinhua news agency said. At least eight children were injured in the accident, which happened after school on Monday.

Xinhua had conflicting accounts on the number of children on board the bus but all reports suggested the bus was not overloaded. Xinhua last reported that 29 were on board. An outcry erupted across China in early November after 18 nursery school children were killed when a coal truck slammed into their overcrowded school van in northwestern China.

The latest crash is sure to amplify public calls for more spending on education and children’s safety. In 1993, the Chinese government vowed to dedicate 4 percent of GDP to education. “Close to 20 years have passed, and this has still not been achieved,” said an editorial in the China Information

News on Tuesday. “For some local governments, the proportion of GDP spent on education has actually fallen.”

Chinese microbloggers were quick to express their anger about the crash.

“Another school bus accident kills 15 children. It’s just a number in the eyes of Chinese officials. The only thing they care about is whether it impacts their future career,” wrote Huiji Flying on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblog.

“Nothing is safe in China apart from leaders’ cars, houses, money and concubines,” added Yiran Anki. The November tragedy prompted Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to promise more government funds to provide improved school bus services.

Rural areas in China in particular are known for unsafe transport for children in aging, badly maintained vans and trucks.

The school bus crashes also reflect the growing trend in rural China for schools to concentrate in larger towns, abandoning villages where the population has been shrinking, meaning that many children have to travel long distances to school or board away from their families. —Reuters

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NEWS ABU DHABI: Explorers Adrian Hayes (left) of Britain and Saeed Al-Mesafry (right) and Ghafan Al-Jabry of the UAE arrive at their final destination in Abu Dhabi yesterday after completing a 44-day trek across one of the world’s largest sand deserts, the Empty Quarter, in the footsteps of late traveller Sir Wilfred Thesiger. — AFP

Iran rebuffs request to return spy drone Continued from Page 1 “Iran will defend its stance and interests strongly,” Vahidi said in remarks carried by the semi-official Mehr news agency.

Hours after Obama announced the request, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underscored his nation’s defiance. “The Americans have perhaps decided to give us this spy plane,” Ahmadinejad said in an interview broadcast live Monday night on Venezuelan state television. “We now have control of this plane.” Speaking through an interpreter, Ahmadinejad said: “There are people here who have been able to control this spy plane, who can surely analyze this plane’s system also. ... In any case, now we have this spy plane.” He added, “Very soon, they’re going to learn more about the abilities and possibilities of our country.”

The foreign ministry in Tehran was similarly dismissive of Obama’s request. “It seems he (Obama) has forgotten that Iran’s airspace was violated, spying operations were undertaken, international laws were violated and that Iran’s internal affairs were interfered with,” ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said told his regular media briefing, according to Fars news agency. “Instead of an official apology and admitting to this violation, they are making this request,” he said.

Obama wouldn’t comment on what the Iranians might learn from studying the downed aircraft. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said it’s difficult to know “just frankly how much they’re going to be able to get from having obtained those parts”. “I don’t know the conditions of those parts. I don’t know what state they’re in,” he said. Asked if Iran may have forced the plane down in a cyberattack, Panetta said: “I don’t know.”

Former Vice President Dick Cheney yesterday called the downing of the drone “a significant intelligence loss”.

“For us to go in and take out the drone that crashed, I think, would have been a fairly simple operation,” he said on CBS’s “The Early Show”. But

Cheney said the administration “basically limited itself to saying please give it back.”

Also yesterday, Iranian lawmaker Hamid Rasaei told an open session of the Iranian parliament that the drone is staying in Iran, calling it a “war booty”. Later, 186 lawmakers in the 290-seat assembly issued a statement condemning the “invasion” and urging the international community to take a stance toward the “dangerous act” by the US. Meanwhile, state T V said Obama’s demand for the drone’s return puts the US in the role of “the beggar” over the issue. There are concerns in the US that others may be able to reverse-engineer the chemical composition of the drone’s radardeflecting paint or the aircraft’s sophisticated optics technology that allows operators to positively identify terror suspects from tens of thousands of feet in the air.

There are also worries that adversaries may be able to hack into the drone’s database, although it is not clear whether any data could be recovered. Some surveillance technologies allow video to stream through to operators on the ground but do not store much collected data.

If they do, it is encrypted. On Monday, another lawmaker, Parviz Sarvari, claimed Iranian experts were in the final stages of recovering data from the captured drone.

US Secretary of State Hillar y Rodham Clinton and Panetta said they’re not optimistic about getting the drone back because of recent Iranian behavior that Clinton said indicated “that the path that Iran seems to be going down is a dangerous one for themselves and the region.” “We submitted a formal request for the return of our lost equipment as we would in any situation to any government around the world,” Clinton told reporters at a State Department news conference with British Foreign Secretary William Hague. “Given Iran’s behavior to date we do not expect them to comply but we are dealing with all of these provocations and concerning actions taken by Iran in close concert with our closest allies

and partners,” she said. Panetta said the request to return the drone was appropriate. “I don’t expect that that will happen,” he said. “But I think it’s important to make that request.”

Meanwhile, an American military drone which had been used to monitor piracy off the East African coast has crashed at an airport on the island nation of Seychelles during a routine patrol, officials said yesterday. The US Embassy in Mauritius said the unmanned US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper was not armed and that the crash caused no injuries. The crash sparked a fire that was quickly extinguished.

Lina Laurence of Seychelles’ civilian aviation authority said the drone developed engine problems minutes into its flight and needed to land as soon as possible yesterday morning.

“But due to its accelerated landing speed, the aircraft was unable to stop before the runway’s end,” Laurence said.

The embassy’s statement said the cause of the crash is being investigated. “It has been confirmed that this drone was unarmed and its failure was due to mechanical reasons,” Laurence said. The affected runway was closed for about 10 minutes as a “precautionary measure,” but was later reopened with no disruption to airport operations, Laurence said. The US militar y and the civilian aviation authority of Seychelles have coordinated to remove the debris, officials said. The MQ-9 Reaper is a mediumto-high altitude unmanned aircraft system with sensors that can provide real-time data. The Seychelles-based MQ-9s, which are used to monitor piracy activities in and around the Indian Ocean, don’t carry weapons, though they have the capability to do so. The US has used drones to hunt down Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia and Yemen, among other countries. Their humming is a constant feature in the sky in many of the major towns in southern Somalia, especially the capital city and the militant-controlled southern port of Kismayo. It was not clear if drones operated out of the Seychelles are used for that purpose. — Agencies

PM forms new Cabinet with cosmetic...

Continued from Page 1 to be able to recommend dissolving the Assembly.

Sources have said that a government legal commission formed to study the controversy has apparently recommended that a new Cabinet should be formed immediately and is expected to be announced as early as today. But it was still unclear if the new Cabinet will withdraw the Amiri decree that dissolved the Assembly and then approve a new decree as was advised by several constitutional experts.

Meanwhile, the public prosecution started interrogating former MPs over the corruption scandal in which millions of dinars were allegedly deposited illegally into the bank accounts of at least 15 ex-MPs. The prosecutors late Monday questioned former MPs Hussein Al-Huraiti and Mikhled Al-Azemi over how millions were deposited into their bank accounts in a suspicious way and the source of the money. The prosecution then released them on KD 5,000 bail each and both said they denied the allegations.

The prosecution yesterday interrogated three ex-MPs - Saleh Ashour, Dulaihi Al-Hajeri and Askar Al-Enezi -

over similar charges and they were expected to be freed on bail also. Ashour said in a statement that he was surprised by a phone call summoning him to the public prosecution, adding that he was very confident of his innocence. Al-Huraiti has reportedly told the prosecutors that he got the money from his law firm and produced contracts to prove it, while Azemi said he submitted documents to prove his innocence.

The prosecutors are expected to summon 10 more ex-MPs and the wives of two of them over the next few days with the aim to establish the nature of the huge deposits and the source of the money. The former MPs are currently being investigated on charges of money laundering while the opposition claimed that the money was paid locally to win the ex-MPs support on political voting in the National Assembly.

In another development, lawyer Al-Humaidi AlSubaie said that the public prosecution yesterday issued arrest warrants against 15 new activists accused of storming the Assembly last month. The prosecution had already interrogated more than 40 people in the same case and freed them on KD 1,000 bail each. Al-Subaie said that none of the new activists is a former MP.

Syria defectors hit back as death toll tops 5,000 DAMASCUS: Army defectors ambushed a Syrian security patrol yesterday, killing seven in revenge for a raid that cost 11 civilian lives, activists said, as the UN estimated more than 5,000 have died in the crackdown. State media said Syrian border guards shot dead two “terrorists” from Turkey in other violence after a UN Security Council meeting at which Western nations stepped up pressure to condemn the deadly campaign against dissent. At the meeting, UN rights chief Navi Pillay gave the latest death toll - amounting to a jump of 1,000 in less than two weeks - as she appealed to the Council to launch a crimes against humanity case.

Pillay’s private briefing to the 15-nation council - where Russia and China blocked a resolution condemning Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in October - heightened divisions over how to respond to the Syrian violence. She told reporters she had given the new toll of more than 5,000 dead - including some 300 children - and recommended that the crackdown by Assad’s regime be referred to the International Criminal Court.

“The widespread and systematic nature of the killings, the detentions and the acts of torture - I felt that these acts constituted crimes against humanity,” said Pillay. The “intolerable” situation in Syria - where more than 14,000 people have been detained - has seen 12,400 flee into neighbouring countries since protests erupted in March, she said.

“Inaction by the international community will embolden Syrian authorities, and ensure perpetrators go unpunished,” Pillay said.

The Security Council meeting came as Western nations ramp up pressure to condemn Assad’s campaign. “I think it is necessary that those countries in the Security Council which are still hesitating change their mind,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said after meeting Pillay. France’s UN envoy said the council was “morally responsible” for the daily deaths by staying silent. But Syrian ally Russia said Western accusations that it was blocking UN action condemning the crackdown were “immoral” because the West was refusing to put pressure on armed rebel groups. “There are those who refuse to put pressure on the armed, extremist part of the opposition and are at the same time accusing us of blocking the UN Security Council’s work. I would call this position immoral,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in televised comments.

Amid the diplomatic wrangling, the death toll continued to mount yesterday, when at least 28 civilians were killed, according to activists. “Seven security force members were killed in an ambush by deserters on a convoy patrolling the Idlib-Bab Al-Hawa road in response to the martyrdom of 11 civilians this morning,” the Observatory said. The 11 died when they were attacked by security forces and pro-regime shabiha militiamen in two villages in northwestern Idlib province, it said earlier. Eight others were later killed and 19 wounded in a separate incident in Kafr Yahmul, also in Idlib province, when troops fired on crowds attending funerals, according to the Observatory. — AFP

Palestinian flag raised at UNESCO Continued from Page 1 an international organisation.

Washington immediately suspended its funding to the UN body, which selects and oversees World Heritage sites and also works in areas from literacy and media freedom to science and environmental issues.

The US cash freeze deprived UNESCO of 22 percent of its budget, leaving a hole of $65 million this year and a $143 million shortfall for 2012-2013. This forced its director general Irina Bokova to announce drastic savings, even though some countries pledged exceptional contributions, among them Indonesia with $10 million and Gabon with $2 million. At the ceremony, Bokova welcomed the new UNESCO member, saying she hoped the admission of the Palestinians would be a step toward peace with Israel. “A

solution with two states living in peace and security has been longawaited,” she said. “I’d like to believe that this admission to UNESCO is a chance to show that peace is also built through education and culture.”

But Israel denounced the flagraising, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Regev saying Palestinian membership in UNESCO did nothing to further peace efforts. “The ceremonial raising of a flag will do nothing whatsoever to advance the cause of peace and reconcilliation,” he told AFP in Jerusalem. “The only way to do that is through direct peace talks. Israel proposed this week restarting direct talks... but unfortunately the Palestinians once again responded that they do not agree to return to the negotiating table.”

Israel took its own retaliatory

measures after the UNESCO admission, by deciding to accelerate settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank and freezing the transfer of funds to the Palestinian Authority. Every month, Israel transfers tens of millions of dollars in customs duties on Palestinian-bound goods that transit through Israeli ports, but it often freezes them as a punitive measure during disagreements.

Faced with international criticism, Israel later lifted its freeze on the funds, which represent a large chunk of the Palestinian Authority’s budget. Abbas said the Palestinians were willing to return to talks but not as long as Israel’s “colonisation” through settlements continued.

“There is a will for peace from our side,” he said. Abbas was to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy later yesterday and then travel on to Brussels. — AFP

Customs foils bid to smuggle subsidised fuel Continued from Page 1 Although Iran is the second largest OPEC producer, it imports vast volumes of fuel due to the lack of refining capacity and US and EU sanctions to satisfy domestic demand.

Separately, Kuwait’s Oil Minister Mohammad AlBusairi said yesterday that OPEC will likely keep its official production quotas unchanged as the market is balanced and prices are stable. “The (oil) market is currently balanced and there is no shortage or excess in supplies which resulted in relatively stable prices that remained above $100 a barrel,” Baseeri told the official KUNA news agency in Vienna. “This balance could probably lead OPEC not to change its current production ceiling,” said the minister ahead of an OPEC meeting today. He however said that the final decision depends on talks that

would be held between OPEC ministers who would also discuss the Eurozone economic crisis, slow US growth, high inflation in China and Libya’s rising production.

Busairi said a sharp drop in supplies would send oil prices soaring, harming the interests of consumers and producers as well, adding that the interests of all parties is to keep crude price balanced and stable. The Kuwaiti minister has said the state has boosted production to above 3.0 million barrels per day in October, way ahead of its official quota of 2.22 million bpd. Analysts widely expect OPEC, which supplies a third of the world’s crude, to maintain its official output quota of 24.84 million barrels per day - where it has stood for almost three years. The Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) said in its last edition that OPEC members excluding Iraq produced almost 28.0 million bpd in November, the highest level in three years. — AFP

14

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Issues

US-Iraq ties to remain close post-pullout

By W G Dunlop aghdad’s ties with Washington will likely stay close even after US troops depart, but neighbouring countries including Iran will probably make plays for increased influence here, experts say. All US troops except for a small number of trainers are to depart by the end of December, but Iraq will still host the largest American embassy in the world, with the US mission including up to 16,000 people nationwide. Ali Al-Saffar, an Iraq analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit in London, said he expected the US-Iraq relationship will be “quite close, much like the relationship between the US and pretty much the rest of the region”.

“The Iraqis understand that they need to have US companies in Iraq and that there’s going to probably be quite an important trade relationship between the two countries well into the future,” Saffar said. “That’s primarily, in the short-term anyway, going to be based around, probably, two things” - oil services contracts and arms deals, he said. The Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, under the authority of Washington’s embassy, includes 157 US military personnel and up to 763 civilian contractors who will train Iraqi forces on American military equipment Baghdad buys. Iraq is also seeking to dramatically ramp up its oil output around fourfold in the coming years.

Baghdad is almost entirely dependent on crude for government income. “I think that obviously the US troop withdrawal will mean that there’s less influence, less US influence,” Saffar said.

He said that while he did not think that will leave major security or political gaps here, “there will be continued attempts to try to influence the direction Iraq takes, clearly from countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iraq is a big prize in the region,” he said. “But Iraq hasn’t always been a place that can yield to external kind of pressures or influence. ... And so I’m not sure it can become a proxy of any country in the region.” However, if there is a return to the bloody sectarian conflict that once gripped the country, “that will give a lot of space for regional powers ... mainly Saudi Arabia and Iran, to get involved,” he said.

US President Barack Obama on Monday vowed an “enduring” partnership with a “self-reliant” and sovereign Iraq, and warned other countries not to interfere in Iraq’s affairs. “Just as Iraq has pledged not to interfere in other nations, other nations must not interfere in Iraq,” Obama said after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki at the White House, in a clear warning to Iran not to try to meddle in its neighbour’s affairs.

US-Iraq ties will remain close “for a while at least,” said Joost Hiltermann, an Iraq specialist and Middle East and north Africa deputy programme director for the Brusselsbased International Crisis Group. He noted the substantial military purchases Iraq has made from the US, and also that “the US will also be involved in police training for a while, and there are other dimensions of the bilateral relationship which may or may not work out”. “The main thing is that Iraq will now approach the US as a partner, not as an occupier, and will insist on terms that are advantageous to itself. Because the US needs Iraq against Iran, it will have to look favourably at those terms,” he said.

“Iran and Turkey are the main regional contenders,” said Hiltermann. “Turkey is investing heavily throughout the country” while “Iran is pursuing a security relationship, and is encouraging cross-border trade and tourism,” he said, adding that “each will be successful in its own way, and there is room for both.”

According to John Drake, an analyst with Britain-based private security firm AKE, the future of the US-Iraq relationship could depend on how Baghdad cultivates its regional ties. “Iraq’s relationships with its immediate neighbours are also undergoing change, and this in turn could have an impact on the relationship with the US if Iraq becomes more closely aligned with states opposed to US influence in the region, such as Iran,” he said.

The post-withdrawal “vacuum in Iraq will likely be filled by many players, ranging (from) private companies from Europe and Asia with a variety of different interests and commercial agendas, to foreign states,” Drake said.

“Neighbouring countries will be intent on influencing developments in the country to ensure that Iraq does not evolve into a threat, and indeed that it remains an opportunity for their strategic interests.” But “the fear is that Iraq’s neighbours will be forced into a position of competition against one another in the country, sponsoring political organisations that support their influence in the country, fostering conditions conducive towards a proxy conflict” in Iraq, he said. — AFP

B

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.

Putin critics defend West funding charge

By Thomas Grove and Alissa de Carbonnel hen reporters from a Kremlin-friendly television channel barged into his office last month asking questions about Western funding, Grigory Melkonyants knew there was trouble ahead.

He and his boss at independent election monitor Golos had already sat for three interviews with the channel, NTV, and made no secret about financing that the group receives from organisations such as the European Union and USAID. “But that wasn’t enough because they needed some kind of scandal,” said Melkonyants, Golos’ 30-year-old deputy executive director. Two days before Russia’s parliamentary election on Dec 4, NTV broadcast clips from the interviews in a documentary accusing Golos of using Western money to work against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party in the poll. Hours after the documentary was shown, Golos’ executive director, Liliya Shibanova, was held by customs officers at a Moscow airport for 12 hours when she flew back to the country and her laptop computer was seized.

“They (the Russian authorities) don’t like this little organisation that speaks the truth and criticises,” Melkonyants said. “This has nothing to do with journalism. It’s an ordered, top-down campaign with the aim of discrediting the organisation.”

A few days after the election, which cut support for United Russia to only a slim majority in the lower house of parliament, Putin distanced himself from any blame for the worst election setback since he rose to power in 1999. The ex-KGB spy accused the United States of stirring up protests against his 12-year rule following the poll and said foreign countries were spending hundreds of millions of dollars to influence the outcome of elections in Russia. Putin’s outburst has increased friction between the United States and Russia, despite their “reset” in relations, and Golos has been caught up in the middle of it all.

As one of the few independent vote monitors in Russia, Golos, which means ‘voice’ in Russian, has been instrumental in reporting allegations of irregularities, in some cases with video clips in support. Golos’ operations span 48 of Russia’s regions, more than half the country’s total. Its money trail leads from Washington and Brussels to its headquarters in a residential neighbourhood in central Moscow.

It is easy to follow. In 2010 Golos received a twoyear $2.8 million grant from USAID, which extends funding to non-governmental organisations in foreign countries working in areas from the health sector to political competition. The money was to pay for the monitoring of two federal elections and three other polls. Russia’s presidential poll, in which Putin is expected to return to power, is on March 4.

Other funding, including €100,000 ($133,000) from the European Commission and a smaller sum from a British organisation, makes up its totally foreign-funded 55 million rouble ($1.74 million) budget for 2011.

Melkonyants says all of it is legal and has not compromised the group’s independence. Russian money, he said, simply was not available to them. Every spring, Melkonyants said, Golos applies for a presidential grant and every year the group loses to other organisations such as Tsentr Aspekta, a group whose work is unknown among most of Russia’s civil society. “We’ve tried for many years to get funding from the president which is given to non-governmental organisations.

Every year we’ve applied and we’ve never received anything,” he said.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States had spent more than $9 million on financial support and technical training for civil society groups before the Russian election and would keep supporting those working to ensure free, fair and transparent electoral processes. The amount of money USAID allocated to programs in Russia was nearly $55 million, according to a document on the organisation’s website, including around $3 million allocated to “political competition and consensus building”.

Golos said it had never felt that the foreign money

W

meant it had to bow to any Western political leanings.

“I am Russian and this is a Russian organisation. I never felt my partners wanted a particular result. I think they’re much more interested in objective results,” said Melkonyants. Golos says it is now even thinking about giving up foreign funding altogether. The controversy has raised its profile in Russia and it has started receiving individual donations ranging from $20 to $100.

Putin faces a big challenge to his authority. Tens of thousands of Russians protested in Moscow on Saturday and smaller rallies were held in dozens of other cities across the countr y calling to press demands for the election to be re-run.

The organisers of the protests laughed off any suggestion that they had received money from the United States or Europe. One prominent opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov, said Putin’s accusations showed he was “paranoid”. “The fact of the matter is that receiving financial support from abroad for political activities is illegal, a crime. If anyone received money from abroad they should be in jail,” said Nemtsov, who served as a first deputy prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin. “People went out to demonstrate, not because (US Secretary of State) Hillary Clinton called them out but because they are angry that they have had their votes stolen. These are proud people,” he said.

Political parties are forbidden from using money from abroad to campaign; and their balance sheets, though less than transparent, are published on the Central Election Committee website. The Communist party, commanding by far the biggest nationwide organisation, received more money from individual Russian citizens than any party. At more than 6 million roubles, individual contributions were greater even than United Russia’s. The nationalist LDPR, a party built around the personality of the flambuoyant Vladimir Zhirinovsky, relies on ill-defined “own funds” as much as donations from organisations. It received no contributions from citizens in 2008, its balance sheet shows.

The liberal Yabloko party showed 139 million roubles in its electoral fund in 2008. The lion’s share - more than 130 million roubles - came from institutional donations. The party declined to comment on who those donors were, but said they were all domestic sources. “We rely totally on domestic financing,” said Yabloko spokeswoman Sofia Rusova. She went on to say that various social activities sponsored by fractions of the party that focus on gender issues and ecological problems in different regions of Russia do receive foreign funding. She declined to say exactly how much and from where the funds came.

United Russia’s electoral war chest was 420 million roubles, the equivalent of a little more than $13 million. Its critics point out that United Russia, as the ruling party, has an advantage anyway by holding the levers of power and Putin’s tight grip on traditional media. Opposition groups are wary of discussing their finances but Alexander Averin, a spokesperson for opposition group Other Russia, denied his group had received any money from abroad. The lawyer for blogger Alexei Navalny, an opposition leader who is serving a 15-day jail sentence for his role in a protest the day after the election, said the idea that Navalny received foreign financial support was ridiculous. “We don’t take any money flows from outside of the country. He (Navalny) is a lawyer by profession and he has his own clients and that is enough for living a modest life,” Vadim Kobzev said by telephone.

Russia has often played up accusations of interference by foreign governments in its

internal affairs, not least in the “colour revolutions” that ushered pro-Western leaders to power in Georgia and Ukraine in 2003-2004. A law passed in 2006, during Putin’s second presidential term, expanded the Russian government’s control over non-governmental organisations. Parts of the law were amended in 2009

by President Dmitry Medvedev, but foreign funding of Russian non-governmental organisations remains a contentious issue.

According to the law, NGOs can receive money from abroad, but it is heavily taxed, in many cases by more than 24 percent, if the cash does not come from international organisations that figure into a list of preapproved donors. Access to the list is limited, but lawyers say it contains the names of 12 organisations, such as UN bodies. Despite legal and tax hurdles, accusations of foreign meddling hold power for some Russians, especially those who remember Cold War enmity between the Soviet Union and the West. “There are suspicions. Putin wouldn’t say anything without grounds, so he must know something we don’t know,” said Lyudmila Mashenko, a small business owner.

But Gleb Pavlovsky, a former Kremlin adviser who now heads the Foundation for Effective Politics think tank, said Putin had simply sought to deflect responsibility for the election setback by deploying the oftenused tactic of blaming the United States. “It’s stupid.

They were looking for some kind of enemy during the election campaign but they didn’t choose the right one,” he said. “No one remembers the Cold War. This doesn’t work any longer.” Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of the journal Russia in Foreign Affairs, also said the authorities had looked for someone to blame when the results of the election did not go as planned. “This kind of suspicion and such accusations were absolutely predictable and inevitable. Any election campaign in Russia may be used as a source of controversy that Western organisations, especially NGOs, are operating on foreign money,” he said. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

sp orts Lapasset re-elected as the IRB chairman DURBAN: Bernard Lapasset was re-elected on Monday as chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB) after defeating former England captain Bill Beaumont in a vote for the top job. The Frenchman secured a second consecutive term in office after the 26 IRB Council members voted 14-12 in support of him at a reconvened interim meeting in Los Angeles. “I am honored to accept the mandate of the Council to serve as Chairman of the International Rugby Board for another term,” Lapasset said in a statement. “I am committed to building on the good progress to date. We have fantastic opportunities to grow the game, to reach new markets and welcome new members to the rugby family.”

Beaumont then suffered a second blow when he lost his current position as Vice-Chairman to South African Oregan Hoskins. The pair received 13 votes each but Hoskins got the nod when Lapasset, who oversaw the successful campaign to get rugby sevens included in the Olympics during his first term in office, used his casting vote to support the South African. Beaumont was elected along with Lapasset and Hoskins on a seven member executive board which included, for the first time, a representative from both United States and Japan. All of the appointments were for four years, starting on Jan 1.— Reuters

‘Super Dan’ targets last major honor BEIJING: He has every other major title in the game, but China’s Lin “Super” Dan can fill the only gap in his resume at this week’s badminton Superseries Finals-and dethrone his arch-rival in the process. Badminton’s most decorated player is back from injury and on the victory trail with two titles in the past month, including two beatings of top-ranked Lee Chong Wei, who has won all three editions of the season finale.

Pin-up Lin, 28, has never played the event after badminton superpower China boycotted in 2008 and 2009. He entered too few events to make it to the 2010 showdown. But excitement is growing that Lin can seal the “Super Grand Slam” by adding the Superseries title to his

Olympics, world championships, World Cup, All-England, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Asia Championships and Asian Games wins. Although Lin lies third in the season standings behind Malaysia’s Lee and Chinese team-mate Chen Long, he is the form player after winning the 12-leg series’ last two stops in Hong Kong and Shanghai. And despite controversy earlier in the year, when a series of walkovers against Chinese players aroused suspicion he was acting under team orders, Lin will aim for an emphatic close before heading into an Olympic season. “As the tournament is on our home turf, China should strive for strong results and end 2011 on a good note,” said China’s head coach Li Yongbo. — AFP

Djokovic, Kvitova named ITF World Champions LONDON: Novak Djokovic capped his incredible season by being named ITF World Champion yesterday, becoming the first player other than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to win the men’s award since 2003. The 24-yearold Serb won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open in a stellar year in which he took over as the top-ranked player, finishing with 10 titles and a 70-6 overall record. “Starting with victory in last year’s Davis Cup final, this has been an almost perfect 12 months for me,” Djokovic said. “I have always dreamed about becoming the best in the world, and to have won three Grand Slam titles and finished the year as No 1 is ver y special.” Petra Kvitova won the women’s award after winning Wimbledon and leading the Czech Republic to victory in the Fed Cup, ending a breakthrough year as the second-ranked player in the world. “I will cherish this award, which is the cherry on top of a wonderful year,” said the 21-year- old Kvitova, who edged out top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki last year’s champion - in the voting. —AP

CRC, KGA, DHL, United Goans maintain unbeaten record KIFF League: KGA’s Fernandes scores first hat trick

KUWAIT: CRC Chinchinim, Kuwait Goan Association, DHL and United Goans maintained their unbeaten record with victories over their rivals in the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) League 2011-12 for J.P D’Mello Memorial Trophy played at the MOH Grounds, Shuwaikh.

In the first match last Friday, Chinchinim beat Curtorcares United 1-0. Curtorcares almost took the lead in the opening quarter, but Chinchinim goalkeeper Anthony Fernandes made excellent saves to keep the ball from entering the net. The game was goalless at half time with Curtorcares looking the better team. Chinchinim scored the match winner through Joe Gomes who shot home with a simple tap midway into the second half after a defender had

blocked the initial shot. Curtorcares were left stunned as they had controlled the game for major period of the second session. Leslie of Chinchinim was awarded man of the match by KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes. The man-ofthe-match trophies presented at the end of every KIFF league game are sponsored by Kuwait’s Al Muzaini Exchange Co. KGA down Santos 4-2 The game between Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) and Santos FC was an exciting one with plenty of action and goals. Initially, KGA created major opportunities for their forwards, but could not score due to some outstanding goalkeeping by Santos FC goalkeep-

er Rosario. Half time score was 0-0. KGA were finally able to break the resistance of Santos defense with 3 quick goals off striker Josse Fernandes (2) and Meraj Mohammed. A fourth goal came as Josse completed his hat-trick. Santos FC fought back late in the second half and managed to reduce the margin by 2 goals. Albert Gomes and Vally Fernandes were the scorers for Santos FC. Josse Fernandes of KGA was adjudged man of the match for his excellent display. The award was presented by Lawrence Pinto, president of YRC Rising Stars.

United Goans beat United Friends 1-0 The United Goans Center and United Friends Club game began on a rough

Wie looking to end the season in style DUBAI: Hindered by injuries and tinkering with her swing, Michelle Wie is looking to turn her season around by ending on a high in Dubai. The 22year-old American has fallen to 17th in the rankings after spending much of 2010 in the top 10. And with only two second-place finishes this season, she called this year “a work in progress.”

“I had a couple of good finishes.

But it is frustrating just because sometimes weeks didn’t go my way, but at the same time you learn every week,” said Wie, who struggled with a back injury toward the end of 2010.

“Every week I gave it my all and as frustrated as I can be, I try to take a positive from it, and I feel like I improved quite a bit,” Wie said.

“Whether or not my results show it or not, I’m feeling like I’m getting healthy again with my body. My body feels pretty good.”

Wie is among the biggest names at the Dubai Ladies Masters, the season-ending European Tour event which star ts Wednesday. Lexi Thompson, the 16-year-old American who became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour in September, is expected to challenge alongside several top Europeans, including Anna Nordqvist and Sandra Gal. Like Tiger Woods, Wie has responded to her poor performance with tweaks with her swing. “I had a couple of swing changes, but just overall working on

my game,” Wie said. “Obviously when you do try to work on something, the results sometimes don’t come as quick as you want them to. But like I said, I worked on a lot of things this year, not particularly one in specific, but hopefully it’ll pay off next year.”

Wie dismissed claims by Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam that her pursuit of a communications degree at Stanford University was hurting her game. She said she has always worked to balance school and golf and insisted she has even more time now to practice than she did in high school. Since she was child, Wie has been in the spotlight for her golfing prowess. She became the youngest golfer to play a USGA Amateur Championship at 10 and, as a big-hitting teenager, decided to take on the men. However, she never made the cut at a PGA event and joined the LPGA in 2009, where she has won twice.

This year, Wie has often found herself overshadowed by No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng and more recently Thompson, who has become a media darling since her five-stroke victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic in September. That, however, hasn’t seemed to be bother Wie, who insists she will be back on top. “I haven’t been playing very well this year. I shouldn’t be getting the spotlight,” Wie said. “I need to start winning. I need to start getting into the spot-

light that way.” Thompson, for her part, said her victory has given her the confidence that “she can win” any tournament she enters. It also sparked a media frenzy that included a trip to New York where she met several movie stars, including members of the “Twilight” cast. “I loved it, actually. I mean it was definitely a lot of attention, but you know, it was great,” Thompson said. “I got to meet a lot of pretty famous people, like Taylor Lautner, Jonah Hill. It was an amazing experience for me, and hopefully will continue.” But Thompson, whose brother Nicholas plays on the PGA Tour, still seems well grounded.

She still enjoys “hanging out with friends” at the beach at home in Coral Springs, Fla and insisted they don’t treat her any differently after her brushes with celebrities. “I’m a normal teenager, besides that I made history,” she said. “But I love what I do, and I’ve worked so hard for it.” The 53rd-ranked Thompson said she expects to play up to 20 tournaments next year, though she isn’t setting any goals in terms of the numbers of victories or top 10 finishes. “I’m definitely taking it slow. You just have to take it tournament by tournament,” she said.

“I don’t like to get ahead of myself. I always want to win, but you have to work really hard for that. There are amazing players out here, and the best in the world, so it’s going to take a lot.”— AP

Unpaid Lankans face S Africa struggle JOHANNESBURG: Unpaid for nine months, without a test series win in over two years and now hit by injury, Sri Lanka’s cricket team has a list of problems to overcome in its search for an elusive success in South Africa. Sri Lanka has never won a test in its three previous series here and probably arrived for this three-match tour in worse shape than ever. Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has said going without salaries for much of this year has not affected the players, but Sri Lanka’s form since the national cricket body’s financial problems spilled over to the team tells a different story.

Since it played in the final of the World Cup in early April, and the salaries stopped, Sri Lanka has lost three straight test series and three out of four one-day international series. It last won a test in 2010 in Muttiah Muralitharan’s farewell and has gone 14 without a win.

On the eve of Sri Lanka’s first series here

since 2002, Nuwan Pradeep was ruled out of the tour having managed just 1.4 overs in a warmup match over the weekend to continue a miserable run of injuries to fast bowlers. Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Dhammika Prasad were also unavailable for the tourists, who face familiar struggles in unfamiliar conditions in pace-friendly South Africa.

Sri Lanka has lost six of seven tests in the country, with one draw. “We have to get used to the conditions as soon as possible. We are carrying a few young players and it’s not easy coming to South Africa, especially as they have been playing good cricket,” Dilshan said, accepting Sri Lanka’s status as rank outsiders. “We can’t do any mistakes here.

They are a good team.” On its first test tour to South Africa in nine years, surprise could be Sri Lanka’s best hope. “It’s difficult to say what their weaknesses

are when you don’t know a team that well,” said South Africa vice captain AB de Villiers. “You don’t know what to expect.” South Africa’s recent inability to win at home also could provide a small source of optimism for Sri Lanka’s unpaid and out-of-form players. South Africa let winning positions slip in draws with Australia, India and England in its last three home series, and last won a series on home soil in 2008 against Bangladesh. Having failed to close out victory against high-profile opposition, the Proteas are clearly uneasy over an unknown Sri Lanka, which last visited when South Africa coach Gary Kirsten was still playing with a different generation of South Africans. The teams met most recently in Sri Lanka in 2006.

“Obviously the most important thing for us is to respect them and play them like they’re the No 1 team in the world which they’re not,” De Villiers said. —AP

note. United Goans got an early booking as early as the 5th minute of the game. The players of both teams failed to create chances as the game was confined mostly in the centre of the field. A mistake by the United Goans keeper led to a chance for United Friends but the latter could not convert. The first half was goalless, however, the second half started much brighter with chances created by both teams. Late into the match, a penalty was awarded to United Goans after a clear handball by a United Friends player inside the 18 yard box.

United Goans made no mistake to hit home (1-0). Allwyn Pontes of United Goans Center was presented with the man of the match award at the hands of AVC stalwart Xavier Furtado.

DHL courier past Skynet 1-0 The game between DHL FC and Skynet Raiders FC began at a slow pace where not much happened until a mistake by DHL defender which forced a good save from the DHL keeper. Skynet created a couple of chances thereafter and so did DHL but could not get the ball into the net.

DHL finally got the breakthrough when Jai John scored a goal after receiving a fine cross from hardworking Seby Barbosa. Half time score was 1-0 in favor of DHL. In the second half, both teams matched each other in pace but were unable to score. Skynet players played their hearts out to draw level but DHL defender John Furtado was a rock in

defense with timely interceptions time and again. Jai John of DHL was awarded man of the match at the hands of KGA president Salvador Dias. All matches of the league are officiated

by KIFF Referees. The KIFF league consists of 19 clubs affiliated to KIFF. They are AVC Sports & Cultural Association, C.R.C. Chinchinim, Curtorcares United, DHL Sports Club, Don Bosco Oratory, FC Sparx, Goan Overseas Association, Gulf Cable Football Club, Indian Strikers, Kuwait Goan Association, Malabar United Football Club, Navelim Youth Centre, Real Betalbatim Football Club, Santos Football Club, Santos United, Skynet Raiders Soccer Club, United Friends Club, United Goans Center and YRC Rising Stars.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

Years

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‘Aussie cricket crisis’ declared after NZ defeat SYDNEY: Australia reacted with a wave of panic yesterday after falling to a first home test defeat to New Zealand in more than a quarter of a century with a series against India just two weeks away. “Aussie cricket crisis”, “Black Monday”, the “Lowest of the Low”, “The Flat Empire” were the headlines adorning the back pages of the country’s newspapers above pictures of celebrating New Zealand and forlorn Australian cricketers. “Once the kings of world cricket, Australia are no longer capable of putting away eighth-ranked New Zealand and ... they are in disarray heading into the series against India,” read the back page of Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.

The thrilling drama of the conclusion to the Hobart test, which New Zealand won by seven runs, was largely forgotten as critics lined up to take pot shots at the team. Opener Phil Hughes, who was out in almost identical fashion in all four innings of the series against the Black Caps

making just 41 runs, was the most pilloried but experienced batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were also lambasted for failures. “The time has come for change,” Richard Hinds wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Most pertinently, the time when a couple of much-loved veterans, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, could nominate their retirement dates has passed.”

Former coach Bob Simpson led calls for the recall of Simon Katich, who controversially lost his central contract with Cricket Australia in June despite being one of his country’s best test performers over the previous three years. The 36-year-old opener, however, told the Telegraph he thought his test career was probably over. “I pretty much know they’ve made their decision, there is nothing much else that has happened,” said Katich, who was reprimanded last week for comments suggesting captain Michael Clarke had been behind the loss of his contract.

As after the Ashes humiliation against England last year, the whole

system of Australian cricket came in for considerable scrutiny. Many com-

HOBERT: Australian captain Michael Clrake leaves the field after having been caught by New Zealand captain Ross Taylor off the bowling of Doug Bracewell during Australia’s second innings in the fourth day of play in the second test match in Hobart. — AP

Devils hang on for win over Lightning Stamkos ties NHL lead with 18th goal NEW JERSEY: Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos scored two late goals to put the heat on New Jersey in the final period but the Devils held on to claim a 5-4 win over the Lightning on Monday. New Jersey went 2-0 up in the first through Petr Sykora and Dainius Zubrus before Steve Downie and Blair Jones tied the game in the final few minutes of the period.

The Devils dominated the second and extended their lead to 5-2 on goals from Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique. Tampa Bay goaltender Dwayne Roloson was pulled after allowing New Jersey’s third goal 56 seconds into the second period.

He gave way to Mathieu Garon, who surrendered the next two scores to the Devils.

There would be no easy cruise in the third though as Stamkos pulled a goal back midway through the period then grabbed his 18th of the season in the final minute to make New Jersey (15-13-1) sweat.

“That’s been our problem. We’ve had leads and we’re not doing a good job of protecting them,” Parise told reporters after finishing with a goal and two assists. “We have to address that and see what we can do differently.” Both teams are struggling in the Eastern Conference, with New Jersey coming into the game losers of five of their last seven,

while the Lightning (12-16-2) fell to their seventh loss in eight games.

Tampa Bay outshot New Jersey 36-22 yet still came up short. “We’re finding ways to lose

games right now,” Stamkos told reporters. “We showed a lot of character, like we always do; never quit and come back-but the second period killed us.” — Reuters

NHL result/standings NHL result and standings on Monday. New Jersey 5, tampa bay 4.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA Philadelphia 18 7 3 101 81 NY Rangers 17 6 4 83 60 Pittsburgh 17 9 4 94 75 New Jersey 15 13 1 76 84 NY Islanders 9 12 6 62 88 Northeast Division Boston 18 9 1 94 59 Toronto 15 11 3 91 94 Buffalo 15 12 2 79 79 Montreal 12 11 7 74 77 Ottawa 13 13 4 91 105 Southeast Division Florida 16 9 5 82 77 Washington 15 12 1 88 89 Winnipeg 13 12 4 82 92 Tampa Bay 12 16 2 79 101 Carolina 9 18 4 79 108

PTS 39 38 38 31 24 37 33 32 31 30 37 31 30 26 22

Western Conference Central Division Chicago 18 8 4 99 92 40 Detroit 18 9 1 89 62 37 St. Louis 17 9 3 71 62 37 Nashville 14 11 4 77 79 32 Columbus 8 17 4 71 99 20 Northwest Division Minnesota 20 7 3 79 64 43 Vancouver 18 10 1 97 71 37 Edmonton 14 13 3 83 80 31 Calgary 14 13 2 73 80 30 Colorado 13 16 1 78 91 27 Pacific Division Dallas 16 11 1 73 78 33 Phoenix 15 11 3 77 76 33 San Jose 15 10 2 75 64 32 Los Angeles 13 12 4 65 67 30 Anaheim 8 16 5 67 95 21 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L)

‘I am myself again’, says relaxed LeBron NEW YORK: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck in this photo. — AFP

Lakers still looking for deals after Paul debacle EL SEGUNDO: Mitch Kupchak feels he got stuck in a quagmire created by the NBA when the Los Angeles Lakers’ disallowed trade for Chris Paul forced the general manager to ship out Lamar Odom in another hasty deal. Although Kupchak believes the Lakers can emerge from this messy start to training camp with few worries, he isn’t done looking at dramatic ways to upgrade his team in Odom’s absence.

“We are pursuing big deals right now, yes,” Kupchak said Monday in the Lakers’ war room.

“That has not changed. More than one big deal, but there could be more than one big deal that involves players other than the two you’re thinking of.”

Kupchak realizes many Lakers fans are questioning everything from his planning skills to his sanity after he traded the versatile Odom to the rival Dallas Mavericks for not much in return on Sunday. The veteran executive insists his decision was made to escape a rapidly deteriorating situation with Odom, saying the Sixth Man of the Year demanded a trade after learning the Lakers attempted to ship him to New Orleans in a three-team deal for Paul.

“Lamar is probably more sensitive and emotional than most people, in particular our players, and that’s a plus more than it’s a minus,” Kupchak said of Odom, who won two championships with the Lakers. “But in this case, he couldn’t get over the fact that something like that took place. We were hoping that things would change in a day or two, but his representative called me on Saturday and said it’s not going to change, and requested that (Odom) be traded. We worked together to find

mentators, as Clarke did on Monday, pointed to the fact that the struggling batsmen would have only Australia’s new Twenty20 competition in which to find their form before the first of four test against India begins on Dec 26. India, who play their first tour match in Canberra on Thursday, have never won a test series in Australia but arrived ranked second in the world with their hosts still languishing in fourth place.

Patrick Smith suggested the country’s cricketers had displayed a “soft centre” in Hobart rather than the grit and determination that marked the wearers of the baggy green caps during the heyday of Australian cricket.

“A side supposedly intoxicated with the grisly Australian culture does not lose to an earnest but ordinary Kiwi side,” he wrote in the Australian.

“This Australian side is neither technically sound nor stern of character. It might be enthusiastic but any fourth XI side can boast such a common quality.” — Reuters

a spot that would give us the most flexibility going forward.”

Although Kupchak has been working upwards of 17 hours per day since the lockout ended, he believes he made the best available moves in unprecedented circumstances during the Lakers’ frenetic four days since they attempted to acquire Paul last Thursday, only to have the NBA squash the deal. Kupchak is still stunned and angry about Commissioner David Stern’s decision.

“Completely unexpected,” Kupchak said. “I’m not sure it’s ever happened before. I’m not sure if it will ever happen again.

It’s unique circumstances with the organization being run by the NBA, so I was completely surprised, and we did the best we can to express our displeasure.”

But when Odom learned he was a part of the deal that also would have moved Pau Gasol to Houston, the Kardashian-marrying reality-television star demanded to leave Hollywood -

and after surveying the market and weighing patience against the possibility of deterioration, Kupchak moved Odom to Dallas for a first-round pick and a trade exception. Kupchak hesitated to help the rival Mavericks, but wanted a trade that wouldn’t require the Lakers to take on a player or a lengthy contract. He also shot down fans’ suspicions that Odom’s departure was a straight salary dump designed to remove about $18 million in expenses the already overstuffed payroll of the Lakers, who had a $91 million payroll and paid $21 million in luxury tax last season.

“Although it’s not a team that we would have normally picked ... we’ve done trades like that,” Kupchak said. “We’re not afraid of doing trades within our division. We look after our team first, and then if you meet that team down the road, hopefully you’re going to win that game.”

Kupchak realizes his opinion isn’t universally accepted. Kobe Bryant still is dismayed by the

Kings fire coach Fifth NHL coach fired this season WASHINGTON: The slumping Los Angeles Kings have fired Coach Terry Murray and named assistant John Stevens as interim coach, the National Hockey League (NHL) team said on Monday. Stevens previously coached the Philadelphia Flyers from 2006 through most of 2009. Murray’s firing comes with the Kings (13-12-4) on a four-game losing streak and ranked 12th in the 15-team Western Conference. They are the lowest scoring team in the conference.

Murray, 61, is the fifth NHL coach to be fired this season, joining St Louis’ Davis Payne, Washington’s Bruce Boudreau, Carolina’s Paul Maurice and Anaheim’s Randy Carlyle. He had been the Kings coach since the 2008-09 NHL campaign and compiled a 139-106-30 regular season record. He previously coached at Washington, Philadelphia and Florida. Stevens, 45, posted a 120109-34 record with the Flyers, a team he led to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008. He has been with the Kings since the 2010-11 season. — Reuters

deal, and he believes Kupchak acted too hastily. “If (Odom) had stayed, if they hadn’t traded him, he would have got over it,” Bryant said. “No question about it. ... It definitely seemed like an emotional decision. Lamar is an emotional person, and it means a lot to him to be here. He thought he’d be here forever, and it hurt him. That’s something that he wanted. He wanted to go somewhere else.

He’s secure in that decision, and I support him in that decision.” Kupchak disagrees, saying Odom and his agent specifically shot down that notion.

Although Bryant disagrees with Kupchak’s moves, he remains on strong terms with the general manager, noting he had been proven wrong when he questioned Kupchak’s vision while demanding a trade in May 2007.

“And then Mitch traded Kwame (Brown) for Pau, so he’s earned the license to do whatever he wants,” Bryant said. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s built a championship team. He’s done it before.”

Kupchak reiterated he’s still pursuing major trades with several teams, but doesn’t see anything immediately available.

Orlando center Dwight Howard’s agent was given permission to speak to the Lakers and two other teams after Howard requested a trade, but the All-Star appears to be waffling on his desire. If Howard isn’t available, Kupchak is content to add only supplementary players to his current core, notably looking for big-man depth to replace Odom. “We think we have three of the best players in the NBA - Andrew (Bynum), Pau and Kobe,” Kupchak said. “We expect to have them all season, yes.”— AP

MIAMI: LeBron James became the man US sports fans loved to hate when he left Cleveland for the Miami Heat last year and many celebrated when he stumbled in the NBA finals, losing to the Dallas Mavericks. Prior to the 201011 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, James bragged about multiple championships for Miami’s ‘Big Three’ but was heckled after his first attempt to win one with his new team fell short in June.

But this year at the Heat’s annual media day in the American Airlines Arena, the two-times NBA Most Valuable Player was not talking about proving critics wrongs or silencing the boos. With the wrangling of the NBA lockout now over, James looked and sounded relaxed, appearing more at ease with himself than at any time since he left his home state of Ohio for South Florida. “It was a tough season for myself. If I look at my numbers over the course of the whole season, I played pretty well, but I wasn’t who I was, it was a tough transition - coming here, going through what I went through, it was something different.

But I will learn from it and I am back to who I am now,” James told a news conference on Monday. “I always had to prove myself. It may have looked like it was easy but it was never easy, knowing where I came from, you had to prove yourself every day growing up where I grew up. “Last year was one of

the first years where I said - ‘OK, I’m going to prove everybody wrong’ ... I was just so blinded, so out of whack.

You try to do so many things that you kind of forget who you are and what got you to that point.”

James’s ‘crime’ in the eyes of many American sports fans was announcing on a nationally televised show that he was leaving Cleveland, where he never won a title, to join fellow All-Stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami. It is a move that several players have sought to replicate in this free agency period but James says he is not bothered by the lack of criticism for those attempted moves. “It would have bothered me last year, if I would have got criticized for what I did and guys came out and tried to do the same thing and it wasn’t. It doesn’t bother me anymore,” said James, who was taken first overall by Cleveland in the 2003 NBA Draft.

“I’m at a good place right now, not too much bothers me.” James took weeks to deal with Miami’s loss to Dallas in the 2011 NBA Finals and will have a quick shot at revenge when the 2011-12 season begins as the Heat open their campaign with a road game against the Mavericks on Dec 25. “You can never ultimately get over losing a final but I think you have to move on because there is a season now and we are preparing for this one not last year,” said James. — Reuters

LeBron James

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Patriots deal with sideline spat, defensive woes FOXBOROUGH: The sideline spat between Tom Brady and his offensive coordinator seems to have been patched up. The New England Patriots defense will take longer to fix. They’ve allowed more than 430 yards to each of their last three opponents, all with losing records. Starting with the third week of the season, they’ve been ranked as the worst team in yards passing and overall yards allowed. And their secondary has been so weak and banged up that wide receivers Matthew Slater and Julian Edelman have played there a lot.

Somehow, the Patriots have won their last five games and are tied for the AFC’s best record at 10-3.

But can they continue winning with that shaky defense once the competition stiffens in the playoffs? “It’s always a concern when one running back gets over 100 yards,” linebacker Dane Fletcher said Monday after the Patriots’ 34-27 win at the Washington Redskins on Sunday. “It’s getting (to be) crunch time here, so we’ve got to work on it.” The Patriots allowed Washington 463 yards, the eighth time in 13 games they’ve given up at least 427. Roy Helu rushed for 126 and Rex Grossman threw for 252 and two touchdowns.

The journeyman quarterback even marched the Redskins from their 20-yard line with 6:30 left to the Patriots 5 with 1:15 to go. New England finally stopped them when wide receiver Santana Moss tipped a pass into the hands of linebacker Jerod Mayo for an interception with 20 seconds remaining. That drive wouldn’t have meant much if Brady hadn’t thrown an interception in the end zone on the previous series when a field goal would have given the Patriots a 37-27 lead. When he went to the sideline, Brady got into a shouting match with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer stepped between them. When the game ended, Brady and O’Brien embraced.

“We’re all held accountable,” Brady said Monday on his weekly appearance on WEEI radio. “I’m glad

our defense really made the play to win the game at the end, because I’d have been feeling pretty crappy if we’d somehow not pulled that game out with that interception there at the end.” He also said he and O’Brien have a “great relationship.” On the interception, cornerback Josh Wilson stepped in front of

wide receiver Tiquan Underwood at the back of the end zone. Underwood was signed as a free agent on Nov 8, cut on Nov 12 and re-signed Nov 24. In three games with the Patriots, he has two receptions.

The argument “is just part of the game. We’re all

LANDOVER: Washington Redskins wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth (left) is brought down short of the end zone by New England Patriots defensive back Nate Jones and cornerback Devin McCourty during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec 11, 2011.— AP

passionate about our jobs,” Underwood said. He accepted blame for the interception. “As a wide receiver, we run to get open and catch the ball,” he said, “and if we can’t catch it, no one catches it. So I have to just become a defender for Tom there and don’t let the guy intercept the ball. It was a good play by (Wilson), but I know that I’ve got to run a better route to catch the ball and, if not, I have to bat it down.” Fortunately for the Patriots, they came up with the game-clinching interception six minutes later. It was the latest example of a bad defense playing well in the red zone.

They’ve allowed opponents inside their 20-yard line 52 times, tied for second most in the NFL. But they’ve given up touchdowns on just 50 percent of those possessions, 16th in the league. When 15 field goals are added in, teams have scored on 41 of those 52 possessions, a rate of 78.8 percent. And that’s tied for fourth best in the NFL. So how does a porous defense tighten up like that? “The closer and closer you get to the goal line, the more it relies on attitude, the more you’ve got to rely on the guy next to you to keep them out of the end zone,” Fletcher said. “In the field, it comes down to schemes and what they may or may not do, whereas on the goal line it mainly comes down to attitude and winning one-on-one battles.”

The Redskins reached the red zone four times, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal before falling short at the end. “We’ve tried to work hard on it,” Coach Bill Belichick said Monday. “There are still some things we can do better there.” They may have to on Sunday when they visit Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos, who pulled out another late comeback win Sunday, 13-10 over the Chicago Bears.

They’re 7-1 with Tebow as the starting quarterback and came from behind in six of those wins. “You have to give credit to how well the team’s doing as opposed to one guy,” Fletcher said, “because they’re all stepping up.”— AP

Seahawks punish Rams 30-13

BELLEFONTE: Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky (center) walks to his attorney’s car as he leaves the Centre County Courthouse after waiving a preliminary hearing yesterday in Bellefonte, Pa.— AP

Sandusky waives hearing, vows to fight sex charges BELLEFONTE: Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky opted against forcing his accusers to make their claims of child sex abuse in a packed courtroom yesterday but then took his case to the courthouse steps as his lawyer assailed the credibility of the alleged victims and witnesses.

“There will be no plea negotiations,” defense lawyer Joseph Amendola said. “This is a fight to the death.” Waiving such a preliminary hearing is not unusual but it was unexpected in this case: Amendola repeatedly had said his client was looking forward to facing his accusers. Afterward, he called the cancellation a “tactical decision” to prevent the men from reiterating the same claims they made to the grand jury.

Lawyers for the alleged victims said some were relieved they would not have to make their claims in public before a trial, but others said they had steeled themselves to face Sandusky and were left disappointed. “It would have been apparent from watching those boys and their demeanor that they were telling the truth,” said Howard Janet, a lawyer for a boy whose mother contacted police in 1998 after her son allegedly showered with Sandusky. Sandusky has denied the allegations, which led to the departures of longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and the university president. He is charged with more than 50 counts that accuse him of sexually abusing 10 boys over the span of 12 years.

Amendola said he believed some of the young men may have trumped up their claims and that others may came forward in a bid to make money by suing Sandusky, Penn State and the charity Sandusky founded.

“We’re pursuing a financial motivation,” Amendola said, “Finances and money are great motivators.” Michael Boni, a lawyer representing an accuser known as Victim 1, said Amendola was “reaching into his bag of tricks.” “I can tell you that Victim No 1 is credible. He was the first one to come forward,” he said. Sandusky told reporters as he left the courthouse that he would “stay the course, to fight for four quarters” and “wait for the opportunity to present our side.”

Many defendants waive preliminary hearings, during which prosecutors must show that they have probable cause to bring the case to trial. Prosecutors in this case were expected to meet that relatively low bar, in part because the case been through a grand jury. Senior Deputy Attorney General E Marc Costanzo said the move “provides maximum protection to most importantly the victims in this case.” “It avoids their having to testify for a second time,” Costanzo said. “They will of course testify at a trial in the case.” Costanzo also said there had been no discussions about a plea bargain. Sandusky also will waive his next court appearance, an arraignment, that

had been scheduled for Jan 11, Amendola said. He remains under house arrest.

The accusers who were prepared to testify were split in their reactions to the hearing being canceled. Boni said he was encouraged that the accusers “do not have to relive the horrors they experience up on the witness stand” by having to testify at the hearing and at trial. Ben Andreozzi, a lawyer representing another accuser, read a statement from his client, who called it the most difficult time of his life. “I can’t believe they put us through this until the last second,” the statement read.

“I still will stand my ground, testify and speak the truth.” Ken Suggs, another attorney for one of the accusers, called Sandusky a “coward” for not facing the young men.

Witnesses have contended before the grand jury that Sandusky committed a range of sexual offenses against boys as young as 10, assaulting them in hotel swimming pools, the basement of his home in State College and in the locker room showers at Penn State, where the 67-year-old former assistant football coach once built a national reputation as a defensive mastermind. Sandusky has told NBC and The New York Times that his relationship to the boys who said he abused them was like that of an extended family. Sandusky characterized his experiences with the children as “precious times” and said the physical aspect of the relationships “just happened that way” and didn’t involve abuse.

Amendola said Sandusky was always emotional and physical - “a loving guy, an affectionate guy” - who never did anything illegal.

The lawyer likened Sandusky’s behavior to his own Italian family in which “everybody hugged and kissed each other.” Sandusky retired from Penn State in 1999, a year after the first known abuse allegation reached police when a mother told investigators Sandusky had showered with her son during a visit to the Penn State football facilities.

Accusations surfaced again in 2002, when graduate assistant Mike McQueary reported another alleged incident of abuse to Paterno and other university officials.

The grand jury probe began only in 2009, after a teen complained that Sandusky, then a volunteer coach at his high school, had abused him. Sandusky first groomed him with gifts and trips in 2006 and 2007, then sexually assaulted him more than 20 times in 2008 through early 2009, the teen told the grand jury. Amendola yesterday attacked McQuear y by citing an anonymously sourced newspaper report that claimed the former graduate assistant changed his story when speaking to a family friend. The defense attorney said McQueary would derail the prosecution and other accusers also would be questioned. “McQueary was always the centerpiece of the prosecution’s case,” he said.— AP

SEATTLE: Seattle’s Doug Baldwin showed the rest of the NFL what they passed up in last April’s draft, playing a key role in the Seahawks 30-13 win over the staggering St Louis Rams in the NFL on Monday. Baldwin, an undrafted rookie, blocked a firstquarter punt that was returned by Michael Robinson 17 yards for a touchdown, then caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson in the third quarter as Seattle pulled away.

Seattle (6-7) won for the fourth time in five games and kept alive its slim hopes for reaching the playoffs - a good recovery after a 2-6 start to the season. “As far as my expectations go, I expected to be successful. I didn’t know how successful, but I expected to be able to come in here and win a job in some capacity, because if you don’t have that confidence in yourself you’re not going to win a job,” Baldwin said. “To be where I am now, no I didn’t expect this. But at the same time I’m not satisfied.” Marshawn Lynch topped 100 yards rushing for the fifth time in six games, finishing with 115 on 23 carries. He scored a touchdown in his ninth straight game on a 16-yard run with 2:57 left to put away Seattle’s 13th win in its past 14 games against the Rams. Lynch celebrated his ninth rushing touchdown this season, and he tied a franchise record with nine consecutive games with a TD. Baldwin finished with seven catches for 93 yards and Steven Hauschka was 3 of 4 on field goal attempts for the Seahawks.

Sam Bradford started at quarterback for St Louis (2-11) despite a nagging ankle sprain. He barely practiced this week and it showed as he was rusty and made poor decisions.

Bradford was 12 of 29 for 193 yards, was intercepted on the first play of the second half and nearly picked off on a handful of other throws. Rams tailback Steven Jackson had 50 yards rushing on 11 carries by halftime, including dashes of 11 yards twice and 10 yards once, but disappeared in the second half - aside from a 50-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass - and finished with 63 yards rushing on 20 carries. Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson wasn’t at his best, but didn’t need to be. He went 21 of 32 for 224 yards and connected with nine receivers.—AP

NFL result / standings Result and standings after Monday’s National Football League game: Seattle 30, St. Louis 13.

New England NY Jets Buffalo Miami

American Football Conference AFC East Division W L T PCT PF 10 3 0 .769 396 8 5 0 .615 327 5 8 0 .385 288 4 9 0 .308 256

PA 274 270 341 246

Baltimore Pittsburgh Cincinnati Cleveland

AFC North Division 10 3 0 .769 10 3 0 .769 7 6 0 .538 4 9 0 .308

320 282 285 178

202 198 270 254

y-Houston Tennessee Jacksonville Indianapolis

AFC South Division 10 3 0 .769 7 6 0 .538 4 9 0 .308 0 13 0 .000

330 266 193 184

208 251 252 382

Denver Oakland San Diego Kansas City

AFC West Division 8 5 0 .615 7 6 0 .538 6 7 0 .462 5 8 0 .385

269 290 324 173

302 354 299 305

NY Giants Dallas Philadelphia Washington

National Football Conference NFC East Division 7 6 0 .538 324 7 6 0 .538 317 5 8 0 .385 297 4 9 0 .308 229

349 281 292 290

yz-Green Bay Detroit Chicago Minnesota

NFC North Division 13 0 0 1.000 8 5 0 .615 7 6 0 .538 2 11 0 .154

466 367 301 274

278 305 255 364

x-New Orleans Atlanta Carolina Tampa Bay

NFC South Division 10 3 0 .769 8 5 0 .615 4 9 0 .308 4 9 0 .308

415 300 313 232

286 267 355 370

307 253 246 153

182 288 259 326

NFC West Division y-San Francisco 10 3 0 .769 Arizona 6 7 0 .462 Seattle 6 7 0 .462 St. Louis 2 11 0 .154 x-clinched playoff berth y-won division title z-first-round bye

SEATTLE: St Louis Rams wide receiver Danario Alexander (84) fails to catch a pass in the end zone as Seattle Seahawks’ Brandon Browner (39) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle.

The Seahawks won 30-13. — AP

Dolphins’ problems go deeper than Sparano MIAMI: Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross fired head coach Tony Sparano on Monday but his goal of restoring the franchise to their glory days will require much more than a big name replacement. Poor draft decisions and questionable trades offers a bigger clue to what needs fixing at the Dolphins than merely the disappointing results achieved by Sparano and his staff. The departure of the passionate Sparano, after four years in charge of the team marks the end, the failure, of the project put in place by former football supremo Bill Parcells. When Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl winner as a head coach, was appointed executive vice-president of football operations he was charged with turning around a team which had just endured a 1-15 season under Cam Cameron.

Cameron was fired, Sparano hired and Parcells also brought in Jeff Ireland, who like Sparano was part of his team at the Dallas Cowboys. Parcells also ferried in a number of former Cowboys assistants and specialist coaches onto the Dolphins staff. In 2008, the first year of the new regime, Miami won the AFC East division to reach the playoffs where they lost in the wildcard round to Baltimore. That was supposed to be the start of a new era for Miami, with Parcell’s former draft pick for the New York Jets Chad Pennington at quarterback and their own 2008 second round pick Chad Henne as understudy being groomed to take over.

It did not work. Pennington got hurt, Henne got thrown in and Miami ended the year 7-9 and out of the playoffs. But what Miami fans really blame Parcells for are the poor personnel decisions. In 2008, Miami had the first overall pick and opted for offensive tackle Jake Long, a very good player but a strange choice at

a time when the team was in clear need of an exciting young quarterback for the post-Pennington era. It was an even stranger decision given that quarterback Matt Ryan who Atlanta took with the third pick was available. Ryan became offensive rookie of the year. Miami took Henne in the second round and he has yet to prove himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Not that Miami’s draft gaffes are something new under Parcells. In 2001 they overlooked receiver Reggie Wayne and quarterback Drew Brees who went on to be Super Bowl winners with the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints respectively and took corner Jamar Fletcher. “Finding a quarterback is obviously essential,” Ross said on Monday after announcing Sparano’s exit and none of the team’s fans would argue with that. Ross is worried about a potential slump in season ticket sales, especially with the NBA’s Miami Heat’s growth in popularity and the possible emergence of baseball’s Miami Marlins as another alternative.

One issue he will have to resolve is whether the main survivor from the Parcell era, general manager Jeff Ireland, is going to remain his personnel man.

There have been several local media reports suggesting that former Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, a friend of Ross’s, is in line to take on Parcell’s previous position which could lead to a de facto demotion of Ireland. Ross insisted on Monday, however, that Ireland remains general manager but if that is to be the case he will need to convince a skeptical fanbase that he possesses the skills to change Miami’s miserable record in personnel decisions that ultimately led to Sparano’s dismissal.— Reuters

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All eyes on Neymar TOYOTA: Santos make their highly anticipated debut at the Club World Cup today when they face plucky Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol, but all the focus is on one man: Neymar. The Brazilians will be relying on the highly talented 19year-old forward to shoot them to a probable final showdown with Barcelona, while Kashiwa’s Brazilian boss, a former Santos player and coach, must try to stop him.

Arguably the most high-profile name after Lionel Messi at the intercontinental championship in Japan, Neymar, who has been linked with a big-money move to Europe, said he wanted to write his name in Santos folklore. “I’m very happy to have this opportunity to play at the Club World Cup and very happy to have the chance to be a new name in the history of Santos. It’s an honor for me,” he said. The slight Neymar said that he was flattered to be talked about in the same breath as Messi, the brilliant Argentine who like his Barcelona side is widely acknowledged to be the best in the world.

Santos coach Muricy Ramalho said Neymar should stay and develop his game in Brazil until after the World Cup there in 2014, and said that he was not concerned about the hype surrounding his teenage talisman. “He’s a young player but he’s got a lot of experience in football, he’s a person who’s responsible and he’s prepared to take responsibility,” said Ramalho on the eve of the tie with Kashiwa and their Brazilian coach Nelsinho. “Though Neymar’s under huge pressure, it doesn’t have a negative impact. He’s used to being under pressure.”

The European champions Barcelona take on Al Sadd of Qatar in the other semi today, in a match they will be fully expected to win. There is similar pressure

on Santos back home in Brazil, where the Club World Cup is regarded as a major trophy. Ramalho said he believed he was under even more scrutiny than Barca boss Pep Guardiola. The 61-year-old Nelsinho, whose spell as coach has seen Kashiwa leap from second-division obscurity to the J-League championship in just two seasons, said Neymar had the potential to be the best player in the world. “He’s an outstanding player with huge, huge potential,” he said. “Of course we will have to be very cautious not only of him, but of the whole Santos team.”

Nelsinho rolled off the likes of striker Borges, who scored a prolific 23 goals in 29 games in Brazil in 2011, and Ganso, the subtle foil to Neymar who has also been mooted for a big-money move to Europe. Nelsinho, who has been hailed in the Japanese press for his “Nelsinho magic” after steering the side from Chiba, near Tokyo, to the most successful spell in its history, said it was probably the biggest game of his long career. “The match is extremely important for my career. Barcelona and Santos are favorites (to win the tournament), but we have the opportunity to play them (Santos), so for any professional this is an extremely big chance,” he said.

“It might be the most important in my career,” he added, saying that he would not let fond memories of his time at the Brazilian giants distract him. “I’ve a great gratitude to Santos but I’m not bringing those emotions to the game,” said Nelsinho, who is firm friends with Ramalho from their playing days.

Kashiwa, who grabbed the last berth at the tournament as champions of the host league, defeated Auckland City and then survived a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against the Mexicans Monterrey to reach the last four. — AFP

TOYOTA: Santos FC forward Neymar kicks the ball during the team’s official training of the FIFA Club World Cup yesterday. Copa Libertadores Champion Santos FC of Brazil will face J-League champion Kashiwa Reysols in their semi-final match in Toyota stadium today. — AFP

A gargantuan task for Celtic in Italy PARIS: Celtic will need to pull off one of the best results in their recent history tomorrow if they are to progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League, where some of the continent’s biggest names lie in wait. Neil Lennon’s side have to win away to Serie A high-fliers Udinese to qualify as runners-up in Group I by virtue of a superior head-to-head record against the Italian club. Doing that would open up the prospect of a last 32 clash with Champions League dropouts such as Manchester United, Manchester City or Valencia.

But Udinese are one of Europe’s form teams just now, and the Scottish giants’ record away from home in continental competition will give Hoops fans little cause for optimism. Celtic’s last win on the road in Europe came at Dinamo Moscow in the Champions League third qualifying round in July 2009, while before that they had not won on their travels since the 2003-2004 season, and there are plenty of memories of past disappointments on Italian soil. However, manager Neil Lennon believes that a change in luck for his side is long overdue. “Our record away over the years hasn’t been good and I’m told Scottish teams have only had one victory in Italy in 32 attempts,” he admitted.

“We were unfortunate against AC Milan (in the Champions League last 16) in 2007 as a couple of contentious decisions went against us. “We also played Milan in 2004 and at one each we were coasting to a draw and then conceded two late goals.

“So it’s not as if the performances have been bad. We played well against Juventus too in 2001. We just didn’t get the breaks we have needed.” “Udinese have a good mentality and boast quality players,” Lennon added of Francesco Guidolin’s team, who drew 1-1 in Glasgow in September and still have the incentive of beating already-qualified Atletico Madrid to first place if they win and the Spaniards lose at home to Rennes.

“I watched them against Inter Milan in

the San Siro last week and they seemed to handle the pressure very well and ended up winning 1-0. “They’re up there near the top of the Italian table and are a Champions League quality team. “The team we have now is young but that could work in our favour because they might have no fear. “You never know, if we can play well on the night, we’ll hopefully give them a real fright.” Of England’s four representatives in the group stages, Stoke City are the only side already through. They can seal first place in Group E by taking a point away to Besiktas today.

Elsewhere, Fulham come into today’s final round of games in second place in Group K - a win for Martin Jol’s men at home to Odense will guarantee them more European football in the New Year, while any slip up could let in Wisla Krakow, who are a point behind. While qualification is in the Cottagers’ hands, Championship club Birmingham City can only advance if they beat Maribor at St Andrews and Belgium’s FC Brugge lose at home to Braga. Of course, Birmingham may not be too disappointed at exiting Europe, with a return to the Premier League their priority this season. The same can be said of Tottenham Hotspur, who are on the brink of being knocked out in Group A. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made no attempt to hide that a top-four finish in the league is all that matters, and the Europa League has been used to give fringe players a run-out. The two-time UEFA Cup winners will be out of the competition unless they beat pointless Shamrock Rovers in Dublin, and Rubin Kazan lose away to PAOK Salonika. Even then, Spurs would need to turn round a goal difference deficit which currently stands at five. There are already 15 teams certain of featuring in Friday’s draw for the next two rounds of the competition along with the eight clubs falling from the Champions League. Other big names in danger of an early exit include Lazio and Paris Saint-Germain. — AFP

TOKYO: FC Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez (center) works out with teammate Javier Mascherano, (left) during the team’s training in Yokohama yesterday. Barcelona will play the semi-final match in the Club World Cup tomorrow. — AP

Barcelona wake up to world title challenge YOKOHAMA: Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has promised that the Spanish giants will not be caught napping at the Club World Cup in Japan despite struggling to adjust to jet-lag. European kings Barca face Asian champions Al Sadd in the semi-finals tomorrow after a pulsating 3-1 ‘Clasico’ win at Real Madrid last weekend.

Mascherano told reporters yesterday that the long flight and quick turnaround were tough and Barcelona would not underestimate their Middle Eastern opponents. “It’s difficult to sleep well,” the former Liverpool enforcer said after training in Yokohama, the bags under his eyes testifying to his problems. “We are trying to adapt with (sleeping) tablets but it’s difficult,” added the Argentine. “We know the team from Qatar is very physical. They’re strong and have had more time to prepare. “We played on Saturday and arrived (in Japan) after the game, 13 hours flying. It’s not easy to beat a team like (Al Sadd) in this kind of a tournament.”

Before training, Mascherano, Lionel Messi and the Barcelona squad presented personal-

ized replica shirts to a group of children from Fukushima, the area north of Tokyo hit by a nuclear meltdown triggered by March’s deadly tsunami. “It was nice to be able to do that for the kids,” said Mascherano. “We will try to put on a special performance for them tomorrow.”

Mascherano said Saturday’s win, which pushed the Spanish champions above their fierce rivals at the top of La Liga, had given them an energy boost ahead of their Far East trip.

SERIOUS BUSINESS “It could be a plus,” he said, scratching the stubble on his chin. “It was an important win but we have to forget that game and focus on this tournament. It’s really important to win this trophy.” Barcelona will be bidding to win the seven-team Club World Cup for the second time in three years after beating Argentina’s Estudiantes in the 2009 final in Abu Dhabi. “We will do everything to win the trophy because it will mean we are the best team in the world,” said Mascherano, twice an Olympic gold medal winner. Al Sadd beat Tunisia’s Esperance 2-1 in

Benzema named French player of the year P ARIS: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was named French player of the year by France Football magazine yesterday. The France striker won 155 points in a vote of former winners of the award, beating Barcelona fullback Eric Abidal (110) and Olympique Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris (69), who finished third for the third year in succession.

Benzema, who scored the quickest goal (23 seconds) in a Real Madrid v Barcelona clasico in his team’s 3-1 defeat last Saturday, has been in impressive form this year as he finally made his mark at the Bernabeu. “I had the chance to be with a very good coach, Jose Mourinho. He put me back on the right path,” the 23-year-old told France Football. Rudi Garcia was named French coach of the year for leading Lille to their first French title since 1954, with the club’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard being awarded the best foreign player prize. Lille were named team of the year. — Reuters

the quarter-finals at the weekend to earn a crack at Barcelona, who are expected to face Brazil’s Santos in Sunday’s final in Yokohama.

Santos, who were crowned South American champions for the third time in June, almost 50 years after Pele inspired them to back-toback titles in 1962 and 1963, face J-League champions K ashiwa Reysol in Toyota on Wednesday.

“Everyone (else) is thinking about Santos,” said Barca defender Gerard Pique, looking more refreshed than Mascherano after a sightseeing trip to Tokyo and a sushi lunch.

“First we have to qualify for the final. But definitely beating Real Madrid has made it much easier. If we lost that game it would be really difficult to fly here. “It’s really important to win the Club World Cup. A lot of people say we’re playing the best football or are the best team in the world. “But you have to show why and win these titles. They will remember you in history, 20 years from now, for the titles, not how you play. If you don’t win people won’t remember. — Reuters

United’s Fletcher takes break for health reasons LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is taking an extended break from football due to health problems, the Premier League champions said yesterday.

Fletcher, also captain of the Scottish national team, has missed a number of matches this year due to what was believed to be a viral illness but United said his absence was actually down to a chronic bowel condition.

“Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality. Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this,” said a statement on the club’s official website (www.manutd.com). United said Fletcher

had managed to keep his symptoms under control for long periods but that this had proved more difficult recently.

“He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again,” the club added. Fletcher, 27, has been at Manchester United his whole career, developing into one of the club’s most combative and disciplined central midfielders. His absence will be a further blow for United manager Alex Ferguson who is currently without injured midfielders Anderson and Tom Cleverley, strikers Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen, and Brazilian defenders Rafael and Fabio da Silva. —Reuters

Barcelona meet Fukushima children ahead of match YOKOHAMA: Barcelona yesterday ended a brief break in Japan before their Club World Cup battle by meeting children evacuated from the region around the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. Lionel Messi, Xavi and other stars presented Barcelona shirts to 11 Fukushima children before an evening training session at a football park owned by the J-League Yokohama Marinos.

They also paused for a group picture before the players got onto the pitch to practice ahead of the European champions’ semi-final clash with Asian champions Al Sadd of Qatar in Yokohama on Thursday. “I’m very happy. I cannot wash my hands after I shook hands with Messi,” 17-year-old Hikari Niitsuma told reporters after he was handed a shirt by the Argentine superstar. Central defender Gerard Pique said: “It was great that we could meet them. I’d be happy if they enjoy watching our training session as well as the shirts with our names on them.”

Barcelona arrived in Tokyo late Saturday, 14 hours after their 3-1 El Clasico victory away over Real Madrid. Coach Pep Guardiola had given free time to his jet-lagged men for rest and relaxation after a brief midday training session on Monday. He said his men would go sightseeing in Tokyo and “eat a variety of genuine Japanese dishes”. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes after a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in March, and are still uncertain when they may be able to return. — AFP

YOKOHAMA: Orphans, who lost parents by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, show jerseys presented from FC Barcelona beside players before their training in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo yesterday. — AFP

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

SPORTS

DOHA: Bahrain’s Abdullah Omar (right) challenges Iraq’s Hussam Kadhem during their first round Group A football match at the 2011 Arab Games in the Qatari capital Doha yesterday. (Center) Egyptian gymnast Salma Al-Said competes in the women’s Uneven Bars final competition at Aspire Zone complex. (Right) Arab athletes compete in the men’s individual recurve archery competition during the Arab Games yesterday. —AFP

Pan Arab Games

Kuwaiti shooter grabs another gold medal DOHA: Kuwaiti Shooter Mariam Rzougi snatched another gold medal for Kuwait yesterday in the 10-m air-pistol shooting competition from standing position of the 12th Pan Arab Games held in Qatar. Last Saturday, Rzougi won the same competition which was held within the sitting rules. With the new medal, Kuwait’s tally increases to 14 medals, three gold, three silver, and eight bronze.

Also, Kuwait won the silver tennis team medal, while securing a place in the men’s and women’s

final of the squash individuals.

Kuwait’s tennis team consisted of local stars Mohammad Ghareeb, Ali Ghareeb, Abdullah Maqdas and Hassan Moussa, who lost 0-2 to Egypt in the final held on centre court at Khalifa International Complex.

The result was regarded by team staff member Falah Al-Otaibi as a great achievement considering the tough challenge posed by the rest of the teams in the region.

Kuwait were the dominant force in all of their previous matches,

Matches on TV (Local Timings) FIFA Club World Championship Esperance v Monterrey 10:30 Aljazeera Sport +1 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Kashiwa Reysol v Santos 13:30 Aljazeera Sport +1 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD UEFA Europa League Saint-German v A’ Bilbao 21:00 Al Jazeera Sport +4 Besiktas v Stoke City 21:00 Al Jazeera Sport +3 Al Jazeera Sport +5 SS Lazio v Lisbon 21:00 Al Jazeera Sport +1 Zurich v Vaslui 21:00 Al Jazeera Sport +8 Anderlecht v Lokomotiv 23:05 Al Jazeera Sport +7 Puntigamer v AEK Athens 23:05 Al Jazeera Sport +8 Fulham v Odense 23:05 Al Jazeera Sport +3 Al Jazeera Sport +5 Wisla K v Twente E 23:05 Al Jazeera Sport +2 Steaua v Larnaca 23:05 Al Jazeera Sport +9

defeating host nation Qatar, 0-3, Libya, 0-3, Sudan, 0-3, Iraq, 0-3 and the United Arab Emirates, 0-3, on the way. The team also did well to overcome the Moroccans after being tipped as the underdogs, with Morocco, as a result, having to settle for the bronze medal.

In squash, Ali Al-Ramezi and Abdullah Al-Mezayen both could end up in the men’s individuals final, with their compatriots Aisha Al-Hamad and Mar yam Dashti having equal chances in the women’s individuals, having

Kuwaiti Shooter Mariam Rzougi

Chelsea give coach winning answer LONDON: Chelsea are back in the Premier League title race not just because they beat league leaders Manchester City 2-1 on Monday but because for the last hour of the game they began to play like Chelsea again.

The Londoners abandoned their suicidal high line defensive strategy, sat deeper in defence and strangled the life out of Roberto Mancini’s side who had started like champions, but after defender Gael Clichy’s 58th minute red card, ended the match looking like many City teams of old: lost and confused.

Chelsea manager Andre VillasBoas’s insistence on his defenders holding their line some 40 or 50 meters from goal to give his team extra attacking verve has been exposed as largely unworkable, especially in the 3-1 defeat at Manchester United and the 5-3 home loss to Arsenal. It cost them the first goal after two minutes on Monday at Stamford Bridge when Pablo Zabaleta found Sergio Aguero just inside City’s half. Aguero executed

some exquisite skill before his pinpoint pass allowed Mario Balotelli to break free just inside Chelsea’s half, and then score after a surging run took him past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

City totally dominated the next 25 minutes while Chelsea still defended high up the field but gradually, seemingly collectively reverting to type, began to defend much deeper. VillasBoas gave a hint that the players took the decision to drop back rather than him, when he told reporters: “In the first minutes, we suffered a lot and the players felt they needed to adjust.

“We started with a medium block defensively, but it was difficult for us and the players stepped back. Then they felt the confidence coming back to them. They were brave to adapt and we showed good strength of character to win this game.”

SEVEN POINTS Defeat would have left Chelsea 13 points behind City but they have now moved to within seven points at the top after 15 games. Villas-Boas

added: “Our objective was to shorten the lead at the top and to do that, we needed to beat City. We adapted to the circumstances, we felt how the game was going and deserved to get the win.” Victory certainly eased the pressure on the Portuguese after five defeats in a nine-match spell between the end of October and the end of November.

Now, following 3-0 wins over Newcastle United in the Premier League and Valencia in the Champions League last week which sent them into the last 16, Chelsea appear to be back on track. The mystery was, why, when they started with a high line against Valencia before dropping deeper last week, they started with a high line again against City. Although David Luiz, who has looked particularly vulnerable in the system, was suspended on Monday, John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic looked just as unhappy in the opening spell when City were in virtual total control.

Aguero should have doubled

City’s lead after 11 minutes but with David Silva playing some inspired football and Yaya Toure dominating play like Patrick Vieira did in Arsenal’s title-winning era, it seemed City were set for all three points. But gradually the game changed with Terry, Ivanovic, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa all retreating back into what was clearly a more comfortable zone for all of them. Raul Meireles’ 34th minute equaliser put Chelsea back in the game and referee Mark Clattenburg then made City’s task harder when he sent off Clichy for a lunge on Ramires.

Chelsea were now in the ascendancy and they got their reward when Joleon Lescott raised his arms to block a Daniel Sturridge shot to concede an 83rd minute penalty which substitute Frank Lampard converted. City boss Roberto Mancini was upset with Clattenburg for failing to give City a penalty when Bosingwa fouled Silva, but remained largely upbeat after his team’s first defeat league defeat

since last May when they lost to Everton. “It was very difficult for us after the sending off and I’m also disappointed that the referee missed a clear penalty for us in the first half,” he said.

“That changed the game but we are still top of the table and it was always possible that we could lose one game. “You could see Chelsea were very happy to beat us and that shows that we are viewed as a top team now. Hopefully we can go another 14 games without losing again. That would be nice.” City, who have 38 points, face another tough task on Sunday when they are at home to improving Arsenal, who have climbed to fifth on 29 points after a run of good results. With Manchester United (36 points) in second place, followed by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both on 31, the title race is on. As Villas-Boas said: “Seven points is nothing right now with so many teams competing for the title-its been a good week for us.” —Reuters

China embraces new era with French star Anelka

Tomorrow Spain Copa Del Ray San Roque v Seivlla 00:00 Al Jazeera Sport +2

Godoy Cruz end poor run, snatch Libertadores spot BUENOS AIRES: Godoy Cruz grabbed Argentina’s fifth and last berth in the 2012 Copa Libertadores with a 2-0 win away to Atletico Rafaela on Monday. The victory secured the team from Mendoza’s place in South America’s elite club competition alongside Boca Juniors, Velez Sarsfield, Arsenal and Lanus. Boca, who have won the title six times and four since 2000, qualify as winners of the Apertura championship that finished on Monday and Velez as champions of the Clausura that closed last season in June.

Arsenal went through as Argentina’s best-placed team in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, the region’s second tier club competition. Lanus and Godoy Cruz are the two best teams on points over the calendar year, which spans the second half of one season and the first half of the next and is used to decide which teams go through. Record seven times South American champions Independiente did their best to try to qualify with a 2-1 home win over Tigre but they needed Godoy Cruz to lose. —Reuters

all reached the semi-final of their respec tive events. The four Kuwaiti tennis stars will meet two Egyptians in an all- out Kuwaiti-Egyptian semi-final for both genders; with games between Abdullah Al-Mezayen vs Tarik Momen and Ali AlRamezi vs Karim Abdelgawad in the men’s, along with Maryam Dashti vs Omeya Abdelkawy and Aisha Al-Hamad vs R aneem Elwelily in the women’s. The squash individuals-only event will end tomorrow. —Agencies

Nicolas Anelka

BEIJING: China’s graft-addled Super League sank so low it was pulled from national TV, but the signing of French star Nicolas Anelka highlights a gold rush that could finally drag Chinese soccer out of the mire. The much-travelled marksman nicknamed “Le Sulk” is an unlikely poster-boy, but China’s most high-profile recruit symbolises a new dawn for the country-and is the likely pioneer for an influx of well-known players.

Anelka’s two-year deal with Shanghai Shenhua, who finished in the lower half of the table last season, comes just a year after the Super League’s nadir when a major match-fixing crackdown left senior officials facing jail. The corruption problems were so acute that when last season kicked off, state broadcaster CC T V refused to broadcast the matches and the league was without a major sponsor.

And yet in the space of just a few months, the Super League has cast off its woes with a series of big-money signings-funded largely by profits from a breakneck property boom-helping draw record crowds.

“The potential of Chinese football is, and always has been, massive. This is why we are seeing names like Anelka come to China,” said Cameron Wilson, Chinabased founder of the wildeastfootball.net website. “The long-term outlook for the sport here is bright.” The 32-year-old striker, who will complete his transfer next month for an undisclosed sum, is expected to be followed to Shanghai by French coach Jean Tigana and, if the club has its way, his Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba. But Anelka is not the first player

lured by the mega-riches available in the Chinese league, with his weekly wages reportedly in the region of 200,000 pounds (around $300,000) - although Shenhua dispute the figure.

In July, little-known Argentine Dario Conca smashed the Chinese record when he signed a $10 million contract for Guangzhou Evergrande, who also splashed out $7.5 million on Brazilian forwards Cleo and Muriqui. The club, bankrolled by leading property firm Evergrande, were richly rewarded when they swept to the Super League title by 15 points-just two seasons after being relegated for match-fixing. “The gold rush in Chinese football started in earnest in the summer when Guangzhou Evergrande (signed) Conca,” Wilson said. “It was a massive signing in terms of prestige and it really made all the other clubs sit up and notice.” Conca was the catalyst for a sudden revival in the Super League’s fortunes with a record 4.2 million fans clicking through turnstiles and the usual crowd trouble and scandal largely absent.

According to the Titan Sports Weekly, the renaissance followed government orders for real estate companies to front up the money for football clubs to bring in more foreign players. “The nation’s top leadership has ordered large-scale development for football, they have asked each company to invest at least 200 million yuan ($32 million),” Titan quoted an unnamed real estate mogul as saying. “No matter if it is a foreign player or foreign coach, now we can move forward with this, and raise the overall level of the Super League.” For the new season start-

ing in March, the average budget of each of the 16 Super League clubs will increase to about $20 million, the report said.

Shanghai’s benefactor is color ful industrialist Zhu Jun, who tried to hire Argentina legend Diego Maradona as a coach and once said he had launched a bid for Liverpool, according to reports.

Meanwhile China’s moribund national teams, who have already crashed out of qualifying for the next World Cup and the Olympics, received a boost when real estate tycoon Wang Jianlin donated $77 million for training programs. Cai Zhenhua, China’s vice sports minister, voiced optimism that Chinese football could at last be on its way to the success that has proved so elusive for so long, despite the country’s 1.3 billion population.

“We’re climbing rungs on a ladder for Chinese soccer,” Cai told China Central Television, which has now agreed to resume broadcasts of the Super League next season. “I’m full of confidence and determination to make Chinese people satisfied with the sport and make Chinese national teams regular participants in Asian and world tournaments.”

But despite rapid advances, the specter of corruption will never be far from Chinese football, Wilson said, potentially undermining the benefit of big names like Anelka. “The problem in Chinese football is that there is no transparency... this creates an environment where corruption in football is hard to completely eradicate,” he said. “And, more importantly, the perception of corruption is even more difficult to erase.”—AFP

Seahawks punish Rams 30-13

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Kuwaiti shooter grabs another gold medal

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Sandusky waives hearing, vows to fight sex charges

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PONFERRADA: Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Marcelo controls the ball during the Spanish Cup football match Ponferradina vs Real Madrid at El Toralin Stadium in Ponferrada yesterday. Real Madrid won the match 2-0. (Inset) Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) vies with Ponferradina’s Brazilian forward Yuri during the Spanish Cup football match. — AFP

Madrid beat third-tier

Ponferradina in Copa Podolski snatches draw for Cologne BERLIN: Germany star Lukas Podolski hit his 14th goal of the season yesterday to seal Cologne’s 1-1 draw with Mainz in a replayed German league match to warm up for their trip to Bayern Munich in three days. Cologne’s last league game of 2011 is in Munich on Friday against the league leaders in a match which gives Podolski the chance to go up against his ex-club, where he spent three unfruitful years before returning to Cologne in 2009. There has been a storm of interest around Podolski in the German media ever since Schalke revealed their interest in signing him last Saturday, but the German hotshot has a contract with the Rhineland club until 2013.

The 26-year-old justified the fuss to equalize against Mainz with a crisp 86th minute strike to claim his tenth league goal in his last eight games with the draw leaving Cologne 10th in the league. The original match was cancelled on November 19 following the

attempted suicide of referee Babak Rafati in his hotel room just hours before kick-off.

While much of the pre-match interest surrounded Podolski, who has won 95 caps, the Cologne star struggled to finish his opportunities with clear chances either side of the break which kept Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo busy.

Both teams showed why they are midtable without a clear shot on goal in the first 35 minutes. The opener came on 70 minutes when Tunisia striker Sami Allagui headed home to break his eigtht-match drought. But Podolski put his side level with a trademark goal from just outside the penalty area when midfielder Mato Jajalo slipped a pass to him and he blasted home his shot which slammed off the right post and gave Wetklo no chance.

The draw leaves Mainz 12th in the table as they face fourth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday in their last league game before the winter break.—AFP

COLOGNE: Cologne’s striker Lukas Podolski celebrates during the German first division Bundesliga football match yesterday. — AFP

BARCELONA: Real Madrid shrugged off its weekend defeat by Barcelona to beat third-tier Ponferradina 2-0 away in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey yesterday. Jose Callejon put the cup holders ahead in the 29th minute of the first leg match. Callejon steered Sami Khedira’s bouncing cross into the top right corner as the former Espanyol forward continues to make the most of his limited opportunities.

Madrid played with 10 men from the 69th after defender Raul Albiol collected a second booking, but Cristiano Ronaldo made the game safe five minutes later.

The Portugal forward- heavily criticized for his performance in 3-1 league defeat by Barcelona ran onto Gonzalo Higuain’s pass and shot under the goalkeeper from the left side of the area.

Despite the score and the steady rain, the 8,500 fans at Toralin Stadium celebrated the rare match against the nine-team European champion by doing a Mexican wave in the game’s dying minutes. “Saturday’s match is in the past,” Callejon said. “(Today) we completed our objective.”

Elsewhere, Valencia, currently third in the league, drew 0-0 at third-division Cadiz. Two more top flight clubs, Villarreal and Zaragoza,

were both held to 1-1 draws by their respective third-tier opponents, Mirandes and Alcorcon.

Real Sociedad looks set for a place in the next round after a 4-1 home win over Granada. Malaga won 1-0 at Getafe thanks to 18-year-old Juanmi Jimenez’s late winner. In other matches between first division clubs, Racing Santander edged Rayo Vallecano 3-2 at home, while Sporting Gijon won 1-0 at Mallorca. In previous first legs, 2009 champion Barcelona beat Hospitalet 1-0, Athletic Bilbao won 1-0 at Oviedo and Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 at third-tier Albacete. The return legs will be played next week.—AP

Inter move up to 7th ROME: Japan full-back Yuto Nagatomo scored the only goal of the game as Inter Milan moved up to seventh in the Serie A table with a 1-0 win at Genoa yesterday.

Nagatomo scored for the second match in a row having also netted in the 2-0 weekend win over Fiorentina.

It was the 25-year-old’s fourth goal for Inter since joining the club in January and what’s more it was a rare header for the former Cesena and FC Tokyo player, who stands at just five feet, seven inches tall. He was also in the right place in injury time to head a shot from Marco Rossi off the line and help Inter hold onto the three points. It was just reward for one of the nerazzurri’s unsung heros this season. Nagatomo has been a near ever-present in this campaign and has made the leftback slot his own.

For Inter it was their fourth win in the last five games and they are now just 10 points behind leaders Juventus and at least back in the European qualification picture. Inter coach Claudio Ranieri opted to pair Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini up front together with the returning Diego Forlan given a place on the bench. Ranieri also kept faith with youngster Marco Faraoni and gave Andrea Poli, who was previously at Genoa’s city rivals Sampdoria, a debut. In a first half of few chances Milito linked up with Pazzini but Sebastien Frey tipped his shot from outside the box around the post. The best chance came just after the half hour mark when Walter Samuel met a corner with a bullet header but Frey made an instinctive save and was up quickly to clutch at Milito’s rushed follow-up. Genoa had the ball in the net on 56 minutes but Andreas Granqvist’s header from Miguel Veloso’s left-wing freekick was controversially ruled out for the most marginal of offsides. Inter went in front on 67 minutes as Ricardo Alvarez, a half-time substitute, swung over a cross from the right and Nagatomo, the smallest man on the pitch, snuck up at the back post to guide home a header from six yards. Alvarez almost sealed the three

GENOA: Genoa defender Kakhaber Kaladze, of Georgia, kicks the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Inter Milan at the Ferraris stadium in Genoa yesterday. — AP points when he let fly from 25 yards but between Frey and the post, the ball was kept out of the goal.

Moments later Rossi had Genoa’s best chance so far but his shot from 20 yards took a slight deflection and flew over. Forlan came on near the end and had a left

foot effort from an angle that Frey dealt with comfortably. But then in injury time Nagatomo threw himself in front of a Rossi effort and goalkeeper Julio Cesar then acrobatically tipped over Veloso’s follow-up in a frantic finale. Pazzini still had a chance to make the

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

Indian rupee crashes to new low vs dollar

KSE equities edge up as investors show interest Page 24

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Euro-zone debt fears mount Global markets fall as EU pact fails to enthuse

MILAN: A beggar sits in Via Montenapoleone shopping street in downtown Milan yesterday. Further signs of stress emerged yesterday to indicate that Europe’s most recent summit agreement has only made limited progress in pulling the continent out of its debt crisis. — AP PARIS: Fears mounted yesterday that the euro-zone crisis could hit growth around the world amid new falls on stock markets unconvinced by a pact among European leaders designed to stabilize the single currency.

In a clear signal of the worldwide impact of the crisis, the oil cartel OPEC and the International Energy Agency both revised their previous forecasts for global oil demand downwards, citing a slowdown in global growth. That followed another gloomy assessment from one of the big three ratings agencies, Fitch, which said that global growth would slow to 2.4 percent next year. It also trimmed its forecast for 2013 to 3.0 percent from 3.1 percent. “In Fitch’s assessment downside risks dominate at this current juncture,” it said. “In particular, financial tensions may intensify further in the euro-zone.”

Fitch said that despite most EU countries deciding last week to tighten budgetary coordination to resolve the debt crisis, “market tension remains high”.

Growth in major advanced economies

would slow to 1.3 percent this year and remain weak at 1.2 percent in 2012, it added. Robert Zoellick, president of the World Bank, struck a similarly downbeat

note when he warned that the world financial system and economy was “fragile” and vulnerable to slashed government spending and contracting bank

PARIS: Protesters hold a banner which reads “no to the austerity policy, raise the salaries” during a demonstration to protest against austerity measures in Paris yesterday. France’s leading unions are staging nearly 200 protests nationwide against austerity measures aimed at reducing huge debts amid Europe’s worsening economic troubles. — AP

KSE holds first review of Kuwait-15 index KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) held its first review of the Kuwait-15 index introduced in mid 2011, and said there would be regular reviews late May and late November each year.

KSE’s data and indices work-team issued a statement saying the objective of the regular review is reassessment of companies’ status and merit against set criteria, which could mean exit of certain stocks and debut of others into the Kuwait-15 group.

Among top criteria are a company’s liquidity and market value, and the team starts by short-listing stocks of the top 50 companies to later decide on just 15 for the index. As an additional measure in case a company drops off the list, the team would also select three companies that would make the list in such event.

The statement pointed out the Kuwait-15 index would be launched alongside launch of the market’s new trading system soon. It would serve as a better reflector of state of affairs in the market and better guide investors as they make their choices and decisions.

The first review resulted in approval of the companies to be listed at present, and the next review is set for May, unless need arise to cross out a company and replace it by another, the top one on the reserve list. The review pushed Boubyan Petrochemical Company out and onto the reserve list, and replaced it by Commercial Bank of Kuwait. Imtiaz company was meanwhile crossed out, and is now off the reserve list. The KSE statement pointed out that the Kuwait-15 companies represent 68.02 percent of overall market value, and 51.43 percent of the overall liquidity. —KUNA

lending-likely results from Friday’s EU pact on tighter fiscal discipline.

“As I start to look into the end of the year and 2012, I think it’s a pretty dicey situation overall. And there’s not much room for people to make missteps,” he told CNBC television. “I’m not suggesting we’re in a doom period here. But what I can see is that a few mis-turns here or there, including over the coming weeks coming out of this European summit, could raise the risk considerably.” He said the push to force EU banks to strengthen their capital bases-many have large holdings of downgraded European sovereign and private debt-is forcing them to rein in lending, which only further stalls growth.

Underlining his point, official data showed euro-zone banks deposited the biggest amount of overnight funds at the European Central Bank for more than a year on Monday.

The level of deposits at the ECB is an indicator of the reluctance of banks to lend to each other on the pivotal interbank market. Such a reluctance stems

from concern about the capacity of the borrower to repay the loan. In another blow, Moody’s warned that it might cut the ratings of eight Spanish banks, citing both their real estate exposure and weaker ability to generate earnings.

Greece, at the centre of the eurozone storm, held more talks with officials from the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund over whether it was on the right path to secure new loans.

In its latest auction of government bonds, Greece managed to raise 1.625 billion euros ($2.14 billion) for six months at an increased interest rate of 4.95 percent.

IMF officials also held talks on Hungary’s request for assistance after a sharp slide in its currency and a ratings downgrade to junk status. A senior government official said Hungary was targeting help worth 15-20 billion euros.

European leaders had hoped that Friday’s agreement to move towards a fiscal pact, seeking to eradicate their

Obama seeks to leverage $1 trillion spending bill WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama is pushing Senate Democrats to use a critical year-end spending bill as political leverage to gain Republican backing for his calls to extend payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of the year.

An administration official said the president called Majority Leader Harry Reid, last weekend and urged him not to let Congress pass the massive $1 trillion spending package and go on vacation until an agreement is reached on the tax cuts and the unemployment benefits.

The White House is concerned that if the spending bill were to pass, Republican lawmakers could leave Washington without addressing the president’s other legislative priorities.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal administration strategy. The spending bill had been gaining bipartisan support in a combative Congress. But Reid’s White House-backed maneuvering could jeopardize efforts to approve new spending before the current government funding runs out this weekend. That means lawmakers could be faced with the prospect of passing a stopgap measure to keep the federal government operating. Lawmakers had reached a tentative agreement Monday on the $1 trillion spending bill, which cuts agency budg-

ets but drops many policy provisions sought by GOP conservatives. It chips away at the Pentagon budget, foreign aid and environmental spending but boosts funding for veterans programs and modernizing the US nuclear arsenal.

The measure generally pleases environmentalists, who succeeded in stopping industry forces from blocking new clean air rules and a new clean water regulation opposed by mountaintop removal mining interests. House Republicans appeared likely to win concessions that would roll back administration efforts to ease restrictions on Cuban immigrants on traveling to the island and sending cash back to family members there.

On spending, the measure implements this summer’s hard-fought budget pact between the president and Republican leaders. That deal essentially freezes agency budgets, on average, at levels for the recently completed budget year that were approved back in April.

Drafted behind closed doors, the proposed bill would provide $115 billion for overseas security operations in Afghanistan and Iraq but give the Pentagon just a 1 percent boost in annual spending not directly related to the wars. The Environmental Protection Agency’s budget would be cut by 3.5 percent. Foreign aid spending would drop and House lawmakers would

absorb a 6 percent cut to their office budgets. The bill also covers money for combating AIDS and famine in Africa, patrolling the US-Mexico border, operating national parks and boosting veterans’ healthcare. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, said bargainers had struck an agreement but would not formally unveil it until Tuesday. Other lawmakers said some issues remain to be finalized.

A House vote is expected tomorrow and the Senate is likely to follow in time to meet a midnight Friday deadline before a stopgap funding measure expires. Negotiations on the omnibus had largely been smooth and businesslike, a sharp contrast with the ongoing partisan brawl over Obama’s demand that Congress extend jobless benefits and a cut in the Social Security payroll tax.

The House is slated to vote on a GOPfriendly version of the payroll tax cut; negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate on a compromise measure have yet to begin. The delay on the spending measure stemmed in large part from displeasure on the part of Senate Democratic leaders, upset about the hard line taken by Republicans on the payroll tax cut measure. Democrats are seeking to ensure both the spending measure and the payroll tax bill pass before Congress adjourns for the year. —AP

public deficits under close EU supervision, would reassure markets nervous about their massive debts being repaid.

But so far they remain unconvinced with Asian markets mostly down, and European markets trading nervously in a narrow range. Tokyo closed down 1.17 percent, Sydney finished 1.40 percent down, while Seoul lost 1.88 percent. Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, acknowledged that Friday’s pact would not be enough on its own. “Fiscal discipline is of course key; but let me be frank on this-we cannot build our economic union just on discipline and on sanctions: we also need a Europe of growth and of jobs,” he told the European parliament. The summit did lead to a surprise 1.4 percent rise in Germany’s ZEW index of investor confidence but analysts warned the bounce could prove short-lived.

“Despite rising slightly in December, the German ZEW index points to a risk of recession in the coming months,” said Jennifer McKeown, senior European economist at Capital Economics.— AFP

Saudi appoints new CB chief DUBAI: Saudi Arabia yesterday appointed a new central bank governor, state television reported.

It quoted a royal decree as saying that Abdullah Al-Mubarak has been chosen as head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (central bank) in place of Muhammad Al-Jasser. — Reuters

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BUSINESS

Oil market to be more balanced in 2012: IEA IEA cuts oil demand forecasts for 2011, 2012 LONDON: Global oil demand will grow more slowly this year and next due to a worsening economic outlook while supply i s i n c re a s i n g, w h i c h s h o u l d produce a more balanced oil m a r k e t t h ro u g h 2 0 1 2 , t h e West’s energy watchdog said yesterday.

The I nternational Energy Agency cut its oil demand outlook for 2011 and 2012 by around 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) due to a “more precarious economic backdrop”. It said oil producing group OPEC, which meets today in Vienna, was pumping oil at its highest in more than three years in

November, a level that should be enough to meet demand and help rebuild stocks next year.

“We think that the market for 2011 and 2012 now looks tight to balanced and there is the prospect of it easing somewhat after that,” said David Fyfe, head of the oil industry and markets division of the IEA. Oil demand is set to grow by 730,000 bpd in 2011 to 89 million bpd, which is 170,000 bpd lower than in last month’s forecast. The IEA’s 2012 demand growth forecast is 1.26 million bpd, 40,000 bpd lower than its previous forecast.

OPEC rose by 620,000 bpd to

30.68 million bpd in November, with Libya and Saudi Arabia accounting for 80 percent of the increase, the IEA said. The agency said it expected global demand for OPEC oil to be below current OPEC production levels, at 30.2 million bpd in 2012, a cut of 300,000 bpd from the IEA’s previous report. “Our base case is seeing a relatively balanced market next year if OPEC continues to produce at the levels they have been producing at over the last three or four months,” Fyfe said.

While the outlook for demand next year looked muted, on a longer term basis, it

Aramco offers 240,000T fuel oil as market eases SINGAPORE: Saudi Aramco has offered 240,000 tons of fuel oil for end-DecemberJanuary loading, in addition to selling heavy volumes in November, as the market showed signs of easing, traders said yesterday.

Including its current cargoes, Aramco has sold or offered 980,000 tons of December-loading parcels, its highest volumes for a single month in at least five years, mostly into the East Asian market that has been pervasively strong since October.

The oil giant is offering three 80,000tonne lots, all for loading from its joint-venture Sasref refinery in Jubail: two 180-centistoke (cst) parcels, for lifting Jan. 13-15 and Jan. 19-21, and a 380-cst lot, for Dec. 24-26 loading, on a free-on-board (FOB) basis.

Aramco has also offered another 270,000 barrels of light cycle oil (LCO) blendstock, for Jan. 21-23 from its other joint-venture plant in Yanbu, FOB. No closing dates were specified for the offers.

“They are selling so many cargoes at one go because it is quite apparent now that the market is finally coming off and they are probably trying to catch prices on the way down and before they hit the bottom,” a Singapore-based Asian trader said.

“They have already been selling more than usual, especially for December-loading because of the strong market, with some parcels, particularly the high-grade low-density, low-viscosity grades that were sold at record-high premiums.”

Reflecting the weaker market, Aramco also sold one high-grade parcel. It sold 90,000 tons of its 180-cst A961 fuel oil, for

Dec. 22-24 loading from Ras Tanura, to Middle East trader Bakri at a premium of around $15.00-$16.00 a ton to Singapore spot quotes, FOB, down from successive alltime high premiums of above $20.00 a ton previously.

The Januar y/Februar y timespread, which turns prompt by the end of the week, is also significantly lower at a backwardation of $7.00-$8.00 a ton for more than a week, versus its predecessor, the December/January timespread, which has been at double-digit levels all month.

Fundamentals are weaker because of more supplies of on-specification fuel oil flowing into the East Asian market from this month onwards, including from Saudi Arabia. In total, Aramco sold 950,000-1 million tons of December-lifting fuel, its highest volume since before Januar y, 2007, and of which, nearly 70 percent are either on-specification or better, Reuters data showed.

In addition, volumes from Iran, which typically sells low-density, low-water grades, were at six-month highs of 650,00-700,000 tons for December-arrival into East Asia, including its first cargo from a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) since June.

Western arbitrage cargoes for Januaryarrival are also expected to exceed threemonth high volumes of more than 4 million tons. The East Asian market had been persistently strong for since October due to insufficient supplies of on-specification cargoes to meet steady demand in the region, particularly from the Singapore marine fuels market, the world’s largest and which averages about nearly 4 million tons of sales a month. —Reuters

should pick up in subsequent years, the report said. Estimates of global oil demand rise from 88.3 million bpd in 2010 to 95 million bpd in 2016, the IEA said in its twice-yearly estimates for the medium term.

“Our preliminar y mediumterm update suggests a more comfor table market outlook than looked likely six months ago,” the report said. The report said that oil supply prospects look slightly stronger, noting that flows from Iraq and Libya are coming in at a faster pace.

I t added that US tight oil from shale was “a game-changer in the making”. —Reuters

Saudi’s Riyadh airport to triple in size over 5 years JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia plans to expand its capital’s airport three-fold in size within the next five years, a senior civil aviation official said yesterday, as passenger traffic rises rapidly.

The Riyadh airport is one of 27 in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s airport traffic has reached 50 million passengers annually and is expected to exceed 80 million within the next 10 years, the official said.

The Saudi government is planning multi-billion dollar projects to expand its airports to meet this growth. “Terminals will be rebuilt and expanded to ... three times its current size,” Ali al-Zahrani, director general for corporate planning at the General Authority for Civil Aviation, said about the Riyadh airport expansion. “ We developed a comprehensive master plan with a conceptual design for the four terminals that will raise the capacity at Riyadh airport from 12 million to 24 million,” Zahrani told Reuters on the sidelines of an event in Jeddah.

Zahrani said he could not give an estimate for the project costs but said that it would either be government financed or that it would issue sukuk, or Islamic bonds, to finance the expansion.

“We expect the project to be done within the next five years,” he said. Saudi Arabia is also planning a 27-billion riyal ($7.2 billion) airport in Jeddah, its second largest city, and plans to launch sukuk within one or two months to help finance the project, the head of the civil aviation body said in remarks aired on Sunday. —Reuters

HONG KONG: An aerial view shows Central, business district in Hong Kong, yesterday. World stock markets vacillated yesterday as criticism by ratings agencies sparked doubts about a historic European Union plan to fix a massive debt crisis by binding member economies closer together. —AP

QP closes $10.4 billion Barzan project finance DOHA: Qatar Petroleum (QP) has completed a $10.4 billion financing of its Barzan gas project even though a difficult economic climate has put a freeze on global syndicated lending.

The project will be funded with up to 30 percent equity and the remainder through a syndicated loan expected to total $7.2 billion, the company said in a statement yesterday.

The financing includes a commercial bank facility of $3.34 billion, a $850-million Islamic facility and $2.55 billion of export credit agency financing, the statement said. ExxonMobil, QP’s partner in the project, also provided a portion of the senior debt.

“Despite the challenging market conditions, we were able to bring a large number of commercial banks into the deal with big ticket sizes,” QP Finance Director Abdulrahman Al-Shaibi said in the statement. “We had a major participation from all the Islamic banks in Qatar, which allowed us to create the largest ever Islamic tranche in QP’s financing history.”

The tiny Gulf state, the world’s richest nation per capita, recently defied global gloom by raising $5 billion in a sovereign bond issuance, capitalizing on investors’ appetite for safe havens as the European debt crisis destabilizes global markets.

The Barzan project will help meet growing domestic energy demand in the

world’s top liquefied natural gas exporter.

It is Qatar’s most expensive since Royal Dutch Shell Plc launched a $19 billion Pearl gas-to-liquids plant in 2006.

Qatar produces about 2.8 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas per day for the domestic market and plans to increase that amount to 4 bcf/day by 2015.

Initial talks on Barzan first took place between Qatar Petroleum, which has a 93 percent stake, and oil major ExxonMobil, which owns the remaining share, in 2007.

The project, expected to produce 1.4 bcf/day to meet the LNG exporting giant’s growing gas needs at home, was delayed to benefit from falling construction costs, Qatar’s former energy minister said in January. The first Barzan gas production line is expected to become operational in 2014 with the second in 2015.

In addition to feeding power plants, it will supply natural gas to fuel water desalination plants and other industrial users in Qatar, while processing propane and butane for export.

Rasgas will develop and operate the project on behalf of its Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil, which have a 93 percent and 7 percent stake in the project respectively.

Natural gas exports from Barzan are not currently under consideration, Rasgas managing director Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi said last month. —Reuters

Aramex paid $55.5m for Berco Express deal DUBAI: Dubai’s Aramex paid $55.5 million from its internal cash balance for the acquisition of South African logistics firm Berco Express, the company said in a statement yesterday.

The UAE-based logistics company said on Sunday that it had completed the acquisition of Berco and would look to further expand across Southern Africa by opening additional offices and warehouses. “ ... the investment cost in the acquisition reached $55.5 million and it was completely financed through Aramex’

existing cash balance,” the company said in a statement to the Dubai bourse.

The acquisition is part of the company’s strategy to expand internationally and follows a recent joint venture with SinoAir in China, and the acquisition of OneWorld Courier and In-Time Couriers in Kenya in the first quarter.

Berco Express operates 15 branche s t h ro u g h o u t S o u t h A f r i c a a n d e m p l o y s m o re t h a n 7 0 0 p e o p l e.

Aramex shares ended 1.6 percent lower yesterday. —Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds

.2730000 .4300000 .3630000 .2930000 .2670000 .2770000 .0040000 .0020000 .0751740 .7323940 .3810000 .0700000 .7179800 .0040000 .0430000

.2800000 .4400000 .3730000 .3080000 .2770000 .2860000 .0070000 .0035000 .0759290 .7397550 .4010000 .0760000 .7251690 .0072000 .0520000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2769000 .2790000 GB Pound/KD .4323380 .4356170 Euro .3655080 .3682800 Swiss francs .2956120 .2978540 Canadian dollars .2698700 .2719170 Danish Kroner .0491560 .0495290 Swedish Kroner .0403120 .0406170 Australian dlr .2793090 .2814270 Hong Kong dlr .0355880 .0358580 Singapore dlr .2127220 .2143350 Japanese yen .0035560 .0035830 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 .0052640 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 .0024560 Pakistan rupee .0000000 .0031420 Bangladesh taka .0000000 .0036380 UAE dirhams .0754190 .0759910 Bahraini dinars .7347750 .7403480 Jordanian dinar .0000000 .3946250 Saudi Riyal/KD .0738600 .0744200 Omani riyals .7195010 .7249580 Philippine Peso .0000000 .0064060

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. 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

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.598 5.337 3.154 2.436 3.341 213.250 35.672 3.580 6.336 8.873 0.271 0.273

GCC COUNTRIES 74.150 76.402 722.230 738.540 75.715

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lier Morocco Dirham

ARAB COUNTRIES 47.500 46.282 1.272 189.860 392.670 1.865 6.003 33.814

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 277.950 Euro 370.650 Sterling Pound 431.930 Canadian dollar 268.420 Turkish lire 153.940 Swiss Franc 300.620 Australian dollar 277.000 US Dollar Buying 277.750

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY 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 284.400 739.740 3.810 274.700 546.300 44.900 51.500 167.800 48.500 371.500 36.450 5.690 0.032 0.214 0.242 3.690 395.030 0.188 90.270 46.500 4.280 218.400 1.802

49.600 722.500 3.310 6.750 76.950 74.270 217.030 36.230 2.650 438.500 42.300 301.000 5.300 9.350 198.263 75.840 278.500 1.220

722.320 3.130 6.355 76.520 74.270 217.030 36.230 2.440 436.500 299.500 5.300 9.380 75.740 278.100

10 Tola

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 436.500 278.100

Sterling Pound US Dollar

SELL DRAFT 282.900 739.740 3.485 273.200

217.000 46.267 370.000 36.300 5.215 0.031

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro 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

285.15 274.93 301.41 369.78 436.14 3.63 3.498 5.223 2.442 3.270 3.121 75.70 739.73 46.25 395.65 722.76 76.69 74.26

285.00 278.00 305.00 372.00 438.00 3.70 3.800 5.665 2.650 4.050 3.300 76.25 739.75 48.50 395.00 723.00 77.00 74.60

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 394.140 0.187 90.270 3.290 214.900

Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar

Selling Rate 276.850 268.505 443.300 374.970 303.055 733.125

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

75.350 75.990 73.785 389.700 46.310 2.422 5.309 3.179 3.615 6.383 679.095 3.675 8.955 5.830 3.415 91.960

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

GOLD 1,730.820

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

GOLD 315.500 159.000 81.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

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

Currency Rate per 1000 (Tran) US Dollar 278.100 Pak Rupees 3.115 Indian Rupees 5.220 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.450 Bangladesh Taka 3.490 Philippines Peso 6.415 UAE Dirhams 75.820 Saudi Riyals 74.315 Bahraini Dinars 739.400 Egyptian Pounds 46.195 Pound Sterling 439.700 Indonesian Rupiah 3.190 Yemeni Riyal 1.550 Jordanian Dinars 395.100 Syrian Pounds 5.750 Euro 372.800 Canadian Dollars 276.500 Nepali rupee 3.690

Al Mulla Exchange Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollar 276.950 Euro 373.800 Pound Sterling 436.400 Canadian Dollar 273.100 Japanese Yen 3.595 Indian Rupee 5.325 Egyptian Pound 46.100 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.431 Bangladesh Taka 3.432 Philippines Peso 6.365 Pakistan Rupee 3.125 Bahraini Dinar 737.575 UAE Dirham 75.475 Saudi Riyal 73.975 *Rates are subject to change

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Saudi sukuk may serve monetary policy goals Saudi banks will need liquid instruments for Basel III DUBAI: A proposed Islamic bond issue by Saudi Arabia is important not so much because it would raise money for the country-the kingdom does not need the cash-but because it could serve important monetary policy goals.

By making the first substantial issue of government debt for several years, authorities could pave the way for more issues if they chose. These could become a useful means to soak up funds from banks and prevent inflationary pressure from rising. Also, the issue could help Saudi corporations sell bonds by creating a new sovereign pricing benchmark. More bond issues by companies would reduce their reliance on bank loans at a time when the global financial crisis is making foreign banks more wary about lending.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) is talking with local and international banks with operations in the kingdom about issuing a riyaldenominated sukuk as early as in the first quarter of 2012, banking sources told Reuters.

The sukuk would not be issued directly by the government but would instead be marketed by either a governmental agency or a state fund, several of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the government has not yet made a formal announcement.

Key details have not yet been decided, including the tenor of the bond, whether the sukuk will carry a fixed or floating profit rate, and the size, said a banker familiar with the talks. As with other domestic Saudi debt issues, it is expected that foreign investors would not be able to buy the bond because of restrictions on their activities in the country.

The issue would mark something of a policy shift for Saudi Arabia, which has been reluctant to issue much government debt since the level of state indebtedness became a problem in the 1990s, rising above 100 percent of gross domestic

product. But a bond sale early next year would be in line with previous comments by Finance Minister Ibrahim Alassaf, who told Reuters in October that while debt issuance to help cover expanded budget spending was not on the cards, issues of Islamic or conventional paper for specific projects were being considered by the ministry.

“We are considering specific project sukuk or bonds-a productive project that could issue sukuk.

For example, the airports which are a very good investment,” he said.

“We can issue sukuks to be financed from the receipts of the airport or this specific project. If there is a need for government guarantees, then we will look into it.”

Saudi Arabia has boosted government spending sharply this year to pay for social welfare projects, partly in response to political unrest elsewhere in the Arab world. That has pressured its finances; Shawkat Hammoudeh, a former economist with the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries who studies petrodollar flows at Drexel University in the United States, said the break-even point in its budget-the oil price needed to ensure a budget surplus-would rise from $66 a barrel two years ago to $88 this year and $93 in 2012.

Even so, the government appears far from any need to issue debt; SAMA forecast on Monday that Saudi Arabia would post a budget surplus of 185.3 billion riyals ($49.4 billion) in 2011, with at least one analyst predicting an even bigger figure next year because of high oil prices.

The country’s gross public debt will fall to 7.1 percent of GDP this year from 9.9 percent last year, the International Monetary Fund has projected.

Even if global oil prices fell from current levels above $100 to below the budget’s break-even point, the government could avoid issuing debt by drawing on massive fiscal reserves estimated at

some $280 billion. “The Saudi government doesn’t really need the money as they have plenty of reserves from oil revenues,” said a banker with knowledge of the talks on the proposed sukuk.

The issue would, however, help to soak up idle liquidity in the banking system that has been created by strong economic growth and huge oil revenues. There are limited opportunities for this money to be invested domestically, creating concern that it could be placed in overseas assets made more risky by the global crisis.

“The Saudi government wants to suck liquidity from the local market as it becomes dangerous with all this money available and lots of cheap assets around the world,” said another banker who is involved in the talks.

Qatar took a similar step in January this year, issuing a 50 billion riyal ($13.7 billion) bond to local banks to raise funds for development projects and drain excess money from its banking system.

The Saudi sukuk issue is also a way to address the inflation outlook. Inflation is not at the moment a problem-it was 5.2 percent in October, well below a record high of 9.9 percent hit in 2008 — but M3 money supply growth accelerated to 14.4 percent in October from 11.9 percent in September. The IMF has warned that Gulf central banks may in future need to adjust monetary policy to head off inflationary pressure.

Normally, a central bank would respond to an inflation threat by raising interest rates, but Saudi Arabia pegs its currency to the U.S. dollar, making it difficult to hike rates without attracting destabilizing inflows of money. Absorbing money with government bond issues is another way to tighten money market liquidity.

At the same time, a sukuk issue by the government-or a series of them, fleshing out a full yield curve-could spur more riyal-denominated corporate bond issues by creating a commonly accepted

pricing benchmark. There are outstanding sukuk from quasi-sovereign, government-backed firms such as Saudi Basic Industries Corp. and Saudi Electricity Company , but trading in them is generally thin so they are of limited use as pricing guides.

“It’s very important as whenever we take a company to market, there are issues as there is no benchmark,” said a debt capital markets banker in the country. Paul Gamble, head of research at Jadwa Investment in Riyadh, said: “If you look at the balance sheets of companies in the kingdom, they are overly reliant on bank and equity finance, so having a more active debt market will be beneficial.”

He added that issues of government sukuk with long maturities could also benefit banks.

“One of the issues that banks face is an asset-liability mismatch, where they lend long-term for projects-perhaps for 10 or 15 years-but don’t have long-term investments to balance this funding against.

“Insurance companies in the kingdom also have long-term commitments but little suitable with a long-term maturity to invest in.”

The government has earmarked as much as 400 billion riyals to be spent over a five-year period on infrastructure projects, and banks will be expected to help fund much of this. A more active local currency bond market could ease the pressure on them.

It might also help Saudi banks adjust their balance sheets as they prepare for the global introduction of Basel III banking standards over the next several years. With high capital levels, Saudi banks are not expected to have a problem meeting minimum capital adequacy ratios, but maintaining liquidity standards will require them to keep stocks of “high-quality liquid assets”; the new Saudi sukuk will presumably be one such asset. — Reuters

Indian rupee crashes to new low vs dollar Weak domestic data, EU crisis hit currency

MINNEAPOLIS: A Southwest Airways jet at the gate at the Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport. Southwest Airlines announced yesterday that it has ordered 208 planes from Boeing at a cost of $19 billion. — AFP

Southwest orders 208 Boeing 737s at $19bn NEW YORK: Southwest Airlines Co yesterday said it ordered 208 new Boeing 737 aircraft with a value of nearly $19 billion. The Dallas airline, which operates an all-Boeing fleet, placed a firm order for 150 of the 737 Max, a new version of Boeing’s most popular plane with more fuel-efficient engines. Southwest also ordered 58 next-generation 737s.

Because discounts are common, Southwest won’t pay the full $19 billion list price.

Southwest has bought more 737s than any other airline. Boeing says Southwest, which flies more US passengers than any other carrier, is the first customer to finalize an order for the 737 Max. Including this order, Boeing now has orders or commitments from 13 customers for more than 900 of the new model.

Southwest will receive the first 737 Max in 2017. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly has said publicly before that he considered buying planes from Boeing Co rival Airbus if Boeing

couldn’t deliver a redesigned 737 before the end of the decade. Before buying AirTran, Southwest only flew 737s. It has since inherited AirTran’s fleet of 717s.

Last month, Boeing said Indonesia’s Lion Air committed to pay $21.7 billion for 230 Boeing 737s. Lion Air also has options for 150 more planes, valued at $14 billion, bringing the deal’s total potential value to $35 billion. But the Lion Air deal is not a certainty; it still has to finalize the order. Also in November, Emirates Airlines ordered $18 billion worth of 777s.

Both deals came shortly after Boeing finally began delivering its two newest planes, the next generation 787 and the latest version of the iconic 747. Boeing produces about one 737 every day in Renton, Washington. It is raising that to 42 per month in 2014. Boeing shares rose 66 cents to $71.56 in premarket trading. — AP

Asia markets fall on euro-zone worries HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly fell yesterday, tracking losses on Wall Street as worries rose that a deal by European Union leaders to contain the region’s debt crisis would not be enough to solve its fiscal woes.

The concern, which weighed on the euro, was amplified by warnings from credit rating agencies, with Moody’s Investors Service saying that the debt crunch was in a “critical and volatile stage”. Tokyo closed down 1.17 percent, or 101.01 points, at 8,552.81. Exporters with major business in Europe fell, with Nikon down 2.19 percent at 1,691 yen and Canon down 1.00 percent at 3,465.

Sydney finished 1.40 percent down, or 59.4 points, at 4,193.40, while Seoul lost 1.88 percent, or 35.70 points, to 1,864.06. Hong Kong ended 0.69 percent lower, or 128.49 points, at 18,447.17. Banks led the falls, with Bank of China down 1.06 percent to HK$2.80, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China down 0.85 percent at HK$4.67 and China Construction Bank down 0.54 percent to HK$5.50.

Shares in China Gas, however, soared 20.36 percent to HK$3.37, after news that it received a takeover offer from Sinopec and piped-gas distributor ENN Energy Holdings.

“Quite simply, the EU summit was a sink-orswim moment, and judging by the ensuing price action across global risk assets, it’s not the all-encompassing solution the market was

anticipating,” Chris Gore, currency analyst at GoMarkets in Melbourne, told Dow Jones Newswires.

Shanghai was down 1.87 percent, or 42.96 points, at 2,248.59. On Friday, 26 of the European Union’s 27 members backed tighter budget policing to help address the crisis threatening to crack apart the euro-zone monetary union and send the global economy into another deep recession.

However, Germany’s hopes for a treaty revision were dashed when Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron opted out of the plan by using his veto, saying he could not get the protection he wanted for the City of London financial centre.

Some leaders hope the pact will convince the European Central Bank to drop its reluctance to use its full arsenal against the crisis after ECB president Mario Draghi called for a “new fiscal compact” last week. Leaders also planned to pump 200 billion euros ($267 billion) into International Monetary Fund coffers to help the euro-zone, which is struggling to boost its own rescue fund to one trillion euros.

In Tokyo, Japan’s finance minister Jun Azumi yesterday called the tighter fiscal discipline pact a “big step forward”, but added there remained a lack of clarity around tackling the crisis and what role would be played by the IMF.—AFP

MUMBAI: The Indian rupee yesterday hit a record low against the dollar due to continued demand for the US currency, amid concerns over euro-zone debt as well as weak domestic data.

The local unit dropped 35 paise to 53.29 against the greenback in early trade on the foreign exchange markets after tumbling 81 paise during Monday’s session. India’s central bank has said that it will act to prevent a further downward spiral of the rupee, which has been hit by global financial uncertainty, as investors exit abandon emerging market currencies for safe havens.

The rupee has fallen about 14 percent against the dollar since the start of this year

and is the worst-performing of Asia’s 10 most-trade currencies. Depreciation has fuelled inflationary pressures, making imported goods like foreign crude oil more costly. Indian inflation is running at near double figures and is the highest among major global economies.

The new record low is further bad news for India’s economy, which has also been hit by a slowdown in industrial growth.

Figures for October, released on Monday, showed output shrank 5.1 percent year-onyear. Business leaders and economists are calling for action, including a halt in interest rate rises and key reforms, to help renew investor confidence and boost growth. — AFP

Gulf petrochemical output may hit 150m ton by 2015 ‘GCC accounts for 11% of global output’ DUBAI: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) petrochemical output is expected to top 150 million metric ton by 2015, said a Kuwaiti industrialist attending the sixth annual session of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) which kicked off here yesterday.

GPCA Vice Chairman, President and CEO of EQUATE Petrochemical Co, Kuwait, Hamad Abdul Rahman AlTerkait, told KUNA, “GCC states account for 11 percent of the global petrochemicals output at present, and the percentage is expected to cross 15 percent by 2015 of a global industry worth over $600 billion.”

Kuwait’s share of this percentage, however, is just two percent, which is a very modest number amid increasing focus by other Gulf countries’ investments on petrochemical industries and linking refineries with petrochemical complexes, Sadara Chemical

Hamad Abdul Rahman Al-Terkait

Company in Jubail, Saudi Arabia being one example.

The GPCA vice chairman added that the industry is faced with challenges related to the global economic recession, lack of qualified national staff, lack of feed material, and inadequacy of infrastructure, supply, and logistic supply. Still, all these challenges did not prevent growth of this industry and its sustainable development.”

Al-Terkait said this year ’s most important topics include development of petrochemical manufacturing industries of the Gulf and address issues related to manufacturers such as investment opportunities and better utilization of available funding. This is in addition to the issue of job opportunities for GCC young workers beyond the immediate oil industry.

On GPCA, he said that since launch of the bloc in 2006, it continued to grow into a body which gathers 150 companies from the Gulf and beyond, with activities that attract world experts for the rich discussions and important topics addressed. “ The growth the member state have achieved merits much pride.”

This year’s meetings are attended by over 1,500 participants, and the event concludes tomorrow.

Established in 1995, EQUATE is an international joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC), and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC).

The company started production in November 1997 and is currently the lone operator of an integrated group of international standards factories.

The group produces over 5 million metric ton of high-quality petrochemical products each year and the products are marketed in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. — KUNA

NEW DELHI: A cashier at a foreign exchange counts Indian rupees in New Delhi yesterday. The Indian rupee hit a fresh record low yesterday after a contraction in industrial output reported the day before. — AP

BP, CNPC get third Iraq Rumaila crude payments BAGHDAD: BP Plc received a third payment for its investment in Iraq’s supergiant Rumaila oilfield when a tanker loaded 2 million barrels of light crude at the southern oil hub of Basra yesterday, a shipping source said.

The vessel B Elephant started loading on Saturday and finished yesterday, the shipping source at the port said. BP’s partner at Rumaila, China’s CNPC, also received a third payment when the vessel Tenki left Basra port on Dec. 8 carrying two million barrels of Basra light crude, the shipper said.

BP received two payments for the millions of dollars it has invested in Rumaila in May and July. CNPC started to get paid in May. Rumaila, the workhorse of Iraq’s oil industry, has some 17 billion barrels in estimated crude reserves and usually pumps around 1.2-1.3 million bpd, which is almost half of Iraq’s output. BP and CNPC are owed more than $1 billion for work at Rumaila over the past year or so, where production has been increasing.

BP and CNPC have been developing the Rumaila field as part of Iraq’s ambitious plans to expand its oil industry to extract the billions of dollars it needs to rebuild tattered infrastructure after years of war and sanctions. A source at Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) confirmed the payments for Rumaila and said SOMO has also allocated one million barrels of Basra light crude to Occidental Petroleum Corp and South Korea’s KOGAS, divided as 500,000 barrels each, as a second payment for developing Zubair oilfield. Both Rumaila and Zubair oilfields are among a series of oilfields Iraq auctioned off to international oil firms in 2009 under service agreements, which stipulate that the firms start to be paid and to recover costs once they boost production by 10 percent above an agreed baseline production. — Reuters

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KSE equities edge up as investors show interest GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwaiti equities ended yesterday’s session on a positive note. Increased investor interest in select stocks lifted the market higher. All major indices ended in the positive territory.

Global General Index (GGI) ended the day up by 0.35 percent, at 182 point. Market Capitalization was up for the day, reaching KD29.77bn. On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,842.4 point, adding 6.1 points (0.1 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 99 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 33 equities advanced versus 24 that retreated.

Trading activity was down yesterday. Total volume traded was down by 44.1 percent with 147.65mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD18.52mn (46.28 percent lower compared to Monday’s session). Real Estate sector was the volume leader. The sector accounted for 35.59 percent of total shares exchanges. Abyaar Real Estate Development Company was the session’s most traded stock with 18.96mn shares exchanged. The same sector was the value leader, having 30.23 percent of total traded value.

In terms of top gainers, First Dubai For Real Estate Development Company was the top gainer for the day, adding 10.42 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.0265. On the other hand, Industrial & Financial Investments Company shed 8.33 percent and closed at KD0.110 making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Sectors Sector wise, Global indices ended on a mixed note. Out of eight sector indices, four indices went up led by Global Industrial Index, which was the biggest advancing, adding 0.7 percent to its value. Heavyweight National Industries Group (Holding), which rose 1.96 percent closing at KD0.260, pushed the index to end in green, while Contracting & Marine Services Company was biggest gainer within the sector, adding 5.68 percent and closing at KD0.186.

Banking Index followed, adding 0.69 percent with only two equities among the sector rising by the end of the day. Heavyweight, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), advanced by 1.75 percent, to close at KD1.160 while Ahli United Bank was the other gainer, adding 1.23 percent to its share value, closing at KD0.820.

Global Investment Index was also up for the day. The index increased by 0.47 percent backed by Kuwait Projects Company (Holding). The heavyweight stock, gained 1.61 percent, closing at KD0.315. Within the same sector, Al-Qurain Holding Company was the highest gainer in the sector gaining 5.26 percent, to close at KD0.020. Elsewhere within the investment sector, Global Investment House announced that all the creditor banks agreed to extend the due date for payment of all the company’s debts until June 10, 2012.

Global Non Kuwaiti Index was the top decliner during the session, dropping 1.33 percent.

Ahli United Bank lost 2.02 percent while Egypt Kuwait Holding Company declined by 1.75 percent.

Corporate news The Commercial Real Estate Company announced that it has sold two of its real estate properties in Kuwait for a total value of KD10.48mn, realizing a profit of KD8.46mn, which will be reflected in the company’s financial statements for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2011.

National Industries Group clarified the local press news published yesterday that a consortium including National Industries Group and Privatization Holding Company is bidding for Mina Al Zour power plant.

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $107.33pb on Monday compared with $107.45pb the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Brent moves towards $108; demand weighs LONDON: Brent crude inched up towards $108 yesterday as a sell-off in the previous session provided investors with some buying opportunity in the broader markets and with some support from tensions in the oil rich Middle East and low oil stocks.

Brent rose 34 cents to $107.60 a barrel by 0940 GMT, bouncing from the low of $107.07. US crude ticked up by 20 cents to $97.97 a barrel. On Monday, Brent fell $1.36 a barrel and US crude dropped by $1.64. “Oil prices are bumping along the bottom in spite of a bearish European picture,” Christopher Bellew with Jefferies Bache said. The sell-off in European stocks and the euro also eased but concerns the region remains a long way from solving its sovereign debt crisis was seen likely to keep the pressure on.

Bellew added the expect fall in US crude might add some support to oil prices. US commercial crude stockpiles are expected to have fallen on average 1.6 million barrels for last week, a preliminary Reuters poll of seven analysts showed ahead of the weekly data releases from the industry group yesterday and from the Department of

Energy today. Oil stocks in the United States, the second biggest energy consumer after China, have already remained significantly below a year earlier levels. Prices trimmed gains briefly after the International Energy Agency (IEA) said it had lowered its oil demand forecast for 2011 and 2012 and supply increased.

Iran could lose almost a quarter of its oil production capacity by 2016 if tight global sanctions are slapped on the country, the West’s energy watchdog said yesterday, while questioning the efficiency of a possible embargo imposed by the European Union.

OPEC oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, Iran and others, will meet on Wednesday to review its output policy.

The group on Monday targeted a new 30-million barrel-a-day production deal aimed at healing a rift left by a bad-tempered failure to reach an output agreement when it last met in June. At stake for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is a credible policy going into a year when a sluggish global economy could undermine fuel demand and send oil prices tumbling. — Reuters

Sinopec, ENN Energy make $2bn offer for China Gas SHANGHAI: Major refiner China Petroleum & Chemical Corp and ENN Energy Holdings are offering $2 billion in cash for gas distributor China Gas Holdings in what appears to be a hostile takeover attempt.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, or Sinopec, and ENN are offering HK$3.50 per share to buy all outstanding shares in China Gas, which supplies piped natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas in 20 provinces in the Chinese mainland and builds and runs natural gas filling stations. The offer of 15.3 billion Hong Kong dollars ($2 billion) is a 25 percent premium over China Gas’s last closing share price before the offer was made. Sinopec

will finance 45 percent and ENN 55 percent of the costs, the companies said.

China Gas said in a notice to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it had held no discussions with Sinopec and ENN before the offer was made.

The takeover would be subject to government approvals. Sinopec and ENN said they planned to further develop the gas distribution network in China in collaboration with China Gas and do not intend to change the “continued employment” of its workers.

The takeover fits Sinopec’s long-term strategy of integrating its operations from production to distribution to end users, the refiner said. — AP

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Fed may stay on sidelines at policy meeting WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve is likely to hold off offering the US economy fresh stimulus at a meeting as it weighs encouraging signs on the recovery against risks coming from Europe. The Fed’s policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee began its meeting at about 8:30 a.m.

(1330 GMT ) as expected, a central bank official said. A statement was due at around 2:15 pm (1915 GMT). Central bank officials are expected to continue discussions on how they might sharpen their communications to get more traction out of the monetary easing they have already put in place, but observers rate chances of an announcement as low.

Even less likely is the prospect of a new round of bond buying, although many analysts think that will happen eventually too. “I don’t think this meeting lends itself to any major overhaul of policy,” said Jacob Oubina, senior US economist for RBC Capital

Markets in New York. The Fed has held overnight interest rates near zero since December 2008 and has bought $2.3 trillion in bonds in a further attempt to stimulate a robust recovery. Recent reports about the US economy point to some improvement. The jobless rate tumbled 0.4 percentage point to 8.6 percent in November and consumers appeared to be entering the holiday shopping season with wallets open.

However, a report on November retail sales released on Tuesday was surprisingly soft. Also yesterday, big box electronics retailer Best Buy reported a drop in profits as steep discounts squeezed profits. The world’s largest economy expanded at a 2.0 percent annual rate in the third quarter, an acceleration from the anemic pace in the first half of 2011.

Forecasters hope growth will top 3 percent in the current quarter.

However, analysts say the recov-

ery’s relative strength is partly a snapback from the weakness that followed Japan’s natural disasters and high oil prices early in the year. They caution that a return to more-sluggish growth is likely, particularly as Europe begins to weigh more heavily.

“Growth will slow down in the first half of the year,” said Harm Bandholz, chief US economist for UniCredit in New York. “With that comes weaker payroll gains and a higher unemployment rate.”

The large decline in the jobless rate suggests it may have been an anomaly. With US housing markets still deeply depressed and consumers laboring under high levels of debt, two traditional avenues of recoveryhome buying and borrowing- are unlikely to provide help this time.

Meanwhile, Europe looms large. US policymakers say the greatest risk to the US recovery would be financial contagion that could freeze markets in

a repeat of the 2008 crisis. Even if that risk is avoided, a likely euro-zone recession will take a toll.

Given the uncertainty, the US central bank appears ready to hold both communications and easing tools at the ready for possible use in early 2012. “We ... continue to face significant downside risks, mostly related to the stress in the euro zone,” New York Federal Reserve Bank President William Dudley said last month.

Many observers expect the Fed to begin publishing the interest rate forecasts of its senior officials, perhaps as soon as January, when it issues its next quarterly economic projections.

Doing so would clarify when officials expect benchmark short-term rates to start rising and could cement market expectations that any tightening of policy is a long way off.

The Fed also has been discussing the possible adoption of an explicit inflation target to reassure markets it

will not let price pressures gain an upper hand even as it pushes hard to jump-start a stronger recovery. Many analysts expect the Fed will wait until a two-day meeting on Jan. 24-25 before launching any new initiatives.

Officials are already scheduled to release projections for GDP growth, unemployment and inflation at that meeting, and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold a quarterly news conference, which he could use to explain any changes.

Markets do expect the Fed to eventually fire more bullets. In a Reuters poll earlier this month, economists at 13 of the 20 financial firms that deal directly with the Fed said they expect the central bank to buy more mortgage-backed securities. The median estimate of the bond-buying initiative was $550 billion. Of the economists polled, 17 of 20 expect the Fed to overhaul its communications framework. — Reuters

US retail sales rise for sixth straight month Americans spend more on autos, garments

BRENTWOOD: Shoppers look through a display of movies in the early morning hours at a Best Buy store, in Brentwood, Tennessee. Weak demand for pricey flat-screen TVs and notebook computers helped push Best Buy Co’s fourth-quarter net income down 16 percent. —AP

Best Buy Q3 profit falls, shares skid NEW YORK: Electronics retailer Best Buy said yesterday that its third-quarter net income fell 29 percent as it cut prices in popular categories such as tablets and TVs to drive sales and traffic during the busy holiday season.

Its adjusted earnings missed analysts’ expectations, and its shares tumbled almost 9 percent in premarket trading.

Best Buy Co is facing tough competition from discounters and online retailers. The largest US specialty electronics retailer said it increased mark downs in categories such as mobile computing which includes tablet computers - TVs and movies to drive traffic and sales, hurting its gross profit. It also spent more on advertising.

“We took actions to provide value to customers and drive our business in this competitive consumer environment,” said CEO Brian Dunn. Net income for the three months ended Nov. 26 fell to $154 million, or 42 cents per share. That com-

pares with $217 million, or 54 cents per share, last year.

Excluding one-time items, its adjusted earnings totaled 47 cents per share.

Analysts expected 52 cents per share, according to FactSet. The Minneapolis company said revenue rose 2 percent to $12.1 billion from $11.9 billion a year ago. Analysts expected $12.13 billion.

Revenue in US stores open at least one year rose 1 percent, boosted by a 20 percent increase in online revenue.

Strong sellers during the quarter included mobile computing, appliances, ereaders, mobile phones and movies.

Digital imaging and gaming were weaker. Best Buy reaffirmed its full-year guidance of adjusted net income of $3.35 to $3.65 per share.

Analysts expect $3.44 per share. It expects revenue of $51 billion to $52.5 billion. Analysts expect $51.83 billion.

Shares fell $2.50, or 8.9 percent, to $25.57 in premarket trading. — AP

Swiss upper house backs move to end US tax row ZURICH: Swiss lawmakers took a step yesterday towards helping the government seal a compromise over banking secrecy rules that would enable it to hand over the names of wealthy Americans suspected of dodging taxes.

Famed for the care with which it protects account holders’ anonymity, the Alpine state has been forced to act by a series of US probes into alleged tax evasion by Americans concealing their assets in Swiss banks. Parliament’s upper house backed a proposal aimed at sealing any potential legal loopholes and avoiding a lengthy court fight by bank clients seeking to protect their identity.

“This step should help negotiations that could free the financial centre from this problem that has plagued it for years,” said Free Democrat parliamentari-

an Felix Gutzwiller. The proposal, which still has to be voted on by the lower house, would allow Switzerland to hand over data on suspected tax evaders, even if the US tax authorities cannot identify an alleged offender by name or bank account.

The Swiss government has been in talks with US authorities for months to try to get an investigation into 11 banks dropped, in return for expected hefty fines on the banks and the handing over of the names.

Credit Suisse, Julius Baer and Basler Kantonalbank are among the banks under investigation. Credit Suisse last month took a charge against its thirdquarter earnings of 295 million Swiss francs ($315.74 million) towards settling the US investigation. — Reuters

LONDON: A pedestrian passes by shuttered shops on the High Road in Willesden yesterday. British retail expert Mary Portas released a report through the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, calling for an urgent plan to rescue failing High Street businesses through concepts such as “National Market Day”. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Americans spent more on autos, furniture and clothing at the start of the crucial holiday shopping season, boosting retail sales for a sixth straight month.

Retail sales rose 0.2 percent in November, the Commerce Department said yesterday.

That’s lower than October’s gain, which was revised higher to show a 0.6 percent increase.

Still, more spending on retail goods shows the economy continues to grow at a slow but steady pace.

Consumers appeared to make more big purchases in November. They spent more on electronics, appliances and autos. So-called core sales, which exclude autos, gasoline and building materials, rose for the 11th straight month. Meanwhile, sales fell at grocery stores, building supply stores and restaurants.

“People decided to go to the store and do their shopping rather than to the restaurant,” Jonathan Basile, an economist at Credit Suisse.

The report is the government’s first read on monthly consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of economic activity. A rebound in consumer spending helped revive the economy this summer after it slumped in the spring. Economists expect consumers have helped boost growth even further in the final three months of the year.

Paul Dales, a senior US economist at Capital Economics, said the modest retail sales gain last month should come as a surprise. He notes that the larger spending increases over the summer came after consumers dipped into their savings to make up for smaller gains in their income.

“November’s modest rise could therefore be the start of a period in which households start to spend more within their means,” Dales said. Still, Americans spent $52.4 billion over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to the National Retail Federation. The record amount was spurred by deep discounts and early store openings.

Sales for 21 chain stores rose last month, the International Council of Shopping Centers said. Online holiday sales are also growing, although they are expected to peak this week.

Many shoppers tend to complete orders by mid-month to allow time for presents to be

shipped.Merchants can make up to 40 percent of their annual revenue during the holiday shopping season, which includes November and December. Automakers have also reported strong sales for November. Chrysler, Ford, Nissan and Hyundai reported double-digit sales gains. November is usually a lackluster

MIAMI: Shoppers stop to look at a display while shopping at Dadeland Mall, in Miami.

Americans spent more on autos, furniture and clothing last month as retail sales rose for the sixth straight month. —AP month for auto sales because of cold weather.

But automakers offered steep discounts and many consumers can’t wait any longer to replace their aging vehicles.

Auto sales have rebounded from the spring, when the Japan earthquake and tsunami slowed supply chains and limited production at US plants. Consumers are spending more after cutting back earlier this year in the face of higher food and gas prices.

That’s a key reason economists forecast that growth should pick up to about 3 percent in the fourth quarter, which would be the fastest pace in 18 months. More demand has helped

US agencies face budget curbs in $1 trillion bill WASHINGTON: Facing a weekend deadline to avoid a government shutdown, a combative Congress appears on track to advance a massive $1 trillion-plus yearend spending package that curbs agency budgets but drops many policy provisions sought by GOP conservatives.

Lawmakers reached a tentative agreement on Monday on the measure. It chips away at the Pentagon budget, foreign aid and environmental spending but boosts funding for veterans programs and modernizing the US nuclear arsenal.

The measure generally pleases environmentalists, who succeeded in stopping industry forces from blocking new clean air rules and a new clean water regulation opposed by mountaintop removal mining interests. House Republicans appeared likely to win concessions that would roll back administration efforts to ease restrictions on Cuban immigrants on traveling to the island and sending cash back to family members there.

On spending, the measure implements this summer’s hard-fought budget pact between President Barack Obama and Republican leaders. That deal essentially freezes agency budgets, on average, at levels for the recently completed budget year that were approved back in April. Drafted behind closed doors, the proposed bill would

boost hiring. Employers added a net total of 120,000 jobs last month. The economy has generated 100,000 or more jobs five months in a row - the first time that has happened since April 2006.

Still, many economists question how long consumers can continue increasing their spending without more jobs and higher pay.

provide $115 billion for overseas security operations in Afghanistan and Iraq but give the Pentagon just a 1 percent boost in annual spending not directly related to the wars. The Environmental Protection Agency’s budget would be cut by 3.5 percent.

Foreign aid spending would drop and House lawmakers would absorb a 6 percent cut to their office budgets. The bill also covers money for combating AIDS and famine in Africa, patrolling the USMexico border, operating national parks and boosting veterans’ health care.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, Kentucky, said bargainers had struck an agreement but would not formally unveil it until today.

Other lawmakers said some issues remain to be finalized. A House vote is expected Thursday and the Senate is likely to follow in time to meet a midnight Friday deadline before a stopgap funding measure expires.

The generally smooth, businesslike negotiations on the omnibus spending bill contrast with the ongoing partisan brawl over Obama’s demand that Congress extend jobless benefits and a cut in the Social Security payroll tax. The House is slated to vote on a GOP-friendly version of the payroll tax cut yesterday; negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate on a compromise measure have yet to begin. —AP

Unemployment remains high, and inflationadjusted incomes shrank in the JulySeptember quarter. Consumers might also have to cut back on spending if Congress doesn’t extend a Social Security tax cut or emergency federal unemployment benefits.

Both expire at the end of this year. The Social Security tax this year boosted take-home pay for the average family by $1,000. Economists also fear that Europe’s debt crisis could worsen and plunge the region into a recession.

That could slow demand for US exports, tighten lending and make it harder for US businesses to expand. — AP

Spain pays lower rates in 4.9bn-euro debt sale MADRID: Spain paid sharply lower borrowing rates in a 4.941-billion-euro sale of short-term government debt yesterday, a sign of improved confidence in its creditworthiness after months of financial turmoil.

The Treasury paid yields of 4.050 percent for 12-month bills and 4.226 percent for 18month bills, down from more than five percent in the last comparable auction, it said in a statement.

The amount raised, 4.941 billion euros ($6.5 billion), was higher than the 3.25-4.25 billion euros as the Treasury took advantage of the lower rates to raise extra money. Demand from investors was very strong, at more than four times the original offer. Spain’s borrowing costs soared last month due to fears over its high public deficit, raising pressure on the conservative leader Mariano Rajoy who will take power next week after winning a November 20 election.

The risk premium-a key measure of stability reflecting the extra return investors demand to buy Spanish 10-year government bonds over German ones-broke records in midNovember, surging to around five percentage points.

Rajoy has promised to extend public spending cuts and pass labor reforms to rein in Spain’s deficit and reassure markets and tackle Spain’s 21.5-percent unemployment rate. Spain’s next bond sale is on December 15, when it aims to raise 2.5 to 3.5 billion euros in bonds of up to 10 years. It has one further sale scheduled this year, an auction of three- and six-month bills on December 20.

The Madrid stock market ticked up by 0.39 percent by midd-day after a sharp fall of more than 3.0 percent on Monday. — AFP

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Moody’s says NBK’s ratings reflect its dominant position Bank enjoys stable deposit base and excellent reputation

The Avenue, a retail development by Dubai-based real estate development company Meraas.

Dubai’s property market showing signs of recovery Property transactions in 2011 up 37% from 2009 Dewan Architects & Engineers, one of the region’s leading architectural and engineering consultancy firms, has been awarded a consultancy contract to undertake the design and supervision of The Avenue, a retail development by Dubai-based real estate development company Meraas.

Meraas is a Dubai based real estate company with operations and assets in the UAE and abroad. It operates with a mission to create integrated masterplanned communities that embody global standards of sustainability and quality. Meraas also announced earlier this month that it has appointed AlFuttaim Carillion as project contractors for phase-1 of ‘The Avenue.

This new project - and others like it - is clear evidence that the Dubai property market is recovering from the effects of the global financial crisis back in 2008.

According to a recent report, property transactions in 2011 are up 37 percent from 2009 levels, with consistent growth being recorded on a month-by-month basis.

Situated on a 350 meter promenade of Al Safa Street between Al Wasl Road leading towards Sheikh Zayed Road, The Avenue will see the development of a dynamic mix of top retail brands, including a well-known branded anchor supermarket, various F&B outlets and restaurants, as well as a healthcare clinic. The Avenue is the first phase of a three-phase project spanning 1.1 kilometers stretching between Al Wasl Road and leading to Sheikh Zayed Road.

The fast-track project is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2012, at which point it will cover a total builtup area of 12,800m2 on a plot of approximately 53,000 m2. In addition, it will include outdoor seating boasting extensive landscaping, water features and green spaces.

Said Mohamed Al Assam, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Dewan: “The Avenue Retail Development is an exciting new project and we will be working closely with Meraas, aligning our design objectives with their goals, to ensure that it is delivered to the highest standards.”

He added: “Dubai’s retail property sector is proving increasingly stable and sustainable after the financial crisis, a fact that has led to a boost in investor confidence. This, in turn, is providing impetus to the industry’s growth momentum.

With reports indicating significant growth in the sector, we are optimistic about the future.”

Speaking on this occasion, Omar Delawar, Chief Technical Officer of Meraas, said, “I am very pleased that we have decided to go ahead with our decision to collaborate with DEWAN Architects and Engineers and appoint them as the lead consultant for “The Avenue” Project. Backed by their track record and experience, we are confident of shaping ‘The Avenue’ into a distinctive project that will add a new dimension to Dubai’s world-renowned retail landscape.”

Dewan Architects & Engineers is a regional architectural and engineering design firm with offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the Philippines, and with over 28 years of industry successes across GCC countries, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The firm was ranked 4th for practices earning the most fee income from the Middle East - one spot higher than last year - and 64th globally on the World Architecture 100 list, according to prestigious industry publication Building Design Magazine earlier this year. The magazine annually publishes the ‘World Architecture Top 100’ - a unique, definitive listing of the world’s largest architecture practices.

KUWAIT: In its latest report on National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the credit rating agency Moody’s said that NBK’s financial strength rating reflects the “bank’s dominant position in its domestic market, strong financial metrics, resilient asset quality, and good capitalization levels.” The agency added: “The rating also reflect our view of the strength and depth of NBK’s management team and its clear strategy.”

Moody’s in the report issued recently stressed that “NBK’s asset quality has exhibited a level of resilience unparalleled by its domestic peers. In particular, as of September 2011, the bank’s NPLs/Gross loans ratio improved further to 1.59% from 1.65% at YE2010 and compared to a system average of around 7%. The bank also maintains a substantial provision buffer with provisions exceeding 200% of problem loans. NBK has been able to maintain robust asset quality metrics despite the deterioration seen by other Kuwaiti banks”.

Moody ’s pointed out that “NBK’s entrenched and stable franchise is quite defensible”.

NBK’s international operations provide some asset diversifica-

existing brand portfolio, X-cite further strengthens is strong position in the consumer electronics retail market. Samer Sayegh, Vice President of Alghanim Electronics said, “At X-cite, we take pride in bringing the best products from all over the world to our customers in Kuwait. Beko has been dominating the European markets for a long time and we believe has great potential in Kuwait. We are proud to introduce Beko products in X-cite outlets in Kuwait.”

Founded in 1955, Arcelik A S, sells its goods and services in more than 100 countries with 11 production facilities in Turkey, Russia, Romania, and China.

Arcelik retained its leadership position in the white goods, LCD TV, and air conditioner market in 2009 and 2010. Beko has been in the top ten best selling white goods brand in the world in eight main product categories in 2009, duplicating its prior success in 2008. The launch showcased some of the latest technology environment friendly products by Beko.

Participants had a chance to view and experience the new products which were set up in an exquisite showroom style at the venue.

business lines enhance its revenue diversification.”

The agency added that NBK

enjoys a stable deposit base, an excellent reputation and “would be among those benefiting from “flight to quality” in the event of non-intrinsic systemic problems.”

NBK also “continues to enjoy excellent cost efficiency metrics by international standards”.

Moody’s said that credit conditions in Kuwait have remained subdued during 2011 for the third consecutive year. “Domestic prospects for 2012 continue to depend on the level of implementation of the government’s expansionary fiscal policy”.

Moody’s said that “NBK is the largest financial institution in Kuwait, with a market share of just under 30% of consolidated system assets (as at YE2010). The bank is particularly dominant in terms of retail operations in which it reportedly captures around 35% of consumer credit, and around 40% of overall Kuwaiti salary accounts”.

Moody’s added that NBK’s “corporate lending is equally strong” and “the bank is the leader in trade finance in Kuwait and one of the few indigenous banks with the capacity to structure and underwrite large capital market transactions.”

Global Investor names Markaz ‘Best Asset Manager in Kuwait’ KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre SAK “Markaz”, the prominent investment banking and asset management company in the Middle East, won the “Best Asset Manager in Kuwait” award by Global Investor magazine, a Euromoney publication specialized in finance and investment.

The award’s judges selected Markaz based on the company’s healthy balance sheet; the performance and diversity of its product offerings; its innovation in creating new investment products; its high level of corporate governance; and its sustainable growth in market share, assets under management and client base.

Amani Al-Omani, Executive Vice-President MENA Equities at Markaz said: “We would like to thank Global Investor Magazine for granting Markaz the ‘Best Asset Manager in Kuwait’ award for the second consecutive year.”

“The award reflects our prudent risk management policy at Markaz combined with our commitment to achieve the best performance for our clients by following a research driven methodology and investing in high quality

X-cite by Alghanim Electronics launches Beko products in Kuwait KUWAIT: Arcelik A S has recently partnered with largest electronics retailer in the region, X-cite by Alghanim Electronics to introduce its global brand BEKO to Kuwaiti market. The launch event was held at The Salwa Al-Sabah Ballroom in Salmiya. The event had over 200 participants that consisted of dignitaries from the Turkish Embassy, partners, customers and the trade visitors. Beko showcased its vast range of products that included innovative and environmentallyfriendly white goods with smart solutions.

Arcelik A S, owner of the Beko brand is the third largest company of Europe in its sector and continues to grow both locally and internationally. Arcelik A S, Head of Middle East and Africa Murat Buyukerk said, “Kuwait is of strategic importance in the Middle East and we want to ensure that we are partnered with the best in the market. We aim to promote Beko to reach our vast customer base around the world.”

X-cite has been recognized on numerous occasions as the first introducer of the latest technologies, brands and products in Kuwait. By adding BEKO to the

tion,” the agency added. “In comparison with its domestic peers, the depth and diversity of NBK’s

X-cite is the largest consumer electronics retailer in Kuwait and the Middle East. The retailer delivers a modern, dynamic and convenient shopping experience with the primary objective of delighting its customers. With touch and feel displays, cash and carry shopping, a highly trained multilingual sales staff and the latest gadgets and gizmos, shopping at X-cite is an unforgettable experience.

Operating a network of 16 stores, X-cite’s customers are offered an unparalleled shopping experience by providing access to amazing range of international brands under one roof at guaranteed lowest prices. The X-cite experience is further enhanced by providing customers with Easy Credit, 24-hour shopping in select outlets and extended warranty programs with 24-hour free delivery and installation services.

Starting on December 1, 2011, X-cite by Alghanim Electronics expanded its electronics shopping experience with the launch of its online store, www.xcite.com, a move that furthers X-cite’s pioneering nature in conveniently offering its many products and services.

assets,” added Al-Omani, noting that “Markaz risk management team has been adopting a conservative investment policy amidst instability in the local and international markets” Markaz has a strong track-record in asset management across different asset classes. In 2011, two Markaz funds, “Markaz Fund for Excellent Yields - Mumtaz ” and “Markaz Islamic Fund”, won Lipper’s award for best Kuwaiti equities fund for the period of five years. “Markaz Fund for Excellent Yields Mumtaz” was also awarded as the best equity fund for the year 2009 by the leading regional publication MENA Fund Manager. “Markaz Fund for Excellent Yields - Mumtaz” and “Markaz Arabian Fund” have received “A” Fund Management Ratings from Standard & Poor’s during the period of 2009-2011.

Markaz’s track record in asset management in Kuwait and the GCC extends back to almost three decades. In 1983, the company started offering portfolio management services in the Kuwaiti Market and in 1999 it entered the fund management field with the launch of the first Kuwaiti equities fund, “Mumtaz Fund”.

Global Finance accredits Gulf Bank as ‘2012 Best FX Bank Provider’ in Kuwait

Grant Jackson, General Manager, Treasury at Gulf Bank

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced yesterday that it has been named as the “2012 Best Foreign Exchange Bank Provider” in Kuwait by the Global Finance magazine. This award comes in recognition of the Bank’s achievements in the foreign exchange markets in corporate and institutional banking over the last 12 months.

Grant Jackson, General Manager, Treasury at Gulf Bank said: “Gulf Bank is honored to receive this accreditation from a leading financial publication. This recognition is a further endorsement of the Bank’s position as one of Kuwait’s leading financial institutions. International and local companies depend on consistent and dependable counsel in managing their foreign exchange requirements and business transactions and at Gulf Bank we strive to provide exactly that.”

Today’s award announcement is the latest of a number of other prestigious awards which Gulf Bank has received in 2011. Major awards include: ‘Excellence in Finance’ award at the 5th Annual CFO Middle East Strategies Forum 2011, ‘Thought Leadership Excellence’ Award at the MENA CIO’s Summit 2011, the ‘International Excellence in Retail Financial Services’ award from The Asian Banker, the ‘Best Retail Customer Service’, the ‘Best Phone Banking Service’, the ‘Best Corporate Governance’ and ‘Best Employee Training’ awards from the Banker Middle East, the ‘Quality Recognition Award’ from Citibank, Deutsche Bank ’s Award for International Payment Performance and the ‘GCC Localization Award’ from the GCC Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs for the 7th consecutive year.

Knowledge is key when dealing with Kuwait tax matters The Kuwait tax environment is continually evolving through the practices of the Kuwait tax authority.

Generally, foreign companies earning income from Kuwaiti source are subject to corporate income tax of 15% (for fiscal periods commencing after 3 February 2008, prior to which a maximum tax rate of 55% was applicable) of taxable profits determined by the Kuwait tax authority (KTA). Due to the adjustments made by the KTA, foreign companies face a higher tax liability compared to the amounts offered in their respective declaration. In addition, as the Kuwait tax environment differs in several ways than most other tax jurisdiction around the world, foreign companies often incorrectly assume they have no tax obligations in Kuwait which eventually results in penalties which are often higher than the actual tax due.

There are also specific requirements when considering the practical

application of the tax treaties. It is therefore vital to have knowledge of the practical aspects of the Kuwait tax environment prior to commencing activities in Kuwait. Similarly, local Kuwaiti Shareholding Companies which are subject to Zakat (and National Labor Support tax for listed entities) face adjustments which result in higher Zakat due compared to the amounts

offered in their respective declaration. KPMG’s Kuwait tax seminar on 11 December 2011 discussed a wide variety of issues concerning the Kuwait tax environment based on their experiences in tax matters to over 50 local and foreign companies and actions that companies should be taking in respect of how to best deal with a currently dynamic tax environment in Kuwait.

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TECHNOLOGY

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuwait inaugurates its new showroom KUWAIT: Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company, the sole dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Kuwait, has reaffirmed its commitment to the ultra luxury marque with the opening of the all new showroom in Al Shuwaikh.

The recent expansion of the RollsRoyce Motor Cars product portfolio has resulted in unprecedented global growth. In particular, Kuwait’s ultra Luxury market has witnessed a considerable rise in demand for Rolls-Royce vehicles. Therefore, the decision to create a dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom within the Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company complex was taken in order to sustain this growth, and present customers with a buying experience that reflects the marque’s attributes as the pinnacle of automotive luxury.

Mohammed Alghanim, Group General Manager - Automotive Division Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company said: “This new showroom is considered as an important indicator of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ growth, and Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company’s commitment to the marque and its distinguished clientele. Our performance in

the market today is unprecedented; thanks to the expansion of the RollsRoyce model range and the marque’s perpetual commitment to excellence.”

He continues: “ This new facility is designed and built to meet RollsRoyce’s exacting standards, exceed our discerning customers’ expectations, as well as provide them with the most personalised and rewarding buying experience”.

James Crichton, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Regional Director said; “ The

Middle East is a very important region for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and we owe a lot of our recent and ongoing success to our dealers. Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company’s considerable investment in this stunning facility shows strong confidence in our brand and helps us maintain the pinnacle position of the marque.”

Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company marked the official opening of its new Rolls-Royce showroom with the local reveal of Mouawad’s automo-

tive masterpiece, the diamond encrusted Spirit of Ecstasy; a collaboration between two ultra luxury icons commemorating the flying lady’s Centenary year.

Located on Kuwait’s Airport Road 55, the new 350 square meter Rolls-Royce showroom is a new addition to the Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company complex. It is aimed at delivering a broadened Rolls-Royce experience to its sophisticated clientele. The new showroom is state of the art, and

has been designed with full compliance to Rolls-Royce’s global identity; the showroom floor is capable of displaying four cars and also features exclusive parking for Rolls-Royce customers. The jewel of the showroom is the 55 square meter Bespoke lounge; an area that includes colour and trim samples along with a Bespoke configurator to view the client’s design choices in real time, all with a direct connection to the newly expanded Bespoke workshop in Goodwood, UK.

Facebook aims to help prevent suicide Latest tool from Facebook aimed at improving safety

Explorers Base launch scuba diving gear KUWAIT: Explorers Base has launched Atomic Aquatics, one of the leading brands in the scuba diving industry.

Atomic Aquatics is known for having the most dependable diving equipment and go by the motto “Before Atomic Aquatics, there was no ‘best’ in Scuba Diving”.

Explorers Base was keen on providing a full training program, granting the opportunity for sales staff to have the utmost product knowledge in order to relay it effectively to its customers.

Moreover, a fully detailed technical training was conducted for the after- sales support team to enable them to perform the required maintenance for Aquatic Atomics’ diving equipment.

Atomic Aquatics’ missionis to set the standards in the industry. Founders made sure to produce the best possible without respect to any compromise.

They invented the World’s first titanium regulator and till today its the only brand

enabling an instant chat session that experts say can make all the difference with someone seeking help. “The science shows that people experience reductions in suicidal thinking when there is quick intervention,” said Lidia Bernik, associate project director of Lifeline.

“We’ve heard from many people who say they want to talk to someone but don’t want to call. Instant message is perfect for that.”

How the service works is if a friend spots a suicidal thought on someone’s page, he can report it to Facebook by clicking a link next to the comment. Facebook then sends an email to the person who posted the suicidal comment encouraging them to call the hotline or click on a link to begin a confidential chat.

Facebook on its own doesn’t troll the site for suicidal expressions, Wolens said.

Logistically it would be far too difficult with so many users and so many comments that could be misinterpreted by a computer algorithm.

“The only people who will have a really good idea of what’s going on is your friends so we’re encouraging them to speak up and

giving them an easy and quick way to get help,” Wolens said.

There have been high profile incidents of suicidal expressions on Facebook. Last month, authorities in Pittsburg, Calif., said a man posted a suicide note on Facebook before he killed his wife and in-laws then himself.

In July, police in Pennsylvania said they believed they were able to help prevent a man’s suicide after the man’s friend in California alerted police about a distraught Facebook posting. Police met with the man, who was committed to a hospital.

Nearly 100 Americans die by suicide every day, and 36,035 a year, according to US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin’s office.

“We have effective treatments to help suicidal individuals regain hope and a desire to live and we know how powerful personal connections and support can be,” Benjamin said in a statement. “Facebook and the Lifeline are to be commended for addressing one of this nation’s most tragic public health problems.” — AP

produces 100% titanium regulators. They also won all performances & design contests. Atomic Aquatics offers 5 key professional diving products which include titanium regulators, split fins, masks, snorkels and the famous cobalt diving computer. All of which are leaders in terms of quality, material and durability.

Explorers Base is located in Tilal Complex, where you can have the ultimate shopping experience for all outdoor, hiking, camping, fishing and more outdoor activities.

Ali Abdulwahab Sons & Co. is a leading 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. For more information on Ali Abdulwahab Sons & Co. visit our website at www.aaw.com.

New generation GPS satellite starts tests DENVER: A $5.5 billion upgrade to the Global Positioning System moved a step closer to launch this week when a prototype arrived at a Lockheed Martin complex in Colorado to begin months of tests. It’s the guinea pig for a new generation of GPS satellites, called Block III, that’s expected to make military and civilian receivers more accurate, powerful and reliable.

They’re also part of an international effort to allow civilian receivers to use signals from US, European, Russian and perhaps other satellite navigation systems. GPS has become ubiquitous in American civilian and military life, with hundreds of thousands of receivers in cars, and weapons systems. Financial systems use GPS receivers to get precise time stamps for transactions, relying on the atomic clocks onboard the satellites.

The Air Force Space Command oversees the US GPS satellites and ground control systems from its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The Block III satellites are expected to allow military and civilian users to determine their position within 3 feet (almost 1 meter), compared with 10 feet (3 meters) with current technology, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Higher-powered signals from Block III satellites are expected to be harder to

MENLO PARK: Facebook is making it easier for people who express suicidal thoughts on the social networking site to get help. A program launched yesterday enables users to instantly connect with a crisis counselor through Facebook’s “chat” messaging system.

The ser vice is the latest tool from Facebook aimed at improving safety on its site, which has more than 800 million users.

Earlier this year, Facebook announced changes to how users report bullying, offensive content and fake profiles.

“One of the big goals here is to get the person in distress into the right help as soon as possible,” Fred Wolens, public policy manager at Facebook, told The Associated Press.

Google and Yahoo have long provided the phone number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as the first result when someone searches for “suicide” using their sites. Through email, Facebook also directed users to the hotline or encouraged friends to call law enforcement if they perceived someone was about to do harm.

The new service goes a step further by

jam and easier for receivers to tune in, especially in urban canyons or under thick tree canopies. The US and other countries have agreed to make a new, common frequency available to civilians.

That means civilian receivers could calculate their position from a number of different satellite navigation systems.

The Block III prototype arrived at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton Canyon complex south of Denver on Monday.

Workers will do final assembly work on the prototype and then run it through a gantlet of tests, including extreme temperatures to mimic conditions in space and measurements to see whether the satellite’s radio frequencies interfere with each other.

The prototype will not be launched into space. The first flight model is expected to arrive at Waterton Canyon next summer and be launched in May 2014. Lockheed Martin has a $1.5 billion Air Force contract to build and test the GPS III prototype and build the first two satellites for launch. The contract includes an option for two more. The Pentagon expects to buy and launch a total of 32 Block III satellites. The Air Force says it will cost about $5.5 billion to design, build and launch all the satellites and upgrade the ground control systems. — AP

Debut for 911 Carrera Cabriolet with innovative roof concept DUBAI: The Cabriolet features an all-new, unique convertible soft top which retains the typical 911 roof line in its entirety. Less weight, more sportiness, lower fuel consumption and greater comfor t were achieved by an intelligent lightweight design of the hood, even including the use of magnesium. With the new open-top 911, Porsche has once again managed to reduce weight and make the new Cabriolet models significantly lighter than their predecessors.

Each of the two new convertibles has the same engine as its Carrera Coupe equivalent.

The rear of the 911 Carrera Cabriolet houses a 3.4-litre flat engine generating 350 horsepower. The open-top Carrera S comes with a 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine developing 400 horsepower. For both, the world’s first seven-gear manual transmission is featured as standard. In terms of efficiency the new convertibles distance themselves even further from other competing models: Both consume less than ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC).

N eedless to say, the Por s c he Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) is available as an option, resulting in even lower

fuel consumption and shorter acceleration time. Compared to the preceding models, the new Cabriolets offer sportier driving characteristics, greater precision and agility thanks to the longer wheelbase, the wider front track as well as the new electro-mechan-

ical power steering. Depending on the model, additional active control systems, offered as standard or as an option, further enhance the driving dynamics. The new 911 Carrera Cabriolet is available for order as of today with deliveries starting in March 2012.

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H E A LT H & S C I E NC E

Scientists find signs of elusive particle Higgs boson ‘played a vital role’ in creation

SATEVO: Mexican farmer Ever Mendoza walks next to a carcass in Satevo, Chihuahua state. Dry conditions have claimed more than two million acres of crops and affected 1.7 million heads of cattle, including 50,000 that have died, according to the Agriculture Ministry. — AFP

Mexican farmers despair over record drought CHIHUAHUA: Dust blows across once fertile fields in north Mexico, where the worst drought in 70 years has left thousands of cattle dead and destroyed more than two million acres of crops. “It practically hasn’t rained this year,” said Ernesto Ruiz, a farmer in Satevo, in the border state of Chihuahua. “It’s sad to see the land like this,” Ruiz added, observing the remains of his corn and sorghum fields. Dry conditions have affected 1.7 million head of cattle, including 50,000 that have died, according to the Agriculture Ministry. Northern states are suffering the most and seeing record levels of drought, including Chihuahua, neighboring Durango and the northwestern Baja California peninsula, along with their neighbors in the southwest United States.

Mexican meteorological services say the nine worst-affected states represent almost half the country. Southern areas have meanwhile recorded some of their wettest periods on record this year. The start of winter brought cold temperatures but no sign of rain in many northern areas. Rainfall could be up to 80 percent less than usual in some areas through the winter, according to the Environment Ministry. The dire predictions provoked dismay, including among farmers who rely on sophisticated irrigation systems, such as Ever Mendoza.

Mendoza said that a river which once reached the same width as his fields was now reduced to little more than a trickle.

His water reserves were nearly empty and his few remaining crops were low.

“Normally it should grow this high every 22 days after sowing,” Mendoza demonstrated with his hand. After a month and a half, the crops were still far below target, he said. Rural development officer Jose Granillo Vazquez estimated that 7080,000 families in Chihuahua could be seriously affected by the drought. “The smaller the farmer, the fewer the resources they will have to confront a risk like this,” Vazquez said.

The government is offering subsidies to small-scale farmers to help them survive, as well as sending water to remote villages. Authorities say they have already paid out more than two billion pesos (around 160 million dollars) in insurance and direct aid. Many have yet to receive help. In the northern state of Durango, the drought has also affected drinking water supplies in around 200 communities and authorities are urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency. Many farmers fear they will have to wait until the start of the rainy season next June for rain-if it comes. “If there’s no water, nothing is going to grow,” Mendoza said.— AFP

New research uncovers pro-social behavior in rats CHICAGO: As charges of greed and selfinterest fly in these hyper-partisan political times, humans might do well to look to rats for lessons in kindness and caring. A University of Chicago experiment to determine how much empathy rats have for each other had some surprising results, which are being published Friday in the research journal Science. In laboratory studies, a rat was restrained in a small cage that could be opened only from the outside. A second rat, seeing the predicament of the trapped rat, immediately began tirelessly trying to find a way to free his fellow rat.

Eventually, the second rat taught itself to open the cage door, freeing the restrained rat, leading to what strongly resembled a triumphal celebration between the two. Even when faced with an alternative choice of chocolate chips, the free rat would not be deterred from helping its caged fellow rat. As simple as it sounds, the experiment is being hailed as a new paradigm that will help scientists trace the development of emotion in mammals back through the evolutionary tree.

Previously, scientists thought that empathy and pro-social behavior to help others were unique to humans, said Jeffrey Mogil, a researcher at McGill University in Canada who has done similar studies on mice.

“This study shows the roots of human empathy didn’t just appear, but evolved,” said Mogil, who was not connected with the University of Chicago study. “It is very impressive, showing really robust and conclusive evidence that rats show pro-social (helping) behavior. You can argue why the rats are doing it, but you can’t argue anymore that the rats are doing it.” The experiment is the work of U. of C. doctoral student Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal; her adviser, Jean Decety, a professor of psychology and psychiatry who studies human empathy; and Peggy Mason, a neurobiology professor who studies pain modulation and relief.

Decety said it has been proved in past studies that rats also experience a primitive form of empathy called emotional contagion - the sort of thing where if one baby in a group of babies begins to cry, they all break out in tears. “Ben-Ami came to my lab to do her PhD with an idea of using an animal model to study higher forms of empathy,” said Decety, who enlisted Mason for a study that wound up taking three years.

The team first paired rats of the same gender for three weeks. Then they placed one of the pair in a small, Plexiglas restraint cage, locked by a door that could only be

opened from the outside. The cage was placed in a larger enclosure where the rat’s partner roamed free.

By means the researchers aren’t sure of, the caged rat seemed to communicate its distress to the freed rat, and the freed rat sprang into action. “The free rat jumps on the restraining cage immediately, pushing it, biting at it, touching its nose and whiskers through the openings in the restraining cage with those of the trapped rat,” Mason said. “Clearly it wants to help out the trapped rat.” After about six days, the free rat would accidentally open the door and from then on quickly learned how to deliberately open it, and then excitedly interact with its now-free partner as they raced around the enclosure. “I can’t say that they are celebrating,” said Mason.

“But sure looks like a celebration.”

Because rats love chocolate, in some experiments the scientists placed two restraint cages in an enclosure with a rat that already knew how to open the cage door. One cage contained a rat, the other five chocolate chips. “We wanted to ask how much the free rat valued being able to liberate the caged rat,” Mason said. “They like their chocolate chips, but the free rat would open both cages in no particular order. “The free (rat) could have done all manner of things to monopolize the chocolate chips, but on average it always left one and a half chocolate chips for the liberated rat. That’s impressive - a hard thing for primates to do - showing it puts equal value on chocolate and freeing its partner.” Eventually rats that did not know each other were used, and the free rat still worked hard to liberate the stranger from the cage.

Jaak Panksepp, who studies neuoranatomical and neurochemical mechanisms of emotional behaviors at Washington State University and who wrote a commentary on the experiment for Science, said his “gut instinct is that” humans and rats share emotional mechanisms. But more research needs to be done, he said. Mason said she thinks the tireless behavior the rats showed in helping out another rat in distress is something humans should pay attention to, showing that empathy is somewhat hard-wired into our mammalian brain. “I would suggest that helping is what we are biologically programmed to do. You have to suppress that biological tendency to not help. If we owned up to our biological inheritance a little bit more than we do, we would be better off.”— MCT

GENEVA: International scientists said yesterday they had found signs of the Higgs boson, an elementary particle believed to have played a vital role in the creation of the universe after the Big Bang. Scientists at the CERN physics research centre near Geneva said, however, they had found no conclusive proof of the existence of the particle which, according to prevailing theories of physics, gives everything in the universe its mass. “If the Higgs observation is confirmed...this really will be one of the discoveries of the century,” said Themis Bowcock, a professor of particle physics at Britain’s Liverpool University.

“Physicists will have uncovered a keystone in the makeup of the Universe...whose influence we see and feel every day of our lives.” The leaders of two experiments, ALTAS and CMS, revealed their findings to a packed seminar at CERN, where they have tried to find traces of the elusive boson by smashing particles together in the Large Hadron Collider at high speed. “Both experiments have the signals pointing in essentially the same direction,” said Oliver Buchmueller, senior physicist on CMS. “It seems that both Atlas and us have found the signals are at the same mass level. That is obviously very important.”

Fabiola Gianotti, the scientist in charge of the ATLAS experiment, said ALTAS had narrowed the search to a signal centred at around 126 GeV (Giga electron volts), which would be compatible with the expected strength of a Standard Model Higgs.

“I think it would be extremely kind of the Higgs boson to be here,” she told a seminar to discuss the findings. “But it is too early” for final conclusions, she said. “More studies and more data are needed.

The next few months will be very exciting...I don’t know what the conclusions will be.”

HOMING IN Under what is known as the Standard Model of Physics, the boson, named after British physicist Peter Higgs, is posited to have been the agent that gave mass and energy to matter after the Big Bang creation of the universe 13.7 billion years ago.

While its discovery would cement current knowledge about particles such as electrons and pho-

tons, results of work at CERN could also prove it does not exist. Such an outcome would undermine the foundations of accepted theories of the makeup of the universe.

“If the first inklings of the Higgs boson are confirmed, then this is just the start of the adventure to unlock the secrets of the fundamental constituents of the Universe,” said Stephen Haywood, Head of the Atlas Group at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The ATLAS results were followed by explanation of the second experiment, CMS. “We are homing in on the Higgs,” said Claire ShepherdThemistocleus, Head of the CMS Group at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

“We have had hints today of what its mass

might be and the excitement of scientists is palpable. Whether this is ultimately confirmed or we finally rule out a low mass Higgs boson, we are on the verge of a major change in our understanding of the fundamental nature of matter.”

Twitter feeds were choked by the volume of tweets mentioning CERN or Higgs and the webcast from CERN http://webcast.web.cern.ch/webcast/ struggling to cope with demand from Higgshunters. “It can still happen that it is a fluctuation, but all we see from both experiments is compatible with what we would expect for a Higgs signal to build up,” said Buchmueller. “But we really need the data from next year to be sure of what we’re seeing.”— Reuters

GENEVA: A file photo shows a European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) scientist looking at computer screens showing traces on the Atlas experiment of the first protons injected in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) during its switch-on operation at the CERN’s press center near Geneva. —AFP

Deaths from malaria fall, but funding woes loom LONDON: Malaria deaths have fallen dramatically in the past decade thanks to increased aid allowing more people access to nets and medicines, but the economic slowdown threatens to curb future progress, the World Health Organization said yesterday. In its annual global report on the mosquito-borne parasitic disease, the WHO said international funding for the fight against malaria rose to about $1.7 billion in 2010 and $2 billion in 2011, the highest annual amounts ever reached.

But this is still far short of the estimated $5 billion to $6 billion needed each year to achieve the WHO’s target to reach zero deaths from malaria by 2015. “ The increased funding has resulted in tremendous progress,” the United Nations’ health agency said. The

estimated number of deaths from malaria dropped to 655,000 in 2010, 36,000 lower than in 2009.

“While this represents significant progress, the mortality figures are still disconcertingly high for a disease that is entirely preventable and treatable,” the report said.

Malaria is endemic in more than 100 countries worldwide but can be prevented by the use of bednets and indoor spraying to keep the mosquitoes that carry the disease at bay. Effective malaria drugs known as artemisinin-based combination therapies, or ACTs, can cure the infection but access to these medicines is often hampered in poor countries where funding is limited and health services are patchy. Total eradication of the parasitic disease, which is spread through the bites of infect-

ed mosquitoes and threatens about half the world’s population, is still a long way off. Some think it could take another 40 to 50 years.

The WHO’s report said a huge scale-up in malaria control programs between 2008 and 2010 had meant that enough insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed to be able to protect more than 578 million people at risk of the disease in the worst-hit region, sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 11 countries in Africa saw a more than 50 percent reduction in either confirmed malaria cases or malaria hospital admissions and deaths in the past decade, and a drop of more than 50 percent in malaria cases was also found in 32 of the 56 malaria-endemic countries outside Africa during the same period.

Morocco and Turk menistan were certified by the WHO in 2009 as having eliminated the disease.

“The results set out in this report are the best seen in decades,” WHO’s director general Margaret Chan said in a statement with the report. “After so many years of deterioration and stagnation in the malaria situation, countries and their development partners are now on the offensive.” But the report projected that with many international donors suffering recessions or very slow economic growth, funds to fight malaria may fall in 2012 and 2013 and could drop to an annual $1.5 billion by 2015. Even this forecast was an “optimistic scenario” it said, since many donors have not yet finalized what their future commitments are likely to be.— Reuters

South Africa ideal to host world’s largest telescope THE KAROO: South Africa is well-placed to host the world’s largest telescope because it would cost cheaper, according to the deputy science minister. South Africa is competing with Australia to win the contract for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), a multi-billion dollar instrument that will be 50 times more sensitive than today’s most powerful radio telescopes. The bid will be decided by February or March next year, but the global economic crisis might give South Africa an advantage, said deputy science minister Derek Hanekom on a flight to the Karoo, a semi-desert in the remote Northern Cape province Monday night.

“The cost will probably escalate to two billion

dollars” and funding countries were finding themselves stretched to come up with the cash, he told journalists. “It’s a big one, so that’s why South Africa is a good place.”

If South Africa wins the bidding, engineers will connect antennas in the arid Karoo region by remote link to a network of dishes stretching across southern and eastern Africa and as far away as Ghana. Australia’s bid puts the core site at Mileura station, about 100 kilometers west of Meekathara in western Australia. Other antennas would be distributed across Australia and New Zealand. The SKA steering committee, which represents a consortium of 17 countries involved in the project, is expected to

make the final decision.

But cheaper labor, construction and electricity also gave the country an advantage over Australia, said Justin Jonas, the engineer and astronomer who heads the project in the country. “To go on site is also cheaper, you need just one hour to fly there (from Cape Town). West Australia has a lot of mines and this is making cost of life very expensive.” Scientists hope the SKA, a massive new radio telescope linking 3,000 antenna dishes, will shed new light on fundamental questions about the universe, including how it began, why it’s expanding and whether it contains life beyond our planet.—AFP

An artist impression released by the SPDO show dishes of the future Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope. — AFP

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Eternal City declares war on chewing-gum ROME: City authorities in Rome teamed up with volunteers to clean off sticky chewing gum from its priceless archaeological sites and cobblestone streets in a new campaign launched yesterday.

The clean-up star ted off in Largo Argentina-a historic square with the ruins of four Roman temples in the middle-with volunteers and clean-up crews scraping off hundreds of chewing gums from walls, pavements and roads. “Every day, 15,000 sticks of chewed-up gum are discarded in the street, even in the archaeological sites,” said Piergiorgio Benvenuti, head of Rome’s garbage collection agency Ama, who came to over-

see the start of the operation.

“Each gum removal costs the city one euro,” he said. The volunteers came from the organisation “Noi Per Roma” (“Us For Rome”) headed up by Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno’s wife, Isabella Rauti.

“Chewing-gum takes so long to disintegrate, people should think twice before leaving it on some marble or throwing it on the ground,” she said.

Visitors to Rome often complain about the Eternal City’s level of cleanliness, although local authorities have made major efforts in recent years to improve garbage collection in the tourist-heavy historic centre— AFP

No extra birth defect risk after cancer treatment NEW YORK: The radiation and chemotherapy given to young cancer patients don’t seem to increase the risk that their own children will have birth defects years later, a US and Canadian study said. Researchers, whose findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, said this was “reassuring” because some doctors have wondered if the powerful drugs and radiation- especially radiation directed near the ovaries or testicles- might have long-term effects on the DNA of egg and sperm cells.

There is already evidence the treatments can affect a growing girl’s uterus, for example, in ways that can cause other pregnancy problems. “A lot of children are rendered infertile from strong treatments. We know now that depending on the types of treatment they received, they have higher rates of miscarriage (and) higher rates of low birthweight,” said study author Lisa Signorello, from the International Epidemiology Institute in Rockville, Maryland. “As a cancer survivor, the worries extend to the health of your children in many ways.” For the study, researchers followed close to 2,800 childhood cancer survivors in the United States and Canada, giving them regular surveys into adulthood that included questions about pregnancies and births.

Signorello and her colleagues recorded all instances of birth defects in the next generation, and compared the chance of having a baby with a birth defect to the dose or radiation or chemotherapy drugs the cancer survivors had received. Out of 4,700 babies born to survivors at least five years after they finished treatment, 129 - just under 3 percenthad at least one birth defect, including cleft lip and palate, Down syndrome and heart and blood vessel defects. Among the babies of women who’d survived childhood cancer, those rates were 3 percent after chemo and radiation compared to 3.5 percent when mothers hadn’t had those treatments. They were 1.9 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, in babies born to fathers who’d had cancer.

The dose of the drugs did not appear to have an impact. Higher doses of chemotherapy drugs or radiation to areas around the testicles and ovaries, such as for treatment of kidney cancer, weren’t linked to a greater chance of birth defects than low doses. About 3 percent of US babies have a birth defect, Signorello and her colleagues wrote. Their study did not include birth defects that were definitively linked to family history, and the study did not have a control group of parents who had never had cancer.— Reuters

Battered S Africa diplomacy bruised by Durban conference Envoys talk of chaos, S Africa hails achievements JOHANNESBURG: Envoys at the global climate conference ended on Sunday in Durban left late-night sessions shaking their heads about their South African hosts, saying in rather undiplomatic speech they had let the process go off the rails. Pretoria, however, hailed its diplomacy as a rousing success, saying South Africa showed it could punch above its weight in the global arena. Such is the disconnect between South Africa, which sees itself as an emerging power championing African causes, and other nations which question its ability to keep pace with global affairs. The gap is expected to grow larger as Africa’s biggest economy tries to exert more authority on the international stage by pressing for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and having one of its former foreign ministers elected head of the African Union. South Africa has already found itself this year on the wrong side of the mainstream argument over Libya and Ivory Coast.

Western powers also raised their eyebrows when, to please China, Pretoria blocked a visit by the Dalai Lama to attend the 80th birthday of South African hero and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. South Africa’s diplomacy in Durban, where two weeks of talks failed to finish on time and many delegates had to leave before proceedings concluded, did little to change minds.

Envoys said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa’s foreign ministry, failed to learn crucial lessons from UN negotiations that have been going on for about 20 years on how to push delegates to wind up discussions and start drawing up deals that will be approved.

Many envoys said a deal was only done in Durban despite South

Africa and not because of it. “There was no leadership. No idea of how to run this thing. It was chaos,” said a diplomat from a leading country who asked not to be named.

Another diplomat said: “South Africa went into this with the idea if we negotiate all through the night on the final day we would get a deal.”

announce it would withdraw from the Kyoto protocol on climate change, dealing a symbolic blow to the already troubled global treaty.

While powers such as China and Japan called the move “regrettable”, South African foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela said there was no reason for the hosts of

DURBAN: Executive Director of Congress of Parties (COP17) Christiana Figueres gestures to South African Foreign Affairs Minister and President of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) Maite NkoanaMashabane (right) during the final press conference on the final day of negotiations of the COP17 Climate Change Conference. — AFP “They should have learned from previous meetings to start high-level talks on the most contentious issues as soon as the ministers arrive so that we would not be here two days after this process was supposed to end,” said the diplomat who asked not to be named. In what may be seen as a vote against the process, Canada on Monday became the first country to

the Durban talks to respond because it was a United Nations matter.

LIBERATION STRUGGLE Nel Marais, managing director of risk consultancy Thabiti Africa, said a reason South Africa’s diplomats have trouble keeping up with changing times is that the bureaucracy has been transplanted into government

from the ruling ANC, where posts are often given to reward political stature rather than ability. For many in the African National Congress, the liberation struggle to end apartheid leads to continued support for African leaders who helped, such as Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, even though they now face global isolation for suspected human rights abuses. It also shapes the ANC world view. Foreign minister Maite NkoanaMashabane, who chaired the Durban talks, said she wanted to hold open discussions where she would keep a neutral position. Several diplomats said she put off too many pressing matters until the last minute and did not do enough to push for agreements. Anger started to build on Thursday night when she hosted the first major meeting of ministers a day before the planned end of the talks and let discussions drift into a series of speeches from delegations instead of making it a bargaining session.

It boiled over when two late sessions followed on the next two nights. The culmination was a dispute over language on the legal mechanisms to enforce emissions cuts that threatened to scuttle the entire process on Sunday morning.

Mashabane called for a huddle among the main players to iron out their differences on the plenary floor, in full view of media cameras and within ear shot of microphones. It was either a high stakes gamble or a bit of stagecraft, but either way, many did not approve of a diplomatic scrum where envoys had to force their way in to have a say in the outcome. “Negotiations should be held around the table and not on the table,” the Russian delegation told the plenary session. “Elbowing doesn’t comply with the dignity of diplomats and diplomacy.”— Reuters

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Safat Kids shines with a new look

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afat Kids Kuwait’s ultimate destination for children’s furniture, has recently held an unprecedented entertainment festivity for kids and their parents marking the launch of Safat Kids in its new look.

The event, which was held on December 7, 2011 at Safat Home in Al-Rai, featured a host of competitions and entertainment activities, including famous children characters such as Barney, Dorah, Mickey and Minnie, the magic show, face painting and tattoo.

Everyone who signed up received a 20 percent discount voucher and all attendees were mostly excited about the grand draw with its valuable prizes.

Commenting on the occasion, Natasha Aqeel-Safat Home Marketing Manager said: “This festivity coincides with the launch of Safat Kids in its new look and following the redesigning of the showroom to provide an exciting and more convenient and entertaining shopping experience for all categories (segments) of Safat Alghanim customers.

“We hope that both children and parents have enjoyed this special evening since Safat Kids has been basically designed with the aim of furthering interaction with children, in addition to providing rewarding discounts and chances to win prizes for both children and their parents alike” Aqeel added.

It is worth mentioning that Safat Kids showroom boasts the largest collection of furniture and accessories for children under one roof in Kuwait. This festivity is yet another testament of the leading position Safat Kids enjoys as Kuwait’s ultimate destination for children’s furniture and accessories.

Upcoming events New Year Hangama The RAK Dance Academy (RDA) Kuwait, is planning to put a charity event in celebration of its New Year Hangama 2012, on 31st December, 2011, from 6 pm onwards, at Carmel School Khaitan. All participants are well known artists from Kuwait. The main purpose of this celebration is to collect donations and raise money for supporting handicapped children in India. contributions from you. Your attendance is your donation. Please join for an evening for a good cause. Call 99692266, 65925730 for details.

ICKS holds ‘Dress up as a Flower’ competition

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t was a beautiful day and the children of preparatory dressed up as a flower for the competition “Dress up as a Flower” at the Indian Community School, Amman Branch. More than 100 students participated in the competition. They looked very pretty and colourful.

They had dressed up as different types of flowers such

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

AWARE Arabic courses highlight: lIntroductory to Level 4 Arabic language basics lBetter prepare you for speaking, reading and writing Arabic lCombine language learning with cultural insights lTaught in multi-nationality group settings lProvide opportunities to interact with Western expatriates and native Kuwaitis/Arabs.

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

as Rose, Sunflower, Lotus, Marigold etc.

Children were very enthusiastic and spoke well about the flower that they had dressed up as. It was a spectacular event. The role of the parents should be appreciated for the efforts they had taken to make such beautiful flowers. It was a blend of art and craft.

IKEA hosts blood donation drive

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KEA Kuwait held an in store blood donation camp as part of the IKEA Kuwait Corporate Social Responsibility, an initiative which portrays a renowned tradition of IKEA Kuwait giving back to the community.

Hosting a blood donation drive conducted within the IKEA Kuwait store, all IKEA employees, donated their blood to this

valuable cause. This norm is a means of reflecting authentic purpose and actions to make a difference in the lives of others, and to give to the community and society, in which all IKEA Kuwait employees take part in activities addressing social needs of their local requirements.

Rak dance academy new year hangama-2012 The RAK Dance Academy (RDA) Kuwait, is planning to put a charity event as celebration of its New Year Hangama 2012, on 31st December, 2011, from 6.00pm onwards, at Carmel School Khaitan. All participants are well known artists from Kuwait. The main purpose of this celebration is to collect donations and raise money for supporting handicapped children in India.

Advertisement will be published throughout Kuwait absolutely free of charge. We are expecting huge crowd for this event. The fund raised will be beneficial handicapped children.

In order to make this event joyous and successful we are seeking kind contributions from you.

Your attendance is your donation. Please join for an evening for a good cause. Darla Srinivasulu Achari, 99 692266; Mob: 65728740 K. Eswar Babu, Phone 99692266, Lashmeesha 65925730 Email: rakdanceacademy@gmail.com

‘Book Month’ at Kuwait Bilingual School Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

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s part of the ‘Book Month’ from mid-November to the last week, Kuwait Bilingual School, Jahra held ‘A Masked Character a Day’ program during the morning routine time every day. Both Arabic and English teachers took turns to wear the mask of a character or a symbol representing something and appeared before the students to their amusement. English and Arabic characters appeared alternate days and students were asked questions related to

the character or the symbols teachers were wearing. Characters from Donald Duck to Puss in Boots and symbols like Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Olympics logos appeared in disguise. The program culminated last Thursday, December 8, when about 20 teachers paraded with masks, led by music teacher Norman H Dennis who cloaked himself as an ancient character.

Principal Sridevi Pradeep witnessed the elegant program and also encouraged the children to do their best.

Janet Titus and Julie Antony were the judges for the event. Children were judged on the basis of costume, presentation and creativity.

Movenpick Al-Bida’a kicks off festive season

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he lobby of the Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al-Bida’a became a winter wonderland on Thursday night with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. On December 8, 2011 the Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al-Bida’a held its Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The hotel team gave the ceremony a special touch and warmed up the crowd by singing a selection of beautiful Christmas carols. Right after, the British School of Kuwait Choir, who was invited to attend the ceremony, performed some of the most memorable Christmas songs to make the evening even more enjoyable.

Ramzi Shaban, the hotel’s Acting General Manager, was lighting not only the Christmas tree, beautifully decorated in traditional colors red, gold and green, but also the whole lobby, which was

shimmering in warm lights all around.

The star of the show was the recycled Christmas Tree made by the hotel staff to celebrate the achievement of the Green Globe Certification. The recycled tree is made of recycled paper, old flyers and plastic cups, which were professionally crafted to look like a beautiful Christmas tree.

Within the group of guests were regular guests of the Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al-Bida’a, members of the press and business partners. Last but not the least, the most important guests during this event were all the children, anxiously awaiting the appearance of Santa Claus, who had a little gift for all. It was a successful evening and fun for everyone.

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Embassy Information EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency. nnnnnnn

GUST participates in programming contest

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he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) recently participated in the 14th ACM Arab Collegiate Programming Contest (ACPC) hosted by the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Beirut, Lebanon. The ACM programming contest provides college students an opportunity to demonstrate and sharpen their problem solving and computing skills.

ACPC is a qualifying round for the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC).It is organized in the same spirit and is governed by all applicable rules of the ICPC. Winners of an ACPC contest qualify to the ICPC World Finals. A record breaking 67 teams from 43 universities participated in the contest.

Eleven countries were represented: Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the hosting country Lebanon. Kuwait was represented by four teams from three universities, GUST, Kuwait University (KU) and the Arab Open University (AOU). GUST was represented by two teamswith remarkable performance: Gurus: Abdulraheem Taha, Mariam O. Khalil and Mohammad Zayed and Functioneers: Monzer Khamash, Mohammad Al-Qaffas, and Abdulaziz Esmaeel. Both teams were coached by Fadi Deeb.

The event lasted for three days. The first day was reserved for registration and

a late afternoon meeting organized by major sponsors of the event such as Facebook with the theme of recruitment.

Contestants were advised to bring their CVs to this meeting. And the second day was when the official opening ceremony was held as well as the excursion trip and the practice session. The final day hosted the contest and awards ceremony.

The contest is a two-tiered competition among teams of students representing institutions of higher education. The winning teams of the regional contests advance to the contest finals.

The contest lasted for five hours.

Students compete in teams against teams from other Universities. Each team consisted of three students who pass the eli-

gibility rules for the specific year. Each team had to solve a set of about 10 problems using a single computer. Solutions involved writing program using C, C++, or JAVA. Team solutions’ were run against a secret test data and their outputs compared to that of a judges’ program. Teams were ranked based on the number of problems they managed to solve and the penalties they accumulate. Penalties reflected the time taken to solve a problem and the number of failed attempts.

Contestants were allowed to bring reference materials such as books and manuals; but neither machine-readable versions nor electronic devices were allowed.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 12:30 to 01:00 pm for lunch break. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad.

This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca.

The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca. nnnnnnn

BSK visits International Veterinary Hospital

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group of students studying A-level Biology at The British School of Kuwait visited the International Veterinary Hospital in Mina Abdullah to see how the topic they are currently studying, entitled “Infection and Immunity”, is applied in the real world. The students were shown round the hospital by the facility manager, Gemma Brewer, experiencing the noise generated by the excited dogs in the boarding kennels and the quiet calm of the cattery and surgery recovery areas. Two of the vets from the hospital, Dr Angelo Boatta and Dr Angelo Leone, then talked to the students about the importance of veterinary medicine, not only for protecting the health of animals, but also that of their human owners.

The doctors gave the group some idea of their daily routine as vets and also shared some of their past experiences, including some of the difficult cases they had dealt with and the problems associated with dealing with patients who can literally be as small as a mouse or who don’t have the ability to tell the doctor how they are feeling. The group was also shown round the hospital operating theatre, laboratory and X-ray facility and the importance of various laboratory tests and the use of X-rays was explained. The students gained an insight into the importance of these techniques in the diagnosis of an illness, but also experienced the difficulties that can sometimes arise in using the results to accurately diagnose an animal’s condition, as they struggled to correctly interpret an X-ray of a pregnant dog.

Mohammed Chaker, one of the students planning to

study Medicine after leaving BSK, commented that, “This will, hopefully, be part of my daily routine as a radiographer, so I found it extremely interesting.” In addition to reinforcing the content of their Biology course, the visit impressed upon the students the dedication and commitment of the staff at the hospital to the animals in their care, whether just boarding, receiv-

ing a haircut under anaesthetic, or being treated for an illness. As one of the doctors explained, “My work doesn’t end when I leave the hospital. Even at home, I am always thinking about the animal and their condition and what will be the best thing we can do for them.”

EMBASSY OF GERMANY

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kuwait wishes to announce that as of 1 May 2011, the external service provider Al Qabas Assurex is operating a Visa Application Centre in support of the German Embassy. Short-term visa applications for travels to Germany (e.g. for tourism, visits, business) are to be submitted to the service provider Al Qabas who for your convenience will ensure that all relevant documents are included in your application. Your personal appearance at the Application Centre is not required. Address of the Visa Application Centre: Al Qabas Assurex Sanabel Tower (AlBabtain) Mezzanine (M3) opposite Sharq Mall Kuwait 22924444 Fax: 22924442 Further information are available on the following websites: www.kuwait.diplo.de www.qavisa.com nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India will remain closed December 25, 2011 (Sunday) “Christmas Day”. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF KENYA

The Sunshine Kindergarten holds Int’l Day

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he Sunshine Kindergarten in Salwa held their annual International Day celebrations last week. With more than 40 nationalities of staff and students dressed in their national costumes they posed for photographs, before enjoying a shared lunch of snacks from around the world. TSK is proud to represent so many different nationalities of students in its Early Years Department and on this special day, they all had chance to celebrate their nationalities and cultures by telling stories, singing songs and speaking in their own languages. The Sunshine Kindergarten follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum of England and Wales, and this diverse and exciting curriculum allows for special days such as these to be embraced and celebrated. By following this curriculum, the students are encouraged to develop a sense of value and appreciation for the world around them. This understanding increases the children’s respect and tolerance towards other people and their cultures and is a very important part of the social and emotional development of every child. At The Sunshine Kindergarten, our wonderful students and teachers had such a good time that they are already planning next year’s event.

The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to request all Kenyans resident in or training through Kuwait to register with the Embassy.

We are updating our database. This information is necessary in order to facilitate quick assistance and advise in times of emergency. Kindly visit in person or register through our website www.kenyaembkuwait.com. The Embassy is located in: Surra Area Block 6 - Street 9 - Villa 3 Tel: 25353362 - 25353314; Fax: 25353316. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax- 25387719.

Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF PERU Peruvian Permanent Expo will be temporary close from December 2lst 2011 to January 21st 2012. The Expo will reopen on January 22nd 2012 and offer once again “Peruvian Private Gastronomy Tasting Lunches” and much more like Peruvian culture, tourism, trade and great possibilities of investment. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF UKRAINE

We’d like to inform you that in response to the increasing number of our citizens who work in the state and the need for 24-hour operational telephone in case of emergency the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait has opened “hotline telephone number” - (+ 965) 972-79-206.

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EMBASSY OF US The United States and Kuwait enjoy a long-standing and fruitful relationship with higher education. As evidence of this enduring partnership, the number of Kuwaiti students enrolled in US institutions of higher education in 2010/11 increased from 2442 to 2998, a 22.8% increase compared to the previous year. Kuwaiti students study in 45 states. This year, embassies and institutions around the world will be celebrating International Education Week the week of November 14-18. In honor of International Education Week, the US Embassy s Mobile American Corner will be at the Marina Mall on Wednesday evening, November 16, and at the Avenues Mall on Thursday evening, November 17. Information about higher education in the US, English language classes and the student visa application process will be available, and staff will be present to answer questions about study in the USA from the general public.

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Years

TV PROGRAMS

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

I’m Alive Animal Cops Phoenix Mutant Planet Big Five Challenge I’m Alive Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Animal Cops Phoenix Miami Animal Police Monkey Life Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild Natural Born Hunters Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife Breed All About It America’s Cutest...

Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Animal Cops Houston Bondi Vet Wildlife SOS Animal Cops Specials 2009 Animal Cops Phoenix Mutant Planet Monkey Life Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild Natural Born Hunters The Really Wild Show Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Dogs 101: Specials Bondi Vet Breed All About It Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 Mutant Planet Speed Of Life Untamed & Uncut

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

One Foot In The Grave My Family My Family The Weakest Link Holby City Doctors My Family 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Tweenies Fimbles 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Tweenies Charlie and Lola Fimbles 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Tweenies Charlie and Lola Fimbles 3rd & Bird Bobinogs Boogie Beebies Poetry Pie Poetry Pie Buzz & Tell Tweenies Charlie and Lola Fimbles My Family My Family The Weakest Link The Planets Doctors EastEnders Holby City My Family My Family My Family The Planets The Weakest Link Doctors EastEnders Holby City The Planets The Weakest Link Doctors EastEnders Casualty Return To Cranford

00:40 Holmes On Homes 01:30 Come Dine With Me 02:20 What Not To Wear 03:10 Holmes On Homes 04:00 Holmes On Homes 04:50 Come Dine With Me 05:40 What Not To Wear 06:30 Holmes On Homes 07:20 Holmes On Homes 08:10 Daily Cooks Challenge 10:10 Daily Cooks Challenge 10:40 Antiques Roadshow 11:30 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 12:15 Bargain Hunt 13:00 Come Dine With Me 13:50 Daily Cooks Challenge 15:20 Daily Cooks Challenge 15:45 Antiques Roadshow 16:40 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 17:25 Bargain Hunt 18:10 Come Dine With Me 19:00 Kirstie & Phil’s Perfect Christmas 19:50 Kirstie & Phil’s Perfect Christmas 20:40 Come Dine With Me 21:30 Antiques Roadshow 22:20 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 23:10 Bargain Hunt 23:55 The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook

00:00 BBC World News America 00:30 Hardtalk 01:00 BBC World News 01:30 World Business Report 01:45 Sport Today 02:00 BBC World News America 02:30 Asia Business Report 02:45 Sport Today 03:00 BBC World News 03:30 Asia Business Report 03:45 Sport Today 04:00 Newsday 04:30 Asia Business Report 04:45 Sport Today 05:00 Newsday 05:30 Asia Business Report 05:45 Sport Today 06:00 Newsday 06:30 Asia Business Report 06:45 Sport Today 07:00 Newsday 07:30 Hardtalk 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 BBC World News 10:00 BBC World News 10:30 World Business Report 10:45 Sport Today 11:00 BBC World News 11:30 World Business Report 11:45 Sport Today 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 Hardtalk 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 World Business Report 13:45 Sport Today 14:00 BBC World News 14:30 World Business Report 14:45 Sport Today 15:00 GMT With George Alagiah 15:30 GMT With George Alagiah 16:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 BBC World News 18:30 Hardtalk 19:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 BBC World News 21:30 World Business Report 21:45 Sport Today 22:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 22:30 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 23:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 23:30 World Business Report 23:45 Sport Today

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

The Garfield Show Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Droopy: Master Detective The Flintstones Johnny Bravo Duck Dodgers King Arthur’s Disasters The Scooby Doo Show Popeye Classics Tom & Jerry Popeye The Jetsons The Flintstones Looney Tunes Pink Panther & Pals Tex Avery Duck Dodgers The Garfield Show New Yogi Bear Show Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Jelly Jamm Pink Panther And Pals Puppy In My Pocket The Garfield Show Dastardly And Muttley The Flintstones Tom & Jerry Pink Panther And Pals Top Cat New Yogi Bear Show Puppy In My Pocket Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Bananas In Pyjamas The Jetsons Duck Dodgers Looney Tunes Scooby Doo Where Are You! Tom & Jerry The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Droopy: Master Detective Wacky Races Scooby-Doo And ScrappyDastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry Puppy In My Pocket Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show Dexters Laboratory Gerald McBoing Boing Bananas In Pyjamas Top Cat Wacky Races Tom & Jerry The Scooby Doo Show Dastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry Johnny Bravo Dexters Laboratory

00:15 Samurai Jack 00:40 Megas XLR 01:05 Robotboy 01:30 Squirrel Boy 01:55 George Of The Jungle 02:20 Cramp Twins 02:45 Chop Socky Chooks 03:10 Best Ed 03:35 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 04:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 04:25 Generator Rex 04:50 Adventure Time 05:15 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 05:40 Chowder 05:55 Powerpuff Girls 06:30 Ed, Edd n Eddy 06:55 I Am Weasel 07:20 Squirrel Boy 07:45 Cow & Chicken 08:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge 08:25 Angelo Rules 08:50 Best Ed 09:15 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 09:40 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 10:05 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 10:30 Courage The Cowardly Dog 10:55 Cow & Chicken 11:20 I Am Weasel 11:35 Adventure Time

12:00 Ben 10 12:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 12:50 The Secret Saturdays 13:15 Samurai Jack 13:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 14:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 14:30 Skunk Fu! 14:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 15:15 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 15:40 Ed, Edd n Eddy 16:05 Camp Lazlo 16:30 Chowder 16:55 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 17:25 Cow & Chicken 17:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 18:15 I Am Weasel 18:40 George Of The Jungle 19:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 19:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 19:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 20:20 Generator Rex 20:45 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 21:10 Sym-Bionic Titan 21:35 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 22:00 Hero 108 22:25 Adventure Time 22:50 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 23:00 Ben 10 23:25 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 23:50 The Secret Saturdays

00:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson 01:00 Backstory 01:30 World Sport 02:00 The Situation Room 03:00 World Report 04:00 Anderson Cooper 360 05:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 06:00 Quest Means Business 07:00 Erin Burnett Outfront 08:00 World Sport 08:30 Backstory 09:00 World Report 10:00 World Report 11:00 World Sport 11:30 Cnngo 12:00 World Business Today 13:00 Backstory 13:30 Talk Asia 14:00 World One 15:00 Piers Morgan Tonight 16:00 News Stream 17:00 World Business Today 18:00 International Desk 19:00 The Brief 19:30 World Sport 20:00 Prism 21:00 International Desk 21:30 Cnngo 22:00 Quest Means Business 23:00 Piers Morgan Tonight

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

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

LOST IN SPACE ON OSN ACTION HD

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25

Danger Coast Dual Survival Overhaulin’ Dirty Jobs Ultimate Survival Mythbusters How Stuff’S Made How It’S Made Dirty Jobs Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Overhaulin’ How Stuff’S Made Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings Curiosity Mythbusters Ultimate Survival Dual Survival Danger Coast Cash Cab Us Wheeler Dealers Fifth Gear Overhaulin’ Mythbusters Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings How It’S Made How Stuff’S Made Cash Cab Us Deception With Keith Barry Mythbusters Curiosity

The Gadget Show The Tech Show Kings Of Construction Stunt Junkies Sci-Fi Saved My Life Cosmic Collisions The Gadget Show The Gadget Show How Stuff’s Made Kings Of Construction One Step Beyond Brainiac Scrapheap Challenge Moon Machines The Tech Show Weird Connections The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Brainiac Sci-Fi Science How Stuff’s Made Sci-Fi Saved My Life Moon Machines One Step Beyond Stunt Junkies Kings Of Construction Weird Connections Scrapheap Challenge Moon Machines Sci-Fi Science The Tech Show Weird Or What?

What’s That About?

Moon Machines The Gadget Show The Gadget Show Weird Or What?

What’s That About?

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperor’s New School Stitch Replacements

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

Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Hannah Montana The Suite Life Of Zack And Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Harriet The Spy Hannah Montana Phineas And Ferb Wizards Of Waverly Place Fish Hooks Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas & Ferb So Random Fairly Odd Parents Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Sonny With A Chance Hannah Montana Hannah Montana Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Shake It Up Shake It Up Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 E!es 02:20 E! Investigates 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 Kendra 13:35 Kendra 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 14:35 Giuliana & Bill 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Khloe And Lamar 17:25 Khloe And Lamar 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 20:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Kendra 21:55 Kendra 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

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

Extreme Forensics The Haunted A Haunting Couples Who Kill Deadly Women Extreme Forensics The Haunted A Haunting Mystery Diagnosis FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Murder Shift Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery Diagnosis Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared I Almost Got Away With It FBI Case Files

00:00 Adventure Wanted 01:00 Meet The Natives 02:00 Treks In A Wild World 03:00 Cycling Home From Siberia 03:30 Deadliest Journeys 04:00 Amazing Adventures of A Nobody UK 04:30 Which Way To 05:30 Graham’s World 06:00 Adventure Wanted 07:00 Meet The Natives 08:00 Treks In A Wild World 09:00 Cycling Home From Siberia 09:30 Deadliest Journeys 10:00 Amazing Adventures of A Nobody UK 10:30 Which Way To 11:30 Graham’s World 12:00 Adventure Wanted 13:00 Bluelist Australia 13:30 Word Travels 14:00 Wild Rides 14:30 Wild Rides 15:00 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia 15:30 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia 16:00 Around The World For Free 17:00 Nomads 18:00 Treks In A Wild World 19:00 Bluelist Australia 19:30 Word Travels 20:00 Wild Rides 20:30 Wild Rides 21:00 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia 21:30 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia 22:00 Around The World For Free 23:00 Nomads

00:15 The Haunting In ConnecticutPG15 02:00 Zombieland-18 03:45 X2-PG 06:00 Rocky II-PG15 08:00 The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course-PG15 09:45 Lost In Space-PG15 12:00 The Thirteenth Floor-18 14:00 The Crocodile Hunter:

STUART LITTLE 2 ON OSN CINEMA Collision Course-PG15 16:00 No Time To Fear-PG15 18:00 The Thirteenth Floor-18 20:00 Full Metal Jacket-18 22:00 Let Me In-R

01:30 03:15 05:00 06:45 09:00 11:15 13:00 14:45 17:00 19:15 21:00 PG15 23:00

At Risk-PG15 Date Night-PG15 Stuart Little 2-FAM The Nanny Express-PG15 Flash Of Genius-PG15 Hachiko: A Dog’s Story-PG15 The Lizzie McGuire Movie-PG Attack On Leningrad-PG15 Mammoth-PG15 Gentlemen Broncos-PG15 The LXD: The Uprising BeginsIn Her Skin-18

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 American Dad 02:00 Weeds 02:30 South Park 03:00 Friends 03:30 Friends 04:00 Will And Grace 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Seinfeld 06:00 Two And A Half Men 06:30 Just Shoot Me 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Will And Grace 08:30 Friends 09:00 Seinfeld 09:30 How I Met Your Mother 10:00 Traffic Light 10:30 Just Shoot Me 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Two And A Half Men 12:30 Will And Grace 13:00 Friends 13:30 Seinfeld 14:00 Just Shoot Me 14:30 Traffic Light 15:00 How I Met Your Mother 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Outsourced 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Friends 18:30 Friends 19:00 Friends With Benefits 19:30 Traffic Light 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 American Dad 22:30 Weeds 23:00 South Park 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

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

Private Practice Royal Pains Covert Affairs Grey’s Anatomy No Ordinary Family Good Morning America Law & Order Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View Private Practice Grey’s Anatomy No Ordinary Family Live Good Morning America The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Once Upon A Time Terra Nova True Blood Covert Affairs Law & Order

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00

Detroit 1-8-7 Off The Map Royal Pains Grey’s Anatomy Private Practice Commander In Chief

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

Detroit 1-8-7 Modern Family Marathon Coronation Street Law & Order: Los Angeles Off The Map Grey’s Anatomy Royal Pains Modern Family Marathon Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Law & Order: Los Angeles Detroit 1-8-7 Modern Family Marathon Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Law & Order: Los Angeles Once Upon A Time Terra Nova True Blood Off The Map Commander In Chief

01:00 03:00 05:15 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:45 18:30 21:00 23:00

Ninja Assassin-18 X2-PG Child’s Play 2-18 Altitude-PG15 S.W.A.T.: Firefight-PG15 Rocky IV-PG15 Fast Lane-PG15 S.W.A.T.: Firefight-PG15 Ong Bak 2-PG15 Inglourious Basterds-18 Case 39-18 Midnight Meat Train-18

00:00 Sweet Home Alabama-PG15 02:00 The Allnighter-PG15 04:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel-FAM 06:00 The Hudsucker Proxy-PG15 08:00 Head Of State-PG15 10:00 Sleepover-PG15 12:00 A Lot Like Love-PG15 14:00 The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle-FAM 16:00 Sweet Home Alabama-PG15 18:00 The Big Green-PG 20:00 Next Friday-18 22:00 Pete Smalls Is Dead-18

01:30 Rumble Fish-18 03:15 Sideways-18 05:30 Coco Before Chanel-PG15 07:30 Secret Origin: The Story Of DC Comics-PG 09:00 The Italian Job (1969)-PG 11:15 The Lovely Bones-PG15 13:45 Teen Knight-PG15 15:30 Khao Niao Moo Ping-PG15 17:30 Winning Time-PG15 19:00 An Education-PG15 21:00 New York I Love You-18 23:00 No Escape-PG15

01:00 The Messenger-18 03:00 Strength And Honour-PG15 05:00 Elle: A Modern Cinderella TalePG15 07:00 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore-PG 09:00 Adventures Of A Teenage Dragonslayer-PG 11:00 Get Low-PG15 13:00 Lottery Ticket-PG15 15:00 Remember Me-PG15 17:00 Adventures Of A Teenage Dragonslayer-PG 19:00 Shanghai-PG15 21:00 The LXD: The Uprising BeginsPG15 23:00 Going The Distance-18

00:00 The Nimbols: Part I-PG15 02:00 Tom Tom & Nana-FAM 03:45 The Karate Kid-PG 06:30 Legend Of Sleeping Beauty-PG 08:15 The Nimbols: Part I-PG15 10:00 The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie-PG 12:00 Tom Tom & Nana-FAM 13:30 The Karate Kid-PG 16:00 Winner & The Gold Child: Part IPG15 17:45 Winner & The Gold Child: Part II-PG15 19:45 The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie-PG 21:45 Tom Tom & Nana-FAM 23:30 Winner & The Gold Child: Part IPG15

00:00 Cemetery Junction-PG15 02:00 Helen-PG15 04:15 The Librarian: The Curse Of Judas Chalice-PG15 06:15 Bond Of Silence-PG15 08:00 Tooth Fairy-PG 10:00 Furry Vengeance-PG 12:00 Legend Of The Guardians-PG 14:00 District 9-PG15 16:00 Tooth Fairy-PG 18:00 Our Family Wedding-PG15 19:45 The Hurt Locker-18 22:00 Ironclad-PG15

01:00 ISAF World Sailing Championship 07:00 Test Cricket 14:00 Rugby Union Varsity Match 16:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 16:30 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 17:30 Trans World Sport 18:30 Powerboats UIM 19:00 UFC Unleashed 20:00 UFC Unleashed 21:00 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 22:00 Rugby Union Varsity Match

00:30 Golfing World 01:30 Trans World Sport 02:30 Futbol Mundial 03:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 06:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 07:00 Scottish Premier League 09:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 09:30 Futbol Mundial 10:00 World Cup of Pool 11:00 World Cup of Pool 12:00 US Bass Fishing 13:00 European Challenge Cup 15:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 15:30 Golfing World 16:30 World Hockey 17:00 ICC Cricket World 17:30 Trans World Sport 18:30 Futbol Mundial 19:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 22:30 Trans World Sport 23:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights

01:00 FEI Equestrian World 01:30 Spirit of Yachting 02:00 World Cup of Pool 03:00 World Pool Masters 04:00 US Bass Fishing Tour PGA 05:00 European Highlights 06:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Futbol Mundial 08:30 HSBC Sevens World Series 12:00 Golfing World Tour PGA 13:00 European Highlights 14:00 Asian Tour Highlights 15:00 Asian Tour Golf 15:30 Live Dubai Ladies Masters 18:30 Trans World Sport 19:30 European Tour Weekly 20:00 Dubai Ladies Masters 23:30 World Hockey

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

UFC Unleashed WWE NXT Le Mans Series Highlights Speedway UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed WWE Vintage Collection WWE Tough Enough Speedway FIM World Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Power Boats F1 Power Boats F1 WWE SmackDown Aquabike World Power Boats F1 V8 Supercars Championship WWE Tough Enough Speedway WWE Bottom Line WWE Vintage Collection UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR PIA RBG JZR QTR ETH ETH THY UAE QTR DHX FDB ETD GFA KAC THY DHX FCX JZR JZR BAW KAC AFR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD FDB GFA FCX IRA RBG KNE JZR RKM IRM MEA MSR JZR CLX KAC GFA MSR SYR FDB KAC UAL IRC QTR KNE SVA SVA RJA ABY KAC JZR KAC QTR JZR IYE JZR ETD UAE KAC GFA SVA RBG ABY JZR ALK JZR FDB KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC AIC KAC KAC KAC FDB JAI OMA DHX VOS MEA GFA QTR UAE JZR SAI JZR UAL AXB DLH PIA

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 14/12/2011 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 205 LAHORE/PESHAWER 3564 ASSIUT 539 CAIRO 6130 DOHA 2620 ADDIS ABABA 620 ADDIS ABABA 772 ISTANBUL 853 DUBAI 138 DOHA 370 BAHRAIN 67 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 211 BAHRAIN 382 DELHI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 201 DUBAI 555 ALEXANDRIA 529 ASSIUT 157 LONDON 412 MANILA/BANGKOK 6702 PARIS 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 302 MUMBAI 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI 55 DUBAI 213 BAHRAIN 203 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 3555 ALEXANDRIA 839 JEDDAH 165 DUBAI 310 RAS ALKHAIMAH 5066 MASHAD 404 BEIRUT 610 CAIRO 201 DAMASCUS 792 LUXEMBOURG 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 621 ASSIUT 341 DAMASCUS 57 DUBAI 790 MEDINAH 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 6791 MASHAD 140 DOHA 745 JEDDAH 500 JEDDAH 9301 JEDDAH 640 AMMAN 123 SHARJAH 284 DHAKA 257 BEIRUT 546 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 561 SOHAG 824 SANAA/DOHA 213 DEIREZZOR/ALEPPO 303 ABU DHABI 857 DUBAI 550 SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 3557 SOHAG 127 SHARJAH 777 JEDDAH 227 COLOMBO/DUBAI 177 DUBAI 63 DUBAI 542 CAIRO 618 DOHA 787 RIYADH 786 JEDDAH 614 BAHRAIN 674 DUBAI 975 CHENNAI/GOA 166 PARIS/ROME 102 NEW YORK/LONDON 774 RIYADH 61 DUBAI 572 MUMBAI 647 MUSCAT 372 BAHRAIN 81 BAGHDAD 402 BEIRUT 217 BAHRAIN 136 DOHA 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 441 LAHORE 239 AMMAN 981 BAHRAIN 393 KOZHIKODE/COCHIN 636 FRANKFURT 215 KARACHI

Time 0:20 0:25 0:40 0:50 1:15 1:15 1:45 2:15 2:35 2:40 2:55 3:05 3:10 3:15 3:30 4:50 5:15 5:30 6:00 6:20 6:40 6:45 7:00 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:20 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:15 9:20 9:55 10:30 10:40 11:05 11:05 11:20 11:45 11:50 11:55 12:55 13:00 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:30 13:45 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:20 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:35 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:00 15:20 15:25 16:10 16:35 16:45 16:50 16:55 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:10 18:15 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:30 19:35 19:40 20:00 20:10 20:15 21:00 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:40 23:50 23:55

Departure Flights on Wednesday 14/12/2011 Airlines Flt Route Time UAL 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 0:45 AXB 390 MANGALORE/KOZHIKODE 0:50 BBC 44 DHAKA 1:00 AIC 982 AHMEDABAD/HYDERABAD 1:05 DLH 637 FRANKFURT 1:20 PIA 206 LAHORE 1:25 RBG 3562 ALEXANDRIA 1:25 ETH 2621 ADDIS ABABA 2:15 KAC 283 DHAKA 2:40 QTR 6131 DOHA 2:45 ETH 621 ADDIS ABABA 2:45 THY 773 ISTANBUL 3:15 VOS 94 DUBAI/KANDAHAR 3:30 FDB 68 DUBAI 3:45 UAE 854 DUBAI 3:50 DHX 371 BAHRAIN 3:55 ETD 306 ABU DHABI 4:00 QTR 139 DOHA 4:55 KAC 283 DHAKA 5:00 THY 771 ISTANBUL 5:50 JZR 164 DUBAI 6:55 GFA 212 BAHRAIN 7:00 JZR 200 DAMASCUS 7:30 FDB 54 DUBAI 8:25 KAC 545 ALEXANDRIA 8:30 BAW 156 LONDON 8:40 AFR 6702 DUBAI/HONG KONG 8:45 JZR 256 BEIRUT 9:00 KAC 671 DUBAI 9:00 KAC 549 SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG 9:15 KAC 789 MEDINAH 9:25 JZR 560 SOHAG 9:30 JZR 212 ALEPPO/DEIREZZOR 9:35 UAE 856 DUBAI 9:40 ABY 126 SHARJAH 9:45 ETD 302 ABU DHABI 10:00 KAC 117 NEW YORK 10:00 FDB 56 DUBAI 10:05 QTR 133 DOHA 10:10 KAC 177 FRANKFURT/GENEVA 10:35 GFA 214 BAHRAIN 10:40 IRA 602 SHIRAZ 11:40 RBG 3558 SOHAG 11:45 FCX 204 DUBAI 11:45 KNE 840 MEDINAH/JEDDAH 11:55 KAC 541 CAIRO 12:00 JZR 776 JEDDAH 12:15 KAC 103 LONDON 12:30 KAC 381 DELHI 12:45 RKM 311 RAS ALKHAIMAH 12:50 MEA 405 BEIRUT 12:55 IRM 5065 MASHAD 13:20 KAC 785 JEDDAH 13:40 JZR 176 DUBAI 13:50 MSR 611 CAIRO 13:55 GFA 220 BAHRAIN 14:20 MSR 622 ASSIUT 14:30 FDB 58 DUBAI 14:35 SYR 342 DAMASCUS 14:45 CLX 792 VIETNAM 14:45 KAC 673 DUBAI 15:05 KNE 746 JEDDAH 15:10 UAL 982 BAHRAIN 15:20 IRC 6792 MASHAD 15:20 ABY 124 SHARJAH 15:25 RJA 641 AMMAN 15:35 KAC 617 DOHA 15:40 SVA 503 MEDINAH/JEDDAH 15:45 JZR 786 RIYADH 15:50 SVA 2301 JEDDAH 16:05 KAC 613 BAHRAIN 16:20 KAC 773 RIYADH 16:25 QTR 141 DOHA 16:30 JZR 238 AMMAN 17:15 IYE 824 SANAA 17:35 ETD 304 ABU DHABI 17:35 JZR 538 CAIRO 17:40 QTR 135 DOHA 17:45 UAE 858 DUBAI 18:10 GFA 216 BAHRAIN 18:15 RBG 3556 ALEXANDRIA 18:20 ABY 128 SHARJAH 18:25 SVA 511 RIYADH 18:35 JZR 266 BEIRUT 18:45 JZR 134 BAHRAIN 19:05 ALK 228 DUBAI/COLOMBO 19:10 FDB 64 DUBAI 19:20 JZR 184 DUBAI 19:55 KAC 361 COLOMBO 20:20 FDB 62 DUBAI 20:40 DHX 171 BAHRAIN 21:00 KAC 331 TRIVANDRUM 21:00 KAC 351 COCHIN 21:05 JAI 571 MUMBAI 21:10 OMA 648 MUSCAT 21:15 KAC 543 CAIRO 21:55 DHX 373 BAHRAIN 22:00 MEA 403 BEIRUT 22:20 GFA 218 BAHRAIN 22:25 FCX 102 BAHRAIN 22:30 QTR 137 DOHA 22:35 JZR 554 ALEXANDRIA 22:45 KAC 301 MUMBAI 22:45 UAE 860 DUBAI 22:50 KAC 205 ISLAMABAD 23:00 JZR 502 LUXOR 23:35 KAC 415 KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA 23:45 SAI 442 LAHORE 23:50

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

ACCOMMODATION One separate room in 3 bedroom spacious flat, fully furnished is available for single/bachelor in Ashbiliya opposite Farwaniya. Contact 99714430. (C 3768) Sharing accommodation at Hawally opposite of Pakistani school at the back for single person, rent KD 80. Tel: 66489207.

Sharing accommodation available from 1st Jan, 1 or 2 decent bachelors to share with another, only KD 25 each in 2 bedroom flat new building, separate bathroom, kitchen and Sat facility, W&E free, opp Apollo hospital, Naser Al-Bather St, near Shara Aman St. Call 99761807 or 66209879. (C 3767) 10-12-2011

CHANGE OF NAME

FOR SALE Jeep GMC Envoy 2004, black color, very good condition, KD 2,250/-. Contact: 50699345. (C 3777) 13-12-2011 Toyota Corolla 2009, silver color, excellent condition, well maintained, low mileage, wanted price KD 3,250/-. Contact: 60951195.

(C 3775) 12-12-2011 Two General A/C window units and Sony TV 21” excellent condition. Contact: 66625253. (C 3772) 11-12-2011 2004 model Ford Mondeo car, red color, run 1,17,000 km, very good condition, insurance up to Oct 2012. Price KD 1050, negotiable. Call 66463727 after 7 pm. (C 3769) 10-12-2011

I, Habeeb Mohammed Abdur Rahman Baageel Indian Passport No. G9948258 hereby change my name to Habeeb Mohammed Abdur Rahman Ba Aqeel. (C 3778) 13-12-2011 I, Santhana Rego holder of Indian Passport No: A9871318 hereby change my name to Santana Rego. (C 3773) 11-12-2011 I, Habibulla Ismail Mithu, holder of Indian Passport No. Z 026492, hereby changed my name to Mitha Habibullah Ismail. At. Lunawada (pms) 389230. (C 3764) 10-12-2011

SITUATION VACANT A Kuwaiti family is looking to hire a full-time Asian driver. Tel: 99774658. (C 3771) 11-12-2011

MATRIMONIAL Orthodox parents invite proposals for their son 27/180, fair.

B.Tech, employed with a reputed company in Kuwait, from parents of suitable girls working in Kuwait. Contact email: rcengannoor@yahoo.com (C 3770) Proposals are invited for an RCSC girl 30, 165, working in Kuwait as accountant. Email: anson7714@yahoo.com (C 3774) 11-12-2011

BY JANET WORNE

McClatchy Newspapers

apturing autumn on film is an art form — an art form anyone can enjoy. The novice can buy a disposable camera and go wild in the woods. The serious photographer could pay huge amounts for equipment, spend hours printing and create sophisticated landscapes.

The point is, it’s what you have going on in your head that counts.

With that in mind, here are a few hints that might help make your fall photographic excursions fulfilling.

Of course, peak season is your best bet for great photographs. (Keep in mind that leaves peak earlier in mountainous areas.)

But stay open to off times, too. Even early in the season you might come across one brilliantly colored tree in a mass of green. Or late in the season, you might come away with a wonderful picture of a mass of fallen leaves with bare tree trunks rising out of them.

The time of day is also important. The best light is early morning or late afternoon. In the morning you might encounter fog in low-lying areas, which will add to the mood of your photos. Evening has the advantage of sunsets, which might add color to the foliage.

Make use of nature’s patterns (right): Color is captured on film as you snap shots of the scenic twists in Wisconsin’s Popple River.

Zero in (below): A few fallen leaves on a rainy day highlight the contrast between the bright green grass and the rust and gold leaves.

You won’t be satisfied with drive-by photos. Stop the car, get out and walk around.

Take a hike through the woods or around a cemetery. Experience the day, and you’ll see the fall color from a new perspective.

Who says you always have to hold the camera steady?

I Jiggling the camera at a slow shutter speed might blend the colors with pleasing results.

I Using a flash in the daylight might give the leaves an extra sparkle.

I Experiment with shooting into the sun. The colors are sometimes more intense in backlit leaves, especially with a dark background. Probably the best results will come when the sun is streaming in at an angle from behind so the colors glow and the edges are rimmed in light.

The point is to experiment. Not all the pictures will turn out, but you’ll hit on some happy accidents.

JANET WORNE/MCT

B E T H G AU P E R / M C T

CHARLES H. BORST/MCT

Don’t just point and shoot.

Try looking up through the branches, try climbing the tree and looking down, try lying on the ground. Try anything different, and you might get surprising results.

Use a close-up lens or close-up filters and zero in on a tiny portion of a colorful leaf.

Leaves don’t have to be in trees to make great pictures. Look in puddles on the black pavement, and you might come away with some interesting abstract pictures.

Make use of nature’s patterns and abstract designs.

Find a center of interest. Maybe you could focus on one barren, gnarled tree rising out of a sea of low-growing colorful shrubs.

Perhaps a barn in the foreground or a boat floating on a pond is your center of interest.

Remember that less is more. You don’t have to include everything in each picture.

The important thing is to go with your instincts. If the picture makes you feel good, you must be doing something right.

Do you have a theme or statement you want to make with your picture? Is there something about the process of changing leaves that could be a metaphor for the cycle of life?

Perhaps a single leaf dangling from a barren branch symbolizes isolation or loneliness.

There is no limit to the possibilities.

Make it as ponderous or frivolous as you like. They’re your pictures.

Janet Worne is a freelance photographer and former staff photographer for the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader.

S O U R C E S : W W W. H E R A L D L E A D E R P H OTO. C O M / S TA F F P O RT F O L I O S / J W G A L L E RY / J W. H T M L , W W W. J A N E TW O R N E . C O M / B I O G R A P H Y PAG E . H T M L

Look for a center of interest: A rustic farmhouse provides a quaint focus for the colorful fall foliage surrounding this farm near Stowe, Vt.

DAV I D S T E P H E N S O N / M C T

Shoot into the sun: Early morning light streams through the yellow leaves of maple trees at Boonesborough State Park in Madison County, Ky.

Most people incorrectly assume that leaves change because the weather gets cold, says Tom Kimmerer, a University of Kentucky forestry expert.

What actually happens as trees downsize themselves for the winter is much more complex.

As the season changes, the longer nights and shorter days signal trees to begin withdrawing nutrients from leaves. As autumn sets in, leaves turn colors and fall from trees. The chlorophyll that gives leaves their green color (and is necessary for the photosynthesis that converts sunlight into plant food) begins to break down.

I Spring/summer: Leaves use energy from sunlight to combine water and carbon dioxide into glucose, which the tree uses for energy and growth. Chlorophyll, a green-colored chemical, makes it happen.

I Late summer: As days get shorter and nights get colder, there is not enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Energy production slows and chlorophyll production in the leaves stops.

I Early autumn: As the chlorophyll fades, other pigments begin to show through. They are always present but are hidden during summer by chlorophyll’s green color.

As the green fades, carotenoids that have been there all along begin to show through with yellows.

Species of trees turn different colors in the fall because they have different chemicals that become visible as their green chlorophyll fades.

I Brown: Produced by Tannin, one of the leaf’s waste products.

I Red and purple: Produced by anthocyanins, which aren’t present in all leaves. In some, they are manufactured when cells break down in the leaves and sunlight reacts with glucose (sugars).

I Yellow: Produced by xanthophyll, a pigment.

I Orange: Produced by carotene, a pigment.

Orange is often made by a combination of the factors that produce yellows and reds.

I Fiery red and bronze: Produced by anthocyanins combined with carotene.

Because reds are more dependent on sunlight, Kimmerer said, leaves on trees such as maples often are yellow on bottom branches and red on top.

The process that stops chlorophyll production also makes a tree drop its leaves.

1

Branch

Separation layer

Cells

Branch Separation layer

End of leaf’s stem

At the end of each leaf stem is a separation layer of cells.

Small tubes pass through this layer, carrying water to the leaf and glucose back to the tree.

3

2

Branch Separation layer

Cells disintegrate

As the layer forms a seal between the leaf and the tree, cells in the top of the separation layer disintegrate.

Cells swell

In the fall, the cells of the separation layer swell and cut off these tubes.

4

Branch

End of leaf’s stem

The weakened leaf falls from or is blown from the tree.

S O U R C E S : M C G R AW H I L L C O N C I S E E N C Y C L O P E D I A O F S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y, S I M P LY S C I E N C E , T H E P L A N T D O C TO R A N DY M E A D A N D T I M B A R K E R / M C T

34

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

stars CROSSWORD 527

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) You might feel that a critical person is overstepping the boundaries of friendship or courtesy in the workplace. Actually, he or she only wants to teach you how to do the job right. If you could do this job the way the other person wants, you might get a lot more points, and possibly even a raise in pay.

If you need to take out a loan for any reason, this would be a good day to get started.

Talk to the people with the money and present your case. They will ask a lot of pointed questions, of course, but you knew that was coming. All you need to do is have the answers ready. You provide more answers than they even know they need. Some energy is gathering among your friends to talk over the latest plans for a party. Pool the resources.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) There is a highlight to your new year ahead where work is concerned—you are ready to move forward. You will be participating in groups and organizations and accepting all types of invitations that help to bring you wonderful opportunities as well as rewards for your work in the past. You are determined to become involved in some new group that helps children. There is a comprehensive array of services that provide school-aged youths with a safe environment and positive activities during non-school hours. You will be helping with activities that include homework assistance, sports and workshops in dance, gymnastics, cooking, arts, crafts, karate and wrestling. You and your mate may participate in offsite activities that include camping trips.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

4. United States writer of poems and plays about racial conflict (born in 1934).

10. A bachelor's degree in theology.

13. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

14. Not subjected to an aging process.

15. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

16. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

18. A small cake leavened with yeast.

19. One or some or every or all without specification.

20. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

21. A sodium salt of carbonic acid.

23. A port city in southwestern Turkey on the Gulf of Antalya.

26. A highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series).

27. A member of a subgroup of people who inhabit Lesotho.

34. An associate degree in applied science.

35. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

38. A painful and involuntary muscular contraction.

40. An early French settler in the Maritimes.

41. A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds.

44. Any tree or shrub of the genus Inga having pinnate leaves and showy usually white flowers.

45. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

48. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples.

51. Large elliptical brightly colored deep-sea fish of Atlantic and Pacific and Mediterranean.

56. A white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves.

59. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

60. (informal) Of the highest quality.

61. Neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front.

63. A defensive missile designed to shoot down incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles.

64. Experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness.

65. Remove the bones from (an animal).

66. A recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs.

DOWN 1. A challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy.

2. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.

3. A pilgrimage to Mecca.

4. A lymph node that is inflamed and swollen because of plague or gonorrhea or tuberculosis.

5. An associate degree in nursing.

6. A wired or starched collar of intricate lace.

7. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

8. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

9. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

10. An official language of the Republic of South Africa.

11. A Loloish language.

12. Genus of prickly shrubs and small trees of the Caribbean region.

17. A genus of European owls.

22. Tropical woody herb with showy yellow flowers and flat pods.

24. Congenital absence of the heart (as in the development of some monsters).

25. State in northeastern India.

28. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

29. The sound made by a gentle blow.

30. An independent agency of the United States government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest.

31. Most important element.

32. Small beads made from polished shells and formerly used as money by native Americans.

33. A member of an extinct North American Indian people who lived in the Pit river valley in northern California.

36. An enclosed space.

37. A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time.

39. The food served and eaten at one time.

42. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

43. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

44. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

46. United States naval officer and historian (1840-1914).

47. A midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region.

49. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

50. In bed.

52. A small constellation near the South Pole between Tucana and Ara. 53. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion.

54. A French abbot.

55. Russian physicist (1895-1971).

57. An honorary degree in science.

58. A unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters.

62. A brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Being a student or a teacher, you will find yourself shoved in the right direction for success to happen. The main event today will have a lucky ending. Dealings with publishers and advisors are favored. You may find an unusual route to success just under your nose! Conditions continue to push you toward the top in your scholastic achievements or in your career. Ideas and thoughts should have strong meaning and form at this time. People should have no problem in understanding just where your thinking is focused. This afternoon you may find a great deal of enjoyment in reading a current novel; possibly one dealing with something in the romantic realm would be to your liking. Home-based activities are favored this evening.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

Expressing yourself with flair will come easily to you now—you are very eloquent in speech and communication. Your thoughts and ideas will be met with acceptance. Your ambition may be intensified at this time. There is a tendency to be a bit too strict on yourself, requiring that whatever does not endow your protection and other long-term aspirations is inconsequential. Expect extra responsibilities. There is a possibility of a good conversation with someone you love this evening. Your views on conceptual and spiritual ideas will be of interest to those around you, especially since you have the ability to help others to understand more than one perspective. Everything works to reveal you at your most elegant self, particularly in social situations tonight.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Being with others in a social or work-related environment should be quite pleasant today. Someone in a superior position may seek you out as the perfect candidate for a particular job. Your ability to manage and direct others is in great demand. People find you most persuasive and very capable of holding your own in just about any conversation. Things are right for self-expression and seem to work particularly well with your perceptive ideas and thoughts. A good plan to conduct classes or give lectures would be successful. Advising and giving counsel to others comes quite naturally. You will help to settle some dissension of a very personal and emotional nature at this time. This may be the open door to better communication.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You should find no problem in understanding your emotions, or the feelings of those around you. You could find others placing value on your ability to take action and see that things get accomplished. Due to your rather serious observation of things around you, a keen awareness of time could develop. You make it easier for everyone when you design a time chart. You seem to understand that flexibility is important and you conscientiously plan on the possibility of changes. Your ambition is intensified. Watch out for workaholic tendencies. The unexpected this afternoon, could cause a change in personal plans. Whatever the case, the end result will be acceptable to you. Where romance is concerned, this will be a time of healing and understanding.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

A light bulb effect may happen this morning as you think of new ways to proceed with some professional plans. You could find yourself serving to guide and direct someone younger than you in matters of importance—perhaps a new business partner. You are certainly mentally sharp with wise ideas and clear thoughts. This is an excellent time to make decisions and take care of any mental work that you may have. Expect some form of flattery today, particularly regarding your choices or belongings. You could find it especially easy to enjoy and place value on your own life circumstances or could feel compassion toward a friend or loved one. All-in-all, this is a very productive day. You have an opportunity to purchase a great piece of art tonight.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Working your way through problems or obstacles, making plans or decisions, should be easy enough for you. You feel on top of the world and feel as though you can cope with just about anything.

Expect to have some good advice from a guide or older person. This is a great day.

There may be some temptation to blow off some of your responsibilities and go out and have a good time with your buddies—you will decide it best to take care of business. Local travel this evening will prove rewarding. There is a continued accent on happiness in love. Your bond with a romantic interest will deepen at this time. There is good advice and encouragement. A private matter may concern you after dark but is quick to end in a positive tone.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You could be embarking on many assorted nostalgia trips, as well as being more domestically attuned—all pointing out the fact of your sense of roots. Anything based around your family, home, relatives or real estate becomes a more enlightened part of your life now. It seems essential to belong on a private, intimate and personal level; to be necessary and to feel that it really is okay to have needs. Others could view you as more charming and refined than usual. Now may be the perfect time to make that date, apply for the job or otherwise make yourself known. You may feel the need to spend more time at home with your loved ones. Spruce up your holiday clothes, a social windfall is coming your way!

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

Yester

Today could find you involved in things that require some real control or organization. Your mood should be very practical and find you working with, as opposed to against, yourself. You may find this day with some very serious or contemplative moments. It really will be a day designed for working with others, as well as mixing socially. Someone in authority could come to you to request the accountability for a special job. This will be easy enough for you because your managerial and directional abilities are outstanding. This is an effortless, calm sort of a day that should run smoothly in most every way. Ideas and interaction with authority figures or older people may be more successful than you think. Relax at home this evening.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Work of a collaborative nature goes well at this time. You may be meeting unexpectedly with a business associate this morning.

Meetings with accountants and investment counselors regarding the business are favored. An innovative approach brings you success with a work matter. This is a time when you may find yourself appreciating things of value more than usual. Be wide awake during every moment today; every minute brings new opportunities to enjoy and grow in wisdom and positive attitude. You make some very rewarding gains and certainly tangible things have a great deal of importance to you. You could find it tempting to be out and about socially with your friends this afternoon. Tonight is a good time to relax and enjoy family members.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

The attitude that you embrace at this time is most compatible. Many wonder how you manage to always escape the opposition that is encountered in the workplace. Your timing is right and you will be encouraged to try new things. At work and home you apply a bit of essential oils around your personal space. These essential oils help build the immune system and bring wholeness to the body, mind and spirit. People leaving your presence will feel refreshed. Close knit relationships are going to be more powerful and important at this time. It is comforting to know that you are cared for and needed. No one should ever have to be alone, unless he or she so chooses. You enjoy time with loved ones this evening.

A

y

e niv rsar n

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

Years

i n f o r m at i o n FIRE BRIGADE

112

Al-Madena

22418714

Al-Shohada’a

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

24812000

Al-Jahra

25610011

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Ministry of Interior website: www.moi.gov.kw For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

Hospitals Sabah Hospital

POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha’a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station

Clinics Rabiya

4732263

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Keifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Al-Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

3900322

22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988

PHARMACIES

AIRLINES

ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Hawally

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

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lifest yle G o s s i p

he ‘Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol’ star is reaching the milestone age next year and plans to mark it in spectacular fashion with a series of celebrations across the globe. He told US TV show ‘Extra’: “I’m gonna be 50 on July 3 and I think we’ll have a big party. I’m gonna have a party in every country. I’m gonna go, ‘Look, I’m 50, man!

Where’s my party?’” While he is planning for a huge round of celebrations, they are not likely to take place on his actual birthday as Tom is

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he 59-year-old star has a dozen pooches to keep her and rocker husband Ozzy Osbourne company now that their kids, Aimee, 28, Kelly, 27, and 26-year-old Jack, have left home, but she needs help to care for her canines. She said: “I’m solo. It’s why I adore my family so much. And animals. They’re such company. I rescue them all. “I’m their hotel. I even baby sit my friends’ pets. And I have a full time nanny just to care for them. Bella, a five pound Pomeranian, is my favorite.” The nanny looks after the reality TV star’s dogs when Sharon is hosting daytime chat show ‘The Talk’, and she doesn’t like to hold back while fronting the program — though she is not afraid to own up to her mistakes. She told the New York Post newspaper: “Do things correctly or I turn into an axe murderer. “I’m not quiet - but I’m 59, I’ve earned that right - and I have no compunction if situations get out of order. “None of us is perfect. Sorry now and again, I must fix up something sometimes and apologize if I’ve gone too far. I’m no pushover, so I apologize graciously, which you need to do - especially at my age.” Sharon admitted she went too far when she criticized Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle during a radio interview last year, where she described her as looking like she’d been struck with an “ugly stick”. She explained: “I did something wrong to Susan Boyle on a radio show. It was so cruel. She can’t stand up and fight back. “She’s not outspoken. You don’t do what’s out of order to a weaker person so I apologized profusely.”

scheduled to be filming then, but he insists he isn’t upset about working on his big day. He added: “We’ll have parties somewhere, but I’m gonna be on the set on the actual day, and that’s what I love doing.”

Tom — who has five-year-old daughter Suri with wife Katie Holmes and dopted kids Isabella, 19, and Connor, 16, with former spouse Nicole Kidman - is also planning to pitch in with the cooking over the festive season, although he will concentrate on breakfast for his family rather than the traditional roast dinner. He said: “The family gets together and

cooks breakfast, and everyone pitches in - I’m not slouch. I’m not a gourmet chef, but I can whip up some eggs. We are gonna chill. We like taking those times. We really just all hang together and play games. We’re all just going to have a really nice, quiet time.”

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he ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ star — who split from boyfriend Stuart Townsend in January 2010 after almost nine years of dating — claims until now she has been in relationships for almost 20 years but has never casually dated. She explained: “I don’t think I’ve actually been on a date with somebody I didn’t know. I’ve been on dates with my boyfriend of course but I’ve never really dated. “I’ve been in serious relationships from the time I was 19 and I’m single for the first time in my life since then. I had to make a real conscious effort to rediscover myself and it’s hard. I’m a creature who has really found her comfort in relationships.” While she was sad that she and Stuart could no longer make it work, Charlize admitted she is now “at peace” with the separation. She added in an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It was sinking but I

T

gave it a fight to try and make it work. That was my priority. I’ve never re-connected with an ex and I feel that once I’m done I’m really done. “I’m really at peace and feeling good about it. All of us go through darkness but that doesn’t make you dark. “There’s something really powerful in being OK with being alone, especially for women.”

Although she has been part of a couple almost continuously for the past 20 years, the stunning 36-yearold actress revealed she actually struggled to find a boyfriend in her teens. She said: “I played the song ‘Tears on my Pillow’ over and over and I felt like it was the end of the world because I didn’t have a boyfriend. It was just so heartbreaking.”

he ‘Run The World (Girls)’ hitmaker is currently pregnant with her first child with husband Jay-Z but revealed she hopes to have lots more kids before she turns 40 in 10 years time. She said: “I have always said that I want to have all my children by the time I am 40, so there’s still a lot of time left. There is an attraction for sure about having a large family, but we will just have to see what we are blessed with.” Beyonce also revealed she is excited about having her family and Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland - who has been working as a judge on UK TV show ‘The X Factor’ - around to support her after the birth. She said: “We are a really close family so I will have lots of support from my parents and my sister. Also, I don’t think I’m going to be able to get rid of Kelly now ‘The X Factor’ has finished. I know how much she wanted to be here during my pregnancy, but she was doing a great job on the show. I know she will be a great help. She’s a great help now, even just knowing I can call her any time. “My sister will be amazing. She is one of the most important people in the world to me. If you ever upset my sister, you better run away from me as fast as you can!” Beyonce, 30, also revealed she is most excited about holding her baby for the first time. Asked what part of parenthood she is looking forward to most, she told new! magazine: “I guess it’s kind of a cliche, but I just can’t wait to hold my baby in my arms.”

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he ‘America’s Next Top Model’ host has separated from banker John Utendahl after three years with him and has decided to seek solace in the Far East with a female friend. A source told the New York Post newspaper: “Tyra has gone away with a female friend and has been island-hopping, visiting Bali and taking a spiritual retreat.” Tyra, 38, first met John, 50, in 2007 but the pair only publicly revealed they were a couple a year later. In the wake of the separation, the banker was reportedly spotted last Thursday with a Russian model at New York night spot Catch.

News of the couple’s split comes as a shock as earlier this year Tyra admitted she wanted to have a baby.

The former supermodel said: “I definitely want babies.”

However, she admitted to talk show host Piers Morgan she didn’t think she needed to get married before she got pregnant. She added: “I don’t think it’s (getting married) necessarily necessary.”

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he ‘Mandy’ singer has been suffering from the painful condition - which is an inflammation of one or more bursae (small sacs) of synovial fluid located in the muscles and tendons in the body - in his hips and also has had abductor muscle injuries and he was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital for an operation. Referring to his best known song, Manilow said: “That’s what you get when you jump around to ‘Copacabana’ for 30 years! Wish me luck!” A post on his official twitter page read: “Surgery went VERY well. Barry’s in recovery. (sic)” The 68-year-old musician will now spend the next six weeks recuperating. Manilow performed his 1,000th Las Vegas concert, spanning seven years, at the Las Vegas Hilton

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Khloe Kardashian is sad about moving to Dallas he reality TV star’s basketball player husband Lamar Odom has been traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks, and while Khloe doesn’t want to leave her home, she knows she has to be positive about the move. She tweeted: “We are all sad but positive energy gets you farther then negative. (sic) “I am blessed and happy anywhere as long as I am with my family! God

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is great!! Blessed beyond words! I love ALL of my dolls! I am going back to being excited about life!

LOL (sic)” While she was initially disappointed by the move, Khloe is now looking on it as a blessing from God. She tweeted: “‘For I know the plans I have for u,” declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper u and not to harm u, plans to give u hope and a future.’ Jeremiah. (sic) “I know for a fact blessings are everywhere!!!

Everything happens for a reason. God is great. (sic)” Khloe also denied her celebrity status was behind the trade, writing on twitter: “I am curious as to how I am the cause for any trade? LOL Some people just say anything behind their computer screens.”

— Bangshowbiz

and the Paris Resort. He is due to return to the stage on February 2 at The Chicago Theatre and after two more concerts in the city he is then booked to play four nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

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LIFESTYLE

Chef Vetri shows passion for rustic Italian food A

(From left to right) Polish pensioners Stanislawa Pawlak, Marianna Blaszczak, Tarsylia Juszkiewicz and Irmina Piatek pose in front of Warsaw’s terminal after they returned from vacation in Spain. —AFP

merican chef Marc Vetri, in his second cookbook, shows home cooks how to prepare flavorful, robust Italian cuisine similar to what he serves in restaurants.

“Rustic Italian Food” includes recipes for southern Mediterranean food. Vetri’s three restaurants in Philadelphia are known for inventive food. His namesake flagship eatery has been cited by critics as one of the best Italian restaurants in the United States. The 43-yearold spoke to Reuters about his passion for Italian cuisine, overcoming his stuttering and his love of cereal.

Q: What is the goal of your latest book?

A: “This is the book that I always wanted to write, using my hands more. This is how I cook at home and there are a lot of the artisan things in there. There are the bread making and the pizza making.

That’s what I love about this book.”

Q: Why is Italian food so popular?

A: “It is just a natural, beautiful way to cook food. There are a lot of these other chefs. They will stick this on a plate, some of that on a plate ... But with Italian food, there is nothing to hide behind. It’s really all so simple. It’s really harder to cook that way and make it perfect.

Polish seniors flock to Spain for sun, subsidies olish seniors are flocking to Spain, drawn by the cozy Andalusian sun and government subsidies for seniors aged 55 and older, designed to boost the tourist trade in the low season. “Without the help of the government in Madrid-which amounts to 130 euros ($175) per person-and that of my children, I couldn’t afford a vacation like this,” said Tarsylia Juszkiewicz, 67, fresh off a charter flight from Spain’s Malaga, back home to Warsaw. She spent eight days with three friends in a four-star hotel in Benalmadena, on Spain’s Mediterranean Costa del Sol, an unheard of pleasure for the Polish pensioner.

“I’ve never had such a luxurious vacation before,” said Juszkiewicz, who said her meager monthly state pension alone would never permit such an extravagance. Average state retirement pensions tally at some 400 euros per month (535 dollars) in Poland, an ex-communist country which joined the European Union in 2004 but is not yet a part of the eurozone. “The airplane, hotel, meals, insurance, two guided visits for just 1,800 zloty (403 euros, 540 dollars),” Juszkiewicz marveled, saying the Spanish government paid the 130 euros extra directly to Spanish tourism organizations.

“We can warm our old bones a bit in the sun,” joked Irmina Piatek, who

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as the oldest of these four ladies will soon turn 80. “In Spain, it’s still warm with the temperature at 24 degrees C (75.20F). Now we have to get used to Polish weather once again and the temperatures are around zero.

Paradise is finished!” she exclaims. All four holiday-makers admitted that “without the subsidy program, we would certainly have had to stay at home.” Launched in 2009, the program, called Europe Senior Tourism (EST), was created for residents 55 years of age and older from selected EU states, notably poorer ex-communist newcomers to the 27-member bloc including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.

Give business and create jobs Better off seniors from Britain and Germany are already familiar with Spain and can better afford to holiday there, so EU newcomers are enjoying the benefits of the sponsored tours, an organizer explained. “The Spanish government is targeting new markets, especially from countries where seniors rarely choose to visit Spain,” said Edyta Romanowska, an EST project employee. She described it as a winwin situation on both sides. “Spain is also really benefiting. Each euro spent on a senior visitor earns Spain 1.30 euros or more indirectly,” she added.

“The goal is to give the hotel sector some business in the off-season and

People are just fascinated by the simplicity of the food and why it is such a perfect way to eat.”

Q: Isn’t it difficult to execute simplicity?

A: “Absolutely. If it’s 30 seconds overdone, if the water isn’t salted right, if something is wrong, it could ruin the whole dish.

Everything in the dish is an amalgamation and combines into one taste. (If ) one thing is off, then the whole thing is off. There is no room for error. Not that there is a lot of error in other styles of cooking, but those other styles are a lot more forgiving.”

Q: What is the most memorable meal you’ve had?

A: “For me, memorable meal is about the whole experience-who you are with, what is your mood.

Your most memorable meal could be at a four-star restaurant or a hotdog on a mountain top with the woman you love.”

Q: You have been open in talking about your stuttering. How did it affect your career choice?

A: “When I was younger ... I would just work in the back of the house in the kitchen so I didn’t have to say anything. I loved it so I went with it. Little did I know with what

Marc Vetri has happened with the restaurant industry chefs are now on television and they have to make speeches. If anything, I always had to work a little bit harder than everyone else.”

Q: What is your favorite comfort food?

A: “I love sushi and cereal. I love to eat at a sushi bar and I love to get some sashimi first, then some sushi that I really like. I love to eat cereal at night. I love raisin bran and soy milk. It’s the greatest thing.” —Reuters

to create jobs.”

To attract the maximum number of tourists, seniors can be accompanied by a younger person, who is also eligible for the 130-euro subsidy. Anna Walicka, 63, was able to invite her daughter Barbara, who is 40. “My daughter also received the help of the Spanish government,” the elegant pensioner told AFP at Warsaw’s Frederic Chopin international airport.

Poles are taking full advantage of the bargain, making up about 20 percent of the 100,000 seniors who have traveled to Spain during the first two seasons of the EST project in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Greek seniors took first spot with 15,254 visitors in 2009-10, but Poles outpaced them in the second edition of the program in 2010-11, with 12,964 visitors.

“Romanians and Bulgarians also responded enthusiastically this year,” Romanowska said, stating “the Eastern European market has huge potential and a bright future.” Tourist Walicka had only one regret. “It’s a pity that the Spanish government only contributes to one week of vacation, we would very much like to have stayed longer,” she said. —AFP

Marina Zadonsky displays a watch made from dinosaur dung by Swiss watch maker Yvan Arpa during the Australian launch of his Artya brand in Sydney yesterday. Yvan creates unique watches made from pieces of the Titanic, real spiders, butterfly wings, bullets and lightning bolts charged with 1,000,000 volts worth up to $120,000 each. —AFP

Taking a cue Henry Winkler finds many new happy days from the East H “T he Asian Grill” by Corinne Trang (Chronicle Books, $22.95) is one of the most reliable authors of Asian cookbooks we know, and her “Authentic Vietnamese Cooking: Food from a Family Table” is among the most-thumbed in our collection. Now comes Trang with a perfectly timed book that promises to bring her sure touch to our summer table. We’re confident that, by Labor Day, “The Asian Grill” will be splattered with fish sauce and dappled with curry paste.

Praise (and quibbles): The spectacular photos are simply mouthwatering. Chapters on equipment and how to stock an Asian pantry (including definitions of many lessfamiliar ingredients) will have you ready to grill at the drop of a briquette. As with Trang’s previous books, recipes are clearly written and easy to execute.

You won’t find a recipe until page 39 and that’s the first of 21 condiment recipes. The breads and fruits-and-vegetables chapters combined have only 22 recipes. With just five desserts and four beverages, the last chapter seems a little skimpy, although something tells me the cucumber lemonade will have a solid place in my warm-weather repertoire.

Why we think you’ll like it: The grilled burger-steak-chicken rotation grows tiresome after a while. Trang’s recipes will freshen your interest in this most basic of cooking methods. The recipes go together quickly, once you’ve got your pantry up to speed, so such good food can appear on your table even on the busiest weeknight. —MCT

anging on an office wall at KTVT is a portrait of Michael Richards as Kramer, the hipster-doofus character the actor played on “Seinfeld.” Sitting in front of this portrait on a recent morning is Henry Winkler, who played ‘50s hipster Fonzie on the classic sitcom “Happy Days,” a TV icon underneath a TV icon. But as he chats, Winkler - who now stars on the CBS sitcom “Out of Practice” could hardly seem less Fonz-like.

It’s not just that he’s a handsome 60 now, or that he’s traded in Tshirts and leather jackets for a sportcoat and a shouldn’t-workbut-does combination of purple shirt and yellow tie.

No, the difference is in Winkler’s demeanor. He’s polite but serious, occasionally breaking into nervous habits such as fiddling with a pen or tearing at a piece of paper, at one point interrupting the interview to marvel at how some woman on a TV monitor playing “The Price is Right” could be so excited about being on TV. These are the habits of a shy person, not of the coolest guy in the neighborhood.

Don’t get Winkler wrong. He loves the Fonz, but the Fonz ain’t him. “I was a nerd,” Winkler says in near-perfect diction about his days before “Happy Days.” “Being dyslexic, I was always in the bottom 3 percent in the country academically. I was in the bottom 3 percent in the class of high school. I went to an all-boys private school where your grades and your college were your calling card. I didn’t have a calling card. ... I would call a girl in the middle of the summer in New York, sweltering heat, I would have to wear an overcoat because I was shaking. The Fonz was my alter-ego. He was everyone I wasn’t, everything I wasn’t,

everything that I wanted to be and couldn’t manage.”

Winkler discovered his dyslexia in 1976, when he was narrating a documentary about children with learning disabilities and recognized his own problem. Since 2003, he has channeled his childhood struggles with the learning disability into a string of humorous kids’ books. The Hank Zipzer series - nine titles in total (a 10th is due in August), with the latest,

‘How did you know me so well?

How did you know how I felt? I don’t feel alone. Hank can’t spell; I can’t spell. I could be a writer.’

My job is done. Just that one comment alone, that a child now believes that they could be a writer. I didn’t know I could be a writer until 2003.”

It’s not that Winkler, who notes that one in five children suffer from some sort of learning disability, has conquered his dyslex-

Henry Winkler, star of CBS’ “Out of Practice,” reads one of his children’s books to patients at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. —MCT “The Secret Life of a Ping-Pong Wizard,” published in September is aimed at fourth-graders and is about “the world’s greatest underachiever.” Co-written with Lin Oliver, the books all take off from some struggle Winkler’s dyslexia caused him in school.

“Kids write me from all over the country,” says Winkler, who was in town to promote “Out of Practice’s” move from Mondays to Wednesdays on CBS. “I guess hilarious must be a fourth-grade word, because they say, ‘Your books are hilarious.’ And they say,

ia. It’s just that he’s learned to adapt. “You don’t overcome it,” he says. “What you do is, you integrate it. You learn to live with it.

You learn what’s best for you. I can’t spell; I don’t use a computer.

My assistant uses the computer and gets my e-mail. Over the weekend, I have no idea if I got an e-mail or not, because there’s no way I’m opening that up to figure that out. I know what my limitations are, and it doesn’t stop me from going for the gold.”

Later in the day, at a reading for patients at Children’s Medical

Center in Dallas, Winkler will tell his audience the inspirations behind his books. In one of them, Hank’s problems grasping math led him to seriously overspice a recipe for enchiladas, causing his humorless teacher to have a fivealarm case of firemouth - and an embarrassing bout of flatulence.

In another, Hank studies and studies for a spelling contest, only to get tripped up on the “i before e” rule in front of his laughing classmates. In still another, Hank, who has poor hand-to-eye coordination, is petrified when he’s asked to pitch for a baseball team. (Winkler learned to play catch from his “Happy Days” co-star Ron Howard, who bought his co-star his first mitt.)

Winkler’s message is that all children have greatness within themselves, whether they have a learning challenge or not.

Despite his dyslexia, he found his gift in acting and clung to his childhood dream of being on TV until that dream came true. And he’ll never dismiss that dream. He could have turned his back on “Happy Days,” but he’s stayed close to many former co-stars: Winkler played a recurring role in the Ron Howard-produced series “Arrested Development.” Marion “Mrs. C” Ross appeared on this week’s “Out of Practice,” which returned in a new time slot at 8 p.m. EST Wednesday. He spoke with Don “Ralph Malph” Most just this month. Some stars try to reject their TV past, but Winkler isn’t that way.

“I think they’re shortsighted,” he says. “I think that it’s going to be with you anyway. I had a really great time playing (the Fonz). I had a great time being with those people for 11 years. Why would I then, all of sudden - the one thing that shot me onto the world stage - why would I say,

‘Well, it doesn’t exist’?”

Winkler also could have turned into “Surreal Life” fodder, but he’s made a point to branch out, playing a right-wing talk-show host in the short-lived Fox sitcom “Monty,” taking bad-guy gueststar roles in several series, and appearing in such non-”Happy Days”-ish projects as the movies “Scream” and “The Waterboy.”

When acting opportunities dried up for a while after the 1982 Ron Howard film “Night Shift,” Winkler stepped behind the camera, taking several movie and TV directing projects and racking up nearly three dozen producing credits, including last year’s “Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion Special.”

“Fear is a tremendous motivator, and I never wanted to be in a magazine with the title ‘Where are they now?’ “ he says. “I think that would have just sent me over the bend. ... People say, ‘Give me one bit of advice about being in this business,’ and I say, ‘You have to write the word tenacity.

You have to write it in red, and paste it on your mirror, so that you see it every day. You have to take your pick and your shovel, and you have to mine the system every day. Because nobody is going to do it for you.” —MCT

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LIFESTYLE T r a v e l

‘Citizen Kane’ Oscar statuette to be auctioned he Oscar statuette given to Orson Welles for his critically-acclaimed masterpiece “Citizen Kane” is being sold at auction this month, organizers said Monday. Bids for the slightly-tarnished golden Oscar for 1941 best screenplayworth an estimated $1 million-will end on December 20, said Los Angeles auctioneer Nate D Sanders. The statuette failed to find a buyer when offered for sale in New York four years ago, but auctioneers are confident in the interest for the iconic movie’s illustrious prize.

“Orson Welles’s Oscar was awarded for the best screenplay, and incredibly, it’s the

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In this file photo, Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson speaks on stage during the ‘Michael Forever’ concert in memory of the late Michael Jackson at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, England. —AFP

ressed in a surgeon’s white garb, “Caviar Meister” Tobias Felix slits open the slimy, grey skin of the sturgeon on the table in front of him to reveal Switzerland’s latest luxury delicacy. Costing up to 1,275 Swiss francs ($1,400) for 250 grams, “Oona”-meaning “extraordinary” in Celtic-is the name of the Alpine country’s first Swiss caviar. The product came about thanks to a brainwave by engineer Peter Hufschmied who decided to use the mountain stream that tumbles out of the North end of the Loetschberg railway tunnel with a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius to breed fish that thrive in warm water.

Some 35,000 Siberian sturgeon were released into the balmy waters six years ago and have produced some 300 kg of caviar for the Winter 2011/2012 season. Switzerland has the second highest proportion of millionaire households worldwide, at 9.9 percent, according to the Boston Consulting Group and is also one of the world’s top consumers of caviar per capita. The fish farm in Frutigen in the Bernese Oberland plans to grow its shoal to 60,000 sturgeon, making it possible to produce three tons of caviar annually, of which two tonnes will be dedicated for export. “We’ve already received enquiries from Russia, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi,” said Andreas Schmid, head of marketing and sales at Oona. “It’s partly to do with the fact that Switzerland has a reputation for good quality.”

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“Black gold” In the caviar laboratories, chilled to between four and seven degrees Celsius, the delicacy, synonymous with Russian tsars, is collected entirely by hand. First the sturgeon are scanned using ultra-sound technology to check that the roe (eggs) are ripe and ready for consumption. Once the sac of eggs is removed from the fish, Felix rubs the mass over a metal sieve-like bowl to separate them from the membrane and remove traces of blood.

“It’s a bit like washing gold, only its black,” said Felix, Switzerland’s only Caviar-Meister, who says he never tires of sampling the delicacy. “It’s great. I get paid to eat caviar every day.” Then a large pair of tweezers is used to pick out any eggs that are discolored. A fine, powder salt is added to the caviar to draw out the moisture, and make it glisten like black pearls.

Oona is sold as four different grades of caviar. No 101 — the best quality caviar-contains eggs handpicked by Felix to have a minimum diameter of 2.6 mm and is around just five percent of the total caviar produced. A 30 gram tin costs 215 Swiss francs. Since one kilogram of caviar typically contains between60,000 and 75,000 eggs, a teaspoon-full of ten eggs, each measuring little more than a couple of millimeters, costs around 1 Swiss franc ($1.08), positioning Oona towards the upperend of caviar brands. —Reuters

Justin Vernon of the Grammy-nominated band Bon Iver performs the first of two sold-out shows at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Zorn Arena in Eau Claire Monday, Dec 12, 2011, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. —AP

New music service courts tech-averse listeners simple new online music service will launch across Europe and North America this week aimed at the millions who like music but struggle with the technology to find and listen to it. Rara.com, which will be preloaded on some HP laptops and smartphones using Google’s Android operating system, will offer 10 million tracks for a subscription from around 99 pence or cents a month at the outset. The service, also accessible via an Internet web page, will be in 15 European countries and the United States from Tuesday, and Canada and Mexico later this week, the company said.

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thought to be based on US press baron William Randolph Hearst. Although “Citizen Kane” received Oscar nominations for best screenplay, best director and best leading actor, the writing award was the only Oscar awarded to Welles throughout his life.

The history of the statuette has included some hazy spells: Welles believed he had lost it, but it resurfaced after he died in 1985, and was bequeathed to his daughter Beatrice in 1994. In 2002 she won a legal case against the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences giving her the right to sell it. During that court case the statuette was valued at $1 million, Sanders said. The Oscar

was offered for sale at Sotheby’s in New York in December 2007, but failed to find a buyer. It was then being sold by a US charitable foundation, which acquired the golden statuette from the Welles estate. The statuette — 12 inches tall, and weighing 7 pounds and 5 ounces-is being sold from a private collection, Sanders said, adding that the winning bidder will also be given a complete chain of ownership record. —AFP

Caviar latest treat on Swiss luxury menu

Paris Jackson to talk about film debut M ichael Jackson’s 13-year-old daughter Paris is working on her movie debut-and she will talk about it in public for the first time this week. Paris, who was 11 when her father died in 2009, will star in a live action/animated called “Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys,” based on a famous book series for teenagers. The film’s website says she plays heroine Lundon O’Malley in a story where magic “turns a dolphin into a human, a teenage boy into a dragonfly and a loving jellyfish queen into an evil fairy godmother.” The website, linked from her Twitter page, adds that she will be on the Ellen DeGeneres television show on Wednesday, talking about the movie for the first time.

Her movie debut news comes after a tough few months for the Jackson family, as the star’s doctor Conrad Murray stood trial for involuntary manslaughter over his death on June 25, 2009. Murray was sentenced to the maximum four years last month, although he is likely to expect to serve less than half of that because of California’s chronic prison overcrowding.

“Paris Jackson will talk to Ellen about what life has been like for her and her family in the past few months. She’s also starring in the new film, “Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys,” said DeGeneres’ website.” The theme of the movie, saving the planet, is a cause close to both Paris and her father’s heart,” it said.

Jackson famously cried at her father’s funeral, but managed to speak through her sobs: “Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father ... you could ever imagine ... And I just wanted to say I love him ... so much.” More

only Oscar that ‘Citizen Kane’ received,” said Sanders. Despite some tarnishing on the legs, the Oscar is “overall in very good condition,” he said, calling it “a spectacular tribute to the visionary director and screenwriter, Orson Welles, and to the film he brought to life.” “Citizen Kane” was Welles’s first feature, made when he was just 25 years old. Considered a masterpiece of cinema, it has been voted the top film in history by both the American and British Film Institutes. The film-which did poorly at the box office and failed to win a nomination for best picture-tells the story of a newspaper magnate bent on supremacy and is

“I believe that almost all of the services that are available today are targeted at tech-savvy people who know quite a lot about music,” Chief Executive Rob Lewis told Reuters in an interview. “That is only 20 percent of consumers, we are interested in the 80 percent.” Several new online music services have launched in recent years, seeking to tap in to the move to online music and provide an alternative to Apple’s iTunes music offering.

Many struggled or eventually disappeared as they spent months negotiating terms with an often inflexible music industry unwilling to relinquish control

of its content at a time when illegal online piracy was raging.

Rara.com’s subscription will rise after three months to $4.99 or 4.99 pounds for computer users and 9.99 to include smartphones or tablets. It will also be available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore before Christmas and launch soon on Apple’s iOS operating system. “I think there is a recognition throughout the entire industry that despite huge efforts by many parties, digital is nowhere near the penetration that the CD was just 18 months after its launch,” Lewis said.

The service, which will carry no

advertising, has been heavily tested on elder consumers and those put off from buying digital music because they found it too complicated. Low initial prices were designed to attract customers unsure about signing up to new services before they knew how they worked, Lewis said. The service will be run by Lewis, a co-founder of the successful Omnifone music technology service, which provides a white label music platform enabling other companies such as Sony Ericsson to launch their own branded music offerings.

Omnifone will power the new rara.com service. —Reuters

This image provided by Gregory Bojorquez shows Los Angeles Police officers advancing on a wounded gunman at sunset and Vine streets in Los Angeles. —AP

Record executive dies after Hollywood street rampage music executive died Monday after being shot last week by a rampaging gunman in the heart of Hollywood, a hospital spokeswoman said. John Atterberry, who had worked with the Spice Girls, Jessica Simpson and others, died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, spokeswoman Simi Singer said. The 40-yearold executive was shot in the face and upper body as he drove his Mercedes-Benz during Friday’s random attack. Atterberry was the only seriously injured victim of 26-year-old Tyler Brehm, who police say fired nearly 20 bullets in the air and at cars as he screamed that he wanted to die. He was killed by police minutes later.

Brehm’s ex-girlfriend has said she and Brehm had recently broken up. But police said they’re still looking for a motive for the attack. Brehm walked down the middle of Sunset Boulevard, firing on motorists with no clear target and injuring three of them before two police officers who just happened to be

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in the area - an off-duty motorcycle officer working movie set security and a detective shot and killed him, authorities said. In amateur video taken at the shooting scene, the gunman appeared to have short hair and wore jeans and a white tank top. He paced back and forth near the busy intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street, firing from a .40-caliber handgun, police said. The officers ordered the suspect to stop and drop his weapon. He was shot when he pointed his weapon at the officers, police said. Atterberry had been a vice president of Death Row Records, the label that produced albums for many of the most prominent names in West Coast hip hop, including Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre and Tupac Shakur. Courtney Barnes, a publicist for Smokey Robinson and Ron Artest, told Billboard magazine that she was shocked to hear the news, saying Atterberry was “a really nice guy.” —AP

Billy Joel looks at his portrait at the unveiling of his Steinway Hall portrait at the flagship store of Steinway & Sons, in New York, Monday, Dec 12, 2011. —AP

Billy Joel gets portrait at NYC’ s Steinway Hall T

he Piano Man is now officially a Steinway man. A Billy Joel portrait has been unveiled in New York City at Steinway Hall, home to the famed piano maker Steinway & Sons. Joel is one of only two living artists included in a collection featuring greats such as Hungarian composer Franz Liszt (list). He’s the only nonclassical performer. The 62-year-old pop legend joked Monday about his painting’s proximity to Vladimir Horowitz’s, saying he

doesn’t know “how crazy” Horowitz is about having him that close. Joel’s painting features him standing upright in a leather jacket, with a Steinway in the foreground. Joel says the jacket was one of the few items of clothing bought without a female companion. He says he wore it for years but his girlfriend recently dismissed it as a 1980s relic. —AP

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new documentary about Benito Mussolini examines the near cult-like fascination that many Italians had with the fascist dictator - and how his body became a focus for the fixation. “Il Corpo Del Duce,” (“ The Duce’s Corpse”), contains some gruesome, neverbefore-seen images of Mussolini’s decayed corpse hanging upside down in a Milan square on April 29, 1945 after he was shot by anti-fascist partisans. The film, directed by Fabrizio Laurenti, literally follows the path of Mussolini’s corpse from a gas station on the square to an anonymous grave and eventually a tomb in Predappio, his birthplace in northern Italy, where thousands of supporters pay homage every year.

“The images I have in my documentary are pretty, pretty strong,” Laurenti said in a recent interview. “They’re not for everybody.” Some of the shots show the dictator’s face grotesquely swollen, unrecognizable after being hung upside down, beaten and stoned. Others being revealed for the first time show his bullet-ridden body, curled up in a near-fetal position, looking mummified after a decade in a crate in a police warehouse. Police confiscated the corpse after diehard fascists dug up Mussolini’s remains from his anonymous Milan grave soon after he was killed.

The government eventually gave in to rightwing pressure and turned the body over to the family for burial in his hometown. Some of

the footage from Piazza Loreto, where he was hanged, was shot by US Army film crews documenting the American liberation of Italy.

Laurenti, whose background is in horror films, has been criticized by the left in Italy for showing the brutal treatment Mussolini was subjected to

by Italy’s partisans. Laurenti says he is merely being historically accurate, likening the death of Mussolini to the recent killing of Muammar Gaddafi by Libyan rebel forces.

Mussolini was captured near Lake Como by partisans as he and his lover, Clara Petacchi, tried to flee Italy to Switzerland. The partisans executed the couple and their loyalists and then brought them to Milan where they were hanged for public viewing. Using file footage from Italy’s Istituto Luce archive, the film documents how a cult promoting Mussolini as a physically powerful and virile leader sprang up around him during his life.

As Mussolini plays tennis in one clip, a solemn voice declares: “The intense job of il Duce is daily preceded by intense physical exercise, which restores his fresh energy and his physical rigor.”

Mussolini still has unabashed fans in Italy.

“Mussolini enters in the category of the ‘greats,’” said Pasquale Moretti, owner of a Rome restaurant that features a variety of Mussolini paraphernalia. He said he regularly goes to Predappio to pay his respects to “one of the unique men on

the face of the Earth.”

The documentary - based on a book by Italian author Sergio Luzzato - was first presented at the Turin Film Festival last month and will be aired on Italian television in 2012.

Italy’s left-leaning La Repubblica daily called the film a “horror,” noting it included “shock-

ing” new images of the Mussolini body. It said the editing “revealed the director’s proven familiarity with dark movies.” — AP

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ans got a chance to meet their favourite OSN Yahala! stars at Marina Mall, Kuwait. Mohammed Al-Ojaimy, Mona Shaddad and Mohammad Khorsheed, greeted fans, family and friends at a star-studded OSN event hosted by Mohamad Tahun.

OSN Yahala! HD is the brand new home for all the very best in Arabic entertainment on OSN bringing viewers a nonstop line-up of brand new exclusive series, movies and chat shows featuring the biggest stars in the region in stunning high definition.

Khulud Abu Homos, Senior Vice President of Programming said:

“Everyone at OSN is extremely proud of our premium Arabic line-up on OSN Yahala! HD. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the stars to meet the fans in Kuwait, and give people a taste of the imaginative and innovative content that is available exclusively to viewers on OSN. We are thrilled to showcase Kuwaiti talent and we look forward to bringing our customers in Kuwait even more exciting brand new programming series in 2012.”

Explore Lebanon’s recent history at

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he role of political campaigns, public relations imagery and pop videos in shaping the recent history and identity of Lebanon was under spotlight on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the eighth Dubai International Film Festival, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

With the world premiere of It’s All in Lebanon, DIFF offers the opportunity for all those who are involved in politics, advertising, public relations and the media to engage in a meaningful and

constructive dialogue on the nationbuilding of Lebanon. Setting the stage for dialogue on the link between media and shaping the national identity, the discussion could serve as an eye-opener to examine the impact of media and politics on each other.

It’s All in Lebanon is a must-watch for all those who are interested in learning about how the country has fared in nation-building, through image-making, over the 20 years since the Civil War ended. The DIFF box office is open online at www.dubaifilmfest.com and at the DIFF box offices in Dubai Media City, JBR The

Spielberg announces new

Tintin movie

Lebanese actress Darine Hamze (right) poses for a picture with director Danielle Arbid at the Dubai International Film Festival yesterday. Hamze plays the main role in Arbid’s latest film ‘Beirut Hotel’ which is being presented at the festival even though it has been censored in Lebanon for political reasons over its reference to the assassination of ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri. — AFP

nonsense cop in “Singham”. Leading actress Priyanka Chopra broke new ground, becoming the first Bollywood star to sign a global pop album deal.

She will be managed by the man behind Lady Gaga.

Even though offbeat films with lesser-known stars and strong scripts proved popular with audiences, some analysts detected a noticeable return to an earlier, more star-driven format. “This year, wholesome, entertaining films have worked very well and that has been the trend,” said critic Vinod Mirani.

“The success formula of 80s cinema is back and now working very well. All entertaining films of that era that had worked are back in new format this year and they have clicked big time.” As 2011 draws to a close, Shah Rukh Khan is hoping for better success with the

DIFF

Walk, Mall of the Emirates and Madinat Jumeirah. Additional information is also available through the Festival’s dedicated customer care number, 363 FILM (3456).

The Investment Corporation of Dubai is the title sponsor of the Dubai International Film Festival, which is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, home to the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

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low-budget film inspired by the life and death of a racy 1980s Bmovie actress was the surprise Bollywood hit of 2011, in a year that started slowly but finished well. A packed, back-to-back schedule of World Cup one-day cricket and the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament ensured that cinema audiences were down in the first half of the year.

Business picked up later in the year, with Salman Khan’s action comedy “Ready” the first of a string of hits that included Sanjay Dutt’s slapstick “Double Dhamaal” and Aamir Khan’s screwball comedy “Delhi Belly”. The mystery “Ragini MMS”, action crime drama “Murder 2” and the Hrithik RoshanKatrina Kaif road movie “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” (You Only Live Once) all did well also.

In this file photo, the dead bodies of Benito Mussolini, left, and his mistress Claretta Petacci hang from the roof at the Piazzale Loreto, Milan, Italy. — AP

teven Spielberg announced in New York a sequel to his 3D movie version of the comic book hero Tintin. He told a press conference Sunday that “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson would direct the new film and that he had already chosen the book by the Belgian author Herge that would serve as the basis for the script. Spielberg was promoting the US premiere on December 21 of his “Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn,” which already premiered in Brussels in October and has been on European, Middle Eastern and Indian release. In the sequel, the comic books’ bumbling Thompson detective twins “have a much bigger role,” Spielberg said. This time, Spielberg will produce and Jackson will direct, swapping their roles in “Unicorn.” “It’s being written right now and he’s directing it after he does ‘The Hobbit’ and I’ll produce it with him as he’s produced this with me,” Spielberg said.

“We have the story and we have the book we’re adapting from Herge and we can’t wait to get started.” — AFP

Indian Bollywood legendary actor Dilip Kumar (Muhammad Yusuf Khan) (left) and actress Priyanka Chopra sit together during Kumar’s 89th birthday celebrations on December 11, 2011 in Mumbai. — AFP But none captured the public imagination more than “The Dirty Picture”, which is loosely based on south Indian sex symbol Silk Smitha and has packed cinemas since its release earlier this month. Sex and Shah Rukh Khan were once famously said to be the only things that sell in Bollywood.

This year, a number of successful films have provided the sex but “King Khan” failed to deliver, despite the hype surrounding his Diwali release “Ra.One”.

The $20 million science-fiction superhero film won rave reviews for its stunning special effects but many reviewers were disappointed at its weak script.

The film broke even, thanks to a relentless marketing drive that broke new ground in Indian film promotion but it was not the blockbuster many had been expecting. The last 12 months were also a disappointment for action hero Akshay Kumar, who brought out three poorly-received films-the cricketthemed “Patiala House”, “Thank You” and “Desi Boyz”-during the year.

Rising star Ranbir Kapoor, though, continued to show his great promise by delivering the hit “Rockstar”. Ajay Devgn also had a successful year alongside Salman Khan in “Ready” and as a no-

release of “Don 2”-the follow-up to “Don”, which came out in 2006 and which itself was a remake of the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan hit.

Roshan is also revisiting the Big B’s back catalogue with a remake of his 1990 hit “Agneepath” (Path of Fire). Next year will see Aamir Khan release “Dhoom 3”-the third part of the successful franchise-as well as “ Talaash” (Search). Bachchan, who is a new grandfather after the birth of his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai’s first child in November, is due to appear in his first Hollywood movie: a Baz Luhrmann adaptation of “The Great Gatsby”. — AFP

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A year of two halves for Bollywood in 2011

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011

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Tory Varney tries on her 1930’s wedding dress at the vintage store.

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hen Emily Russell’s two young sons wake up on Christmas morning, they’ll find that Santa left them a note instead of the videogames they requested. “Hey, I couldn’t get by your house last night,” Russell, a single mother from Kernersville, NC, plans to write to her sons and sign Santa’s name. “Your mom is going to take you to the store when she can.” Some people have always postponed Christmas celebrations because their jobs don’t pause for the holiday. But in the weak economy, folks are delaying Christmas for another reason: money.

Deloitte’s annual holiday survey for the first time asked shoppers whether they planned to wait until January to do the bulk of their shopping for Christmas.

Six percent of the more than 5,000 respondents said they did. The strategy can pay off. After Christmas, retailers offer discounts of up to 75 percent on a wider variety of items than they do in the weeks leading up to the holiday. It’s something cost-conscious shoppers have gotten hip to. Retail sales during the seven days after Christmas rose year-over-year in three of the past five years, according to research firm ShopperTrak. And last year, yearover-year online spending grew by 22 percent on Dec. 26 and 56 percent on Dec. 27, according to computer giant IBM’s retail consulting arm.

Elaine Wu and her husband plan to wait until the day after Christmas to shop because they’ve agreed not to spend more than $150 for each other - a difficult task given they like to splurge on upscale Marc Jacobs handbags and Armani shoes. Wu says she’s also waiting until after Christmas to shop for some of her friends. Real friends, she figures, wouldn’t want her to go through the headache of shopping in the pre-Christmas madness anyway. “Just because it’s a day late doesn’t mean it’s going to be any less special or didn’t come from the same sentiment,” says Wu, 36, a marketing manager for the startup website BlogHer in Silicon Valley. “It just means that it’s going to save us 60 percent.” Postponing Christmas Day, originally a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ, is almost unheard of in some circles.

About 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas including 80 percent of non-Christians, according to Gallup polls.

But Bruce David Forbes, author of “Christmas: A Candid History,” says those who delay Christmas festivities can take some comfort in the fact that Dec. 25 isn’t the date of the birth of Christ. When Christians started

lthough the hunt for vintage clothing may be enticing to some people, others would rather bypass digging for buried treasure that, even when found, may consist of garments that are tattered or in a size best suited for the bird-boned women of the 1940s. But the retro aesthetic is still a desirable one, particularly for the thriving rockabilly subculture of Southern California that favors 1940s- and 1950s-inspired dresses. Not to be excluded are the plus-sized women who love the look of vintage garments but are hard-pressed to find pieces that fit, especially since the average American woman is an inch taller and 24 pounds heavier than her counterpart in 1960, according to figures compiled by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Enter several local designers and retailers who are creating and selling new clothing crafted to look steeped in the past. Their wares include cocktail dresses and bathing suits reminiscent of a Vargas girl, and they sell to customers who seem to be taking cues from modern-day vintage vixens, such as burlesque star Dita Von Teese and singer Katy Perry. The vintage-inspired and reproduction pieces tend to appeal to people who are consistent in their love of vintage and wear the look year-round regardless of whether it’s a current runway trend.

“No one’s throwing out last season’s ‘30s clothes to get ready for this season’s ‘30s clothes,” says Annamarie von Firley, co-founder of Revamp Vintage in downtown Los Angeles. Von Firley’s designs focus on men’s and women’s clothing from 1910 to 1957, which she makes in new fabrics from vintage patterns. “These are period pieces, but they have a timeless quality to them. Also, the clothing of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s celebrates the body and are styles that are hugely accessible for people.”

She attributes her customers’ strong attraction to looks inspired by the past to a retro culture spawned by the swing dance craze of the 1990s and, more recently, to the popularity of “Mad Men.” “There seems to be a desire to reach back to a time and period where everything seemed a little more simple,” she says. “There’s a safety and comfort to the past that people reach back to and embrace the beautiful bits of.”

Von Firley houses a ready-to-wear line of dresses, separates and accessories in her 12th floor studio and store and also works often with made-to-measure garments, primarily for brides who want that antique appeal on their wedding day.

Prices range from $85 for a halter top to $3,000 for a wedding gown. The designer is also some-

celebrating his birth in the 300s after the Roman emperor Constantine converted to that religion, they didn’t know the birthdate, so it appears that they picked a day to coincide with Romans’ midwinter celebrations of their own gods. Meanwhile, Christians in more eastern countries, like Turkey and Greece, were already celebrating on Jan 6.

So, Forbes, who teaches religious studies at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, says if you’re celebrating anywhere between Dec 25 and Jan 6, “you’re not even doing it late.” That may be a relief to Mujtaba AlQudaihi who will spend Dec 25 watching a movie, catching up on reading or killing time on the Internet. His real Christmas celebration - which includes his dad dressing up as Santa and the extended family exchanging gifts

This undated photo courtesy of Universal Studios Florida shows Universal Orlando Resort’s annual Holidays Celebration featuring the nightly Macy’s Holiday Parade in Orlando, Fla. — AP

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thing of a full-service time machine, offering all things associated with vintage style, including hair ornaments and monthly makeup classes for clients who want a face to match the retro clothes.

Clothing lines such as Stop Staring and Queen of Heartz have created their businesses around the allure of vintage-inspired clothing. Stop Staring founder-designer Alicia Estrada started her line 14 years ago, infusing a love of ‘30s and ‘40s film noir into a collection of dresses done in stretch fabrics.

“There was nobody out there doing this when I started,” Estrada says. “I would go shop at vintage stores that were selling the real deal, looking for a ‘50s dress or ‘40s pencil skirt. But being a plus-sized girl, you’re not finding those styles in your size.” Estrada designs her own patterns but consistently incorporates vintage elements such as cap sleeves and box pleats, and she works a ‘40sinspired panel of stretchy fabric into the midsection of dresses to allow the wearer to move and breathe com-

Vintage shoes at a boutique run by Erin Weinger and Renee Shaab in an apartment in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. — MCT photos

fortably while the tummy area stays sleek.

She sells her clothing at boutiques all over the country and has a line for plus-size retailer Torrid. “I want to celebrate a woman’s figure and show off her curves in a sexy but classy way,” says Estrada, whose clothes run from size 4 to 26. Dresses range from $115 to $180. Queen of Heartz creator and designer Letty Tennant began her vintageinspired clothing business making custom dresses for her girlfriends who were a part of the Orange County rockabilly scene. The demand for her creations grew as many of her friends had trouble finding vintage pieces that fit, and Tennant expanded her line to include a ready-to-wear collection that is still popular with the rockabilly community as well as with prom-goers and brides-to-be.

“I focus on the ‘40s and ‘50s,” Tennant says. “I get

inspired by my personal vintage collection, but we’re not a reproduction company. I make all the patterns myself.”

She adds that she tends to design with her own body type (she’s a size 14) in mind and creates clothing to flatter curvier figures. “I think about what cuts are more flattering and might use wider straps rather than spaghetti straps or implement a waistband that’s more forgiving,” she says.

Dresses, priced $130 to $260, are the big draw in Tennant’s collection, which comes in sizes 0 to 18, with anything larger custom-made. “We sell a lot of cocktail dresses,” she says. “Everybody has special events to go to, and we tend to sell them year-round.” For the full-service vintage-inspired experience, retailers such as Unique Vintage in Burbank and My Baby Jo in West L.A. carry new clothing, accessories, undergarments and beauty products that all fall in line with the retro aesthetic. Unique Vintage started as a Web store a decade ago, with a bricks-and-mortar location going up in Burbank three years ago. Owner Katie Echeverry carries a wide array of vintage-inspired clothing for men and women in a variety of prices. Her wares include Stop Staring styles, Esther Williams swimsuits and rockabilly shirts that are a bestseller with male shoppers.

But the store is best known to some in the prom-going crowd, who flock to Unique Vintage every spring to look for dresses that will make them stand out in a crowd of girls dressed largely in styles offered at the local mall. At My Baby Jo, there’s makeup, foundation garments, shoes and clothes that, displayed together, make you feel as if you’ve been transported right back to the ‘50s.

Owner Darla Montoya started the business online 10 years ago and moved into her West L.A retail space eight years ago while she was in the swing-dancing scene and wore the ‘40s-style clothes that went along with the lifestyle. “People of all ages are drawn to” the look of vintage, Montoya says. “The ladies’ clothes are very feminine, sexy and alluring without being revealing, and the men’s styles have a traditionally masculine look.”

Montoya also creates a line for the store based on a mix of vintage and new patterns but always maintains the vintage details. The line is made up primarily of dresses for women and vintage car-club jackets for the men.

Undergarments include garters and bullet bra pads for anyone who wants to go that far to get a retro shape under their clothes. “No matter what size someone is, the foundation garments make everything hang better,” Monoya says. “Plus, we like to have everything someone might need to complete the look.” — MCT

and eating a big meal - will happen a few days later.

That’s because it’s cheaper for Al-Qudaihi and other relatives to fly to his parents’ home in Indianapolis after Christmas. Besides, Al-Qudaihi figures that the prices on gifts he plans to buy will be much cheaper after Christmas. “Nothing changes,” says Al-Qudaihi, 27, who works in information-technology consulting for a public university. “Just the date.” Danielle McCurley of Lacey, Wash., also is planning to postpone Christmas a couple days. She wants to wait until her financial aid check for her school tuition arrives so she can spend the extra money on gifts.

In normal years, McCurley would have finished her Christmas shopping weeks ago. But this year is different: After losing her job as a home health aide, McCurley, 32, returned to school to study social work this fall. Adding to that, her husband, Mario, was out of work for a year and a half, though he recently found a job as a security guard. McCurley, who has three children ages 4, 5 and 11, thinks her youngest two won’t really notice. Her oldest will, but she already bought his present: a secondhand netbook that she got for a third of the original price at $100. And she figures her mom, her three brothers and her husband won’t really mind the late presents.

“They’re adults,” McCurley says. “I don’t think they’ll be too upset.” Meanwhile, Russell, the North Carolinian mom, isn’t sure how her sons, ages 8 and 10, will react when they learn Christmas will come late for them.

Postponing the celebration is the only way Russell, a customer service worker, can manage to afford Christmas this year because she had to take two weeks off without pay recently when her youngest had his tonsils removed. She figures if she waits until after Christmas to go shopping, she’ll be able to scrounge up money to buy each boy a video game, a board game and one piece of clothing. “It might be a little upsetting to start with,” says Russell, 41. “I’ll tell them, ‘I’m sorry Santa didn’t come by today. Maybe he’ll come by next week.’” — AP

This undated photo courtesy of Universal Studios Florida shows Universal Orlando Resort’s annual Holidays Celebration featuring the nightly Macy’s Holiday Parade in Orlando, Fla. — AP