16 Nov 2011

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Spec-Ops Command: SEAL raid book ‘a lie’

In dramatic reversal, Qatar signs $6.5bn Airbus deal

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THULHIJJA 20, 1432 AH

Kuwait beat UAE 2-1 in World Cup qualifier

Gas exporters urge a fair price at first summit

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MPs file request to grill PM over graft Assembly scraps earlier quiz amid walkout

Max 29º Min 17º Low Tide 09:12 & 21:16 High Tide 01:35 & 16:25

By B Izzak

UAE president promises more political rights ABU DHABI: The president of the United Arab Emirates promised greater political rights to citizens at the opening session of the country’s partly elected assembly yesterday. Home to business hub Dubai and major oil producer Abu Dhabi, the UAE has said it is committed to gradual political reforms, but has given no timetable. “Empowerment is the soul of the federation,” Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan told members of the new Federal National Council (FNC), an advisory assembly with few legislative powers.

“Your session today is a successful crowning of the second stage in our progress towards deepening the culture of (political) participation and enhancing its practice.”

Earlier this year, the UAE increased the number of eligible voters for half of the seats of the 40-member FNC assembly to 129,000 - nearly 20 times more than the UAE’s first election. That is still only around 12 percent of UAE nationals. Ministers have signalled they will continue to expand the electoral pool until all Emiratis can vote but critics say that this is meaningless as long as the FNC has no real power. “Your people, your highness, are looking forward to you through their representatives ... to have a more potent role for the national council so it can fulfill its commitments to the Emirati people,” the assembly’s new speaker, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mur, said in his inaugural address.

The UAE’s constitution gives the assembly the right to debate laws drafted by government Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: MPs Musallam Al-Barrak (right), Faisal AlMislem (second right) and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari (second left) speak to reporters at the National Assembly yesterday. The three MPs filed a request to grill Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlSabah over allegations of graft involving MPs and illegal overseas money transfers. (Inset) Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi (left) walks with Sheikh Nasser after the end of the session. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: In one of the most “exciting” political dramas in Kuwait, the government and its supporters in the National Assembly succeeded in scrapping a grilling against the prime minister, but the opposition immediately filed a fresh quiz, setting the stage for a fierce confrontation. Several opposition MPs meanwhile warned the government that popular anger was growing rapidly and could explode anytime if the government insisted on protecting the prime minister against grillings.

The drama began when Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi put for debate a government request to scrap a grilling filed against prime minister in March by MPs Ahmad AlSaadoun and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, claiming that it is unconstitutional following a constitutional court ruling last month. The court said in a controversial ruling that the prime minister cannot be grilled for violations committed by his ministers and he can only be questioned for issues under his direct authority.

The government’s request was strongly condemned by opposition MPs as an attempt to protect the prime minister from being questioned by the Assembly.

Opposition MPs were angered further when the government demanded that the debate on its request be held behind closed doors, which was followed by screams by opposition MPs towards government ministers. It took a long time for the Assembly to finally agree to hold the debate in a closed session, but when this happened, around half of the lawmakers walked out of the session.

Thirty-eight members, including 15 ministers, supported the request while 26 opposition MPs refused to take part in the voting, claiming it is unconstitutional.

MP Mussallam Al-Barrak insisted the decision amounted to amending the constitution and warned of dire consequences. The 20-MP Opposition Bloc was joined by the five MPs of the National Action Bloc and independent Shiite MP Hassan Jowhar, bringing the total Continued on Page 13

Turkey ups heat on Syria Kuwaiti MPs urge recognition of oppn

NYPD officers clear out Occupy Wall Street activists after they gained entrance into the private park next to Duarte Square in New York City. (Inset) An Occupy London protester covers his mouth with a US dollar note as protesters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in London. — AFP/AP

Police bust NY ‘Occupy’ protest in night sweep NEW YORK: Hundreds of police officers in riot gear before dawn yesterday raided the New York City park where the Occupy Wall Street protests began, evicting and arresting hundreds of protesters from what has become the epicenter of the worldwide movement protesting corporate greed and economic inequality. Hours later, the status of the now-empty park remained in limbo as National Lawyers Guild obtained a court order allowing the protesters to return with their tents. The guild said the injunction prevents the city from enforcing park rules on the protesters.

At a morning news conference, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the evacuation of the two-month-old encampment was conducted in the middle of the night “to reduce the risk of confrontation in the park, and to minimize disruption to the surrounding neighborhood”. Hundreds of police officers surrounded the park overnight in riot gear, holding plastic shields and batons which in some cases were used on protesters. Police

flooded the park with klieg lights and used bull horns to announce that everyone had to leave.

Police “had their pepper spray out and were ready to use it,” protester Jake Rozak said. About 200 people were arrested, including some who chained themselves together. Others chanted or shouted angrily at police and vowed to march in protest later yesterday. Protesters in New York fought back the threat of a similar sweep weeks ago, but momentum against the camps appears to be growing as authorities across the US grow impatient with the self-proclaimed leaderless movement and its lack of a focused demand.

Bloomberg said the city k new about the court order yesterday but had not seen it and would go to court to fight it. “From the beginning, I have said that the City had two principal goals: guaranteeing public health and safety, and guaranteeing the protestors’ First Amendment rights” to free speech, he said in a statement.

Continued on Page13

DAMASCUS: Syria was pushed deeper into isolation yesterday as neighbour Turkey threatened it with power cuts and halted joint oil exploration, on the eve of talks with Arab leaders on its unending bloodshed. In Kuwait, MPs called on world countries to recognise the opposition Syrian National Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people and take action against the regime. “We declare our support for the Syrian National Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people,” said a statement signed by 33 MPs. “We call on world governments to recognise this council and to freeze the membership of the Syrian regime in various international establishments and bodies,” the statement said. MPs have been pressing the government to expel the Syrian ambassador and sever relations with Damascus. On Monday, hundreds of Kuwaitis staged a rally outside the Syrian embassy demanding the expulsion of the ambassador. Kuwait in August recalled its ambassador from Damascus for consultations.

A day after more than 90 people died in one of the bloodiest days of Syria’s eight-month uprising, UN chief Continued on Page 13

ANKARA: Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses MPs from his ruling AK Party during a meeting at the parliament yesterday. — AFP

Palestinians catch bus to protest curbs ‘Freedom riders’ arrested JERUSALEM: Six Palestinians were arrested yesterday as they tried to enter Jerusalem on an Israeli bus in a novel bid to protest what they call Israel’s discriminatory policies in the West Bank. The six activists, five men and one woman, said their protest was inspired by the “Freedom Riders”, American civil rights activists who rode to the south in the 1960s to carry out work against segregation and racial discrimination. In what appears to be a first, they gathered at a West Bank bus stop by the Psagot settlement and waited for an Israeli bus to pick them up, then tried to enter Jerusalem.

Palestinians in the West Bank ordinarily require a special permit to enter the Holy City, unlike Israeli settlers living in the territory who can reach Jerusalem on Israeli buses that travel on Israeli-controlled roads.

HIZMEH: Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian activist who refused to get off a bus Israel says this measure is necessary to prevent suicide which was entering Jerusalem yesterday at a checkpoint between Ramallah bombers or other would-be attackers from entering Continued on Page 13 and Jerusalem. — AFP

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

LOCAL

Police accused of laxity in Salmiya murder probe Iranian teenager killed in street fight

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: The Eid holidays were one of gloom and sorrow for some families. On the second day of Eid Al-Adha, a 20-year-old Iranian was stabbed to death when a fight broke out between a gang of youngsters in Salmiya next to a popular shopping mall near the Gulf Road.

Another Egyptian teenager sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the nearest hospital. Police arrested 15 of those involved belonging to different nationalities on the same night.

There is a widely-held belief that the police

are not actively investigating the case because the victims are expatriates. The PR and Media Director of the Ministry of Interior Col Adel AlHashash clarified to the Kuwait Times that this case was important regardless of the nationalities involved. “We care about any crime that takes place and all the cases are important,” he said. “The criminal Investigators succeeded in arresting the five accused, including the main suspect responsible for the death of an Iranian victim, in less than 48 hours. These criminals are all youngsters and have been detained at the General Department of Investigations,” added

Al-Hashash.

According to previous reports, after arresting the five suspects, the main suspect admitted to murdering the victim by stabbing him using a knife. The victim died on the spot.

Case papers indicate that the five arrested teenagers were members of a gang that were involved in criminal activities in the area.

According to a friend of the murdered Iranian victim’s brother, the arrested are citizens aged below 18. He also noted that the bloody fight took place over winning the attentions of a young woman.

KUWAIT: The second GCC e-government conference in progress.

GCC e-government conference concludes KUWAIT: The second conference of the egovernment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concluded here yesterday following sessions during which conferees examined advanced e-government applications and electronic activities.

Several work papers were examined during the conference, dealing with risk management of e-government projects, phases of establishing electronic system at public departments, establishing an adequate infrastructure for launching e-services, utilizing technology to minimize effort, cut number of citizens lining up at gates of public departments and hiking productivity.

KUWAIT: Abdullah Al-Muhairi holding talks with Kuwaiti officials yesterday.

Al-Bader welcomes Tirana’s governor to Kuwait

UAE lauds charity work in Kuwait KUWAIT: Visiting Secretary General of UAE Zakat Fund Abdullah Al Muhairi lauded yesterday “unique and exceptional” experience of charity work of Beit Al-Zakat (the Alms House).

In a press release, Al-Muhairi said Beit Al-Zakat is of advanced administrative and technological levels, which put it among leading Arab and world charity organizations.

He added that his visit to the

country aims at getting familiarized with local and international projects of this Kuwaiti philanthropic organization. Al-Muhairi praised Zakat House officials’ efforts in raising the level of charity done by this institution among other Arab and Islamic ones. On his part, Deputy Manager of Social Services at Zakat House Khalid Al-Hussaini said this visit also aims at promoting mutual cooperation in the field of charity. —KUNA

The conference was addressed with plans and reports by representatives of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.

Hanaa Al-Sharrah, the director general of the information center of Kuwait Education Ministry, addressed a work paper during the second session of the final day of the convention, shedding light on the national strategy of electronic education, namely Kuwait e-gateway, e-networks for schools (smart schools), supplying students with laptops, education and training on mastering e-technology.

The convention involved heads of egovernments of the GCC states, experts and figures involved in the field. — KUNA

KUWAIT: On this day in 1952, the National Bank of Kuwait was founded as the first private bank in Kuwait and the GCC. Here are two historical pictures of NBK’s first branch in the heart of Kuwait’s business district.

Ministry to hire legal staff from Morocco KUWAIT: While legal staff from numerous state departments continue to strike demanding equal pay at par with their peers in the Fatwa and Legislation Department, an official announced that a group of employees hired from abroad will begin replacing workers on strike.

“A delegation from the ministry visited Morocco recently to offer contracts to legal staff members there,” said Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Mansour Al-Mansour, arguing that this step is unrelated to the ongoing strike.

“Preparations for the visit began six months ago. We opted for Morocco owing to the developments taking place at other usual destinations like Egypt and Syria.” AlMansour added that only a small number of Moroccan legal staff will begin working at the ministry, before more staff are hired.

The union representing legal staff members in the public sector threatened to lodge complaints with international organizations if the government sacks any employee participating in the strike.

“Kuwait’s reputation has been damaged by recent news reports quoting an unnamed government official threatening protestors with mass termination,” said the Union’s Head Hamad AlWardan in a statement. He asked the said official to be identified “and held accountable for his irresponsible behavior.”

The protestors say that the classification of their job titles, because they are not registered as practicing lawyers prevents them from obtaining financial privileges. While not directly demanding that allowances be granted, striking staff members call for classifying their job role with those already benefiting from perks. — Al-Qabas

SARAJEVO: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Albania Najeeb Abdulrahman Al-Bader welcomed yesterday Tirana Municipality governor Lulzim Basha’s upcoming three-day visit to the state of Kuwait.

Al-Bader said that the visit will aim at promoting cooperation between the two countries in all domains.

During the visit, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah will be presented with a medal of Honorary Citizenship of Tirana from the Albanian governor for his contributions in raising the developmental, economic and social levels of the country.

“Such gesture shows the solid and friendly relations between Kuwait and Albania,” the Kuwaiti envoy said.

There are many mutual projects in infrastructure, irrigation and transportation between Kuwait and Albania.

Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic and Development has conducted six projects, in Albania, since 1993, with a total of $75 million.

Kuwait has also helped in the rehabilitation of Tirana’s main square “ The Skenderbej square” with a contribution from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA

Municipality conducts routine inspections

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: At least nine shops out of the 71 inspected have been shut down, stated Deidhan Al-Adwani Markets and Food Stuff Supervisor at Hawally Municipality.

Also, 112 citations were issued, in addition to destroying 21,350 kilograms of meat.

Furthermore, 13 signed undertakings were submitted by shop owners after sev-

en samples of food stuff from their shops were sent to Ministry of Health’s laboratory to conduct tests. He added 37 citations were issued to women’s beauty salons.

In other news, the Hawally abattoir slaughtered 20,328 livestock this month.

The meat obtained from 288 were destroyed because they were found unfit for human consumption. He stressed that periodic inspections would be held at all commercial facilities.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied by Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, returned home yesterday after concluding a private visit to Oman. The Amir was received upon arrival at the airport by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Speaker of the National Assembly Jassem Al-Khorafi, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and senior state officials.

Ukraine highlights investment opportunities for Kuwaitis Business delegation in town

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Kuwait businesspersons have expressed interest to invest in five national projects to which Ukraine invites foreign participation, said Ukrainian senior official currently visiting the country. The business delegation led by Vladyslav Kaskiv, presented five national projects in the field of infrastructure, energy, information technology and healthcare. In a press conference conducted at the embassy in Jabriya yesterday, Kaskiv, Head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects told reporters that Kuwaiti investors are interested in taking part in vari-

ous projects. “Some of the projects will be rolling [implemented] in months’ time and I expect Kuwaiti participation very soon. There are many Kuwaiti companies that are engaged in projects. We have seen positive response during our twoday presentation and are very optimistic,” he reported.

The Kuwaiti investors have been offered to invest in the construction of a sea terminal to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG Terminal), the creation of sports and tourism infrastructure (Olympic Hope 2022), and the use of alternative biofuels (energy). The Ukrainian side also offered project to build a rehabilitation clinic and the construction of the

KUWAIT: Vladyslav Kaskiv (left) is joined here by Ukrainian Ambassador to Kuwait Volodymyr Tolkach (second right) and other embassy officials at a press conference yesterday.

—Photo by Ben Garcia

Pyatykhatky Technology Town in Kharkiv region. “These are projects which we offered to Kuwaitis and they are very interested in participating. Maybe in a month’s time, we will sign the agreement/contract,” the senior official noted. “We currently have 11 national projects in the pipeline, but only five were presented because they are ready.

So far, the remaining will be ready in the next month. We hope that the Kuwaiti side will not mind if we come again, and present our remaining projects. We promised to support Kuwaiti investors,” the agency’s head opined.

The event held yesterday was attended by Volodymyr Tolkach, Ukrainian Ambassador to Kuwait and Andriy Melnychenko Economic Councilor. The team is heading to Istanbul, Turkey today right after the-two-day presentation which brought them to the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Kuwait Investment Authority.

Ukraine’s investment potential will be highlighted during road shows held in 16 financial centers worldwide including Europe, United States, Asia and the Middle East set from 31 October to 20 December.

The road-show is historic since it is the first road-show venture to be held since independence from the Soviet Union 20 years ago. The roadshow is one of the integral components of reform in Ukraine. “This is the right time to invest in Ukraine.

Despite economic uncertainty in other parts of Europe, we continue to enjoy GDP growth of up to five percent,” he claimed.

Contracting firm loses water pipe replacement project KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) has cancelled a project to replace asbestos water pipes with ductile iron pipes in east Hawally. The contracting company that was awarded the tender will no longer execute the project after the terms of the contract were reportedly violated.

In a letter referred to the Central Tenders Committee, the MEW requested that the CTC take legal procedures against said contracting company, prompting the CTC to schedule a meeting with MEW rep-

resentatives.

This project is part of a comprehensive plan to use ductile iron pipes in the country’s water distribution network because of its durability. Asbestos pipes are blamed for several damages that took place in recent years and has cost the ministry large amounts of money, reported Al-Rai. In other news, Abdul-Wahab AlHaroun Minister of Development and Planning has reportedly asked Dr Fadhel Safar Minister of Public Works and State Minister of

Municipality Affairs to persuade the Municipal Council into discussing the draft law pertinent with spoilt food issue. Al-Haroun also reportedly asked Dr Safar to urge the Council to allocate a plot required to set up a project. Separately, Dr Adel AlWuqaiyan General Secretary of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development, revealed in a recent statement that 38 percent construction projects are currently being built, compared to only 29 percent during the plan’s first year (20102011).— Al-Qabas

MP found guilty in libel case KUWAIT: The Court of Misdemeanor issued a verdict sentencing a lawmaker on Monday to three months imprisonment and KD 500 fine. Also, libel charges filed against another lawmaker by Scope T V were dropped.

Anti-government lawmaker MP Musallam Al-Barrak was found guilty of describing the private station as “a T V channel of debauchery,” after the court reviewed an audio recording of the gathering held at his diwaniya. The case filed against

MP Mohammad Hayef was also dismissed.

In other news, the Public Prosecution Department on Monday released citizen Tariq AlMutairi without a bail, after he was detained in connection with posting controversial tweets. — Al-Qabas

MoH denies discrimination allegations KUWAIT: A senior Ministry of Health (MoH) official denied allegations that expatriates are being discriminated against in terms of level of medical services provided. The counter-statement was issued in response to one made by an organization last week, describing the ministry’s future plans as ‘discriminatory.’

The Kuwaiti Doctors’ Association(KDA) had argued in

their statement issued last week that hospitals that the ministry plans to build for the exclusive use of expatriates will only promote unwanted animosity. “The three hospitals are part of the development plan, and are part of the health insurance system that covers expatriates which will soon be applicable to citizens as well,” said MoH Undersecretary Ibrahim AlAbdulhadi on Monday. A sharehold-

ing company will run the hospitals “to provide basic medical services to expatriates using high-tech equipment and specialized medical staff,” adding that the hospitals will still be supervised by the ministry.

Al-Abdulhadi also added that public hospitals will still be open to expatriate patients during cases of emergency. Citizens can choose to subscribe to medical insurance policies. —Al-Rai

Iraqi premier to visit Kuwait to discuss long-standing issues

By A Saleh

from trawling in Kuwaiti waters.

KUWAIT: Kuwait has invited the Iraqi PM, Nouri Al-Maliki to pay a visit to the country to discuss longstanding issues, said sources. The invitation was extended after a telephonic conversation was exchanged between HH the PM Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed AlSabah and his Iraqi counterpart.

Officials added that Al-Maliki accepted the invitation, describing it as ‘crucial,’ at a time when both countries need to hold more dialogues to reach an agreement on certain issues that would positively affect relations.

Furthermore, officials highlighted that the Mubarak Port project would top agenda of the meeting held, on the grounds that it is Kuwait’s right to build, without affecting Iraqi navigation. In addition, officials added that Iraq’s compliance with UN’s resolutions should be removed from its Seventh Chapter, setting special rules to prevent Iraqi fishermen

‘Follow Syrians’ steps’ Commenting on yesterday’s parliamentary session that was cancelled by the government on the grounds of being unconstitutional to discuss a grilling motion filed by MPs Ahmed Al-Saadoun and Abdul Rahamn Al-Anjeri against the premier, MP Musallam Al-Barrak stressed that the happenings were a clear violation of the country’s Constitution. He also warned the premier about what was described as ‘public rage.’ “The position seems to be more important than the country itself for Al-Mohammed.

Yet, we warn him against manipulating public opinion. These are unpredictable,” he said. They urged the people of Kuwait to revolt and make Al-Mohammed pay for mistakes. “Unless you act immediately, Kuwait and your own houses will turn into a wasteland. They were urged to follow the steps of the Syrian people and requested international organizations to support

the Constitution from AlMohammed’s manipulations!,” he said. MP Khaled Al-Tahous urged potential demonstrators to gather at Demonstrations Yard today so that the Cabinet is dismissed. “We shouldn’t leave the place within two hours,” he stressed.

Commenting on the same issue, MP Jamaan Al-Harbash said that the constitutional tool of interpellation was defeated by withdrawing Al-Sadoun-Al-Anjeri’s grilling motion prior to discussing it. He also seconded Al-Tahous’ call to hold a public rally today to ‘protect the Constitution’.

On the other hand, pro-government lawmaker, MP Hussein AlQallaf defiantly asserted that HH the PM Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed would stay in office regardless of whether the oppositionist blocs were satisfied. “Those claiming to be patriotic and love this country ought to calm things down instead of urging the people revolt and go out to demonstrate,” he highlighted.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

LOCAL

kuwait digest

kuwait digest

The dangers of shisha

Happy anniversary!

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

By Ghunaim Al-Zubie

s we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption and the establishment of the modern Kuwaiti state, we find that no significant steps have been achieved during the half a century period in garnering development.

Everyone in Kuwait, regardless of their opinions or political views, including members of the government and the oppositionist blocs, insist on the importance of protecting the Constitution. But it’s sad that no one ever calls for the complete enforcement of the Constitution. It appears as if there isn’t anyone who is truly committed to implementing the Constitution’s articles.

There are groups with different views. However, they all are on the same page when it comes to implementing the Constitution partially. It is only followed when the situation in question doesn’t

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fter more than 15 years of regularly smoking shisha or water pipe I suddenly gave up this habit. I didn’t use medication to stop and my decision to quit was not based on a doctor’s advice.

Basically, I could not physically stand smoking any more.

This happened suddenly, and without introduction. I don’t know what has happened and I didn’t go for medical check up to find out what problem had caused my body to reject shisha, fearing that I might discover something too scary. After my initial feeling of nausea at my customary shisha pipe, I tried to smoke one several times on various occasions, but gave it up each time after one or two puffs, feeling uncomfortable.

After kicking this ingrained habit, I felt a certain emptiness, as it also entailed no longer going to cafÈs since I felt ill at the smell of shisha. I admit, every now and then I still miss the water pipe, especially when I see the adverts for some restaurant or other where they put the picture of the shisha pipe next to those of the delicious food dishes.

Those ads are crimes against people who have quit shisha like myself, particularly when they’re directed in a professional and alluring way, which is tempting even to those who have never smoked shisha in their lives, let alone those of us who have.

Often, this is what gets people started - during a visit to a cafÈ or restaurant they will casually try out a shisha pipe for a bit of fun, and from there the

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Some medical experts suggest that one shisha may be equivalent to smoking a couple of packets of cigarettes, especially since a shisha ‘session’ may take up to 80 minutes - like chain smoking for the same period. It’s particularly worrying since shisha pipes are increasingly popular among the young, which, apart from the other negative effects, could dramatically increase Kuwait’s health bill, possibly by billions of dollars. addiction to smoking begins.

It’s strange, given the similarity in addictiveness and unhealthiness between shisha and cigarettes, that adverts for shisha pipes and shisha cafÈs are exempt from the bans on cigarette advertising or from the warnings emblazoned on cigarette packs.

Nayef Al-Mutairi, a prominent activist with the Kuwait Society for Preventing Smoking and Cancer, has promised me that the society will pay closer attention to the subject, but the main responsibility in this area lies with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Information, which should be forcing those newspapers that carry the shisha ads to include health warnings about the dangers of shisha smoking. Let this be the first step in fighting the phenomenon of shisha pipe-smoking, which will cause numerous deaths related to heart and lung disease amongst its fans. Some medical experts suggest that one shisha may be equivalent to smoking a couple of packets of cigarettes, especially since a shisha ‘session’ may take up to 80 minutes - like chain smoking for the same period. It’s particularly worrying since shisha pipes are increasingly popular among the young, which, apart from the other negative effects, could dramatically increase Kuwait’s health bill, possibly by billions of dollars.

Also, we should consider that many shisha cafÈs in public areas in Hawally and Farwaniya allow smoke to drift outside; should the smoke from these pipes - just as full of carbon monoxide and carcinogens as cigarette smoke - not be considered a form of passive smoking for passersby and potentially just as damaging as cigarette smoke?

Shouldn’t local residents, who constantly breathe in these fumes be able to claim compensation if they’re stricken by diseases as a result of this?

Whilst I’m not a fan of the litigation culture, it seems reasonable to me that anyone subjected to this who contracts a disease as a result should be able to claim compensation. —Al-Anba

kuwait digest

High confidence in the interior minister

By Najat Al-Hashash uwait established its current security system in urgent surgical intervention for it to be wholly order to achieve security in the most compre- removed. Citizens have high hopes in the ability of hensive sense, since this is a major require- minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah to cure ment for social development. Societies cannot attain the Interior Ministry, as his history of honorable work development without stability, which can be provid- gives people confidence that he will stop internal ed by security. irregularities so that people regain their trust in senIn Kuwait, our feeling of security is highly con- ior officials. We support the interior minister all the nected to our good faith in Ministry of Interior offi- way in his quest to eliminate every corrupt individcials and officers. ual from the security Irresponsible behavior system, so that it is left by one senior official to the honorable ones Corruption in the Ministry of Interior will damage people’s who work tirelessly to has been spreading for a long time, feeling of safety and maintain the safety and and reached a level at which it’s security. Losing trust security of our country. in senior ministry offiThe people are eager become a cancerous tumor that needs cials raises people’s for this to happen after urgent surgical intervention for it to be concerns about their experiencing the chaos wholly removed. Citizens have high country ’s national caused by the bribes security. and illegal intervenhopes in the ability of minister Sheikh Recent cases in tions which dominated Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah to cure which senior Interior the ministry’s departthe Interior Ministry, as his history of Ministry officials are ments. involved remind me of Back in the old days, honorable work gives people confian old column I wrote, daily newspapers used dence that he will stop internal irreguin which I criticized to publish one or two larities so that people regain their trust the former interior crime stories in their minister when he said pages. Today, many in senior officials. that he is resigning pages are allocated after failing to ‘clean’ every day only to crime the ministry. In my previous column, I argued that stories. If anything, this is a clear indication that the this action will not help address the problem; as the number of crimes has risen due to corruption in the ministry doesn’t need a new minister as much as it is Interior Ministry which has adversely affected securiin dire need for changing certain long-time senior ty control. The minister doesn’t need to be informed officials who abuse their positions in illegal actions. about the dishonorable individuals in his ministry, Corruption in the Ministry of Interior has been and we have confidence that he will take the right spreading for a long time, and reached a level at decision to adopt radical and urgent solutions to all which it’s become a cancerous tumor that needs of the ministry’s problems. —Al-Rai

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Everyone in Kuwait, regardless of their opinions or political views, including members of the government and the oppositionist blocs, insists on the importance of protecting the Constitution. But it’s sad that no one ever calls for the complete enforcement of the Constitution. It appears as if there isn’t anyone who is truly committed to implementing the Constitution’s articles. clash with personal interests.

The same people who raise numerous slogans in defense of the Constitution, are ironically the same ones who ignore and even violate its articles. On one occasion, the Prime Minister was quoted as saying that the ‘Constitution is in his pocket.’ I’m not sure whether this expression means that he keeps it in his pocket to review it whenever necessary, or that it has a figurative meaning which implies that the Constitution remains under his control. Either way, it’s clear that the Cabinet of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah failed in its duty to raise people’s awareness about their country’s Constitution. It doesn’t seem to have an interest in educating the youth about the principles of democracy.

In the meantime, MPs who rush to defend the Constitution whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself, fail to improve voters’ awareness about constitutional rights, or explain the valuable gains that the Constitution provides. Unfortunately everyone is keen on defending the Constitution, allowing it to be placed on the shelf to gather dust.

People have made enough talk about protecting the Constitution from ‘amendments.’ We can’t, at this point of time, accept any situation other than one which provides minimum levels of democratic rule. Therefore, we need to make efforts to fully implement the Constitution. This is the only true way to defend it. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest kuwait digest

An endless year!

The crucial importance of reading

By Abdul Aziz Al-Kandari

By Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar

s an unknown single mother, a few years ago JK edge and is doomed to ignorance and few life chances.

Rowling could hardly put food on the table. Since It is the role, not the duty, of parents to sit with their then she’s found worldwide fame with a series of children and help them to learn to read and to teach books you may have heard of about a boy called Harry them to enjoy reading. Parents need to set the example Potter, making her the richest person in the UK, with a for their children, keeping books around the house, personal wealth beyond that of the queen herself. building up a library, reading around them. As the great Another writer, Dan Brown, has written a number of Roman author, orator and politician Cicero once wisely massive bestsellers, making him amongst the wealthi- put it, ‘A house without books is like a body without a est authors worldwide. In the Arab world, however, soul.’ The responsibility for encouraging the love of either of these authors would struggle to get anything reading commonly falls primarily on mothers’ shoulders published due to the fact that, by and large, our soci- due to the negligence of many fathers in this area. eties don’t read.

Some people, of It is not a new observacourse, care more for their tion in the Arab world to stomach than their mind; Many in the Arab world still haven’t note that there is no widethey are quite happy to realized the vital importance and benspread culture of reading pay tens of dinars for a here. Children don’t see single meal at a restauefits of reading, especially for children. their fathers or mothers rant, they are outraged at In childhood, reading is the key to read, schools don’t encourthe idea of spending KD5 learning about the world around you age children to be curious on a book, believing this and find out more about to be excessive, despite the sciences, the arts, every field. the world around them or the fact that you can keep Without knowing how to read or being extend their imaginations a book for life whilst a encouraged to read, a child cannot with literature, while pubmeal will be gone in half lishing houses complain an hour. improve his or her knowledge and is about the lack of readers.

One Arab writer, Aldoomed to ignorance and few life Many such publishers, Aqqad, said, “I don’t enjoy chances. It is the role, not the duty, of including ‘Qartas House’ reading in order to be and ‘Rubaian Library’ have able to write and I don’t parents to sit with their children and already been forced by enjoy it in order to help them to learn to read and to teach lack of interest to close increase my lifespan. I them to enjoy reading. down. enjoy reading because I The questions remain; have one life and one life why we don’t read? As an is not enough. Reading old saying puts it, ‘The ignorant cannot give informa- gives me more than one life because it makes this life tion,’ whilst in the words of a Chinese adage, ‘Books are deeper.” Even book-lovers must be careful, of course; houses made of gold,.’ the famous Arab author Al-Jahez died when an enorMany in the Arab world still haven’t realized the vital mous pile of books in his home fell on him. importance and benefits of reading, especially for chilI would recommend that anyone seeking to apprecidren. In childhood, reading is the key to learning about ate the value of reading get hold of a copy of the book the world around you - the sciences, the arts, every ‘Read’ by Dr. Sajid Al-Abdally, which is very definitely a field. Without knowing how to read or being encour- book worth reading and a great addition to the Arabic aged to read, a child cannot improve his or her knowl- literary canon. — Al-Anba

he year 2011 seems to insist on bringing us the most bizarre, unexpected event. Without following patterns in 2011, they have new flavors, colors and tunes. The most recent of these wonders is the decision made by the Arab League to suspend the Syrian regime’s membership because it continues to kill its own people, according to the UN’s Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Belay’s report to the UN. They will take into consideration that such reports only feature conservative casualty numbers.

The remarkable thing about this resolution is that it was rejected only by two league members.

However, knowing that the Arab League was hollow in dealing with the Arab people’s concerns, in terms of freedom, member states have more obligations than rights. The league makes such unanimous decisions against member states for abusing its own people!

This, of course, falls within a wider frame of regional and international changes. The entire world is confused not only the third world countries, but also there is a lot of confusion will be part of West Europe and America. This was made clear by forcing one of Europe’s most famous clowns and Gaddafi’s friend, Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s decision to renounce premiership.

Nevertheless, some people still mistake this transformation for a fixed one and still view conflicting powers in the same way as people did in the aftermath of World War I. We will, of course, support and welcome such steps from the Arab League that finally began valuing people. We will show more support and rejoice when our Arab regimes start taking reform issues more seriously. Unless real reform starts within every respective league member state, suspending Syria’s membership will only have a short term political significance and turn into a mere slogan.

There are still 45 days left to kiss the year 2011 goodbye and yet it seems to have more to show us. I hope it will include more triumphs by ending tyrannical Arab regimes that are still stuck in the stone ages or the Jurassic one. — Aljarida

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Deputy Amir meets women’s rights activists

KUWAIT: The women delegation meeting His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday, Sheik ha Fareeha Al-Ahmad Chairwoman of the Higher Committee of the Ideal Mother Prize and Head of Girls Sports Club and members of the committee.

The delegation presented His Highness with a review of the findings and recommendations of a workshop on gender-based violence held in cooperation with the National Committee for Human Rights in Qatar and the UNHCR office in Riyadh. It was hosted in Doha between 25 and 26 October.

Sheikh Nawaf praised the role played by the committee, and its cooperation and coordination with other specialized bodies on humanitarian and social issues.

His Highness stressed exchange of expertise, ideas, and views between activists, and those in the field in

More controls on process of recruiting expatriate laborers GCC officials reach agreement KUWAIT: The six-member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s(GCC) are currently holding highlevel talks on regional developments and potential security risks, states a report quoting sources. The meeting was convened after reports were received that a terrorist threat against the Saudi embassy in Bahrain has been foiled. Officials say that an agreement was reached to place more controls on the process of recruiting expatriate laborers that arrive in GCC countries seeking work. “[This process] aims to thwart activities of members of group loyal to the Syrian and Iranian regimes,” a source explained, reported Al-Qabas.

The already troubled relationship between Iran and its Gulf neighbors took a turn for the worse on Sunday when Iranian authorities arrested two Kuwaiti journalists - a reporter and a cameraman - who were shooting for a TV program.

Preliminary reports state that they were arrested in connection with espionage and illegal entry. The Iranian Embassy in Kuwait issued a statement the following day explaining that the two were engaged in activities that contradict with professions mentioned in their respective tourist visas.

A person familiar with Tehran’s media regulations argue that the error which Al-Adalah TV’s Adel Al-Yahya and independent cameraman Raed Majid are accused of committing might be the fault of the Iranian embassy itself, probably made when visas were issued.

“A journalist wishing to carry out a certain task in Iran must apply for a journalist visa at the Iranian embassy from their respective countries”, said the official who preferred to keep identity anonymous. “The embassy

Kuwait embassy hosts ceremony for women RIYADH: The embassy of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held a ceremony for the elderly women at House of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Social Affairs of Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Public Relations and Information official at Kuwait Embassy Haifa Al-Shayji said that the event, organized by the women’s department in the Embassy and sponsored by the Ambassador’s wife Sheikha Abeer Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, was a good opportunity to strengthen women’s cooperation between segments of society in both countries and the beginning of social networking between women’s department at the embassy and charities in the country.

Al-Shayji added that the ambassador’s wife has always devoted most of her attention to the care of the elderly women and believes that more attention should be given to them so that authorities are better acquainted with their worries and problems.

Jewaher Al-Ajmi, Coordinator, stressed Kuwait Embassy’s keenness to extend cooperation and social interaction between the embassy and its affiliate social groups in Saudi society, in addition to participating in social events to expand the horizons of social cooperation of women in the two countries. —KUNA

Kuwaiti academic presents case study MADRID: A Kuwaiti academic presented a case study at the Fourth International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation hosted by Madrid, which addresses the importance of assessing student learning outcomes in improving education standards.

The study, “Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes.. Indicators of Strengths and Weaknesses” aims to shed light on the importance of analyzing and assessing learning outcomes, in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in student learning outcomes as well as identifying student achievement in a specific field of study, Dr Zaid Al-Shammari said on the sideline of the three-day conference.

He added that the research had two purposes; the first being to examine the feasibility of using assessment in examining student learning capabilities, in order to identify strengths and weaknesses, and to provide, secondly, after a report of research findings, recommendations for improving student learning outcomes in higher education institutions as well as in K-12 schools.

Al-Shammari said that the results of students’ learning outcomes assessments can be used in developing methods for ensuring positive learning outcomes, besides offering clear and useful information on student learning outcomes that may be used as indicators of students’ learning-related strengths and weaknesses.

“Using the Analysis Model for Learning Outcomes (AMLO), which is an academic tool used by teachers and administrators in K-12 and higher education institutions to analyze learning outcomes, can provide percentages of learning objective achievement in a course of study and valuable indicators of student success or failure during the learning process” he noted.

AMLO is a free user-friendly web application tool, created by Al-Shammari, that allows researchers to look at and to analyze each student’s individual achievements and a group of students’ achievements collectively. —KUNA

then sends application to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, who takes it to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance - Foreign Media Division for permission.”

The official further explains that this permission is to issue a journalist’s visa.

After this, the journalist must verify with authorities after entering Iran. “Upon reaching Tehran, a journalist must approach a specific department where he can obtain a letter explaining details of his mission, to be shown to security personnel at the location where they intend to cover their activity,” the source said, explaining that said department

normally contacts the Iranian embassy at the journalist’s country to ensure that proper proceedings are followed.

“If the journalists had told the embassy about their assignment, then the visa error mentioned as the reason for their arrest would be the fault of the embassy itself,” he explained.

Since the public protests held in 2009, foreign journalists residing in Iran are required to obtain permission from the Foreign Media Division every time they undertake an assignment; despite already possessing press cards issued by the same department. —Al-Rai, Al-Qabas

Kuwait and their peers in the region and beyond. The role played by international Human Rights organizations and

their engagement in objective dialogue helps towards realizing an intellectually sound society. —KUNA

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Syrian detained on suspicion of spying Cameras, diving equipment, hashish found KUWAIT: A Syrian national is currently being investigated on suspicion of spying after he was found in possession of high-tech cameras and other gadgets on board of a luxury boat near the Um Al-Maradem island. Whist on a routine patrol mission late Sunday evening, Coastguard officers grew suspicious of a near 30ft long boat carrying just one individual. Their suspicion intensified upon confronting the individual as he failed to provide solid answers for what he was doing. He was taken into custody after waterproof digital cameras, diving equipment and hashish were found inside the boat - which was also found to be registered in someone else’s name. The suspect was taken to the Sharq police station before being sent to the State Security Service in order to ascertain the nature of the photographs. - Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: Tawasul Services launching the Elmnet project.

—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Tawasul Services launch Elmnet project KUWAIT: A press conference was held recently to announce the launch of Tawasul Services’ ‘Elmnet’ project. It is mainly aimed at providing access to information online without any financial liabilities. The name is derived from first three letters of the words education, literature, and media, a press statement stated.

“Elmnet allows users to access the internet in an innovative way at reduced costs,” it

explained, stressing on the project’s goal to allow all segments of society to use the internet as the main source of information and media. Subscribers to the service will be able to access the internet immediately through a software that connects their personal computers to local internet service providers (ISP). The costs involved will be covered by advertisers whose advertisements will be displayed through the project.

Man held for brutal murder of maid A citizen accused of beating his housemaid to death was taken to the Public Prosecution department to be held pending further action after undergoing preliminary investigations by Hawally governorate police.

The man was placed under arrest Sunday after he brutally assaulted his Ethiopian maid following a dispute, which took place en route to a local labor agency in Hawally. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, but the suspect claimed that she had already been suffering from a certain disease for which she had been receiving treatment from a local clinic. Following verification procedures, however, investigators found that the victim had never received any kind of treatment at the clinic. Her medical files also revealed that there was no record of her reporting any ailments. Eyewitness statements have also disputed claims that the suspect was not violent against the deceased.

Schoolboy clash turns violent A 14-year-old schoolboy suffered multiple injuries when his classmate attacked him with a knife during a fight outside their school in Jahra. The boy was admitted to Jahra Hospital where the several cuts on his

head and upper body were treated. The victim explained to police that he had fought with a fellow classmate, also 14-year-old, after school following a dispute in class. His opponent, however, came armed with a knife.

Police apprehended the attacker who is now facing charges. - Al-Qabas Desperation for female attention Two youngsters have been hospitalized after publicly attacking each other with knives in Salmiya. The fight started after the youngsters misinterpreted signals from a woman that they had both been harassing.

The woman told police that the two started fighting despite her having ignored both of them as they followed her. Following treatment at the Mubarak Al-Kabeer hospital, the youngsters told officers that the woman smiled at them, thus sparking the brawl as they argued over who the smile was intended for. They remain in custody to face attempted murder and assault charges. - Al-Rai Wife charged with infidelity A citizen pressed infidelity charges with the Public Prosecution against his wife after finding her in a compromising situation with another man. According to his account, the citizen pursued his wife as she sped away after he found her with another man inside her car in a parking lot. The pursuit ended in an accident as the wife attempted to flee, and police escorted the couple to the nearest police station. Once at the police station, the husband requested to file a case and asked for blood and alcohol tests to be completed for his wife and her companion, who is an American citizen. It was reported that no case was filed following the incident as an influential member of the accused woman’s family exerted considerable pressure on the detective handling the case. - Al-Rai Search on for armed robbers Six suspects who committed an armed robbery at a restaurant in Saad Al-Abdullah recently have yet to be found. Police, accompanied by criminal investigators, headed to

Al-Rajhi to own stake in KFH

KRCS holds training course on first aid

Musaed Al-Anzi

KUWAIT: Director of volunteers in the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Musaed Al-Anzi said yesterday that first aid training courses are still being held in order to sharpen the skills of its staff members and volunteers.

Al-Anzi said in an opening ceremony of a training course for 60 volunteers that first aid is a “necessity” in society in time of emergencies.

He added that organizing such courses aim at informing and raising the level of skills of the volunteers in how to deal with people with special needs, health-challenged people as well as underprivileged families.

The training course also included spreading awareness of KRCS’s mission in rescue operations and international humanitarian law.

“It is important to make volunteers aware of their rights and duties given to them by international humanities law and how to use these privileges in the ‘right’ way,” he noted. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Rajhi Bank, the world’s largest Islamic financial institution, seeks to strengthen regional activities by purchasing a stake in Kuwait Finance House, said sources. Speaking anonymously, they added that Al-Rajhi Bank have already began unofficial negotiations with shareholders from the public and private sector after buying a total 15 percent KFH stocks at KD 1.2 and KD 1.4.

The 15 percent share will enable Al-Rajhi to become a main contributor to the management of Kuwait’s largest Islamic Bank. Other major stakes are held by governmental bodies that don’t engage in administrative duties. According to sources, the parties that Al-Rajhi is in negotiation with have already assented to sell shares. The KFH would make Al-Rajhi the largest Islamic banking group in the world, and the largest group in the entire banking sector in the Middle East. — Al-Rai

the scene after employees reported being robbed by masked men with a firearm. The thieves held the employees at gunpoint and stole KD 200 before speeding off in an SUV. Fingerprints were lifted from the scene a case has been filed. — Al-Rai Smoking debate sparks assault A Salmiya resident pressed attempted murder charges against his roommate, who he says tried to push him out of their apartment’s window following a physical assault.

In his statement to officers, the man, who is an Egyptian expatriate, explained that he entered into a dispute with his roommate over his excessive smoking habits. The dispute developed into a physical attack against the victim, which ended with the suspect attempting to throw him out of the window of their third floor apartment.

— Al-Anba Janitor, maid accused of organizing theft The janitor of a Salmiya apartment building has been accused of orchestrating a burglary by using the help of a housemaid he had encouraged the victim to hire. In a statement to local police, the victim of the theft, an Egyptian expatriate, explained that his maid ran away three days after she was hired. He claimed that he had hired her based on the recommendation of the building’s janitor but, shortly after doing so, found that the $20,000 he keeps stored in the apartment was missing. He added that he believes that the janitor was involved in the crime as he failed to provide him with any information about the maid following her disappearance. —Al-Anba Father attacks son over homework A young student was admitted to the Adan Hospital with a bleeding nose and multiple bruises after his father attacked him. The attacker took his son to hospital following the incident, and admitted that he had lashed out after finding a note from a teacher about missing homework. He is facing domestic abuse charges.—Al Watan, Al-Anba, Al-Rai

VIVA celebrates National Day of Sultanate of Oman KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications company VIVA is offering a new special celebration offer for prepaid and postpaid customers to enjoy while celebrating the National Day of The Sultanate of Oman on Nov 18.

VIVA is making a two-day offer from Nov 17 until Nov 18 for customers making calls to Oman. The special celebration offer allows customers the opportunity to make calls to friends, family and loved ones in The Sultanate of Oman with the added bonus of receiving 5 minutes free talk time after the first 5 minutes of each

call. VIVA is pleased on this occasion to express its sincere gratitude to the people of Oman, and to those celebrating in Kuwait during the National Day of The Sultanate of Oman. VIVA will continue to acknowledge the National Holidays of international countries, in persistence to recognize each customer ’s needs.

Customers interested in this celebration offer and other numerous competitive promotions, products and packages can find out more information on VIVA’s website, Social Media Channels or any of our branches.

Symposium on dietary supplements for horses KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) said yesterday that it will organize a scientific symposium on Nov 20 on the importance of dietary supplements for horses in coordination

with a number of specialized companies in this field.

An expert in equine nutrition will be giving key lectures addressing a number of topics related food supplements that would enhance horses’ perform-

ance, Hussein Al-Khayyat, Director of Department of Agriculture Guidance, said in a press statement. Al-Khayyat added that the lectures will review ways of rehabilitating horses and building their bodies to enhance the athletic

abilities of the majestic animal and make them cope better with training, as well as the importance of using a balanced diet rich with proteins and fats and types of forage containing vitamin and minerals for horses.— KUNA

Kuwaiti participates in Jordan’s theater festival AMMAN: A number of Kuwaiti playwrights are participating in the 18th Jordanian Theatre Festival starting here tonight along with participants from other 15 Arab and foreign countries.

Kuwait is taking part in the festival with a play titled “Alienation Monologue” directed by actor Faisal Al-Ameeri and author and scenarist Faisal Al-Obaid.

This play talks of the last moments in the life of a human, during which he tries in vain to live his life again and work things out, Al-Ameeri said.

This play also discusses the concept of death and how humans resent this bitter fact until they reach the real moment, AlObaid said.

The death is a mysterious experience, no matter how much people get ready to meet it one day, he affirmed.

Al-Obaid rejected the idea that the golden era of Kuwaiti theater has ended, noting it was only going through a transitional phase to keep pace with the developments the region reached in this field.

Actors and actresses Ali Hassan, Hanan Mohammed, Abulmehsen Saleh, and Kananah Mohammad are taking part in this

work. Essa Jassem is co-director, music and sound effects by Waleed Sarab, theatre techniques by Abdulaziz Saud, theatrical decorations and administration by Mohammad Ali, Ahmad Hassan and Salah Salem, while Mohammad Al-Dashti and Haidar Hassan are producer and co-producer respectively.

Several symposia are held on the sidelines of the festival, with Kuwait represented by Abdulsattar Naji.

Plays from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Poland, Italy and Jordan are taking part.

In an opening address, Jordanian Minister of Culture Salah Jarrar said art is an essential part of our lives, adding it also creates dreams, preserves memories and entertains.

The head of Jordanian Syndicate of Artists Hussein Al-Khateeb stressed the importance of the festival in boosting the cultural movement in general, and the theatrical in specific.

The Jordanian Ministry of Culture and the Jordanian Syndicate of Artists are coorganizers of the 10-day event. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Ambassador of Peru to Kuwait Amador Velasquez Garcia Monterroso inaugurated his country’s embassy building recently in an event attended by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarrallah, as well as diplomats and other dignitaries. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Clinton to offer support to Philippines, Thailand

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EISENACH: Picture taken on November 4, 2011 shows officers of the police and fire brigades standing around a burnt caravan in Eisenach, eastern Germany. Two men, allegedly members of a right extremist terror group, were found dead in the caravan, after they had committed an armed robbery. The German government admitted yesterday gross errors by the security services in dealing with a new brand of far-right “terrorism” after revelations of a decade-long killing spree by neo-Nazis. — AFP

Germany vows to fight neo-Nazis Shock over murders of immigrants between 2000-2007 LEIPZIG/BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives urged here yesterday to step up the fight against right-wing extremists following the chance discovery that a group of neo-Nazis had been murdering immigrants for years.

Merkel has described as a national disgrace the existence of a cell, called the National Socialist Underground, whose members are now suspected of killing between 2000 and 2007 at least nine immigrants, eight Turks and a Greek, and a police woman.

The cell only came to light by chance, raising fears the security services have underplayed the threat from the extreme right and may have been distracted by its use of unreliable informants from the right-wing scene.

Police are reopening all unsolved cases with a possible racist motive since 1998.

The case has topped the national news since the weekend and politicians from all parties have expressed shock, which has also fuelled calls for a renewed effort to ban the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD).

“You cannot help being left with the dreadful impression that the danger of right-wing extremist violence wasn’t taken seriously enough,” Thomas Oppermann, a member of the opposition Social Democrats (SPD), told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily.

Germany’s Nazi past makes right-wing militancy a particularly sensitive subject, yet experts have long warned of extremism among disenchanted young people in eastern regions of the country where unemployment is high and job prospects poor.

At least 3 million people of Turkish origin live in Germany. Many came to fill West Germany’s labour gap after World War Two and helped deliver its “economic miracle”. About 81 million people live in Germany.

Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) voted unanimously at a congress in Leipzig on Tuesday to push for tough action against what the party called “a serious, brutal threat to our democratic life”.

The CDU urged the government to “intensify the fight against right-wing extremism” and to “find out whether the recent events provide grounds for a prohibition of the NPD”.

Conservative parliamentary leader Volker Kauder said he was in favour of exploring whether it would be possible to “root out this Brown weed”referring to the brown shirts once worn by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Stormtroopers-by banning the NPD. A previous attempt to ban the NPD in 2003 collapsed because informants were used as witnesses.

Many politicians are wary of trying again, not least because of the fear of pushing NPD supporters underground.

Lorenz Caffier, the CDU’s leader in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, one of the depressed former East German areas plagued by right-wing extremism and where the NPD enjoys support, told the congress “German society has to stand up to the extreme-right NPD with all our might, it is our democratic duty”.

With seats in two regional assemblies, the NPD received 1.06 million euros in taxpayers’ money last year. The NPD is more radical than populist, anti-immigration parties in the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Sweden.

Germany’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution describes the NPD as racist, anti-Semitic and revisionist and says its statements prove its inspiration comes from the Nazis. The party says the German constitution is a “diktat” imposed by victorious Western powers after World War Two. Last weekend the NPD appointed Holger Apfel as their leader. He has tried to portray himself as the moderate face of the NPD and distanced himself from

the newly-found terror cell, as well as condemning political terrorism and violence.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency monitors far-right extremists but has in the last few years made little of the threat of violence from right-wing groups.

One of the main charges levelled at the agency is that in its efforts to infiltrate right wing groups, it used unreliable informants. Critics even say money paid to the informants went to fund criminal activities. Top-selling Bild newspaper reported that a security agent had been very close to the scene of crime in six of the cases. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Spec-Ops Command: SEAL raid book ‘a lie’ WASHINGTON: The US military is denouncing a former Navy SEAL’s book that claims to describe the “real” version of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. “It’s just not true,” US Special Operations Command spokesman Col Tim Nye said. “It’s not how it happened.” Laden with conspiracy theories and attacks on the Obama White House, Chuck Pfarrer’s “SEAL Target Geronimo” claims an alternative version of the raid in which the SEAL team shot bin Laden within 90 seconds of arriving at the Pakistan compound where the al-Qaida mastermind was holed up.

Pfarrer claims the White House issued a fictional and damaging account of the raid that made the SEALs look inept. He says President Barack Obama’s speedy acknowledgement of the raid was a craven political move that rendered much of the intelligence gathered on the raid useless. Pfarrer’s account broke into Amazon’s top 20 book sales list last week, and Pfarrer has appeared on Fox News, CNN and in other venues to promote it. “I have truth on my side,” Pfarrer said in an interview with AP. “I

spoke to the guys on the ground and in the secondary bird,” he said, referring to the aircraft full of a second SEAL team that was there to rescue the first if it came under attack so far inside Pakistan’s borders.

“This is a fabrication,” Nye countered, issuing an onthe-record denial on behalf of Navy SEAL Adm Bill McRaven, who took command of all special operations this summer. In his previous role, McRaven executed the raid in May as head of the military’s elite Joint Special Operations Command. Nye said McRaven was concerned the book would lead Americans to doubt the administration’s version of events. He also disputed Pfarrer’s portrayal of friction between the CIA and the military special operations forces who carried out the raid. “We have never come forward and gone after an author and say that is a lie,” Nye said. “That tells you how far off the mark we believe this book is.” Nye says Pfarrer had no access to any troops connected to the mission.

He said there will be no investigation into whether indi-

vidual SEALs spoke to Pfarrer because his account is so off-base.

Among his other claims, Pfarrer insists the stealth helicopter that the White House said crashed within moments of launching the raid - and local Pakistanis reported hearing crash - actually crashed later. He says the SEALs were able to launch their raid as they’d planned it all along, landing on top of the building while another team surged from below. Pfarrer defended the book as a patriotic way to laud the “heroes of the bin Laden mission.” He insists the money he earns will barely cover his medical bills for a long and losing battle with colon cancer. His ruddy complexion and expansive girth belie an illness the personable Pfarrer says has now spread to his lungs.

Pfarrer claims he is still part of the fighting SEAL network, even intimating that he was part of the bin Laden raid preparation. “In the weeks and months leading up to Neptune’s Spear (the code name for the bin Laden mis-

sion), it was my privilege to help troops and platoons train for submissions and run parallel HVT (high-value target) missions,” Pfarrer writes. “That is categorically incorrect,” spokesman Nye said of the passage. “He was not involved in mission planning, execution or close mission analysis.”

Two senior military officials with knowledge of the raid seconded that denial. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Pfarrer deflected that criticism, saying he was conducting training for the SEAL Team 6’s parent organization, the Naval Special Warfare Command, through his defense security company Acme Ballistics. He refused to describe how closely such training was related to the raid, saying the contracts are classified. That is Pfarrer’s frequent refrain when asked for proof of his controversial claims: that the accounts are from a top secret world only he has access to and that a reader must take his word on faith. — AP

Lebanese politicians come to blows over Syria live on TV Opposition warns of national split BEIRUT: Long-restrained tensions in Lebanon over the uprising in its powerful neighbour Syria have burst into the open after an Arab League vote to suspend Damascus-even bringing politicians to blows on live television.

Divided over their relationship to Syria, politicians previously trod carefully in statements for or against the Syrian government whose army has been struggling to crush eight months of protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

But Saturday’s vote at the Arab League, in which Lebanon was one of only two countries to oppose Syria’s suspension, exposed the depths of divisions in a country where many are linked to Syria by religious, political and family ties, but others have bitter memories of three decades of

Syrian military presence in Lebanon.

The Lebanese talk show “With Objectivity” was abruptly taken off air on Monday evening when local politicians Mustafa Alloush and Fayez Shukr, seated on-set in business suits, started throwing glasses at one another and raising their chairs- sending insults and papers flying. Shukr, from Lebanon’s pro-Syrian Baath Party, fumed as Alloush said Assad was “a liar”. Shukr and Alloush, from Lebanon’s anti-Syria opposition parties, then traded expletives.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government, which is backed by Hezbollah and other proSyrian parties, angered the opposition and surprised even some cabinet members by choosing to vote against Syria’s suspension, rather than

BEIRUT: In this video grab from the independent MTV in Lebanon, Baath party representative Fayez Shukr (L) lifts a chair as he comes to blows with former MP Mustafa Alloush (R) during a late night talk show on November 14. — AFP

Israel army chief ‘warns of aggressive action’ in Gaza JERUSALEM: Repeated rocket fire from Gaza will push Israel into taking “aggressive” action in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli chief of staff warned MPs yesterday, in remarks reported in the press. “The latest round of escalation, which includes physical injury and harm to the daily life of residents of the south, means the military will be required to take aggressive and meaningful action in the Gaza Strip,” Benny Gantz told MPs at the parliamentar y committee on foreign affairs and defence.

Low-level unrest has rumbled on in and around Gaza over the last two weeks but it has not deteriorated into all-out fighting as it did on October 29-30 when tit-fortat violence left 12 Palestinian militants and an Israeli civilian dead. Militant groups say they are observing an Egyptian-brokered truce agreement, but during the last two weeks rockets have still landed in southern Israel and the army has responded with air strikes, which have killed five Palestinians and injured at least 11.

“Every few months, we have to go back for another round of fighting” to stamp out rocket fire, Gantz later told reporters at a briefing. “It would be in Israel’s best interest to shorten the duration of future rounds of fighting through intelligence, through force and through ongoing activity,” he said.

Israel has always laid responsibility for the rocket fire at the door of Gaza’s Hamas rulers, although officials acknowledge it is not Hamas militants who are behind the fire. And both the political and defence establishment has said it does not believe Hamas is interested in escalating the situation with Israel at this stage.

“Our deterrence with respect to Hamas is very high,” Gantz said, noting the Islamist movement was “very concerned by the continued growth in the power of Islamic Jihad in the recent round of fighting.”

He also confirmed long-running media reports about the infiltration of Libyan weapons into the Gaza Strip.

“In our estimation, as part of the collapse of the regime in Libya, weapons were transferred into the Gaza Strip,” he said without elaborating.

Unnamed Israeli officials have frequently warned that weapons smuggled out of Libya, where a revolt against the late leader Moamer Kadhafi left an abundance of arsenal, were finding their way into the Gaza Strip.

Gun-runners are believed to smuggle the weapons into the coastal strip through a network of tunnels which are also used to take food and other contraband into the blockaded Palestinian enclave. — AFP

abstaining as it has done at United Nations votes on Syria.

“We are seeing an escalation of political tensions. It is a sign Lebanon is split,” said Minister of Public Works Ghazi Aridi. “We should have taken a neutral stance ... What we saw on television last night is a direct result of these rising tensions. It’s not only unfortunate and embarrassing, it’s worrying,” he told Reuters.

Lebanon has maintained relative calm despite the bloodshed across its borders. Many Lebanese, haunted by the spectre of their 19751990 civil war that divided the country along sectarian lines, have been tight-lipped about Syria’s conflict, which many also worry could spiral into sectarian war.

Some politicians have posted increasingly heated comments on Twitter, which has grown in appeal as a platform for Lebanese political leaders from President Michel Suleiman to former prime minister and opposition leader Saad alHariri.

On Sunday, after Lebanon’s vote against Syria’s suspension in the Arab League, Hariri posted a string of critiques on the social network.

“They will be judged by the Lebanese and the Arabs and by history for their immoral and subservient abandonment of all national and human dignity,” he wrote, adding that the vote put Lebanon on “The side of murder, dictatorship and anti-Arab identity.”

Mikati, who has also become a regular Twitter user, even hosting Twitter debates, defended the vote against Syria’s suspension. “Leadership is not just about followership or giving people what they want to hear,” he told Twitter followers, arguing the decision to vote was done in the national interest.

The prime minister also said he was informed of the on-air political scuffle on Monday: “Unfortunately, it happens on T V in many democracies ... but, not my style.” — Reuters’

Yemen president should transfer power SANAA: Yemen’s embattled president must speed up reforms and begin a transfer of power according to a plan backed by the international community, a UN envoy says.

Jamal Benomar visited Yemen for a week to promote a Gulf-backed proposal that calls for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to transfer power to his vice president in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

Saleh told a TV interviewer that he will sign, but he did not say when. Saleh has resisted the proposal despite nearly nine months of protests against his 30-year rule.

Several times he said he would sign, only to back away at the last minute. Months of international diplomacy has failed to resolve the crisis.

Benomar held meetings with opposition figures on Monday, including Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who leads a military unit of defectors siding with the opposition and protecting protesters.

Earlier in his trip, Benomar met with Saleh and his deputy. In a rare interview with foreign media, Saleh told the TV channel France 24 that he would sign the Gulfbacked package, but he would not say

when that would happen or what was preventing him from doing so, vaguely noting that there was no time mechanism in the accord. The interview was broadcast late Monday.

“Definitely, definitely,” Saleh replied when asked if he intended to leave power. “I believe that anyone who grips on to power is crazy.” He said he would step down 90 days after the agreement goes into effect, but he did not say when that would be.

Mediators and opposition figures have become exasperated with what they see as Saleh’s stalling tactics. He said that the media was lying when reporting he refused to sign the agreement. He accused armed militias of infiltrating peaceful demonstrations in Yemeni cities.

Pro-Saleh forces regularly engage in deadly clashes with armed tribesmen and military defectors who support the protesters in Yemen’s largest cities, and al-Qaedalinked militants have taken control of entire towns in the country’s restive south.Security has collapsed across the Arab world’s poorest nation during the nine-month popular uprising. — AP

SANAA: Anti-government protesters take part in a protest calling for the trial of Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh and against the proposed immunity deal for him, in Sanaa yesterday. — AFP

ISFAHAN: Iranian students, one holding a picture of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, form a human chain outside the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility during a protest in the city in support of Iran’s nuclear program and against military threats by Israel yesterday. —AFP

Iran students form chain to defend nuclear site TEHRAN: Hundreds of Iranian students yesterday formed a human chain around one of the Islamic republic’s nuclear sites, vowing to strongly respond to any strike by arch-foe Israel, Fars news agency reported. “ We are promising the leaders of world arrogance (the West) that even if one bullet is fired towards Iran we will demolish Tel Aviv in three days,” Fars quoted a student leader as saying in a speech at the Isfahan uranium conversion facility. Chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” the students carried a Wild West-styled wanted poster depicting US President Barack Obama’s as a fugitive from law.

The demonstration comes about a week after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported “credible” evidence that Iran had worked towards nuclear weapons. Iran criticised the Vienna-based atomic watchdog for giving up its “earlier objectivity” in the report, which it rejected as “baseless” and hewing to Israeli and US intelligence.

Tuesday’s student gathering, which is not the first of its kind in the past decade

of Iran’s stand-off with the West over its controversial nuclear drive, comes amid speculation of an Israeli military strike.

The rumours were further stoked by a news report saying that Israel’s foreign intelligence service Mossad was behind a deadly munitions blast in Iran last weekend. In an interview published Sunday in Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said he sees no more room for compromise in the battle over Tehran’s contested nuclear programme.

At the same time, Iran’s parliament speaker Ali Larijani warned Tehran must review its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog due to the hostile nature of the report. Subject to four sets of UN sanctions and several Western sanctions over its enrichment programme, Iran has so far refused to freeze its uranium enrichment activities.

Washington and its Western partners want the IAEA board to approve a “clear resolution” condemning Iran at a scheduled meeting on Thursday and Friday.

This could even go as far as to referring Iran to the UN Security Council. — AFP

Assad loyalists tear down Jordan embassy flag AMMAN: More than 100 demonstrators stormed the Jordanian embassy in Damascus and tore down the flag in protest at King Abdullah II’s call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to go, Jordanian newspapers said yesterday.

It was the fourth such protest against embassies of regional powers by angry Assad loyalists since the Arab League voted on Saturday to suspend Syria and impose sanctions against the regime over its bloody eight-month crackdown on peaceful protesters.

“Nearly 120 people protested in front of the Jordanian embassy in Damascus on Monday evening and two of them managed to break into the outside courtyard of the embassy and tear down the Jordanian flag,” ambassador Omar alAmad told the Al-Dustur and Al-Ghad newspapers.

“Syrian security forces did not intervene to prevent the incursion into the embassy compound by these two individuals,” the ambassador added. “By international agreement, the responsibility to protect embassies and other diplomatic missions falls on the host country,” Amad said, underlining the protection afforded to the Syrian embassy in Amman despite widespread anger in Jordan over the bloodshed in the Arab neighbouring country.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Monday became the first Arab leader to openly call for Assad to step down, two days after the Arab League took the rare move of suspending Syrian membership of the 22-nation bloc.

“I believe, if I were in his shoes, I would step down,” the king said in a BBC interview. “I would step down and make sure

whoever comes behind me has the ability to change the status quo that we’re seeing.”

King Abdullah said Assad should usher in a new era of political dialogue before stepping down.

“Again I don’t think the system allows for that, so if Bashar has the interest of his country, he would step down, but he would also create an ability to reach out and start a new phase of Syrian political life,” he told the BBC. Syria has reacted angrily to the decision at the weekend by the Arab League to suspend the country from the panArab bloc. The main Jordanian opposition parties, including the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, called on the government on Sunday to withdraw its ambassador from Damascus in accordance with an appeal from the Arab League made as part of Saturday’s package of sanctions.

The bloc’s foreign ministers decided to leave the final decision to member states but there has been growing pressure from human rights groups and Arab public opinion angry over a crackdown that has cost more than 3,500 lives, according to the United Nations.

The embassies of Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, seen as prime movers in the groundswell of regional opinion against the Assad regime, had already come under attack.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday apologies for the attacks on those embassies.

“It is important... that this does not repeat itself. The protection of the embassies is part of our responsibilities,” Muallem told a news conference in Damascus. — AFP

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French trial of Somali pirates opens in Paris Vessels, 243 hostages still being held for ransom PARIS: Six Somali pirates captured

by French commandos in 2008 went on trial in Paris yesterday for their role in the hijacking of a yacht in the Gulf of Aden that year and the kidnapping of two French citizens.

The trial is the first of four to be held in France in a bid to increase the number of Somali pirates brought to justice and tackle a problem that has turned the waters off the Horn of Africa into some of the most perilous in the world.

Piracy is rife in the waters off Somalia, with the international community powerless to act. A total of 243 hostages and 10 vessels are being held for multi-milliondollar ransoms, according to figures from EU Navfor, the European Union’s anti-piracy task force.

Former UN special adviser on piracy, Jack Lang, said some 90 percent of captured pirates are being released because there is no place to prosecute them.

Somalia lacks the legal infrastructure, while other countries have refused to take charge of prisoners as their justice system is

already overflowing. “We have to fight against this sense of impunity,” Lang, a former French culture minister, told Reuters.

“The pirates need to know that if they are captured, they will be tried,” he said. The six men on trial in Paris, aged 21 to 36, face life imprisonment for attacking the yacht Carre d’As in September 2008, and holding Jean-Yves Delanne and wife Bernadette for ransom for ten days until they were freed by French commandos. The trial is expected to last until early December.

The pirates had originally demanded a ransom of $4 million, but subsequently lowered their price to $2 million, and called for the release of six other pirates held in Paris.

A total of 22 Somali pirates are awaiting trial in France, charged with attacks on French ships near the Horn of Africa. Of those on trial on Tuesday, some have confessed to the crime. Others say they were forced to carry out the hijacking by criminal gangs that have sprung up in Somalia after 20 years of civil war

that has brought widespread lawlessness.

“In Somalia, residents have behind them a desert of stones, and in front of them a sea pillaged by factory-ships and polluted by all sorts of rubbish. There is no longer any state. They know they are doing something wrong but they have no other choice,” defence lawyer Gustave Charvet told Reuters.

The powerlessness of the international community to stop the attacks often stems from its inability to bring the culprits to justice even after capture.

The EU Navfor figures show that 165 attempted attacks have taken place this year, with 24 actually resulting in the hijacking of a vessel.

Only 56 pirates have so far been convicted, the last 11 in a trial in the Seychelles, while 55 are awaiting trial, EU Navfor said. Countries such as Kenya and the Seychelles have made considerable efforts to bring the culprits to trial. In October, following a spate of kidnappings of foreigners on its soil,

Kenya launched an attack on southern Somalia to try to secure its porous borders from al-Qaedalinked Shabaab rebels.

But Lang, whose mandate as special adviser ended in May, said the UN Security Council now needed to press ahead with implementing its April resolution calling for the creation of special courts to try captured Somali pirates.

In a report to the Security Council in January, Lang recommended that specialised courts be set up in the enclaves of Somaliland and Puntiland in northern Somalia and at Arusha in Tanzania, which are seen as more stable than Somalia proper.

Speaking yesterday, he said he had recently urged U.N. Secretary General Ban ki-Moon to appoint a high commissioner charged with the fight against piracy to mobilise the international community and apply the UN resolution. “Only a Somalian solution, implemented as part of an international agreement, can really ensure that pirates are prosecuted more effectively,” he said. —Reuters

Prosecutors to open British race murder trial LONDON: Prosecutors were to open the trial in London of two men accused of the murder of a black teenager 18 years ago in a case that was a key chapter in the history of British race relations.

Final jury selection was taking place before prosecutors were to outline their case in the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a day after a judge urged potential jurors to put past press coverage of the case out of their minds. The 18-year-old college student was stabbed to death at a bus stop in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths in Eltham, southeast London, in April 1993.

Nobody has ever been convicted for the murder, which prompted a major inquiry that concluded London’s Metropolitan Police were

“institutionally racist.” Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, both white men from south London, deny murdering the teenager.

The trial, taking place at the Old Bailey court in London, is expected to last two months. Much of the past history of the case cannot be reported at this stage because it has been placed under tight legal restrictions.

A panel of 24 potential jurors has been selected and the final 12 who will hear the case are to be chosen at random yesterday.

Judge Colman Treacy told the jurors on Monday that the name of Stephen Lawrence “will have rung a bell with some of you. “There has been and no doubt will be during the course of the trial quite a lot of press interest in this case. The case had “aroused strong feel-

ings in people” over the years, the judge said, but urged jurors not to do anything that might jeopardise the trial.

“In order to have a fair trial I must be sure that the members of the jury panel are people who are independent and who don’t have any links to any aspect of the case which might disqualify them from sitting as an independent juror,” he added.

Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence, who has campaigned to keep the case in the public eye, and his father Neville listened intently in court Monday. An inquiry by a senior judge into the way that the case was conducted by London’s Metropolitan Police led to significant changes in the way murders involving black victims are investigated. —AFP

Moscow’s ousted mayor questioned in fraud case MOSCOW: Moscow’s toppled mayor Yury Luzhkov arrived yesterday for questioning as a witness in an investigation into a city bank that he founded and that allegedly gave his wife a fraudulent loan. “Luzhkov is already inside. The questioning will last at least three hours,” the ex-mayor’s lawyer Genri Reznik told journalists gathered outside the police investigators’ offices.

President Dmitr y Medvedev humiliatingly sacked the long-reigning mayor in September 2010 after a televised campaign highlighting alleged corruption and favours to Luzhkov’s wife, construction magnate Yelena Baturina.

The 75-year-old had ruled as mayor from 1992, with massive public support when re-elected in contested polls. Now the post is directly

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

appointed, and he was replaced by a taciturn Kremlin loyalist, Sergei Sobyanin. The Bank of Moscow finance house that Luzhkov founded and used as the heart of the city’s real estate and other business operations was raided within months of the mayor’s replacement.

Its executives now stand accused of using city budget money in 2009 to issue a 13 billion ruble ($420 million) loan to a shell company that ended up buying a property at an inflated price from Baturina’s construction business. Luzhkov and Baturina have spent most of their time abroad since the mayor was ousted, with Baturina fleeing to Austria after crack police forces raided the offices of her Inteko firm in February.

Baturina admits that Inteko used

Ukraine rejects Tymoshenko reprieve KIEV: Ukraine’s parliament yesterday voted against a proposal to downgrade the abuse-of-power offence under which former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been jailed, a move which could have led to her early release.

The opposition leader was jailed for seven years last month for abusing her powers in forcing through a gas deal with Russia in 2009 which the present Ukrainian leadership says saddled the country with an exorbitant price for Russian gas.

She denies wrong-doing and says the trial is a vendetta against her by President Viktor Yanukovich who beat her for the presidency in a bitterly-fought run-off vote in February 2010. Tymoshenko’s case has soured the exSoviet republic’s relations with the European Union weeks ahead of a summit in which the sides had planned to initial deals on political association and free trade.

The EU sees Tymoshenko’s prosecution as politically motivated and has warned Kiev the deals may not be signed if she remains in jail. But deputies from Yanukovich’s Party of Regions, which dominates parliament, refused to let her go free on Tuesday in a move which had been largely expected by Tymoshenko’s defence.

Parliament voted down a proposal by her allies and supporters to reclassify the abuse-of-power offence as a misdemeanour-an outcome which would have led to her being freed from police detention.

Only 147 deputies out of 438 supported the proposal.

Tymoshenko’s lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko told Reuters this week she was pinning her hopes on foreign courts such as the European Court of Human Rights where she could apply after a local appeals court rules on her case.

Tymoshenko, 50, was a leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution which doomed Yanukovich’s first bid for the presidency. Twice prime minister, she remains one of Ukraine’s most popular politicians.

Tymoshenko’s supporters say Yanukovich is trying to eliminate her as a political force in the run-up to the October 2012 parliamentary elections. Yanukovich has styled the prosecution of Tymoshenko as part of a drive against malpractice and corruption in government. —Reuters

the proceeds from the property sale to cover immediate debts and stay afloat for several more months. But she argues that the loan was legal and the intermediary company legitimate. Luzhkov, who presided over the regular breaking up of opposition rallies by riot police while in office, has given virulent interviews complaining of Stalinist-style repression against him. But he had insisted that he would return for questioning in the probe, despite wide speculation that he risks being transformed from a witness to a suspect, and his lawyer remained bullish on Tuesday.

“It is not Luzhkov’s case. It’s the Bank of Moscow ’s case, and he’s just a witness. I’m here as a witness’s lawyer,” Reznik said, adding that his client was “in an excellent mood.” —AFP

New tremor hits Turkey ANKARA: A 5.2 magnitude tremor shook the eastern Turkish province of Van overnight without causing damage or casualties in an area already ravaged by two deadly earthquakes, media said yesterday.

The tremor at about 2230 GMT panicked residents of the region, many of them still living in tent camps since an October 23 earthquake killed more than 600 people, according to CNN-Turk television. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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

US Supreme Court won’t delay Ohio execution LUCASVILLE: Ohio was poised yesterday to end a nearly six-month break in its use of capital punishment by executing a man who fatally shot his three sons while they slept in 1982, shortly after his wife filed for divorce.

State and federal courts have rejected attorneys’ arguments that 66year-old Reginald Brooks of East Cleveland is not mentally competent and that the government withheld relevant evidence that could have affected Brooks’ case.

The US Supreme Court yesterday rejected Brooks’ request to halt the execution, as did the Ohio Supreme Court Monday. It was unclear if Brooks’ appeals were done, or if a last-minute request to a federal appeals court in Cincinnati Tuesday must still be decided. Prison officials said they were temporarily postponing the execution until the final appeals are resolved.

Brooks, 66, was scheduled to die by injection at 10 am. US District Court Judge Donald Nugent in Cleveland rejected Brooks’ latest appeal yester-

day, saying it appeared he still had issues he could argue in Ohio state courts. But the Ohio Supreme Court has repeatedly rejected Brooks’ claims in recent days, and it was unclear exactly what options he had left.

Brooks’ lawyers immediately appealed Nugent’s ruling to the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

Brooks visited with his brother, clergy and lawyers Monday night, then listened to the radio and watched TV before falling asleep for more than six hours, prisons spokesman Carlo LoParo said. Brooks refused breakfast Tuesday morning.

A medical team that checked his arms ahead of the planned lethal injection found visible veins, LoParo said. He said Brooks did not appear to be emotional yesterday morning. The defense contends Brooks is a paranoid schizophrenic who suffered from mental illness long before he shot his 11-, 15- and 17-year-old sons in the head as they slept at their East Cleveland home on a Saturday morning. The

defense says Brooks believed his coworkers and wife were poisoning him and that he maintains his innocence,

Reginald Brooks offering conspiracy theories about the killings that involve police, his relatives and a look-alike.

Prosecutors acknowledge Brooks is mentally ill but dispute the notions that it caused the murders or makes

him incompetent. They say he planned merciless killings, bought a revolver two weeks in advance, confirmed he’d be home alone with the boys, targeted them when they wouldn’t resist and fled on a bus with a suitcase containing a birth certificate and personal items that could help him start a new life. “It is a travesty that Reginald Brooks has lived so long on death row after cruelly shooting his three boys to death,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason said in a statement Monday.

Prosecutors say Brooks’ insistence that he’s innocent is a sign that he knows his rights, not that he’s delusional.

Brooks was found competent for trial, and a three-judge panel convicted him. Defense attorneys have argued that prosecutors withheld information that would have supported a mental health defense. Former Judge Harry Hanna, one of the three on the panel, told the Ohio Parole Board he would not have voted for the death penalty if he’d had information from police reports that were provided

to the defense more recently.

Brooks declined to be interviewed by the parole board. The board recommended that Gov. John Kasich deny clemency, and he did. Kasich previously granted clemency to two death row inmates and postponed two other executions as a federal judge weighed objections to Ohio’s execution policy.

US District Court Judge Gregory Frost denied a delay for Brooks and ruled in favor of Ohio’s execution rules, saying the state addressed his concerns about the process. Beverly Brooks, who found her sons dead in bed when she returned from work, told the parole board she believes the killings were an act of revenge for her divorce filing, not the result of mental illness, and she supports the execution. She is among those scheduled to witness it. Reginald Brooks was taken Monday to the prison in Lucasville, where the execution would happen.

He would be the oldest person put to death since Ohio resumed executions in 1999. — AP

Panetta: Deep US defense cuts mean fewer troops ‘Devastating for the department’

MEXICO CITY: Juan Gabriel Orozco Favela, alias “El Gasca” alleged member of the Knights Templar drug cartel, is escorted by Mexican Army soldiers as he is presented to the media in Mexico City, yesterday. — AP

Retired prosecutor aims at Anthony attorneys ORLANDO: A retired prosecutor from the Casey Anthony murder trial calls her lead attorney “smarmy ” in a new book and writes that even though the Florida mother acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter “may have deserved” the death penalty if convicted, he didn’t think a jury would ever agree to the punishment.

Jeff Ashton wrote in yesterday ’s “Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony,” that he would have been happier if the prosecution team left the death penalty off the table. He also confirmed that toward the end of the trial, Anthony’s attorneys tried to persuade the 25-year-old to accept a plea deal but she refused to listen.

“Personally, I think I would have been happier if the death penalty had not been reintroduced into the case, even though I think on some level I think Casey may have deserved it,” Ashton said in the 324-page book. “Simply put, I just didn’t think the jury would go there.”

As it turns out, Anthony refusal to accept a deal paid off. Jurors in July acquitted her in the killing of her daughter, Caylee, and she was released from prison, though she is in hiding somewhere in Florida, serving probation for an unrelated check fraud case. Ashton’s book is the first account written by one of the key players in the trial that captured the attention of the nation last summer. He retired soon after the trial ended.

In it, he takes direct aim at Anthony’s defense attorneys, specifically Jose Baez, whom he says he genuinely dislikes. He said Baez was careless with the facts, unmindful of deadlines and encouraged Anthony to be uncooperative with detectives searching for her daughter.

“There is an unearned air of arrogance about the man that is incredibly frustrating to witness,” Ashton writes. “The word I used in describing Jose is smarmy: somebody who is slick, underhanded and doesn’t shoot straight.”

Baez said in a statement that Ashton’s characterizations were false. “Having read several of the comments Mr. Ashton makes in his new book, I am both surprised and somewhat disappointed he has chosen to attack me on a personal level,” Baez said.

“Without going into specific detail, I will say only that many of his accusations are absolutely false.”

Ashton also writes an unflattering view of jurors. He wrote they seemed to give a lot of thought and discussion about which movies they wanted to watch or which restaurants to go to while they were sequestered. Yet no juror asked a single question about the evidence during deliberation. “From the moment our jury had been fielded ... we’d had concerns over their apparent absence of strong opinions as well as over the amount of effort they seemed willing to expend on this,” Ashton writes. “In retrospect, I think those concerns were justified.”

Three jurors gave television interviews

immediately after the verdict, but they have since refused to talk to reporters about the case. The book, for the first time, also discloses the results of two psychological evaluations taken of Anthony.

Two defense psychologists who did the evaluations never testified. But Anthony told the psychologists that she was sexually abused by her father, Ashton wrote. As part of their defense, Anthony’s attorneys said Caylee drowned in the family swimming pool, and that her father, a former police officer, helped cover it up. Anthony’s partying and shopping during the month before her daughter was reported missing was caused in part by her father’s sexual abuse, according to the defense theory.

Her father, George Anthony, repeatedly denied those claims in court and afterward.

One psychologist expressed apprehension about his evaluation being used to suppor t that defense theor y, Ashton writes, especially since Anthony had scored in a normal range on a test designed to discover mental disorders. The other psychologist gave Anthony a battery of tests to diagnose stress from trauma such as sexual molestation. The tests didn’t support the theory that she had been molested, Ashton writes.

A few weeks before trial, prosecutors met with George Anthony, and his wife, Cindy, to give them a heads-up about the molestation accusations that the defense planned to use at trial. “George looked like he had been crying, like someone had just killed Caylee all over again,” Ashton writes.

“He was just devastated.”

More than six months after she disappeared, a meter reader found Caylee’s remains in a swampy, wooded area near where she lived with her mother and grandparents. Ashton said in the book that law enforcement and volunteers never examined that area until Roy Kronk reported seeing the remains there in December 2008. “In the end, Murphy’s Law prevailed: Everyone assumed that someone else had searched there, but in fact no one actually had,” Ashton writes. “Everyone, including law enforcement, assumed that the most obvious place had to have been combed and given the all clear - which just proves the adage about what happens when you assume. Everybody ends up looking like and ass and a nation spent an extra four months searching around the country for a lost little girl who was a quarter mile from home.”

A spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the lead agency investigating Caylee’s disappearance and death, said Monday that pinpointing a place to search for the toddler was challenging. “Mr. Ashton, as part of the prosecution team, was well aware of the difficulties in establishing a starting point,” Capt. Angelo Nieves said. “Casey Anthony told numerous lies to law enforcement throughout the investigation concerning her daughter’s whereabouts.” —AP

WASHINGTON: The number of US ground forces would drop to levels not seen since 1940, the Navy would drop to the smallest number of ships since 1915 and the Air Force would be the smallest ever, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in warning Congress of the dire implications of deeper defense cuts.

The Pentagon chief on Monday offered a litany of drastic steps triggered by the automatic, across-theboard cuts if Congress’ supercommittee fails to come up with a $1.2 trillion deficit-cutting plan by Nov. 23. If the panel stumbles, the Pentagon faces some $500 billion in reductions in projected spending over 10 years - on top of the $450 billion already under way.

“Devastating for the department,” Panetta wrote in a letter to Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Republican, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a panel member. The two lawmakers had written the Pentagon chief earlier this month seeking specifics.

Panetta’s letter came on the eve of his appearance before the committee. The Pentagon chief and Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will face the panel to answer questions about the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq by year’s end. Lawmakers are expected to press them about the defense budget and the handling of service members’ remains at the mortuary at Dover Air Force Base.

Several Republicans on the panel were angered by President Barack Obama’s announcement last month that the remaining US forces, nearly 40,000, would be leaving Iraq, consistent with the agreement reached by Obama’s predecessor, Republican President George W. Bush, and the Baghdad government. US officials have signaled that they may move 4,000 of the troops to Kuwait.

“This decision will be viewed as a strategic victory for our enemies in the Middle East, especially the Iranian regime, which has worked relentlessly to ensure a full withdrawal of US troops from Iraq,” McCain said on the day of Obama’s announcement.

The war, which has lasted more than eight years, left 4,400 American military dead and more

WASHINGTON: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta(L) and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey testify at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The committee conducted hearings on security issues relating to Iraq.— AFP than 32,000 wounded. In his budget letter, Panetta said the automatic cuts would add up to a 23 percent reduction in the first year alone 2013. After a decade, “we would have the smallest ground force since 1940, the smallest number of ships since 1915, and the smallest Air Force in its history,” the Pentagon chief said.

Panetta, who has used apocalyptic terms such as “doomsday,” “hollow force” and “paper tiger” to describe the cuts, said the military would have to rethink its strategy.

“We would have to formulate a new security strategy that accepted substantial risk of not meeting our defense needs. A sequestration budget is not one that I could recommend,” said Panetta, a former California congressman and onetime head of the House Budget Committee.

At least two of the potential cuts outlined by Panetta would strike at the heart of US defense strategy.

One is the elimination of missile defense in Europe. The Obama administration’s commitment to building a network of radars and interceptors to defend all of Europe against a potential missile strike

from Iran is central to US efforts to update NATO defense priorities, improve defense cooperation with Russia and deter Iran.

The other - eliminating one of three “legs” of the US nuclear arsenal - would force a historic shift in nuclear planning. Panetta said he would be forced to eliminate intercontinental ballistic missiles, the globe-circling missiles based in underground silos. These currently consist of 450 Minuteman III missiles based in the north-central US. The other two legs of the nuclear arsenal are submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched missiles and bombs.

He offered a list of weapons programs that would be cut back, delayed or terminated, such as the Joint Strike Fighter, the next-generation ballistic missile submarine and new Army helicopters.

Delaying or terminating surveillance drone programs would stifle a critical new technology that has allowed the US to better track and eliminate terrorists in countries where American troops are not present.

Recent examples include the strike that killed al-Qaida-linked

cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen and the surveillance that led to the death of ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Drones are also the weapon of choice for the CIA as it hunts and kills insurgents in Pakistan who routinely target US and coalition troops in Afghanistan.

Panetta’s comments add pressure to the supercommittee a little more than a week before its deadline, as panel Republicans and Democrats struggle to fulfill their mandate.

The Pentagon letter also stirs the recent talk in Congress about trying to nullify the automatic cuts, a step McCain and Graham have discussed.

Obama said last week that he wouldn’t accept any legislation that tries to undo the automatic cuts. In a statement, McCain and Graham said the automatic cuts “would set off a swift decline of the United States as the world’s leading military power. ... This is not an outcome that we can live with, and it is cer tainly not one that we should impose on ourselves. The sequester is a threat to the national security interests of the United States, and it should not be allowed to occur.” —AP

Chavez foes seeking presidency hold debate CARACAS: Opposition leaders participating in their first public, televised debate Monday pledged radical changes if elected and pitched proposals to resolve Venezuela’s most pressing domestic problems ranging from rampant crime to high unemployment.

The debate featured hopefuls Diego Arria, Pablo Perez, Leopoldo Lopez, Henrique Capriles and Maria Corina Machado. They took turns slamming the policies of President Hugo Chavez and blaming his socialist ideology for many of the country’s woes. The panelists criticized Chavez in particular for failing to effectively fight crime, which Venezuelans identify in surveys as the South American nation’s worst problem. “I want to be president because I don’t want anybody falling dead due to violence,” said Miranda state Gov. Henrique Capriles, who leads most recent polls among possible opposition candidates.

Arria said he would fight crime by attacking drug trafficking, adding that cocaine smuggling has led to widespread corruption within the military and drug addiction among increasing numbers of youngsters.

All of the hopefuls condemned what they said was Chavez’s insatiable thirst for power.

They promised to take steps to ensure the country’s next leader doesn’t wield unbridled power by enabling other institutions such as the Supreme Court to effectively check the executive’s influence.

Arria proposed the election of a special assembly to make constitutional reforms, including one reducing presidential terms from six to three years. Monday’s debate, organized by university students, was the first such parley in decades involving presidential aspirants. Chavez, who has been fighting cancer, was not invited to participate. Since his first election in 1999, Chavez has declined debate challenges from his opponents. At least two other debates are planned before a coalition of opposition parties holds a Feb. 12 primary election to choose a single presidential candidate and challengers to the socialist leader’s allies in gubernatorial and municipal elections.

Lopez avoided questions aimed at identifying the winner of the debate. “Venezuela won with this debate,” Lopez said. “Debates

must be organized because they are necessary to know what the proposals, ideas are, and we’ll more forward together.”

Mario Silva, a close Chavez confidant and member of the ruling party, criticized all the debate’s participants, saying the only issue unifying opposition politicians from different parties is their desire to unseat Chavez and end his drive toward socialism.

“They call have the same plan: Put an end to the advances of the revolution,” said Silva, referring to Chavez’s left-leaning political movement Coalition political parties have vowed not let their differences stop them from putting up a united front against Chavez in the Oct. 7, 2012, election. Such discord has long bedeviled opposition parties and weakened attempts to mount a strong challenge to Chavez. Polls show the president remains Venezuela’s most popular politician, but he’s received growing criticism because of the government’s failure to resolve pressing problems such as a severe shortage of housing for the poor, widespread violent crime and Latin America’s highest inflation rate. — AP

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Afghan jirga to debate US ties despite doubts KABUL: President Hamid Karzai convenes a “loya jirga” of elders from across Afghanistan today to discuss long-term relations with the US and efforts to broker peace amid the threat of violence.

After 10 gruelling years of war, the talks will be held under lockdown security that is a reminder of the constant danger even in the capital, while observers say it is unclear how the jirga, or traditional assembly, can help.

Some 2,000 Afghan elders are set to gather in a giant tent for several days of talks on two of the most sensitive issues in Afghan politics, as US-led combat troops start leaving before a full withdrawal in 2014. Diplomats in Kabul say Karzai is likely to use the talks to secure a sweeping mandate as he pursues a controversial agreement with the United States on the strategic partnership which will govern their relationship after 2014.

But parallel talks with Washington and a lack of transparency over the

agenda have prompted accusations Karzai is trying to manipulate the jirga to his own ends, substituting the talks for real progress on ending a 10-year war.

“It would have been wise to postpone but I think these jirgas have become a kind of ritual for President Karzai because he lacks a genuine political agenda,” said Kabul-based political analyst Haroon Mir. “He’s not tackling the major issues.”

The Taleban, who are fighting a decade-long insurgency against Karzai’s administration and US-led troops, have threatened to disrupt the jirga. In 2010, they launched rockets at the site of the last such event, prompting the departures of two ministers charged with handling security.

The area around the venue is on lockdown, with Afghan security forces stepping up protective measures, searching houses and mounting “constant” police patrols around Kabul, the interior ministry said. Insurgents claimed to have

leaked the event’s security plan Sunday, although Afghan and Western officials dismissed the document as a fake.

On Monday, a suspected suicide bomber carrying a bag of explosives was shot dead near the loya jirga venue and two accomplices arrested, officials said. Some attendees say they have received threatening text messages and are scared to go as a result. After a 10year military adventure in Afghanistan, costing thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars, attention is focused increasingly on how many US troops will remain in the country in the long term.

The US insists it does not want permanent bases in Afghanistan, but it is likely to want to retain a significant troop presence after 2014 — prompting a wary response from some Afghans, plus neighbours like Pakistan and Iran.

Karzai has made a string of hostile comments about the US in recent months, including saying in October he would side with Pakistan if Islamabad

went to war with Washington. His office later tried to row back on the comments. But the government wants to pursue a partnership, due in large part to the billions of dollars of aid which the US has poured into Afghanistan since the war started in 2001, which it hopes will continue. “We’re wondering what will be the substance. To me, it looks like a useless move,” a senior Western diplomat said of the jirga, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Karzai will have to content himself with fairly general outcomes. He will seek and obtain a very general mandate to negotiate with the US.” Some senior Afghan figures say they will boycott the jirga because of a lack of transparency about its aims.

Abdullah Abdullah, one of Karzai’s main rivals and leader of the Afghanistan National Coalition for Hope and Change, has said he will not attend.

Leading Soviet-era warlord and former Karzai ally Abdul Rashid Dostum is also

boycotting it.

Abdullah’s movement has denounced a “lack of transparency” in the jirga’s objectives and said that its outcomes will be “illegitimate”. With some lawmakers concerned that the meeting could be used to bypass their authority, officials insist the meeting’s decisions will not be binding and that parliament will be able to accept or reject any findings.

After the assassination of his peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani by a turban bomber believed to be a Taliban intermediary in September-a major setback to attempts at negotiation-Karzai said that the jirga would also decide the country ’s peace strategy. The exact agenda on this issue is unclear. The diplomat said Karzai would likely submit the name of a proposed successor to Rabbani for discussion, plus some principles for negotiations with the Taliban and Pakistan, which Afghans accuse of fuelling the insurgency. — AFP

Australia PM calls to lift ban on India uranium sales India’s uranium needs seen rising

ABBOTTABAD: In this May 5, 2011 photo, Pakistani army troops guard the perimeter of the walled compound of a house where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was caught and killed by US forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The US military is denouncing a former Navy SEAL’s book that claims to describe the “real” version of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, taken from alleged eyewitness accounts.— AP

Suspected US missiles kill 7 militants in Pakistan PESHAWAR: A suspected US drone fired missiles at a house in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border early yesterday morning, killing seven alleged militants, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

The strike occurred in Miran Shah, the main town in the North Waziristan tribal area, a key hub for Taleban and al-Qaeda militants, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Elsewhere in the northwest, Pakistani forces pounded militant hideouts, killing 16 suspected insurgents, said government officials. Most of the suspected militants killed in yesterday’s drone attack were from the Pakistani Taliban, said the intelligence officials. Insurgents linked to Afghan militant groups who were harboring them were also killed, they said.

The US has conducted around 200 drone strikes in North Waziristan in recent years, mostly targeting al-Qaeda militants and Afghan Taleban fighters who are battling American troops in Afghanistan. Some of the strikes have also hit the Pakistani Taleban, who are allied with Afghan groups but have focused their fighting against the Pakistani state.

The US does not acknowledge the CIA-run drone program in Pakistan publicly, but officials have said privately that the strikes have killed

many senior al-Qaeda and Taleban commanders. Pakistani officials have criticized the strikes as violations of the country’s sovereignty, but the government is widely believed to have supported the strikes in the past and even let the drones take off from bases inside Pakistan.

That support has become strained as the relationship between the US and Pakistan has deteriorated, especially in the wake of the covert American raid that killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani garrison town in May. The Pakistani government was not notified of the operation beforehand.

The US has pushed Pakistan to take military action in North Waziristan, or at least provide Washington with intelligence that could be used to target insurgents battling American forces in Afghanistan. The US is especially focused on the Haqqani network, which it deems the most dangerous militant group in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has said it can’t conduct a military operation in North Waziristan because its troops are stretched too thin fighting the Pakistani Taliban in other parts of the tribal region. Many analysts believe, however, that Pakistan is reluctant to target groups like the Haqqani network with which it has historical ties and could be useful allies in Afghanistan after foreign forces withdraw. —AP

CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is pushing to overturn a ban on sales of uranium to India, removing a diplomatic thorn between the two countries and potentially opening up a new and growing market for Australian suppliers.

The move follows a landmark US agreement to support the civil nuclear programme in India, which is seen by Washington as an economic and geopolitical counterweight to China. Asia’s third-largest economy has long complained about the ban.

Uranium from Australia would help it meet an ambitious target for nuclear energy growth, hampered by fuel shortages even at existing plants.

Australia has refused to sell nuclear material to India because it has not signed the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT). Gillard’s ruling Labor party will debate lifting the ban at its conference next month.

“I believe the time has come for the Labor party to change this position. Selling uranium to India will be good for the Australian economy and good for jobs,” Gillard told reporters.

“This will be one way we can take another step forward in our relationship with India. We have a good relationship with India, it is the world largest democracy, a stable democracy.” The move is set to spark heated debate at the party’s December conference, but should easily pass with support from Labor’s dominant right faction. The policy does not need to go to parliament for approval, but the conservative opposition also supports uranium sales to India.

Gillard’s comments came on the eve of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Australia and would bring Australia’s uranium policy into line

with the United States. “ We welcome this initiative,” India’s Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters. “We attach importance to our relations with Australia, which are growing across the board.

Energy is one of the key areas of bilateral cooperation.”

Washington in 2008 signed a landmark civil nuclear agreement with India over the use of uranium for nuclear energy.

Critics accused the United States of undermining the global non-proliferation regime, but the deal was seen by President George W. Bush as the centrepiece of a new strategic relationship with India.

Australia, one of the United States’ closest allies in the region, supported the US-India nuclear agreement as a member of the 46member Nuclear Supplier’s Group, but had continued to refuse to sell uranium to India.

Gillard said the policy shift would apply only to India and not open up potential sales to Israel or Pakistan, as only India had sought and received an exemption from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

“So that puts India in a class of its own,” Gillard said. “When you look at other nations, whether it be Pakistan or Israel, they are not in that same class.” Australia has almost 40 percent of the world’s known uranium reserves, but supplies only 19 percent of the world market. It has no nuclear power stations.

The country now has four mines, BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam, potentially the world’s biggest; Energy Resources Australia’s Ranger mine; the Beverly mine, owned by U.S. company General Atomics, and Honeymoon mines, owned by Uranium One and Mitsui & Co.

Shares in smaller uranium producers and explorers rose, with Paladin Energy up 3.1 percent and Toro Energy up more than 10 percent.

Toro Energy managing director Greg Hall said the policy shift would help smaller miners attract investment. “For smaller development companies like ourselves, it brings the opportunity of attracting new investors,” Hall told Reuters.

“Indian companies have invested in copper and coal mines in Australia, and they are, of course, a candidate to invest in uranium properties for offtake agreements.”

While a decision to lift the ban would be welcomed by Australia’s mining sector, it is strongly opposed

by Labor’s political allies, the Greens, who said the move would encourage a nuclear arms race in Asia and make Australia less safe.

Strict conditions are imposed on uranium exports to ensure it is used for power generation and not weapons. Nuclear-armed India has repeatedly clashed with neighbouring Pakistan, which also possesses nuclear weapons.

India has refused to sign the nuclear NPT, arguing it is discriminatory and flawed in allowing only countries which had tested nuclear weapons before 1967 to legally possess them.

Pakistan, Israel and North Korea are the only other non-signatories to the treaty. Two-way trade between India and Australia is currently worth about $20 billion a year, with the balance skewed in Australia’s favour because of India’s voracious appetite for resources.

Canberra has forecast uranium exports to rise from around 10,000 tonnes a year to 14,000 tonnes in 2014, worth around A$1.7 billion

($1.74 billion).

BHP Billiton, which is planning a major expansion of its Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine, said it would review its position on sales to India if the government changed its policy. Rio Tinto had no immediate comment. India’s 20 nuclear plants produce only a small fraction of the country’s electricity and operate at about half capacity for lack of fuel. It plans to add nearly 30 reactors over the next 20 years, requiring more overseas uranium purchases.

Uranium prices have fallen below $55 a pound since the March 11 tsunami that knocked out Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant. That compares with January’s price of nearly $75, itself nearly half a high of $136 in 2007. For now, supplies of uranium to the world market continue to be supplemented with secondary sources of uranium-stockpiled fuel and nuclear arms decommissioned since the end of the Cold War-which are now in decline. That additional supply provided nearly half of demand in 1999 but by 2010 it had dropped to 30 percent, according to sector estimates.

The decline in secondary supply may accelerate once the “megatons for megawatts” programme that converts Russian nuclear warheads into reactor fuel expires in two years, taking secondary supply lines from Russian and US uranium stocks to as low as 5 percent, from 40 percent now, analysts say. BHP, Cameco, Rio Tinto and others are taking steps to dig new mines and expand old ones to take advantage of a forecast 20 percent leap in global uranium consumption by 2015. In Australia, BHP also wants to mine 90,000 tonnes of uranium from its Yeelirrie deposit over 30 years but has yet to break any ground. — Reuters

India tests long-range nuclear-capable missile

KATHMANDU: This May 29, 2007 file photograph shows three Yarshagumba, which in Tibetan means “summer plant, winter insect” and is used as a health supplement, are displayed in the palm of a hand in Kathmandu. Yesterday a court in Nepal has convicted 19 villagers over the murder of a group of farmers during a fight over a prized aphrodisiac plant, Yarshagumba, dubbed the “Himalayan Viagra”, an official said. — AFP

Nepal court convicts 19 ‘Himalayan Viagra’ killers KATHMANDU: A court in Nepal has convicted 19 villagers over the murder of a group of farmers during a fight over a prized aphrodisiac plant dubbed the “Himalayan Viagra”, an official said yesterday.

Seven farmers were killed in the remote northern district of Manang in June 2009 after going to forage for Yarchagumba, a rare parasitic plant that is a major source of income for many Himalayan communities.

The accused claimed the farmers died accidentally when a fight broke out over the right to harvest the plant, which is in particular demand in China where a kilogramme can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.

The valley near the border with China where the victims went missing in June 2009 is among the most remote parts of Nepal, and it was several weeks before authorities learned of the deaths.

“Six have been found guilty of murder,” Shambhu Baral, a court registrar at Manang District Court told AFP, adding that they had been given 20-year sentences.

“A group of 13 have been sentenced to two years in jail, but they have already spent their time in custody,” he added. “Evidence showed that the six were directly involved in the murder while the rest had provided indirect help. Another 21 defendants have been declared innocent,” he said.

The court, which is a two day walk from the nearest road, has had to delay the verdict more than a dozen times due to absent judges and lawyers. Local authorities say police had to walk for days to reach the area where the bodies of the seven men were discovered. They initially arrested the entire village, but later released the women and children.— AFP

BHUBANESHWAR: India yesterday successfully test fired one of its longest range missiles capable of carrying a onetonne nuclear warhead deep inside China, officials said. A Defence Research and Development Organisation spokesman said the Agni-IV missile was launched at 9:00am (0330 GMT) from a test site in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.

“All the parameters have been met and it was a very successful test,” DRDO spokesman Ravi Gupta told AFP. He said the nuclear-capable, two-stage missile which is powered by solid fuel was fired beyond the Bay of Bengal into the Indian Ocean. Agni means fire in Sanskrit.

“Agni-IV has a maximum range of 3,500 kilometres (2,170 miles) but this time the launch parameter was 3,000 kilometres,” the official spokesman said.

A previous test of the Agni-IV on December 10, 2010 failed after the missile went off its trajectory and plunged into the sea.

Defence ministry sources said military scientists were also giving the final shape to the 5,000-kilometre range Agni-V, scheduled to be test-fired for the first time early next year. India has also said it may develop an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Agni series is one of five missiles being developed by the DRDO under an Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme launched in 1983. India is among the world’s top 10 military spenders. It plans to splurge $50 billion by 2015 to upgrade its military.

It has fought three wars with rival Pakistan since their independence in 1947 and a brief but bloody border conflict with China in 1962. — AFP

BAY OF BENGAL: Long range missile system Agni4 is launched from a Road Mobile System from Wheeler’s Island in India yesterday. The missile’s trajectory reached a height of about 900kms successfully hit the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal. — AFP

India anti-graft fight at tipping point MUMBAI: India is approaching a tipping point in tackling corruption, campaigners say, with a former government minister on trial and hopes of tougher new laws to tackle top level graft. The threat from corruption to India’s emerging status on the world stage-and how to tackle it-was a recurring theme among senior business leaders and policymakers at a two-day conference that ended in Mumbai on Monday.

India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani talked of the urgent need to improve governance while the incoming Confederation of Indian Industry president, Adi Godrej, said successfully fighting the problem could boost foreign investment. But

whichever way the issue is framed, doing nothing was no longer an option for India as it seeks a more prominent role in world affairs, said Huguette Labelle, head of global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.

“Something can be done. The issue is will it be done?” she told AFP on the sidelines of the India Economic Summit. “But hopefully there’s a point of no return at this stage.” This year has been a watershed for India in tackling bribery and corruption, which has been described as endemic in society and blights the daily lives of millions.

Last week, former telecoms minister A. Raja and top executives went

on trial over the sale of mobile phone licences to favoured firms at cutdown rates that is thought to have cost India’s treasury up to $40 billion in lost revenue. Officials in charge of last year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi are also facing trial after claims of widescale graft at the event, which was dogged by chronic delays and complaints of shoddy infrastructure and poor organisation.

Both contributed to a wave of popular anger that culminated in nationwide protests in support of social activist Anna Hazare, who went on hunger strike to demand amendments to new government anti-corruption legislation. Hazare and his supporters are now waiting to see

whether parliament agrees to their demands to create an independent ombudsman with powers to investigate the prime minister, top officials and the judiciary.

The 74-year-old has threatened another hunger strike if the bill does not become law by the end of the winter session of parliament on December 21. With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government tainted by a series of scandals, Labelle said that being seen to be tough on tackling corruption and getting its own house in order will be vital for New Delhi. “What will be important for the government is to ensure that its laws are implemented and enforced,” she added.—AFP

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Symbolic ‘war crimes’ tribunal to try Bush, Blair KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian-led activists will hold a symbolic trial this month for former President George W. Bush and British ex-leader Tony Blair on charges of committing crimes against peace in the Iraq war, the event’s organizers said yesterday.

The Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal is an initiative of Malaysia’s retired Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who staunchly opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The tribunal will convene a

four-day public hearing starting Saturday to determine whether Bush and Blair committed crimes against peace and violated international law in the Iraq invasion, said Malaysian lawyer Yaacob Hussain Marican.

“For these people who have been immune from prosecution, we want to put them on trial in this forum to prove that they committed war crimes,” Yaacob told The Associated Press. Activists sent information about the charges to Bush

and Blair recently but received no response, Yaacob said.

Francis Boyle, an American international law professor based in Illinois, will be among the prosecutors at the hearing, which follows two years of investigations by a Malaysian peace foundation founded by Mahathir that looked into complaints by people affected by the Iraqi war.

The effort is modeled after a 1967 Vietnam war crimes panel convened in

Sweden and Denmark by philosophers Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre, Yaacob said. The Vietnam tribunal said the US committed acts of aggression against Vietnam and bombarded civilian targets, but it was mostly ignored in United States.

The Kuala Lumpur tribunal will have a seven-member panel of judges including two retired judges from Malaysia’s highest court, peace activist Alfred Lambremont Webre of the United States

and Mumbai-based lawyer Niloufer Bhagwat of India.

If the tribunal finds Bush and Blair guilty, it will enter their names into a symbolic “Register of War Criminals.” The tribunal is also scheduled to hold a separate hearing next year on charges of torture linked to the Iraq war against former U.S. officials including ex-Vice President Dick Cheney, former Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld and ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Yaacob said. —AP

Clinton to offer support to Philippines, Thailand US not seeking to stir up tensions in South China Sea MANILA: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce new support for the Philippines and flood-hit Thailand as she shores up ties with key US allies, officials said yesterday. Clinton arrived yesterday in the Philippines and will head later this week to Thailand, part of a renewed US focus on Asia. President Barack Obama is travelling separately to Australia, another longtime ally in the region.

cials said. They said Clinton would also look for ways to step up cooperation at sea. Recent US military efforts with its former colony have focused on fighting Islamic guerrillas in the southern region of Mindanao.

“We are now in the process of diversifying and changing the nature of our engagement. We will continue those efforts in the south, but we are focusing more on maritime capabilities,” a senior

being contested by other countries,” the official said. “We’re very sensitive to making sure that this does not in any way alarm or provoke anybody else,” he said.

But relations between the United States and China have been uneasy, with Obama pressing President Hu Jintao during a weekend summit on a range of issues from intellectual property rights to the level of the Chinese yuan. Obama welcomed leaders

MANILA: Protesters display placards during an anti-US rally near the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines, yesterday. The protesters staged a rally against the two-day visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Philippines. —AP Officials accompanying Clinton said she would hold talks today with Philippine President Benigno Aquino and tour a warship, at a time of high tension between Manila and Beijing over disputed South China Sea territories.

The United States recently provided the Philippines with a destroyer and Clinton will discuss offering a second one, the offi-

State Department official said on condition of anonymity.

A Defense Department official said that the United States was not seeking to stir up tensions in the South China Sea, where Beijing is locked in myriad disputes with countries including the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Philippines has “what they feel are legitimate claims in the South China Sea and they are

from 20 other Pacific Rim economies to the weekend summit in his native Hawaii where he built momentum for an emerging free trade agreement that would span the Pacific-but does not include China.

Clinton and Obama have vowed to put a new focus on the Asia-Pacific region, saying that the United States wants to help build the emerging institutions of

Monks demand freedom in rare Myanmar protest YANGON: Five Buddhist monks staged a rare protest in army- dominated Myanmar yesterday, witnesses said, drawing a crowd of about 500 people with calls for peace and the immediate release of political prisoners.

A day after an expected amnesty for political prisoners failed to materialise the monks locked themselves in a building on a religious compound in the central town of Mandalay and were using loudspeakers to spell out their demands. The protesting monks unfurled banners in English and Burmese reading: “We want freedom”, “Free all political prisoners” and “Stop civil war now ”-a reference to the decades-long conflict between the army and ethnic minorities.

Demonstrations by monks are extremely rare in Myanmar, and yesterday’s was thought to be the first since mass protests led by clergy in 2007 were brutally quashed, with the deaths of at least 31 people and the arrests of many monks.

Following talks with senior local clerics in the afternoon, the demonstrators agreed to move their protest to the nearby Masoeyein monastery for “security reasons”, a witness at the scene said.

Hundreds of people were following them by foot, bicycle and motorcycle to the new location, from where the five monks were expected to resume giving speeches.

“People want to continue to support them peacefully,” the witness said, adding that no police had arrived at the scene yet other than a few traffic police officers. A Myanmar government official confirmed the protest was taking place, telling AFP that the five monks were from Yangon, not Mandalay.

The release of all of the country’s political prisoners, whose exact numbers remain unclear, is one of the major demands of Western nations which have imposed sanctions on Myanmar.

Authorities had been expected to release some political detainees on Monday before President Thein Sein attends a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc later this week in Indonesia.

But officials said the move was put off at short notice by the powerful National Defence and Security Council. The reasons for the delay were not clear, but the authorities are now expected to decide on a case-by-case basis which prisoners to release.

Myanmar appears keen to end its international isolation and is seeking to take the ASEAN chair in 2014. The nominally civilian government that came to power in March has surprised critics with tentative signs of reform, such as passing a law giving workers the right to strike.

At a press conference on Monday marking the first anniversary of her release after years of detention, democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “encouraged” by developments in Myanmar in the last 12 months.

But she said more action was needed on the issue of political prisoners behind bars, believed by her opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party to number 591.

Rights groups have long said there are about 2,000 political prisoners, but the government’s human rights panel said on Sunday that about 300 prisoners of conscience remained locked up after some 200 were freed in an amnesty in mid-October. —AFP

the fast-growing region that is vital both for the US economy and security. In a speech last week, Clinton said that the United States was “updating” relationships with its five treatybound regional allies-Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

“These five alliances are the fulcrum for our efforts in the AsiaPacific,” Clinton said at the EastWest Center in Honolulu. “They leverage our regional presence and enhance our regional leadership at a time of evolving security challenges,” she said.

While US policymakers have been upbeat about the Philippines under Aquino, they have been concerned over Thailand after an extended period of political chaos. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of coup-ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, came to power only in August and has come under intense pressure as she tackles major floods that have threatened the capital Bangkok.

The State Department official said Clinton would offer a “very substantial” aid package to Thailand and hoped to reach out to the public in America’s oldest Asian ally. “One of the messages that the secretary will bring directly to the Thai people and the government is that we believe it is in the national security and political interest of the United States to have this government succeed,” the official said.

“We will do what we can to support that going forward.

There are substantial tensions in Thailand and those tensions will not be resolved after one or even a few elections,” he said. Clinton and Obama will head later this week to Bali for an East Asia Summit, hoping to show a strong US commitment to a forum where several Asian countries had initially sought to exclude the United States. —AFP

SHANGHAI: A Chinese woman looks up a burned building as family members mourn for their relatives who died in the high-rise fire in 2010 at the accident scene in Shanghai yesterday. Scores of mourners placed flowers and burned incense for the one-year anniversary of the worst fire since 1949 in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai, which killed 58 people and 71 injured. —AFP

China mourns victims of deadly Shanghai fire SHANGHAI: Scores of mourners placed flowers and burned incense yesterday for the one -year anniversar y of the worst fire since 1949 in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai, which killed 58 people. The fire engulfed a downtown residential block, injured 71 and became a focus of public anger.

A government investigation showed welders work ing for an unlicensed company accidentally ignited nylon netting around the 28-storey building, which was being renovated to improve energy efficiency.

But the fire-Shanghai’s worst since the founding of the People’s Republic of China-also raised questions about the close relations between the contractors and authorities in the district where the building was located. Former building residents, relatives and others gathered in a fenced-in area outside the derelict building to place wreaths and offerings for the dead, such as food, on a makeshift altar under the watchful eyes of police.

One former resident, overcome with grief, cried for several minutes. “My heart feels heavy,” she told AFP. Another

woman, who declined to be named, said she had come to mourn her cousin Wang Fang who lost her life in the fire. “ We came to remember her,” she said. “The government is unfeeling,” she added, referring to the dispute between the government and families over compensation. Some 57 families have accepted compensation offered by the local government for their destroyed homes, but more than 100 are still holding out, the state -run Global Times newspaper reported yesterday.

Shanghai jailed 25 people over the disaster and handed out administrative penalties to 28 officials for responsibility for the fire, it said. Gao Weizhong, head of construction in Shanghai’s central Jing’an district where the fire occurred, was found guilty of abuse of power and accepting bribes for awarding building contracts, and jailed for 16 years.

In a commentary, the official Xinhua news agency blamed the disaster on bad management and weak enforcement of safety regulations. “This is a human disaster that could have been avoided,” it said. —AFP

Philippine court lifts travel ban on Arroyo MANILA: The Philippine’s highest court said yesterday it had overturned a government ban on ex-president Gloria Arroyo travelling abroad that was put in place because of fears she intended to flee a corruption probe.

Arroyo, 64, had been seeking to leave the Philippines so she could receive medical treatment for what she said was a rare bone disease, following three unsuccessful spine operations in Manila this year. President Benigno Aquino, who has waged a high-profile but so far unsuccessful campaign to prosecute his predecessor for alleged corruption and vote -rigging while she was in power, imposed a travel ban on her last week.

But a spokesman for the Supreme Court said the justices had ruled 8-5 that the ban, which also applied to her husband, was unconstitutional because they had not yet been charged with any crime. “They (Arroyo’s lawyers) were able to show... the (travel ban) would probably work (as) an injustice against them,” spokesman Midas Marquez said. “ This was of course consistent with the constitutional presumption of innocence.” Justice Secretar y Leila de Lima told reporters the travel ban would remain in place until the government formally received the Supreme Court’s decision. She said government lawyers would file a motion for reconsideration of the cour t order and

expressed hope that they might convince the court to change its mind in a hearing next week.

But a lawyer for Arroyo and

lion pesos ($47,000). “ This is really a matter of life and death for her,” law yer Ferd inand Topacio said in an interview on

MANILA: In this Tuesday Nov. 8, 2011 file photo, former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, wearing a head and neck brace, sits down for an interview with a local reporter at her residence in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. The Philippine Supreme Court yesterday gave Arroyo permission to leave the country to seek medical treatment. —AP her husband said they were p re p a r i n g to l e ave for Singapore tonite after posting a court-imposed bond of two mil-

GMA television.

He said Arroyo would have a health check-up in Singapore to determine if she was fit to travel

on to Europe, where she would receive specialised treatment.

Aquino and de Lima said last week that Arroyo could receive adequate medical care at home and they suspected she might be seeking to flee a country that had no extradition treaty with the Philippines.

Arroyo, who was president from 2001 to 2010, faced wideranging allegations of corruption and vote-rigging while she was in power. Aquino, who won presidential elections by a landslide last year on a strong anticorruption platform, has vowed repeatedly to bring Arroyo to justice, but has faced repeated setbacks.

In one of the most high-profile blows, the Supreme Court ruled in December last year that a “truth commission” Aquino set up specifically to investigate Arroyo was unconstitutional.

Arroyo has retained political influence since stepping down as president, partly by winning a seat in the House of Representatives in last year ’s elections.

Aquino has also accused her of placing allies in positions of power before she stepped down, including justices in the Supreme Court. De Lima said yesterday that Aquino was “dismayed and frustrated” at the latest development.

But she stressed that the government was still aiming to have charges of election fraud filed against Arroyo before Christmas. —AFP

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NEWS

DUBAI: Arab men watch as the Patrouille Acrobatique de France team perform yesterday at the Dubai Airshow. — AFP

Turkey ups heat on Syria Continued from Page 1 Ban Ki-moon again urged embattled President Bashar Al-Assad to “stop killing his own people”. Ban said Assad must implement an agreement he made with the Arab League in an effort to find a peaceful resolution to uprising that has swept the country since mid-March and, according to UN estimates, killed more than 3,500 people. “It is crucially important now that President Assad immediately stop killing his own people,” Ban said, urging Arab states to exercise their “leadership” in resolving the crisis quickly. “This is a source of great concern not only for the region but for the whole international community, for democracy and humanity,” he said.

On Nov 2, Syria agreed to an Arab League roadmap to end the violence within two weeks but it failed to keep its end of the bargain, prompting the 22-member bloc to vote to suspend its membership at a Cairo meeting Saturday. The suspension is due to take effect today when Arab foreign ministers are due to gather again, this time in Morocco, to discuss their next move, with Turkey joining the talks. In an apparent last-minute show of goodwill authorities released yesterday 1,180 prisoners who were arrested during the anti-regime protests, in line with one of the points of the Arab League plan.

Nevertheless Ankara hit Syria with energy sanctions, halting joint oil explorations and threatening to cut power supplies to its southern neighbour which has been struggling with electricity shortfalls for the past two years. “We are currently exporting electricity (to Syria). If the situation continues like this, we may be in a position to revise all these decisions,” Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said.

Turkey, once a close ally of Damascus, has been exporting electricity to Syria since 2006. Yildiz also said Turkey’s Petroleum Corporation had stopped exploration with Syria’s national oil company in six wells, according to

Anatolia news agency.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier warned Syria stood on the edge of a precipice. “The Syrian government is on a ver y dangerous and narrow path, like the edge of a knife,” Erdogan said. The comments come in the wake of weekend attacks on Turkish diplomatic missions in three Syrian cities, and other embassies, by pro-regime protesters angry over Ankara’s support for the Arab League suspension vote. Addressing Assad disrespectfully by his first name, Erdogan said, “Bashar, you are required to punish those who attacked the Turkish flag. We want the Syrian administration to not only respect the Turks in Turkey and the Turkish flag but also to respect their own people. We especially want this.”

Erdogan has yet to unveil promised sanctions against Syria, but his country now hosts the main Syrian opposition and has given refuge to Syrian civilians and defecting soldiers.

The embassy attacks fuelled the anger of the 15-member UN Security Council who issued a statement yesterday condemning the attacks “in the strongest terms” and calling on Syrian authorities to respect their international obligations. Jordan’s embassy was also stormed by regime suppor ters overnight after King Abdullah II became the first Arab leader to publicly call for Assad to quit, exacerbating Syria’s growing isolation. “I believe, if I were in his shoes, I would step down,” the king said in a BBC inter view on Monday. The remarks came on one of the bloodiest days of Syria’s uprising that saw more than 90 people killed, 34 of them regular army troops and 12 mutinous soldiers, rights groups said.

There was more bloodshed yesterday with two civilians dead, including a child, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding five soldiers were killed in clashes with army deserters. The fighting erupted in the town of Hara in Daraa province, where

Palestinians catch bus to protest curbs the unprecedented protests, which initially urged democracy before turning roundly against Assad’s 11-year reign, erupted in mid-March, it said. In northwestern Idlib province bordering Turkey “clashes between the regular army and armed men, probably deserters, caused at least 14 casualties - dead and wounded,” the Britainbased watchdog added.

Regime opponents who are demanding that Assad quit attempted yesterday to persuade Russia to toughen its stance against the regime in talks in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. But Lavrov was not swayed, said Burhan Ghalioun who heads the Syrian National Council, the largest and most representative opposition group to have emerged since mid-March.

Ghalioun said “it is necessar y for Russia and the international community to send an important signal and demand Bashar Al-Assad’s resignation,” adding however that Lavrov “did not make any concrete propositions”.

Russia, one of Syria’s main arms suppliers, has repeatedly opposed Western efforts to slap sanctions against its traditional ally over its lethal crackdown on protests, insisting on the need for dialogue. Moscow has also become one of the few countries which condemned Syria’s suspension from the Arab League, saying the move was “incorrect ” and appeared to be pre-planned. Last month Russia joined China in vetoing a UN Security Council resolution spearheaded by the United States and the European Union that would have threatened “targeted measures”.

Meanwhile Syria, which has promised to free prisoners under the Arab peace plan, released 1,180 prisoners on amid reports that a top dissident, Kamal Labwani who was jailed for 12 years in May 2007, was also freed.

“1,180 prisoners who had been involved in the incidents in Syria and who did not have blood on their hands were released today,” Syrian state television reported. — Agencies

MPs file request to grill PM over graft Continued from Page 1 to 26, the number that can unseat the prime minister in a non-cooperation vote. The Assembly also rejected a proposal put forward by the National Action Bloc to nominate two MPs to examine Central Bank books to check accounts of MPs who have allegedly received bribes.

But as soon as the first drama finished, three opposition lawmakers Al-Barrak, Faisal Al-Mislem and Al-Anjari filed another grilling against the prime minister over alleged corruption. The new grilling, which is expected to be debated in two weeks, is based on two issues: the corruption scandal involving 16 MPs and accusations that the prime minister used public funds to transfer millions of dinars into his private bank accounts held abroad. The grilling request held Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah directly responsible for the two scandals and insisted he should be questioned in the Assembly.

The grilling states that the government has failed in combating corruption by delaying essential anti-corruption legislation even after HH the Amir has ordered the government to speed up the process in August. The lawmakers insisted that the prime minister has deliberately delayed those legislations and has not taken the necessary decisive measures to curb increasing corruption in the country.

With regards to the illegal deposits into the bank accounts of 16 MPs estimated at more than KD 100 million, the grilling claimed that the government of Sheikh Nasser has failed to take adequate measures to handle the issue in a bid to bring to account those responsible.

According to the opposition, the 16 pro-government MPs received millions of dinars in bribes to influence their voting on crucial issues. The public prosecution has already launched an investigation into the issue.

Regarding the other issue, the grilling claims that MPs have documents to prove that the prime minister has made money transfers from public funds through the foreign ministry to his own bank accounts abroad.

The government has denied any wrongdoing, saying that the prime minister repaid all the money. But the grilling insists that even if the premier repaid the money, this does not exempt him from responsibility of exploiting his position to illegally use public funds. This issue had forced former foreign minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah, a senior member of the ruling family, to resign.

The government has so far made no comment on the new grilling but a constitutional battle is expected to be fought over it with the government expected to claim that these issues do not directly fall under the prime minister’s jurisdiction and thus the grilling is unconstitutional. But opposition MPs have already anticipated such a measure and insisted that these issues are the direct responsibility of the prime minister on the basis of the latest constitutional court ruling. The opposition MPs plan to file a non-cooperation motion against the prime minister which needs just 25 votes to pass, which the opposition claims it has.

Sheikh Nasser, 71, has been a target of opposition attacks since he was appointed to the prime minister post in Feb 2006, forcing him to resign six times.

Parliament was also dissolved three times in the same period.

Continued from Page 1 Jerusalem, but Palestinians accuse the Jewish state of an “apartheid” regime that includes “segregated” bus and road systems, open to settlers but not Palestinian West Bank residents.

“These buses and this whole system is discriminatory to Palestinians,” said activist Fadi Quran, as he waited at the bus stop, surrounded by a scrum of journalists and bemused Israeli settlers and soldiers. Clutching a sign reading “We shall overcome,” he said the goal of the protest was “to desegregate the whole West Bank”. The protest presented an unusual scene - six Palestinians wearing black-andwhite chequered keffiyeh scarves and T-shirts emblazoned with “freedom” and “justice” - surrounded by dozens of journalists and a few Israeli commuters.

The first few buses simply refused to stop for the group, though it was difficult to tell whether they drove on because of the media mosh-pit or to deny the Palestinians service.

Eventually, after the arrival of border guards and police, who stood by without intervening, a bus stopped.

The Palestinians paid their fares and boarded, as reporters jostled to board. Inside the coach, operated by the Egged public transport provider, a handful of Israeli passengers looked on as the activists took their

seats and unfurled a Palestinian flag.

“They say they can’t ride the bus, but you see it’s not right because they are in the bus now,” said 70year-old Abraham, a Psagot resident who declined to give his last name.

“If they don’t want trouble, why not let them? But if I want to go in a bus in Beit Hanina (in Arab east Jerusalem), I will find a knife in my back,” he added. “We have to be careful, we have the experience of the bombs, the knives, the terror.

But if they are good, we like them, why not let them ride the bus?”

Other passengers avoided interacting with the activists, despite their attempts to engage them, but grew increasingly annoyed as the coach reached the Hizme checkpoint, where dozens of border guard and police officials were waiting. With the bus pulled over, the Israeli passengers got off, leaving the activists to try to explain themselves to the police who got on.

“This is Palestinian land, not Israeli land, we are Palestinians going to Jerusalem and we will not get off this bus,” Quran said, as police told him his Palestinian identity card would not allow him entry.

“Why don’t you ask the settlers for a permit?” said activist Badie Dwaik. “I am the law, you are not the law,” one officer replied, giving the activists a chance to walk off the bus, which they refused. “I am not going to obey your discriminatory

law,” Dwaik told the policeman, speaking Arabic. “So you are detained,” the policeman said, also in Arabic. “Fine. I am not moving.”

About an hour later the six Palestinians were detained, dragged off the bus and taken away in a police car to a nearby station - in Jerusalem, having somewhat reached their destination. Maggie Amir, 48, from the nearby Jewish settlement of Rimonim, said Palestinians should not be allowed on the bus. “This is our bus,” she said, adding: “Quite simply, we are afraid of them.”

Dwaik sat a row away from Haggai Segal, a 54-year-old Israeli from the settlement of Ofra once jailed for planting a car bomb that badly wounded a Palestinian mayor.

The two did not interact. “It was like theatre in there,” Segal said. “During the bus ride, they were talking about Martin Luther King. But as far as I know, (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas is no MLK.” Before the protest, the activists said they expected to be arrested, but pledged the action would be repeated. “We expect this to be the first of many waves,” activist Huwaida Arraf said. “We have many more people who want to ride.”

Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said the protesters would “likely” be released soon - back to the West Bank. — Agencies

Police bust NY ‘Occupy’ protest in night...

Continued from Page 1 “But when those two goals clash, the health and safety of the public and our first responders must be the priority.”

By 9 am, the park was powerwashed clean by sanitation workers.

Police in riot gear ringed the public space, waiting for orders to reopen it.

The city told protesters they could come back after the cleaning, but under new tougher rules, including no tents, sleeping bags or tarps, which would effectively put an end to the encampment if enforced.

Concerns about health and safety issues at Occupy Wall Street camps around the US have intensified, and protesters have been ordered to take down their shelters, adhere to curfews and relocate so that parks can be cleaned. Police have made similar sweeps and arrests in recent days in Oakland, California, and Portland, Oregon. Two camps had fatal shootings last week, including a suicide, and bodies were found at two other camps.

Hundreds of former Zuccotti Park

residents and their supporters marched through Lower Manhattan yesterday morning. Some paused and locked arms outside the gates of City Hall but left peacefully when police in riot gear appeared. About 300 to 400 kept moving along the sidewalks. Some chanted, “This is what democracy looks like.” Others chanted: “Hey, hey, ho, ho, our billionaire mayor has got to go.”

At about 1 am yesterday, New York City police handed out notices from Brookfield Office Properties, owner of Zuccotti Park, and the city saying that the park had to be cleared because it had become unsanitary and hazardous. Paul Browne, a spokesman for the New York Police Department, said the park had been cleared by 4:30 am. One person was taken to a hospital for evaluation because of breathing problems. Police in riot gear filled the streets, car lights flashing and sirens blaring.

“The police are forming a human shield, and are pushing everyone away,” said another protester, Rabbi Chaim Gruber. Notices given to the protesters said tents, sleeping bags

and other items had to be removed because “the storage of these materials at this location is not allowed.”

Alex Hall, 21, said police walked into the park “stepping on tents and ripping them out.”

Elsewhere in the US, anti-Wall Street activists planned to converge at the University of California, Berkeley yesterday for another attempt to set up an Occupy camp, less than a week after police arrested dozens of protesters who tried to pitch tents on campus. They will be joined by Occupy Oakland activists who were cleared by police from a tent city before dawn Monday. In London, authorities said they were resuming legal action to evict a protest camp outside St. Paul’s Cathedral after talks with the demonstrators stalled. More than 200 tents have been pitched outside the iconic church for a month in a protest inspired by the New York demonstration. In Toronto, eviction notices were delivered yesterday to Occupy protesters who have been camped in a downtown park since mid-October. — Agencies

UAE president promises more political rights Continued from Page 1 ministries and suggest changes to them, but their changes can be overruled by the country’s president.

New assembly members said they wanted more legislative powers to allow them to hold government officials accountable and make binding decisions. “Its decisions should be more powerful, especially because people tell us ‘you are useless’,” Rashad Bukhash, an elected member from Dubai, said. “This is why there was low turnout in the election; people don’t see that the council has a strong supervisory power.”

Just over a quarter of eligible voters cast their ballots in September’s elections. Among the world’s top five oil exporters, the UAE is a federation of seven emirates, each governed by a ruling family that transfers power from father to son, or brother to brother. It has remained immune from the public protests that have swept other Arab countries and toppled heads of state in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The UAE has moved swiftly to quash any dissent. Five political activists and bloggers are currently on trial on charges of insulting the country’s rulers and urging protests. — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Issues

Kenya’s political gamble in Somali border regions

By Francois Ausseill enya’s hopes of creating a border buffer zone in southern Somalia called Azania have been raised by its military incursion there last month, but analysts warn of high risks of such a political gamble. While the Kenyan government has said it sent its troops and tanks across the border to target Islamist Shabab rebels, analysts say the move appears to be aimed at setting up a proxy administration and region of control. “It is understandable why the Kenyan government would want a buffer between themselves and the chaos in Somalia in general and any spillover of Al-Shabab’s militancy in particular,” said J Peter Pham of the Atlantic Council think-tank.

Creating some stability in Somalia’s border region would also provide Kenya with a strong argument to relieve the vast Somali refugee population it hosts including Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee complex. “I think that the strategic objective for Kenya is basically to see those camps shut down and the people go back to their country,” said Rashid Abdi of the International Crisis Group. “Kenya is a signatory to the refugee convention and the humanitarian laws, so it cannot force refugees back home.”

For over two years Kenya has trained troops supposed to form the backbone of a new security administration inside Somalia, covering the southern regions of Gedo, Lower and Middle Juba, together also known as Jubaland. The head of that administration in waiting is former Somali defence minister Mohamed Abdi Mohamed - also known as Gandhi - a French-educated academic. “He has a very huge challenge in front of him. ... Gandhi has credibility and his name has not been tarnished, but he has not done enough grassroots political networking,” Abdi said. “He is very much disconnected,” he said, adding: “Now there is a security reason for that: he cannot travel as much as he wants inside Somalia.”

The declaration of Gandhi as leader and the formal establishment of Azania was announced in Kenya in April, a month after Kenyan-backed troops failed to make military headway in southern Somalia. But Gandhi, who not only comes from the diaspora but also a minority sub-clan in the area, faces potential reluctance of neighbour Ethiopia and the Somali government to back his efforts. “This is not someone who has blood on his hands as others have, but in Somalia, I’m not sure he carries much political weight,” said Roland Marchal of the Paris-based National Centre for Scientific Research. “The fact that he has been a member of the diaspora for many years, belongs to a minority clan and is very secular in what he says” could weaken his position in a Somali context, Marchal said.

“So Gandhi needs a helping hand from the Kenyan army,” he added.

Even if he can win a partial victory over the Shehab, Azania would face the rivalry of other powerful militias, including the Ras Kamboni fighters of Ahmed Madobe, from the main Ogaden clan branch in the region. To complicate matters further, senior Kenyan military officials have close links with Madobe - who sees supporting minority clans, including the Tolomoge clan of Gandhi, as a potentially risky move.

Until Gandhi “actually raises a credible military force that can take control of the region’s claimed territory away from the militants, “Jubaland” remains nothing more than a fantasy played out by ineffectual Somali politicians marooned in Nairobi,” Pham said.

Then in Gedo, an anti-Shabab militia from the Marehan clan called Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa - backed financially and military by neighbouring Ethiopia have indicated they would reject the authority of an Azania “government”. In addition, the potential lucrative income from the Shabab-held port city of Kismayo could trigger fierce battles between rival militia armies - if ever the Shabab fighters are indeed driven out as Kenya hopes. Pham also noted that even if a buffer zone is established, its creation is already too late, warning that the Shabab had operatives inside Kenya. “Even if the ‘government’ of ‘Jubaland’ helps seal off the Kenyan border, how much that would actually improve the security situation remains to be seen given that the threat is already in place.” — AFP

K

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Stem cell research: Win some, lose some

By Ben Hirschler and Kate Kelland decision by one of the biggest names in stem cell research to throw in the towel will not stop other pioneering work that could yet produce cures for blindness and help mend broken hearts. Scientists were shocked by US biotech company Geron Corp’s decision on Monday to quit embryonic stem cell research - a move it blamed on a lack of money and the complexities of getting regulatory approval.

Yet, at the same time, teams working with adult stem cells - a less ambitious area - are making good progress. “This is not the end of an era,” said Dusko Ilic, senior lecturer in stem cell science at King’s College London.

Shortly before Geron told the world it was ending further development of its embryonic stem cell projects, Australia’s Mesoblast Ltd reported its adult stem treatment slashed the rate of further heart problems in heart failure patients.

“It’s a tale of two ends of the market. I believe the adult stem cell space was

A

always more attractive anyway,” said Navid Malik, a biotechnology analyst at Merchant Securities.

Stem cells potentially offer a new way of treating diseases for which there are currently no treatments - including heart disease, Parkinson’s and stroke - by regenerating tissue. Embryonic stem cells are harvested from embryos and have the potential to become almost any type of tissue. Adult stem cells are less controversial, but are also less flexible.

Like Malik, scientists agreed Geron had started in a difficult place in testing economic times. In its most advanced project, Geron was testing an embryonic stem cell treatment aimed at helping patients with spinal cord injuries like the late Superman actor Christopher Reeves, who was paralysed in a horse-riding accident. “Making superman walk would have been great for business but was an ambitious target for a serious problem and maybe not the best start scientifically or clinically for stem cell therapies,” said Alison Murdoch, head of the fertility centre at Britain’s Newcastle University.

The first patient was treated in October 2010 with Geron’s product called GRNOPC1, containing cells that had been manipulated to become precursors to nerve cells.

Other research teams are focusing on eye disorders such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or on ways to repair damaged heart tissue - areas where experts say progress and, crucially, return on investment is likely to be quicker. Pfizer Inc, for example, is working with University College of London’s Institute of Ophthalmology on an embryonic stem cell treatment for AMD and is now awaiting a green light to commence clinical trials in Britain. Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) is starting early-stage human trials in the United States and Britain using embryonic stem cells in patients with a progressive form of blindness called Stargardt’s macular dystrophy. “Getting the business case right is as important as getting the science right for each stem cell therapy that we develop,” said Anthony Hollander, a professor of Rheumatology and Tissue Engineering

at the University of Bristol. The ethical controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells can also have hard commercial implications, as highlighted by a ruling from Europe’s top court last month that has left the business case for embryonic stem cells in limbo. The European Court of Justice decided to ban the patenting of any stem-cell process that involves destroying a human embryo, in a move described by scientists as a major blow to the emerging field of research.

That court decision will have given pause for companies looking into embryonic stem cells but it will not affect adult stem cells derived from bone marrow, fat or skin. “The adult stem cell space is moving forward very fast,” said Malik. “We’re going to see filings for regulatory approval in the next three to five years for a series of products.” Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer of ACT, is not giving up hope on the embryonic front but said Geron’s exit put more pressure on his firm to succeed. “Of course, it’s the second mouse that often gets the cheese,” he said. — Reuters

Israelis doubt world will stop Iran nuke quest

By Dan Williams he latest report by UN inspectors has hardened suspicions that Iran is seeking nuclear arms capability, but Israeli experts have little confidence that international action will deny the Islamic Republic the means to make a bomb. The pessimism sounded by academics, retired generals and statesmen on the consequences of last week’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) findings contrasted with how Israel and the United States responded in public - with pledges to use the report to rally support for stiffer sanctions against Iran.

Nor did the conference on Monday at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) hear confident predictions that Israel or its allies would attack Iran. “Can this (IAEA) report create a new basis for increasing the pressure on Iran?

There is no good reason for being optimistic,” said Ephraim Kam, INSS deputy director and a former Israeli military intelligence colonel. “Iran wants a bomb, or at least the capacity to make a bomb, and is willing to pay the price.”

Iran denied the IAEA allegations that it appeared to have worked on designing an atomic bomb and may still be conducting secret research. Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful, mainly to generate electricity to meet its growing energy needs.

Israel, widely thought to have the Middle East’s only atomic arsenal, views Iran as the greatest threat to its existence. Several speakers agreed that Tehran was unlikely to be deterred by more sanctions, even if these materialise from a divided UN Security Council amid fears of Iran’s influence over oil markets at time of global economic turmoil.

Underlining the problems in

T

getting a new UN resolution, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying on Monday that Moscow opposed tightening the screws on Iran.

“We consider the sanctions track on Iran to have been exhausted,” Lavrov said, according to Interfax news agency.

W Pal Sidhu of New York University ’s Center on International Cooperation told the Tel Aviv conference: “I think we have reached a limit in terms of sanctions,” adding that Iran had “a complete (nuclear) fuel cycle that is unlikely to be stopped only with outside technical sanctions”.

Sidhu said Iran’s distant, dispersed and defended facilities “may well be a bridge too far” for Israel’s armed forces and that the United States would be loath to launch its own preemptive strikes

without Security Council approval. Sidhu and Zvi Bar’el, a university lecturer and analyst for Israel’s liberal Haaretz daily, saw in the faceoff with Iran a chance for dialogue - perhaps on a longproposed accord ridding the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction. Israel and the United States have said a WMD-free zone would require full Iranian and Arab recognition of the Jewish state. Robert Silverman, political counselor at the US embassy, said neither Washington nor Israel had renounced the military option but that “clearly what we’re talking about right now is ratcheting up sanctions and pressure through international engagement”. In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman sounded optimistic about the efficacy of punitive diplomacy. “So far the interna-

tional community has imposed sanctions on Iran only on 30 percent of areas where it could be possible,” he told an Israeli parliamentary panel, according to a spokesman. “Even if the Western world would impose sanctions without China and Russia, it would be enough to strangle Iran.” Yet even such a Western expansion of sanctions might not be forthcoming without a “smoking gun” - incontrovertible proof of Iran building a bomb, such as an announcement from Tehran, a controlled atomic blast or the expulsion of UN inspectors.

Ephraim Asculai, a 40-year veteran of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission and of the IAEA, said Iran might defy world scrutiny by pursuing “nuclear breakout” in secret or gathering all the components for a warhead without actually making it. “The big prob-

Female Iranian students hold posters of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a poster against US President Barack Obama as they gather in front of the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility in support of Iran’s nuclear program yesterday. — AP

lem is: would we know about it if Iran decided to break out and not tell anyone?” said Asculai, who estimated that the Iranians could have enough uranium for a nuclear device in a year, should they recalibrate their enrichment centrifuges.

While Israel welcomed the IAEA report, some of its officials groused at what they called the slow work of the Vienna-based agency, even as Iran forges on with sensitive nuclear work. “In their cautious way they would probably send more inspectors to check and recheck,” Asculai said.

“And meanwhile the Iranians would accomplish a lot.” Kam said he believed Israel could manage a unilateral strike on “three or four” Iranian nuclear sites, but described this as unlikely given its reliance on its strategic US ally.

President Barack Obama’s administration, trying to extract troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, is wary of starting another war in the Muslim world. “If the Americans will not give Israel a green light, or at least what we call a ‘yellow light’, then Israel will not be able to attack,” Kam said.

Giora Eiland, a former Israeli general and national security adviser, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had “a year, maybe two” to decide, given Iran’s nuclear progress. “And if you don’t make a decision, you make a decision” to leave Iran to its course, Eiland said. “Two terrible choices. I believe the international community will fail to reach a solution on the Iranian case, so such a dilemma will be real.” For now, those seeking to hobble, if not halt, Iran may have to make do with covert attacks such as cyberwarfare or sabotage. “ Will these things be accorded new legitimacy in light of the difficulty of nuclear diplomacy through negotiations?” said INSS arms control expert Emily Landau.— Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Nadal drawn with Federer LONDON: Old foes Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer will meet in the group stage of the ATP World Tour finals starting in London on Sunday while world number one Novak Djokovic will clash with number three Andy Murray. The round-robin competition which ends the men’s tennis season is made up of two groups of four with the top two from each pool going through to the semi-finals.

Defending champion Federer has not won a grand slam singles title this year for the first time since 2002 but has bounced back to form with triumphs in his last two tournaments including last week’s Paris Masters. “Anyone can beat anyone,” said Federer before the draw ceremony in London. “I’m really looking forward to it.

It’s a strong year.”

Nadal and Federer are joined in Group B by Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Federer in this year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals but lost to the Swiss in Sunday’s Paris final. American Mardy Fish completes the pool despite being troubled with a hamstring strain. —Reuters

Commonwealth Games bid COLOMBO: Canadian concerns about problems at last year’s Delhi Commonwealth Games may have spoiled the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota’s hopes of staging the 2018 event, bid committee head Ajith Nivard Cabraal said yesterday.

The Commonwealth Games Federation opted for Australia’s Gold Coast by a 43-27 margin over Hambantota, the only other contender, in a vote held in St Kitts and Nevis on Friday.

Cabraal said Canada had raised last minute questions about the Delhi Games where government intervention was required to clean up filthy facilities and dangerous infrastructure.

“That all was countered but it

created certain fear among some of the voting delegates, who associated India with Sri Lanka,” Cabraal told reporters.

“This lobby had been designed to give some kind of a feeling Asian countries are unable to have very good games. That also may have gone against us to some extent. As a result, our chances would have been hurt.” Malaysia in 1998 and India are the only Asian nations to host the Games. “We have not thought of bidding for the 2022 Games but our plan on making Hambantota a sports city will go ahead as planned despite the loss,” added Cabraal, who is also the island nation’s central bank governor.—Reuters

Lucic avoids suspension NEW YORK: Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will not be suspended for his hit that sidelined Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller with a concussion, the National Hockey League (NHL) said on Monday.

NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan ruled the minor penalty for charging that Lucic received for the hit during Saturday’s game was suitable even though the Sabres have said Miller is out indefinitely with a concussion.

“I had the hearing because I did make an initial assessment of the play as I do with all plays, but I did have some questions for Milan and I wanted to hear directly from him,” Shanahan told the league’s website.

“They were regarding his intent; at what point did he know there was going to be a collision; and whether or not he felt he had the time to avoid the collision. I was satisfied with his answers.” Miller, a former All-Star and Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goalie, left his crease during the first period of the game to deny Lucic a breakaway chance. Lucic’s hit sent Miller’s mask flying and knocked the goalie to the ice. Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier had called on the league to suspend Lucic for the first-period hit. —Reuters

Sabres edge Canadiens in shootout NHL results/standings NHL results and standings on Monday.

Philadelphia 5, Carolina 3; Buffalo 3, Montreal 2 (SO); Winnipeg 5, Tampa Bay 2.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Philadelphia 10 4 3 65 51 23 Pittsburgh 10 4 3 51 40 23 NY Rangers 9 3 3 43 32 21 New Jersey 8 6 1 37 41 17 NY Islanders 4 7 3 29 43 11 Northeast Division Buffalo 11 6 0 52 42 22 Toronto 10 6 1 51 58 21 Montreal 7 7 3 42 45 17 Ottawa 8 9 1 53 65 17 Boston 8 7 0 52 35 16 Southeast Division Washington 10 4 1 55 42 21 Florida 8 5 3 46 42 19 Tampa Bay 8 7 2 48 55 18 Winnipeg 6 9 3 48 60 15 Carolina 6 9 3 46 63 15 Western Conference Central Division Chicago 11 4 3 62 52 25 Detroit 9 5 1 42 33 19 Nashville 8 5 3 43 42 19 St. Louis 8 7 1 40 38 17 Columbus 3 12 1 36 60 7 Northwest Division Minnesota 9 5 3 39 36 21 Edmonton 9 6 2 39 38 20 Vancouver 9 8 1 55 51 19 Colorado 8 8 1 49 54 17 Calgary 7 8 1 35 42 15 Pacific Division Dallas 11 5 0 48 41 22 San Jose 9 5 1 44 39 19 Phoenix 8 4 3 43 39 19 Los Angeles 8 6 3 41 40 19 Anaheim 6 8 3 35 50 15 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L)

MONTREAL: Brad Boyes and Thomas Vanek scored in a shootout to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in the NHL on Monday.

Jhonas Enroth made 25 saves in place of injured starter Ryan Miller to improve to 6-0 this season. Miller sustained a concussion Saturday night in a collision with Boston forward Milan Lucic in the Sabres’ 6-2 loss to Boston.

Jason Pominville and Derek Roy scored in regulation for Buffalo, which overcame a 2-0 deficit in the third period for its fourth victory in five games. Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole scored for the Canadiens, and Carey Price made 30 saves. At Raleigh, North Carolina, Claude Giroux had two goals and an assist to lead surging Philadelphia over Carolina. Matt Read, Maxime Talbot and Wayne Simmonds scored the other goals for the Flyers, who have won five of their last seven games.

Giroux now has 11 goals this season following his first multigoal game. Patrick Dwyer scored his first two goals of the season, and Tuomo Ruutu also had a goal for Carolina.

Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 17 shots.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Evander Kane, Tim Stapleton and Dustin Byfuglien each had a goal and an assist as the Jets ended a five-game losing streak with a win over Tampa Bay. Ondrej Pavelec made 30 saves for Winnipeg, which got just its third home win of the season. Mark Flood and Andrew Ladd also scored for the Jets. Martin St. Louis and Steve Stamkos had goals for Tampa Bay, which was 0 for 6 on the power play.

Meanwhile, even as Mark Howe was enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, there was no escaping the shadow in which he spent his entire career.

It may have been Mark Howe’s moment but the spotlight as ever belonged to his father, “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, who many consider the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of skates.

Even Wayne Gretzky, known as “The Great One” during his own Hall of Fame career, considered the elder Howe his idol growing up and the silver-haired 83-year-old remains instantly recognisable and a magnet to fans and media.

“As you see, we’re doing interviews and he has a much bigger crowd than I,” laughed Howe in front of a small group of reporters who were looking over at his father surrounded by cameras and microphones.

“That’s what comes with the territory ... part of being Gordie Howe’s son is that you are always in the backdrop.”

For Mark Howe the scene was nothing new, it was the same as any other day for the son of a sporting icon who gave the hockey world the “Gordie Howe hat trick”-a goal,

MONTREAL: Buffalo Sabres’ Brad Boye (left) scores past Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price during a shootout in an NHL hockey game. —AP an assist and a fight during the same game.

The National Hockey League (NHL) has a long list of fathers and sons who have played in the league, the Howes becoming the fourth father-and-son combo to be enshrined. But the Howes shared more than hockey genes.

They also shared a locker room and now a unique place in the Hockey Hall as the only father and son to play in the NHL together.

Lured by the chance to lineup alongside his sons, Gordie came out of retirement in 1973 (a year after being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame) to join sons Mark and Marty on the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA).

That season he led the Aeros to the WHA championship, 45-year-old Gordie earning most valuable player honors and Mark rookie of the year.

Mark and Gordie would spend six years in the WHA before it folded and some teams absorbed in the NHL, giving them one season together as team mates on the Hartford Whalers.

A fluid skating All-Star defenceman, Mark would go on to play 16 NHL seasons with Hartford, the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit while building a solid Hall of Fame career. His resume, which includes 197 goals and 545 assists in 929 NHL games, does not compare to his father’s but few do, including the other three members of the 2011 Hall of Fame class: Joe Nieuwendyk; Ed Belfour and Doug Gilmour. As famous for his elbows and remarkable durability as his goal-scoring prowess, Gordie’s packed trophy case contains six Hart Trophies as league MVP, six Art Ross Trophies as the league’s leading scorer and four Stanley Cup rings.—Agencies

Teams wary of stern test MELBOURNE: While the Presidents Cup has often given the United States bragging rights over their International opponents, they face a stern test at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the venue of their sole loss in the biennial tournament in 1998.

The Americans, who compete against Europe in the Ryder Cup on alternate years, have lifted the trophy in the past three editions, and blasted the Internationals 19.5-14.5 at the last in San Francisco in 2009.

Away from the comfor ts of home and friendly galleries, the Americans have proved far more vulnerable and were subject to a 20 1/2-11 1/2 trouncing at Royal Melbourne when current team captains Greg Norman and Fred Couples were in their playing pomp.

The Americans were also held to a dramatic tie in South Africa in

2003 and have been keen to cast themselves as the underdogs battling in a foreign land against a hostile crowd as they come to grips with the challenging Alister McKenzie-designed course.

“Certainly I would expect them to be the favourite because of their home course knowledge, as well as the home course support, but we are going to try to make a good run,” Phil Mickelson, a member of the losing US side in 1998, told reporters yesterday.

Internationals captain Norman, keen to ramp up the atmosphere in Melbourne, has stacked his side with five locals, taking Australians Aaron Baddeley and Rober t Allenby as his two captain’s picks.

Norman was a member of a similarly Australian-dominated side that routed the Americans in 1998 and has called on the home galleries to provide an intimidating

atmosphere.

The US blamed slack preparations in the lead-up to their 1998 debacle and despite talking of fun nights out gambling with his players in Melbourne, Couples demanded his players play warmup events in a friendly timezone in the leadup.

One of those reaped a thirdplaced finish for Tiger Woods in a quality field at the Australian Open on Sunday, his most encouraging performance since his joint fourth at Augusta, and the former world number one cut an assured figure after practice yesterday.

“I’m just grateful to be honest to be on the team,” said the 14-times major champion, now ranked 50th in the world.

“As far as testing me, I love it. I love being a part of these Cups. I’ve been fortunate to be on quite a few Cups over the years, and the

friendships you develop, it’s just fantastic.”

Woods appears set to reprise his formidable partnership with world number five Steve Stricker after the pair became the first to win all four of their matches at the 2009 tournament.

While the Presidents Cup gets underway with the opening foursome matches on Thursday, players on both sides have already declared the short 6,397-metre course that places a premium on tactics a winner.

“If the wind gets up, which it’s predicted to be on Friday, up to 25, 30-mile -an-hour winds, this place will eat your lunch,” said Norman. “For a golf course with no water on it and no outof-bounds, you can be so intimidated on some of these tee shots, I don’t care how good you are.”—Reuters

KUWAIT: In preparation for the Red Bull Art of Motion that will take place at Failaka Island today and tomorrow, Jason Paul 20 years old from Germany performed some of his signature moves in front of Al Hamra Tower. At a height of 414 meters, Al Hamra the iconic Tower of Kuwait enjoys the recognition of being amongst the ten highest skyscrapers in the world and the highest in Kuwait. Paul also performed some move at Al-Kout Mall.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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Sandusky says he only ‘horsed around’ with boys NEW YORK: The former Penn State assistant football coach at the heart of a massive sex scandal said he showered with young boys and hugged them but called the allegedly criminal contact “horseplay.”

Jerry Sandusky told NBC News’ “Rock Center” on Monday night that he was not a pedophile but, in retrospect, should not have showered with the boys he’s charged with sexually assaulting.

In an interview with Bob Costas, Sandusky, once considered the heir apparent to coaching legend Joe Paterno, proclaimed his innocence in the face of a series of startling allegations detailed in a grand jury report issued last week.

“I am innocent of those charges,” Sandusky said. “... I could say that I have done some of those things. I have horsed around

with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them, and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact.”

Sandusky is accused of sexually assaulting eight boys over a 15-year span, with some of the alleged crimes happening at Penn State, where he had access to campus as an emeritus professor following his 1999 retirement as Paterno’s top defensive assistant. Asked whether he was sexually attracted to underage boys, he said “sexually attracted, no. I enjoy young people, I love to be around them, but, no, I’m not sexually attracted to young boys.”

Asked if there was anything he had done wrong, Sandusky said, “I shouldn’t have showered with those kids.” When pressed about how two people could claim to have witnessed Sandusky engaged in sexual con-

tact with boys on two different occasions, Sandusky replied that “you’d have to ask” them. The scandal has hit hard the community called Happy Valley, where “success with honor” is the motto. Paterno and University President Graham Spanier have lost their jobs and Athletic Director Tim Curley and senior vice president Gary Schultz face perjury charges. The interview with Costas was Sandusky’s first public comment on the charges. He had previously maintained his innocence through his attorney, Joe Amendola.

“We anticipate we’re going to have at least several of those kids come forward and say ‘This never happened. This is me. This is the allegation. It never occurred,’” Amendola said on the NBC broadcast.

The New York Times reported on its web-

shower at the Nittany Lions’ practice center.

McQueary did not go to police but instead told Paterno, Curley and Schultz, although it is unclear how detailed a description he gave. Schultz, in turn, notified Spanier.

Sandusky told NBC there was no sexual contact.

“We were showering and horsing around, and he actually turned all the showers on and was actually sliding across the floor, and we were, as I recall, possibly like snapping a towel - horseplay,” he said.

Amendola accused the attorney general’s office of having “thrown everything they can throw up against the wall.” He said some of the allegations, such as putting a hand on a boy’s knee, do not constitute criminal conduct and other cases include no direct complaint by the boy.—AP

site late Monday that close to 10 additional suspected victims have come forward to authorities since Sandusky’s arrest, according to people close to the investigation. The paper said police were working to confirm the new allegations. A spokesman for Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly declined to comment on the interview, citing the active investigation. Amendola earlier told CNN that his client was just behaving like “a jock.”

“Jerry Sandusky is a big overgrown kid,” Amendola said. “He’s a jock, and for anybody who’s ever played sports, you get showers after you work out.”

Wide receivers coach Mike McQueary told a grand jury that in March 2001 when he was a graduate assistant, he saw Sandusky sodomizing a boy about 10 years old in a

Packers pound Vikings

45 countries to take part in IWAS World Games SHARJAH: The sixth edition of the biennial IWAS World Games 2011, run by the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS), will be taking place in Sharjah this year, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This will be the first time the games are held in the Middle East.

The announcement was made during a press conference held by the Higher Organising Committee of IWAS World Games 2011 at Sharjah’s Radisson Blu Hotel.

Present at the press conference were Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, and Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Corporation, the media sponsor of the event and Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Seaports and Customs.

The press conference was also attended by Tareq Sultan bin Khadem, Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Ahmed Nasser Al Fardan, Member of the Organising Committee and Secretary General of the Sharjah Sports Council, Khalid Al Medfa, Director of Sharjah Television, Mohammed Fadhel Al Hamili from the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, and Ahmed Salem Al Madhloum, Executive Director of the IWAS Games, as well as representatives from the Sharjah Public Works Department, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Transport, Sharjah Sports Council, the American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Ladies Club, and sponsoring bodies and organisations, including Sharjah Bank, Hamriya Free Zone, and Etisalat.

The 10-day IWAS World Games will include athletics, badminton, CPISRA race running, power lifting, amputee football and sitting volleyball, all of which will take place at Al Theqa Club, as well as swimming and table tennis, which will take place at the American University of Sharjah. Shooting competitions will be hosted at the Sharjah Ladies Club. Over 786 participants representing 45 countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Spain, Italy, United Kingdome, Iran, China, Japan, Nigeria, Rwanda and Australia will be attending.

Speaking at the press conference, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, highlighted the importance of this extraordinary event and expressed his happiness at the coincidence of the event with the UAE’s celebration of its 40th National Day - the day on which the UAE Federation was formed, uniting the emirates and people under one nation with one goal.

“The UAE’s National Day is a dear and joyous occasion for all Emirati citizens and expatriates, and we are pleased to play host at this important time to this global sports extravaganza, which is in line with our leadership’s interest in and care for all segments of society in all fields. Over the past few decades Sharjah has paid a great deal of attention to the disabled in all fields, especially in sports where there has been significant development thanks to the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his unlimited support of disabled sports across the country,” he said.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the disabled have a strong will and determination that make them capable of overcoming their disability - and sport is an area that enables them to face life’s challenges, integrate into society, and prove themselves. He noted that the UAE’s commitment to caring for the disabled in all spheres stems from the country’s strong belief in the principle of equity and equal opportunities among citizens, regardless of their social or health status.

The UAE’s hosting of this major global sports event in Sharjah reflects the care and hard work by all sporting bodies involved in

disabled sports in the country. “The unlimited support the organising committee received from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and the close follow-up by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council, had a major impact on Sharjah’s winning the bid to host the IWAS World Games 2011, which will offer further proof of the emirate’s capability in hosting and organising some of the world’s biggest sporting events”, he said.

“We are also proud of the levels of youth participation in this competition, which I believe will contribute to consolidating the UAE’s position in the sport world, fly the UAE flag high in all international sport arenas, and project the true image of our young people’s capabilities, which can be honed through work, dedication, training and faith,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

He called on members of the Organizing Committee to make every possible effort to ensure that this event is a success, and to host a world-class championship, and wished participants in the competition success.

In his speech, Tareq Sultan bin Khadem, Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee, underlined the importance of the event and the important role and limitless support of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, whom he described ‘Patron of the disabled’.

He also expressed his pride in Sharjah’s hosting of the IWAS Games, since this is the first time the games will be held in the Arab world.

Bin Khadem added that the coincidence of this global event with the country’s celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the creation of the UAE and its landmark achievements is not accidental, but rather is the fruit of careful planning, determination, preparation and comprehensive coordination at all levels, in addition to hard work, dedication and faith.

“The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan was a strong believer in the feasibility of the federation, which made many remarkable achievements within only a short time after its establishment, and which has continued to make strides proving the wisdom behind the joining of the emirates,” he said.

Bin Khadem referred to the IWAS Games as one of the fruits of the Union and a new testament to the UAE’s landmark development and progress, as well as evidence of the determination and dedication of Emirati citizens to pursue the march of progress. He pointed out that the IWAS World Games enjoy special interest from all sport and international circles, noting that they represent an extraordinary event not only because of their global representativeness, but also because support of the disabled in all areas is one of the top priorities of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council, and stated that the organisers are determined to organise an event that lives up to Sheikh Sultan’s aspirations and the emirate’s achievements.

Bin Khadem thanked all companies and agencies, both sponsors and participants, for their support, which he said will contribute to making this global sports event a success. He also extended his profound gratitude and thanks to Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council, for his interest in and support of the IWAS Games, one of the premier sporting events to be held in the region. Bin Khadem also thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud for his close follow up and immense efforts to come up with great and special global event in the UAE. The IWAS World Games is sponsored by Etisalat, Al Hamriya Free Zone, Sharjah Bank (platinum sponsors), Sharjah Islamic Bank (gold sponsor), Al Buhaira National Insurance Company and Teffani Company (silver sponsors).

GREEN BAY: Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and Randall Cobb ran a punt back 80 yards for a score as the Green Bay Packers trounced the Minnesota Vikings 45-7 in the NFL on Monday. The Packers ran their record to 9-0 and remain the NFL’s lone unbeaten team.

A strong Vikings pass rush didn’t force any mistakes from Rodgers, who was 23 of 30 for 250 yards without an interception. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to Jordy Nelson, and also found Greg Jennings and John Kuhn for scores.

Green Bay’s defense came into the game giving up nearly 300 passing yards per game, second most in the NFL. In their last game, the Packers nearly blew a big lead in the fourth quarter at San Diego, holding on for a 45-38 victory.

But the Packers finally played to their potential against the Vikings (2-7), holding quarterback Christian Ponder to 190 yards passing with an interception and limiting running back star Adrian Peterson to 51 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings’ defense did its best to rough up Rodgers, sacking him three times and hitting him hard virtually every time he took off running.

With Green Bay holding a sizable lead, backup quarterback Matt Flynn replaced Rodgers in the fourth quarter and scrambled 3 yards for a touchdown with 4:27 left in the game.

Cobb got the Packers on the scoreboard early, fielding the punt after the Vikings went threeand-out on their first possession and running it back for a score a little over a minute into the game. Cobb also had a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Packers’ season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Meanwhile, the NFL has separation at the top, thanks to the Packers and 49ers. At the bottom, too, thanks to the woeful, Manningless Colts.

Otherwise, well, go figure.

From week to week, it’s been almost impossible to figure out most teams. The Bills, Lions and Chargers have plummeted back to Earth. The pitiful Dolphins and Rams suddenly are winning.

The Jets had a three-game winning string and lots of matchup advantages against the Patriots, who were on a two-game slide. So New England wins in a rout. As Vince Lombardi once shouted from the sideline: “What the hell is going on out there?”

Of course, one of the reasons for the NFL’s unparalleled popularity is the old mantra, everso-true this year, that on any given Sunday ...

So, the championship-contender Saints can lose to a winless St. Louis. The Ravens, looking like the best team in the AFC, can flop at weak Seattle, their third road loss to a sub-.500 team this season. Denver, with Tim Tebow doing a fine imitation of a backup high school passer, runs all over Kansas City even as Tebow completes two passes. If college hoops has March Madness, the NFL has November Nuttiness. This weekend emphasized that.

“We had a long trip out here, feeling confident and to come in here and not be able to get that game separation from everyone else in your division when you really had a good shot to do that, it doesn’t feel good,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said.

GREEN BAY: Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews reacts after sacking Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder and causing a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game. — AP

NFL standings American Football Conference AFC East W L T OTL PF PA New England 6 3 0 0 259 200 NY Jets 5 4 0 0 215 200 Buffalo 5 4 0 0 229 218 Miami 2 7 0 1 158 178 AFC North Pittsburgh 7 3 0 0 220 179 Cincinnati 6 3 0 0 212 164 Baltimore 6 3 0 0 222 152 Cleveland 3 6 0 0 131 183 AFC South Houston 7 3 0 0 273 163 Tennessee 5 4 0 0 186 172 Jacksonville 3 6 0 0 115 166 Indianapolis 0 10 0 0 131 300 AFC West Oakland 5 4 0 0 208 233 San Diego 4 5 0 1 216 228 Kansas City 4 5 0 0 141 218 Denver 4 5 0 0 188 234

PCT .667 .556 .556 .222 .700 .667 .667 .333 .700 .556 .333 0 .556 .444 .444 .444

His sentiments were echoed by Jets coach Rex Ryan, who pretty much labeled Sunday night’s meeting with the archrival Patriots a must win.

“I thought we’d play better,” Ryan said. “I thought we had really improved. You make that many mistakes against that team, there’s no chance.” Yet the Jets have a chance to still do something special this year. So do the Patriots, the Ravens, the nose-diving Lions, Bills and Chargers. Such is the nature of the NFL, which is part of its charm.

Stephane Lemeret in the Al Nabooda Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car

National Football Conference NFC East NY Giants 6 3 0 0 218 211 Dallas 5 4 0 0 223 182 Philadelphia 3 6 0 0 220 203 Washington 3 6 0 0 136 178 NFC North Green Bay 9 0 0 0 320 186 1.000 Detroit 6 3 0 0 252 184 Chicago 6 3 0 0 237 187 Minnesota 2 7 0 1 179 244 NFC South New Orleans 7 3 0 0 313 225 Atlanta 5 4 0 1 212 196 Tampa Bay 4 5 0 0 153 233 Carolina 2 7 0 0 190 237 NFC West San Francisco 8 1 0 1 233 138 Seattle 3 6 0 0 144 202 Arizona 3 6 0 0 183 213 St. Louis 2 7 0 1 113 223

.667 .556 .333 .333

.667 .667 .222 .700 .556 .444 .222 .889 .333 .333 .222

The constants of 2011 include two shockers - did anyone project San Francisco (8-1) to be this good under a rookie coach and coming off a lockout; or for Indy, even without four-time MVP Peyton Manning, to be so bad? - and one easy enough prediction. The Packers were so strong in last year’s playoffs and Super Bowl and got back so many key injured players eager to contribute to another championship that their dominance of the first half of the schedule is no surprise.—AP

Saudi’s Bandar Alesayi in action

Austrian grabs pole position for Porsche GT3 Cup opener DUBAI: Austrian Clemens Schmid grabbed pole position for the opening round of the 2011-12 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Dubai Autodrome today.

The experienced Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup driver clocked a time of 1:40.318 in the morning qualifying session to win his place on the front of the starting grid for the first of 12 rounds in the Porsche one-make series taking place later this afternoon.

Saudi Arabia’s Bandar Alesayi, who said earlier this week that he is aiming to capture the Porsche GT3 Cup title

after finishing fourth overall last season, was second fastest in 1:40.773.

His fellow-countryman, Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal, who is trying to win the championship for the second time in three years, was third fastest in 1:40.830, ahead of Belgian driver Stephane Lemeret, 1:40.943, of Dubai-based Al Nabooda Racing Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy, 1:41.305, and Saudi Saeed Al Mouri, 1:42.219, completed the top six, and with only fractions of a second separating the top four the stage looked set for a thrilling start to the new season.

Qualifying results Clemens Schmid (AUT)

1:40.318

Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Alesayi Racing

1:40.773

Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons

1:40.830

Stephane Lemeret (BEL) Al Nabooda Racing

1:40.943

Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing

1:41.305

Saeed Al Mouri KSA) Saudi Falcons

1:42.219

Mark Thomas (CAN)

1:42.370

Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing

1:43.749

Hannes Waimer (GER)

1:44.130

Rob Frijns (NL)

1:44.322

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Players reject offer, season in jeopardy NEW YORK: National Basketball Association players rejected the league’s latest contract offer on Monday and will disband as a union, a move that could wipe out the entire NBA season with the sides taking their labor dispute into the court of law.

The National Basketball Players Association said it would no longer continue in collective bargaining and will become a trade association in order to pursue legal action against the NBA, with the entire 2011-12 season hanging in the balance.

“We have arrived at the conclusion that the collective bargaining process has completely broken down,” NBPA executive director Billy Hunter said at a news conference in New York.

“As a result, within the last hour we ser ved a notice of disclaimer on Commissioner (David) Stern and the NBA.” A shift from the negotiating room to the courts also came during this year’s National Football League labor dispute, but NFL owners and players were able to reach an agreement before their season began and did not lose any regular season games.

The NBA, however, has already canceled the first month of a regular season that was scheduled to begin two weeks ago and offered no assurance that further cuts can be avoided.

“There will ultimately be a new collective bargaining agreement, but the 201112 season is now in jeopardy,” Stern said in a statement.

The NBA, which claims it lost $300 million last season with 22 of its 30 teams in the red, locked out its players on July 1 given a disagreement over two major issuesthe division of basketball-related income and salary cap structure.

The latest offer by the NBA called for a 50-50 split of basketball related income between the owners and players and would have provided for a 72-game season to start on Dec. 15.

Players, who received 57 percent of basketball income in the previous contract, also are at odds with the owners over rules governing contracts and free agency.

“We will allow our legal team to really lead the charge and hopefully at some point assist us in getting a deal done that is fair to our entire body,” NBPA president Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers said.

Stern said the NBA prepared for the

union’s latest move. “In anticipation of this day, the NBA filed an unfair labor practice charge before the National Labor Relations Board asserting that, by virtue of its continued threats, the union was not bargaining in good faith,” Stern said.

“We also began a litigation in federal court in anticipation of this same bargaining tactic.” The last abbreviated NBA season was in 1998-99 when a six-month dispute reduced the campaign by 32 games to 50 and forced the cancellation of the All-Star Game.

That year, Stern said he would recommend scrubbing the season if there was no deal by Jan. 7. The day before that deadline, Hunter and Stern agreed to terms of a deal, and the season began in early February.

“We have negotiated in good faith for over two years and we’ve done everything anybody could reasonably expect of us particularly when you look at the number of give-backs and concessions,” said Hunter.

“But the players just felt that they have given enough, that the NBA was not willing or prepared to continue to negotiate.

Things were not going to get better and they were going to continue to reach and grab.”

Stern had told the players that if they did not accept the latest owners’ proposal, that their next offer would be rolled back to 47 percent of the pie for the players. “ There were some owners, not the majority, who felt our offer had gone too far in favor of the players,” Stern told ESPN. “But I was confident I could use my powers of persuasion to navigate through to an approval if the union said yes.

“But that’s really academic now, because it looks like the 2011-12 NBA season is really in jeopardy.” While a legal battle could drag on, a quicker solution is more likely, according to one sports law expert. “ There can be an expedited legal progress that gives us a decision from a court within a matter of weeks,” Gabe Feldman, Director, Sports Law Program, at Tulane University Law School, said in a telephone interview from New Orleans.

“For the case to play itself all the way out from complaint to antitrust litigation, could possibly take years ... I just don’t foresee that happening. It is more likely that whoever wins the initial legal battle is going to have more leverage, and that could lead to a settlement.”—Reuters

PHILADELPHIA: A visitor stops to pay his respects as boxing great Joe Frazier lies in repose at the Wells Fargo Center. —AP

Ali among boxing greats paying respect to Frazier PHILADELPHIA: With his championship belt and a pair of gloves draped over his casket, Joe Frazier was going one more round. The Rev. Jesse Jackson asked mourners to rise, put their hands together and for one last time “show your love” for the former heavyweight champion. Muhammad Ali obliged.

Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, a frail and trembling Ali rose from his seat and vigorously clapped for “Smokin’ Joe,” the fighter who handed Ali his first loss.

Ali was among the nearly 4,000 people who packed the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where Frazier spent much of his life, for a two-hour “joyful celebration” in honor of the boxer. He died last week of liver cancer at the age of 67. Also attending were former heavyweight champion Larr y Holmes, fellow Philadelphia fighter and longtime middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins and promoter Don King.

His body ravaged by Parkinson’s disease, Ali was accompanied by members of his family and wife, Lonnie, who rubbed his back while he was seated and held his hands as he entered and left the church.

Jackson delivered a stirring eulogy, describing Frazier as someone who “came from segregation, degradation and disgrace to amazing grace.” “ Tell them Rocky was not a champion. Joe Frazier was,” he said, referring to the hometown character from the boxing movie, “Rocky,” whose statue stands at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Tell them Rocky is fictitious, Joe was reality. Rocky’s fists are frozen in stone. Joe’s fists are smokin’.

Rocky never faced Ali or Holmes or (George) Foreman. Rocky never tasted his own blood. Champions

are made in the ring not in the movies. There deserves to be a statue of Joe Frazier in downtown Philadelphia.”

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, a catch in his voice, sent a videotaped message of condolence, as did real estate magnate Donald Trump and actor Mickey Rourke.

“We made history together,” said King, who promoted Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle fight against George

Foreman, who was knocked out in the eighth round. “We tried to make America better.”

King, wearing a US flag scarf and clutching a mini-flag, walked over to shake Ali’s hand before the funeral; Holmes greeted “ The Greatest” when the service ended with a 10-bell salute, boxing’s traditional 10-count farewell to its own.

Thousands of mourners turned out Friday and Saturday for a public memorial viewing at the Wells

PHILADELPHIA: Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali leaves after a memorial service for boxing legend Joe Frazier at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.—AP

Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Frazier beat Ali, knocking him down and taking a decision in the Fight of the Century at Madison Square Garden in 1971. He would go on to lose two more fights to Ali, including the Thrilla in Manila bout.

Frazier was embittered for years

by Ali’s taunts and name-calling, though he recently said he had forgiven him.

Their epic trilogy was recalled not only by speakers at the service but those who sent letters to be read at the ceremony. Rourke got the biggest laugh when he joked about Ali getting knocked down by Frazier - with Ali’s friends and family laughing the loudest.

Smokin’ Joe was a small yet ferocious fighter who smothered his opponents with punches, including the devastating left hook he used to end many of his fights early. That’s what he used to drop Ali in the 15th round of their epic bout at Madison Square Garden.

While that fight is celebrated in boxing lore, Ali and Frazier put on an even better show in their third fight, held in a sweltering arena in Manila as part of Ali’s world tour of fights in 1975.

Nearly blinded by Ali’s punches, Frazier still wanted to go out for the 15th round, but was held back by trainer Eddie Futch. The bout, Ali would later say, was the closest thing to death he could imagine.

Frazier won the heavyweight title in 1970 by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round of their fight at Madison Square Garden.

Frazier defended it successfully four times before Foreman knocked him down six times in the first two rounds to take the title from him in 1973. Frazier would never be heavyweight champion again.—AP

Johnson doubts Bolt’s chances of four gold medals in London Michael Phelps of the United States

Phelps ahead of opposition with London Olympic deal NEW YORK: The 2012 London Olympics are still more than seven months away but Michael Phelps is already one of the biggest winners.

The American swimmer, who has already won a record 14 Olympic gold medals and is expected to add to his glittering stockpile in London, has just signed a lucrative endorsement deal with the International Olympic Committee’s newest worldwide partner, Procter & Gamble.

Under the terms of the deal, which was due to be formally announced later on Tuesday, Phelps will become the global face of an anti-dandruff shampoo and will feature prominently in their Wash in Confidence campaign.

“Michael Phelps is a three -time Olympian and one of the most iconic global athletes of our time,” Belen Carazo, the director of global communications for Head & Shoulders told Reuters ahead of the announcement.

“We feel that Michael Phelps is a great ambassador for confidence-when performing at the highest level of sport, there is simply no room for doubt.”

P&G said the contract with Phelps would run for two years, until 2013. The company would not reveal the financial terms of the deal although industry experts said the swimmer’s fee would almost certainly be a seven-figure sum.

“At this point of his career, it’s not about financial remuneration for Michael,” Peter Carlisle, Phelps’ agent at sports marketing firm Octagon, told Reuters. “His promotion of a product has to go much deeper and allow him to accomplish more things.

“Michael has always wanted to help grow the sport of swimming and he needs global brands that can help him spread his message all over the world.”

Carlisle, who has worked with Phelps for

around a decade, has been flooded by endorsement offers for his client but said less than 10 per cent ever get signed because of the complexity of striking a deal with the most decorated Olympian of all time and his ambition to spread his message worldwide.

“He’s one of the few truly global ionic athletes, but only a few brands can really match him. That’s why this was such a compelling match for both sides,” Carlisle said.

As much as anything else, the deal with P&G also serves as testimony to Phelps’s rising popularity and pulling power after his record-breaking eight gold medal haul at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

His public image took a battering when the now defunct British tabloid News of the World published photographs of him inhaling from a glass pipe used for smoking marijuana, but he has survived unscathed.

Phelps apologised and was suspended

by USA Swimming for three months, but his sponsors stuck with him despite ongoing speculation they would ditch him en masse. Only Kellogg’s, whose deal with Phelps was about to expire shortly after the pictures were published, did not renew their contract with him.

Phelps, now 26, weathered the storm and is steadily adding more companies to his bulging portfolio in the final countdown to London, his fourth and final Olympics before he hangs up his goggles.

“Who would have thought, five years ago, that a swimmer would sign a deal for a hair product,” Phelps told Reuters in an interview. “But this was a good match and it’s a product I have actually used for years because I’m in chlorine so much.

“My sponsors are like family. Some have been with me from step one. They have always supported me through the good times and bad times.”—Reuters

LONDON: Former Olympic 400meter champion Michael Johnson doubts that Usain Bolt will be able to win four gold medals at the London Games.

Bolt, who won the Athlete of the Year award on Saturday, said he would like to add the 4x400-meter relay to his repertoire for next year’s Olympics. The Jamaican won the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay golds at the 2008 Beijing Games.

“You can’t train for the 400 as well. It would be an absolute distraction and the training wouldn’t work,” Johnson told BBC radio on Tuesday. “I think he could be the

world-record holder at 400 meters but he’s said that he has no interest in training for it, which I can understand - it’s a difficult race to train for.” Bolt has long been rumored to add the 400 to his schedule, but has said he has no interest in the longer race and prefers to stay with the short sprints. He has also said he could one day compete in the long jump. The last track star to win four gold medals at the same Olympics was Carl Lewis, the American great who won the 100, 200, 4x100 relay and long jump at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

At this year ’s world champi-

onships in Daegu, South Korea, Bolt won the 200 and helped Jamaica win the 4x100, but he was disqualified because of a false start in the 100 final. Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake won in his absence.

“I see no reason why he shouldn’t be able to repeat as an Olympic gold medallist in the 100, 200 and the 4x100, but the 4x400 is going to be tough,” said Johnson, who won the 200 and 400 golds at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 400 in Sydney four years later.

“Without him the Jamaican team certainly doesn’t have enough 400 runners to beat the United States.

They could beat the US possibly with him on the team if he was training for the 400, but he can’t just step onto the track and run a 44 or a 43-second split just off 100 and 200 training.”

In order to have a chance of making the team, Johnson said Bolt will need to run some competitive 400s before the Olympics, which open on July 27. “I don’t see the Jamaican coaching staff putting him on the 4x400 relay unproven,” Johnson said.

“That means he’s got to go out there and run some 400s during the season, in order to prove that he should be on that relay.”—AP

Kvitova crowns golden year with WTA awards ST PETERSBURG: Czech Republic tennis star Petra Kvitova’s astonishing year ended with her being voted by the press the WTA player of the year on Monday.

The 21-year-old - also voted Most Improved Player - won six titles in all including Wimbledon, her first Grand Slam crown, and the end of season WTA championships and also led her country to the Fed Cup trophy at the expense of Russia. “This season has been simply a dream,” said Kvitova, who rose from 34 in the world at the beginning of the season to second behind Caroline Wozniacki, who unlike the Czech has yet to win a Grand Slam.

“It is an incredible honour to win the Player Of The Year award and join the ranks of some of the best players that have ever played the sport, especially Martina Navratilova. “I will always cherish the 2011 season and look forward to building on it.” Kvitova’s compatriot Kveta Peschke was named

alongside Slovenian playing partner as doubles team of the Year for a season that saw them also triumph at Wimbledon. Peschke was also pivotal to the Czech Republic’s Fed Cup success as she teamed up with Lucie Hradecka to give the Czechs the decisive point in the 3-2 victory.

Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu won Newcomer Of The Year after a breakthrough season that saw her reach two finals - both on clay at Marbella and Budapest - and rise from 214 in the world to 38, eventually finishing it at 40th.

Awards Player Of The Year: Petra Kvitova (CZE) Doubles Team Of The Year: Kveta Peschke (CZE)/Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) Comeback Player Of The Year: Sabine Lisicki (GER) Most Improved Player Of The Year: Petra Kvitova (CZE) Newcomer Of The Year: IrinaCamelia Begu (ROM). —AFP

Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova

A

y

e niv rsar n

Years

19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

SPORTS

Laxman, Dhoni pile on misery for West Indies

This is an Aug. 22, 1984 file photo of former captain of Somerset County Cricket team Peter Roebuck.

Peter Roebuck faced arrest before death MELBOURNE: Australian cricket commentator Jim Maxwell has confirmed his colleague Peter Roebuck was about to be detained for questioning over an alleged sexual assault when he apparently jumped to his death from his hotel room in Cape Town, South Africa.

Maxwell, who worked with renowned writer and analyst Roebuck on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio cricket coverage, said police told him they were about to detain Roebuck over allegations made by a Zimbabwean man in his 20s.

In an ABC interview, Maxwell said Roebuck telephoned him in an “extremely agitated and desperate state,” telling him he needed help in finding a lawyer.

Roebuck, 55, a long-serving Somerset opener who became captain of the English county club in the 1980s, was covering the test series between South Africa and Australia.

“I’m sure what happened was triggered by the visit of the police and the fact that they were going to charge him with an alleged sexual assault, which meant he was going to be detained and

would then have to appear in court on Monday,” Maxwell said in the interview published yesterday. “This is what I discovered when I went to his room after he made a very agitated, dramatic, despairing phone call to my room. “He was absolutely on edge.”

Maxwell said police would only allow him to speak briefly with Roebuck, whom he believed to have died only minutes later.

“I think it’s important for people to realize that he was a remarkably brilliant person, an unbelievably good writer on the game who could write off 1,000 words at the drop of a hat,” he said. “He was also an outstanding commentator and brought some diversity of opinion to the ABC’s coverage. And as I say, I think he was a very caring human being. He really did have strong motivation for a better world.”

Tributes have flowed in from former test players and commentators since Roebuck’s death late Saturday, with most describing him as an insightful commentator and relatively solitary figure with a passion for cricket and social justice —AP

KOLKATA: Vangipurappu Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni completed centuries as India’s batsmen racked up a huge first innings total against West Indies on the second day of the second test at Eden Gardens yesterday.

The tourists then lost two quick wickets before bad light brought a premature end to the day’s play to leave India firmly in the driving seat.

India, opting to bat first after winning the toss, declared their innings at 631 for seven, 3.2 overs after tea, with Laxman (176) and Ravichandran Ashwin (4) at the crease.

Laxman and Dhoni (144) added 224 runs for the seventh wicket to pile on the misery for the visitors, who are down 1-0 in the three-test series.

West Indies’ problems were compounded when openers Adrian Barath and Kraigg Brathwaite were dismissed before bad light brought an abrupt close, 52 minutes before schedule, with the visitors reeling at 34 for two.

Barath (1) edged paceman Umesh Yadav to Virender Sehwag at slip while Brathwaite (17), dropped earlier by substitute Virat Kohli off off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, was given out caught at short leg off the same bowler.

Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson, now the manager of the visiting team, said they needed to take a leaf out of the Indian batsmen’s books to save the test match.

“You have just got to bat the way India batted. It’s a very good batting wicket. It’s a flat wicket and it was always going to be difficult for the bowlers,” Richardson told reporters.

“It’s not going to be easy. The Indian bowlers are going to put pressure on us but I believe we have the ammunition to go out there and bat for the next two days.

“Usually when you see such a big total you tend to think ‘wow! It’s going to be difficult.’ We have to back ourselves. If two guys get stuck in and score centuries then we will able to bat ourselves into a very good position.”

The 37-year-old Laxman, unbeaten on 73 overnight, reached his fifth century at Eden Gardens and 17th overall with a trademark on-driven boundary off West Indies captain Darren Sammy in the first session.

“It is always a special feeling playing at this venue. Eden Gardens is a great place to play cricket, especially with all the spectators here, even though there were not many

ery was legitimate. Resuming on the overnight 346-5 Laxman negotiated the second new ball, t h re e d e l i ve r i e s o l d f ro m t h e first day, with Yuvraj Singh to

KOLKATA: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) and VVS Laxman run between the wickets during the second day of their second cricket Test match against West Indies. —AP this time,” Laxman said.

“It is a good test wicket like it should be in India. It may be difficult to play spin on the last day of the game. If we bowl in the right areas, we should win the game.”

Dhoni was the more attacking of the duo and got to his fifth test hundred with a single, 21 months since he recorded his last ton at the same venue.

The dynamic India captain, known for his powerful hitting, blasted 10 fours and five sixes during his 175-ball stay at the wicket to take India to their second highest total against West Indies. Dhoni was twice caught behind in the morning session off paceman Kemar Roach but on both occasions the deliveries were ruled noballs.

He edged Roach in the same fashion for the third time to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh after tea but this time the deliv-

add 50 for the sixth wicket partnership.

Lef t-hander Yuvraj looked uncomfortable during his 35-ball stay at the crease and was pep-

cricket chiefs only took action in 2000 when South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was revealed to have accepted bribes from bookmakers.

Condon was brought on board by the ICC, with the initial aim of making sure matches in the 2003 World Cup in southern Africa were ‘clean’.

A l t h o u g h co n f i d e n t t h o s e g a m e s were above board, and that the rigging of matches is no longer a major concern, the 64-year-old believes the tournament marked the emergence of ‘spot-fixing’ when unscrupulous gamblers realised they could pull off huge betting coups merely on specific incidents.

Yet it was not the ACSU, now headed by another former British police officer in Ronnie Flanagan, who carried out the ‘s t i n g’ o p e r a t i o n t h a t c a u g h t t h e Pakistan trio but now defunct UK tabloid newspaper the News of the World.

“We considered it and a policy decision was taken that, firstly, it would be highly unlikely the police would prosecute,” Condon said. “ They would say, ‘This is entrapment’.”

Condon, who helped persuade the British Government to make cheating in spor t a criminal offence in the 2005 Gambling Act, had some sympathy for Aamer, saying he was “unsophisticated”. “ B u t t h a t ’s n o t to s ay h e d o e s n’t deserve a symbolic punishment. To keep c r i c k e t c l e a n s e n te n ce s h ave to b e exemplary.” And he added he knew of cases where Pak istan players risked i n t i m i d a t i o n by a s s i s t i n g i n AC S U inquiries.

“We had this Pakistani cricketer who was genuinely frightened that if he had revealed what he knew, there would be repercussions on his family. He was a very valuable informant. We flew him from Pakistan at the ICC’s expense and put him up in safe accommodation in Lo n d o n fo r a b o u t a we e k w h i l e we debriefed him.”

Condon urged present-day players to do more in the fight against corruption, saying: “In recent years, there’s been very little whistle-blowing from current players.” —AFP

before wicket to Sammy for 25 after a few close shaves, bringing Dhoni to the crease. The teams will play the third and final Test in Mumbai from Nov. 22. —Reuters

Scoreboard KOLKATA: Scoreboard at the close of the second day of the second test between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens yesterday: India first innings (overnight 346-5) G. Gambhir c Barath b Edwards 65 V. Sehwag c Barath b Sammy 38 R. Dravid b Brathwaite 119 S. Tendulkar c Samuels b Bishoo 38 VVS Laxman not out 176 I. Sharma c Baugh b Roach 0 Y. Singh lbw b Sammy 25 MS Dhoni c Baugh b Roach 144 R. Ashwin not out 4 Extras (b-5, lb-6, w-2, nb-9) 22 Total (seven wickets dec.; 151.2 overs)631 Did not bat: P. Ojha, U. Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-66 2-149 3-205 4-345 5346 6-396 7-620 Bowling: Edwards 22.2-1-81-1 (1nb),

Sammy 25-0-132-2 (1w), Roach 26-1-106-2 (6nb, 1w), Samuels 27-0-104-0, Bishoo 452-154-1 (1nb), Brathwaite 6-0-43-1 (1nb).

West Indies first innings A. Barath c Sehwag b Yadav 1 K. Brathwaite c Gambhir b Ashwin 17 K. Edwards not out 12 D. Bravo not out 4 Total (two wickets; 12 overs) 34 To bat: S. Chanderpaul, M. Samuels, C. Baugh, D. Sammy, F. Edwards, D. Bishoo, K. Roach.

Fall of wicket: 1-3 2-30 Bowling: Ojha 6-2-10-0, Yadav 1-0-3-1, Ashwin 5-2-21-1.

dog-fight for lead of Volvo Ocean Race

All nations fixed matches, not just Pakistan — Condon LONDON: All of cricket’s leading countries were involved in the fixing of major matches, not just Pakistan, the sport’s former chief anti-corruption investigator said yesterday.

“In the late 1990s, Test and World Cup matches were being routinely fixed,” Paul Condon, the founding head of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit, said in an interview with London Evening Standard. “ Th e re we re a n u m b e r o f te a m s involved in fixing, and certainly more than the Indian sub-continent teams were involved.

“Every international team, at some stage, had someone doing some funny stuff.” This month a British court jailed three Pakistan cricketers for deliberately b ow l i n g n o - b a l l s i n a Te s t a g a i n s t England at Lord’s last year in order to effect an illegal betting coup.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was sentenced to 30 months in prison w h i l e b ow l e r s M o h a m m a d As i f a n d Mohammad Aamer were jailed for a year and six months respectively.

B u t Co n d o n , a fo r m e r h e a d o f London’s Metropolitan Police Force who helped set up the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) in 2000 and chaired it for a decade, said: “A whole generation of cricketers playing in the late 1990s must have known what was going on and did nothing.”

And Condon added the root of the problem lay not in Asia but in English county cricket, where favours were traded between teams across the domestic 40-over Sunday league and first-class Championship competitions.

“If you’re Team A and have a higher position in the Sunday league and I’m captain of Team B and my team have no chance in the Sunday league, I might do a d e a l to e n s u re yo u g o t m a x i m u m points in your Sunday league match.

“You would reciprocate in the County C h a m p i o n s h i p. Th e s e f r i e n d l y f i xe s quickly became more sinister, probably in the Eighties.”

D e s p i te w i d e s p re a d s p e c u l a t i o n about the probity of several fixtures,

pered with short-pitched deliveries by the West Indies pacemen, a bouncer from Fidel Edwards hitting him on his shoulder.

Yuvraj was finally out leg

DAYTONA BEACH: David Ragan (left) driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford, and Marcos Ambrose, driver of the No. 7 DeWalt Ford, attend the NASCAR Fuel Injection Test at Daytona International Speedway. —AFP

Olympic badminton pair seals win for golden hosts JAKARTA: Olympic doubles champions Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido sealed gold for Indonesia’s men’s badminton team over arch-rivals Malaysia yesterday, as the hosts kept top spot in the Southeast Asian Games. The pair, playing in the second doubles match, breezed by Malaysia’s Mak Hee Chun and Soon Hock Ong 21-10, 21-14 to complete the 3-1 victory, sparking jubilation among the raucous home crowd.

With several field golds up for grabs late Tuesday under floodlights in Palemenbang, badminton starred early on with Indonesia’s men extending the host’s medals table lead with 68 golds and 171 top three finishes overall.

On the track Indonesia’s Agus Prayogo again played his part, taking the 5,000 metres and a double gold after his win in Sunday’s 10,000m, while Vietnam’s Dao Xuan Cuong won the 400m men’s hurdles. Thailand — 2009 medals table winners-lie in second place with 41 gold after a blistering performance in the track and field events so far, with Vietnam in third after notching a respectable 31 first places.

Malaysia’s badminton side, who were booed throughout the four hour contest, had pegged the hosts back at 1-1 with a thrilling 18-21, 21-15, 23-25 win by Khim Wah Lim and Wei Shem Goh over the fancied Mohammad Ahsan and Bona Septano.

But Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto-coached by his father and former world singles champion Icuk-took the hosts clear with a straight sets win before Setiawan and Kido completed victory.

Away from the action, sports chiefs lamented Tuesday the number of minority events-such as martial arts pencat silat and vovinam-being played at the Games, saying they detract from Olympic disciplines and hinder athletes’ chances of reaching a higher level.

Badminton aside, there are few household names among the athletes from the 11 countries taking part in the Games, with Southeast Asian nations claiming just 12 medals in the Beijing Olympics.

“The aim of the SEA Games is to unify our region so we all get better at Olympic sports and can move to the next level,” Rita Subowo president of the Indonesian SEA Games’ organising committee told AFP. “I have asked for future Games to focus on Olympic sports so we can qualify for the big international events. “But every SEA Games the same thing happens. The hosts always ask for traditional sportsthe sport they are very good at-and there’s so much pressure to include it that there’s nothing we can do about it.” The pressure is exerted by individual sports associations and governments keen to secure regional bragging rights with a big medal haul, she added.

ALICANTE: American-led Puma and Spain’s Telefonica were locked in an Atlantic dogfight through the dreaded Doldrums yesterday in the Volvo Ocean Race. The pair had swapped the lead repeatedly in the previous 24 hours on the first leg from Alicante in Spain to Cape Town with Ken Read’s Puma then narrowly holding the advantage over newly elected world sailor of the year, Iker Martinez. The battle was testing both highly experienced skippers to the full in the Doldrums which is the area just north of the Equator where northern and southern weather systems converge leaving sailors with one of the biggest of all headaches - lack of wind. In third place, Team New Zealand in Camper helmed by Chris Nicholson, were 269 kmbehind with France’s Groupama 580 km adrift of the leaders. Read, who skippered Puma to second place in the last race in 200809, told AFP: “It doesn’t look like this Doldrums band (of little or no wind) is nearly as wide as last time. In the last race we parked for days. “This time we might make it through unscathed. (Navigator) Tom Addis has done his homework and we think we’ve come up with a nice path.” —AFP

Medals table JAKARTA: Medals table at the 26th Southeast Asian Games yesterday.

Indonesia Thailand Vietnam Singapore Malaysia Philippines Laos Cambodia Myanmar Brunei East Timor

Gold 70 43 33 23 22 13 4 2 0 0 0

Silver 57 32 39 22 21 19 3 7 9 1 0

Bronze 53 52 46 39 33 26 18 9 15 3 1

Total 180 127 118 84 76 58 25 18 24 4 1

A Thai representative from the nation’s Olympic committee has also spoken out against “traditional sports” saying the biennial SEA Games risk becoming less competitive as hosts choose niche events favoring their athletes. Subowo also said the Games had recovered from a delay-stricken start and were on course to be a success. It emerged yesterday that Indonesian students have been drafted in to cheer on visiting nations with few supporters including arch-rivals Malaysia.

State media reported that hundreds of junior and high school students in Palembang-the South Sumatran city co-hosting the Games with Jakarta-have been deployed as cheerleaders. —AFP

Laxman, Dhoni pile on misery for West Indies

Packers pound Vikings

19

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Sandusky says he only ‘horsed around’ with boys

Page 16

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Youssef Nasser (right) challenges United Arab Emirates’ Fares Juma during their 2014 World Cup Group B Asian qualifying football match. Kuwait won 21. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwait rally to keep UAE winless Lebanon upset Korea, North Korea stun Japan KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait came from a goal down to beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 yesterday and keep alive its chances of reaching the next round of 2014 World Cup qualifying.

UAE scored in the 18th minute when Ismaeil Matar retrieved a cross into the area and fired past goalkeeper Nawaf alKhalidi.

The Kuwaitis stepped up their game in the second half, and midfielder Fahad alEnzi drew the home side level when he headed a cross from Bader Al-Mutawwa into the net from close range in the 49th.

UAE substitute Walid Abbas scored a decisive own goal in the 68th from a corner, and several acrobatic saves by AlKhalidi ensured the visitors remain winless in the competition.

Meanwhile, Australia, Iran and Iraq are through to the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup after they all won away matches yesterday.

Australia beat Thailand 1-0 to ensure it will finish at the top of Group D and be one of 10 countries to progress to the fourth round of qualifying. Iran defeated

Indonesia 4-1 and advanced after Qatar was later held to a 0-0 draw at home by Bahrain, and Iraq won 3-1 at Jordan to go through and knock out China from conte n t i o n d e s p i te i t s 4 - 0 v i c to r y ove r Singapore.

The 10 countries will be divided into two groups of five teams, with the top two from each group qualifying for the World Cup. The two third-place teams then meet to decide which of them goes into an intercontinental playoff for a place at the 2014 finals in Brazil.

Uzbekistan, already assured of reaching the next round, scored two secondhalf goals in beating 10-man Tajikistan 30.

Lebanon upset South Korea 2-1 to move into a strong position to advance, w h i l e N o r t h K o re a d e fe a te d v i s i t i n g Japan 1-0 in a game with no impact on qualification for the next round.

In Beirut, Ali Al-Saadi gave Lebanon a shock 1-0 lead in the fifth minute but then conceded a penalty, converted by South Korea’s Koo Ja-cheol in the 20th.

Abbas Atwi restored Lebanon’s lead from

the penalty spot on the half-hour mark and his side held on.

Group B leader South Korea has 10 points, the same as Lebanon, which trails o n g o a l d i f fe re n ce a f te r f i ve g a m e s.

Third-place Kuwait has eight points, while the UAE has zero.

An away victory at the UAE in the final round on Feb. 29 will guarantee Lebanon a place in the next round. “ Fi r s t o f a l l, t h i s v i c to r y i s fo r t h e Lebanese people,” Lebanon coach Theo Bucker said. “We had belief in our team.

Our football was much better than anyone believed until a couple of days ago.

Lots of people were laughing about me here and in Germany.”

South Korea coach Cho Kwang-rae blamed the defeat on a lack of top players including Arsenal forward Park Chuyoung and the poor condition of the pitch. He also was critical refereeing.

“The main reason that we lost is that I lost some key players .... I don’t think this was my strongest team,” Cho said.

North Korea’s game was more about a playing out of the political and historical

enmity between the nations than it was about the result, as Nor th Korea had already been eliminated and Japan had already advanced.

Playing before a crowd of 50,000 at Kim Il Sung Stadium, Pak Nam Chol gave N o r t h K o re a a 1 - 0 l e a d i n t h e 5 0 t h minute with an angled header beyond the reach of Japan goalkeeper Shusaku N i s h i k aw a . I t w a s t h e f i r s t t i m e t h e J a p a n e s e m e n’s te a m h a d p l aye d o n North Korean soil since 1989.

The political tension bubbled over at times, with several shoving skirmishes breaking out. And North Korea had Jong Il Gwan sent off in the 77th minute for a foul on Atsuto Uchida.

The result ended the unbeaten run of Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni, who took over from Takeshi Okada after the 2010 World Cup. Fo u r o f t h e N o r t h K o re a n p l aye r s, including striker Jong Tae Se, were born into ethnic Korean communities in Japan, a n d b i t te r n e s s s t i l l r u n s d e e p ove r Japan’s 35-year occupation of Korea, which ended in 1945.

Asian zone World Cup qualifying results

Qatar reaffirm commitment to summer 2022 World Cup DOHA: Qatar’s World Cup chiefs have reaffirmed their plans to stage the 2022 showpiece in the summer despite widespread concerns that fans and spectators will suffer in the hot and humid temperatures.

Speaking at a conference here yesterday, World Cup organising committee official Hassan Al Thawadi said Qatar would only consider a switch from summertime if “the entire football community” contested current plans. “If the entire football community, and not just FIFA, requests it then we would not stand in their way,” Al Thawadi said. “But for the moment there have been no such discussions” with world football’s ruling body FIFA, he added..

Since Qatar successfuly bid to host the event concerns have been raised that the heat and humidity of the Gulf

State during the summer could cause havoc for players and fans.

Organisers have pledged to look at ways of keeping temperatures under control, including installing industrialsized air conditioning systems in all host stadiums.

That idea, however, was met with scepticism in September by UEFA president Michel Platini, who repeated demands that the event be switched to the winter.

“If you are going to go to Qatar in June-July, there’s a good chance it’ll be 55 degrees (Celsius),” Platini said at a UEFA executive committee meeting in Cyprus.

“It’s great that the grounds will be air conditioned but I think that this sporting occasion is the most important in the world.

“The best period is to play in the

winter and in November-December 2022, because in January 2022 there will be the Winter Olympics.”

Architects working on several stadium projects in Qatar have also poured doubt on the use of air conditioning, suggesting instead that a ventilation system and making sure all seating is kept in the shade would work better.

Al Thawadi, however, added that research into the use of air conditioning in stadiums would continue “because it was one of the promises made to the world” during their bid campaign.

“All the commitments we made to FIFA during our bid campaign, including the use of air conditioning in stadiums, remain in place,” he added. “We have no plans to drop the air conditioning project.”—AFP

In Bangkok, Brett Holman scored the winning goal for Australia in the 77th minute, heading in a cross from Brett Emerton.

Th e game was p l aye d at Suphachalasai Stadium in downtown Bangkok because the larger- capacity Rajamangala Stadium is being used as an e v a c u a t i o n ce n te r fo r v i c t i m s o f Thailand’s floods.

Thailand created several chances as the Australians picked up four yellow cards in the second half. The best of those chances came when Suree Sukha blasted a close-range shot over the bar in the 35th minute with only goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to beat. Iran started as strong favorites against Indonesia, which has lost all five of its third-round games.

Milad Meydavoudi put Iran ahead in the seventh minute, and Mojtaba Jabbari and Gholamreza Rezaei added two more before halftime.

Indonesia captain Bambang Pamungkas pulled goal back before the break, but Iran captain Javad Nekounam converted a penalty in the 73rd.—AP

SINGAPORE: Asian zone third round qualifying results for the 2014 World Cup yesterday:

PYONGYANG: Japan’s Makoto Hasebe (left) is challenged by North Korea’s Chong Tese in the first half of their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Kim Il Sung Stadium. —AP

Group A At Singapore Singapore 0, China 4 (Yu 41, Li 55, Zheng 72, 81) At Amman Jordan 1 (Faleh 17) Iraq 3 (Akram 55, 81, Munir 67) Group B At Beirut Lebanon 2 (Al Saadi 5, Atwi 31-pen) South Korea 1 (Koo 20-pen) At Kuwait City Kuwait 2 (Al Enezi 49, Abbas 68-og) UAE 1 (Matar 18) Group C At Pyongyang North Korea 1 (Pak Nam Chol 50) Japan 0 At Tashkent Uzbekistan 3 (Tursonov 34, Ahmedov 60, Geynrikh 72) Tajikistan 0 Group D At Bangkok Thailand 0, Australia 1 (Holman 75) Group D At Riyadh Saudi Arabia 0, Oman 0 Group E At Jakarta Indonesia 1 (Pamungkas 44) Iran 4 (Meydavoodi 7, Jabbari 21, Rezaei 25, Nekounam 73-pen) At Doha Qatar 0, Bahrain 0

Euro-zone outlook grim Page 25

UBS board names interim chief new CEO Page 26

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

flydubai to join plane buying after a year Page 23

Kingfisher boss says unfair to write epitaph Page 26

DUBAI: Visitors of Dubai’s Airshow walk yesterday past a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft that Qatar Airways said it ordered from the US multinational aerospace and defense corporation. Qatar’s flag carrier announced a deal to order two 777 freighters valued at $560 million. (Inset) Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker (left) Boeing sales vice president Marty Bentrott yesterday. — AFP

Qatar Airways blows hot and cold Carrier slams Airbus, then signs $6.5bn deal DUBAI: Airbus yesterday clinched a lastminute order from Qatar Airways for 55 planes at Dubai Airshow, only hours after the carrier’s chief issued a public rebuke to the European manufacturer.

The order announced by Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker comprised 50 fuel-efficient A320neo jetliners, as well as five A380 superjumbos, for a list price value of $6.4 billion. It brought the total orders scooped by Airbus at the biennial show in Dubai to $20.4 billion, including a commitment

by US-based Spirit Airlines to buy 75 A320 airliners for a book value of $6.7 billion. The figure exceeds the total value of contracts grabbed by Airbus’ US rival which stood at $18.56 billion, including a record order by Emirates for 50 long-range Boeing 777-300 ER for $18 billion. Airbus had been forced to cancel a commercial announcement it described as “hot” as the Qatari flag-carrier was still haggling to the last for a better deal. Instead, Al Baker appeared at a joint conference with Boeing, announcing a modest deal for two 777 Freighters valued at $560 million, and declaring the Airbus agreement had hit

an “impasse”. Speaking to reporters, he accused the European manufacturer of “still learning to make airplanes” and said he was “pessimistic” about the chances of striking a deal.

But the Qatar Airways chief later announced the multi-billion-dollar deal with Airbus, revealing the hitch had been related to the order for the A320neo fuel-efficient single aisle aircraft, and appeared satisfied with Airbus addressing his concerns. “When I said there was an impasse, it was related to the A320. The impasse was in the issue of the aircraft... Since I said that, I think they went back to the drawing board,” he told reporters.

The Qatari airline had been expected to place an order for 50 Airbus A320neo medium-haul jets and five A380 superjumbos at the Paris International Air Show in July, but the order did not materialise. Al Baker also said the flagcarrier of the energy-rich Gulf state was fine with waiting for a delayed delivery of the A350 XWB, for which Qatar Airways is the lead and largest single customer with orders for 80 aircraft. “It is better to wait and get the plane that

would do the job than to hurry and not have it deliver what it is expected to do,” he said. The upset - and final deal - were the latest in a series of twists that have made Qatar’s influential order decisions one of the most keenly awaited parts of recent air shows. Al Baker has overseen rapid expansion at the flag carrier but his 14-year tenure at the top of Qatar Airways has been marked by outspoken comments against both Boeing and Airbus. Airbus had been counting on an order surge on day three of the Middle East’s largest air show to hit back at Boeing, which so far dominates with a $18-billion order from host airline Emirates for 50 of its 777 aircraft.

Airbus parent company EADS said last week that the delivery of the medium-size A350 would be delayed by six months, with the first aircraft now expected to be handed over in the first half of 2014. Most Gulf customers have ordered the A350-1000 version of the A350 family, which is expected to be delayed until 2017. The carrier of the energy-rich Gulf state has a fleet of 100 planes, including Airbus A320s, A330s and Boeing 777s. It has a backlog of

DOHA: Head of states and ministers of oil gather for a picture prior the start of the opening session of the first Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit yesterday. — AFP

Gas exporters urge fair price at summit DOHA: Leaders of the world’s biggest gas suppliers ended their first summit yesterday by reiterating the need for a fair gas price while Iran, whose president was absent, warned that Western taxation will derail the energy market. The 12-member Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) expressed in a declaration they issued after the one-day summit “the need to reach a fair price for natural gas based on gas to oil ... prices indexation. ” The declaration said the fair price is necessary to achieve convergence between prices of crude oil and natural gas and end disparities. The declaration said GECF members “recognise the importance of long-term gas contracts to achieve a balanced risk sharing mechanism between producers and consumers.”

GECF, whose members hold just under 70 percent of the world’s natural gas reserves, also called for enhancing cooperation between member states and with consumers, especially in the

field of technology. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani opened the summit by complaining about disparities between oil and gas prices despite the rise in gas consumption in recent years. “It is illogical that discrepancies between oil prices and gas prices increase in favour of the first,” said Sheikh Hamad, who added that he does not call for controlling production to influence prices. Egyptian Petroleum Minister Abdullah Ghorab, who represented his country, said a fair price “is the cornerstone for developing the gas industry”. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the leader of Libya’s National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, were among those attending the one-day summit. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who had been expected to represent the Islamic republic “wanted to be here but could not come”, his representative, Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi, told the summit. Qasemi termed the meeting “a turn-

ing point in the history of the natural gas industry”, but blasted taxes against energy exports by Western consumers. Any taxation by consumer countries “will derail the energy market,” warned Qasemi who also said the falling dollar has “negatively affected the world economy.” Besides Oman which was admitted Sunday, the GECF also comprises Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Kazakhstan, Norway and the Netherlands are observers. Russia is the world’s largest gas producer and sits on 30 percent of global reserves, while Qatar is the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter with a production capacity of 77 million tonnes a year. GECF has been working for a fair gas price which its leaders say is the fastest growing energy source, but they deny it aims to control prices or become a cartel like the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). — AFP

orders for some 140 airliners.

Airbus did announce the sale of A320neos to lessor Aviation Capital Group for $2.7 billion yesterday. ACG Chief Executive Stephen Hannahs said the Pacific Life unit had access to capital because it was investment grade, but that conditions in the market were tough. “ The bank market, and the

European bank market in particular, which has been a large supporter of the aviation sector, is undergoing a lot of stress right now,” he said. “I suspect for the next six months, you’re going to see banks in the euro zone sitting on the sidelines - they won’t be active participants until they sort out their capital structure. So there are going to be

challenges.” Airbus’s misery handed an unexpec ted morale boost to Canada’s Bombardier, which has been suffering headwinds in trying to market a new model for 110-130 seats. It announced a provisional deal to sell 10 of the CS300 Series aircraf t to Turkey’s Atlasjet Havacilik worth $776 million. — Agencies

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

BUSINESS

Agility reports KD8.05m net profit for third quarter Steady progress this year, says Sultan KUWAIT: Agility yesterday announced financial results for the third quarter of 2011, reporting a net profit of KD 8.05 million and earnings per share of 8.04 fils for the third quarter. Revenue and net profit fell by 19% and 42%, respectively, from the same period last year mainly as a result of lost defense and government business. Agilityís commercial logistics business has also been impacted by volatility in the market and a softening of volumes in Q3 of this year. † ìOverall, we are making steady progress in 2011. We are continuing to grow our commercial business, remain committed to curtailing costs to meet the needs of the current business environment, and are increasing efficiencies in how we operate,î said Tarek Sultan, Chairman and Managing Director of Agility. † ìThat said, all signs point to challenging conditions in the global economy as we move towards 2012. Global growth forecasts are trending downwards and we are already seeing the impact in our commercial business. We will thus continue to exercise discipline in our cost structure and cash management, as we simul-

taneously move forward with our growth and transformation strategy,î said Sultan.

Overall Q3 results reflect changes to establish a new financial baseline set at the start of 2011.

Overall, Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) is growing by adding customers,

GIL revenues in Q3 of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010.

Agilityís Infrastructure group of companies continue to be strong contributors to our revenues.

Agility continues to cut SG&A costs, with year-to-date reductions of 21% over the same period last year, demonstrating

expanding existing accounts, and transforming its operating platform to execute more efficiently. For the full nine months of 2011, GIL revenues excluding military contracts have increased by 2.2%.

However, market volatility and softening volumes have contributed to lower

its resolve to maintain financial discipline.

Agility has continued to focus on strong cash management and control of net working capital.

Core Business Revenue for Agility Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) in the third quarter of 2011

was KD 297 million.

Despite uncertainty in world markets and the corresponding impact on trade volumes, Agilityís investments in emerging markets continue to be an important competitive advantage and contributor to company revenue. Some examples of customer acquisitions in emerging markets this quarter include: A five year contract by Henkel China to be the exclusive logistics partner for a mega project to streamline Henkelís manufacturing in China; A five-year contract by Colgate Palmolive to manage its 3PL warehousing and supply chain at Agilityís multi-user facilities in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan; Agility also announced a supply chain initiative with Nokia to use technology to reduce transport costs, end-to-end transit times and carbon emissions, on shipments originating from Hong Kong and mainland China this quarter.

GIL is adjusting its cost structure to mitigate against the risk of a global economic slowdown. GIL is also transforming core operations processes through technology and other initiatives.

Jazeera Airways launches ‘Jazeerati’ loyalty program KUWAIT: Award winning Jazeera Airways yesterday launched ‘Jazeerati,’ a loyalty program that rewards frequent fliers as individuals and as families with a free flight for every 10 flights flown with the airline. The program, which applies to individuals and families, is Jazeera Airways’ first frequent flier program.

“This is how every frequent flier program should look like. The ‘Jazeerati’ program is simple, easy, and gimmick-free”, said Stefan Pichler, Jazeera Airways CEO. “Fly 10 times over a period of one year and a get a free flight in our network, it doesn’t matter how short or long your flight was, or even how much you paid. And the best part about it is, it applies to your household. No miles, no account levels, all that our travelers have to do is fly enough times and keep their boarding passes to redeem their free flight. How can you not love ‘Jazeerati’,” said Pichler.

‘Jazeerati’ is available to all customers across the Jazeera Airways network. Customers can redeem their flights at any Jazeera Airways office. Once redeemed, the free flight will be available for a period of one year, and can be used towards any Jazeera Airways destination, at any time during the year, high season included.

China’s LiuGong opens Middle East headquarters in Jebel Ali Etihad in frequent flyer tie-up with Malaysia Airlines KUWAIT: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday announced a reciprocal Frequent Flyer agreement with codeshare partner Malaysia Airlines. Etihad Guest program members can now earn Etihad Guest Miles when flying on Malaysia Airlines. Members of Enrich, Malaysia Airlines’ loyalty and frequent flyer program, can also earn Enrich Miles on Etihad Airways flights. In both cases, the number of miles earned will depend upon the class of travel.

Moreover, Etihad Guest Miles can be redeemed for Malaysia Airlines flights, and vice -versa. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to take our successful partnership with Malaysia Airlines to the next level by extending it with a close frequent flyer cooperation. This offers both airlines’ loyal customers the opportunity to earn and burn miles on each other’s network.” Malaysia Airlines, the premium flag carrier of Malaysia, flies to more than a hundred destinations on six continents.

KUWAIT: LiuGong, the leading Chinese manufacturer of globally recognized, highquality construction equipment yesterday opened its Middle East regional headquarters in Jebel Free Zone, Dubai.

An ISO 9001 quality certified company, LiuGong’s product range includes earth moving equipment such as wheel loaders, excavators, bulldozers and motor graders; compact equipment including skid steer loaders; road equipment like pavers and rollers; and forklift, cranes and concrete equipment.

The Dubai office will serve as the regional sales hub and spare parts distribution centre of LiuGong, and provide technical support to the company’s large customer base in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The new facility, sprawling over 2,200 sq metres, was opened by Zhan Jing Bao, the General Consul for the Consulate General of PR China in Dubai, in the presence of LiuGong Machinery President Zeng Guang’an; LiuGong Middle East FZE Chairman Li Yu Ning; LiuGong Middle East FZE President York Liang; President’s Assistant and GM of Overseas Sales and Marketing Luo Guo Bing and other senior officials of LiuGong and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority. To mark the opening of the new office, LiuGong launched its new D series excavator, showcasing the 936D. Li Yuning;

Lin Ming Zhi, Hamidreza Afrasiabi, Chu Chang Xing and Hasan Mahmood Saleh Mahmood, unveiled the new product.

Luo Guobing, President’s Assistant and GM of Overseas Sales and Marketing; Wu Ying Deng; Chen Hong, York Liang; and,

ters in Dubai is a landmark in our global expansion plans. As one of the world’s Top 20 construction equipment manufacturers, LiuGong already has a strong footprint across the MENA region, which accounts for nearly 10% of our

Khaled Ahmed Ali El-Shatoury; opened the Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at the facility, which is fully equipped to meet any requirement for spare parts from dealers and customers in the Middle East region.

Z e n g G u a n g’a n , Pr e s i d e n t o f LiuGong Machinery, said: “The opening of the Middle East regional headquar-

international revenues.

“The Middle East is a strategic market for us, and our new facility will serve as a hub to meet the growing demand for our quality construction machinery that will drive the massive infrastructure development investments currently ongoing across the region. Dubai’s central location as a finan-

cial and commercial nerve-centre makes it the ideal choice for LiuGong to drive our regional operations from the city.”

York Liang, President of LiuGong Middle East FZE, said: “The new facility of LiuGong is expected to generate over $100 million in revenues annually. The Dubai office brings us closer to our customers and dealers, to meet any demand for machinery or spare parts swiftly. The office will help our customers to enhance their efficiency by reducing the time for technical support, and enable us to introduce to the Middle East region the latest products developed by our global R&D centres.”

He added: “We are thankful to the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities for their support to us in opening the facility. The central location in Jebel Ali will make our logistical operations more efficient, and help us reach out to more markets in the wider MENA region, which witnesses huge investments in the construction sector.”

LiuGong started its MENA operations 10 years ago and has ten key dealers in strategic markets. The Dubai facility will stock parts and machines, which will be imported from China and other global manufacturing locations of LiuGong to the Jebel Ali depot. They will be tested here and made available for customers. The facility will also provide training programs for LiuGong’s regional dealers and customers.

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

.2720000 .4380000 .3750000 .3020000 .2680000 .2800000 .0040000 .0020000 .0744960 .7257960 .3810000 .0700000 .7115100 .0040000 .0430000

.2780000 .4490000 .3840000 .3160000 .2770000 .2890000 .0072500 .0035000 .0752450 .7330900 .4010000 .0760000 .7186610 .0072000 .0530000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2744000 .27650000 GB Pound/KD .4386700 .4420270 Euro .3765040 .3793860 Swiss francs .3044150 .3067450 Canadian dollars .2700520 .2721190 Danish Kroner .0505900 .0509770 Swedish Kroner .0414500 .0417670 Australian dlr .2818770 .2840350 Hong Kong dlr .0352750 .0355450 Singapore dlr .2137400 .2153760 Japanese yen .0035640 .0035910 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 .055630 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 .0025170 Pakistan rupee .0000000 .0032040 Bangladesh taka .0000000 .0036380 UAE dirhams .0747380 .0753100 Bahraini dinars .7281410 .7337140 Jordanian dinar .0000000 .3910890 Saudi Riyal/KD .0731930 .0737530 Omani riyals .7130050 .7184620 Philippine Peso .0000000 .0064380

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 3.609 5.462 3.185 2.504 3.426 214.340 35.544 3.617 6.378 8.970 0.271 0.273

GCC COUNTRIES 73.763 75.003 718.460 734.690 75.320

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 48.750 46.214 1.266 192.680 390.620 185.600 5.971 34.136

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 276.500 Euro 377.840 Sterling Pound 440.740 Canadian dollar 272.820 Turkish lire 155.290 Swiss Franc 305.190 Australian dollar 282.030 US Dollar Buying 275.300

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 284.800 734.970 3.740 275.100 542.800 36.700 51.500 167.800 48.190 380.000 36.270 5.840 0.032 0.224 0.240 3.680 392.210 0.187 90.120 46.000 4.250 217.500 1.791

49.800 717.820 3.360 6.610 76.450 73.790 215.460 37.060 2.610 443.000 42.800 307.700 5.500 9.370 198.263 75.350 276.700 1.200

717.640 3.195 6.380 76.020 73.790 215.460 37.060 2.504 441.000 306.200 5.500 9.170 75.250 276.300

10 Tola

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 441.000 276.300

Sterling Pound US Dollar

SELL DRAFT 283.300 734.970 3.615 273.600

215.500 46.276 378.500 36.120 5.475 0.032

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

284.64 274.72 306.51 377.74 442.13 3.64 3.624 5.457 2.508 3.422 3.202 75.21 734.95 46.24 393.09 718.08 76.19 73.78

284.80 275.10 307.70 380.00 443.00 3.62 3.740 5.820 2.610 4.250 3.360 75.35 734.97 48.19 392.21 718.00 76.50 73.80

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 391.600 0.186 90.120 3.470 216.000

Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar

Selling Rate 273.850 277.615 442.140 389.790 317.635 726.070

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

74.535 75.165 72.990 385.475 45.923 2.482 5.619 3.164 3.606 6.425 671.723 3.710 9.070 5.765 3.560 90.965

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co.

GOLD 1,838.440

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

GOLD 326.500 164.000 85.000

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 275.600 Pak Rupees 3.180 Indian Rupees 5.510 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.515 Bangladesh Taka 3.620 Philippines Peso 6.415 UAE Dirhams 75.140 Saudi Riyals 73.650 Bahraini Dinars 732.700 Egyptian Pounds 46.155 Pound Sterling 448.100 Indonesian Rupiah 3.190 Yemeni Riyal 1.550 Jordanian Dinars 391.600 Syrian Pounds 5.750 Euro 385.000 Canadian Dollars 277.300 Nepali rupee 3.690

Al Mulla Exchange Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollar 276.000 Euro 376.800 Pound Sterling 440.000 Canadian Dollar 272.500 Japanese Yen 3.590 Indian Rupee 5.460 Egyptian Pound 46.200 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.504 Bangladesh Taka 3.610 Philippines Peso 6.380 Pakistan Rupee 3.190 Bahraini Dinar 734.850 UAE Dirham 75.200 Saudi Riyal 73.450 *Rates are subject to change

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

BUSINESS

China property market dip may have global impact BEIJING: China’s property market, a mainstay of the world’s second-largest economy, has started to suffer a downturn that could have a knock-on effect on global trade in commodities, analysts warn. Housebuying demand has fallen across China after authorities, fearing a property bubble, banned second home purchases in places including Beijing, increased minimum down payments and trialled property taxes in some cities. At the same time, property developers have been hit by a lack of funds after the government hiked interest rates and restricted bank lending to rein in surging inflation and bring real estate prices into line.

Last week, Premier Wen Jiabao dashed hopes that measures to control the property market would be relaxed, adding housing prices should now return to “reasonable levels”. “On the global economy, the biggest impact would be on the commodity sector,” said Yao Wei, a China economist at Societe Generale based in Hong Kong.

“If China’s property sector goes through a downturn, the demand for things like cement, steel, concrete, aluminum will all be affected.”

Your life and your card

By Mazin Khoury Chief Operating Officer, American Express Middle East

I

n a little over 60 years, payment cards have transformed the way people pay for goods and services.

Rapid advances in technology, along with an increasing preference for electronic payment systems have made cards an essential part of people’s daily lives. For everyday purchases such as grocery shopping, through to arranging once in a lifetime experiences like dream holidays, cards have become the preferred method of payment for people across the world. It is unimaginable to book an air ticket, rent a car or buy anything online without a card. However, there is so much more to a card than being a simple payment device. How do you know which particular card is right for you? In most cases, you can ask the question the other way around - are you the right person for a particular card?

For most people, the criteria for evaluating a card involve assessing its benefits, rewards, rates and fees.

This, however, should just be the starting point.

Consumers should look beyond the most basic criteria to find a card that is not only a payment device but also a tool to enhance their lifestyle. Choosing the right card begins with a fundamental question - why do you require a card? Do you want a card to shop with or mostly for work-related purposes? Perhaps you run a small business and need a card as a cash management tool.

After determining why you require a card, the next question would be to look at where and when you will use your card. Will you use it every day or mainly when you are abroad? Perhaps you just want to carry a card for use in an emergency. Perhaps you need a card to help manage your personal finances during unforeseen circumstances. Every card has different characteristics, with many features related to usage, so how and when you plan to use your card is important.

If you use your card mostly for household purposes, it might make sense to go with a card that has a tie-up with a department store or shopping mall. Alternatively, a card may offer discounts with a wide range of retail and leisure partners. The right card which focuses on providing benefits for spend and also provides value at relevant outlets can help you save money as well as keep track of your spending.

If you are a small business that uses a card for cash management, it makes sense to go with a card that gives you business-oriented exclusive benefits and high spending limits. For bigger companies and institutions, one of the best methods to save on paperwork and keep track of expenses is to give employees use of corporate card accounts, which not only give flexibility but also avoid unauthorised spending. Furthermore, your accounts and audit team will greatly benefit from a centralised expense report, rather than dealing with multiple bills and explanations, saving the business time and money.

For individuals who require a card to do many different tasks - say for daily shopping, business trips and emergency use - it often makes sense to have more than one. Indeed, most professionals have one card for personal use and another for business related expenses.

This gives the maximum flexibility by enabling a person to segment payments, keep track of their spending, avoid additional charges and derive maximum benefits such as loyalty rewards from frequent usage.

When choosing a card, you need to also think about the way you manage your personal finances. Perhaps you pay off your debt each month and are comfortable with no pre-set spending limits. Or maybe you would benefit from set spending limits to help manage your spending. In fact, your personal characteristics are just as important as the card’s when choosing which product to go with. It is essential to stress the importance of security at this point. With the increasing use of cards over the internet, it is very important to choose a card that is secure and has mechanisms in place to flag any abnormal activity on your card. Furthermore, insurance against fraudulent activity and an emergency number to call in case your card has been stolen or lost should be a standard feature of any card.

Peace of mind is important as well. For people who plan to use their card abroad, what do you do if you are travelling and lose your card, leaving you with no access to funds? Having confidence that your issuer will be able to assist you in an emergency, wherever you are in the world, should be a given. While rates, fees and benefits are important, ultimately, your choice of card depends entirely on you. A card can be much more than simply a replacement for carrying or sending physical money. Choose the one that meets your needs and not your wants, and you will have a dependable and flexible tool to enhance your lifestyle.

Last month, 177 property agencies shut down in Beijing alone after sales nose-dived, according to a report published this week by Home Link China one of the country’s biggest estate agencies. There are now more than 120,000 unsold properties on the market in the capital, the highest number in 29 months, the state-run Beijing News daily said, citing official figures released Friday. And in Shanghai, hundreds of angry home buyers have launched a series of protests since October after developers slashed prices for some new projects, causing an outcry among those who had just bought at higher levels.

Potential buyers are now holding off as they wait for the prices to fall further, making it hard for estate agents and developers to get apartments off the market. In the eastern city of Yueqing, one property firm even offered a brand new BMW car to the first 150 buyers of flats in a new residential complex. Priced at around 300,000 yuan ($47,000), the BMW makes up roughly 13 percent of the price of an apartment in the compound. Other developers are offering incentives such as free garages or air conditioning. “I do expect a negative

impact for several months, if not quarters,” Zhang Zhiwei, an analyst from Nomura Securities in Hong Kong, told AFP. “Prices are just starting to fall and sales data in October looked pretty bad.”

Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s said last month it expected China’s property prices to fall by 10 percent

nationwide over the next year. Yao goes even further, saying prices could drop as much as 15 percent and the downturn may last longer than one that happened in late 2008-early 2009 - “because this time we will not have a four-trillionyuan stimulus”. Beijing’s stimulus package - equivalent to $635 billion - to

BEIJING: A real estate agent walks outside his shop on Nov 12, 2011. — AFP

respond to the global financial crisis was accompanied by an opening of credit valves, contributing to the hike in real estate prices in 2009 and 2010. China was eventually forced to restrict lending after the policy drove up inflation.

Zhang, like Yao, said that if the downturn was confirmed over the next few months, it would have an impact on the global economy as China’s vast construction sector would be hit, with repercussions abroad in turn. And because real estate has links with many other industries, sectors such as consumer goods, decoration and electronics could also be affected, Yao warned.

“When people buy property, they will definitely buy something new.”

Still, analysts say that strong domestic demand in China - with its rapid urbanisation and modernization - is expected to ease the blow. “Most investors are not heavily leveraged, because they pay a big downpayment for property,” Ren Xianfang from IHS Global Insight in Beijing said. But she warned that “real estate has been a cash cow for a lot of companies” and that many would suffer from a downturn as a result. — AFP

flydubai to join plane buying after a year Carrier inclined to keep fleet of same make DUBAI: Dubai’s low-cost carrier flydubai is eyeing Boeing’s 737Max and Airbus’ A320neo aircraft for purchase orders it plans to place in a year’s time, flydubai chief Ghaith Al-Ghaith said. The governmentowned carrier, which began operations in 2009 and has a fleet of 20 Boeing 737s with 30 more on order, is weighing its options between the two newly launched singleaisle aircraft, Ghaith told AFP in an interview on the sideline of the Dubai Airshow. “We are planning to make an order but we are not ready to make a decision yet, especially because the new Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo just came into the market,” he said. “We are currently in discussions. We are evaluating the aircraft and we will be taking a decision in the very near future, in a year or so,” he said, adding it was “difficult” to estimate the number of planes to be ordered.

Airbus says the A320neo which should enter service in 2015 will deliver a 15-percent cut in fuel consumption thanks to latest generation engines and large sharklet wingtip devices. The Boeing 737 MAX, developed from the Next-Generation 737, promises a 16 percent improvement in fuel use per seat compared to current competitors. No-frills

carrier flydubai is a sister company of Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline.

Emirates kicked off the Dubai Airshow on Sunday with a record-breaking order valued at $18 billion for 50 Boeing 777 planes. But Ghaith ruled out following suit during the show which concludes tomorrow.

But despite looking at both the B737 MAX and A320neo, Ghaith appeared

inclined to keep his fleet of the same make, a measure to cut the cost of maintenance.

“For the type of airline we are, we should have one type of aircraft,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ghaith sounded confident that the start-up carrier will break even and make a profit next year. “We said we’ll make money in 2012. We are still on course to make money,” he said, acknowledging how-

DUBAI: flydubai chief Ghaith Al-Ghaith stands next to the government-owned lowcost carrier on Monday at the Dubai Airshow. — AFP

Jet Airways results for quarter ending Sept 2011 Despite strong passenger and revenue growth, in the current quarter ended Sept 30th 2011 Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline group, has been impacted by abnormally high fuel prices and competitive pressures induced by low pricing and arbitrary fare cuts by other airlines. This coupled with rupee depreciation vis-a-vis the US dollar and the fact that the second quarter is traditionally a lean season, have further resulted in lower yields. All of which has taken a toll on the operating performance of the airline.

In the current scenario, Jet Airways has through a series of planned steps, managed to ensure that the airline remains competitive through stringent cost control, strategic code shares that offer greater connectivity via a wider network, route rationalization and fiscal prudence. All of these non-payroll initiatives will augment well for the airlines performance in second half of current fiscal. The airline also continues to improve its effective cost control measures implemented across various areas of the business. This coupled with structured strategic initiatives including the extension of premiere one fare passes for international travel at no extra cost on certain sectors to Gulf and SAARC countries and enhanced connectivity to South East Asian countries, has also helped.

Jet Group managed to achieve positive EBITDAR of Rs 1,311 Mio or a EBITDAR margin of 3.6 percent not withstanding a 51 percent increase in fuel cost. The Jet Group has maintained its dominant leadership position in the Indian aviation industry with the highest market share of 26.1 percent for the quarter ending Sept 2011.

Nikos Kardassis, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways (I) Ltd said, “Abnormally high fuel costs, a low fares scenario induced by demand supply imbalance, together with a depreciating rupee versus the Dollar and fare cuts, coupled with the second quarter traditionally being considered the lean season, have all collectively impacted the second quarter performance of Jet Airways. We have however managed to remain competitive through stringent cost control managed by looking at contract renegotiations, process improvements and increased ancillary revenues. The airline will also be doing a sale and lease back of some of our aircraft to repay existing high cost workings capital loans.

These coupled with our strategy to promote traffic through our operational hubs in New Delhi and Mumbai, together with our strategy to offer guests enhanced connectivity via strategic codeshares and attaining customer delight through a superior onboard service product and industry leading On Time Performances, all bode well for the future. In fact, over the last few days, we have seen significant yield improvement, and this would help Jet group to fur-

ther enhance our performance in the next half of this fiscal.”

Jet Airways continues to consolidate its position as India’s premier airline as is visible in the multiple awards that the airline has garnered in recent times including the three prestigious awards at the recent Times Travel Honours 2011 including the “Most Trusted Airline Brand”, “Best Domestic Full Service Carrier” and “Best International (Economy) Airline” for 2011. The recent HT - Mars Consumer Airline survey has also ranked Jet Airways as the best carrier in Indian skies. All of which is further testimony to the emergence of the airline as the preferred choice for guests travelling to and from the Indian subcontinent.

Highlights on Domestic operations Domestic operations of Rs 12,456 million or US$ 254.3 million accounted for 37 percent of total revenues. Domestic traffic for Jet Airways grew by 11.9 percent for the quarter vs same period last year. Seat factors grew from 71.4 percent in Q2 FY11 to 72.1 percent in Q2 FY12 on a higher capacity (ASKMs of 3,047 million in Q2FY12 versus 2,849 million in Q2 FY11). The EBITDAR margins are at -9.2 percent in Q2FY12 Highlights on International operations International operations of Rs. 20,865 million or $426.0 million accounted for 63 percent of total revenues.

Jet Airways has now posted several consecutive months of consistent growth, reflecting the impact of our network synergies, major strategic international code shares and customer centric product and service focus. Over this period, the achieved seat factor on the International routes was consistently around 80 percent reflecting the maturing nature of the International operations. For the quarter, International traffic grew by 14.2 percent for the quarter vs. same period last year, while we achieved seat factor of 80.5 percent. The EBITDAR margins are at 13.6 percent in Q2FY12.

Outlook The traffic in Indian domestic market continues to grow in double digits. This along with the succeeding peak season will help airlines to improve yields from hereon. Our International operations continue to achieve seat factor of around 80 percent. We expect the yields to improve further on account of the peak season. It is our endeavour to enrich guest experience by our constant product & service innovation and ever improving network connectivity. Our business and first class seat factors are holding and we should see further improvement going forward in Q3.

ever that surging fuel prices were posing a “big challenge” for the low cost airline, just like others. “Fuel is a common cost for all airlines ... Like others, we do increase prices,” he said.

Although owned by the Dubai government, flydubai has always denied receiving subsidies. It placed a four-billion-dollar order for 50 Boeing 737 planes at the Farnborough Air Show in England in 2008, the last of which will be delivered in 2016. It says it has secured so far $1.6 billion through five financing deals. The carrier which started in June 2009 with only two destinations - Beirut and Amman - now flies to 27 stations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Eastern and Central Europe.

“The edge of Europe is our limit,” Ghaith said, pointing out that the budget carrier is not interested in destinations which would involve an overnight stay for the aircraft.

This month flydubai opened its latest two routes, to Tbilisi and Belgrade. It also flies to three destinations in the Ukraine and four in Russia. Budget travel was introduced to the Middle East aviation sector by Air Arabia which was launched from the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah in 2003. Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways followed in 2005. — AFP

KCIC reports Q3 2011 earnings KUWAIT: KCIC, an investment firm specializing in investments in Asia, yesterday announced its Q3 2011 earnings, registering KD 11.05 million in net loss, with loss per share of 14.28 fils and net assets down by 14 percent for the year. KCIC Managing Director Ahmad Abdlatif Al-Hamad said: “The recorded loss for the third quarter of 2011 reflects adverse market conditions and will be reversed when markets turn favorable.

More importantly, while Asia markets declined 25-30 percent, KCIC managed only to decline by 12 percent. This should be a strong testament to KCIC’s ability to manage these highly volatile market conditions and challenging times.”

Global markets continue to suffer from a high degree of uncertainty about the outcome of the Euro zone sovereign crisis and the danger of a recession in the US economy. Asia in turn has been impacted due to the concern that a slowdown in the Euro zone and the US will have an impact on its export reliant industries. In addition, many are worried that the Asian economies and China in particular will not be able to sustain its strong growth rates and drag the world out of a recession/depression.

Al-Hamad said, “We on the other hand, remain confident that any slowdown in the developed markets will be compensated by Asia recent efforts to transform its economies into becoming more reliant on domestic consumption and inter-Asian trade. We believe that markets will continue to be volatile until the European Union announces a credible plan to recapitalize its banks and assist the weaker countries in the Union such as Greece, Portugal, Spain and most importantly Italy. On the other hand, we also believe that Asia does not suffer from any fiscal nor economic problems and will continue to prosper through this crisis giving investors plenty of opportunities to participate in its growth and be rewarded in return. We look forward to successfully continuing to assist leading institutions and individual investors to access region as we act as their Gateway to Asia.” KCIC has a long-term view on its strategy to become one of the leading asset managers in the region focusing on Asia. The company has one of the healthiest balance sheets amongst its peers with no leverage and has built a world class platform with talented individuals and cutting edge systems and processes.

Ahmad Abdlatif Al-Hamad

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KSE stocks lose track KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) was moving sideways most of the trading hours during yesterday’s session after KSE announced a long list of stocks that will face suspension starting from November 16 morning in case they did not declare their 3Q2011 financial results. However, at the end of the day, KSE major indices closed on mixed note.

Global General Index (GGI) ended the day down by 0.04 percent, at 183.53 point. Market capitalization was down for the day, reaching KD30.05bn.

On the other hand, KSE Price Index closed at 5,879.7 point, adding 9.30 points (0.16 percent) to its previous close.

Market breadth During the session, 102 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards decliners as 39 equities advanced versus 32 that declined.

Trading activity was up yesterday. Total volume traded was up by 64.95 percent with 119.17mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD20.46mn (42.45 percent higher compared to Monday session). Investment sector was the volume leader, accounting for 39.16 percent of total shares exchanges. First Investment Company was the session’s most traded stock with 14.02mn shares exchanged. The banking sector was the value leader, having 35.79 percent of total traded value.

In terms of top gainers, Munshaat Real Estate Projects Company was the top gainer for the day, adding 10.87 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.0255. On the other hand, AlQurain Holding Company shed 9.76 percent and closed at KD0.0185 making it the biggest decliner in the market.

Sector-wise Five out of the eight sectors ended the day on a positive note. Global Real Estate Index topped the gainers, adding 0.65 percent to its value.

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Heavyweight, Mabanee Company rose by 1.14 percent to end the day at KD0.890. Also, Injazzat Real Estate Development Company added 5.88 percent to its share price to close at KD0.090.

Investment sector’s index followed, adding 0.62 percent as Al-Kharafilinked companies reported gains. Coast Investment & Development Company and National Investment Company rose by 6.67 percent and 3.00 percent, respectively. It is worth mentioning that only 9 companies within the investment sector released their 3Q2011 financial results till now, while 42 com-

panies will face suspension starting from today’s session.

On the other hand, both banking and Non-Kuwaiti sector indices declined, shedding 0.43 percent and 0.24 percent, respectively. On the banking sector’s, large capitalization National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) shed 1.69 percent to close at KD1.160. While Kuwait Finance House (KFH) closed up by 2.25 percent at KD0.910 and made up for the loses. KFH said it has no information of reported Al Rajhi Bank stake buy plans- statement. Earlier, a local newspaper said that, Al Rajhi Bank is considering a stake in the Saudi Islamic

bank. For the Non Kuwaiti sector, Inovest Company’s share price plunged by 5.62 percent to close at KD0.42.

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $112.69pb on Monday, compared with $113.01pb the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Corporate news Central Bank of Kuwait approved National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) request to extend for an additional six months the period to buy back up to 10 percent of its issued shares.

Oil rises above $112 but wary over crisis LONDON: Brent crude oil futures rose more than $1 per barrel yesterday as hopes for progress in resolving the euro zone’s debt crisis helped encourage some consolidation after heavy falls in the previous session.

But worries over the ability of politicians in Italy and Greece to push through painful reforms deepened and the euro stayed close to the bottom of its range for the month, helping push stock markets in Europe and Asia lower. Yields on benchmark Italian 10-year bonds climbed towards 7 percent, a level considered unsustainable and approaching 14-year highs around 7.5 percent hit last week before Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stepped down.

Spanish 10-year yields also jumped, moving above 6 percent for the first time since the European Central Bank started to buy the country’s bonds in August. Brent futures for December rose $1.10 to a high of $112.99 before easing back slightly to trade around $112.35 by 0905 GMT. The benchmark contract fell $2.27 on Monday after closing at a 15-week high on Friday.

“More selling in oil may be expected in coming days because of concerns about the prospects for growth in Europe,” said Victor Shum, managing consultant at Purvin & Gertz. “But we are also entering a strong demand season, which will set a relatively high floor on prices, limiting any pullback.”

December Brent was due to expire later yesterday. The January contract gained 60 cents to $111.88. U.S. crude oil fell 20 cents to $97.94. “Investors are constantly in a risk-on, risk-off mode because of the uncertainty in Europe,” said Natalie Robertson, an analyst at ANZ. “The key thing is to look at Europe.

Macroeconomic developments are overshadowing everything else.” The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will watch market developments closely and will be able to work well together, Iran’s OPEC governor Mohammad Ali Khatibi said.

OPEC failed to reach consensus on an

output deal to contain crude oil prices at its last meeting in June. The group is scheduled to meet again in early December. Across other commodities, base metals such as copper fell due to the uncertainty surrounding the euro zone, while gold, a safe haven asset, also slipped. The difference between Brent and the U.S. benchmark has narrowed to around $15 a barrel as the economic uncertainty surrounding the euro zone is having a bigger impact on the European benchmark, Robertson said. The spread will stay around the current level as rising demand in Asia underpins Brent prices even as output of grades linked to the benchmark such as Libya increases, she said. Brent’s premium to the Middle East marker Dubai fell to its lowest level in nearly five months. The Brent/Dubai Exchange of Futures for Swaps (EFS) <DUB-EFS-1M> for December notionally fell $1.09 from Monday’s close to $3.30 a barrel, brokers and traders said.

Investors focused on the euro-zone debt crisis. Italy’s prime minister-designate, Mario Monti, met the leaders of the biggest two parties to discuss the “many sacrifices,” while Greece’s new prime minister, Lucas Papademos, told lawmakers reforms were the only way to mitigate painful austerity measures which had deepened the recession. “Markets are faced with a medium-term outlook full of risk that economic reforms will not survive the political process,” said Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets.

France’s economy grew by 0.4 percent quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter. A Reuters poll of 31 analysts had predicted an increase of 0.3 percent. Expectations are that inventories in the world’s top oil consumer the United States fell for the second straight time on lower imports and higher refinery runs.

On average, US crude stockpiles were forecast down 1.1 million barrels for the week ended Nov. 11, a preliminary Reuters poll of analysts showed. In the week to Nov. 4, crude stocks fell 1.37 million barrels to 338.09 million. — Reuters

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Greece in short-term cash bid ahead of confidence vote ATHENS: Greece yesterday sought to raise a billion euros ($1.3 billion) in treasury bills for short-term cash as parliament debated approval of a new interim government tasked with implementing a debt rescue deal.

The new administration under former European Central Bank deputy chief Lucas Papademos is racing against time to ratify an euro-zone agreement brokered in Brussels last month before Greece’s cash runs out in mid-December. In his maiden speech to parlia-

ment on Monday at the start of a three-day confirmation procedure, Papademos said that reforms necessary to keep Greece in the euro-zone would only be achieved through national unity.

“We can address the crisis faster and at a lower cost through national understanding and social cohesion,” the 64year-old onetime central banker said. “Every centimetre of national responsibility is equal to a metre of social and economic progress,” he told the chamber.

Greece needs to unblock a loan instalment of eight billion euros from an earlier EU-IMF rescue deal blocked since August, and ratify a follow-up euro-zone package set up in October that offers to slash its huge debt by nearly a third. The European Union, before releasing the delayed loan instalment, expects written pledges from the new government and its political allies that deficit reduction targets and a structural shake-up to improve competitiveness will be carried out.

So far, one of the coalition

partners, conservative leader Antonis Samaras, has strenuously objected to the request.

The incoming administration was welcomed by the public in opinion polls but unions and left-wing parties who boycotted the power-sharing talks are mobilizing to stop the ongoing austerity drive.

Civil servants are staging a three-hour work stoppage yesterday and teachers will hold a two-hour walkout to protest against planned wage cuts coming on top of salary and pension reductions imposed

last year. “Our incomes have already been reduced by 50 percent,” the head of the civil servants union Adedy, Costas Tsikrikas, told Flash Radio.

Tsikrikas also warned that a parallel initiative to force 30,000 civil servants into early retirement was unconstitutional and would rob departments of expertise. “The most experienced and able staffers are being forced out,” he said.

Papademos’ transition government, formed last week with the backing of the socialist, conservative and right-wing nation-

alist parties, must also hold early elections in a few months.

The confirmation procedure is scheduled to conclude today with a confidence vote which the government is expected to win handily. The three parties in the coalition can muster over 250 votes among them in the 300-seat chamber.

Representatives from the EU, European Central Bank and IMF are to visit Athens on Friday to assess whether conditions are ripe for the disbursement of the eight-billion-euro loan tranche. —AFP

Euro-zone outlook grim Germany, France post solid growth

SYDNEY: The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to visit Australia comes in to land at Sydney International Airport yesterday. Boeing says the twin-aisle 787’s construction, partly from lightweight composite materials, means it consumes 20 percent less fuel than comparable planes, an attractive proposition for airlines facing soaring fuel costs. — AFP

Austria eyes ‘golden rule’ on budget deficit VIENNA: Austria yesterday became the latest euro-zone nation to move towards enshrining a more balanced budget in its constitution in an attempt to keep its triple-A credit rating in the wake of the debt crisis. According to a bill approved by the cabinet, the “golden rule” would oblige Austria’s federal government to have a structural budget deficit of not more than 0.35 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2017.

Chancellor Werner Faymann said the move would require Austria, one of the few euro-zone countries to have maintained its top-notch debt rating, to achieve around two billion euros ($2.7 billion) in savings every year. “Three

weeks ago we decided at a euro summit that we wanted to introduce debt brakes in all countries in the euro-zone,” Faymann said on national television late on Monday. “This move is a logical consequence of that.” The wealthy Alpine nation, which has the lowest jobless rate in the 27-nation European Union, aims to bring down the ratio of its total debt to GDP to less than the EU maximum of 60 percent from the current 74.6 percent. “If Austria’s credit rating is lowered by one notch, from AAA to AA+, we would have to pay three billion euros more in interest payments each year,” Foreign Minister and Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger said. —AFP

PORTLAND: A Staples sign is displayed on the front of a Staple store, in Portland. Staples Inc said yesterday that its profit climbed 13 percent in the third quarter, helped in part by improved sales of office and break room supplies to businesses as well as promotional products. —AP

BERLIN/PARIS: The euro-zone economy grew just 0.2 percent in the third quarter as Germany and France posted solid growth but countries at the sharp end of the debt crisis fared much worse, and analysts expect bleaker times ahead across the 17-country currency bloc. Growth in the three months from July to September was on a par with that in the second quarter, but the outlook for the last period of the year is dim, with the region’s deepening debt crisis weighing on sentiment and consumer confidence. “The key point is that this is all history,” Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics, said. “Forward-looking indicators suggest that the euro-zone economy is likely to drop back into recession in the fourth-quarter and beyond.”

Underlining that view, Germany’s ZEW institute reported that its economic sentiment index fell to -55.2 in November, below economists’ forecasts and sharply down on October’s figure. It said political and economic problems in Greece and Italy had increased uncertainty about the future. The debt crisis is only likely to make matters worse in the months to come, with countries such as Italy, Greece, Ireland, Por tugal and Spain forced to adopt tough austerity measures in order to stop the bond market driving them towards default.

Economists say there is no visible growth strategy in place to counter those cuts. “Looking ahead, sentiment indicators point to a significant growth slowdown. A contraction of the economy towards the end of the year is possible,” ING economist Carsten Brzeski said of Germany, where growth has outstripped that of its peers.

The German economy grew 0.5 percent in July-September, in line with market forecasts, and second quarter growth was revised up to 0.3 percent from 0.1 percent. Brzeski said the weak euro, very accommodative monetary policy and ultra-low funding costs as investors scramble to buy safe-haven Bunds had helped drive growth in Germany, the euro-zone’s economic engine.

But “with ... France and Italy seemingly drowning in the maelstrom of the debt crisis, the German economy has lost its

immunity. Austerity measures in France and Italy will also hurt German exporters,” he warned.

France, the euro-zone’s secondbiggest economy, expanded by 0.4 percent on the quarter, having contracted 0.1 percent in the previous three months.

Newly-installed European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has predicted the bloc will be suffering a “mild recession” by the end of the year, however, and that view was reinforced by ZEW ’s economist

The IMF said then Kabul had failed to address the fund’s concerns over a scandal involving bad loans, mismanagement and allegations of corruption at Kabulbank.

An IMF support program is a necessar y prerequisite for many donors whose funds prop up Afghanistan, many of whom donate through the ARTF and require an IMF seal of approval. The IMF has been investigating Kabul’s handling of the collapse of Afghanistan’s largest private lender and has withheld its suppor t for Afghanistan since September 2010.

The fund reached a preliminary agreement with the Afghan government to extend the new facility in early October, having noted “substantial progress” in the country on actions intended to safeguard financial and economic stability. The ministry said that under the terms of the three -year facility, the Afghan government would undertake reforms to its banking and financial sec tor and customs and revenue depar tments, and committed to improving public financial management. —Reuters

Sunday’s general election promising to tighten the fiscal screws further.

Neighbouring Portugal, recipient of an EU/IMF bailout, is already in recession and its slump deepened in the third quarter. Its economy shrank by 0.4 percent over the three months, data showed on Monday. Safe haven German government bonds rose as a change of government in Italy failed to halt a rise in the country’s borrowing costs and signs of political dissent in Greece

PARIS: A protester wakes up the French “Indignants” camp out at Paris’ La Defense business district early yesterday as part of a worldwide anti-capitalist movement modelled after the antiWall Street marches against the banking industry and US authorities. —AFP Michael Schroeder. “The risks of a technical recession have increased and we expect the economy in Germany to shrink at least in one quarter, most likely in the first quarter of next year,” he said. France has also rushed through belt-tightening measures, announcing 65 billion euros of tax hikes and budget cuts over five years earlier this month, as President Nicolas Sarkozy seeks to protect the countr y ’s topnotch credit rating without killing his chances of re-election in six months’ time.

“Positive growth means tax revenue, but there isn’t enough growth so we have to manage our budget like you do at home,

IMF approves $129m Afghan credit facility KABUL: The International Monetary Fund has approved a $129 million credit facility to Afghanistan, the Afghan Ministry of Finance said yesterday, the first sign of renewed cooperation since a crisis that stopped millions in aid broke out a year ago. The decision could re-open a door that was slammed shut because of IMF concerns over Kabul’s handling of a corruption scandal, blocking tens of millions of dollars of aid and potentially billions in development projects.

“The approval of the (extended credit facility) allows our international partners to re-engage on the development agenda in Afghanistan, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to further the development dialogue,” the ministry said in a statement.

The IMF had been due to officially announce its decision later yesterday.

The extent of the problem became apparent in June, when a scheduled payment of $70 million from the World Bank-administered Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) was automatically withheld in the absence of IMF support.

or like a company chief,” labour minister Xavier Bertrand said after the GDP data were released.

“If there’s not enough money coming in then there must be less money coming out.”

A report by the Lisbon Council on Tuesday said France’s inability to make rapid adjustments to its economy should be ringing alarm bells for the euro zone.

It ranked France 13th out of 17 economies for its overall health, including its growth potential, employment rate and consump-

tion, and 15th for its progress on economic adjustments, particularly on reducing its budget deficit and keeping a lid on unit labor costs.

Even some countries not under the cost in debt terms saw their economic fortunes wane.

Dutch GDP fell 0.3 percent on the quarter, although Austria and Slovakia grew by the same amount.

Spanish figures released late last week showed the euro zone’s fourth largest economy ground to a halt in the third quarter, pushing it close to recession. The outlook is even bleaker, with the debt crisis set to curb activity further and the likely winners of

re-emerged as new technocrat premier Lucas Papademos took the helm.

The premium demanded to hold French, Belgian and Austrian bonds over Bunds meanwhile hit the highest levels since the euro was launched, a sign that worries over the fate of the euro-zone are beginning to take a toll on higher-rated countries’ debt.

“The fact that the real (euro zone) economy still managed to grow amidst the escalating debt crisis is somewhat of a relief,” said Martin van Vliet, an economist at ING. “However, looking beneath the surface, things don’t look so rosy.” —Reuters

UK inflation falls to 5% in October

NEW DELHI: An exhibitor from Turkey arranges a display of jewelry on a stand during the 2011 India International Trade Fair (IIFT) in New Delhi yesterday. The 31st edition of the popular annual trade fair, the India International Trade Fair (IITF), is taking place in the Indian capital from November 14 to 27. —AFP

LONDON: Inflation in Britain fell to 5.0 percent in October from the previous month’s 5.2 percent, official figures showed yesterday, in a sign that it may have peaked.

The year-to-year consumer price inflation figure announced yesterday the Office for National Statistics was slightly lower than market expectations for a more modest decline to 5.1 percent.

Vicky Redwood, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said the drop “should signal that we have finally passed the peak of inflation.” Inflation has exceeded the Bank of England’s official target of 2 percent every month since December 2009 even as the economy faltered.

Despite above-target inflation, the Bank has kept interest rates at record lows and last month announced another round of monetary easing. Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee believes “inflation will fall back sharply in the next six months or so, and continue falling to around target by the end of next year.”

One reason why King expects infla-

tionary pressures to moderate is that the rise in the country’s broad-based sales tax from 17.5 percent to 20 percent last January will drop out of the calculation in the new year.

In a letter to Treasury chief George Osborne, King said the pace and extent of the decline of inflation was difficult to predict. Among the uncertainties, King said, is whether companies raise prices to boost profits and the pace of the global economic recovery and Britain’s own recovery.

The statistics agency said the largest downward pressures on inflation came from lower costs of food, air fare and petrol. The main upward pressure came from higher prices for clothing, electricity and gas.

Though falling inflation is a boon to the British economy, economists think there are still many hurdles to overcome.

“It is difficult to believe that this will provide a sufficient stimulus to offset weak demand in export markets and demanddampening austerity measures at home,” Chris Williamson, chief economist at market data company Markit. —AP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

business

Owner defends India’s ailing Kingfisher airline MUMBAI: Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya yesterday rejected reports that his ailing Kingfisher Airlines was about to collapse despite concerns about route cancellations and heavy losses.

The flamboyant liquor baron, who

launched the carrier in 2005, said that “to write the epitaph of Kingfisher Airlines is not fair” and shot down claims that it would seek financial help from the government or banks. “I have not asked the government nor the banks for

MUMBAI: Chairman and CEO of India’s Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya delivers a speech during a press conference in Mumbai yesterday. Kingfisher Airlines said it had doubled its losses in the July-September quarter, as its billionaire chief Vijay Mallya was set to announce plans to keep the Indian company afloat. — AFP

any bail-out package,” he told a news conference in India’s financial capital Mumbai.

Mallya conceded that the carrier had a cash-flow problem, but provided few details about how he would raise extra capital. “This does not mean that, like Air India, we have asked the government to dip into the governmental coffers and use taxpayers’ money,” he said. “We have never done that and we will never do that.”

Mallya’s defence of Kingfisher came just hours after the airline, which is India’s second-biggest by market share, showed a net loss of 4.69 billion rupees ($93 million) for the second quarter to the end of September. In the same period last year, the airline showed a loss of 2.31 billion rupees.

Shares in Kingfisher dropped more than 5.5 percent while its parent UB Group slid more than 6.5 percent on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The airline, which in September axed the low-cost Kingfisher Red service to concentrate on its full-fare business, has cancelled more than 200 flights in the past week, raising fears about its financial viability.

Kingfisher has been one of India’s worst-hit airlines in an industry plagued by high jet fuel prices, fierce competition and inadequate airport infrastructure.

Mallya said Kingfisher’s predicament was not unique in the Indian aviation sector, which was currently in a “very, very difficult and tough operating environment, where every airline is losing money”.

Revenues for the second quarter rose 10 percent to 15.28 billion rupees but aircraft fuel costs surged 70 percent to 8.17 billion rupees in the period. Mallya said fuel prices had never been so high and were compounded by local sales taxes that give “windfall profits” to state governments.

“This is something that needs serious attention of our state governments and our central government. The industry needs this issue to be addressed immediately,” he said. Mallya said Kingfisher has applied to the Indian government to import fuel directly to avoid sales tax but “that seems to be a last resort to get fuel costs down to where they should be”.

Aviation was once a vibrant symbol of India’s economic progress but has

seen its fortunes nosedive amid rising fuel costs, a price war and over-ambitious fleet expansion, analysts say.

Kingfisher has never posted a profit with just one of India’s main carriers is thought to make money-the privately owned budget airline IndiGo. Mallya said the cancellations were only on unprofitable routes while reports that Kingfisher was struggling to pay its fuel costs were unfounded and that it was fulfilling its repayment obligations with suppliers.

“We are in compliance and that’s why we operate,” he added. Raising capital is seen as key to strengthening Kingfisher and board members have met bankers to try to thrash out a way to tackle its debts and repayment costs. The country’s civil aviation ministry is reportedly also working on a relief package for the troubled sector as a whole. Possible solutions for Kingfisher’s parent UB Group include selling property, converting more loans into equity or renegotiating aircraft lease agreements. Mallya is also in favor of an easing of restrictions on foreign direct investment in Indian airlines to boost equity. — AFP

UBS board names interim chief Ermotti as new CEO Uncertainty over bank’s leadership ends GENEVA: UBS AG said yesterday that its board has appointed interim chief Sergio P Ermotti to become the new permanent CEO, ending uncertainty over the Swiss bank’s leadership following a rogue trading scandal.

The announcement came ahead of an investors’ meeting on Thursday in New York, at which executives were expected to outline UBS’s strategy for recovering from the $2.3 bil-

lion rogue trading loss.

“It was important not to allow a leadership vacuum to occur,” board chairman Kaspar Villiger told a news conference. The former Swiss president said Ermotti, from the Italianspeaking south of Switzerland, was the unanimous choice of the board.

Villiger added that he himself would make way for his successor Axel Weber at the bank’s

ZURICH: Newly-appointed UBS CEO Sergio P Ermotti arrives for a news conference in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. UBS AG said yesterday that its board has appointed interim chief Sergio P Ermotti to become the new permanent CEO, ending uncertainty over the Swiss bank’s leadership following a rogue trading scandal. — AP

Burberry bets on top cities to weather downturn LONDON: British luxury goods group Burberry is to stick with ambitious expansion plans, saying demand in top cities like Hong Kong, London and New York would prove resilient in any downturn.

Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said yesterday the 155-year-old maker of raincoats and leather goods made 60 percent of retail revenue in 25 cities that are home to the world’s wealthiest individuals and attract high numbers of tourists. “Those top 25 markets are much more sheltered during a downturn,” she told reporters after Burberry met forecasts with a 26 percent rise in first-half profit. Ahrendts said Burberry, which responded rapidly to the 2008-09 recession by slashing jobs and stock levels, was ready to react again if there were signs of a slowdown.

So far, it remained focused on expansion plans which include opening 8-10 stores in the second half of its financial year.

“We know exactly what levers to pull should we need to. But, honestly, we are not overtly focused there,” she said. “We are intently focused right now on optimizing the brand momentum that we have around the world and the luxury sector which is still planned up another 10 percent this year.”

Luxury shares have wobbled in recent months amid signs of a slowdown in economic growth in China-the engine of recent strong demand for high-end goods-and fears the euro-zone debt crisis could drag the world back into recession. Industry heavyweights like Hermes, Hugo Boss , LVMH and PPR have calmed nerves with strong sales figures in recent weeks. However, Cartier jewellery-maker Richemont on Friday struck a cautious tone. Burberry shares, which had bounced back from an October low of 1,034 pence, were down 4.8 percent at 1,353 pence at 1000 GMT, to be the biggest fall on Britain’s FTSE-100 index.

Morgan Stanley analysts said while the company had good momentum, there was little scope for profit forecast upgrades. Nomura analysts noted Burberry shares trade at 20 times forecast earnings, compared with a multiple of 16 for the luxury sector, and kept a neutral rating on the stock.

Burberry, best known for its camel, red and black check pattern, made a profit before tax and one-off items of 162 million pounds ($258 million) in the six months to September, compared with a forecast for 159 million in a Reuters poll.

Last month, the group beat forecasts with a 29 percent increase in second-quarter revenue. — Reuters

shareholder meeting in May, one year earlier than planned. Ermotti had been tipped to succeed Oswald Gruebel following the German’s premature departure in September.

Gruebel had been lauded for his two-year effort to clean up the bank’s image after massive subprime mortgage losses and an embarrassing US tax evasion investigation, but chose to take responsibility for the trading loss caused by a London-based trader. Kweku Adoboli, 31, was arrested Sept. 15 and has been charged with fraud and false accounting.

Ermotti spent 16 years rising up the ranks at Merrill Lynch before joining Italy’s UniCredit in 2005, where he is said to have been instrumental in disposing of the bank’s toxic assets during the banking crisis. The 51-year-old announced several reforms to UBS’s operations during his tenure as interim chief, including a restructuring of the investment division where the trading loss occurred.

“We will need significantly less capital for our new business model,” Ermotti told reporters following his appointment. He said further details about the strategy would be revealed in New York, but insisted the bank’s much-criticized pursuit of risky investments would be reined in.

“A bank has to take risks, but my job will be to make sure that risks stand in sensible balance to our profits,” he said. Analysts at Zuercher Kantonalbank predicted UBS would announce more modest goals than the 15-20 percent return on equity target set by Gruebel two years ago. UBS shares were down 3.1 percent at 10.61 Swiss francs ($11.57) by noon on the Zurich exchange. — AP

Gold hit by sell-off, Europe fears grow LONDON: Gold fell yesterday, hit by a sell-off in financial markets and a drop in the euro against the dollar, with persistent doubts about Europe’s ability to tackle its growing debt crisis prompting investors to remain cautious. Although gold is supported by its safe-haven allure, it is prone to spillover from any sell-off in the wider financial market as sentiment remains fragile.

Spot gold fell 0.8 percent to $1,765.19 an ounce by 0950 GMT from $1,779.89 late in New York on Monday. Italian bond yields rose towards 7 percent and even non-German triple-A rated issuers saw premiums over safe haven Bunds mark new highs, underscoring the challenges facing Europe in containing its debt crisis.

Reflecting caution in the market, European shares fell in early trade while the euro slipped against the dollar. A stronger dollar makes commodities priced in the US unit more expensive for holders of other currencies.

“Recently gold has been lacking its safe haven qualities and it has been performing in line with other risk assets,” Eugen Weinberg, head of research at Commerzbank said.

“But in the longer-term it would make sense to look at gold as a hedge against inflation and financial market risks, and as an alternative currency.” In Italy, Prime Minister-designate Mario Monti will meet the leaders of Italy’s biggest two parties to discuss the “many sacrifices” needed to reverse a collapse in market confidence. A failure by Italy, the euro zone’s thirdlargest economy, to fix its debt problems would have a far bigger impact on the region than difficulties in Greece.

The 17-nation euro-zone economy grew a modest 0.2 percent in the third quarter from the second, the EU said on Tuesday, lifted by France and Germany,

but slowing export growth and stagnating consumer demand point to a likely contraction soon.

US gold fell 0.7 percent to $1,766.40 an ounce. Gold hit a record around $1,920 in September on worries about a growing debt crisis in Europe and is trading more than 24 percent higher in the year to date.

“It is most likely that bullion would continue in dull trading here with players squaring their book before year-end and little chance of reaching August’s all-time highs,” V TB Capital analyst Andrey Kryuchenkov said in a note. “We can only see very moderate gains should the broader market push higher, while much would still depend on where the EURUSD heads in the next month.”

SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, reported the first dip in its holdings in more than two weeks on Monday-a fall of 0.388 tons from the previous session to 1,268.278 tons. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday showed hedge fund manager John Paulson reduced his exposure to the SPDR Gold Trust, which he has used for his gold share class to hedge currency risk.

The filing shows that he now owns 20 million shares, compared with 31.5 million at the end of the second quarter.

Money managers, including hedge funds and other large speculators, increased their bullish bets in gold futures and options during the week of Nov. 8, as the price of bullion rallied to a seven-week high above $1,800 an ounce, data showed.

In other precious metals, silver slipped 0.9 percent to $33.90 an ounce, while platinum fell 0.8 percent to $1,625.99 an ounce and palladium fell 0.7 percent to $654.97. — Reuters

LAGOS: An attendant sells fuel at a filling station in Lagos. Nigeria’s government may be finally pushing things too far in the eyes of many citizens fed up with corruption: It wants to end what is widely seen as their only benefit from the nation’s oil wealth. — AFP

Kenya misses revenue, borrowing goals in Sept NAIROBI: Kenya missed its domestic borrowing and revenue collection targets in the first quarter of the 2011/12 (July-June) fiscal year, upset by a tight monetary policy that has heightened a liquidity crunch. Traders said with the expected poor performance of the economy, coupled with high interest rates, the government would continue to feel the heat as corporate and consumer borrowing and spending slowed down in east Africa’s biggest economy. Net domestic borrowing in the July to September period stood at 12.3 billion shillings ($131.7 million) against a targeted 49.8 billion for the quarter, while total revenue collection was off its projection by 30.2 billion shillings to stand at 149.1 billion shillings.

“Liquidity is very tight. If you look at banks, the uptake of government securities dropped quite substantially. Banks are busy funding their own day-to-day needs,” said James Chweya, head of fixed income at Standard Chartered Bank. The Finance Ministry said external financing amounted to net borrowing of 2.9 billion shillings compared with 1.9 billion shillings in the first three months of the last fiscal year. The Central Bank of Kenya tightened monetary policy, raising its key lending rate by 5.5 percentage points to 16.5 percent in November to tame inflation and help the weakening currency.

Inflation in Kenya has risen to 18.91 percent and while the Kenyan shilling is off an all-time low of 107 hit against the dollar in October, it is still 13.6 percent weaker in the year to date. The fixed-income market has seen low appetite in recent months, while the

few investors in government paper have bid aggressively and sent interest rates up, forcing the central bank to reject most bids at auctions. “In the last few auctions we have seen subscription rates that are very low because of the tightening of the shilling.

Most banks that have liquidity prefer lending on the interbank market compared to the government,” said Robert Gatobu, a fixed income trader at Bank of Africa.

Average interbank lending rates have hit close to an estimated 10-year high to stand at 30.8 percent, while the 91-day yield was 15.998 percent at its latest sale.

Traders said the government was likely to continue missing its domestic borrowing targets. “We are nowhere seeing the end of it yet,” Chweya said. Kenya’s planning minister forecasts economic growth to slow to 4 percent this year from 4.2-4.5 percent on the back of exchange rate volatility that is seen putting more pressure on revenue collection.

Revenue collection is also expected to fall short due to higher operating costs for businesses. Citing the example of mobile provider Safaricom whose pretax profits fell by 48 percent to 5.397 billion shillings, analysts said more firms were seen following suit, leading to lower tax collection. “If a company has foreign exchange exposure odds, are you will report poor profitability and if you are a major importer, cost have gone up,” said Johnson Nderi, a research analyst at Suntra Investment Banks. The Kenya Revenue Authority has set a revenue collection target of 733.4 billion shillings for 2011/12 fiscal year. — Reuters

S Korea leader offers deal on US trade pact SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak offered yesterday to seek a re-negotiation of a contentious clause in a free trade ageeement with the United States if the opposition approves the deal first. The offer came as a standoff between Lee’s ruling Grand National Party (GNP) and opposition parties over the long-delayed deal showed no sign of easing.

“President Lee said he would ask the US to renegotiate within three months if parliament ratifies the FTA first and formally requests renegotiation” on the controversial clause, GNP floor leader Hwang Woo-Yea told reporters. The main opposition Democratic Party confirmed the offer was made during Lee’s rare personal visit to parliament and talks with parliamentary speaker Park Hee-Tae, GNP Chairman Hong Joon-Pyo and Sohn Hak-Kyu, head of the main opposition Democratic Party.

The opposition did not say whether it would accept the offer. It was the president’s first visit to push a specific piece of legislation since he took office in February 2008.

Opposition lawmakers have blocked

GNP attempts to approve the deal since it sailed through the US Congress last month. Activists, workers and farmers have meanwhile demonstrated in the streets and police have used water cannon to disperse some protests.

The GNP has a solid parliamentary majority, but is reluctant to ram the bill through and provoke clashes for fear of a voter backlash before next year’s general and presidential elections.

The main point of contention is an “investor-state dispute” settlement system that allows disagreements between investors and the state to be decided by third party mediation.

Opposition parties say it could infringe the country’s legal independence. The government says such a system is a global standard and is part of earlier South Korean trade pacts. The ruling party has criticised the opposition for trying to block a deal originally signed in 2007, when the latter was in power. The deal was modified last year to address complaints from US automakers. The standoff has stoked rampant rumors about the negative impact of the trade deal. — AFP

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

TECHNOLOGY

Orbital solar power plants touted for energy needs WASHINGTON: The sun’s abundant energy, if harvested in space, could provide a cost-effective way to meet global power needs in as little as 30 years with seed money from governments, according to a study by an international scientific group.

Orbiting power plants capable of collecting solar energy and beaming it to Earth appear “technically feasible” within a decade or two based on technologies now in the laboratory, a study group of the Parisheadquartered International Academy of Astronautics said.

Such a project may be able to achieve economic viability in 30 years or less, it said, without laying out a road map or proposing a specific architecture. “It is clear that solar power delivered from space could play a tremendously important role in meeting the global need for energy during the 21st century,” according to the study led by John Mankins, a 25-year NASA veteran and the US space agency’s former head of concepts.

The academy is headed by Madhavan Nair, former chairman of the Indian Space Research

Organization. The study was billed as the first broadly based international assessment of potential paths to collecting solar energy in space and delivering it to markets on Earth via wireless power transmission.

The study said government pump-priming likely would be needed to get the concept, known as space solar power, to market.

Private-sector funding is unlikely to proceed alone because of the “economic uncertainties” of the development and demonstration phases and the time lags, the study said.

Both governments and the private sector should fund research to pin down the economic viability of the concept, the study said, amid concerns about humankind’s continuing reliance on finite fossil fuels that contribute to global pollution.

The study did not estimate a potential overall price tag for completing the project. Space solar power is a potential long-term energy solution for Earth with “essentially zero” terrestrial environmental impact, according to the National Space Society, an advocacy group set to hold a news conference in

Washington on Monday to publicize the academy’s 248-page final report.

A copy of the study was obtained by Reuters ahead of its release.

The idea is to put first one, then a few, and later scores of solar-powered satellites in geosynchronous orbit over the equator. Each as wide as several kilometers across (one kilometer equals 0.6 miles), the spacecraft would collect sunlight up to 24 hours a day, compared with half that, at most, for surface panels now used to turn sunlight into electricity.

The power would be converted to electricity on-board and sent to wherever it is needed on Earth by a large microwave-transmitting antenna or by lasers, then fed into a power grid. Skeptics deem the concept a nonstarter, at least until the cost of putting a commercial power plant into orbit drops by a factor of 10 or more. Other hurdles include space debris, a lack of focused market studies and high development costs.

The study, conducted from 2008 to 2010 then subjected to peer review, found that the commercial

case had substantially improved during the past decade, partly as a result of government incentives for nonpolluting “green” energy systems.

A pilot project to demonstrate the technology even as big as the 400-tonne International Space Station could go ahead using lowcost expendable launch vehicles being developed for other space markets, Mankins said in a telephone interview.

A moderate-scale demonstration would cost tens of billions of dollars less than previously projected as a result of not needing costly, reusable launch vehicles early on, said Mankins, president of Artemis Innovation Management Solutions LLC, a California consultancy.

“This was a really important finding,” Mankins said, referring to a relatively modestly priced pilot project.

His company has been awarded a NASA contract of a little less than $100,000 to pursue space-based solar power options- small “but at least it’s a start,” Mankins said.

Ultimately, tens of billions of dollars would be needed to develop

and deploy a sufficiently low-cost fleet of reusable, earth-to-orbit vehicles to launch full-scale commercial solar power satellites, the study group estimated.

The group said the necessary research and development work should be undertaken by countries and organizations in concert, including space agencies, companies, universities and nongovernmental organizations. International interest in the concept has grown during the past decade, spurred in part by fears that in coming decades global production of petroleum and possibly other fossil fuels will peak and start to decline.

Adding to a quest for new energy sources are projected jumps in worldwide per capita demand for energy to fuel economic development and concern over the accumulation in Earth’s atmosphere of fossil fuel-derived greenhouse gases. The idea of harnessing solar power in space has been studied off and on for 40 years, including by the US Energy Department and NASA. US and Indian business, policy and national security analysts in

September called for a joint U.S.Indian feasibility study on a cooperative program to develop spacebased solar power with a goal of fielding a commercially viable capability within two decades.

The study group, co-sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations think tank and Aspen Institute India, included former US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair and Naresh Chandra, a former Indian ambassador to the United States.

Colonel Michael Smith, the US Air Force’s chief futurist as director of the Center for Strategy and Technology at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, said the idea has the potential to send safe, clean electrical energy worldwide “if we can make it work.”

“Isn’t that what government and industry should be working to do?” he said in a telephone interview.

Jeff Peacock, who heads satellite-builder Boeing Co’s groundbased solar cell product line, said in theory it could double the amount of solar power collected, compared with the Earth-bound technology equivalent. —Reuters

Kindle Fire shipping to mixed reviews Fire is ‘not nearly as versatile as a real tablet’

Smartphones are popular gifts.

Gadgets as gifts: A holiday primer BERLIN: It’s hard to do your Christmas shopping these days without grabbing some tech gadgets for friends and family.

But what do you choose from the array of devices available? Smartphones are popular gifts with ever-increasing functionality. Keep your eye too on tablets, since they are proving popular for surfing, emailing, reading and watching movies. More sophisticated cameras are also on many wish lists.

Touchscreen smartphones won’t break the bank. A good Android device starts at 100 euros (138 dollars), though these models might make do with some cuts in speed or graphics resolution. But the Google operating system should be easy for beginners.

“There’s a good reason Android has become the leading mobile operating system,” says Peter Knaak, technology expert at German consumer product testing group Stiftung Warenest. Some Google products outstrip the iPhone in quality.

Major electronics retailers are usually the first to drop smartphone prices.

Some expensive smartphones have seen their prices halve after just a few weeks or months. “If you want to give a smartphone as a gift, don’t buy one with a fixed contract or a SIM lock,” says Knaak.

“There’s no point in contracts.” Instead, the recipient can get by with a prepaid card, which costs a little extra.

Tablet computers will also be at the top of a bunch of wish lists this year. No sector in entertainment electronics is growing faster. People are expecting a continued “dramatic” rise in sales figures, says Joachim Duenkelmann of the German Association for Technology and Small Business.

As with smartphones, most tablet

computers run either the Apple iOS or Android operating system. Stiftung Warentest reports that Android falls behind in quality here, especially when it comes to ease of use. “ The gap with Apple is still relatively large,” says Knaak.

But there are still a lot of Android devices that, thanks to the system’s relatively open operating system and a variety of sizes in tablet computers, could be interesting. Android-based tablets also have one major advantage over iPads: They come with USB connections and can be expanded with memory cards.

Android tablets start at 100 euros, though the cheaper ones come with fewer extras and an operating version not designed specifically for a tablet.

Consumers are advised to look for tablets that use an optimized operating system Version 3 (Honeycomb) - though they can expect to pay at least 300 euros. Save a little money by doing without a mobile communications module, since most tablets come with wi-fi capacity.

Many hobby photographers are focused on system cameras these days.

These supposedly combine the best of compact and single-lens reflex cameras, meaning good picture quality and a variety of lenses, but all in a compact package. “You should always be sure what the recipient wants,” says Knaak. “There are also good compact cameras with good picture quality.”

Most system camera bodies are sold with only one lens. When it comes to kits, shoppers often opt for the cheapest versions. But that’s a mistake, says Knaak.

Better to pick the kit with the higher quality lens. If that’s too expensive, look into a bridge camera, a cross between a compact and a single-lens reflex camera, but with a single non-swappable lens. —dpa

American students crave Google jobs SAN FRANCISCO: Google tops the list when it comes to where US business students want to work after graduating, according to a survey released yesterday by brand specialty firm Universum.

The California-based Internet firm placed among the top 10 “ideal employers” for college students in an array of majors including liberal arts, natural sciences, and information technology.

Google, Apple and the Walt Disney Co., in that order, were considered the best places for business majors to work,

based on the Universum survey of 61,726 students at 345 universities.

When it came to engineering students, US space agency NASA was top choice with Google coming in second.

Google also topped Universum’s lists this year of the “world’s most attractive employers” in the eyes of students in an array of countries seeking business or engineering careers. Universum specializes in helping firms “attract, recruit and retain ideal talent while helping talent learn about ideal employers,” according to its website. —AFP

WASHINGTON: Amazon began shipping the Kindle Fire on Monday as initial reviews were mixed for the touchscreen tablet computer seen as a potentially strong rival to Apple’s marketleading iPad. The Seattle, Washington-based online retail giant had initially planned to ship the Kindle Fire, which at $199 costs less than half the cheapest iPad, yesterday but it began sending them to customers a day early.

Dave Limp, vice president of Amazon Kindle, said the Fire is already the “bestselling item across all of Amazon.com” and the company was “building millions more than we’d planned” because of the customer response. As usual, though, Amazon did not provide any actual sales figures.

The Kindle Fire has a seveninch (17.78-centimeter) screen, smaller than the iPad’s 9.7 inches (24.6 cm), connects to the Web using Wi-Fi and is powered by Google’s Android software. It does not have a camera or the 3G connectivity featured on other tablets but it gives buyers easy access to Amazon’s online store, which sells books, music, movies, television shows, games and other content.

Technology reviewers were divided in their appraisal of the device after getting their hands on preview models. David Pogue, the influential technology columnist for The New York Times, said the $200 price tag would attract some buyers but “the Fire does not have anything like the polish

or speed of an iPad. “You feel that $200 price tag with every swipe of your finger,” Pogue said, adding that the Fire is “not nearly as versatile as a real tablet.”

“The Fire deserves to be a dis-

Writing for Wired magazine, Jon Phillips said “the Fire isn’t a dud, but its real-world performance and utility match neither the benchmarks of public expectation, nor the standards set by the world’s best tablets.

The Kindle Fire a touchscreen tablet computer seen as a potentially strong rival to Apple’s market-leading iPad. ruptive, gigantic force,” Pogue said. “But at the moment, it needs a lot more polish; if you’re used to an iPad or ‘real’ Android tablet, its software gremlins will drive you nuts.”

“Fire is a fiendishly effective shopping portal in the guise of a seven-inch slate,” Phillips said. “It does nothing very well, save video playback, running various Android apps, and making the

business of Amazon shopping alarmingly fun and easy.”

Sam Biddle of technology blog Gizmodo said the iPad “finally has serious competition” and that Apple should “be afraid.”

“Reading, watching, browsing, and listening on the Fire are all tremendous, easy fun,” he said.

“It’s not as powerful or capable as an iPad, but it’s also a sliver of the price.” Apple’s cheapest iPad sells for $499. Another tablet rival which goes on sale this week, the Nook Tablet from bookseller Barnes & Noble, costs $249.

Reviewer Joshua Topolsky of TheVerge.com said the Kindle Fire “isn’t an iPad-killer” but is a “really terrific tablet for its price.

“The amount of content you have access to-and the ease of getting to that content-is notable to say the least,” Topolsky said.

“The device is decently designed, and the software-while lacking some polish-is still excellent compared to pretty much anything in this range.

“It’s a well thought out tablet that can only get better as the company refines the software,” he said. “It’s not perfect, but it’s a great start, and at $200, that may be all Amazon needs this holiday shopping season.”

According to technology research firm Gartner, the iPad will account for 73 percent of worldwide tablet sales of 63.6 million units this year and will remain the top-selling device over the next few years. Amazon shares gained 0.69 percent to close a $218.90 on Wall Street on Monday. —AFP

‘Assassin’ legend plays out in epic new video game SAN FRANCISCO: Stealthy death-dealer Ezio Auditore takes his noble crusade to the 16th Century Ottoman Empire with yesterday’s release of Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed video game.

In a blend of historical truth and narrative fiction, “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations” traces Auditore’s exploits in thwarting an age-old grab for global domination reaching into modern times.

“Revelations” is the fourth installment in a franchise that has sold more than 31 million copies since it launched four years ago. The game is the third and last centered on Auditore. “This is the finale of the Ezio trilogy, and Altair from the first Assassin’s Creed also makes an appearance,” said Ubisoft senior vice president of sales and marketing Tony Key. “Anyone who has played any of the four games should think about ‘Revelations’ as tying up the stories of both characters.” Ubisoft boasted logging more pre-orders for “Revelations” than for any other title that the French video game titan has released.

“We have lots of great twists in the story and Ezio has new moves because he is a master assassin now,” Key said.

“There are new villains in a new city, Constantinople.” Auditore was a brash young Italian who turned to his family’s assassin heritage after a tragic betrayal

in his first video game appearance.

He is bearded and graying in “Revelations,” with some in-game dialogue marveling at a man his age scaling buildings, leaping from rooftops and engaging in other assassin acrobatics. A hallmark of the franchise has been “historical fiction” that blends rich details from past centuries with fantasy characters locked in a battle between assassins and Templars hunting for a mysterious orb of great power.

“If it didn’t have a mature rating, it would most likely be used in schools,” Key said while discussing the realworld history richly woven into the Assassin’s franchise. Game play is set in the context of genetic memories relived by a modern day descendent of a legendary line of assassins that includes Altair and Auditore.

Ubisoft plans annual releases of installments in the Assassin’s franchise, which has grown to include novels, comic books, Facebook games, and short films. “We have studios all over the world contributing,” Key said.

“There is constantly someone working on Assassin’s Creed games, whether this one, the next one or the one after that.”

Ubisoft signed high-profile athletes such as US mixed martial arts champion Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn to promote “Revelations” in advertisements featuring their professional records alongside

their stats in the video game.

“I pride myself on the work I’ve put in to become one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts,” said Penn, who has built a reputation for taking on challengers from any weight class.

“A legend like Ezio uses a number of calculated attacks to overcome his enemies,” he said, referring to the

“Revelations” character. “I approach each opponent to learn his weaknesses so I can focus on attacking the areas where they’re most vulnerable.”

Revelations was priced at $60 for its North America release, with versions of the video game tailored for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 video game consoles. —AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian school children experiment prior to a toy car race during the fourth SAEINDIA (Society of Automotive Engineers) Jet Toy olympics in New Delhi on November 13.

Maruti Suzuki India limited in association with SAEINDIA inaugurated the national finals of A World in Motion (AWIM) jet toys Olympics. Jet toy Olympics is a program to introduce schoolchildren to the fundamentals of science, mathematics, technology and automotive engineering. —AFP

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New Mowasat Hospital offers free glucose screening Celebrating World Diabetes Day KUWAIT: On the occasion of the World Diabetes Day, New Mowasat Hospital, in collaboration with Dasman Diabetes Center, has chalked out an elaborate programme to celebrate the event in a community beneficial way. As the theme of the World Diabetes Day (WDD) for 2007-2013 is Diabetes Education and Prevention, New Mowasat Hospital celebrates by offering a free Glucose screening for everyone to check up and be safe.

“We believe that quality diabetes management should be accessible to all residents of Kuwait and MDMC would continue to play its role to achieve that,” said Dr Kashif Rizvi.

The event will take place in multiple locations to reach the public everywhere for a number of important tests. Starting from Monday, November 14th and till Saturday, November 19th, free examination will be offered for two days inside New Mowasat Hospital while a free screening booth will be set for three more days in malls in different areas of Kuwait.

“The Campaign aims at raising community awareness of Diabetes management and implications by offering the latest technologies in the field of medical healthcare with international standards to help prevent the disease repercussions,” said Mai Roumani. According to the WHO ( World HealthOrganization) and the IDF (International Diabetes Federation), diabetes is very common in Kuwait & it has reached an ‘epidemic level.’ Approximately 26 per cent of the population of Kuwait suffers from diabetes or its implications.

Dr Kashif Rizvi, Director of Mowasat Diabetes

and Medical Center, stated “diabetes has almost acquired an epidemic proportion in Kuwait, affecting the resident and citizens alike. It affects all strata of society and all ages. The Mowasat Diabetes and medical centre was conceptualized as the first of its kind in the private sector, providing a comprehensive and holistic care of diabetes and its related problems. It follows internationally recognized protocols under the guidance of Dr Kashif Rizvi and his multidisciplinary

team of physicians, nurses, dieticians and technicians. MDMC also recognizes its position at the vanguard of raising public awareness and is actively participating in the international diabetes day providing free checkup and advice by the professional staff of NMH. “We believe that quality diabetes management should be accessible to all residents of Kuwait and MDMC would continue to play its role in partnership with Dasman centre to

achieve that.” Dr Rizvi added.

From her side, Mrs Mai Roumani, New Mowasat Marketing Manager, stated that New Mowasat Hospital is always keen on participating in distinctive healthcare events on a permanent basis. She explained that the hospital aims at raising community awareness of Diabetes management and implications. She stressed that, following the hospital’s mission of “caring for generations”, New Mowasat presents the latest technologies in the field of medical healthcare with international standards to help prevent the disease repercussions.

Roumani added that New Mowasat Diabetes Awareness Program which is organized under the slogan of “Diabetes: Comes without Warning!” will provide free screening service for citizens & residents started from Monday 14 November inside the hospital and it will start from today in shopping Malls. New Mowasat Hospital team will be present in “360” Mall today, “Avenues” Mall tomorrow, ‘Marina” Mall on Friday, and “Al Kout” Mall on Saturday. The hospital is also contributing in the World Diabetes Day Campaign organized by the Ministry of Health under the slogan of “Together to Fight Diabetes” through the Walkathon competition that will take place on Saturday, November 19th on the Gulf Road whereas the hospital will offer the prizes for the walkathon winners.

As New Mowasat is always keen on fulfilling its role towards community, the hospital tends to address Diabetes by giving people an easy chance for problem detection and medical educational information of how to manage it.

US Cancer doctors score low on pain management

Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital press conference 2.

DHA initiates second phase construction of Al-Jalila Hospital DUBAI: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Emirate’s dedicated organisation mandated to set policies and strategies for enhancing the healthcare sector, yesterday, announced the start of the second phase of construction of the Al- Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital, an ambitious initiative that was unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to promote comprehensive paediatric healthcare.

The Dubai Health Authority signed an agreement with Al Futtaim Carillion for undertaking the second phase of construction of the hospital, which is expected to be completed in 26 months. Upon completion, the hospital will open a new chapter reaffirming Dubai’s pre-eminent position as the region’s healthcare hub.

With a developmental value of AED673 million, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital is envisaged to offer the full spectrum of healthcare for children from newborns to 16-year-olds - and will have several centres of excellence dedicated to cancer care, cardiology, neurology and mental health, among other specialities. The hospital will feature high-end medical equipment and will be led by a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals.

The first of its kind facility in the region offering super-speciality and multi-spectrum paediatric care, Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital is set on dedicated premises within the Al Wasl Hospital campus. The 200-bed hospital, sprawling over 100,000 sq m, will provide the entire range of children’s healthcare services including oncology care, nephrology, cardiac care, neo-natal care, among others. Land levelling and preliminary construction related work has been completed already.

Addressing a press conference to announce the details of the second phase, His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, the Director-General of DHA, said: “Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital will redefine paediatric care in the UAE and the wider region. The hospital is the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, to provide the highest standards of care to children, covering all relevant specialities, in a warm and welcoming environment.”

Designed with a rational and functional layout as a child-friendly hospital, Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital transcends the traditional concepts of medical structures, and the child-friendly design and concept is designed to immediately put children at ease.

“The hospital will further underline the vision of the leadership of Dubai in developing an efficient and modern healthcare infrastructure that addresses the requirements of all cross-sections of the society. Our mission is to provide world-class medical practices for children, right here in Dubai, thereby adding to the convenience of parents, who are sometimes forced to travel abroad to seek critical care for their kids,” he added.

Emphasising on building sustainability and redefining the traditional approach to hospital architecture, Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital applies innovative concepts whereby the design and construction aspects are integrated with the healing process. Of the total area, nearly half has been earmarked for gardens and landscaping including a ‘healing garden’ with bright flowering shrubs and herbs and medicinal plants.

The use of natural light, greenery and healing landscape are aimed at offering a high level of indoor air quality, reducing noise and creating a pleasant environment. The development will be highlighted by several energy saving initiatives including sustainable construction techniques to

reduce energy use, an active wall faÁade system to reduce ambient temperature inside the hospital, and rooftop gardens that provide greater insulation. As part of its focus on sustainability, Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital will use recycled water for irrigation purposes.

The eco-friendly design and development model of the hospital has already won international honours, including the Future Projects - Health Award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, 2009; and Hospital Build Award 2011 for Best Sustainable Hospital Project.

Eng Simon Webb, Managing Director of Al Futtaim Carillion said: “It is our honour to be associated with a prestigious project like the Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital that is a visionary initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. We will ensure world-class quality of construction for the hospital, in line with the specific brief from the Dubai Health Authority to create an aesthetic, appealing and eco-friendly environment that will appeal to children.”

With a total built up area of 76,500 sq m of which the hospital surface spans over 55,000 sq m, the 4-storey hospital with basement parking has been designed by Studio Altieri International, which also undertakes the interior decor. In addition to underground parking for 40 vehicles, the hospital will have 430 external parking spaces, adding to the convenience of visitors.

The hospital will have 40 incentive care units, six dialysis facilities, 20 healing centres, 12 training rooms, eight operating theatres, 30 clinical and non-clinical departments, over 3,750 biomedical equipment and fixtures, and a multipurpose activities room for children, among others. Well-connected departments, single bedrooms and a familycentred approach set the hospital apart.

His Excellency Khalid Al Sheikh Mubarak, Deputy Director-General of the DHA, said: “The entire operational and development aspects of Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital have been developed following extensive research and visits to globally renowned paediatric facilities. We are drawing on the best of expertise across the board to give all UAE residents as well as patients from the region the easiest access to world-class paediatric care.”

“The focus of the hospital, which follows a horizontal layout plan, will be to enhance the efficient and non-intrusive interaction between the patients and their parents,” he added. “The design, architecture and dÈcor elements aim to stimulate the participation and imagination of children through visual aids, interactive touch-surfaces, imaginative shapes, and integrating arts, music and nature as part of the overall healthcare welfare strategy.”

Dr Mohammad Al Olama, CEO of Hospital Services Sector at the DHA, said: “Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital will be built according to the highest international standards applied for the construction of healthcare facilities with specifications that take into consideration the privacy of patients and help provide a peaceful ambience for them.”

He added: “Once completed the hospital will be an advanced medical facility that will attract ‘medical tourism’ to the Emirate and will help improve the level and quality of healthcare services for children.”

“The other key facilities at the hospital are Imaging & Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, an advanced clinical laboratory, emergency department, operating theatres, neonatal intensive care unit, burn unit, endoscopy facilities, rehabilitation and pharmacy among others,” he concluded.

NEW YORK: Many US cancer doctors say they are good at managing their patients’ pain, but most failed to choose the right treatment options in a test and say that figuring out the level of pain patients have is still a major barrier to care, a survey said. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, came from a follow-up to a survey that found a lack of good pain management among U.S. oncologists in 1990 and show that more work needs to be done to educate doctors about pain, researchers said. “ These data suggest that for more than 20 years, a focus on cancer pain has not adequately addressed the perception of treatment barriers or limitations in painrelated knowledge and practice within the oncology community,” wrote study author Brenda Breuer,

from the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Some 600 oncologists who were sent surveys on how they handled cancer pain responded. These ranged from doctors at comprehensive cancer centers, community and teaching hospitals, to those with outpatient offices.

On average, doctors rated their own ability to manage pain at 7 on a zero to 10 scale, but said other oncologists were generally more conservative in their treatment.

They rated their education on pain management in medical school and residency as okay at best. The survey also included two scenarios, invented by the study authors, about a patient who’s in pain despite being on a relatively high dose of strong painkillers called opioids, such as morphine.

Oncologists were asked if they would increase the dose, switch to

a different medication or add a new drug on top of the original one. The right answers, according to pain specialists, included adding fast-acting drugs to the original regimen or making small increases in the daily dose of the original drug. Most doctors missed the correct answers — 60 percent on one scenario and 87 percent on the other question, which required doctors to explain why a steep increase in an opioid dose would be dangerous.

Doctors did generally agree that opioids should be the first choice to treat chronic cancer pain and are better used in regular doses than only when needed. They also said that patients’ reluctance to repor t pain and to take strong painkillers were barriers to appropriate care - but few regularly referred patients to pain specialists.

“I think the takeaway message is to know that there are specialists in pain medicine and palliative care medicine,” Breuer told Reuters health. “They (patients) should not be afraid to request consults for managing pain.”

Jeff Myers, head of the palliative care consult team at Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, agreed that patients shouldn’t be quiet about their pain but that the focus of many oncologists must be on what’s happening with the actual cancer treatment. “I think that the answer is not so much how to change the physician’s perception or perhaps change the practice, I think the bigger issue is to make sure to educate and inform patients, and empower them,” he told Reuters Health.—Reuters

Is cheese better than butter for heart health?

ORLANDO: File photo shows 40 milligram tablets of Lipitor, one kind of statin used for lowering blood cholesterol.—AP

Study finds many patients shun free heart drugs ORLANDO: Give people free prescription drugs and many of them still won’t bother to take their medicine. Doctors were stunned to see that happen in a major study involving heart attack survivors. The patients were offered well-established drugs to prevent a recurrence of heart trouble, including cholesterol-lowering statins and medicines that slow the heart and help it pump more effectively.

“My God, we gave these people the medicines for free and only half took it,” said one of the study’s authors, Dr Elliott Antman of Harvardaffiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

In fact, the researchers couldn’t even give the stuff away: They had trouble just signing up patients to take part in the study.

Nevertheless, Aetna, the insurance company that footed the bill, thinks this approach will save money in the long run and plans to start offering certain heart drugs free to some patients. In the study, patients offered medicines at no cost suffered fewer heart problems and saved $500 on average over roughly a year. It is no secret many Americans don’t follow their doctors’ instructions. In one survey, one-third said they didn’t fill a prescription or used less medicine than they should because of cost. The researchers in this study wanted to see what would happen if they took cost out of the equation.

The results were disheartening. “Adherence in America is miserable,” lamented Dr Eric Peterson of Duke University, who had no role in the study. He noted that only 10 percent of the patients were taking all the medicines they should one year after a heart attack. The study was led by Dr Niteesh Choudhry of Brigham and Women’s, who presented the findings Monday at an American Heart

Association conference in Florida. They also were published online by The New England Journal of Medicine. The study did not examine why people didn’t take their medications.

But doctors know that some forget. Most of these drugs mean three pills a day or more, for the rest of a patient’s life. Also, some of these medicines carry side effects such as fatigue, lightheadedness, muscle pains, cough, even sexual difficulties for men.

Still, heart attack survivors like Joan Ferraro, 53, of Freehold, NJ, said they can’t imagine not taking prescribed medicines, though she sometimes forgets her pills over a weekend.”Why would you want to go through something like that again? It was the most horrific experience of my life. I would never want another one,” she said. The study enrolled 5,855 Aetna members who had a drug plan as part of their benefits and were going home from the hospital after a heart attack. They were 53 years old on average, and three-fourths were men.

The researchers had hoped to recruit 7,500 patients but scaled back when so few signed on. Preventive medicines were offered free to 2,845 patients and prescribed with the usual copayments for the rest. Copays for these drugs run around $50 a month. Roughly a year later, the share of patients who filled their prescriptions ranged from 36 percent to 49 percent in the copay group, depending on the drug, and was only 4 to 6 percentage points higher in the group that had no copays.

Providing these medicines for free had a “distressingly modest” effect on patients’ willingness to take them, Dr Lee Goldman of Columbia University and Dr. Arnold Epstein of the Harvard School of Public Health wrote in an editorial in the medical journal. —AP

NEW YORK: Doctors and nutritionists have long recommended avoiding all animal fats to trim cholesterol, but Danish researchers say cheese may not be so bad, and probably shouldn’t be placed in the same category as butter. According to their study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who ate daily servings of cheese for six-week intervals had lower LDL cholesterol, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, than when they ate a comparable amount of butter. The cheese eaters also did not have higher LDL during the experiment than when they ate a normal diet.

“Cheese lowers LDL cholesterol when compared with butter intake of equal fat content and does not increase LDL cholesterol compared with a habitual diet,” wrote Julie Hjerpsted and her colleagues, from the University of Copenhagen. The group surveyed about 50 people. Each person was put on a controlled diet and added a measured amount of cheese or butter daily.

Throughout, each participant was compared against his or herself, to follow changes in the body caused by the foods. Researchers gave each person cheese or butter, both made from cows milk, equal to 13 percent of their daily energy consumption from fat. During six-week intervals, each person ate the set amount of cheese or butter, separated by a 14-day cleansing period which they returned to their normal diet. Then they switched, and for six weeks those who had eaten the cheese before, ate butter, while the butter eaters in the first phase ate cheese.

Despite eating more fat than had been in their normal diet, the cheese eaters showed no increase in LDL or total cholesterol. While eating butter, however, the same subjects had LDL levels about seven percent higher on average. While eating cheese, subjects’ HDL or “good” cholesterol dropped slightly compared with when they ate butter, but not compared with their normal eating period.

The researchers speculated that there could be several reasons why cheese affected people differently than butter. But there is nothing conclusive in the study, which was supported by the Danish Dairy Board and the National Dairy Research Institute. For one, cheese has a lot of calcium, which has been shown to increase the amount of fat excreted by the digestive tract.

Researchers did detect a little more fecal fat during the time the group ate cheese, but the amounts were not statistically significant.

Other possible explanations involve the large amount of protein in cheese and its fermentation process, both of which could affect the way it’s digested compared to butter. Elizabeth Jackson, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Michigan Health Systems, told Reuters Health that the study was well done but does not really change what cardiologists currently recommend. “We want people to have a diet focused on whole grains and vegetables and moderate fats,” said Jackson, who was not involved in the study. “In terms of cheese, anything in moderation,” she added.—Reuters

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Where did Fido come from? Gifts, strays lead list LOS ANGELES: “Where do people get their pets? A new AP-Petside.com poll found that the most common way people acquire a pet is as a gift, followed by taking in a stray. About four in 10 pet owners say at least one of their current pets was given to them by friends or family, while a third say they have a pet that showed up on their doorstep as a stray. Shelters and breeders are next on the list as sources for pets. Thirty percent of those polled say they adopted through a shelter, 31 percent got a pet from a breeder and 14 percent bought an animal at a pet store.

Karen Hulsey, 63, adopted a cat from a Texas shelter. Greyson is about a year old now and “he’s cuddly and clean,” she says. She calls her shelter experience very upbeat because the cat “has turned into a wonderful pet with a good attitude and I felt like I was doing something positive.”

Another quarter obtained a pet in some other way, including 3 percent who say they went to an animal rescue group and 2 percent who purchased them using an online or print classified ad. More than half of the pet owners polled say they’ve taken in a shelter animal at some point, and twothirds of them say their experiences have been extremely positive.

Jackie Schulze, 77, of Williamsport, Pa, got Sassafras, a white cat with periwinkle eyes, from Lycoming Animal Protection Society Inc, a no-kill cat rescue that operates a local shelter. The cat, which was rescued from a meth lab in Scranton, is very attached to Schulze, following her around and sitting in her lap. “Sassy chose me,” Schulze said. Among those who had the most positive shelter experiences, 44 percent cite positive interactions with shelter staff. Just 3 percent say they’d had a moderately or very negative shelter experience. Edward Acosta, 46, of Thomasville, NC, said if

he were getting a new pet today, he would probably go to a pet store or breeder, not because he doesn’t like shelters but “because I like thoroughbreds.” He and his wife Vicki bred Pomeranians for years and still have three descended from their original pair. They also own five chickens Rhode Island Reds bought at a feed store - whom they consider to be pets.

Cat owners are more likely than dog owners to have adopted a stray or shelter animal. Forty-three percent of cat owners polled say one of their pets

came from a shelter, compared with 29 percent of dog owners. More than half of cat owners (52 percent) say one of their current pets was a stray, compared with 30 percent of dog owners.

Fifty-eight percent of shelter adopters say being socially responsible was extremely or very important in their decision to use a shelter. It is usually cheaper to adopt than to buy from a breeder or pet store, but 60 percent of those who adopted shelter pets say the cost made no difference.

Thirty-six percent of shelter users

say they had more confidence in the staff at pet shelters than they did in the staff at pet stores or breeders.

Thirty-six percent of those who obtained animals from shelters also say they believe shelter animals were more likely to have had recent veterinary care than animals from pet stores or breeders. And more than two-thirds of those who have adopted from a shelter - 68 percent - say they would do so again. Not all pet owners see shelter adoptions as a positive. Thirtysix percent of those polled say that if

LOS ANGELES: This March 16, 2010, photo shows Olive, one of the dogs rescued from a shelter waiting at the Woof Worx pet store.—AP

they were to adopt an animal from a shelter, they would be extremely or very concerned that the pet might have hidden medical problems; 29 percent express concern about psychological problems and 33 percent say they would worr y the animal wouldn’t fit in with their families.

Ojala Reino, 31, of Fairmount, Ga, who got his boxer bulldog, Bruster, from a friend, said he was one of those who would worry about the physical and mental health of a shelter dog. “I watch of lot of those shows on TV where the animals come in and have been abused,” he said. Fifty-two percent of pet owners say they have gotten a pet from a shelter or rescue at some time, but only 23 percent have taken an animal to a shelter. Of those who turned in animals, 59 percent say the animal belonged to someone else.

If shelters started charging a $25 fee to accept unwanted or stray animals, about a third of those polled (34 percent) say they would be dissuaded from leaving animals and 52 percent say it would make no difference.

By region, adopting a stray is most common in the West, where 39 percent got a pet that way compared with 34 percent in the South, 30 percent in the Northeast and 29 percent in the Midwest. Forty one percent of ruraldwelling pet owners say their pet was a stray, compared with 28 percent of suburbanites and 34 percent of urbanites. And suburbanites were most likely to have adopted from a shelter: 36 percent compared with 30 percent in urban areas and 22 percent in rural parts of the country. The APPetside.com Poll was conducted Oct 13-17, 2011, by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. It involved landline and cell phone interviews with 1,118 pet owners. Results among pet owners have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.—AP

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FAIPS takes second place in quiz competition

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iddharth Dash and Aheli Gupta of Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private school were the First Runners Up in the 15 KITCO Inter-School Quiz Competition. The competition, which was conducted by the Bengali Cultural Society on Oct 21, was held in the auditorium of the American International school in Hawally.

Out of the 13 schools that participated in the preliminary

round, only six teams moved on to the finals. FAIPS was a clear leader of the pack as both their teams topped the round, with one team going through to the finals.

The Final Round was suspensefilled as questions ranging from “From which country do you get your visa to travel to Antarctica” to “Decoding Potter’s code of 62442” were asked. Quiz Master Andrew Scolt had the audience

glued to their seats for more than an hour as contestants battled through the tough questions.

Ending the first three rounds on a low note, the FAIPS team scored points in the remaining three rounds and engaged in a closely fought battle to finish second.

Each of the winners received an iPod Touch, among many other gifts, and won a prestigious trophy for the school. Kudos to the winners and the FAIPS Quiz Team!

Indonesia’s Ambassador hosts reception Ambassador of Indonesia to Kuwait, Ferry Adamhar, hosted a reception recently at the embassy building for the Indonesian community in Kuwait to celebrate Eid Al-Adha. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

Students pay respect to great leaders of India

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s a part of Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations the students of Prep, from the Indian Community School - Amman, dressed up as great leaders of India and performed onstage in front of an audience.

The program began with an

introduction, by Zia Banu, highlighting the achievements of great Indian leaders. The kids of Prep exhibited their talents by remembering great leaders who led India in the fight against British rule.

The students dressed up as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal

Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Vivekanada and delivered their most famous speeches as a mark of respect to their contributions to India. Principal of the school, Sridevi Pradeep, expressed appreciation for the efforts of teachers and students alike.

Galleries & Art Exhibition

Palestinian Culture Centre

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he Palestinian Culture Center in cooperation with Bayt Lothan invite you to its fall exhibition. The exhibition aims to preserve the Palestinian handicrafts to reaffirm the Palestinian national identity as well as empowering refugee women in the camps. We display classic designs intertwined with modern uses, colors, and motifs to showcase some of the creativity of the Palestinian women. Items on sale include cushions, runners, scarves,

Upcoming events Indian Fiesta-2011 The entertainment wing of Creative Indians Association announces their forthcoming event “INDIAN FIESTA-2011” on 28th October, 2011 at the Kuwait Entertainment City Doha from 2 PM till 11 PM. The day will offer tons of free rides, games, discount stalls, mouth watering Indian food stalls, dance performances, music, and a whole lot more of entertainment. The highlight of the carnival will be performances by the gorgeous looking and rocking performer Anushka Manchanda of the Golmaal 3 , Cash - Naughty Naughty , Kites, Mit Jaaye Gham (Dum Maaro Dum) songs Fame and the Handsome versatile singer/ music director Harshit Saxena of the Haal e Dil song from the FilmMurder2 Fame.

The Hot Stepper group invites sponsors to be part of this Grand Indian Fiesta. Call 22455818. For dance performances, email at dance@hot-stepper.com. Visit and register on our website www.hot-stepper.com for timely updates on the event.

FCC beach clean up To All Filipinos in Kuwait... “Tara Na, Mag-Exercise Na Tayo Tuwing Biernes!! The Filipino Cultural Club (FCC), invites you to attend / participate in” FCC’s beach Clean-up and Physical Fitness” program dubbed as “A Dance with the Sun by the Sea... Season-2” on 28 October, 7 am, McDonald’s Corniche, Gulf Road, other activities include fun games, painting competition for the kids, sponsored by Zain, Western Union, McDonald’s at seaside, Gulf road, starting 28 October 2011 March 2012. As an added attraction, there will be a “Weight Loss Competition” and participants will be weighed every week. Fitness program will run for four months every Friday 7 am McDonald seaside. Come, join us and tag along your family and friends in this very exciting and stimulating activity. See you then, for more information: Contact: Bong 99530665, Maria - 99079341, Cynthia & Danny - 99169310, Mildred & Nelson - 60999203, Claire - 67037497.

Youth India sports The preparations for the Youth India Shifa Al Jazeera Sports 2011 are in full swing, with the declaration of the captains for each zone, said Sports 2011 Convenor Nisar K Rasheed.

Online registration is available at http://youthindiakuwait.com for the The Shifa Al Jazeera Pravasi Sports which will be held on the 28th at Kaifan Amateur Athletic Stadium and is open to all Keralites. The last date for registration is 25th October.

Kuwait Mantas Autumn dinner dance featuring the vibe will be held on Friday - October 28th at Movenpick Hotel- Salmiya from 8 pm. For details contact Alastair Hanny at 65996347 or log on to www.kuwaitmantas.com

KTAA events Dec. 13: Mr. Hindi from Samovar Carpets. Location to be announced. For more info: 23903462 (English)/22432395 (Arabic) Email: wovenpieces@yahoo.com or ktaaworkshop@yahoo.com

PAWS annual Puppy Ball At PAWS (Protecting Animal Welfare Society) we work tirelessly to provide much needed care for animals throughout Kuwait. Through rescue and rehabilitation, education and advocacy we strive to improve the lives of all animals However, we would be unable to do any of this without the generous support of those who care as much about animals as we do. PAWS relies entirely upon donations and needs your help. One of our major fundraising events is the annual Puppy Ball which we will be hosting on Friday 4th November 2011 in the British Embassy Gardens. In order to finance this we are hoping to secure the support of companies here in Kuwait who are interested in becoming key sponsors for this event and are in a position to pledge a minimum of KD500 in sponsorship. If such sponsorship is not something your organization is currently able to offer us we would also be grateful for any raffle prizes that you may be able to donate. In return for your sponsorship or raffle donation your company logo will be displayed prominently across the event. It will feature on the literature used on the evening itself as well as on the sponsorship page of our website which is viewed over 3500 times every month.

lThe Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah (DAI) is a cultural organization based on a Kuwaiti private art collection.

Since its inception in 1983, DAI has grown from a single focus organization created to manage the loan of the prestigious Al-Sabah Collection of art from the Islamic world to the State of Kuwait to become an internationally recognized cultural organization.

DarMuseum.org.kw l Al Americani Cultural Centre and Administrative Offices in the Historic Americani Hospital Buildings Tel: (965) 2240 0992 Fax: (965) 2246 7770 Email: info@darmuseum.org.kw l Sultan Gallery: As the first venue of its kind in Kuwait, Sultan Gallery believes in the power of art as a medium of meaningful expression. Founders Ghazi Sultan, and the late Najat Sultan, envisioned a gallery that would serve as a platform for Arab artists to showcase their most inspired work. Empowered by the mission to forge cultural understanding and artistic appreciation in Kuwait, Sultan Gallery has spent 40 years exhibiting both the most visionary artists and thought provoking themes. Sultan Gallery showcases artists that explore the breadth of creative expression - from the traditional painting to the contemporary audio and visual installation. Sultan Gallery enriches the Kuwaiti

Dar Al-Funoon art exhibition

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ar Al Funoon has the pleasure to invite you to an art exhibition of works from Hamad Al-Saab & Ali Sultan titled: Connect To Disconnect To Connect When: Opening on November 14th & will continue until November 21st Where: Dar Al Funoon (Behbehani Compound, House 28, Kuwait City). Time: 7pm on opening night

shawls, long traditional dresses as well as smaller items. They also have handmade ceramics from Palestine, books, music and movies. On Thursday evening there will be folklore dabble dance, children’s activities and a bake sale of traditional foods. Location: Bayt Lothan, Salmiya next to Marina Mall on Monday November 14th to Thursday November 17 from 10 am to 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm Tel: 25755866 - 25727388 - 99376608

cultural scene with its passion for art as a vehicle of cultural understanding through visual language. Email: sultangallery@sadeer.com Location: Sabhan, Sadeer Co, Block B, Street 105, Building 168 l Al-Maidan Cultural Centre: Abdullah al-Salem School, Maidan Hawally, near al-Shaab Leisure Park.

Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 9am - 5pm, until 9pm on event nights. Tel: (965) 2563 6561/ 2563 6528 Fax: (965) 2565 3006 Email: friends@darmuseum.org.kw lThe Kuwait National Museum is located on the Arabian Gulf Street between Seif Palace & the National Assembly (Parliament). Phone: 2245-1195 or 2245-6534 lKuwait Textile Arts Association (KTAA) The Kuwait Textile Arts Association (under the auspices of Sadu House) is a non-profit multinational organization which aims to bring together individuals interested in textiles and the fibre arts including appliquÈ, embroidery, knotting carpets, quilting, silk painting and weaving. Members include a number of talented decorative artists who hold classes throughout the year. Quilt Group: q8quilter@yahoo.com Yarn & Fiber Group: q8yarnandfibregroup@yahoo.com Contact: Joan Fisher Tel: 2390-3462 (English)/22432395 (Arabic) Email: wovenpieces@yahoo.com

Art Exhibition

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ebut exhibition by Samira Bukhamseen. The exhibition will take place on November 14th, and it will run until the 24th. The first day will be for women only. If you’re an art lover or would like to visit, the exhibition will be held in Mishref, Block 6, Street 5, Villa 40. Daily viewing hours are from 10am 1pm & 5pm - 8pm (closed Fridays). I must say the painting above is exquisite! She is truly talented! Best of luck to her on all her future endeavors!

Shyma’s Ashkanani

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igurative abstract and translucent acrylic colors form the subject of this exhibition.

Opening Reception: November 14, 2011 @ 7 pm. Exhibition Hours: 15 - 24 November 2011 10 am - 2 pm and 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information

Pravasee Cultural Congress (I) marks Kerala Day & Eid-Al-Adha

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ravasee Deseeya Cultural Congress (I) a socio-cultural organization in Kuwait celebrated Eid Al adha 2011 and Kerala Piravi (kerala day) at Hidine auditorium. The program was presided over by Pravasee Deseeya cultural congress organization president Jacob M. Channapetta. Senior congress activist and Gulf Pradesh Cultural congress committee president Scaria Cherian inau-

gurated the program by lit the Kerala traditional lamp.

Kerala day message was given by KALA president Sam Painamood and Eid 2011 message delivered by Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association president Abdul Fatha Thayil.

The famous Malayalam writer and Pravasee sahithya award 2011, winner Kaipattur Thankachen was honored in the function, with Ponnada and Memento by Adv. Thomas

Youth Chorus competition

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outh Chorus is organizing a Christian Malayalam Group Song Competition on Friday, 18th November 2011 at 6:00 pm at the United Indian School Auditorium, Abbasiya.

More than 12 teams are participating in this event.

The following prestigious trophies will be awarded to the winners.

First Prize - Youth Chorus Ever Rolling Trophy Second Prize - Mrs Omana Jose memorial Ever Rolling Trophy Third Prize - Youth Chorus Ever Rolling Trophy All the other participating teams will be awarded with a Youth Chorus memento.

BLS Winter Bazaar

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he BLS Winder Bazaar will be held on Saturday the 26th of November, from 10am to 4pm. The official opening will be at 1.30pm. Bigger and better than ever before, it will include over 80 tables of delightful gifts, unusual ideas and handmade items. It will be held in the Marble Arch area in the British School Kuwait campus, Salwa, Block 1, Street 1. Entry for visitors is free of charge!

Panicker, for Thankachen’s valuable contribution to the Malayalam literature in Kerala and abroad.

Cultural congress activist and prominent social leaders Indian Overseas Congress Gen. Secretary Somu Mathew, Pravasi Desiya Congress Advisory board Chairman Adv.Thomas Panicker, Gen. Convener Chessil Ramapuram, Gen. Secretary Joy Karavaloor, GPCC Patron Kochapally Vijaya

Bhanu, Kaipattur Thankachen, National cultural congress president Premson, Hameed Keloth, (Kozhikodu Association) Raju Naduvilaymuri GPCC, K. Aboobaker KALA ART Kuwait, S.A Labba- Patron Kollam Jilla Pravasee Samajam, Sathar Kunnil, Abdulla Thrikaripur, Sebastian Purayidathil, PDCC(I) spoke on the occasion.

Babuji Batheri , Saji Ranni, Habeeb Rehman, Reji kat-

tanam, J. Albert, Bessy Kadavil, Ommen George, Vinod Pillai Gafoor Moodadi, Girish Ottapalam, Chandran Kairali, Rishi Jacob, Benny Pathanamthitta, Kishore Sebastian, Johnarts ,Edava Yacoub, James Joseph, Philip Varghees, Jomon Vichattu, Biju Abraham, Unni Pallipattu, Shibu Kundra and several socio-cultural & prominent media leaders attended the function.

14th CETAA cricket to start on 18 Nov

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he 14th Ramachandran Memorial Cricket Tournament (RMC) will begin on 18 Nov 2011 at the KOC grounds, Ahmedi. The tournament is conducted by the College of Engineering Trivandrum Alumini Association (CETAA) and sponsored by GTE Olayan Co. The eagerly awaited marks the start of the Engineers Sports calendar in Kuwait for the season 2011 - 2012. Eight teams will be competing over the next five weeks for the coveted trophy.

The matches will be conducted in a league cum knock out format with 4 teams in each pool playing against each other during the league stage. The top 2

teams from each pool will quality for the semifinal where the top team from pool A will clash with the 2nd placed side from Pool B and vice versa.

Newly crowned champions AECK will spearhead the challenge from Pool A while TEC (in Pool B) will hope they can repeat their winning campaign of 2009.

Eight-time champs KEA and 3 times finalists MACE (in pool A) will fight for a semi-final spot with youthful NIT. If the pre-tournament warm up matches are any indication, previous winners TKM along with hosts CET and NSS should ensure a tough battle for qualification from Pool B. With the player and spectator Interest on the rise, GTE Olayan

to will once again be sponsoring the tournament for the 14th consecutive year. During the league stages 4 matches (15 overs a side) will be held each Friday ensuring the cricket enthusiasts of an action packed week end.

The semifinals and final will be of 20 overs based on prevailing ICC rules and regulations (including “free hits”). All in all cricket buffs can look forward to an action packed 5 weeks scheduled to end on 16th Dec 2011.

On the opening day, TEC will meet TKM and CET will clash with NSS (both at 7 am) while AECK will meet KEA and NIT will play MACE soon after the inauguration which is scheduled at 9 am.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca.

Effective January 15, 2011, the only Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application form that will be accepted by CIC is the Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257] form.

All previous Temporary Resident Visa application forms will no longer be accepted by CIC and instead will be returned to applicants. Should old applications be submitted prior to January 15, 2011 they will continue to be processed.

To ensure that the most recent version of the Temporary Resident Visa application form is being utilized, applicants should refer to the CIC website. As of January 15, 2011, forms are to be filled in electronically. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday.

Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday.

The forms are available on the internet at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/form s/IMM5257E.PDF. A guide explaining the process can be found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5256E.PDF. nnnnnnn

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 KENYA 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

NPIS, Hawally celebrates Green week

Natyalaya festival 2011

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ayalaya, the renowned dance school in Abbasiya, Kuwait, which groomed hundreds of young budding talents to the world of dancing, will celebrate its 12th Anniversary as ‘Natyalaya Festival’ on Friday, l8th November 2011 from 4pm onwards at Carmel School Auditorium at Khaitan with various cultural activities.

The festival will be inaugurated by the famous film actress and Singer Sreelatha Nampoothiri and will be attended by various well-known personalities. In the event, students of Natyalaya will perform “BharathaNattiyam Arengettaom” and a Musical Drama (Ballet - A theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers) based on India’s Greatest Sanskrit Poet Kalidasa’s Masterpiece Abhinaya Shakuntalam, which depicts the beautiful tale of Love and Romance of Shakuntala and King Dushenta. This venture of Natyalaya will showcase the innovative creativity of this prestigious institution and the true dedication of Director and Guru most fabulous Krishna Prakesh and Assistant Director Shajan Kuniyil In addition, our Chief guest Sreeletha Namboothiri will perform Kathakali Padam along with Natyalaya Krishna Prekash and his talented students.

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green week was held from 24th October to 27th October, 201I in which the students from all classes(LKGIGCSE) participated with great enthusiasm. The importance of keeping our environment clean and green, recycling available resources and the dangers of pol-

lution were covered in an educational, interesting way for the youngsters.

There were different green week related activities organized in classes and the corridors were beautified with colorful charts emphasizing the need of greenery in our life and its general and

particular effects on humans and human behavior. Awarenessimparting speeches, tableaux and poems were delivered to resolve the attention-seeking issues of recycling natural and human made resources, conservation of water and saving the earth from pollution.

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 The Embassy of Peru is located at Al-Arablya Tower, Sharq, Ahmed Al-Jaber Street, on the 6th Floor. In the same place, as a part of the Chancellery of the Embassy of Peru in Kuwait, also is located the Showing Room of “PeruExpoTour, Trade & Invest.” 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.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

TV PROGRAMS

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

Lion Feeding Frenzy Animal Cops Houston Planet Earth Big Five Challenge Lion Feeding Frenzy Dogs 101 Animal Cops Houston Wild Africa Rescue Wild Africa Rescue Monkey Life The Really Wild Show Natural Born Hunters Jeff Corwin Unleashed Breed All About It America’s Cutest...

Dogs 101 Animal Cops Houston Michaela’s Animal Road Trip Animal Cops Specials 2009 Animal Cops Houston Planet Earth Monkey Life The Really Wild Show Growing Up...: Orang-Utan Dogs 101 Dogs 101: Specials Monkey Life Breed All About It Dogs 101 Planet Earth Wildest Africa Untamed & Uncut

00:30 Blackadder The Third 01:00 2 Point 4 Children 02:05 The Weakest Link: S10: Set 2 02:50 Holby City: Set 1 03:40 Doctors: Set 2 04:10 2 Point 4 Children 04:40 3rd & Bird: set 01 04:50 Bobinogs 05:00 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 05:15 The Adventures Of Spot 05:20 Me Too: Set 1 05:40 Fimbles: Set 2 06:00 3rd & Bird: set 01 06:10 Bobinogs 06:20 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 06:35 The Adventures Of Spot 06:40 Me Too: Set 1 07:00 Charlie & Lola: Set 1 07:10 Fimbles: Set 2 07:30 3rd & Bird: set 01 07:40 Bobinogs 07:50 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 08:05 The Adventures Of Spot 08:10 Me Too: Set 1 08:30 Charlie & Lola: Set 1 08:40 Fimbles: Set 2 09:00 3rd & Bird: set 01 09:10 Bobinogs 09:20 Boogie Beebies: Set 4 09:35 The Adventures Of Spot 09:50 Me Too: Set 1 10:10 Charlie & Lola: Set 1 10:20 Fimbles: Set 2 10:40 2 Point 4 Children 11:40 The Weakest Link: S10: Set 2 12:25 The Planets (Revoiced & Updated) 13:15 Doctors: Set 2 13:45 Eastenders: set 253 14:15 Holby City: Set 1 15:10 2 Point 4 Children 16:40 The Planets (Revoiced & Updated) 17:30 The Weakest Link: S10: Set 2 18:15 Doctors: Set 2 18:45 Eastenders: set 253 19:15 Holby City: Set 1 20:10 The Planets (Revoiced & Updated) 21:00 The Weakest Link: S10: Set 2 21:45 Doctors: Set 2 22:15 Eastenders: set 253 22:45 Casualty: Set 3 23:40 Emma (2009)

00:00 00:45 01:30 02:20 03:10

Design Star Design Star Come Dine With Me What Not To Wear Design Star

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

Design Star Come Dine With Me What Not To Wear Design Star Fantasy Homes By The Sea Daily Cooks Challenge Antiques Roadshow Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds Bargain Hunt Come Dine With Me Daily Cooks Challenge Antiques Roadshow Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds Bargain Hunt Come Dine With Me Ching’s Kitchen James Martin’s Brittany Eating In The Sun Come Dine With Me Antiques Roadshow Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds Bargain Hunt

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 Newsday 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 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 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 16:00 Impact With Mishal Husain 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 BBC World News 18:30 Hardtalk 19:00 BBC World News 19:30 World Business Report 19:45 Sport Today 20:00 The Hub With Nik Gowing 21:30 World Business Report 21:45 Sport Today 22:00 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

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

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 19:45 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:15 21:45 22:10 22:35 23:00 23:25 23:55

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 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 08:04 Cow & Chicken 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

THE GREAT DEBATERS ON OSN CINEMA

19:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 20:20 Generator Rex 20:45 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 21:10 Hero 108 21:35 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 22:00 Total Drama Action 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 World Sport 07:30 Inside Africa 08:00 World Report 08:30 Backstory 09:00 World Report 10:00 World Report 11:00 World Sport 11:30 Road To Durban: A Green City Journey 12:00 World Business Today 13:00 American Morning: Wake-Up Call 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 Road To Durban: A Green City Journey 22:00 Quest Means Business 23:00 Piers Morgan Tonight

00:15 Swamp Brothers 00:40 Dual Survival 01:35 Overhaulin’ 02:30 Dirty Jobs 03:25 Ultimate Survival 04:20 Mythbusters 05:15 How It’s Made 05:40 How Do They Do It? 06:05 Dirty Jobs 07:00 Wheeler Dealers 07:25 Fifth Gear 07:50 Overhaulin’ 08:45 How It’s Made 09:10 Mythbusters 10:05 Cake Boss 10:30 Border Security 10:55 Scrappers 11:25 Curiosity: Did God Create The Universe?

12:20 Mythbusters 13:15 Ultimate Survival 14:10 Dual Survival 15:05 Swamp Brothers 15:30 Cash Cab Us 16:00 Wheeler Dealers 16:25 Fifth Gear 16:55 Overhaulin’ 17:50 Mythbusters 18:45 Cake Boss 19:10 Border Security 19:40 Scrappers 20:05 How Do They Do It? 20:35 How It’s Made 21:00 Cash Cab Us 21:30 The Supernaturalist 22:25 Mythbusters 23:20 Curiosity: Did God Create The Universe?

00:40 The Gadget Show 01:05 The Tech Show 01:35 Mighty Ships 02:25 Green Wheels 02:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 03:40 Brainiac 04:35 The Gadget Show 05:00 The Gadget Show 05:25 How Stuff’s Made 05:50 Mighty Ships 06:40 Stuntdawgs 07:10 Powering The Future 08:00 Thunder Races 08:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 09:40 The Tech Show 10:10 Weird Connections 10:35 The Gadget Show 11:00 The Gadget Show 11:25 Powering The Future 12:20 Sci-Fi Science 12:45 How Stuff’s Made 13:15 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 14:05 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 14:55 Stuntdawgs 15:20 Green Wheels 15:50 Mighty Ships 16:40 Weird Connections 17:05 Thunder Races 18:00 Brainiac 18:50 Sci-Fi Science 19:15 The Tech Show 19:40 Weird Or What?

20:30 How The Universe Works 21:20 Engineered 22:10 The Gadget Show 22:35 The Gadget Show 23:00 Weird Or What?

23:50 How The Universe Works

00:00 00:25 01:15 02:00 02:50 03:35 04:25 05:15 06:00 06:20 Cody 06:45 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:35 09:00

Kim Possible Fairly Odd Parents Stitch Replacements Emperor’s New School Stitch Replacements Fairly Odd Parents Emperor’s New School The Suite Life Of Zack And Cars Toons Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates

09:15 09:25 09:35 09:50 10:15 10:30 10:50 11:15 11:35 12:00 12:25 12:45 13:10 13:30 13:55 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:00 16:10 16:35 Cody 17:00 17:25 17:50 18:15 18:45 19:35 20:00 20:25 20:50 21:28 21:35 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:15

Jungle Junction The Hive Handy Manny Imagination Movers Phineas And Ferb Emperor’s New School Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Sonny With A Chance Good Luck Charlie Hannah Montana Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Phineas And Ferb Friends For Change Games Phineas And Ferb Shake It Up The Suite Life Of Zack And Wizards Of Waverly Place Good Luck Charlie Fish Hooks Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Emperor’s New School Fish Hooks Hannah Montana Phineas And Ferb Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Sonny With A Chance Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 20 Best & Worst Celebrity Plastic...

03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 50 Cutest Child Stars: All Grown Up 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Bridalplasty 10:15 THS 12:05 E! News 13:05 Ice Loves Coco 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 14:35 Giuliana & Bill 15:30 E!es 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 17:25 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Ice Loves Coco 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami

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

Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab Crime Scene Psychics Crime Scene Psychics Couples Who Kill Deadly Women Dr G: Medical Examiner Crime Scene Psychics Crime Scene Psychics Ghost Lab Mystery ER FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Street Patrol True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Street Patrol True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery ER Street Patrol True Crime With Aphrodite Disappeared I Almost Got Away With It FBI Case Files

00:00 Ultimate Traveller 01:00 Banged Up Abroad 02:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 03:00 Going Bush 03:30 Deadliest Journeys 04:00 By Any Means 05:00 Endurance Traveller 06:00 Ultimate Traveller 07:00 Banged Up Abroad 08:00 Extreme Tourist Afghanistan 09:00 Going Bush 09:30 Deadliest Journeys 10:00 By Any Means 11:00 Endurance Traveller 12:00 Ultimate Traveller 13:00 Meet The Natives: USA 14:00 Banged Up Abroad 15:00 Graham’s World 15:30 Deadliest Journeys 16:00 Amazing Adventures of A Nobody 16:30 Which Way To 17:30 Earth Tripping 18:00 Adventure Wanted 19:00 Meet The Natives: USA 20:00 Banged Up Abroad 21:00 Graham’s World 21:30 Deadliest Journeys 22:00 Amazing Adventures of A Nobody 22:30 Which Way To 23:30 Earth Tripping

00:00 From Hell-18 02:15 S.W.A.T.: Firefight-PG15 04:00 Fighting-PG15 06:00 Stonehenge ApocalypsePG15 08:00 Annihilation Earth-PG15 10:00 The Librarian: The Curse Of Judas Chalice-PG15

BLOOD AND BONE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 12:00 The Lost Future-PG15 14:00 Annihilation Earth-PG15 16:00 The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course-PG15 18:00 The Lost Future-PG15 20:00 Kiss Of Death-PG15 22:00 Penny Dreadful-18 01:00 Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired-PG15 03:00 The Tempest-PG15 05:00 Paper Man-PG15 07:15 My Son, My Son, What Have You Done?-PG15 09:00 The Tempest-PG15 11:00 Paper Man-PG15 13:00 Mee Shee-PG 15:00 5 Dollars A Day-PG15 16:45 The Great Debaters-PG15 19:00 The Last Airbender-PG 21:00 Brighton Rock-PG15 23:00 Order Of Chaos-R

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 South Park 02:00 Bored To Death 02:30 Entourage 03:00 Friends 04:00 According To Jim 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Dharma And Greg 06:00 Yes Dear 06:30 Just Shoot Me 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 According To Jim 08:30 Friends 09:00 Dharma And Greg 09:30 The League 10:00 How I Met Your Mother 10:30 Just Shoot Me 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Yes Dear 12:30 According To Jim 13:00 Friends 13:30 Dharma And Greg 14:00 Just Shoot Me 14:30 The League 15:00 How I Met Your Mother 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Yes Dear 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Friends 18:30 Friends 19:00 Friends With Benefits 19:30 The League 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 Entourage 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 House Big Love Grey’s Anatomy Alias Good Morning America Detroit 1-8-7 Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View Private Practice Grey’s Anatomy Alias Live Good Morning America The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Once Upon A Time Terra Nova True Blood Big Love Detroit 1-8-7

00:00 The Closer 01:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior 02:00 House 03:00 Grey’s Anatomy 04:00 Private Practice 05:00 The Good Guys 06:00 The Closer 07:00 Outsourced 07:30 Coronation Street

08:00 Bones 09:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy 11:00 House 12:00 Outsourced 12:30 Coronation Street 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:00 Bones 15:00 The Closer 16:00 Outsourced 16:30 Coronation Street 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 Bones 19:00 Once Upon A Time 20:00 Terra Nova 21:00 True Blood 22:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior 23:00 The Good Guys

15:45 17:45 19:45 22:00

Our Family Wedding-PG15 Inside Job-PG15 Kick-Ass-18 Jane Eyre-PG15

00:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 12:00 15:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 22:30

UFC 138 Rugby League 4 Nations Rugby League 4 Nations Trans Word Sport Speedway Rugby League 4 Nations WWE Vintage Collection Premier League Snooker WWE SmackDown Trans Word Sport Le Mans Cup Review UFC 139 Countdown Powerboats F1 World Champs Premier League Snooker

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

Rocky II-PG15 Fighting-PG15 Dead Snow-PG15 Raising Cain-PG15 The Karate Kid II-PG Secret Window-PG15 Deceit-PG15 Secret Window-PG15 Dolan’s Cadillac-PG15 Killshot-18 Blood And Bone-18 From Within-PG15

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 PG15 22:00

Checking Out-PG15 The Making Of Plus One-PG15 Roommates-PG15 Finding Lenny-PG15 Leave It To Beaver-PG The Addams Family-PG Addams Family Values-PG 13 Going On 30-PG15 Checking Out-PG15 Four Last Songs-PG15 The Night Of The White Pants-

02:00 Trans World Sport 03:00 Futbol Mundial 03:30 Volvo Ocean Race 04:30 Spirit of Yachting 05:00 Beach Volley Ball 05:30 ICC Cricket World 06:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 07:00 Darts 11:00 Beach Volley Ball 11:30 Rugby League 4 Nations 13:30 RWC 2011 Tournament Highlights 15:30 Golfing World 16:30 Volvo Ocean Race 17:30 Trans World Sport 18:30 Futbol Mundial 19:00 Rugby League 4 Nations 21:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 22:00 Live Darts

01:15 03:15 05:15 PG15 07:15 09:00 11:00 12:45 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:15

Gattaca-18 The Clearing-18 The Two Escobars   -

Team America: World Police-18

Teen Knight-PG15 Hachiko: A Dog’s Story-PG15 Fantastic Mr. Fox-FAM The Rookie-PG15 Flying By-PG15 A Simple Twist Of Fate-PG15 Veronica Guerin-PG15 Legends Of The Fall-18 The Public Eye-PG15

01:30 Dare-18 03:00 50 First Dates-PG15 05:00 Love N’ Dancing-PG15 07:00 Stuart Little 2-FAM 09:00 Sherlock Holmes-PG15 11:30 Napoleon Dynamite-PG 13:00 All About Steve-PG15 15:00 Gasland-PG15 16:45 Sherlock Holmes-PG15 19:00 Clash Of The Titans-PG15 21:00 Brighton Rock-PG15 23:00 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps-PG15

00:00 Turtle Hero: Part I-FAM 02:00 Last Of The Mohicans-PG 04:00 Pocahontas & The Spider Woman-PG 06:00 Turtle Hero: Part I-FAM 08:00 In Search Of The Titanic-PG15 10:00 Shrek Forever After-FAM 12:00 A Christmas Carol-PG 14:00 Turtle Hero: Part II-FAM 16:00 North-PG 18:00 Shrek Forever After-FAM 20:00 A Venetian Rascal Goes To America-PG15 22:00 In Search Of The Titanic-PG15

00:00 2:37-R 01:45 Phoebe In Wonderland-PG 03:45 Coyote County Loser-PG15 05:30 Another Year-PG15 08:00 School Of Rock-PG15 10:00 Coyote County Loser-PG15 11:45 Nanny Mcphee And The Big Bang-PG 13:45 Legend Of The Guardians-PG

00:00 Rugby League 4 Nations 02:00 Premier League Snooker 05:30 Futbol Mundial 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 09:00 SPL Highlights 09:30 Equestrian World 10:00 Spirit of Yachting 10:30 Golfing World 11:30 European PGA Tour Highlights 12:30 Darts Grand Slam 16:30 Premier League Snooker 20:00 Golfing World 21:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 22:00 Futbol Mundial 22:30 RWC 2011 Tournament Highlights

00:00 UFC 139 Countdown 01:00 WWE Tough Enough 02:00 WWE Vintage Collection 03:00 WWE SmackDown 05:00 UFC Unleashed 07:00 WWE NXT 08:00 WWE SmackDown 10:00 V8 Supercars 11:30 Powerboats 12:30 Powerboats Highlights 13:00 Super Formula 15:30 WWE SmackDown 17:30 V8 Supercars 19:00 UFC 22:00 UFC Total Ultimate Fighter Season 23:00 UFC Countdown

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 08:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Cover Power VH1 Rocks Greatest Hits VH1 Music Aerobic VH1 Hits Music For The Masses Top 10 Music For The Masses VH1 Pop Chart VH1 Hits Wild 80’s VH1 Loves Guess The Year Music For The Masses The Album Chart Show 90’s Revolution

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

ACCOMMODATION One full room available for 1 or 2 decent executive bachelor from 25 onwards with separate bathroom kitchen and sat facility, W&E free near Shara Amman st, opp Appolo hospital, Naser Al Bather St. Salmiya. Call

99761807. (C 3734) 16-11-2011 Sharing accommodation available in a 2 bedroom, 2 toilets, new building, in Farwaniya. For Indians only, for couple, single working ladies, executive bachelors.

Contact: 66625901.(C 3733) 15-11-2011

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR PIA RBG JZR ETH THY UAE QTR DHX MSR FDB ETD GFA KAC THY DHX FAH ETH JZR JZR BAW KAC AFR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB QTR ETD GFA FCX IRA RBG JZR IRM MSR JZR CLX KAC GFA MSR

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 16/11/2011 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 205 LAHORE/PESHAWER 3564 ASSIUT 539 CAIRO 620 ADDIS ABABA 772 ISTANBUL 853 DUBAI 138 DOHA 370 BAHRAIN 612 CAIRO 67 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 211 BAHRAIN 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 201 DUBAI 3612 ADDIS ABABA 555 ALEXANDRIA 529 ASSIUT 157 LONDON 412 MANILA/BANGKOK 6702 PARIS 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 382 DELHI 302 MUMBAI 284 DHAKA 362 COLOMBO 344 CHENNAI 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 6130 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 203 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 3555 ALEXANDRIA 165 DUBAI 5066 MASHAD 610 CAIRO 201 DAMASCUS 792 LUXEMBOURG 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 621 ASSIUT

Time 0:20 0:25 0:40 0:50 1:45 2:15 2:35 2:40 2:55 3:00 3:05 3:10 3:15 4:40 4:50 5:15 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:20 6:40 6:45 7:00 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:50 7:55 8:15 8:20 8:25 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:20 9:30 9:35 9:55 10:30 10:40 11:05 11:20 11:50 12:55 13:00 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:30

SYR FDB KAC UAL IRC QTR SVA RJA ABY JZR KAC QTR JZR JZR ETD KAC GFA SVA RBG ABY JZR ALK FDB KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC AIC KAC KAC KAC FDB JAI OMA DHX VOS MEA GFA QTR UAE JZR MEA SAI JZR UAL AXB DLH PIA

341 57 790 982 6791 140 503 640 123 257 546 134 561 213 303 550 215 510 3557 127 777 227 63 542 618 787 786 614 674 975 166 102 774 61 572 647 372 81 402 217 136 859 135 404 441 239 981 393 636 215

DAMASCUS DUBAI MEDINAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES MASHAD DOHA JEDDAH AMMAN SHARJAH BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA DOHA SOHAG DEIREZZOR/ALEPPO ABU DHABI SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG BAHRAIN RIYADH SOHAG SHARJAH JEDDAH COLOMBO/DUBAI DUBAI CAIRO DOHA RIYADH JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI CHENNAI/GOA PARIS/ROME NEW YORK/LONDON RIYADH DUBAI MUMBAI MUSCAT BAHRAIN BAGHDAD BEIRUT BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BEIRUT LAHORE AMMAN BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE/COCHIN FRANKFURT KARACHI

13:45 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:20 14:20 14:30 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:20 15:25 16:10 16:45 16:50 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:10 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 22:25 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:40 23:50 23:55

Airlines UAL AXB BBC AIC DLH PIA RBG ETH THY VOS FDB UAE DHX MSR ETD QTR THY JZR GFA JZR FDB KAC BAW AFR KAC JZR KAC KAC JZR JZR UAE ABY KAC FDB QTR ETD KAC GFA QTR IRA RBG FCX KAC JZR KAC IRM KAC MSR GFA

Departure Flights Wednesday 16/11/2011 Flt Route 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 390 MANGALORE/KOZHIKODE 44 DHAKA 982 AHMEDABAD/HYDERABAD/CHENNAI 637 FRANKFURT 206 LAHORE 3562 ALEXANDRIA 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL 94 DUBAI/KANDAHAR 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 771 ISTANBUL 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 200 DAMASCUS 54 DUBAI 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 6702 DUBAI/HONG KONG 671 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 549 SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG 789 MEDINAH 560 SOHAG 212 ALEPPO/DEIREZZOR 856 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 117 NEW YORK 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 177 FRANKFURT/GENEVA 214 BAHRAIN 6131 DOHA 602 SHIRAZ 3558 SOHAG 204 DUBAI 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 5065 MASHAD 785 JEDDAH 611 CAIRO 220 BAHRAIN

Time 0:45 0:50 1:00 1:05 1:20 1:25 1:25 2:45 3:15 3:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:00 4:00 4:55 5:50 6:55 7:00 7:30 8:25 8:30 8:40 8:45 9:00 9:00 9:15 9:25 9:30 9:35 9:40 9:45 10:00 10:05 10:10 10:20 10:35 10:40 11:00 11:40 11:45 11:45 12:00 12:15 12:30 13:20 13:40 13:55 14:20

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

MSR SYR CLX FDB KAC UAL IRC ABY RJA KAC SVA JZR KAC KAC QTR ETH JZR ETD JZR QTR GFA RBG ABY KAC SVA JZR JZR ALK FDB JZR KAC KAC FDB KAC DHX KAC JAI OMA KAC DHX MEA GFA KAC FAH QTR KAC JZR UAE KAC MEA JZR

622 342 792 58 673 982 6792 124 641 617 503 786 613 773 141 3613 238 304 538 135 216 3556 128 153 511 266 134 228 64 184 283 361 62 331 171 351 571 648 543 373 403 218 381 102 137 301 554 860 205 405 502

ASSIUT DAMASCUS VIETNAM DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN MASHAD SHARJAH AMMAN DOHA JEDDAH RIYADH BAHRAIN RIYADH DOHA DUBAI/ADDIS ABABA AMMAN ABU DHABI CAIRO DOHA BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA SHARJAH ISTANBUL RIYADH BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI/COLOMBO DUBAI DUBAI DHAKA COLOMBO DUBAI TRIVANDRUM BAHRAIN COCHIN MUMBAI MUSCAT CAIRO BAHRAIN BEIRUT BAHRAIN DELHI DUBAI DOHA MUMBAI ALEXANDRIA DUBAI ISLAMABAD BEIRUT LUXOR

14:30 14:45 14:45 14:50 15:05 15:20 15:20 15:25 15:35 15:40 15:45 15:50 16:20 16:25 16:30 17:00 17:15 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:30 18:35 18:45 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:55 20:15 20:20 20:40 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:55 22:00 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:25 23:35

34

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

stars CROSSWORD 499

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) A high pressure but very lucky day is ahead of you now. You could make a few changes with your routine today and find that you have a whole different job title. This will probably be temporary but will help you to show off your skills. An instance of being able to speak up and pitch in and help when others will not help is commendable and higher-ups are impressed. Good advice from a guide or older person is available if you need it today. You are just plain witty when it comes to a group discussion this afternoon—ideas roll off your tongue.

Communicating by phone, by letter or in person is an important ingredient for the afternoon. A sense of support for whatever plans you may have this evening makes this a happy time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This is a great time, when good fortune and plain old luck surround you. It is certainly not a time to stay home—you are in a work mode and in the mood to accomplish much. It is easy for you to make correct decisions, find the right path and move forward where career and success are concerned. Stay away from sensitive communication with loved ones until after the sun goes down—there are disturbing energies floating around this afternoon. You may find that someone close to you understands and is supportive of your point of view.

Communication with others is important so do not close yourself off from receiving the input that casual conversation with friends and loved ones can bring. Steer clear of the sensitive subjects for now.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. A syndrome that occurs in many women from 2 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation.

4. A city in east central China.

10. A female person who has the same parents as another person.

13. An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions.

14. Thorny shrub or small tree common in central Argentina having small orange or yellow flowers followed by edible berries.

15. (informal) Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman.

16. Submerged aquatic plant having narrow leaves and small flowers.

18. Same in identity.

19. Goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment.

20. An aromatic balsam.

21. A state in New England.

22. An alloy of copper and zinc (and sometimes arsenic) used to imitate gold in cheap jewelry and for gilding.

24. Leather with a napped surface.

26. Small shrubby African tree having compound leaves and racemes of small fragrant green flowers.

28. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

29. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

33. A small ball with a hole through the middle.

38. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

39. A person forced to flee from home or country.

40. Large Old World butterflies.

43. A public promotion of some product or service.

45. Commonly put forth or accepted as true on inconclusive grounds.

46. A small cake leavened with yeast.

48. Surveying instrument consisting of the upper movable part of a theodolite including the telescope and its attachments.

49. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

50. The syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization.

52. Deciduous round-headed Asiatic tree widely grown in mild climates as an ornamental for its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellow-green flowers followed by hanging clusters of fleshy orange-red berries.

56. A summary that repeats the substance of a longer discussion.

60. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neutralizing.

61. The United Nations agency concerned with the interests of labor.

62. Capital of Armenia.

64. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

65. The corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm.

66. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice.

67. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

DOWN 1. (usually in the plural) A garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately.

2. The sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this).

3. A facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth.

4. A digital display that uses liquid crystal cells that change reflectivity in an applied electric field.

5. A midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region.

6. The face veil worn by Muslim women.

7. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

8. (Sumerian and Akkadian) A demon personifying death.

9. A thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery).

10. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

11. A tiny or scarcely detectable amount.

12. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work.

17. Wild sheep of northern Africa.

23. Informal terms for a mother.

25. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members.

27. An overland journey by hunters (especially in Africa).

30. (of champagne) Extremely dry.

31. A cruel wicked and inhuman person.

32. A pointed instrument used to prod into motion.

34. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

35. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

36. An ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure equal to about a bushel.

37. A short composition for a solo instrument.

41. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling).

42. The great hall in ancient Persian palaces.

44. An informal term for a father.

47. A poplar that is widely cultivated in the United States.

51. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

53. An narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family.

54. A ruler of the Inca Empire (or a member of his family).

55. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers.

57. The sound made by a pigeon v 1.

58. A unit of length equal to one thousandth of an inch.

59. Any of various coarse shrubby plants of the genus Iva with small greenish flowers.

60. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

63. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.

64. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

Yesterday’s Solution

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You might like to ignore responsibilities and do some socializing today but realities demand that you tend to business. After the workday is over you may find yourself in fun conversations with friends. You may discover that you are more intuitive now than in the past. You may sense and feel things that others do not. It is not a time when you are at your most practical but you are quite passionate and love the company of friends as well as family. Everything works together to bring out your unique and unusual qualities. You may find that someone close to you understands you and is supportive of your new positive self. You could come up with new solutions or inventions. You may enjoy probing into your inner workings this evening.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

Your inner resources and emotions are accented. Someone that has not supported your ideas before today may come around to your way of thinking. You can expect a sense of support and goodwill from those around you. You have a need to be respected and there are opportunities to create that respect today. You may be helping a group of people become organized. Perhaps this is a citizen’s group that gathers information for publishing. You are able to pull in some extra money at this time. Perhaps you have a part-time job or perhaps you have found a way to apply your skillful ways and gain a paycheck at the same time. A difficult relationship is on the mend now. There are breakthroughs regarding better budgeting techniques.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You are very focused on your career and your finances lately and that is a good thing. You are proud of the progress you are making. Events at work may make it easy for you to be original, have breakthroughs and find new solutions to old problems. You could discover yourself through creativity and self-expression. A more outgoing manner may be enjoyed now. You demonstrate your ideas and put them into practice. Your analytical powers are superb and you enjoy finding new avenues of inner growth. You and a romantic partner grow closer now. You may sense correctly that you can open up and share your deepest feelings—the feeling is mutual. New and unusual ways of appreciating and loving may be possible now.

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You are up early this morning—ready to conquer the world.

High hopes are great, but applied effort is the key to success now.

This is a great time to work with others. You may be sought after as the right person for a particular job. Gossip is disturbing this afternoon and you try your best to stay away from those that gossip. You may have to say a few words. Everything works together to show you at your most elegant, particularly in a social situation this evening. You have a grasp for abstract and spiritual ideas and you are able to communicate your views very well. Close relationships offer a lot of potential for growth at this time. Optimism and a yearning to explore all kinds of new horizons are where your energies are now.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

You have a lot on your mind this morning but may feel a strong need to communicate and gather ideas in order to gain a focus.

Good practical job-related thoughts and ideas are available and as a result you will find business matters fall into place very well. A great deal of mental activity and energy has begun for you now. You have the ability to communicate with superiors or describe what you see; higher-ups will listen. Co-workers may even describe you as the go-between. This may be the perfect opportunity to visit a nearby park and if the weather is good, a bit of exercise with a loved one or friend may be just what the doctor would order. Sympathy and understanding for sibling(s) or young people may come into play this evening.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) A period of great mental activity begins now. Opportunities abound and you may find yourself wanting to do almost everything.

Take the time to weigh the pros and cons carefully when it comes to changing jobs just now. If you move too quickly, you may find yourself in a job that runs against your best talents and abilities. Do not sell yourself short. A little errand in your neighborhood this afternoon begins to feel like an adventure. Complications happen when we are not paying attention to the details. This may include activities such as stepping into a volunteer program without finding out the requirements or substituting at a part-time job without negotiating the working hours. This is truly a time when your energy is high.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A friend or loved one may tend to put the damper on what you say or think, or in some way manage to restrict your ability to communicate. You may have thoughts that differ with someone close to you.

Communication in the business world, however, seems to go your way. Positive things are happening and your career depends on your own ambition and drive, which are strong now. You are able to use good common sense, feel the trends and make the right moves. This is a time to get ahead by taking action. You love all that is new and different and you are an expert at sharing your thoughts on new ideas. That person that is not willing to communicate just now may only need a little space to meditate for now. Time grows an understanding.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

There may be obstacles in your path today but if you keep your eyes open you will have very little problems navigating through the day. It pays in the long run to be patient with others. Extra work will bring extra money and that is the good news for this day. You become more direct, less interested in frills and more able to cut through to the real business at hand. Your ability to be and act on the spot is strengthened—much intensity. This afternoon you may be shopping for special items around your living area. You may even want to purchase a little paint or other items for some repair jobs you may have previously postponed. A healing between family members is possible this evening. An honest and kindly conversation clears the air.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Your mind is very sharp today; take care to think through your response to others. You may be impatient and eager for new experiences. Work, achievement and completing unfinished tasks take center stage most of this day. You have a need for psychological security and absolute truth in all matters.

This cuts through most chit-chat and settles on matters of substance. Ideas and thoughts have greater meaning and form just now. At home, you want communication. Perhaps this concerns that energetic relative that wants to join you in your business. This evening would be a good time to become involved in clear communications. Also, this is a great time for open communication with your young friends or family members. Tonight is for loved ones.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

The minute you walk into your office this morning, you are catapulted into schedules and meetings and potential problems that may be a little more frustrating than usual . . . but you love it. You organize and ask a few questions and take control with little difficulty. The good life and all that is fine and luxurious may be what you value just now and your ability to control the day is one step closer to where you want to be. You enjoy finding solutions to whatever problems you find. Moving forward is the big issue of the day. You do not play favorites and are quite impersonal when it comes to your responsibilities. You may enjoy working with some sort of healing or police services. Your life path involves very close relationships with others.

A

y

e niv rsar n

Years

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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

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36

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

lifest yle G o s s i p

im Kardashian has found herself in a hairy situation-and it has nothing to do with the drama over her impending divorce from NBA player Kris Humphries. Hair-removal product company Radiancy is suing the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star, claiming that she’s made numerous false and misleading statements while shilling for hair-removal company Tria, which is also named in the complaint. According to Radiancy, Kardashian made numerous claims during various media appearances and on her Twitter account that can’t possibly be true. Among the alleged falsehoods that Kardashian disseminated: That Tria’s laser hair-removal product have been deemed safe and effective by the FDA, and that it also provides permanent hair removal. The suit goes on to note that, during an appearance on “The Wendy Williams Show,” Kardashian claimed that she uses the Tria product “on [her] entire body”-even though, by Tria’s own admission, the product is unsafe for use on the face, head, ears, neck, nipples, genitals or around the anus, as it may injure skin. Also, according to Radiancy, Kardashian tweeted last December that she had begun

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isele Bundchen and Tom Brady have been named the world’s highest-earning couple. The supermodel and her NFL player husband earned a staggering $76 million between them during the period May 2010-2011, with the Brazilian beauty’s fashion career, endorsements and business deals bringing in a $45 million share of their joint income.

According to Forbes magazine, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z earned just $4 million less in the same period, with the ‘Run the World (Girls)’ hitmaker bringing in $35 million from her record sales and endorsement deals and her spouse generating $37 million through his contract with Live Nation, a stake in the New Jersey Nets, his 40/40 Club chain and ad firm Translation.

Placed third were Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who earned $50 million after the actor brought in $20 million and his partner with who he raises six children earning the additional $30 million. David and Victoria Beckham were placed fourth in the list with combined earnings of $45 million - though $40 million of the total was earned by

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the soccer star. ‘Twilight Saga’ co-stars and real-life couple Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart rounded off the top five, contributing equally to their $40 million fortune.

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Top five highest-earning couples according to Forbes magazine 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

hantelle Houghton and Alex Reid are expecting a baby together. The former ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ winner has announced she is 11 weeks pregnant and she and her fiance - the estranged husband of Katie Price - are thrilled with the news, because Chantelle had been told by doctors she would need IVF (in vitro fertilisation) to conceive. She revealed: “I’m 11 weeks gone. I don’t know exactly when the baby was conceived. I can’t even believe I’m pregnant. I went to Orlando and went on loads of rollercoasters not knowing. I found out four weeks ago - it’s been so hard keeping it secret ... I definitely want to find out the sex, I can’t wait nine months!” Just a few months earlier, Chantelle had been informed by medical experts that she was running out of eggs and had to conceive in the next three years if she wanted to become a mother. The 28-year-old blonde had already started having fertility treatment and was just seven days from beginning IVF when she took a test on a gut feeling and received the happy news. In an interview with OK! magazine, she explained: “We were a week away from starting IVF. The thought of conceiving naturally had gone out of my mind completely - I didn’t even think it was possible. I had my fertility injections in the fridge. Basically they stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs ... They’d been pushed to the back of the fridge and they’d frozen, which ruined them. I went back to the clinic to get some replacements and there was a chemist - and I just went in and bought a pregnancy test. To this day, I

using the Tria product and was “loving the results so far”-even though she had just become the company’s spokesperson a few weeks before, and Tria’s own web site states that a user wouldn’t begin to see results from the product for at least 90 days. These allegedly false statements have done damage to Radiancy’s business, the claim states. The complaint is part of an ongoing legal battle between the two companies.

This isn’t the first time that Kardashian has come under fire due to her many endorsements-last November, she and her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney, pulled out of a deal to sponsor a prepaid MasterCard because it carried “outrageous” fees. She’s also been accused of accepting money to tweet about products without revealing that they were sponsored tweets, though Kardashian, 31, has denied this.

Kardashian’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment. Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady - $76 million Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z - $72 million Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - $50 million David and Victoria Beckham - $45 million Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart - $40 million

don’t know why. It’s so, so weird. I went home and did it with my best friend ... I was expecting to see two words saying not pregnant and I just stared and stared at it, I couldn’t move.” Chantelle believes the baby is a “miracle” and she credits 36-year-old Alex’s positive mental attitude with helping them conceive. She said: “I’ve bee seeing a private doctor and he said, ‘Well you’ve proved them wrong, haven’t you?’ Me and Alex have spent thousands on private fertility treatment.

We’ve had nearly £6,000 of tests done. Maybe it is really a miracle. Alex believes if you ask for things they will come.”

ete Doherty believes he is being haunted by Amy Winehouse. The 32-year-old singer was close pals with the ‘Rehab’ hitmaker before her death from alcohol poisoning in July, and he has become so concerned her ghost is now floating around his London home he has gone to Paris to escape the spectre. A friend of the Babyshambles singer said: “He is utterly convinced that he has seen her ghost. A lot of people will think his visions are probably drug-induced by he claims he is clean.”

However, Pete - who previously dated supermodel Kate Moss - is so worried about the alleged apparition he is refusing to come back from his French break. During a recent London concert, Pete revealed he had written a song for Amy but he never got a chance to record it with her. Introducing the song, the former Libertines frontman said: “Amy Winehouse asked me a while ago if I had written any new songs. I played her something, and when I had finished, she looked at me and said, ‘Is that it? Is that all you’ve got?’ “ The song he played was a slow, acoustic led number, and although the lyrics were hard to make out they include the line “oh Amy, she won’t be around tonight”.

P prah Winfrey has been named the highest earning woman in Hollywood for the second year in a row. The media mogul - who quit her successful chat show earlier this year after 25 years to focus on running her own network - made $290 million between May 2010 and May 2011 to top Forbes’ Highest Earning Hollywood Women list, ahead of celebrities including Lady Gaga, Gisele Bundchen and Ellen DeGeneres. Her closest competitor ‘You and I’ hitmaker Gaga only managed to make $90 million in the same period, $200 million less than Oprah, while former ‘Real Housewives of New York’ star Bethenny Frankel was third with $55 million thanks to her New York Times bestseller and Skinnygirl food empire. Supermodel Gisele, talk show host Ellen, TV’s Judge Judy Sheindlin and country superstar Taylor Swift all tied for fourth place with earnings of $45 million. Katy Perry banked $44 million from her world tour, album sales and endorsement deals and pregnant pop star Beyonce Knowles raked in $35 million last year, completing the top ten with romance author Danielle Steel - the most successful female novelist of all time who earned the same amount.

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Forbes Top 10 Highest Earning Hollywood Women 2011 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Oprah Winfrey, $290 million Lady Gaga, $90 million Bethenny Frankel, $55 million Gisele Bundchen, $45 million Ellen DeGeneres, $45 million Judge Judy Sheindlin, $45 million Taylor Swift, $45 million Katy Perry, $44 million Beyonce, $35 million Danielle Steel, $35 million

Gomez’s dog swallows rocks elena Gomez’s dog almost died after eating rocks. The singer-and-actress was devastated when three-month-old puppy Baylor got violently ill last Friday after ingesting a large amount of small boulders. So Selena - who adopted the Purina Puppy Chow last month with boyfriend Justin Bieber took him to the vet, where he underwent surgery. Selena tweeted: “My baby is sick :( praying for his surgery. (sic)” The adoption agency the couple got Baylor from will now visit Selena once a month to make sure she is caring for the pooch properly. Justin and Selena - who has five rescue dogs - adopted Baylor after visiting the Winnipeg animal rescue centre D’Arcy’s ARC, where they fell in love with him. D’Arcy Johnston, chief executive officer of the rescue centre,

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said: “They spent a lot of time with the puppies. I was told that Selena was missing the dogs that she has at home. “I wasn’t expecting her to adopt a dog while she was on tour and has a busy schedule. Baylor probably would have had a bad life or a very short life. But he got rescued and brought to our shelter and is now going to live a very good life.”— Agencies

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

lifestyle Music & Movies

Hollywood-China film venture to get cash infusion

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Actor Brad Pitt poses for photographers prior to a press conference of his latest film, ‘Moneyball,’ in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday.—AP photos

Pitt says he intends to turn producer

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ollywood heart-throb Brad Pitt signaled his intention yesterday to move into film production after revealing that he plans to stop acting in three years after he turns 50. Pitt, 47, told a news conference during a visit to South Korea to promote his latest film “Moneyball” that moving into the producer’s chair was something that appealed to him. “I do quite enjoy the producing side,” the star of “Fight Club” said, adding that he would like producing films which are difficult to make under the current system or “getting behind talent that we believe in”.

Pitt’s comments came just days after he said he intended to quit acting when he turns 50. During an interview with an Australian current affairs show in Tokyo broadcast on Sunday, the American actor was asked how much longer he would like to “do your business for”. “Three years,” he told the interviewer on “60

Minutes”. The actor, who played starring roles in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” and “Troy” also told the program he was content with life. “I think happiness is overrated, truthfully.

I do. I think sometimes you’re happy, sometimes you’re not.

There’s too much pressure to be happy,” he said. “Satisfied, at peace, those would be more goals for myself.” Pitt, who was married to “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston and now has six children with fellow actor Angelina Jolie, Pitt, told “60 Minutes” that he had not dealt well with fame in the past and was worried about media attention on his children. “Sure I worry.

It’s the only thing I get hot about, I’m ready to...fight about,” he said.

“But on the other hand you know, it’s a trade-off, like anything. “And we, these guys, I’m so happy for them, because they get to see the world. And their lives are so enriched by it. The privacy issues are something we’re always

battling.” Pitt told reporters yesterday that parenthood meant a changed perspective for him, an interest in taking care of himself and mornings being around for their children and that he enjoyed

me,” he said. “Me personally, I like ageing. With age comes wisdom...

I’ll take wisdom over youth any day.

Moneyball,” an adaptation of Michael Lewis’s 2003 bestseller

Actor Brad Pitt signs autographs for fans on the red carpet in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. getting older because age brings wisdom. “I think, certainly, being a father changed everything for

“Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game”, is scheduled to be released this week in South

Korea. Pitt stars as Oakland Athletics baseball team general manager Billy Beane, who took on the big league by assembling a competent team on a shoestring budget-using a new method to evaluate players and find their hidden talent. The actor, who rose to prominence in 1991’s “Thelma and Louise” and went on to star in “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Babel”, said the film’s box office success elsewhere was not merely celebrity-driven.

“Popularity is good for the opening weekend but what we’ve been really happy with this film is that it keeps playing weekend after weekend, crossing generations and genders,” he said.

“And that tells us we have something more than a film, (more than) a celebrity-driven film or a subject-driven film. It’s really a good movie and it’s really fun and it’s a good laugh and it’s got meaning in it.”—AFP

Hollywood-China movie production venture that plans to make big budget films for worldwide audiences has been cleared for an infusion of $220.5 million from an unlikely source - a construction company. Shareholders of Hong Kong’s Paul Y. Engineering Ltd yesterday approved the investment in the joint venture that is also aimed at China’s increasingly lucrative film market. The construction firm, which says it wants to diversify and thinks the movie industry has strong growth potential, is taking a 50 percent stake in the production company, Legendary East Ltd, in exchange for the investment.

“Diversification into some unremarkable business is totally useless. Profit margin would be low, risk high,” Paul Y. Chairman James Chiu said. “We decided to seek an innovative growth avenue.”

After the deal, Hollywood production house Legendary Entertainment will have a 40 percent stake while China’s Huayi Brothers Media Corp. will have 10 percent. Legendary Entertainment has produced global blockbusters including “Inception” and the two “Hangover” movies while Huayi releases include the hit Feng Xiaogang disaster epic “Aftershock,” the kung fu drama “Shaolin” and the Tsui Hark fantasy epic “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame.” Paul Y executives promised to leave the movie making to the experts.

“What we’re bringing to table is, practically, cash,” Deputy Chairman Tom Lau said. “We do not understand the business of motion pictures nor do we pretend that we can contribute” anything more than money. Legendary and Huayi executives will control the film development and approval committees “completely,” Lau said. The Hong Kong-based venture, which was announced in June, plans to make one or two big budget movies a year starting in 2013 for worldwide audiences that are also commercially viable in China. The movies will be mainly in English and feature themes based on Chinese history, mythology or culture.

Beijing-based Huayi will distribute the movies inside China while Warner Bros Pictures will handle international distribution. Movies produced by the partnership will be allowed to bypass Chinese import restrictions that effectively limit the country to about 20 foreign blockbusters a year. Chinese box office takings surged 64 percent to $1.5 billion in 2010 and are expected to grow 30 percent this year to $2 billion.

Legendary East said in August its first film, “The Great Wall,” will be directed by Edward Zwick and look at how the Great Wall of China came to be built.

Chiu said there are many other stories from Chinese history the venture could draw on, such as the epic novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” a fictional account of feuding warlords amid the disintegration of the Han dynasty in the second century. Chiu said while he enjoyed “The Dark Knight” and “Superman Returns,” both Legendary Entertainment productions, he’s not a big moviegoer.”I have no patience to sit in the cinema for two hours.”—AP

Diddy to pay tribute to late rapper Heavy D in NY

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(From left) Robert Pattinson, Kristen, Stewart, center, and Taylor Lautner arrive at the world premiere of ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1.

‘Breaking Dawn’ sees its stars looking to new horizons

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s “Twilight” fans gear up for the emotional rollercoaster of weddings, babies and battles that is “Breaking Dawn - Part 1”, the movie’s three stars are beginning to look to new horizons. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1”, opening in US theaters on Friday, sees young lovers Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) finally marry in a wedding that has the “Twilight” fanverse in a frenzy.

But wedded bliss doesn’t last long for the young couple after Bella finds herself pregnant with a vampire baby that is slowly killing her. Back home, werewolf Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner, faces conflict within his own tribe as he chooses to protect Bella and

her unborn child. “Lots of milestones are crammed into this one and there’s a very accelerated bit of life lived in this movie,” said Stewart.

The end to the “Twilight” movie series eventually plays out when “Breaking Dawn - Part 2” reaches theaters in the summer of 2012. But with filming already wrapped up, Pattinson, Stewart and Lautner already are emotional about the end of the saga that turned them into worldwide stars and good friends. “I’ll never have anything like that again in any other aspect of moviemaking,” said Stewart, 21. “It’s a very shared love, but to share that with so many people, it is just so unique and it’s so rare.” Lautner, 19, said the trio had become very close since making the

Bruno Mars, center, and guests arrive to the world premiere of ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking-Dawn - Part 1’ on Monday, in Los Angeles.—AP

first “Twilight” movie, released in 2008.

“We’ve gone through a lot with each other,” he said. “We have a lot of fun making the movies, and it was definitely a bummer when it all finished.” But the young stars already have begun to move on. Lautner took a turn as an action hero in “Abduction” earlier this year, and he stars in the movie version of upcoming young adult sci-fi novel “Incarceron”.

No more white face Stewart, in 2010, played rock singer Joan Jett in “The Runaways” and a teenage prostitute in “Welcome To The Rileys”. She will next be seen in the classic beat generation drama “On The Road,” and in the lead role for 2012 fantasy “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

For Pattinson, 25, there’s one thing he won’t miss as “Twilight” draws to an end.

“Putting a bunch of white face make-up on so you notice all the wrinkles you’re getting. After awhile, it’s kind of depressing,” the British actor said. “I’m looking forward to not seeing that anymore.” Pattinson branched out in circus romance “Water for Elephants” opposite Reese Witherspoon earlier this year and has two other movies under his belt”Bel Ami”, in which he plays a young Parisian seducer, and “Cosmopolis”. He is still surprised by fan response to the first three “Twilight” movies based on the best-selling novels by Stephenie Meyer.

Combined, the three films have made more than $1.8 billion at worldwide box offices. —Reutersf

ap mogul Diddy and the Rev. Al Sharpton will speak at late rapper Heavy D’s funeral on Friday, and BET Networks plans a tribute for him at the Soul Train awards. Diddy said in a statement that he was “heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend.” “He was a wonderful human being, who inspired and paved the way for a Hip Hop generation,” the statement said. “We were like brothers - I will miss him more than words can express.”

A private funeral for the rap legend will be held at the historic Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, just north of New York City.

Heavy D, born Dwight Arrington Myers, died at a Los Angeles hospital last week after collapsing outside his home. He was 44. The New York-born rapper was the titular member of Heavy D and the Boyz, which had hits with “Now That We Found Love,” “Who’s the Man” and “Somebody for Me.” He was one of the genre’s top stars in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

BET also announced Monday that the Soul Train Music Awards in Atlanta will pay tribute to Heavy D, with Kurtis Blow, Naughty by Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Eddie F, Whodini and Daddy-O of Stetsasonic participating.

Heavy D’s family has launched the Heavy D and Xea Myers Fund, named in honor of the rapper and his daugh-

Heavy D, also known as Dwight Arrington Myers, performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.—AP ter, who’s 11 years old. The family said it was devastated by his death.

“Though Hev will most notably be remembered for his work both behind-the-scenes and in the forefront, he will always be remembered by us as a generous soul who remained humble and unselfish till his final days,” the family said in a statement.

Mary J Blige, who started her career on Uptown Records, the label

on which Heavy D released most of his music and of which he eventually became president, called the late rapper an “angel and protector.” “He was one of the people in my life who always had something inspiring and encouraging to say,” she said in a statement. “He was so joyful and optimistic. ... His talent brought so much joy to our lives. I love you and miss you, Heavy.”—AP

In this Monday photo, Sting performs during the launch of his new ‘Appumentary’ at an Apple Store in New York.—AP

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Years

lifestyle F a s h i o n

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Years

lifestyle F a s h i o n

Models walk the runway during the Islamic Fashion Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. — AP/AFP photos

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ate Moss’ 13-year-old half sister has made her modeling debut. Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Moss - daughter of Kate’s father Peter Moss and his second wife Inger - last month posed for her first test shoot, which was arranged by Sarah Doukas at Storm models, the agency who first discovered Kate at the age of 14. Lottie’s dad Peter told the Daily Mail newspaper: “It’s early days really. Storm, Kate’s agent, felt that it was worth giving Lottie a test shoot and seeing how she turned out. She had a lovely time and she seemed to come out quite well - so everybody’s happy so far. “It will be very strictly controlled because she’s not 14 yet so it’s very early days. “It will all be left to Sarah and Simon at Storm to decide what the best way ahead is.

So we’re going to have a chat with them later in the year, possibly before Christmas, just to decide how to go forward. “It was a nice experience [for Lottie] to have a good photographer and the life of a photographic model, a day in the life as it were, but an exciting day for her.”

“Well, you have to take advantage of any opportunities that come along haven’t you? If things work out for Lottie and she eventually gets some work it could help her in her future.

“It’s getting harder and harder to get jobs, university and things like that - so if she can get a couple of jobs early on and get something behind her maybe it makes life easier.” The pictures were taken by photographer Andrea Carter-Bowman. Fashion insiders have rushed to praised Lottie’s look with Carole White, the founder of Premier Models saying: “Lottie looks beautiful and fresh - a very English rose look.”

“Generally you need the height. Kate is an exception to the rule because models need to be 5ft.9in to 5ft. 11in. I think Lottie would make a lovely young model.” Fashion expert Karen Kay added: “She’s even got a Cindy Crawford-style mole on her chin. She’s the full package. If she plays her cards right, she could eclipse Kate.”

Lottie first came to public attention when she was one of 15 bridesmaids at Kate’s wedding to Jamie Hince in July. — Bang Showbiz

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iane Kruger thought Calvin Klein bosses were “kidding” when they asked her to be the face of their ‘Beauty’ fragrance. The 35-year-old actress who began her modeling career in Paris at the age of 15 - believed the public would adopt a, “Who does she think she is?” attitude if she fronted the brand. She explained: “It’s very cool to be the face of a perfume, that’s a very flattering thing. When Calvin Klein asked me to be the face of a perfume called ‘Beauty’ I was like, ‘Who are you kidding?’ when they told me the name. “I was thinking people are going to say, ‘Who does she

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urberry said yesterday that net profits jumped 41 percent in the group’s first half as fashion-conscious consumers around the world snapped up the British group’s luxury clothes and handbags. Burberry, famous for its trench coats and trademark red, camel and black check design, said profits increased to £117.2 million (137 million euros, $186 million) in the six months to the end of September from the same part of 2010.

Revenues rose 29.4 percent to £829.6 million in the reporting period.

“Burberry has delivered a strong first half, reflecting our continued investment in innovative design, digital marketing and retail strategies,” chief executive Angela Ahrendts said in the group’s earnings statement. She added

think she is from Helen of Troy to ‘Beauty’?’ Then with all the work I’ve done for cosmetics companies too it becomes very global.”

The German-born beauty admitted she is pleased to now have more of a say in which campaigns she fronts, as she likes the idea of making products “accessible to all women over the world”. Diane added to The Independent newspaper: “From my modeling days, I have relationships with all these people and it’s kind of a cool thing that I still do that as well. It’s better these days as I now have more of say in what I do and so I

that Burberry was “mindful of, and prepared to react to, any local or global uncertainties as we drive for long-term sustainable growth.” Burberry is enjoying robust growth on strong demand for its products in emerging markets such as China, India, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia and Turkey.—AFP

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don’t sign with people that I don’t stand behind. “I like the idea of accessibility, coming from a lower-middleclass background myself, I feel like beauty and products should be accessible to women all over the world.”

— Bang Showbiz

abels such as John Galliano and Valentino have donated covetable items to help protect the world’s rainforests. The fashion houses have joined forces with Sting and Trudie Styler’s charity, Rainforest UK, and contributed goods to annual charity auction The 12 Days of Christmas. A spokesperson from John Galliano told vogue.co.uk: “ The Rainforest Foundation UK is globally respected for their innovative approaches in the protection of the rainforests and the rights of forest communities who call those forests home. We at the House of Galliano felt compelled and inspired by their ground-breaking work in remote forest areas, and their desire to care for some of the most beautiful places and peoples in the world.

We are proud to be part of the 12 Days of Christmas auction, and are happy that chosen items from our collections can be won by people who realize that even something simple like going online for a few moments and bidding on a red carpet dress or a pair of shoes can help look after the environment.” Other participating fashion brands include Mulberry, Piers Atkinson and James Long, while celebrities include Hugh Laurie and Judi Dench have also donated a range of personalized items. The auction started today and will run for 12 days.

— Bang Showbiz

The Islamic Fashion Festival

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

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This handout photo of the ‘Theater an der Wien’ shows the general rehearsal of the new opera ‘Gogol’ by Russian-born composer Lera Auerbach on November 9, 2011 in Vienna.—AFP

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eather Swan admits skydiving used to terrify her-it took her about 50 jumps before she stopped feeling sick to the stomach. But as she sweeps back her long blonde hair to clap on a fire-engine red helmet and walks towards the small plane which she will shortly jump from at about 13,000 feet (3,900 meters), the 49-year-old exudes excitement. “I think women find these sports more scary than men to start with and that was definitely my experience-I was very afraid,” she laughs. Swan now has some 800 skydives to her name and must be one of the few grandmothers in the world who BASE jumps, a more extreme sport in which divers leap from tall structures-Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth (cliffs).

Such is her commitment she earned the world record, with her husband Glenn Singleman, for the highest BASE jump (exit point) after they leapt off Mount Meru at an altitude of 6,604 meters in the Indian Himalayas in 2006. Swan believes that challenging her fears has made her more confident and that skydiving, once the preserve of ex-military males, is empowering more women like her as they become increasingly involved in the sport. “I’ve seen women who only ever did one jump, one tandem jump... and it had a transformative effect on them,” she explains. Swan herself is little different, taking up skydiving after turning 40 and meeting Singleman. She quit her management consulting job and is now a fixture in the community.

But she says she still sometimes feels the sting of those who question why a woman would want to skydive or BASE jump. “It’s intriguing that people will often say to me, ‘Oh how can you do that, you’ve got children’-although my children are well and truly grown up-and yet I’ve never heard anyone say that to Glenn.

And yet he’s a father. “I think there’s still that entrenched belief that women, particularly mothers, shouldn’t do what is perceived as risky sports. It’s very oldfashioned. “I think the most important thing you can give your children is a strong sense of self and a strong sense of what is it that I want to do with my life, and go after it.”

Susie McLachlan, on the other hand, was born into skydiving. Her mother may have made a jump while pregnant with Susie and she herself admits “it’s in my blood”. She did her first tandem with her dad when she was 17. But McLachlan, 37, realizes not every woman is supported in their choice to skydive and a few years

ago she formed Skysisters, a group which aims to encourage, support, motivate and challenge female skydivers of all levels.

The group holds conventions which attract skydiving women from around the

world and this year’s event saw the women start their days with a yoga session and complete jumps wearing glamorous fashions and lingerie.

Swan, who is a member of Skysisters,

File photo shows Australian skydiver Penny Barrett after completing a skydive at the Sydney Skydivers in Picton, west of Sydney. —AFP photos

Australian skydiver and BASE jumper Heather Swan, with husband Glenn Singleman , boarding a plane.

believes it’s a great organization for “encouraging young women to move into the sport safely and responsibly”.

McLachlan, who has a three-year-old daughter, says she faces questions all the time about why she still jumps, and believes it could be a factor in why females are so outnumbered in the sport.”I try not to let that be a concern to me,” she says. “It’s about living your life.”

Having watched several fatal accidents and a plane crash involving her father which he survived with a broken back, leg and shoulder blade and having been scalped, McLachlan knows about the dangers. Yet she is still keen to have fun with her sport, diving in high heels for a fashion shoot and in a black sequined dress and stilettos for Skysisters despite the peril, kicking them off before landing. “I was (freaking out), don’t worry, because if I couldn’t get the shoes off it was a broken leg going to happen for sure,” she admits. While there are 400 licensed female skydivers in Australia, compared to nearly 3,000 males, McLachlan says the sport appeals to many women.

Among the newcomers is Penny Barrett, who used to have a job fitting hearing aids on the elderly but now lives on a drop zone and has completed close to 500 jumps. She sees Skysisters as a welcome support. “Sometimes it’s pretty hard being in a male-dominated world,” she says, after completing a jump at Picton on Sydney’s southwestern outskirts. “I think it’s great thing for women to get involved in. I didn’t really see myself as a risk-takerlife is just like that, you know.”From time to time the sport is rocked by tragedy, none more shocking than the death last year of the Australian scene’s “mother hen” 50-year-old veterinary surgeon Fiona McEachern.

McEachern died when she collided with another jumper midair and their parachutes became entangled, leaving the veteran jumper to hit the ground without her canopy properly deployed.”It is really hard to deal with a friend or someone you know being injured or killed,” says Swan. “Very hard to deal with.

“But that’s life in general. We will all lose a loved one, we will all lose friends because human life is fragile. “So I think the most important thing is to live your life so that when you die you don’t have regrets. And I can honestly say that if I were to die tomorrow I wouldn’t feel cheated in any way.”—AFP

Heather Swan after completing a skydive.

Heather Swan with husband Glenn Singleman at the Sydney Skydivers in Picton, in her red ‘flying’ wingsuit.