18 Jan 2012

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

Italy death toll rises to 11 as ship captain grilled

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torturing man to death

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7Two officers 21 27 16 get life for Candidates say polls are most decisive yet

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By B Izzak

Bedoons to be deported over protests KUWAIT: Kuwait has decided to deport stateless people who took part in protests demanding citizenship which turned violent, newspapers reported yesterday. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Central Agency for Illegal Residents, which deals with the bedoons, chaired by Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Al-Anbaa newspaper reported. Other measures included dismissing all bedoons from the army and the police force if they or their children attended the protests, and evicting them from housing provided by the government.

The government also decided to confiscate security IDs from any protester bedoons, their only form of identification, and cancel their applications for Kuwaiti nationality. Riot police used tear gas, water cannon and batons to disperse thousands of bedoon protesters on Friday and Saturday, injuring scores and arresting more than 100 people, according to activists. Kuwait says only 34,000 out of the 105,000 bedoons present in the Gulf state are eligible for citizenship, while the remaining 71,000 are citizens of other countries who must produce their original passports.

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This image released today and captured by ESO’s VISTA telescope at the Paranal Observatory in Chile shows an unusual view of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), a planetary nebula located 700 light-years away. The picture, taken in infrared light, reveals strands of cold nebular gas that are invisible in images taken in visible light, as well as bringing to light a rich background of stars and galaxies. The coloured picture was created from images taken through Y, J and K infrared filters. — AFP

KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday sentenced two police officers to life in prison for torturing a Kuwaiti man to death at a police station and added two more years each for forgery in official records. The court ordered their removal from their jobs for three years.

Three other officers were handed 16 years in jail each, one for 15 years and another for two years, for taking part in torturing Mohammad Ghazzai Al-Maimouni AlMutairi to death and three others related to his case. The court, under judge Adel Al-Saqer, fined two other policemen KD 200 each and acquitted 11 others, including two foreign civilian employees at Ahmadi police station.

Lawyers representing the victims said the verdict was not sufficient and vowed they will appeal against it, while defense lawyers welcomed the outcome and praised the Kuwaiti judiciary. The case that shocked the Kuwaiti society and led to the resignation of former interior minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah took place in January last year. A parliamentary probe into the case found that Mutairi, 35, was tortured mercilessly for at least six days outside and inside Ahmadi police station where certain officers attempted to cover up the case.

The torture came to light when Mutairi was taken to Ahmadi KOC hospital and was found dead by doctors who refused to change the medical report to claim that he died of other causes. Mutairi was tortured in a bid to force him to confess that he was dealing in liquor, but his ailing body did not bear the intensity of continuous torture.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

LOCAL

Visit to work visa transfer soon

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met at Seif Palace yesterday with General Director of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, Faisal Al-Jazzaf, and Kuwait’s kites team which participated in several international competitions, including one in which they broke the world record for flying the largest kite.

HRW urges govt to respect bedoons’ right to protest Authorities see stricter penalties against bedoons

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Amidst call for stricter penalties against bedoons who took part in a recent wave of demonstrations in Kuwait, Human Rights Watch (HRW ) once again urged the Kuwaiti authorities to respect people’s right to protest and freedom of expression/assembly.

Speaking with Kuwait Times on the sidelines of the launch of an HRW report on the issue of transgenders recently, Nadim Houry, deputy director Middle East and North Africa noted there has been clear violations of bedoons’ rights - be it from the threat to prevent them from peaceful gathering, violent dispersals and arrest.

“We are in close contact with many of the witnesses and participants who have given us information - we are communicating this information to the authorities here and have been calling them to respect the right of freedom of assembly, which is enshrined in the Kuwaiti constitution, in addition to their rights to gain citizenship,” he said. “It’s Kuwait’s international obligation to respect these rights,” he added.

Houry said HRW released a report on the bedoon issue in June last year calling the authorities to respect bedoons’ rights. “Again two days ago, we issued a press statement about the violent dispersals of the bedoons. We are engaged in research and advocacy on bedoons for years now, our latest big report was issued last summer, and we informed Kuwait on the importance of granting citizenship to many of the bedoons who have legitimate claims and to improve treatment and stop discrimination against them,” he asserted.

Reports from local dailies say Kuwait is looking for stricter penalties against bedoons who took part in recent demonstrations. According to a report published by Al-Rai, board of directors of the central agency dealing with illegal residents chaired by Deputy Prime Minister,

Nadim Houry Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, a series of “deterrent measures” were agreed to be taken against “bedoons who took part in illegal demonstrations during the past few weeks”.

Stricter measures include automatic disqualification from naturalization chances as well as

deportation of residents who the government claims of knowing their origins.

Anonymous sources quoted in the report indicate that these measures include some tough procedures such as sacking servicemen in the interior and defense ministries whose children participated in demonstrations which featured confrontations with the police. Other measures include taking back their housing allotment, canceling their security ID - which is considered a temporary alternative for a civil ID - as well the two toughest penalties which include disqualifying a protestor’s right to citizenship as well as deporting those who the government can prove belong to other countries. Police are reportedly going to keep an eye on social networking websites to detect “agitators who encourage violation of the law and spread chaos”, so that they can face legal action, the sources added.

On the other hand, the meeting also saw decisions in favor of speeding up the process of ending the problem of stateless residents.

According to the sources, a decision was made to boost coordination between the central agency and the interior and defense ministries in order to naturalize bedoon servicemen as soon as possible. Furthermore, a decision was reached to create a new article in the state’s residency law, through which a stateless resident who legalizes his status can enjoy permanent residency as well as self-sponsorship and sponsoring his family members. Bedoons covered by this article will also enjoy free education and health services for five years, as well as the ability to purchase subsidized food items.(Ahmad Jabr contributed to this news report)

KUWAIT: Kuwait will soon allow expatriate labor forces to transfer visitor’s visas to work permits, only if they are hired by private companies to work in public sector ventures. The announcement was made on Monday by a senior government official.

The government implemented a temporary ban late last year on visa transfer, citing the need to carry out ‘demography restructuring’ measures.

Speaking to reporters at the inauguration of a women’s conference Monday, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Undersecretary Mohammad Al-Kandari said that the plan is to allow issuing work permits to private firms which have contracts with state departments.

It is the first phase for lifting the ban.

Al-Kandari further indicated that the ministry will send a request on that regard to the Cabinet as soon as its new formation is announced following the parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, Al-Kandari revealed that

the MSAL intends to review conditions for visa transfer which are likely to be mainly exclusive to labor forces with academic qualifications. “[Kuwait’s] labor market doesn’t need more expatriate labor forces at the time”, Al-Kandari said, reiterating at the same time that the government is committed to a plan to increase the percentage of Kuwaitis in the local labor market from 31 to 34 percent by 2014.

Separately, the Kuwait Municipality reportedly plans to hold meetings with mayors of different areas around Kuwait in order to discuss the problems pertaining with the presence of clusters of single expatriate labor forces in these areas. The report, which quotes anonymous sources with knowledge of the subject, provides little information about the subject, aside from the fact that mayors were invited to give their ideas about the best solutions to solve these problems.

— Annahar & Al-Rai

Karman calls for quick solution to bedoon issue KUWAIT: Head of the central apparatus for dealing with stateless residents Saleh AlFadhalah illustrated yesterday to the visiting Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakkul Karman, efforts to solve the case of stateless individuals in the country.

He explained that the apparatus is currently considering giving nationality to a number of military personnel, children of Kuwaiti widows and divorced women, as well as higher education graduates, with the decision announced over the next few days.

Al-Fadhalah added that the country has given the issue utmost importance, with nearly 16,000 stateless persons over the past

20 years granted the nationality, while 34,000 are being considered.

“No one has been oppressed,” he told Karman, adding that Kuwait is not the only country in the world that faces the problem.

For her part, Karman said that in light of her public role and personal obligations as a Nobel laureate, the issue of illegal residents was one she regarded highly. Karman urged a speedy solution to the issue. The human rights activist won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 along with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Liberian activist Lima Ajabuaa, to become the first Arab woman to receive the prestigious honor. — KUNA

Diplomat admits Thailand embezzlement KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry is reportedly weighing legal options taken against one of its diplomat involved in an embezzlement scandal reportedly took place in Thailand during the time of former Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad AlSabah.

According to a report quoting sources with knowledge of the issue, the suspect told members of an investigations committee formed by the Foreign Ministry that he indeed committed violations at Kuwait’s

embassy in Thailand, and reportedly asked for retirement.

The diplomat along with another administrative staff member in the embassy are accused of embezzling nearly two million US dollars in an operation during a conference held in Thailand for Asian ambassadors, chaired by former minister Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah. The suspects are accused of obtaining the money through forging bills of the conference’s costs, Al-Rai reported.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

local

News

in brief

Oil export to Pakistan KUWAIT: An official from the marketing department of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said that Kuwait is not going to stop exporting oil products to Pakistan. The sources denied the news that Kuwait has refused a request from Pakistan to supply the country with oil products on long-term conditions. The source explained that the annual Kuwait exports to Pakistan amount to three million tons of diesel in addition to one million ton of fuel oil. Those contracts, the source said, are renewable annually. There is no problem in collecting the dues from the Pakistani side, the source said. The source pointed out that the supply contracts to Pakistan are strategic. KPC has been keen to provide such contracts for 30 years. He explained that there is no problem with the contract. Kuwait does not export crude oil to Pakistan but only refined products.

Two vital oil projects KUWAIT: A high ranking source knowledgeable about the oil field in Kuwait revealed that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak gave a green light to the Oil Minister Dr Mohammad Al-Busairi to start implementing the new refinery project and the environment fuel project before the end of the current year. The source said that during his visit to Ahmadi refinery which inspected KNPC projects inside the refinery, the minister said that the political leadership is very concerned with the two projects due to their economic importance and the demand in Kuwait.

Kuwait awaits Dow ruling KUWAIT: Kuwaiti oil sector and other public sectors are holding their breath in anticipation of a ruling to be made in the coming days regarding the lawsuit filed by Dow Chemical against the Kuwaiti government. Dow Chemical is reportedly seeking around $1.5 and $ 2 billion for the cancelation of a contract in 2008 for a multi-billion joint venture, which the Kuwaiti government backed down from following pressure from the parliament. According to sources within Kuwait’s oil sector, Kuwait understands that the court’s ruling is likely going to convict the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and sentence the state-owned firm to pay the compensation. The KPC remains hopeful that the court would find them not guilty of breaching the contract, or at least spare them from paying the huge compensation. During the trial, the KPC’s defense argued for the cancelation of contract based on articles in the contract which allowed the Kuwaiti government to do so, reported Al-Rai. Diabetes, dental clinics KUWAIT: According to recent statistics issued by the Ministry of Health, until December 2010 there were a total of 59 clinics for the treatment of diabetes. There was a total of 86 general clinics; the maternity clinics were 34 and the dentists’ clinics were 78; preventive medicine clinics numbered 66. Statistics also showed that the health zone of Kuwait City came first with 17 diabetes clinics compared to seven clinics in Jahra. On the other hand there were 17 preventive medicine clinics in Farwaniya and another nine in Jahra.

Ministries collect pending dues KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works spent 85 percent of the KD535 million budget allocated for projects which was launched in the fiscal 2010/2011 year, said Undersecretary Abdulaziz Al-Klaib. He further announced that several mega projects include in Kuwait’s development plan are expected to be finalized within five years. “The MPW takes part in implementing the development plan by developing projects required from other state departments”, Al-Klaib said during a press conference held recently at Sulaibiya Water Desalination Plant. He also announced that KD562 million budget is allocated for the current fiscal year (2011/2012), and that the percentage of implementation of this year’s projects reached 60 percent.

Al-Klaib explained that there are certain projects which take long time to finalize due to procedures of placing and awarding tenders. “Otherwise the spending process of state projects would’ve been faster,” he said. He further noted that the ministry implements 426 developmental projects which are all expected to be finalized within five years.

Al-Klaib further notified that the ministry canceled the contracts for several projects after contactors failed to fulfill certain requirements to ensure that the projects will be finalized on time. On a different note, the Minister of Communication Salem Al-Othaina announced that the ministry was able to collect KD80 million in dues from the period since the enforcement of the current state’s budget on April 1, 2011, to Dec 30, 2011. These dues include phone, postal and internet fees. Al-Othaina, who also holds the portfolio of minister of electricity and water, further indicated that the Ministry of Communication collected dues increased compared to the same period last year. He added that the ministry is expected to collect at least 90 percent of the total amount of dues estimated at KD167.9 million in the state budget by April 1, 2012.

- Al-Rai, Al-Qabas & Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Oil sector services employees stage strike yesterday in front of the Salhiya Complex. —Photos by Yaser Al-Zayyat

Employees of oil sector services on protest strike False promises, negligence

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: About 250 employees of the oil sector services held a strike yesterday morning in front of the Salhiya Complex demanding their promotions and other benefits which they were promised to get more than a year ago. Mohammed Al-Hajri, President of the Union of the employees of Oil Sector Ser vices Company (OSSC) said that the strike presents the justified demand towards the unjustified negligence of the company and to reject the policies of the administration of the company.

“The (OSSC) company policies cause a total collapse in all ser vices, and a decrease in the right of the employees.

We didn’t report to work today because we had to show the truth and the pain of the employees, which can’t be kept in secret anymore. We also won’t give more time for the company to solve it, after we received many false promises in the past for many years. The time came to take an

action against this administration, which is not helping the employees,” said AlHajri. According to Al-Hajri there is chaos in the company caused by its administration. “The Union was always warning about the violations and mistakes committed at the administration level. We also met with the chairman of the OSSC and told him to stop the commotion that has now spread to all the departments.

He promised to make reforms when he was the acting president. Unfortunately, when he attained the post he forgot his promises. He didn’t think of those men who are working in most difficult and dangerous conditions just to serve their country,” he noted.

The strikers have certain demands.

“Our strike today is a message of anger against the present situation of the company and we demand a correction. We won’t believe any new promises unless it was accompanied with real action. We are demanding the company to fulfill its previous promises based on the deal

between the OSSC and the board of directors of the Union. We demand increment for machine operators, to prepare a course for the firemen, to open the door for the promotion of firemen of the company, and to correct the present situation of the security department staff. The OSSC’s officials promised to do these acts more than a year ago. But till today this promise was not fulfilled,” highlighted AlHajri. The inactivated demands caused some complications in work. “Some employees were transferred to other departments randomly due to personal interests, so some workers were transformed from their original center to other centers just to fill the shortage. Also the employees of the beach force department are treated with negligence, as the officials put the rules according to their view,” he further noted.

“I refuse to start operating the subsidiary fire station Kafko. We won’t quit if the company hired employees from outside the company to operate the center”,

he stated.

Al-Hajri concluded delivering with a message to the Minister of Oil Mohammed Al-Basairi to quickly interfere to rescue the company from the collapse by giving the employees their rights. Otherwise they will continue to stage protests. Officials and members from other unions also attended the strike, such as the attorney Al-Hamidi AlSebei from the Kuwait Bar Association, who expressed his support to the strikers in demanding their rights. “ The old systems of the oil sector companies ended when the former prime minister Sheikh Nasser resigned. I call upon the new government to open the negotiation with the employees to fulfill their demands and find a solution,” he pointed out. From his side Khalid AlAnezi, the Deputy of the Union stressed that the demanders of promotion are 1500 employee. He also assured that the employees will continue to hold strikes until their demands are met.

Kuwaiti democratic experience rich, prestigious JEDDAH: Kuwaiti democratic experience is rich and distinguished and is worth of the global attention it gained, Saudi media figures said. They added that the Kuwaiti National Assembly is the most legislative council put on the spot in the region, thanks to the active political movement in the Kuwaiti parliamentary field. The editor in chief of “Shams” Saudi daily, Motlaq Al-Bgomi, said that the Kuwaiti democracy cherishes an increasing experience, especially after the political conflicts the parliament witnessed.

The Kuwaiti people could overcome such crises peacefully, due to the wisdom of politi-

cal leadership, he mentioned.

Regional conditions warrant that Kuwaiti politicians, especially those in the parliamentary domain, to be more cooperative with the Cabinet to push the development of the country forward, he affirmed. The Kuwaiti democracy is a prestigious example for all other nations to benefit from the elections and wisdom of the Kuwaiti leaders, namely their patience of facing conflicts on the local arena, he said. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s decree of parliament dissolution was the right choice to put his country on the safe track, he said.

Alghanim supports marine conservation initiative KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries is proud to announce that it has recently become an official sponsor of Al-Yaal, Kuwait’s first nationwide marine conservation initiative.

Developed by en.v, a local organization promoting social responsibility in the Arab world, Al-Yaal runs a sustained, year-long program designed to protect and restore Kuwait’s rich marine ecosystems. Its preservation activities include volunteer mobilization, education and advocacy, community engagement and weekly beach and island clean-ups. Alghanim Industries is pleased to be able to support Al-Yaal and believes its work is critically important to the preservation of Kuwait’s unique marine environment. The company particularly values Al-Yaal’s collaborative, community approach, which engages volunteers, nonprofit organizations, companies, government agencies and schools in order to achieve its preservation goals.

Commenting on Al-Yaal’s efforts, Omar K. Alghanim, CEO - Alghanim Industries, stated, “The Al-Yaal model is a great example of how communities and companies

can work together to preserve and protect the environment, while striving to set new standards for future generations.”

“Al-Yaal has witnessed a tremendous response from different sections of the wider community,” said Zahed Sultan, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, The en.v Initiative. “Alghanim Industries’ commitment to Al-Yaal demonstrates their corporate social responsibility towards protecting Kuwait’s rich and fragile marine ecosystem. The success of Al-Yaal rests largely with active participation from all factions of society.”

Al-Yaal’s preservation efforts are implemented by K’S PATH - Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat, and are focused mainly on the coast of the Bay of Kuwait from Doha to Shuwaikh, and the three islands of Umm Almaradim, Kubbar and Garoh. For more information about Al-Yaal visit www.alyaal.com. Alghanim Industries’ support of this important environmental initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility.

What is happening on the Kuwaiti local arena is of a great interest to the Saudi people, “Al-Riyad” Saudi newspaper editor in chief, member of the Board of Directors of Saudi Journalists Association, Kahlid Darraj, said. He expressed hope that the Kuwaiti people would be faithful to the political freedom offered to them, without any tribal, doctrinal or any other affiliation.

The Kuwaiti people are considered a respected example of the responsible practice of freedom, he affirmed.

The managing editor in “Al-Madeena” Saudi daily, Hassan Al-Sobhi, said that Kuwait

has a long history in democracy.

The Kuwaiti people aspire that the coming parliament would contribute in the development process in the country and the region in general, he said.

The coming stage requires the parliament to be more responsive to demands of the Kuwaiti people to guarantee prosperity of the country at all levels, he added. The ruling systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are in accordance with will of the people, and are immune enough against the so called ‘Arab Spring’, offering all possible support to citizens. —KUNA

Team to report on FTZ activities KUWAIT: A governmental team finished reports recently containing activities that will be licensed at two free trade zones planned to be built in Al-Abdaly near the northern border with Iraq, and south of the country near Al-Khairan.

The work team includes members from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministr y of Public Works, Ministr y of Interior, Kuwait Municipality and Public Authority of Industry. It is expected to pro-

vide its recommendations to a consulting committee for free trade zones in Kuwait within ten days, said sources with knowledge of the issue who also indicated that the new zones are set to have different activities from that of the current FTZ in Shuwaikh.

The FTZ in Al-Abdaly is part of a larger project which also includes creating a custom zone, the report further indicated according to a report from Al-Rai.

Calls for popular government ‘not so innocent’ KUWAIT: A number of veteran politicians who had witnessed the birth of the constitution and a group of other concerned individuals are carefully watching the calls made by some candidates to form, what was described as a ‘popular government’. The popular government is a reference to having an elected Prime Minister.

Those concerned activists predicted that such a demand will dominate the future

parliament. “Although they are not new, such calls are not so innocent”, activists say. They call for the organization of a national conference that would aim to counter such calls. It would also expose the danger of such calls for the regime, the people and Kuwait’s democracy especially at the time when regional agendas are trying to dominate the parliamentary elections.—Al-Dar

Illegal goods confiscated, roaming vendors arrested

By Hanan Al Saadoun KUWAIT: The Director General of the Kuwait Municipality, Eng Ahmad Al-Subaih, expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by the team preventing the “roaming vendors” in the

Farwaniya governorate to sell their goods illegally. He also lauded the role of the Ministry of Interior for supporting the team. Al-Subaih was speaking to the press following the confiscation of seven trucks loaded with clothes and secondhand furniture. The confiscated items included a

lorry of fruits and vegetables too. Some eight roaming vendors were arrested.

The Farwaniya Municipality Branch Director Eng, Ahmad Al-Hazeem, explained that this campaign is the first of a series of campaigns planned by the public cleanliness department in

KUWAIT: Municipality raid against ‘roaming vendors’ in progress.

Farwaniya to prevent roaming vendors from selling in public places and on the streets.

Roaming vendors, Al-Hazeem said, endangers motorists. In addition, the food is displayed next to trash dumpsters in total disregard to the health of citizens and expats.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

LOCAL kuwait digest

kuwait digest

The ball is in your court

Interior Ministry and a lingerie

By Meshaal Al-Thufairi

By Hassan Al-Essa

he ball is in the Ministry of Interior’s court. In fact, it has been in their court for a while now, but it seems every time they fail to make the right play.

While I was hoping that bedoon residents would have refrained from defying orders and opted against holding demonstrations, I was never expecting this vicious strike from police officers which gave the impression they weren’t dealing with human beings when they dispersed the bedoon’s gathering. Attacking women and children isn’t only wrong, but is very strange to our values and traditions. If the Ministry of Interior wanted to show how strong it is by overpowering the vulnerable, then I say the hell with their policy because Kuwait is a constitutional country that abides by international regulations which protect people’s freedom of expression.

No one wants to see Kuwait turn into a police state.

The interior ministry was ought to handle the situation

o some of our policemen suffer from sexual deprivation? Or do some of them have some extra lust? Does the unusual increase in testosterone levels lead to the conclusion that they can satisfy their sexual needs with homosexuals or transsexuals? These are questions and accusations that ought to be directed to the investigators at the “Yes Sir ministry” (a reference made to the Ministry of Interior). There is a need for inquiry about the sexual harassment of transsexuals and about the alleged torture as stipulated and motivated by a society dominated by 21st century gangs of female infanticides.

Speaking during a press conference hosted by Human Rights Watch representatives for the Middle East, Rasha and Nadeem, spoke of disgraceful scandals and the phenomena of abusing transsexuals. They repeatedly used the term ‘phenomena’ which aimed to demonstrate that such crimes were not isolated cases. Such cases have been alarmingly increasing lately. In the meantime nobody seems to care about the abuse against transsexuals and about violating their humanity in the police stations of ‘Former Kandahar’ and the ‘Kuwait’ of masculinity. I have previously written about an incident narrated by one of these victims about how policemen take the liberty to interpret and define the crime of ‘imitating the opposite sex’ that was incriminated by the miserable parliament in 2007 and was later blindly passed by the government. The story goes on like this: A group of policemen arrested a ‘she-male’ calling him/herself ‘Kholoud’. ‘Five policemen took me to a small room where they beat me up and forced me to strip and started touching me all over. Then one of them took off his boxers and asked me to wear it. I started crying then they played some music and made me dance naked while they touched me and kept saying that I was so beautiful. They then started beating me again asking me to act manly before they wanted to have an intercourse with me,” said Kholoud.

This is a sufficient part of Kholoud’s story. I cannot go on narrating it because I’m too ashamed to do so. What’s even worse is that law-enforcers are the ones who violate the law. Those who are supposed to enforce such a faulty law are actually committing forced sexual harassment. For them, there is no problem as long as Kholoud doesn’t have any proof to support her story and have those five ‘men’ indicted. There is no problem as long as we have a vast segment of culturally and humanly sick people who find joy in narrating such stories and praising the doers. This makes one thankful that many of the artists and writers such as Rembrandt, Oscar Wild and others were not born in the “Kuwait of studs”. However, that is of no significance now. What really matters is the reaction of senior MoI officials to this phenomena and to how Kholoud and her mates were humiliated and forcefully stripped. — Al- Jarida

T

No one wants to see Kuwait turn into a police state. The interior ministry was ought to handle the situation regarding the bedoons’ protest more adequately, instead of releasing statements that include warnings which only add to the bedoons’ chagrin. While I understand that police have the duty to implement the law, the use of security option is unacceptable under any circumstances; especially if it was to resolve political conflicts. regarding the bedoons’ protest more adequately, instead of releasing statements that include warnings which only add to the bedoons’ chagrin. While I understand that police have the duty to implement the law, the use of security option is unacceptable under any circumstances; especially if it was to resolve political conflicts.

The bedoons have become an inseparable part of the Kuwaiti society. No one denies the fact the Kuwaiti citizenship deals directly with the state’s sovereignty and thus shouldn’t be subjected to everyone’s demand. I hope it is soon granted to those who truly deserve it, while all bedoon get to enjoy their full civil rights.

Another subject I believe the Interior Ministry messed up recently is the disqualification of former MP Faisal AlMislem from the 2012 elections. I believe that this decision was rash and not thoroughly studied, because the court did not convict Al-Mislem of a crime against honesty and integrity. I blame the consultants of the government and the ministry in specific for this, since this is not the only time in which they put ministers in bad situations with unstudied decisions.

I hope that the government would avoid making hasty decisions, especially in political matters, because any mistake at the present time will be very costly. I also call upon the Ministry of Interior to give bedoons the opportunity to express their opinions at a time in which Kuwaitis prepare to exercise their democratic right of voting. — Al-Rai

kuwait digest

On bedoons’ rights

D

kuwait digest

What about personal freedoms?

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij A couple of weeks ago, police forces stormed into apartt is hard to understand Kuwaiti politicians when they show inconsistency to committing to statements they ments and camps with the pretext that they could be hostmake. It is also difficult to comprehend their supporters ing illegal activities during New Year eve partying. This reckwhen they follow whatever they say and repeat after them less behavior passed without anyone even noticing that it took place. Article 38 of the Kuwaiti Constitution says “places like a choir.

It appears that everyone has become a constitutional of residence shall be inviolable. They may not be entered expert in Kuwait. I wouldn’t mind if that means that the pub- without the permission of their occupants except in the cirlic has become aware of constitutional principles and fully cumstances and manner specified by law”. Not only did they raid apartments during understand the rights the New Year eve, police offiConstitution protects. The A couple of weeks ago, police forces cers also arrested people problem is that everyone claims to be expert in knowing stormed into apartments and camps inside which severely damaged their public image. A the rights that the with the pretext that they could be similar thing happened in Constitution protects for parliament members only, wherehosting illegal activities during New Taima days later when raided homes of as people’s rights are ignored.

Year eve par tying. This reckless police bedoon (stateless) resiSuddenly, our ‘constitutionbehavior passed without anyone dents to arrest people who al experts’ started claiming that the Constitution was even noticing that it took place. took part in a mass gathering. Remember that inciamended, after the interior Article 38 of the Kuwaiti Constitution dent when checkpoints ministry’s decision to disqualify former MP Dr Faisal Alsays: “Places of residence shall be were held at streets leadtowards the Irada Mislem from running in the inviolable. They may not be entered ing Square and police banned upcoming elections. By the without the permission of their occu- anyone from driving way, the term amendment doesn’t necessarily mean a pants except in the circumstances and through unless they show their IDs (to make sure that bad thing because it indicates manner specified by law”. Not only only Kuwaitis pass to a that changes are introduced to something in order to improve did they raid apartments during New planned public gathering)? the time, a political it. Therefore, people are ought Year eve, police officers also arrested At group informed its memto use terms such as violation people inside which severely dam- bers through Twitter to when they refer to an incident make sure that they proin which the Constitution is aged their public image. vide their IDs so that they not strictly applied. A few days can make it to the gatherago, the Ministry of Interior released an order to ban people from placing stickers on ing. So, political groups don’t see in this a violation to peotheir cars to show support for certain candidates, which basi- ple’s constitutional right of public demonstration, but they cally means depriving voters from their freedom to express feel the need to protect the Constitution from a court ruling their opinion about candidates freely. Despite the fact that that prevents exposing a confidential bank document.

Is there a chance that a parliament member could ever Article 79 of the Constitution says that laws must be passed by the National Assembly and sanctioned by His Highness receive a check as a bribe from the government in the the Amir may before they are promulgated, no reaction future? Maybe yes and maybe not, but what I’m sure of is the came whatsoever against the sticker ban decision. No candi- fact that the interior and information ministries are violating date or voter expressed their rejection to the law despite the people’s personal freedoms and freedom of expression fact that it limits personal freedoms and is a blatant interven- every day, yet our ‘constitutional experts’ choose to ignore or sometimes even encourage - these violations.— Al-Qabas tion by the government in the elections process.

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kuwait digest

How to solve bedoons issue?

By Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar

kuwait digest

By Faisal Al Zamal ne of my expats friends, a journalist who follows up the Kuwaiti affairs, has shared with me, ‘his information’, that there are 37,000 bedoons whose original passport copies are at Ministry of Interior, which are still not used against them, because Kuwaiti courts do not accept only copies to indict one person in forgery, and that the original passport will be required to prove the crime of forgery.

After checking with the list of privileges given to the bedoons, it is their right to ask for equalization, privileges and benefits. It is also their duty to uphold their status against any punishment in light that they did not hide their original documents, and not to bear the fines of delay in renewing their residency.

Indeed, why 1.9 million expat who did not cover up their credential papers are not treated like the bedoon in the same care for which an authority has been formed? It is true, every person works for improving his status, and standard of living, and on top of that to help preserve the duty of his human brothers, in religion and race (Arabs), to feel empathetic. Immigrants to Syria and Jordan from the relatives of the same brothers we have, are not treated by the government there in the same way. Is it sort of weakness? Or due to the media which look for excitements? Or due to the support from some MPs for election reasons?

The source of agony of the children who were born and brought up under these conditions have to bear up with pressure in a country that has many alternatives. He who forgets this fact is ignoring the reality and leaves it up to the media, and he indirectly calls upon the 1.9 million expats and urge them to join the list of bedoons. The easiest thing is to change a known family into a family without identity, under unjustified refusal to implement modern scientific methods to prove identity DNA. In the subject of bedoon we are talking about national responsibility for the press in publishing pictures and its way of showing the situation in all unfair way. We demand the media to take responsibility and stop pouring oil on fire and to leave the concerned people to deal with this subject. — Al-Anbaa

Free people of Taima

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By Mohammad Hayat am not writing this article to talk about the beating them back? What’s the reason behind the bedoons’ decades-long suffering, the reason ministry’s decision to prevent bedoons’ from organizwhich created their humanitarian cause, or even ing peaceful demonstrations, when they had no trouthe solutions for their problem. I want to point out bles with such demonstrations before? Was it necesthat this issue has become a time bomb waiting to sary for the ministry to use all that artillery and police explode any minute because people can tolerate force as if they were going through a war? Does the definition of restoring order mean beating unarmed everything but living without freedom and dignity.

Human beings might be able to cope with the dif- young men and women, or violating their constituficulties of living without a citizenship, identification, tional rights? Does it mean that the government or health, educational and housing services. believes in smoke bombs, water cannons and use of However, they can’t live a single day without human force as the way to implement the law? Is it by arrestdignity and freedom; the two aspects which fuel their ing peaceful protesters and reporters how the government shows its comdetermination to fight mitment to the constituhardships of life. The Criticizing the interior ministry for tion?

Ministry of Interior took There are people who away the bedoons’ conbanning bedoons’ demonstrations is unfortunately choose to stitutional freedom understandable. But what is totally remain silent on the intewhen they denied them unacceptable is the irresponsible rior ministry’s assassinathe right to organize peaceful demonstrabehavior of police in using force to tion for the values of and humanity, tions in which they can disperse their gathering. This behav- freedom and avoid criticizing tell the world about ior is a clear violation to the constitu- police’s use of force their sufferings, and express their opinions tion that protects freedom of demon- against bedoon protestTaima’s bedoons not about how the Cabinet stration for all humans living in ers. only live without citizenand parliament are actKuwait regardless of their nationality, ships, but also without ing to end their probfreedom, rights, or politilem. Criticizing the intereligion or race. cal groups supporting rior ministry for banning their cause. However, bedoons’ demonstrations is understandable. But what is totally unaccept- they still refuse to live without faith or dignity.

Dear Minister of Interior, freedom is a right to all able is the irresponsible behavior of police in using force to disperse their gathering. This behavior is a human beings, not a privilege exclusive to Kuwaiti clear violation to the constitution that protects free- citizens. Dear fellow Kuwaiti citizens, we had strongly dom of demonstration for all humans living in Kuwait criticized the interior ministry when police beat up citizens and MPs at [former MP Jamaan] Al-Harbash’s regardless of their nationality, religion or race.

Why is the interior ministry deliberately suppress- diwaniya. Why aren’t you doing the same against vioing people’s right? Why do they continue provoking lation of human dignity in Taima? I demand freedom protesters so that police can carry out their habit of for the detained people of Taima. — Al-Rai

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s predicted long ago, the bedoons issue is getting more complicated. We have written about and studied it over twenty years ago noting that the problem would only be solved through a humanitarian perspective. Nevertheless, successive governments have insisted on resorting to security solutions as the only way through, which proved to be a total failure and added more complications that has jeopardized Kuwait’s security both locally and internationally.

Despite the failure, some parties still believe they’d be able to solve the problem security-wise, which led to the violations committed last Friday in Taima and Sulaibiya.

In a bid to cover up for its failure, official apparatuses started making stories and spreading rumors about how the bedoons went out on demonstrations, about those encouraging them and why they went out in the first place. Bedoons were classified according to sects and races. Things even went as far as accusing some sheikhs who are in bad terms with the current PM of having bedoons go out on demonstrations in an attempt to link their revolt to what’s going on in other GCC states.

All such rumors that were deliberately spread by some security officials, are only attempts to escape facing the real problem, which is: Bedoons were only motivated by their own sufferings.

If the government is really keen on safeguarding Kuwait and ensuring its security, excessive use of unjustified force should be stopped immediately. We already have enough testimonies indicting security forces, which is something we didn’t expect to happen. The question now is: Does the government really want to solve the bedoons’ problem? The way to the best solution includes a few short-term and long-term measures to be taken such as: • Immediately releasing detainees and dropping any charges against the demonstrators arrested last February.

• Issuing valid civil IDs bedoons can use in running daily errands with dignity • Ending the forged passports issue in which the Interior Ministry takes part of the blame for encouraging bedoons to issue them • Ending the security restrictions issue immediately • Granting citizenship to those who deserve it • Issuing a law on civil rights as soon as possible These are but some measures to help solve the problem once and for all in a way that would observe human dignity and safeguards national security. So, is there anyone at the top of our political hierarchy who is so keen on Kuwait’s security? I have no answer! —Aljarida

A

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

local

Kuwait on development track despite domestic wrangling Vital projects in the works in 2012

KRCS sends aid to Gaza KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) announced yesterday the dispatch of a plane with relief supplies including medicines and dates to Gaza Strip. The aid is sent according to instructions by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Chairman of KRCS Barjas Al-Barjas said that His Highness the Amir ordered dispatching urgent medical assistance to 400 children suffering from kidney failure.

KRCS is supervising the delivery of this

aid, and the batch will be delivered to the human right committee in Gaza.

The Kuwaiti aid offered to the Palestinians is considered urgent, in light of catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip, he affirmed. Kuwait is always a pioneer in offering aid to the Palestinians, and has been always of great support to them, he added. He expressed the appreciation to the Kuwaiti embassy in Cairo for facilitating the work of KRCS in offering assistance to people suffering in Gaza. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society aid to Gaza Strip.

No school fee increase in the pipeline: MoE official KUWAIT: The Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Private Education Affairs, Fahad Al-Ghaiss stressed that he had rejected a request made by the Private School Owners Union (PSOU) to increase the fees collected from students. “The fee increases have to be logical and fully studied by the Ministry of Education prior to implementation”, stressed Al-Ghaiss.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with PSOU members, Al-Ghaiss said that the ministry requested a detailed memo including the justifications from PSOU about the new increases. Consecutively, the ministry could study the memo and accordingly make the right decision.

Al-Ghaiss also said that all the textbook fees had been paid with the first payment to be processed by April - the beginning of the government’s fiscal year. He further explained that all private

school administration had been instructed not to issue any directives and circulate them amongst schools without checking with the ministry to make sure they all match the regulations, something which was not previously observed

by PSOU. Also, Al-Ghaiss said that text books’ cost prices would be set with a limit according to the actual cost plus extra cost paid for transport, loading, unloading and storage.

Speaking about private school teachers’ residency visas, Al-Ghaiss said the grace given to teachers to transfer to other schools was extended to a month maximum.

He also noted that PSOU demanded stamping new residency visas for new teachers before they are interviewed.

This proposal, however, was rejected on the grounds that the interviews would be made without delay. — Al-Jarida

Candidates experience painful stress in campaigns KUWAIT: Nominees vying to occupy seats in the upcoming parliament experience enormous stress and psychological pressure and worries, painful sentiments that worsen with approach of the eventful day of ballotcasting.

Dr Ibrahim Al-Ali, psychological consultant, affirmed the necessity that the candidate be surrounded with an intimate atmosphere, provided by family and close friends, in the elections’ run-up campaign.

Some candidates may need support from fellow

citizens, who had gone through this experience, and be spared mental difficulties such as lack of focus, he said, calling on family of a nominee, male or female, to grasp the prevailing psychological condition of their loved one, seeking to win a parliament seat, and understand possible nervous reactions.

A wife, closest person to a married candidate, could play most effective role in this respect.

Dr Hassan Al-Musawi, also a psychology specialist, said families of many candidates become preoccupied with the elections

issue prior to the day of polling. “ The election becomes top priority for the family, at the expense of other matters,” he cautioned.

He also affirmed role of the wife in such conditions, where the husband, campaigning for the polls, become preoccupied with seminars, rallies and meetings. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait can look back on 2011 as a year characterized by higher than expected oil revenues and developmental progress despite domestic political wrangling and turmoil in the global market. As OPEC’s third largest producer, pumping around 2.9million barrels of oil per day, Kuwait benefitted from rising demand bolstered by the loss of Libyan exports to conflict as well as global supply concerns.

Crude oil prices increased 10 percent in 2011 after climbing 15 percent in 2010, with Brent-oil futures for February settling at $108.09 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange in the same month.

Confidence in oil prices was reflected in an exceptional budget for 2011-12, announced in January of last year, with projected spending of KD19.4 billion, a 19 percent jump from the previous year. Though seen as ambitious, last month monitoring firms reported that a budget surplus in the first six months of the 2011-12 fiscal year would reach at least KD8.9billion. The 2011-12 budget was based on a conservative oil price of $60 per barrel.

One focus has been so-called mega-projects, on which the government has planned an outlay of KD37 billion by 2014. Kuwait’s Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC) in June approved two long-stalled oil initiatives worth more than KD 8 billion. Al- Jarida said the SPC approved the building of a new refinery and the upgrading of two of three existing refineries to raise output and produce cleaner products.

In November, the Ministry of Public Works confirmed that another 300 projects were under way at an annual cost of KD500 million, as part of the State Development Strategy. In an interview with KUNA, Fadhel Safar, the minister of public works and the minister of state for municipal affairs, explained that planned initiatives included “several mega

and vital projects, such as construction of a passenger terminal at the airport, securing treated water for diverse usage, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and developing the islands of Boubyan and Failaka”.

However, market research firms have stressed the need to tackle the debts of investment companies to get vast infrastructure development

ery,” wrote a team of analysts at Moody’s Investors Service in a July report.

However, the political processes were also hampered in 2011 by disputes in parliament, with opposition lawmakers protesting in November against the rule of Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed Al-Sabah, who later that month resigned as prime minis-

KUWAIT: File photo shows Kuwait Stock Exchange during active trading. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat plans back on track. Bloomberg ter. Former defence minister Sheikh reported in December that about 10 Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Alpercent of bank lending in Kuwait is Sabah was quickly selected for the to investment companies, some of post, and he has pledged to “serve which have defaulted since the Kuwait’s higher interests, and push onset of the global financial crisis, the national action for the sake of hampering the $125billion develop- comprehensive development to achieve prosperity,” according to ment plan.

“Kuwait’s government has regional media. The political tenannounced an extensive investment sions are believed to have had an program for the next four years, but impact on the Kuwait Stock bureaucracy and legacy exposures Exchange (KSE), with many investors of distressed investment companies awaiting the outcome of parliamenmay subdue the economic recov- tary elections next month. The KSE

price fell by 16.14 percent by the end of September 2011, reaching 5833.10 points, with regional political events and the eurozone crisis cited as major contributing factors.

In terms of year-to-date performance up to September 2011, the index declined by 19.28 percent.

However, the KSE did benefit from stability in the banking sector, with profits or slight dips reported by most banks and international ratings agencies giving a boost to two major lenders in December alone.

While Fitch affirmed the Industrial Bank of Kuwait with a long-term issuer default rating of “A+” with a stable outlook, Standard & Poor’s raised its long- and shortterm counterparty credit ratings on Kuwait-based Gulf Bank. The latter saw an 8 percent year-on-year rise in third quarter profits to KD9.1 million, with the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) reporting a third-quarter net profit of KD78.9 million, compared with a forecast of KD74.7 million.

The central bank was unable, however, to lower inflation in 2011, with the rate edging up an annual average of 4.7 percent, according to November projections by the NBK. The Central Statistical Office (CSO) had reported a month earlier a rise of 150 points in the consumer’s price index for September 2011, compared to 143.5 points in September of 2010. Figures from October showed food prices rose 9 percent year-on-year; clothing, 4 percent; and education and health services, 3.4 percent; according to the CSO. The rise in prices has not dampened growth in real estate, with KUNA reporting in November the sector’s third-quarter performance had bucked fluctuation trends in the KSE. Sales activity in the real estate sector rose by KD60 million in October, a 43.8 year-on-year increase over last September.

— Oxford Business Group

Next phase very critical, needs more cooperation: Al-Masab KUWAIT: Candidate of the Fourth Constituency for the 2012 National Assembly elections Falah Al-Masab said yesterday that the next stage is very critical and needs serious and fruitful cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities to raise the country to the level of developed nations.

The Kuwaiti people are looking forward to seeing development and prosperity in all areas.

This needs our cooperation and understanding on how to manage work via righteous and constitutional methods, Al-Masab said in press statement, stressing on importance of folding the page of the past and opening a new page that would pave the way for a joint work and construction in order to accomplish many pending files. He noted that Kuwaitis want from the next assembly and government to enter the real construction phase, in which citizen could see a new approach of cooperation and work between legislative and executive authorities through implementing plans and projects on land and interpreting them in an accurate way and not just “ink on paper”.

Many citizens are building hopes on next assembly, since it is already carrying the slogans of reformation and development and protection of the Constitution and constitutional gains, AlMasab said, calling on choosing the ideal representative of Kuwait and who could take the country to a better future for next generations.

Also, he stressed on holding on to national

Iraq demands compensations for 2008 blast KUWAIT: After four whole years since the terrorist blast that claimed hundreds of innocent lives at the Zanjeeli City, Nainawa in 2008, some Iraqi parliamentarians demanded that Kuwait must compensate the victims over accusations that two Kuwaitis were involved in plotting and executing the blast.

Speaking at a press release, the Iraqi MPs stressed that the two Kuwaitis had been just released from Guantanamo when the explosion took place. Three days later, the Pentagon said it was closing down Guantanamo which was a serious mistake as “it detained the world’s most dangerous criminals, including the ones responsible for the Zangeeli blast.”

The MPs added that the Iraqi parliament intends to get verified facts about the involvement of a Kuwaiti in the blast to sue him. They added that if the suspect was proven killed, the Kuwaiti government would have to compensate the families of the victims.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said that the Iraqi PM, Nouri AlMaliki would visit Kuwait soon adding that Iraq had already fulfilled many of its obligations with regards to the border demarcation.

Al-Khaled also said that Kuwait would supply Iraq with developed detection equipment to be used in searching for the remains of Kuwaiti prisoners of war, Al-Dar reported.

unity and melt in the love of the country, calling on all voters to put Kuwait in their main priorities and vote for the most capable candidate of carrying the task of representing the Kuwaiti people without giving any regards to ideological or tribal considerations.

Call for cooperation First constituency candidate Nezar Al-Mulla said Monday that the successive political conflicts caused depression among citizens. He called on all Kuwaiti citizens to go to the polling stations to secure a “qualitative transformation.”

Talking at the launch of his election campaign he said this transformation would trigger better legislative action. He further asserted importance of laws that fight corruption and disclose financial status of senior officials. Al-Mulla called for criminalizing discrimination against all segments of the society. Another first constituency candidate, Eid Al-Heem, said that the cooperation of legislative and executive authorities was very important for the sake of development. Launching his campaign, Al-Heem said it was time for payback for Kuwait. Al-Mulla called for implementing the law.

He said he sought to develop health and housing services.

Devotion to families Families with a single income, demands of Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis and single women without support are the pillars of

the election platform of the second constituency candidate, Dr. Hamad Al-Matar. Al-Matar, contending for a seat in the National Assembly in the 2012 election, February 2, said in a statement released yesterday that support for the social rights of women is one of the major issues he has adopted in his campaign. He called for securing housing for women, increasing the housing loans for widows and divorcees from KD 45,000 to KD 70,000 and putting “an end to the plights of the widows and the divorcees and those Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis.” He also urged for the need of an economic development which requires upgrading the infrastructure and creating a lucrative economic environment.

Vote for qualified candidates Candidate of the fifth constituency for the 2012 National Assembly elections, Bassam AlIbrahim, affirmed yesterday that the process of political rests with the voters’ choosing qualified candidates. “Political change does not happen within a vacuum; change can happen in a suitable environment and conditions that pave a way for comprehensive reform which help defuse repeated crises,” Al-Ibrahim said in a press statement. He called for the creation of a political environment that supports and contributes to the future and which is tied to the aspirations of the citizens. Such a system depends on the participation of all political forces and youth.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

local

Kuwaiti students demand right to cast vote abroad Time right to amend election law

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received yesterday Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakul Karman. The foreign minister congratulated the Yemeni woman activist on her prestigious prize, and expressed admiration of the Yemenis leading the revolution in her country. He reiterated the State of Kuwait’s respect of Arab Peoples’ right to live in peace and prosperity, and also hailed the local newspaper, Al-Qabas, for its praiseworthy gesture of extending invitation to the activist to visit the country as its honored guest.

KUWAIT: Amid all the demands for change expected to be addressed by the new parliament, after the Feb 2 elections, students abroad have one of their own: The right to absentee vote. Students stressed that this year’s elections come at the most difficult time of the academic year and they are unable to drop all their assignments and tasks to come home and vote. Just as eager as fellow citizens are at home, students are keeping up with the latest news, concerns, and even rumors, which makes the distance a two-fold pain. The head of the executive body of the National Union of Kuwaiti Students, Ahmad Al-Sumait, recalled that the election law deprives a large part of citizens the right to vote. In his words such a status quo is not acceptable for many reasons, one of which is the fact that they are most vulnerable and affected by the decisions to be taken regarding students’ issue by next parliament. In addition to the timing, the financial burden also prevents them from coming home to vote, he noted. He said that it was

reasonable to have committees at the Kuwaiti embassies abroad that would handle absentee voting.

Lawyer Yousef Al-Hajri for his part stressed this is a grievous loophole in the law; Kuwaiti law gives all citizens the right to vote, yet does not allow the mechanisms to uphold this right for Kuwaitis abroad.

The legislators missed out on stating a means to allow such people to vote, while the right is clearly stated in Kuwait’s constitution. The failure to address this state of affairs continued since the issue of the laws of 1962 and its later amendments.

Those Kuwaitis living or studying abroad are denied a constitutional right, while the election law only dictates that military and police personnel are not allowed to vote, he said adding that legislators ought to consider an amendment that would allow absentee voting if our democracy is to be truly realized.

A similar demand was made by Mohammad Al-Rishidi, a student in Egypt, who said that while youth constitutes the

greater majority of the Kuwaiti population, a considerable part of this group is denied the chance to practice such a fundamental right.

Abdelrazzaq Riyasdh, a student enrolled in the US, also remarked that failure to provide means for students and citizens abroad to practice their constitutional right sends a message, many would argue, that the political leadership does not give heed to their voice nor their demands and expectations.

Another complaint he expressed was that the media fails to give due focus to students abroad and their activities as well as their reactions to major developments at home.

This group would have a considerable weight, should they join the voting process, he stressed.

In a sentiment that all those interviewed shared, Riyasdh said that “the younger group of voters, mainly students whether at home or abroad, has many creative and fresh ideas and close understanding of the issues of the times and needs to be given the chance to make a difference and contribute.”— KUNA

‘Opening of new university by 2013’ MANAMA: Kuwait’s Minister of Education, Minister of Higher Education and Minister of Justice Ahmed Al-Mulaifi anticipated here yesterday the grand opening of academic year for the newly government-run university by 2013.

Minister Al-Mulaifi said that the new university will include areas of study specialized mainly in scientific and technological fields, adding, “We seek the quality of education and quality of outcomes through the new university, as well as offering a distinguished higher education on regional and international levels”.

While the new university’s own private buildings and facilities are still

under construction, classes and lectures will be held in some government-run buildings during the new academic year, Al-Mulaifi said.

He stressed that the goal of establishing the new university was not only to take off excessive occupancy at Kuwait University, but also to allow students to use the latest educational technology and curriculums, and offer them areas of study that are suitable for work market.

He pointed out that a four-month plan has been formed to establish vision, goal, and curriculums, affirming his keenness on the full completion of the university as soon as possible. —KUNA

Kuwaiti participation in civil engineering conference in Amman AMMAN: The Jordan Engineers Association yesterday started its Fifth International Civil Engineering Conference, in the capital Amman. A delegation representing Kuwait Ministry of Public Works is among the participants.

Head of the delegation Wael Mohammad Al-Msaed, said that such gatherings are valuable because they allow experience exchange and discussion of and introduction to recent developments in the field of civil engineering.

Keeping up with the latest technologies is important, and technical advancement and standards is one indicator by which nations are weighed today, he said.

Furthermore, engineer in the Mega Projects Division at the Ministry, Abdullah Saidan Al-Azmi, remarked that this is an opportunity to shed light on Kuwaiti achievements. The engineer expressed appreciation for the efforts of Kuwait’s diplomatic mission in facilitating the delegation’s arrangements for this event. He added that such an event would bolster cooperation between the

two countries in this field.

The three-day event focuses on seven main themes and reviews 44 papers presented by specialists from 15 countries.

The papers cover technical specifics related to earthquakes, transportation, water, environment and resources, construction, and sustainable development and green building.

Along with Al-Msaed and Al-Azmi, the Kuwaiti delegation also includes Salem Farraj Al-Dosiri and Mohammad Shkheir Al-Enezi. The event was inaugurated by the Jordanian Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya AlKisbi, who addressed the participants.

The Dean of the Jordanian Civil Engineers Abdullah Ebeidat stressed on the importance of exchange of expertise and keeping up with the latest advancements. The participating delegations include 400 engineers from Kuwait, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Malaysia, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Sudan, Lebanon, Turkey, Oman, Palestine, and from the host country.— KUNA

KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Satish C. Mehta inaugurating the Gulfmart Mini Supermarket in Salmiya.

Gulfmart opens mini supermarket in Salmiya KUWAIT: The Gulfmart Mini Supermarket was opened by the Indian Ambassador Satish C. Mehta on Friday in presence of invitees and a large crowd. The new mini supermarket, which is located in the heart of Salmiya residential area in Block 10, Building 57 and 58, on Street 1 of Al Dhahak Bin Qays Street, is visible from all around with its distinctive blue awning and widely recognized brand signage.

With the launch of this mini outlet, Gulfmart is now looking to replicate the

NUKS honors NBK for support KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) Group Deputy CEO Isam Al-Sager received a delegation from the National Union of Kuwaiti Students-USA (NUKS) recently. The delegation honored NBK for sponsoring the NUKS annual conference.

“Kuwaiti students studying abroad deserve our utmost attention and support,” said Al-Sager. “NBK is always keen to support NUKS activities as part of our commitment towards Kuwaiti youth and

students.”

Nasser Bin Nasser, NUKS President, and Ali Al-Fajji, Head of Freshman Committee, visited NBK to honor the bank for its sponsorship of the NUKS 28th annual conference held from Nov 24 to 27 in Los Angeles.

NBK hosted a dinner banquet for attendees. Surprises, cash prizes and luxurious gifts for Kuwaiti students studying in the States were given at the banquet.

mat and mini-format supermarkets, we will be able to provide customers with the widest shopping options. Consumers will have the choice of convenience and easy accessibility provided by our mini supermarkets, as well as greater variety and wider selection provided by our larger supermarkets.” “Our new mini supermarkets are designed to ensure that it provides the best service to our customers through convenient, easily accessible locations close to their residence,” he said.

Woman files case against beauty salon KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti woman filed a case at Adan police station against a beauty salon staff member who caused her permanent damage in her right eye after giving her a collagen injection. Following the procedure that happened at her home in the area, the woman reportedly felt pain in her right eye and eventually rushed to the hospital after she started losing her eyesight. The doctor explained that the main artery of her right eye is severely damaged following the injection. She brought a medical report and pressed charges afterwards. Police are looking to summon the beauty salon staff member for investigations.

Indian driver dead Police launched investigation into a homicide case filed after a dead body of an Indian was found recently in Sabah Al-Salem. Officers headed to a location near a baqala (small grocery store) in the area where the finding was reported. The victim was identified as a middle-aged Indian man who worked as a driver to a Kuwaiti family. Investigators found evidence of foul play at the scene, including blood under the victim’s body. The forensic department received the body for an autopsy to reveal the cause of death.

KUWAIT: NBK Group Deputy CEO Isam Al-Sager and NBK Public Relations Manager Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid with Bin Nasser and Al-Fajji.

brand success by expanding its footprint into niche residential areas.

Underlining Gulfmart’s upbeat sentiment on the future of retailing in Kuwait, Remesh T.A., Country Manager for Gulfmart said that in addition to opening several more Gulfmart Mini Supermarkets across the country, “We will be opening, within the first quarter of this year, a further three large-format Gulfmart Supermarkets in the areas of Salwa, Fahaheel and Farwaniya. As we push ahead simultaneously with both large-for-

Lawbreakers busted Forty eight Asian residents were arrested in Farwaniya during a recent crackdown on residency violators and other lawbreakers, carried out by police and Kuwait Municipality officers. The 6-hour campaign also featured inspection to apartments suspected of offering international calling services illegally. The hunt was handled by an inspection team from the Ministry of Commerce who accompanied the police team during the campaign. The detainees were taken to the relevant authorities for further action.

Man stabs brother Police are on the hunt for a Kuwaiti man who faces multiple charges including attempted murder.

The suspect disappeared following a brutal brawl with his brother during

which he was reportedly under the influence of narcotics. Police and paramedics rushed to a house in AlDoha where a citizen was reported stabbed during a fight. The 34-yearold victim was taken to Al-Sabah Hospital where he was resuscitated.

He was later discharged and headed to his area’s police station to press charges against his brother. He told police that a fight ensued when he had an argument with his brother over being inebriated. According to the victim’s statement to police, the suspect used a kitchen knife and a chopper during the attack.

operate a poultry shop in Al-Qusour.

He explained to police that he went in a dispute with the three over chicken sale price, after which they reportedly locked him inside the shop and beat him up before kicking him out. A case was filed for investigations as police look to summon the alleged attackers.

Nurse attacked A male nurse at a medical center in Al-Sabah Medical Zone filed a case at Al-Shuwaikh police station after he was physically assaulted by two brothers at his workplace.

According to his statements, the vic-

tim got into a dispute with the two bedoon assailants when he refused to cooperate with their instructions in treating their ill father. The senior who is suffering from cancer was rushed to the ER of the Badriya Ahmad Center, where his condition stabilized after being put on an oxygen mask. His two sons however were reportedly insisting that the nurse puts the patient on an oxygen mask specialized for treating cases of obstructive pulmonary. Police are looking to summon the suspects for investigations. —Al-Rai, Al-Anbaa, Al-Watan, Al-Qabas

Gambler nabbed Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh patrol officers arrested an Asian man in the area involved in illegal gambling activities.

The man raised suspicions after he was pulled over in the area when 12 passports were found in his possession. He claimed that he works as a company representative and entrusted with staff passports. However, police learned after contacting the passports’ owners that the suspect actually was keeping them until they pay him money they lost in gambling.

The suspect was taken to the proper authorities to face charges.

Friends row A search is currently ongoing for a man who stabbed his friend repeatedly during a brawl reported recently in Al-Qusour. The suspect escaped before police reported to the crime scene. Officers and paramedics had rushed to a house in the area where a man was reported being attacked at his diwaniya. After he was hospitalized, the victim told officers at Al-Adan Hospital that the suspect was his friend who attacked him over unsettled disputes. A case was filed for investigations.

‘Fowl’ play Three workers at a local poultry shop face charges after reportedly beating a customer following altercations over differences on sale price.

North Jahra Police Station officers were approached by a Kuwaiti man who demanded to press imprisonment charges for three Egyptian men who

KUWAIT: Drugs authorities arrested a Pakistani expat in possession of 100 grams of heroin, following tips about the suspect’s activities. Investigations revealed that he is a taxi driver in Abu Halifa area. A warrant was obtained and he was arrested. The drugs were found in his house, and he confessed to selling drugs. Meanwhile Abdaly border security arrested an Iraqi man as he attempted to smuggle 60,000 keptagone tablets.

—Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

Judge who targeted Pinochet in court

Syrian rebel chief asks world to stop bloodshed Page 8

Page 9

ISOLA DEL GIGLIO: Rescue divers retrieve a body from the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia off the Isola del Giglio yesterday. Divers searching for survivors inside the stricken cruise ship off the Italian coast have found five more bodies, Italian journalists reported. — AFP

Prosecutors call for captain to be denied bail Explosions used in hunt for 24 missing on Italian liner GIGLIO: Italian coastguards pleaded angrily with the captain of a stricken super-liner to return to his ship, according to recordings released yesterday as divers found five more bodies in the half-submerged wreck of the Costa Concordia.

The discoveries took the known death toll to 11, leaving 24 people, including a number of German tourists, unaccounted for four days after the giant cruiser carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew was ripped open by rocks off a Tuscan island.

Captain Francesco Schettino is in jail, blamed by his employer for risking thousands of lives and half a billion dollars of ship in a reckless display of bravado. Yesterday, rescuers used explosives to blast through the maze of luxury cabins, bars and spas, fast losing hope of finding anyone alive.

Inside the wreck heavy floating furniture and pitch-black conditions made conditions very dangerous.

A tearful firefighter told Reuters: “Virtually all the dry part has been searched. It would need a miracle to find anyone alive in the wet part.” No sur vivors have been found since Sunday. Before the five bodies were found on Tuesday, those missing were 14 German, five Italian, four French and two American passengers and four crew from Italy, Peru, India and Hungary.

Schettino is accused of multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck by sailing too close to shore and abandoning ship before all his passengers and crew scrambled off. At an appearance before a magistrate, Schettino said he believed he should be credited with saving “hundreds, if not thousands of lives” because he brought the ship close to shore after it hit a rock, lawyer Bruno Leporatti said.

Schittino also claimed that he did not abandon the ship while passengers were still aboard. But newspaper Corriere della Sera released what it said was a recording of ship-to-shore radio communications in which the enraged coastguards repeatedly order him back on board.

“Listen Schettino, perhaps you have saved yourself from the sea, but I will make you look very bad. I will make you pay for this. Dammit, go back on board!” one coastguard says.

Speaking by radio from a lifeboat, Schettino pleads: “Do you realise that it is dark and we can’t see anything?”

The coastguard shouts back: “So,

what do you want to do, to go home, Schettino?! It’s dark and you want to go home? Go to the bow of the ship where the ladder is and tell me what needs to be done, how many people there are, and what they need! Now!” Officials did not confirm the tape’s origins but other shouts heard in the background added authenticity. The Coast Guard official on the tape told a local newspaper he could tell by the “tone of the captain’s voice” that something was ver y wrong.

Schettino’s lawyer said he would not comment.

The owners of the 114,500-tonne vessel - the biggest passenger ship ever wrecked and twice the tonnage of the Titanic - accused their captain of causing the disaster by sharply deviating from the charted course.

The ship foundered after striking a rock as dinner was being served on Friday night. The owners say the captain swung inshore to “make a bow” to the islanders, who included a retired Italian admiral. Investigators say it was within 150 metres of shore.

Schettino has denied the charges and was questioned by magistrates yesterday morning. Three controlled blasts were detonated early yesterday to allow firefighters and scuba divers to enter inaccessible parts of the ship.

“Now we will have better access to the gathering points on the ship, where it seems there might be more chance of finding someone, dead or alive,” said firefighters’ spokesman Luca Cari. “They will take micro-cameras in there, and we will be simultaneously looking at the few remaining dry areas and also the wet areas,” he said. The weather improved slightly from Monday but seas were still choppy. The giant cruiseship, a floating pleasure palace of bars, spas, giant state rooms and tennis courts, slid a little on Monday, threatening to plunge 2,300 tonnes of fuel below the Mediterranean waters of the surrounding marine nature reserve.

This forced a brief suspension of rescue efforts, which were also halted during the night. Hopes of finding more survivors are fast fading, more than three days after the 290-metre long ship rolled on its side with a long gash in its hull.

Most of the passengers and crew survived despite hours of chaos and confusion after the collision. The alarm was raised not by an SOS from the ship but mobile phone calls from passengers on board to Italian police

on the mainland.

Video taken from a rescue helicopter in the early hours of Saturday, using a night vision camera, showed an extraordinary scene of dozens of passengers being gingerly lowered on ropes down the upturned hull of the ship into rescue boats. The wreck, with a long gash below the waterline, looms over the normally tranquil island of Giglio.

Senior firefighter Luciano Roncalli told Reuters that all the unsubmerged areas of the liner had been searched.

Environment Minister Corrado Clini said he would declare a state of emergency because of the risk that the ship’s fuel would leak into the pristine Tuscan Archipelago National Park. No fuel spillage has been detected so far, he said.

Clini said yesterday morning that he had given the salvage company until today to come up with a plan to remove the fuel and 10 days for a plan to remove the ship.

“You don’t have to be a Nobel prize winner to understand that a ship of that size should stay far from the coast,” Clini said on television yesterday morning. Schettino’s lawyer issued a statement saying the skipper was “broken up, troubled and saddened by the loss of life”. But he believed he had saved many lives by carrying out a difficult emergency manoeuvre with anchors after the accident, which turned the ship closer to the shore.

The father of the ship’s head waiter told Reuters his son had telephoned him before the accident to say the crew would salute him by blowing the ship’s whistle as they passed close by Giglio, where both the waiter, Antonello Tievoli, and his 82-year-old father Giuseppe live.

Costa Cruises chief executive Pier Luigi Foschi on Monday blamed errors

by Schettino for the disaster. He told a news conference the company would provide its captain with any assistance he required. “But we need to acknowledge the facts and we cannot deny human error,” he added.

Foschi said company vessels were forbidden to come closer than 500 metres to the Giglio coast. Schettino denies being too close and says the rock he hit was not marked on charts.

The ship is resting in about 20 metres (60 feet) of water but could go down by as much as 130 metres if it shifts free from the rocks. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

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

French judge seeks access to Guantanamo over torture claims PARIS: A French judge has requested access to Guantanamo to probe claims by three Frenchmen that they were tortured at the notorious jail which US President Barack Obama once promised to close. Judge Sophie Clement wants permission from the US authorities to inspect and copy all documents relating to the three men and to interview all persons who had contact with them there, according to legal documents seen by AFP. The judge requested access to “all documents relating to the justification and modalities of (US) armed operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to the treatment of persons arrested during these operations,”

the documents said.

The three Frenchmen who made the accusations-Mourad Benchellali, Nizar Sassi and Khaled Ben Mustaphawere arrested in late 2001 on the Afghan-Pakistani border and sent to Guantanamo.They were allowed to return to France in 2004 and 2005 and were detained for periods of between 11 and 17 months.

They were sentenced by a French court to one year in prison on terrorism charges in 2011 but have said they will appeal that decision. A lawyer representing two of the men, William Bourdon, said judge Clement’s request to US authorities was “without prece-

dent and should enable us to identify those responsible for this arbitrary detention and torture.”Benchellali said that soon after his arrest he was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan where he says he was beaten and forced to strip, and then made to lie on top of other naked men while US soldiers took photos. Ben Mustapha said he was subjected to sexual abuse in Kandahar, which judge Clement said in the legal documents might lead to rape charges.

All three former inmates told of gruelling interrogations during which they were beaten. They also said that they were put in cells and subjected to blasting music from several sources to

deprive them of sleep.Ben Mustapha said interrogators would provoke inmates by trampling on the holy Quran or throwing the Muslim holy book into buckets of prisoners’ excrement. The US base at Guantanamo, Cuba, accepted its first prisoners from the battlefields of the US-led “war on terror ” on January 11, 2002, four months after Al-Qaeda flew hijacked jets into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Obama declared within a few hours of taking office in January 2009 that he would shutter the camp within a year, saying it was used as a recruiting tool for terrorists, and detrimental to US national security.

But in the face of deep opposition in Congress to moving inmates to the US mainland or holding civil trials for key Al-Qaeda suspects, Obama has failed to live up to his vow. A decade on, 171 prisoners remain there, most in legal limbo, some awaiting transfer abroad, and at least 40 may never face justice but are deemed too dangerous to ever be freed.

A dozen European countries from Ireland to Albania have accepted more than 50 former inmates who are either citizens, former residents or, in many cases, cannot be returned to their home countries for fear of ill-treatment. — AFP

Attackers kill 51 in South Sudan clashes ‘The whole night they burned the town’

LONDON: Journalist James Harding, editor of The Times newspaper, leaves the High Court in central London yesterday, after giving evidence at the Leveson Inquiry. The inquiry is being led by Lord Justice Leveson and is looking into the culture, practice and ethics of the British press in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal. — AFP

Anger at military crackdown after Nigerian fuel strike ends LAGOS: A military crackdown on protests in Nigeria drew harsh criticism yesterday after the country’s unions ended a weeklong strike over fuel costs following the president ’s decision to reduce petrol prices.

The governor of Lagos state, which includes Nigeria’s economic capital and largest city by the same name, strongly criticised the deployment of troops who shot into the air and chased away protesters with armoured vehicles on Monday.

Local media also reported a statement said to be from Nobel literature prize winner Wole Soyinka that demanded “the immediate and unconditional removal of these soldiers.” He could not be immediately reached to confirm the statement.

Yesterday, some 50 troops still occupied the main protest site in Lagos, but military checkpoints set up the previous day on major roads appeared to have been removed. Nigerians rushed to petrol stations to refuel and traffic returned to roads.

Newspapers also slammed the deployments which came as President Goodluck Jonathan appeared on television early Monday to announce a 30-percent decrease in the price of petrol. “To some Lagosians, the sight of heavily armed soldiers on all of the city’s biggest expressways could only mean one thing: a coup,” an analysis in Punch newspaper said. “... It wasn’t a military coup. What Lagos experienced was a military occupation ordered by President Goodluck Jonathan.”

The strike over fuel prices that had begun on January 9 had shut down Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer while also bringing tens of thousands out into the streets in protest.

But early Monday, with the strike and protests set to press ahead for a sixth day after a weekend pause for both actions,

armed soldiers occupied main protest sites in both Lagos and the capital Abuja. In Lagos, troops drove armoured vehicles toward groups of protesters to disperse them, while later firing in the air. Police shot tear gas at hundreds of protesters gathered on a major road.

The country’s unions met in the morning after negotiations with Jonathan late Sunday night, having already announced the cancellation of street protests over security concerns expressed to them by the president.

However, a number of civil society and political groups have been organising the protests and a number of them vowed to push ahead. Pockets of demonstrators began trying to gather Monday morning despite the heavy military presence.

The main union leader, Nigeria Labour Congress chief Abdulwahed Omar, appeared at a press conference in the afternoon and announced the strike was being called off “in order to save lives and in the interest of national survival.”

Union officials said they remained in disagreement with the petrol price even after the decrease, but were ready to engage in further negotiations with government representatives. Police later in the day warned that those who continued to participate in street protests would face arrest, while anyone calling for regime change would be charged with treason. No one was reported wounded or killed in the military crackdown on Monday, but the deployments were a grim reminder for many in Nigeria, which has seen six military coups since independence in 1960. “Until they are removed, Nigerians as a whole should understand that the present civic action is not over and prepare to mobilise and defend their liberty,” the statement attributed to Soyinka said. — AFP

ISTANBUL: Hundreds of people hold placards that read ‘This case won’t end this way’ outside a courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. A prosecutor is demanding life imprisonment for seven men accused of involvement in the killing of an ethnic Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink. Dink was shot outside his office in 2007 in an alleged nationalist killing. — AP

JUBA: Gunmen killed at least 51 people in the latest ethnic clashes in South Sudan’s troubled Jonglei state, the region’s governor said yesterday. “The whole night (Monday) they burned the town... 51 are confirmed dead and now we have 22 (injured) evacuated to Juba,” said Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang.

Armed men stormed the village of Duk Padiet in northern Jonglei late Monday, with most of those killed “women, children and the elderly,” Manyang told AFP. “We are expecting more to be injured because they ran to the villages last night,” he said, blaming gunmen from the Murle ethnic group for the attack.

Remote and impoverished Jonglei has seen a dramatic escalation of bloody tit-for-tat attacks between rival ethnic groups over cattle raids and abduction of people. Newlyindependent South Sudan has declared Jonglei a national “disaster area” while the

United Nations has launched a “massive emergency” operation to help over 60,000 people affected by the violence.

Last month an 8,000-strong tribal militia of Lou Nuer youths marched on Pibor, to exact revenge on the Murle people there for alleged attacks, abductions and cattle raiding. Now officials claim the latest violence is the Murle’s response. One attacker was killed, a suspected Murle man wearing military fatigues, Manyang said.

The village “was attacked by people positively identified as the Murle armed youth,” said Philip Thon Leek Deng, the local MP. Deng said that large herds of cattle had been stolen in a series of raids in the area last week, but the attack Monday targeted people.

“They did not take cattle... they are only coming for annihilation,” he said. The people of Duk Padiet are from the Dinka ethnic

group, who are also traditional rivals of the Murle. Minister of Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin said around 3,000 extra security forces had been deployed in Jonglei, mostly to Murle areas, but now attacks were happening in Nuer and Dinka areas.

“The forces we have taken in cannot cover every area,” he said. Jonglei, an isolated and swampy state about the size of Austria and Switzerland combined has limited mud roads often impassable for months during heavy rains. Guns are common in the region devastated by two decades of war with northern Sudanese forces, a conflict that paved the way for the South’s independence last July. The UN says that last year, violence between the two tribes left around 1,100 people dead and tens of thousands displaced in a series of cattle raids involving abductions of women and children. — AFP

UK blocked from extraditing Bin Laden aide to Jordan

MADRID: Baltazar Garzon, centre once widely regarded as Spain’s most prominent magistrate listens to an unidentified person before entering the Supreme Court in Madrid yesteray. The Spanish judge who became an international hero by indicting Augusto Pinochet went on trial yesterday over his handling of a domestic corruption probe in a case that could end his career. — AP

Judge who targeted Pinochet in court MADRID: A Spanish judge who won fame with his attempt to extradite former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in the 1990s went on trial in Madrid yesterday charged with abusing judicial powers.

Baltasar Garzon faces three cases linked to his investigations into human rights abuses, corruption and other offences.

Supporters turned out at Spain’s Supreme Court to greet the judge, carrying placards denouncing what they see as a politically motivated vendetta against Garzon, who has made enemies among Spain’s political elite. Among the supporters were victims of Spain’s right-wing dictatorship, which lasted until the late 1970s, and a representative of an Argentine human rights group, who see Garzon as a hero. The first case against the suspended High Court judge involves allegations he illegally authorised police to record the conversations of lawyers with their clients in custody. “He violated the rights he said he defended,” Ignacio Pelaez, a lawyer for the prosecution case, told Reuters outside the court. “I want the Supreme Court to put limits on judges ... to respect the right to a defence ... to say not everything goes in a prosecution.” Garzon, whose function as a “juez de instruccion” or investigating magistrate in the Spanish legal system is to probe complaints rather than sit in judgment at trials, wore his robe of office for his appearance during opening submissions.

The case was brought by two businessmen

who are awaiting trial for allegedly bribing members of the centre-right People’s Party (PP), which won a landslide election victory in November.

All three cases are private prosecutions, brought by individuals and organisations rather than the state. Garzon has dismissed the accusations and Spain’s public prosecutor has recommended his acquittal on all the charges. If Garzon were convicted in any of the cases, he could be barred from office for up to 20 years - a career-ending blow for the 55-year-old lawyer. Garzon is famed at home for leading an investigation into death squads run by the Socialist government in the 1980s in its conflict with Basque regional separatists, a probe credited with helping the centre-right defeat the left in 1996 elections.

He has also attracted critics, who have accused him of seeking the limelight with high-profile international cases involving prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and victims who disappeared during the 1970s dictatorship in Argentina.

Garzon is also accused of violating an amnesty law by ordering an investigation into the killing of tens of thousands of civilians during the four-decade dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, who died in 1975. In the third case, Garzon faces allegations he dropped an investigation into the head of Spain’s biggest bank, Santander , after receiving payments for a course sponsored by the bank in New York. — Reuters

STRASBOURG: The European Court of Human Rights yesterday blocked Britain from extraditing an alleged top aide of Osama bin Laden to Jordan, saying evidence against him may have been obtained through torture.

Abu Qatada, a radical British-based Muslim cleric who has fought a six-year battle to remain in the country, faced a “flagrant denial of justice” if he was returned to Jordan, the court said.

The court in Strasbourg said in its judgement that there was a “real risk of the admission of evidence at the applicant’s retrial obtained by torture of third persons.”

British interior minister Theresa May said she was “disappointed” with the European court’s decision but Qatada would remain in prison while “all the legal options” are considered. Abu Qatada, a Jordanian of Palestinian origin who is also known as Omar Mohammed Othman, was once labelled the late Al-Qaeda leader’s right-hand-man in Europe by a Spanish judge. The 51-year-old is included on a UN list of people associated with the presumed perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States.

He has been convicted in his absence in Jordan of involvement in two terror attacks. Amman has repeatedly urged London to extradite him. Jordan says Abu Qatada conspired to carry out 1998 bombings in Amman, Jordan on the American School and the Jerusalem Hotel. He also funded a terrorist network known as Reform and Challenge (Al-Islah Wal Tahhadi) which was dismantled in 1999, but received an amnesty for those charges. The court said however that it “finds that there is a real risk that the applicant’s retrial would amount to a flagrant denial of justice”-a violation of Article 6 of the Convention on Human Rights. It said Abu Qatada had “presented further concrete and compelling evidence that his co-defendants were tortured into providing the case against him. “He has also shown that the Jordanian State Security Court has proved itself to be incapable of properly investigating allegations of torture and excluding torture evidence.”

But the court also ruled that it was confident that diplomatic assurances between Britain and Jordan that Abu Qatada would not be tortured if he was extradited would be upheld. Abu Qatada has had political asylum in Britain since 1993 when he came to the country on a forged passport, and been in and out of prison ever since.

In August 2005 he was arrested in preparation for his extradition following a request by Jordan. He was released on bail in the summer of 2008 but returned to prison in November the same year over fears he would try to abscond.

He is currently being held at Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire, central England. In London, May said the British government would study its options. “I am disappointed that the court has made this ruling. This is not the end of the road, and we will now consider all the legal options available to us,” she said.

“In the meantime, Qatada will remain in detention in the UK. It is important to note that this ruling does not prevent us seeking to deport other foreign nationals.”

Britain is seeking to use its presidency of the Council of Europe, which it holds until May, to push through reforms of the court, and Cameron will use a speech in Strasbourg

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

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

Murder-suicide suspect videotaped self taking methamphetamine FRESNO: A woman who shot her two young children, their father and a cousin in California’s Central Valley before committing suicide took video of herself on her iPad as she smoked methamphetamine prior to the killings, police said Monday.

The apparent murder-suicide by 23year-old Aide Mendez began Sunday morning when she argued with the father of her two children, 33-year-old Eduardo Lopez. After neighbors called police to report trouble, officers arrived to find Lopez outside the Silver Lakes Apartment with knife and gunshot wounds, said Lt. Mark Salazar, homicide commander for the Fresno Police Department.

They heard a muffled shot from inside the first-floor apartment and discovered Mendez had killed herself, her boyfriend’s cousin, Paul Medina,

27, as well as her two children, 17month-old Aliyah Echeverria and Isaiah Echeverria, 3.

Police told The Fresno Bee they found Mendez in the bathroom, and found the children in the apartment’s bathtub, where they had been shot at least once. The boy was found dead on the scene, Salazar said. Police tried to resuscitate the girl but she later died at a nearby hospital.

“We do know that drugs played a key role, but we don’t know to what extent,” Salazar said. “She was seen prior to the shooting smoking methamphetamine. She recorded herself on an iPad showing her and Paul Medina smoking meth. We know the power of meth.”

Salazar said the time stamp on the iPad video would have to be tested but preliminary information indicated

it was recorded within a few hours of the murder.

“Her actions just seemed bizarre; her mannerism, the way she was moving her hands and her facial expressions,” Salazar said, noting other drugs may have been involved but that it would take weeks before the toxicology reports were complete.

Lopez remained in critical condition Monday evening at Community Regional Medical Center with stab wounds and a gunshot wound to the neck, said Mary Lisa Russell, a hospital spokeswoman. A 7-year-old neighbor girl who was in the apartment escaped unharmed.

Authorities said Monday they had yet to piece together a motive, but said family members reported that Mendez had lost a baby several years ago, and was still grieving over the

loss. Police recovered 10 grams of meth, $8,000 in cash and three firearms in the apartment; two of them used. “There’s some things we just don’t know because most of the people in that house are dead and the one person who is alive can’t speak right now,” Salazar said.

Jesus Gonzalez told KFSN-TV, an ABC affiliate in Fresno, that shortly before 7 a.m. on Sunday he heard gunshots and then a pounding on his door. He opened the door to find Lopez bleeding profusely.

“I opened the door and he fell in front of me, and I take him and I pull him inside,” Gonzalez said. He said that before he could drag Lopez inside, Mendez tried to pull him back outside again. Gonzalez said he shouted at her, “Hey, what happened, what happened?” and she ran off.

The family lived in the back of the gated apartment complex in southeast Fresno, which has neat lawns, trees and a children’s playground.

Neighbors said there was no indication of violence between the couple before Sunday ’s shootings.“ They would come out with the baby carriage, and the man was taking care of his children,” neighbor Eric Gonzalez said. Another neighbor said Monday residents were shaken by the shooting, and still struggling to comprehend what had happened.

“It just really gets you thinking about how a mother could just grab her kids and kill them,” Lizeth Gonzalez, a mother of three small children who lives in the complex. “I never thought it would happen here.

Whatever she did, I hope God can somehow forgive her.” — AP

US Republicans take aim at Romney in fiery debate Romney defends his ‘record of success’ in private sector

NEW JERSEY: Rabita Sarkar and her husband Aditya Saurabh pose with their newborn baby boy at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York Monday. Sarkar, of Harrison, N.J., gave birth to the boy on a PATH commuter train to New York Monday. The couple declined to reveal the name of their son. — AP

NJ mom gives birth to child on train to NYC NEW YORK: A New Jersey woman got the morning commute of her life when she gave birth to her first child on a PATH commuter train to New York. The 31year-old woman, who lives in Harrison, N.J., said she had started feeling contraction-like pains but didn’t think they were real because her baby wasn’t due yet.

She and her 30-year-old husband decided to travel into the city to have her checked out Monday.

They didn’t want to drive and decided to take the train from Harrison into the city instead, thinking they could then take a taxi to Manhattan’s Roosevelt Hospital, where her doctors are.”It’s just that this guy had other plans, and he came out earlier,” the woman, holding her infant son in her arms, said from the hospital. The Indian couple declined to give their names because they hadn’t been able to notify their family in India of the birth. They also declined to reveal the boy’s name and due date.

It was on the train ride that the woman started feeling her pains come more quickly, and she told her husband to check what was happening to her. He looked and saw that his son’s head had already started to come out. The hus-

band said that with guidance from another woman on the train, he was able to deliver the baby around 10 a.m.

Fellow riders offered encouragement, and the couple said one little girl offered her jacket to keep the baby warm. PATH officials turned the train into an express, bypassing most stops so that it would get to its final stop, 33rd Street in midtown Manhattan, as soon as possible.

Emergency services personnel met the train and took the family to the hospital.The responding police officers said it wasn’t unusual for women to give birth in facilities run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the PATH and area transit hubs. The biggest issue was the winter temperature, around 30 degrees outside, and making sure the baby was warm, Sgt. Mike Barry said. “That’s our biggest concern,” he said. “We know that baby’s body temperature is going to drop like a rock.” For one of the responding officers, delivering a baby in these circumstances was something familiar - because it happened to him. Officer Atiba JosephCumberbatch said his son didn’t want to wait, either, and came out early so Dad had to deliver him. — AP

Radical Islamists main threat against Norway OSLO: Radical Islamists pose the biggest threat to Norway even though it was a rightwing extremist who carried out the twin attacks there last July that killed 77 people, Norwegian intelligence service PST said yesterday.

“The threat associated with these groups is worrying today,” PST chief Janne Kristiansen said as she presented the agency’s annual threat assessment report.

“In recent years, we have seen that these are people who grew up in Norway and were radicalised and who consider Norway and the Norwegian society the enemy,” she explained.

The number of Islamic extremists in Norway remains small, but their ranks are expanding and they have become ever more operational, according to PST, pointing to a growing trend of extremist youths going to training camps and to conflict areas before returning to the Scandinavian country.

The threat from rightwing extremist groups meanwhile remains unchanged, according to the intelligence agency, which stressed that this movement would continue to count few followers in 2012.

“The number of violent rightwing extremists in Norway is still low.

Attempts to actively recruit to the antiMuslim movements have failed so far,” Kristiansen said. On July 22, rightwing extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who claimed to be on a crusade against multi-culturalism and the “Muslim

invasion” of Europe, set off a car bomb outside government buildings in Oslo, killing eight people.

He then went to Utoeya island, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Oslo, and, dressed as a police officer, spent more than an hour methodically shooting and killing another 69 people, mainly teenagers, attending a summer camp hosted by the ruling Labour Party’s youth wing.

“We are worried about (possible) copycats,” meaning people susceptible of wanting to imitate Behring Breivik, Kristiansen told national public broadcaster NRK. “After July 22, we have seen an increase in the number of threats against several members of the authorities and against political parties,” she said.

“We do not know if this will continue, but several elements, like the focus on Behring Breivik’s upcoming trial, suggest that this will not change immediately,” she added. Behring Breivik, who is being held in the high security Ila prison near Oslo pending the start of his trial on April 16, most likely acted alone, according to police.

Two psychiatric experts concluded after an initial evaluation that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was therefore criminally insane, but an Oslo court has ordered a second probe to help determine whether he should be sentenced to prison or receive treatment in a closed psychiatric ward. — AFP

MYRTLE BEACH: A tightened field vying for the Republican nomination took aim at frontrunner Mitt Romney in a fiery debate here just days before South Carolina’s presidential primary. Before a raucous audience late Monday, the four candidates lagging behind Romney in polls ahead of Saturday’s key vote slammed the former Massachusetts governor and traded charges over a rash of nasty attack ads by outside groups.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is trailing in the battle to be the party’s standard-bearer in the November election against President Barack Obama, came out swinging against Romney, scoring several hits with the crowd. Gingrich said Romney should answer questions about his time as a venture capitalist with a company called Bain Capital, after Romney’s rivals slammed him for buying out firms to leave them bankrupt and reap the rewards. The multi-millionaire Romney was also called on to release his tax records, and said he may do so later in the year, without making a firm commitment.

Romney hit back against the attacks, led in a kind of pincer movement by Gingrich and former US senator Rick Santorum, who lost the Iowa caucuses to Romney earlier this month by a razor-thin margin.

Romney defended his “record of success” in the private sector, arguing that his business and managerial acumen makes him the candidate best able to defeat Obama and revive the sluggish US economy.

Romney and Gingrich traded accusations over negative ads run by multi-million-dollar outside groups, with Romney calling a film about Bain Capital made by Gingrich supporters “the biggest hoax since Big Foot.”

Gingrich-who blamed attacks by Romney supporters for his poor showing in Iowamocked Romney’s contention that he had no control over such groups, saying it “makes you wonder how much influence he’d have if he were president.”

As in previous debates, Romney reserved his harshest criticism for Obama, accusing the president of trying to turn the United States into a “European social welfare state.”

Gingrich meanwhile defended his characterization of Obama as “the food stamp president” when a debate moderator questioned whether it was belittling to poor Americans and minorities. He also stirred up a rare standing ovation from the audience when he defended his idea of employing poor children as public school janitors. “They’d learn to

show up for work. They could do light janitorial duty... They’d be getting money, which is a good thing if you’re poor. Only the elites despise earning money,” he said.

The field in the Republican race has narrowed to five ahead of Saturday’s vote, after Jon Huntsman, the former US ambassador to China, dropped out Monday after running in

to a roar of boos from the audience.

“We endlessly bomb these countries and then we wonder why they get upset with us.”

Romney fired back, saying: “of course you take out our enemies, wherever they are.

These people declared war on us. They’ve killed Americans...” “The right thing for Osama bin Laden was the bullet in the head that he

FLORENCE: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, accompanied by his wife Ann, campaign at the Florence Civic Center in Florence, SC, yesterday. — AP last place in recent polls.

The most moderate candidate in the race, Huntsman called on Republicans to unite in support of Romney, who has already won the first two 2012 nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

His departure left hardened social conservatives Santorum, Gingrich and Texas Governor Rick Perry-all hoping the evangelical base in South Carolina will swing in their favor-along with Texas Representative Ron Paul. The candidates sparred on foreign policy after Paul-a staunch opponent of foreign aid and military intervention-suggested Washington should have worked harder with Pakistan to track down and arrest Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden rather than kill him in a May 2011 commando raid.

“I would say that maybe we ought to consider a golden rule in foreign policy,” he said,

received. That’s the right thing for people who kill American citizens.” Perry, meanwhile, in a foreign policy stumble, described Turkey-a key US ally and NATO member-as a state “ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists.”

According to a new CNN/ORC poll released Monday, frontrunner Romney and Democrat Obama are in a dead heat, with the Republican taking a slight 48-47 percent edge among registered voters.

Obama came out ahead among all respondents, 49-47 percent, and had the advantage over Gingrich, Santorum and Paul, according to the poll. Obama’s approval rating slumped to 47 percent, from 49 percent a month before. The poll was carried out on January 11-12 among 1,021 respondents, and has a margin of error of three percentage points. — AFP

Three more women held in Mexico child-trafficking case MEXICO CITY: Mexican investigators detained three more women in the city of Guadalajara in connection with an apparent childtrafficking ring that aimed to supply babies to Irish couples, authorities said Monday.

Authorities also took a tenth child, a 9-month old boy, into custody, the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office said in a statement. It said the three women were detained at a ranch in Tonala, a suburb of Guadalajara, while taking care of the baby boy. They told authorities they had been hired as nannies to take care of children in the process of being adopted, prosecutors said.

Police have raided several ranches to look for more evidence in the case, investigators said.

Authorities last week detained four women and seized nine children, all of them between two months and two years of age.

Prosecutors first opened the investigation last week following the arrest of a 21-year-old woman who was accused by her sister-inlaw of trying to sell one of her children and of “renting” the other one. The woman led authorities to three other women, all in their early 30s, who took part in the “renting” of the babies, and seized nine children, including the 21-year-old woman’s two kids. The other seven

were seized from the Irish couples.

The first woman arrested claimed she had signed a contract with a law firm to allow her child to be photographed in different places in Jalisco state for advertising purposes. She told investigators that her baby was taken for 15 days and that she received $500 pesos ($36 dollars) per day as payment, prosecutors said. The other three women reportedly took the child and several others to a hotel in Guadalajara where they met with the Irish couples who believed they were going to adopt them.

The couples then took the children to the nearby town of Ajijic, a lakeside resort popular with American and Canadian retirees, where they were staying while the adoptions were finished.

Officials are investigating whether the Irish couples and Mexican mothers were being tricked by the smuggling ring. The Irish Embassy in Mexico said in a statement that it’s providing consular advice to the couples involved and that the Irish council had traveled to Guadalajara to meet with the Irish citizens and local Mexican authorities.

Police are also looking for at least two lawyers with the Guadalajara law firm Lopez Lopez y Asociados who were allegedly processing the adoptions in neigh-

boring Colima state. The lawyers purportedly advertised in local newspaper for expectant mothers who wanted to give their children up for adoption. Investigator said the foreign couples had been giving $1,200 pesos ($188 dollars) per week to the mothers since pregnancy, and paying for their medical attention. Meanwhile, two police officers who took part in an armed crackdown on a student protest in southern Mexico last

December will go on trial for killing two students, local prosecutors said Monday. Both officers were filmed, in plain clothes, aiming guns at the protesters during the December 12 protest in Guerrero state, in pictures which appeared in the Mexican media. The Guerrero state prosecutor will put the two state investigative officers on trial for the “suspected murder of the two students,” a statement said. — Agencies

ABIDJAN: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a joint press conference with unseen Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara at the presidential palace in Abidjan yesterday. Hillary Clinton is on a two day visit to the Ivory Coast as part of a whirlwind trip to West Africa. — AFP

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India to Sri Lanka: Don’t miss reconciliation chance COLOMBO: India’s foreign minister yesterday urged Sri Lanka to forge ahead with political reconciliation steps recommended by a presidential inquiry into the end of its civil war, and signed economic cooperation agreements worth $443 million.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, on a three-day visit to India’s island neighbour, said the presidentiallyappointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) had several points which needed follow-up to spur recovery from the 25-year ethnic civil war that ended in 2009.

“These recommendations, when

implemented, would mark a major step forward in the process of genuine national reconciliation, to which the Sri Lankan government is committed. Sri Lanka must seize this opportunity,” Krishna said.

India’s shadow has loomed large in Sri Lanka’s civil war between the minority Tamil people and governments led by the Sinhalese majority. India brokered a 1987 power-sharing deal between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that was never implemented. Although it has since the war’s end called for parts of it be enacted, it has also backed President

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s position that Sri Lanka must solve its own problems.

The LLRC report absolved the military of targeting and killing civilians in the war’s final months. It was criticised

by Western governments that have urged Rajapaksa to hold people accountable or face an external war crimes probe.

With archrival China expanding its financial and political influence in Sri Lanka with loans of $3.43 billion since 2009, , Delhi is increasingly moving to shore up its traditional leverage over the island off its southern tip.

Krishna signed deals in housing in

the former war zone, railways and telecommunications. He also pushed for signature of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, long planned but opposed by Sri Lankan businessmen who fear competition from India’s giant economy.

Krishna told a news conference that building on “positive momentum” in economic and trade ties required “a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation”. He also met the Tamil National Alliance, a former LTTE political proxy, that last weekend dismissed the LLRC report as falling short of international standards. It again

called for an international probe, saying accountability for civilian deaths and disappearances remained an urgent need.

India armed and trained Tamil militants in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Tamil Tigers. But as the war ended, it let Rajapaksa’s government finish off the Tigers despite pressure at home in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Tigers were the most ruthless and efficient of several militant groups that India backed. Its drive to make the north and east of Sri Lanka a Tamil-only nation erupted in civil war in 1983. —Reuters

Pakistani court clashes with weakened govt Nation’s top court unwilling to back off

NEW DELHI: Indian Police officials scuffle with Tibetan activists outside the Hyderabad House, venue for the Indo-China Talks in New Delhi yesterday.

Indian and Chinese officials January 16 began fresh talks on sensitive border issues after discussions last year were cancelled over a speech in India

by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. —AFP

Dozens of Tibetans gather to protest Chinese rule BEIJING: Dozens of Tibetans, including monks, held up a portrait of the Dalai Lama in a community in southwestern China in an act of defiance days after other Tibetans set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule.

Police in Seda county said yesterday that officers dealt with the gathering, but declined to say whether any of the Tibetans were arrested in the incident Monday. China is sensitive to protests by Tibetans because they threaten its control over its western region and may inspire protests in other parts of China by people with possible grievances against the government.

At least 16 Buddhist monks, nuns and other Tibetans are believed to have set themselves on fire in the past year - four this month - mostly in traditionally Tibetan areas of Sichuan province. Most have chanted for Tibetan freedom and the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled to India amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

China has vilified the Dalai Lama for more than a decade, accusing him of a campaign to split the Himalayan region from the rest of China, and has tried to get monks to denounce him in political education programs held in religious institutions in Tibetan areas. The Dalai Lama says he is only seeking increased autonomy for Tibet.

On Monday, fewer than 100 Tibetans gathered and held a portrait of the Dalai Lama, said the official at Seda county public security bureau in Sichuan province who gave only his surname, Wang. “The New Year festival is coming up so they want to draw attention by creating an incident,” he said, referring to the Chinese New Year later this month.

Wang said police dealt with the incident, but declined to give any further details. An official from the Seda county government said there was no protest Monday. Fears of protests by Tibetans were why Premier Wen Jiabao kept a trip to Nepal at the weekend secret, according to the Nepalese prime minister. Wen arrived Saturday in the tiny Himalayan nation that is home to thousands of Tibetan refugees.

“The visit was not announced, as the Tibetan activities have intensified recently,” Baburam Bhattarai was quoted as saying in Monday’s English-language Republica newspaper.

Tibetans in Nepal regularly protest against Chinese restrictions on Tibetan religion and culture. In November, a man wearing the robes of a Tibetan Buddhist monk set himself on fire in the Nepalese capital, Katmandu, emulating the selfimmolations in China. The most recent was on Saturday in Sichuan.

Dicki Chhoyang, a Cabinet member of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharmsala, India, said China could have expected protests because of “the large presence of Tibetans inside Nepal and the fact that China has been so forceful in influencing Nepal’s treatment of Tibetans inside Nepal.” She said this included restricting Tibetans’ political activities and refusing to issue refugee cards to Tibetan refugees.

In response to a question Monday about why Wen’s trip to Nepal was unannounced, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said it “was arranged on ad hoc basis.” He said it showed the “importance the Chinese side gives to China-Nepal relations.” AP correspondent Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu contributed to this report. —AP

Avalanches kill 14 in Afghanistan KABUL: Avalanches caused by heavy snowfall have killed at least 14 people in a mountainous region in northeastern Afghanistan, officials said yesterday.

Rescue crews were trying to reach the remote areas of Badak hshan province where a number of houses were reported to have been destroyed on Monday, said Shams ul-Rahman deputy provincial governor.Between 69 feet (2-3 meters) of snow have fallen in the area, making roads to the provincial capital of Faizabad impassable.

“We have reports of at least 14 dead and several others injured,” ul-Rahman said, adding that several other people were missing. Avalanches present a constant danger in many par ts of Afghanistan during the winter. In February 2010, an avalanche killed at least 171 people near the 12,700-foot (3,800-meter) high Salang Pass, a major route through the Hindu Kush mountains that connects the Afghan capital of Kabul to the north of the country.

Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged the Taliban to allow teams conducting a polio vaccination campaign access to areas under the insurgents’ control.

Afghanistan is one of just three

nations where polio remains endemic.

The two others are Nigeria and neighboring Pakistan.”Whoever prevents the polio vaccination is the enemy of our children’s future,” Karzai said in a statement. Last year, the government registered 80 new cases of polio, most of them in the restive southern provinces.

That figure was three times higher than the total for 2010.

The polio virus, which usually infects children in unsanitar y conditions, attacks the central nervous system, sometimes causing paralysis, muscular atrophy, deformation and, in some cases, death. “Karzai called on the armed opposition to the government to allow the medical teams to vaccinate the children and rescue them from polio,” the government statement said.

Karzai said that although millions of Afghan children had been inoculated in successive vaccination campaigns, many remained outside the reach of health officials because of the security situation in areas in the south and along the border with Pakistan.

Karzai’s appeal came just days after another country in the region, India, celebrated a full year since its last reported case of polio, a major victory in a global eradication effort. —AP

ISLAMABAD: The political crisis engulfing Pakistan deepened when the nation’s top court clashed with a beleaguered government already under attack from the powerful army - a combined assault that could bring down the US-backed administration.

The Supreme Court launched contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday for failing to carry out its order to reopen a corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari and demanded Gilani make a rare appearance before the judges Thursday. If the court convicts Gilani of contempt, he could serve up to six months in prison and be disqualified from holding office.

The nuclear-armed country is already grappling with an ailing economy and a violent Islamist insurgency. The latest clash could also complicate US efforts to get Pakistan to cooperate on the war in neighboring Afghanistan, especially peace talks with the Taliban - although Washington had made little headway on that even before this crisis.

“The Supreme Court and the government are in an open clash now, and it seems fairly obvious the court is unwilling to back off,” said Cyril Almeida, a lawyer and columnist for Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper. Even before the latest clash with the court, the government was locked in a bitter conflict with the army over a secret memo sent to Washington last year aimed at stopping a supposed military coup.

The Supreme Court ruling boosted the sense that the administration could fall, squeezed between the court and Pakistan’s power ful generals.

Some observers have speculated the army is working behind the scenes with the court to oust the government by constitutional means. “Once the Supreme Court, the army and the political opposition agree the government needs to go sooner rather than later, it seems very difficult for the government to stay on,” Almeida said. Still the court could have its own reasons for stepping up pressure on the government.

Supreme Court Justice Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry has clashed with Zardari in the past, and the judges could be fed up with the government defying its order to reopen the corruption case against the president.

Gilani promised to appear before the Supreme Court on Thursday but warned both the judges and the army that they

must protect democracy. “It cannot happen that they derail system,” said Gilani after a majority in parliament - mostly the ruling party and its allies - passed a resolution supporting the government. The resolution said the balance of powers “must be fully respected and adhered to and all state institutions must strictly function within the limits imposed on them by the constitution.”

Critics have predicted the civilian government’s demise many

Benazir Bhutto, allegedly received from Swiss cargo companies.

The government has refused to reopen the case, saying Zardari has immunity, and supporters say the court is pursuing a vendetta against the civilian leadership. Zardari has been vulnerable to prosecution since 2009 when the Supreme Court struck down an amnesty granting him and other leading political figures immunity from past graft cases. The court deemed the amnesty, which was granted

dishonor his late wife. Last year, Swiss prosecutors told reporters they couldn’t reopen the case because Zardari had immunity.

The prime minister has also clashed with army - the strongest institution in the country - over the memo scandal.

The army was outraged by the memo, which was allegedly sent by the government and offered the U.S. a raft of favorable security policies in exchange for reining in the military. The army pushed the Supreme Court to open an

ISLAMABAD: In this Jan. 16, 2012 photo, Pakistani attorney general Maulvi Anwarul Haq, center, leaves the High Court after the proceeding of secret memo scandal in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Pakistan appears on the brink of chaos again, with the judiciary and an angry army both bearing down on its elected leaders. But opportunities remain for both sides to back down — and the government may be able to ride it out until elections in late summer. —AP times since it was elected in 2008 after 10 years of military rule, and it has always defied the forecasts.

But this time around, the crisis has drawn the army in more directly, and the court seems to be in no mood to compromise Since Pakistan was founded in 1947, no civilian government has ever completed a full five-year term before being toppled by a military coup or forced to call early elections. There have been three coups over that period, and while a fourth is considered unlikely, early polls look increasingly possible because of the rising tension.

The Supreme Court has ordered the government to ask Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption case against the president that dates back to the 1990s.

The case centers on $60 million in kickbacks that Zardari and his late wife, former Prime Minister

in 2008, as unconstitutional.

The court initiated contempt proceedings against the prime minister on Monday after the government failed to respond to an order outlining a series of punitive options the judges could take if the government did not reopen the case against Zardari.

Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq told the court he had not received instructions from the country ’s leaders on how to respond to the order - a response that clearly angered the judges.

Faced with going to jail, Gilani may tell the court during his appearance Thursday that he intends to write the letter to Swiss authorities authorizing them to reopen the case against Zardari, but that could come with a serious political cost.

Zardari stated in an interview last week that he would never send the letter, saying it would

inquiry into the scandal last month against the wishes of the government, which has denied any connection to the memo and argued the matter was already being probed by parliament.

Gilani criticized the army last week for cooperating with the Supreme Court probe, saying the standoff was nothing less than a choice between “democracy and dictatorship.” The prime minister’s comments followed a warning from the generals of possible “grievous consequences” ahead if the government did not stop its criticism of the army.

Gilani warned members of parliament Thursday, especially in the opposition, of serious consequences if they didn’t stand by the government in supporting democracy. “If there is no democracy, everything will be finished,” said Gilani. “If there is no democracy, we will all go together.” —AP

Indian army chief takes birthday row to top court

NEW DELHI: In this Jan. 15, 2012 file photo, Indian Army Chief, Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh, center, smiles on the occasion of the Indian Army Day in New Delhi, India. Singh said he was born in May 1951 and will not reach the mandatory retirement age of 62 until next year but India’s Defense Ministry said its records show he was born a year earlier and must retire in four months. —AP

NEW DELHI: India’s army chief has filed a lawsuit against the government in the Supreme Court asking for his birthday to be changed on official records to prevent him being forced into retirement.

The petition by the highly decorated veteran of the 1971 war between India and Pakistan is the first case in India of a serving army chief taking the government to court. General V.K. Singh has asked the Supreme Court to recognise what he says is his correct birthday as May 10, 1951, making him one year younger than the age shown on government records which state his date of birth as May 10, 1950.

Calling the decision “a matter of honour and not tenure”, Singh pressed the court to accept the date recorded in his school-leaving certificate as his real date of birth, the petition seen by AFP says.

Indian government employees have to retire at 62, which means Singh would leave service in May this year unless he

wins his case in the Supreme Court which would allow him to retire in May 2013.

The defence ministry has previously rejected Singh’s claim twice, citing the date marked on his documents when he entered the army, and the government indicated it would fight the legal case.

It filed a submission to the Supreme Court asking it not to issue any ruling in the case without hearing its arguments.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday to discuss the matter but no statement was issued, the Press Trust of India reported.

The controversy has thrown succession plans for heading the 1.13-millionstrong army into uncertainty. A source close to the case told AFP the general, who has ser ved as army chief since March 2010, felt that the row had tarnished his public image, leaving him with little choice but to approach the court. —AFP

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Vietnam PM orders probe into violent land eviction HANOI: Vietnam’s prime minister called for an investigation yesterday into a guerrilla-style clash between authorities and farmers who tried to fend off a land eviction by laying homemade land mines and firing improvised shotguns.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung issued the order into the high-profile case after six police and army officers were injured in the Jan. 5 incident in the northern port city of Haiphong.

State media have reported that

Doan Van Vuon, 49, had long been at odds with authorities who proposed evicting him from 19 hectares (47 acres) of swamp land leased in 1993 on a 14year contract. He had converted the area into a seafood farm. About 100 police officers and soldiers wearing bulletproof vests and riot gear advanced to forcibly seize the land when the attack allegedly began, according to the reports. Two of them were injured when they stepped on a land mine, and

the others suffered gunshot wounds.

Vuon, his two brothers and a nephew were later arrested for attempted murder. Vuon allegedly planned the attack, but he was not at the scene when the violence broke out.

His relatives fled when police moved in on the house, state media said. Vuon’s wife, Nguyen Thi Thuong, was quoted as saying the family resisted the local government’s decision to take the land because they invested all their savings

into the farm. The government ordered the eviction without compensation.

One of brother’s houses on the land also was flattened after the incident took place, but it’s unclear who was to blame.

The case has attracted extensive coverage in state-controlled media and Internet blogs, which have criticized the attack by the farmers but also questioned whether authorities had the right to use force to evict the family.

The incident also has stoked heated debate over whether farmers should be allowed to extend their land leases, many of which are set to expire next year. Vietnam first introduced its land laws in 1993, granting many of the farmers 20-year leases on their fields.

In Vietnam all land belongs to the state and people only have the right to use it. Land disputes are the main source of complaints and protests in the country. —AP

US senators see no clash with Beijing US presence in Asia to counterbalance China’s dominance MANILA: A US-China confrontation in Asia is unlikely but Washington is committed to help bolster the military firepower of its allies like the Philippines amid territorial disputes with Beijing, two US senators said yesterday.

The Philippines has turned to Washington for warships, fighter

erated its sovereignty in virtually the entire region. The potentially oil- and gas-rich sea territory has long been feared as Asia’s potential flashpoint for conflict.

Sen. John McCain, however, said he did not expect any major conflict erupting between the United States and China but reit-

Philippine officials on bolstering defense and trade ties.

But he added the best way to guarantee Asia’s stability was for Washington to build a strong military presence in the region as well as robust alliances with its allies.

With the US drawing down its

MANILA: In this photo released by Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, center, chats with visiting US Senators, former presidential candidate John McCain, R-Ariz., right, and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., during their courtesy call at the palace in Manila, Philippines, yesterday. —AP jets and radar to bolster its anemic military after accusing Chinese ships last year of repeatedly intruding into areas it claims in the South China Sea’s disputed Spratly Islands and disrupting oil exploration in its territorial waters.

Vietnam has leveled similar accusations against China, which dismissed the allegations and reit-

erated Washington’s commitment to maintain its presence in Asia and bolster the military firepower of its allies to counterbalance China’s dominance.

“We do not foresee a conflict or confrontation with China,” McCain said in a news conference in Manila, where he and three other US senators held talks with

military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, McCain said America will intensify its deployment of air and naval assets to Asia, increase joint military exercises with allies and bolster trade.

Responding to a question, McCain said the US has no plans to try to re-establish its military bases in the Philippines, which

adopted a constitution in 1987 that forbids the permanent basing of foreign troops. He was flown to the US Clark Air Base north of Manila in the early 1970s after years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Clark and other US military facilities were shut down in the early 1990s.

“I don’t believe that those days will ever return,” McCain said, adding new collaboration by the allies “can mean joint military operations” or provision of American ships and militar y equipment like a US Coast Guard cutter, which the Philippines recently obtained and became the largest and most modern warship in its dilapidated naval fleet.

Despite its economic difficulties, the US can build a strong presence through robust defense cooperation with its Asian allies and maintain a formidable force in critical areas like the South China Sea, Sen. Joseph Lieberman said. “We simply cannot allow one nation, in this case China, to exercise disproportionate control over these waterways,” Lieberman said.

“We’re not gonna let those claims to be settled by force or by bullying,” he said. “We’re going to make sure to the best of our ability that they’re settled as a matter of negotiations, multilateral negotiations and international rule of law.”

China wants bilateral negotiations to resolve the longstanding conflicts. It has warned nonclaimants led by the United States from intervening.

The battle for ownership of the Spratlys has settled into an uneasy stand-off since the last fighting, involving China and Vietnam, that killed more than 70 Vietnamese sailors in 1988. The other claimants are Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. —AP

NEW DELHI: Chinese State Councilor and Special Representative on the Boundary Question, Dai Bingguo, left, and Indian National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon clap hands after signing of an agreement on the establishment of a working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs, in New Delhi, India, yesterday. —AP

India, China cite progress in border dispute talks NEW DELHI: India and China said yesterday they would work toward peacefully resolving their disputed Himalayan border while improving management of the region by establishing a committee. The sides agreed to look into conducting military and information exchanges along the mountainous border, which is unresolved despite 15 rounds of talks and a brief but bloody war in 1962.

A joint statement, released after two days of meetings in New Delhi, says that holding to the 1993 Line of Actual Control would be “significant for enhancing mutual trust and security” while the final boundary is determined.

The planned secretarial-level joint committee, meanwhile, would meet once or twice a year to improve cooperation, though it would not be involved in drawing the final boundary, the statement said. Officials from both sides declined to speak with reporters after the talks.

The border dispute centers on two regions now controlled by India Arunachal Pradesh in the far east, and Aksai Chin located within the region of Kashmir that is also disputed with Pakistan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in Beijing on

Top US Senate Republican upbeat on Myanmar reform

Thai cabinet reshuffle likely, Kittirat may be FM BANGKOK: Thailand’s cabinet is expected to be reshuffled soon, with Kittirat Na Ranong, the deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs, becoming finance minister and new ministers of energy and industry also appointed, media said yesterday.

The cabinet reshuffle reported by Thai newspapers was “about 90 percent accurate”, according to Kittirat, while a government spokeswoman said 10 changes had already been submitted to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his endorsement.

The reshuffle would see Kittirat, 53, a former broker and president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET ), take over from Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, who joined the cabinet on Aug. 10 last year after serving as head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and before that as a deputy central bank governor.

The changes are unlikely to lead to any real shift in the government’s pro-growth economic policies, which have been driven largely by Kittirat, backed by self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the influential elder brother of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Other expected moves are the replacement of Industry Minister Wannarat Channukul and

Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, with Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom taking over Kittirat’s other position as commerce minister.

“I believe the reshuffle will be good for the administration and the country and this will be decided by the prime minister,” Kittirat told reporters yesterday. A former businessman and Thai national team soccer manager with no political experience until his appointment last August, Kittirat served as head of the SET for five years. He has also been chairman of Cathay Asset Management and brokerage First Asia Securities.

Kittirat, who has played a big role in attempts to restore investor confidence after devastating floods last year, has an MBA in Finance and International Business from the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. He is in charge of the government’s controversial rice intervention policy, which guarantees high prices for farmers, and has in the past criticised the central bank’s monetary policy, advocating cuts in rates at a time when the Bank of Thailand was worried about inflation. —Reuters

NAYPYIDAW: This picture taken on January 11, 2012 shows Myanmar immigration minister Khin Yi (R) holding the hand of a representative of the rebel Karen National Union (KNU) during a welcoming dinner held on the eve of ceasefire talks between KNU leaders and a Myanmar government delegation, in Hpa-an, the main city of the country’s eastern Karen state. Myanmar has told the military to halt all offensives in ethnic minority conflict zones, Khin Yi told AFP in an interview yesterday in Naypyidaw, but admitted that the order was sometimes proving hard to implement on the ground. —AFP

Philippines arrests suspect in kidnap of US couple MANILA: Philippine police said they arrested yesterday a member of an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group who was involved in the kidnapping of an American couple a decade ago.

The suspect, known as “Abu Ismael”, a member of the Abu Sayyaf militant organisation, was seized on the remote southern island of Basilan, said island police chief Alexis Lineses.

“Abu Ismael was one of the armed guards during Grace (and) Martin Burham’s captivity in Basilan,” Lineses said, referring to the two Americans. The Burnhams, an American missionary couple, were kidnapped along with Chilean-born American Guillermo Sobero by the Abu Sayyaf from a resort in the western

Philippines in 2001.

Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded Sobero while Martin Burnham was killed in a rescue attempt in 2002 that recovered his wife alive.

The suspect was also trained in bomb-making and helped scout out kidnapping targets for the Abu Sayyaf, according to Lineses.

The Abu Sayyaf is the most infamous of many Muslim militant groups known to carry out such kidnappings for ransom in the south. The group was founded in 1990 with Al-Qaeda funding and has been blamed for the Philippines’ worst terrorist attacks, including a ferry bombing that killed more than 100 people in 2004, as well as the beheadings of foreigners.

Various Abu Sayyaf factions are also

Tuesday that India and China had been holding a “practical dialogue” on the border issue since 2003, and “the year 2012 will become a year of cooperation and development,” according to Press Trust of India.

This week’s talks, involving India’s National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and China’s State Councilor Dai Bingguo, had been delayed from November. Though no reason for the delay was given at the time, local newspapers had blamed tension following India’s refusal to cancel an international Buddhist conference being attended by the Dalai Lama.

China reviles the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader and accuses him of pushing for independence for Tibet, which it insists is Chinese territory. The Tibetan issue has been a source of tension between China and India since 1959, when the Dalai Lama fled to India amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule. He and the Tibetan government-inexile have since been based in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala.

Hundreds of Tibetans protested the talks in New Delhi, chanting slogans, burning an effigy of the Chinese official and demanding China end the “illegal occupation” of their homeland. —AP

believed to be holding Australian Warren Rodwell, kidnapped in December, along with an Indian national, two Malaysians, a Japanese and three Filipinos all seized since 2010. A rotating force of about 600 US soldiers has been stationed in the southern Philippines for a decade to train the Philippine military how to fight the Abu Sayyaf.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people in the southern Philippines are in dire need of help one month after devastating floods, but a global appeal for aid has fallen well short of its target, the UN said yesterday.

The official death toll from tropical storm Washi, which destroyed entire villages built on sandbars and on riverbanks in two port

cities on December 16, is 1,259, but many more are believed to have been buried or washed out to sea.

Meanwhile, another 222,000 survivors are struggling after losing their homes and need help, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines, Jacqui Badcock. She said a “flash appeal” issued immediately after the disaster to help survivors for $28 million had attracted only $7.4 million.

“It (the shortfall) doesn’t stop us from being active but there are many projects we could expand if we got more resources,” Badcock told AFP. “We could build more latrines, put up more temporary shelters.” —AFP

NAYPYIDAW: A top US Republican senator who is a longtime force behind sanctions on Myanmar said yesterday he was optimistic that the country’s new regime was serious about change. “Reform is for real,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters after talks with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi as well as top members of the nominally civilian government which took power last year. “I heard the same message from literally everyone: that there is a level of seriousness about reforms in this country that makes it highly likely that it will occur.

This is the first time that I have been genuinely optimistic about the future,” he said.

“Reform is clearly on the agenda here and likely to stay on the agenda.” McConnell has long been outspoken in his criticism of Myanmar’s human rights record and has co-sponsored legislation each year for nearly a decade that has imposed sweeping sanctions on the regime.

He indicated that more needed to be done before he would support an easing of the measures, saying: “If the country goes far down the path of reforms, we will review the sanctions.” The country now has a nominally civilian government following a controversial November 2010 election, but its ranks are filled with former generals including President Thein Sein, who was premier under the junta. The regime has surprised observers in recent months through a series of gestures including opening dialogue with Suu Kyi, pursuing peace deals with ethnic minority rebels and pardoning hundreds of imprisoned dissidents.

The government released about 300 political prisoners in its latest amnesty on Friday, leading US President Barack Obama to order the restoration of full diplomatic ties. “We have already responded” to Myanmar’s moves, said McConnell. “It’s going to be step by step.”

He said Suu Kyi’s views on when to lift sanctions “will carry a lot of weight.” The Nobel Peace Prize winner, released from years of house arrest soon after the 2010 election, has said she believes the current regime genuinely wants to reform, but she has so far stopped short of supporting an end to sanctions.

The Obama administration in 2009 launched an engagement drive with Myanmar, concluding that the previous Western policy of trying to isolate the regime had failed. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

NEWS

People ride on top of a crowded commuter train in Jakarta yesterday. (Inset) Workers install a frame with concrete balls suspended on it above railway tracks in Bekasi, West Java yesterday. — AP

Indonesia tries to deter train ‘surfers’ JAKARTA: Indonesia has gone to imaginative extremes to try to stop commuters from illegally riding the roofs of trains - hosing down the scofflaws with red paint, threatening them with dogs and appealing for help from religious leaders. Now the authorities have an intimidating and possibly even deadly new tactic: Suspending rows of grapefruit-sized concrete balls to rake over the top of trains as they pull out of stations, or when they go through rail crossings.

Authorities hope the balls - which could deliver serious blows to the head - will be enough to deter defiant roof riders. “We’ve tried just about everything, even putting rolls of barbed wire on the roof, but nothing seems to work,” said Mateta Rizahulhaq, a spokesman for the state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api. “Maybe this will do it.”

Trains that crisscross Indonesia on poorly maintained tracks left behind

by Dutch colonizers six decades ago usually are packed with passengers, especially during the rush hour.

Hundreds seeking to escape the overcrowded carriages clamor to the top. Some ride high to avoid paying for a ticket. Others do so because -

despite the dangers, with dozens killed or injured every year - “rail surfing” is fun. The first dozen or so balls were installed yesterday hundreds of yards (meters) from the entrance of a train station just outside the capital, Jakarta. Painted silver, the balls hung by chains from what looked like the frame of a giant soccer goal.

But there was a glitch: the chains were too short, leaving a gap of about 16 inches (40 cm) between the balls and the roofs of the passing train carriages. Rizahulhaq said adjustments would be made. If successful, the project will be expanded, with balls also set up near railway crossings. Asked about worries that the balls could hurt or even kill those who defy the roof-riding ban, he insisted that wasn’t really his problem. “They don’t have to sit on top,” he said. “And we’ve already told them, if the train is full, go to the office. We will be happy to reimburse their tickets.”

The commuters, known as “Atappers” or “Roofers”, meanwhile are hardcore in their determination to stay on top. “I was really scared when I first heard about these balls,” said Mulyanto, a 27-year-old shop-

keeper, who rides between his hometown of Bogor and Jakarta almost every day for work. “It sounds like it could be really dangerous. But I don’t think it’ll last long,” he said.

“They’ve tried everything to keep us from riding ... in the end we always win. We like it up there, it’s windy, really nice.”

Many of the roof riders - and regular passengers - say the main problem lies with Indonesia’s dilapidated railway system. There are not enough trains to meet demand, they say. And there are constant delays in service. “People have jobs! They can’t be late,” said Parto, a trader at the Jakarta stock exchange, who can usually be found sitting inside. “If the train is late, they’ll do whatever they have to.” Several years ago, paint guns were set up to spray those riding on the top of carriages so authorities could identify and round up the guilty travelers. But roof riders destroyed the equipment soon after.

The exhortations of clerics didn’t work. Neither did the dogs. At one point, police decided to do the expected: arrest the culprits. But their officers were pelted with rocks and they gave up. — AP

Bedoons to be deported over protests Continued from Page 1

About 43,000 of them are Iraqis, 16,400 Saudis and the rest are Syrians, Iranians, Jordanians and other nationalities, according to official data published yesterday by Al-Watan daily.

The government promised that bedoons who produce their original passports will be granted long-term residence permits, in addition to free public services and schooling. It also decided to accelerate the process of granting Kuwaiti citizenship to those who merit it, AlAnbaa reported. Encouraged by the Arab Spring protests, bedoons staged demonstrations in February and March last year. They renewed their protests in December to press authorities to resolve their decadesold plight. Fifty-two bedoons are on trial for protesting,

while 32 others are still under investigation.

A total of 63 bedoons arrested on Jan 13 and 14 have been detained by the prosecutor pending further investigation, one of their lawyers, Ali Al-Sabri, told AFP. Sabri said the new group of detainees face charges of assaulting policemen and taking part in illegal gatherings. The prosecutor agreed to refer nine of them for medical examinations on claims they were beaten by police. The prosecutor also detained two teenagers for one week pending further investigation, said Sabri, one of 13 Kuwaiti lawyers who volunteered to defend the bedoons. In a bid to force the bedoons to produce their original nationality papers, Kuwait has refused to issue essential documents to most of them, including birth, marriage and death certificates, Human Rights Watch reported in June. — AFP

Countries consider time out on the ‘leap second’ GENEVA: It’s high noon for the humble leap second. After ten years of talks, governments are headed for a showdown vote this week on an issue that pits technological precision against nature’s whims. The United States, France and others are pushing for countries at a UN telecom meeting to abolish the leap second, which for 40 years has kept computers in sync with the Earth day. Leap seconds are necessary to prevent atomic clocks from speeding ahead of solar time. They are added at irregular intervals, effectively stretching atomic time by a heartbeat to make up for the irregular wobble in the Earth’s rotation.

Critics warn that scrapping the leap second would break the last link between the passing of time and the course of the sun across the sky. But backers say machines shouldn’t any longer be tethered to the imprecise cycle of sunrise and sunset. “This would be an important decision because the problem of introducing the leap second would disappear and we would have a more steady time than we have today,” Vincent Meens, an official at the International Telecommunication Union who has chaired technical talks on the issue, said yesterday.

Operators of cell phone networks, financial markets and air traffic control systems could then rely on the nearabsolute precision offered by atomic clocks without having to worry about stopping their systems for the length of a heartbeat every year or two. “Most of the people who operate time services favor discontinuing leap seconds,” said Judah Levine, a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado. “The main problem is that the leap second is usually implemented by stopping the clock for one second. However, the world doesn’t stop,” he said. Satellite navigation systems like GPS don’t use leap seconds, which adds confusion, said Levine. “In addition, the leap second occurs in the middle of the day in Asia and Australia, which is particularly inconvenient.”

In a world increasingly reliant on computers for mission-critical measurements, any glitch could be costly as

well as fatal, said Elisa Felicitas Arias, director of the time department at the Paris-based International Bureau of Weights and Measures. “You can make a dramatic error if, for example, you are trying to land an aircraft,” she said, noting that rocket launches, too, are never scheduled on days when a leap second might occur. “This is something we are trying to correct.”

Critics say the risks are overblown and leap seconds have been used successfully since 1972, despite being hard to predict more than six months in advance. China has warned that any change could hurt astronomers, who need to be able to compare observations spanning thousands of years as part of their work. Canada, too, has raised objections to the proposed plan, while Britain has warned that it could spell the end of Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, as a meaningful measure.

“Leap seconds are an inconvenience to the telecommunications people, but there are many other users of time who should be considered,” said Ken Seidelmann, a research professor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and former director of astrometry at the US Naval Observatory. Killing off the leap second would also result in atomic clocks slowly outrunning the solar day by a rate of about 90 seconds a century. After many thousands of years, atomic clocks would say it’s midday when outside the sun has yet to rise. “This is replacing a small problem with a big problem further down the line,” said Daniel Gambis, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory and the man who alerted timekeepers around the world to the next leap second, due on June 30.

Arias said solutions could be found for such problems, but conceded that severing the link between the proposed new standard time - as measured by atomic clocks - and the solar time people are accustomed to might seem troubling to many. Still, the time for change has come, she argued. Unless a last minute consensus is reached, delegates at the ITU meeting in Geneva are expected to vote on the issue tomorrow or Friday. — AP

Two officers get life for torturing man...

Continued from Page 1 Opposition MPs took the issue to the National Assembly and the former interior minister initially denied torture claims, but later retracted after former opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrak produced the medical report issued by the hospital. Later, three opposition MPs filed to grill the former interior minister over the issue but he resigned before the grilling took place. He was replaced by the current interior minister Sheikh Ahmad AlHumoud Al-Sabah. The verdict is not final as it can be challenged in the courts of appeals and cassation.

Meanwhile, veteran liberal leaders warned yesterday that the forthcoming general elections could be the most decisive ever in Kuwait’s history for a variety of domestic and regional reasons. Former MP Ahmad Al-Nafisi stressed at the launch of first constituency candidate Ahmad Al-Obaid that the elections are being held while Kuwait is passing through the most serious crisis in its history, including the 1990 Iraqi invasion. Nafisi said the crisis is the talk about the collapse of Kuwait and its bank-

ruptcy in a 20-year time because of its heavy reliance on one source for income - oil - and the sharp rise in spending.

Former MP Ahmad Al-Khateeb said the next elections are more important than the previous ones because of an atmosphere of intense sectarian and tribal divisions in Kuwait during which extremists are the winners. The danger in these divisions is that they will lead to the fragmentation of the society, a situation in which all parties will be losers, he said. Khateeb warned that Kuwait will not be able to face the very dangerous regional events while divided and engaged with disputes.

Obaid, the candidate of the liberal Democratic Forum, said the next elections are definitely the most serious and important in Kuwait’s history because the voters appear helpless in making the right choice because of the ambiguous political situation. He said in previous elections, Kuwait has one government but now there are three to four governments and each one is conspiring against the others which makes the task of voters to take their choice extremely difficult.

VIENNA: Fu Hu, a panda born at Vienna zoo plays in the snow in his enclosure yesterday. Pandas, even when conceived abroad, are the property of the Republic of China and only loaned to foreign zoos. — AFP

14

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

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Issues

Presidential races flummox conservatives

By Charles Babington he Republican Party’s steadily rightward drift, exemplified by the tea party movement’s muscle, keeps hitting a paradox every four years that frustrates social conservatives: presidential primaries. For all its success in congressional races, the Republican Party’s right wing repeatedly has failed to unite behind a “movement conservative” to be the party’s White House nominee. It happened in 2008 with John McCain, and in 1996 with Bob Dole.

Now social conservatives fear it’s happening again in South Carolina, virtually the heartland of the tea party, which advocates limited government, deep government spending cuts and lower taxes. Former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney is running strong in polls there, threatening to sweep the year’s first three Republican contests and all but lock up the nomination in Saturday’s primary.

More than 100 evangelical and social conservative leaders convened last weekend in Texas, hoping to slow Romney’s march by backing former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. But they were far from unanimous, and many party activists feel the effort was too weak and too late. The loose-knit group’s lack of cohesion - underscored Monday when some members announced their strong support for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich illustrates the hard right’s historic difficulty in coalescing early behind one strong contender.

Romney, meanwhile, caught a break Monday. Former Utah Gov Jon Huntsman, widely seen as competing with Romney for moderate-conservatives’ votes, dropped out and endorsed the frontrunner. Romney began the contest as the Republican establishment’s favorite, running a steady but unspectacular campaign while rivals on his right soared and crashed. Rep Michele Bachmann and businessman Herman Cain eventually dropped out.

Former Alaska Gov Sarah Palin never got in. Gingrich and Texas Gov Rick Perry are hanging on, but they have fallen dramatically from their respective high points of last year.

Santorum, virtually an afterthought in the race until Christmas, may have the best chance of becoming the non-Romney candidate. But he lags far behind Romney in money, organization and experience.

There are several explanations, perhaps none of which will satisfy people who want an unabashed, staunch social and fiscal conservative as president. The most benign explanation is that Republicans are so intent on ousting President Barack Obama that they will settle for a far-from-pure conservative nominee and rally around him this fall. Indeed, Republican polls show Romney’s perceived “electability” as one his greatest assets.

Tony Perkins, who attended the Texas gathering as head of the conservative Family Research Council, says social conservatism is “choking on its own success” by attracting so many presidential hopefuls. “The field is so inviting for socially conservative candidates to get in,” Perkins said, “they slice up the vote.” But Dan Schnur, a former campaign and policy adviser for Republicans, says conservative activists keep getting outmaneuvered by the party’s more pragmatic and mainstream operatives who know how to run campaigns. Among national Republicans, “a balance of power has shifted from the establishment to the grassroots”, said Schnur, who teaches politics at the University of Southern California. “That said, the thing about establishments is: They are established, and they are organized.”

Social conservative crusader Pat Buchanan and business publisher Steve Forbes ran in 1996, but the establishment backed Dole, a longtime Senate leader and an uninspiring campaigner. In 2008, many on the Republican right disliked McCain, the Arizona senator who championed campaign finance limits and challenged other conservative orthodoxies. But he easily passed Baptist minister and former Arkansas Gov Mike Huckabee, who won the 2008 leadoff Iowa caucuses.

George W Bush ran as a “compassionate conservative” in 2000, although he governed more to the right, especially on military matters. If any state would reject Romney’s moderate style and history of supporting abortion rights and gun control, South Carolina would be near the top.

The state’s congressional delegation includes some of the nation’s most prominent tea party advocates. Yet Romney appears to be coasting, wooing another tea party favorite, South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley, to his side.

Haley constantly emphasizes the need to oust Obama.

Romney, she tells South Carolina Republicans, is the man to do it. In Monday’s debate in South Carolina, Romney again focused much of his fire on Obama. —AP

T

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Kenyan hopefuls walk ICC tightrope

By James Macharia huru Kenyatta, Kenya’s richest man and son of its founder president, is facing a possible trial for crimes against humanity, but he’s not letting that dampen his political ambitions. The 50-year-old finance minister, who is running a close second to Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the polls, launched his own presidential campaign at the weekend, punching the air at a rally to pump up thousands of enthusiastic supporters. “It is now time to leave the offices and hit the campaign trail,” Kenyatta, ranked by Forbes as Kenya’s richest man with a net worth of half a billion dollars, told the noisy crowd.

Kenyatta is one of six Kenyans who will find out by Jan 23 whether he has to face trial at The Hague for fomenting violence after the 2007 election that killed at least 1,220 people and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes, many of whom still languish in tented camps four years on. His chances of replacing President Mwai Kibaki will get a big boost if International Criminal Court (ICC) charges against him are dropped, but he could lose the biggest prize of his checkered political career if he has to face a long trial.

It was in Dec 2010 that ICC prosecutor Luis MorenoOcampo named the high-profile Kenyans suspected of crimes against humanity for the violence after the Dec 27, 2007 election that mainly pitted one ethnic group against another. All six suspects appeared in The Hague for confirmation of charges hearings in 2011 and all denied the accusations, with Kenyatta, who studied at the prestigious Amherst College in Massachusetts, the only one to present his defence himself. Kenyatta hopes to be the flag-bearer for Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, in an election that is likely to be shaped by alliances between the main ethnic groups. The stakes are also high for former cabinet minister, presidential hopeful and ICC suspect William Ruto, 45, whose powerbase stems from the ethnic Kalenjin, the only group besides the Kikuyu to have provided a Kenyan president. With the ICC moment of truth looming, he too launched his presidential campaign at the Bomas of Kenya at the weekend, a tourist village on the outskirts of Nairobi where Kenya’s more than 40 tribes share their culture with visitors.

Ruto danced with supporters and kissed a horn from a kudu antelope, to symbolise the rallying call to his new United Republican Party that was unveiled on Sunday. While

U

Ruto is an outsider for the top post, his ethnic group, the third largest in Kenya according to a 2009 census, could well sway the balance in a tight vote. But should the ICC put Kenyatta and Ruto on trial, it could wreck their plans to run for the presidency and raise political tension by angering their supporters who claim the evidence against them is fabricated. Given the difficulty of amassing evidence and witnesses, securing convictions for all six suspects may well be beyond the scope of Moreno-Ocampo, who retires in June.

But failure to take even one of the cases to trial would be a serious embarrassment for the Argentine lawyer who has failed so far to jail any supsects during his nearly nine years as the ICC’s inaugural chief prosecutor. “The signals coming out of the ICC suggest that preparations for trials are well under way and I would be surprised if at least one of the cases was not taken forward,” said Patrick Mair, a London-based Kenya analyst at Control Risks.

There are two cases involving Kenya at the ICC, split broadly between the ethnic Kikuyu and Kalenjin camps.

Accused alongside Kenyatta are Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura, a member of a tribe allied to the Kikuyu, and Postal Corporation chief Hussein Ali, from the Somali ethnic community who was head of police during the violence. A second case pits former government ministers Ruto and Henry Kosgey and radio executive Joshua Arap Sang. All three are ethnic Kalenjins.

The Kalenjin community was reported to have instigated the attacks against members of the Kikuyu group, triggering the widespread violence that took Kenya to the brink before former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stepped in to broker a truce. At the time, Ruto was an ally of presidential candidate Raila Odinga and the Kalenjin felt their side was robbed of victory by Kibaki in a poll marred by irregularities. Ruto is accused of planning the violence against Kikuyus, carried out

by Kalenjin. In the worst single attack, Kalenjin youths locked women and children in a church and set it ablaze on New Year’s day 2008, killing nearly 30. The Kikuyu hit back against both the Kalenjin and Odinga’s tribe, the Luo, and the violence escalated. Kenyatta is accused of marshalling a Kikuyu militia known as Mungiki to carry out attacks, with the connivance of the state security apparatus.

At his campaign rally, Kenyatta, son of Kenya’s founding president Jomo Kenyatta, said he was against the use of violence in the next campaign. Ruto avoids public discussion

about the ICC. “That’s a topic I don’t want to discuss,” he told Reuters last week. Both Kenyatta and Ruto have said they will press on with their campaigns even if they are indicted, on the grounds that they are innocent until proven guilty.

However, their campaigns could be undermined if the elections coincide with trials at The Hague. There is also the question of whether their traditional powerbases might migrate to other, potentially more viable, candidates. “If they were both to go to trial, they would become forgotten people.

Their considerable support base would be up for grabs,” Ndung’u Wainaina, head the Nairobi-based think-tank International Centre for Policy and Conflict said.

The ICC prosecutor has previously said trials could be heard anytime from mid-2012. Kenya’s High Court ruled on Friday the presidential election should be held in March 2013, not this August as stipulated in the constitution, nor in December as proposed by the government. The court also ruled, however, that if the coalition government is dissolved there would be an election within 60 days and the executive has since come under pressure to arrange for a vote this year.

The Hague could also drop charges against both, or either of the two. The latter scenario is potentially more explosive as it could reopen wounds left after the last bout of violence.

Elite paramilitary police units have been dispatched this week to potential trouble spots ahead of the ICC ruling. “If one is let off, there will be demonstrations by one group claiming to have been singled out unfairly, but I don’t see a violent reaction,” said Ken Wafula, a human rights defender who has worked with victims of the election violence.

Odinga, now prime minister, could also face a backlash from Kenyatta and Ruto supporters if their leaders are indicted.

They have accused Odinga of trying to exploit the criminal charges for political gain as he also wants to be president.

Kenyatta has blamed the violence on the prime minister for his refusal to accept defeat in the presidential election.

Odinga’s advantage in opinion polls has been eroded steadily by his rivals, especially Kenyatta. “The majority of Kenyatta’s and Ruto’s supporters will snub Odinga at the ballot because of his perceived backing of the ICC process to fix Kenyatta and Ruto,” Wainaina said. The ICC is unlikely to issue arrest warrants even if the charges against the suspects are confirmed, because so far the suspects have been cooperative with the court, said Macharia Munene, a university lecturer on international relations. —Reuters

Iraq violence to rise if leaders row

By Prashant Rao hile the chances of all-out sectarian war in Iraq appear slim, violence will remain high and at risk of worsening if the country’s leaders do not end their political standoff, experts say. Iraq has suffered several mass-casualty attacks directly targeting communities or sects in the wake of last month’s US withdrawal and coinciding with a political row that has pitted the Shiite-led government against the main Sunni-backed bloc. But though the threat of civil war is often raised in talks on the country’s future, analysts say an improved Iraqi security force coupled with greater Sunni Arab participation in politics and popular opposition to communal violence make such a scenario unlikely. “This conflict between the leaders will continue,” Mahmud Othman, an independent MP from the autonomous Kurdish region, told AFP. “But fortunately, the people are more responsible than the leaders, so I don’t think that’s a real possibility. They (political leaders) have failed the test - they cannot rule the country, they do not care about national interests ... In the last year, we have had what was called a partnership government, but really it has been a government in crisis.” Othman warned that security in Iraq was “much better at this time last year” and that the attacks would carry on if the political row festered.

Politics and violence are often seen as linked in Iraq, as insurgents exploit political fissures to exacerbate instability. Shortly after US forces completed their withdrawal on Dec 18, authorities charged Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi, a Sunni Arab, with running a death squad. Hashemi’s Iraqiya bloc has since largely boycotted parliament and cabinet, while he has stayed put in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq that has so far

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declined to hand him over to Baghdad.

In the weeks since the row erupted, Iraq has suffered a spate of violence that has killed more than 200 people, including high-casualty attacks on Dec 22, Jan 5 and Jan 14. The latter two solely targeted Iraq’s majority Shiite community. Such attacks, which result in mass deaths, pose a greater threat to security than targeted assassinations that insurgents and militias have pursued in the past because of emotions they stir, according to John

but Drake cautioned that last year’s figure did not include the Shiite mourning rituals of Arbaeen or the aftermath of the US pullout.

“It seems to be more violent,” the Londonbased analyst said, and warned: “It’s still a fragile political system. ... If people have faith in it, then they will engage in it to resolve their grievances and disputes. If they feel the politicians are ineffectual or corrupt or authoritarian, they will try other methods.

The methods that are tried and tested in Iraq

Iraqi security forces inspect the site of a blast in Bartala in Nineveh province, north of Baghdad, on Jan 16, 2012. – AFP Drake, a security analyst with private security firm AKE Group.

AKE figures indicate the number of attacks in the past six weeks are around 50 percent higher than in the same period a year ago,

are tribal methods, which are incompatible with the state, and violence.”

Drake added: “I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but if they believe it’s not in their best interests to participate in the state build-

ing process, they could turn against it.” He noted that the strengthening of Iraq’s security forces, which now number around 950,000 and are widely acknowledged as more competent and united than between 2005 and 2008, made the risk of civil war unlikely. In those years, all-out sectarian violence wracked Iraq and tens of thousands of people were killed, levels of violence that only fell when US forces ramped up their numbers and co-opted Sunni tribes.

And whereas then, the police forces in particular were infiltrated by Shiite militias, officials now trumpet officers such as army Captain Nazhan Faleh, a Sunni who died trying to wrestle a suicide bomber to the ground as he blew himself up amid a crowd of Shiite pilgrims. Much of what happens next rests with the decisions of Iraq’s Sunni Arab minority, which ruled the country until now-executed dictator Saddam Hussein’s ouster in 2003. Ranj Alaaldin, a senior associate with risk consultancy Certus Intelligence, said civil war was unlikely “because major representatives of the country’s Sunni Arabs have no interest in resorting to violence or start collaborating with Al-Qaeda in Iraq.”

“They don’t have the same organisational capacity and are divided among themselves,” he said. “The Shiites, on the other hand, control the state security institutions and have their own powerful militias.” Reidar Visser, an analyst and editor of the Iraq-focused www.historiae.org website, agreed that any threat of civil war “still seems premature since the Iraqi security forces are so far able to maintain overall stability despite serious terrorism challenges.” He warned, however, that “the greatest threat at this point seems to be the permanent withdrawal of Iraqiya from parliamentary politics, which would mean derailment of the entire post-2003 attempt to establish democracy in Iraq.” — AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

sp orts Henry apologizes for swearing LONDON: Thierry Henry has apologized for swearing at an Arsenal fan following his side’s 3-2 Premier League defeat at Swansea City on Sunday. Henry, playing in his second match since rejoining Arsenal on loan earlier this month, admitted losing his temper when an Arsenal supporter insulted him at Liberty Stadium. “I was really shocked and disappointed on Sunday, and not just at the result,” Henry told Britain’s Sun newspaper. “After the final whistle of a very tricky game, I insisted the whole team go and applaud the Arsenal supporters. “When I arrived in front of our own fans, I couldn’t understand the abuse the team were getting from one of them. “I wanted to tell the fan in question that we need their support not abuse. The sentiment was right but in hindsight could have been better expressed. “So I would like to first and foremost apologize for using inappropriate language to that particular ‘supporter’. “I didn’t intend to be malicious or threatening and am aware that it could have been said in a calmer manner.” — Reuters

Henrique set for QPR challenge

Farewell to coach Miljanic BELGRADE: Several football legends, including Emilio Butragueno yesterday bid farewell to Miljan Miljanic, former coach of Yugoslavia, Red Star Belgrade and Spain’s Real Madrid and Valencia. The commemoration held in Belgrade City Hall was attended by representatives of FIFA, UEFA and a delegation from Real Madrid, led by former stars Butragueno and Amancio Amaro.

Amancio was coached by Miljanic in Real Madrid. Butragueno said Miljanic had meant a lot to Real Madrid and that the club was grateful for everything the late coach had done for both the club and the game in general, Tanjug news agency reported. “He completely changed

LONDON: Brazilian striker Henrique has said he is ready to join Queens Park Rangers and help the club in its battle against relegation from the English Premier League. The 20-year-old Sao Paulo player is one of the most highly-rated young forwards in South America and had long been expected to join a top European side.

But QPR appear to have won the race for his signature after agreeing an initial 18month loan deal, with a view to finalizing a £5.5 million (6.6 million euros) acquisition in 2013. The London side would need to get a work permit for Henrique and, although he is yet to win a senior cap, he is an ever present for Brazil’s Under-20 side and was the leading scorer at the World Youth Cup last year. “I know a lot of clubs are interested in me. But when I spoke to Mark Hughes and QPR, they made me feel very excited about their plans,” Henrique told The Sun newespaper. “I want to go to a club with ambition and to play in London would be a fantastic opportunity. The manager is known everywhere.”— AFP

the concept of football. People in Spain adored him,” Butragueno told the agency. “That is why we are here, to express our deep condolences to the family and football community of Serbia, because this is the great loss for all,” he said. Football legends from throughout the former Yugoslavia who played in 1970s and 1980s and later made the national side like Safet Susic, Ivica Osim and Dragan Stojkovic also attended the commemoration and funeral at Belgrade’s main cemetery.

Miljanic died last week at the age of 81. After a brief career as a defender with Red Star Belgrade, Miljanic coached the team and won 10 national championships. —AFP

Wings blank Sabres 5-0 Bruins tame Panthers in shootout DETROIT: Henrik Zetterberg scored the first of Detroit’s three goals in the opening period as the Red Wings broke a franchise record with their 15th straight home victory, a 5-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. It is the longest single-season winning streak by an NHL team at home since 1976 when Philadelphia won 20 in a row to match a league mark set by Boston during the 192930 season, according to STATS, LLC. The Red Wings won 14 straight at home in 1965.

Detroit’s Jimmy Howard made 27 saves for his fifth shutout this season and NHL-high 27th victory. The Sabres have lost a franchiserecord nine straight road games in regulation.

TRIPOLI: Coach Dris Ali Mohammed looks on as Ramzi Abdulhadi Al-Haji (center) fights Sofiyan Al-Bassar during a boxing training session for young Libyans, in the capital Tripoli. — AFP

Boxing punches back in Libya after Gaddafi ban TRIPOLI: Sofiyan Al-Bassar swings his right fist and delivers a blow to the face of his rival, splitting his lower lip and knocking him off balance before rushing in to try to finish him off. “Stop! Stop!” yells a stocky man as he pulls the 23-year-old back.

Bassar and his opponent Ramzi Abdulhadi Al-Haji are not members of rival militias fighting on the streets of Tripoli, but they are among the first enthusiastic young men to join a newly opened boxing club in the city. Boxing, considered as a “savage” sport and banned since 1979 by former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, is making a comeback in the North African country after the strongman’s ouster and death.

The club, which is still to be named, operates from what used to be a regular meeting place of Gaddafi diehards to discuss the dictator’s “Green Book”, a collection of his political, economic and social teachings. “This is our fitting reply to the dead tyrant. We are relaunching the sport which we love, but he hated, from one of his own places,” the stocky man, coach Dris Ali Mohammed said. “Gaddafi banned boxing because he thought it to be a savage sport. But he had no problems hanging and killing people in Abu Slim (prison in Tripoli). No wonder he was killed by our boys,” says Mohammed. Gaddafi was killed on October 20 in a fierce battle at his hometown of Sirte, ending an eight-month conflict against his regime which erupted in February last year.

Tens of thousands of young and old Libyans took up arms to fight his diehards, eventually ending his 42 years of iron-fisted rule. Mohammed says he was part of the last international boxing championship in which Libya participated, in Venezuela in 1979. Now 63, he took part in the feather-

weight class and fought rivals from Thailand and Venezuela before a broken finger forced him to withdrew from the tournament. Only three years beforehand, Mohammed had met boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Benghazi, the eastern city of Libya which first rose up against Gaddafi last year.

Soon after his return to Libya from Venezuela, Mohammed had to stop boxing and instead took up powerlifting and bodybuilding after Gaddafi banned the sport. “I kept my gloves in the closet and began training in powerlifting and bodybuilding,” he says. “I took them out two months ago after nearly 33 years to teach these boys,” he adds, as behind him Bassar and Haji begin another round of sparring.

The small compound from where Mohammed runs the club in central Tripoli’s Zawiyah Street resembles an old garage with big iron gates painted in green-a symbol of Gaddafi’s regime-and half-covered by a wooden roof. ‘We will achieve our dreams’- On the outside wall, a neatly drawn image depicts the sentiment of the men inside. The picture shows a young Muhammad Ali knocking out Gaddafi with a punch. “The last punch of October 20,” say the words accompanying the painting, referring to the day Gaddafi was killed in Sirte during a battle with rebels who these days often clash among themselves. Only a few days ago, two groups of former rebels armed with machineguns and anti-aircraft guns skirmished in Zawiyah Street itself, leaving four dead and several wounded. Behind the iron gates of the compound, two brown punching bags swing wildly from the rafters as three young men deliver a series of blows with their dusty looking gloves. —AFP

Virginia women lose to No 8 Maryland 68-61 COLLEGE PARK: Chalk up another moral victory for Virginia, which played very well against the eighth-ranked team in the country. The Cavaliers’ performance in a 6861 loss to Maryland on Monday night was encouraging to coach Joanne Boyle. It was not, however, satisfying. In Boyle’s first year at Virginia, the Cavaliers have defeated Tennessee, lost by 11 at Duke and lasted two overtimes before losing to North Carolina. Against Maryland, Virginia trailed by only five points in the closing minutes.

“For us, we’ve got to stay the course,” Boyle said. “Moral victories are great, you’re competing, but we’re over the moral victories.

We want to get one.”

Lexie Gerson scored 15 for Virginia (14-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) and Ataira Franklin had 14. The Cavaliers missed 20 of 32 shots from the floor after halftime.

“There were times we had a good pace to our offense and times that we didn’t,” Boyle said. “That’s just a work in progress for us.”

Virginia had a season-high 12 steals, which contributed heavily to Maryland’s 17 turnovers. But the Cavaliers, who came in allowing an ACC-low 51.7 points per game, yielded 52 in the opening 29 minutes. “All the credit goes to Maryland,” Boyle said.

“They’re a great team and know how to fight off opponents.”

Next up for the Cavaliers: A home game Thursday night against Miami, the only team to beat Maryland this season. “It’s another chance to be at home and play

another great team,” Boyle said. “Our kids, they rise the occasion - Tennessee, Duke, UNC, Maryland. They don’t back down.

Thursday will be a great challenge for us.”

Laurin Mincy scored 20 and Lynetta Kizer had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Terrapins (17-1, 4-1), who were coming off a 75-63 defeat at Miami on Thursday night.

“I thought Virginia was really, really good,” Terrapins coach Brenda Frese said.

“They came in and had a really good game plan. They really made us play their tempo and their style of play - very, very aggressive. I thought it took us a while in terms of getting the feel and the rhythm of the game, but in the second half we were able to wear them down. Maryland shot 44 percent from the floor and went 13 for 22 at the foul line. “At the end of the day, a win is a win,” Mincy said. The Terrapins outdid the ACC’s best defense by holding the Cavaliers to 39 percent shooting and finishing with a 43-33 edge in rebounding.

It was 38-all before Maryland’s Tianna Hawkins made a layup and reserve guard Kim Rodgers buried a 3-pointer to launch an 11-5 run that made it 49-43. After a timeout, the Terrapins beat the press and got the ball to Brene Moseley, who hit a 3pointer for a 52-43 lead with 11 minutes left. The Cavaliers closed to 62-57 with 2:08 remaining, but Mincy made four free throws over a 31 second span to blunt the comeback and end Virginia’s two-game winning streak in the ACC. —AP

COYOTES 6, AVALANCHE 1 At Glendale, Arizona, Shane Doan and Boyd Gordon scored two goals each as Phoenix returned from an 0-3 road trip to rout Colorado. Gilbert Brule had a goal and assist for the Coyotes just six days after he was claimed off waivers from Edmonton. Rostislav

Klesla scored Phoenix’s season-high sixth goal in the third period. Chris Summers had a pair of assists for his first career NHL points. Ray Whitney joined the Phoenix scoring with a pair of assists. Chuck Kobasew scored Colorado’s goal. Mike Smith had 38 saves to 27 for Semyon Varlamov of the Avalanche.— AP

BRUINS 3, PANTHERS 2, SO At Sunrise, Florida, Patrice Bergeron scored two goals and David Krejci scored the winner in the shootout as Boston beat Florida. Bergeron scored two goals for Boston, and Tuukka Rask stopped 38 shots.

Jason Garrison and Shawn Matthias scored goals for Florida, and Scott Clemmensen made 33 saves. Bergeron’s second goal of the game came during a two-man advantage and put the Bruins ahead 2-1.

BLUES 1, STARS 0 At St Louis, Jaroslav Halak made 22 saves for his third shutout of the season and TJ Oshie scored midway through the third period and surging St. Louis Blues stayed unbeaten in 2012. The Blues have earned 13 out of a possible 14 points this month (6-0-1) and are tied with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks atop the NHL standings with 60 points. St Louis improved to 19-3-3 at the Scottrade Center and set a single-season club record by earning at least a point at home for the 13th straight game.

JETS 2, SENATORS 0 At Ottawa, Chris Mason made 25 saves for his second shutout and Winnipeg ended a three-game losing streak with a win over Ottawa. Jim Slater scored 49 seconds in to give Winnipeg an early 1-0 lead. Tobias Enstrom scored in the second period for the Jets, who had lost five of six. Mason got his 23rd career shutout. Chris Neil and Bobby Butler both put shots off the crossbar late in the third.

PREDATORS 3, ISLANDERS 1 At Uniondale, New York, Sergei Kostitsyn and Matt Halischuk scored on Nashville’s first two shots against Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin, and the surging Predators rolled to a victory over in a holiday matinee. David Legwand also finished a precision three-way passing play to close out the dominating first period for the Predators, who won for the eighth time in nine games and are 14-4 in their past 18. Pekka Rinne made 36 saves for his 24th win, second in the NHL. He was denied his fourth shutout of the season when John Tavares extended his career-best point streak to nine games by scoring a goal with 3:58 remaining.

ST LOUIS: Dallas Stars’ Jake Dowell (left) and St Louis Blues’ Scott Nichol fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, Jan 16, 2012, in St Louis. — AP

NHL results/standings NHL results and standings on Monday.

Nashville 3, NY Islanders 1; Phoenix 6, Colorado 1; Winnipeg 2, Ottawa 0; Boston 3, Florida 2 (SO); Detroit 5, Buffalo 0; St. Louis 1, Dallas 0. (SO denotes shootout win)

St. Louis Chicago Detroit Nashville Columbus

Western Conference Central Division 27 12 6 116 94 27 13 6 150 133 29 15 1 146 103 26 15 4 125 120 12 27 5 106 147

60 60 59 56 29

Northwest Division 28 15 3 149 114 22 16 7 105 113 24 21 2 120 134 21 20 5 111 131 17 23 4 114 127

59 51 50 47 38

Pacific Division 25 12 5 123 22 15 9 102 24 19 1 120 21 18 7 120 15 22 7 113

55 53 49 49 37

NY Rangers Philadelphia New Jersey Pittsburgh NY Islanders

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA 28 11 4 122 90 26 13 4 144 128 25 17 2 121 125 23 17 4 134 116 16 21 6 103 134

Boston Ottawa Toronto Buffalo Montreal

Northeast Division 29 12 1 153 83 25 16 6 146 148 22 17 5 137 137 19 21 5 112 134 17 20 8 116 123

59 56 49 43 42

Vancouver Minnesota Colorado Calgary Edmonton

Florida Washington Winnipeg Carolina Tampa Bay

Southeast Division 21 14 9 112 123 24 17 2 125 124 21 19 5 115 128 16 24 7 123 154 17 23 4 121 156

51 50 47 39 38

San Jose Los Angeles Dallas Phoenix Anaheim

PTS 60 56 52 50 38

99 103 126 119 138

Pitt record 7th straight loss SYRACUSE: Ashton Gibbs spoke softly as he pondered another game that got away from struggling Pittsburgh.

“We were right there,” Gibbs said Monday night after the Panthers’ seventh straight loss, 71-63 to No 1 Syracuse. “Just those little things are separating us.” The Panthers (11-8, 0-6 Big East) were coming off a stunning 62-39 home loss to Rutgers last Wednesday, the fewest points they scored in a regulation game since a 53-30 loss to Temple in 1969, and hadn’t played the top-ranked team in the nation in three years.

On this night, they seemed ready to begin to right a season gone wrong. Instead, they had to settle for another loss. At least they made a game of it after falling behind 13-0.

“It’s obvious that we’re close,” Gibbs said. “We were right there against one of the best teams in the country.

We responded well. Missing 13 layups isn’t acceptable at all. We missed 11 free throws and we lost by eight. I think that was the difference.

We make layups and make free throws, we win the game.”

The win gave Syracuse (20-0, 7-0) the school record for victories at the start of a season and it was No. 876 for coach Jim Boeheim, tying him with Adolph Rupp of Kentucky for

fourth place all-time in Division I. North Carolina’s Dean Smith is third with 879. Boeheim extended his Division I record for most 20-win seasons to 34. Gibbs, Cameron Wright and Lamar Patterson all scored 10 points for Pitt, which had won 13 of the past 16 meetings with the Orange. Nasir Robinson, Pitt’s second-leading scorer at 12.4 points per game, had four points and missed 6 of 8 free throws.

Dion Waiters led Syracuse with 16 points and Scoop Jardine had 12 points, 10 assists and just two turnovers. Joseph and Brandon Triche both had 12 points for Syracuse, while Fab Melo had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks before fouling out in the final minute. It was Pitt’s first game against a top-ranked team in nearly three years. The Panthers brought a 2-13 record in those games into the Carrier Dome, but those two wins came in succession against Connecticut in February and March 2009. They also had beaten Syracuse five straight times.

“They’re ranked where they are because of how deep they are, how experienced they are,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. “I thought we did some good things. I’m proud of how hard we played and what we did on

the glass. The rebounding, especially, was a good showing by us. I thought we attacked the zone pretty well, but some missed layups I think really hurt us early.” Pittsburgh outrebounded Syracuse 40-28, 19-8 on the offensive glass, but only had 15 second-chance points to show for it as Syracuse challenged inside, blocking 11 shots. “We let them get too much penetration, and they took advantage of what we gave them - penetrating and kicking to the open man, and they made shots,” Gibbs said. “If we made layups, if we made free throws, we would have won the game.” Syracuse’s last home win against the Panthers was 67-65 on Feb 1, 2003. Syracuse’s last win over Pitt was 65-61 in the 2006 Big East tournament championship game, and its last victory during the regular season was 49-46 in overtime in February 2004 at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt trailed 48-34 with 15:10 left when Jardine hit from the right corner and flashed a smile as he headed back up court. Undaunted, the Panthers came back as they worked the shot clock looking for openings in the Syracuse zone. A 3-pointer by John Johnson as the shot-clock buzzer sounded and Dante Taylor’s reverse layup had them within nine

points in less than 2 minutes. A 3 by Waiters boosted the lead back to nine, but Johnson hit another 3 and Talib Zanna scored four straight points to move Pitt within 53-49 with 8:36 left.

Syracuse responded quickly.

Waiters drove and dished to Joseph on the wing for a wide-open 3 and after Johnson missed from long range for the first time in the game, Waiters swished a 3 from the left wing and the lead was back to 10.

Pittsburgh never got closer than eight points despite shooting 48 percent (12 of 25) in the second half.

Pittsburgh scored the first 19 points in beating the third-ranked Orange 74-66 at the Petersen Events Center a year ago, Syracuse’s first loss of the season after 18 straight wins. The Orange seemed intent on turning the tables in this one, storming to a 13-0 lead as the Panthers missed their first six shots and Melo registered three blocks in the first 4 minutes.

In last year’s game, the Orange rallied right back, scoring 17 straight points, and Pitt responded in this one with a 15-6 spurt. A three-point play

by Wright after an acrobatic layup and a free throw by Patterson moved Pitt within 19-15 with 7 minutes left in the first half.— AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

sp orts

Djokovic and Murray ease into 2nd round

MELBOURNE: Maria Sharapova of Russia serves against Gisela Dulko of Argentina in their first round women’s singles match on day two of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament yesterday. — AFP

Ruthless Sharapova demolishes Dulko MELBOURNE: Maria Sharapova last met Gisela Dulko in a grand slam event at the 2009 Wimbledon tournament, where the Argentine forced the Russian into error after error on her way to a surprise second round victory. Yesterday, the world number four gave back to her 26-yearold opponent exactly what she had received in London and produced a ruthless 6-0 6-1 victor y to set up an Australian Open second round encounter against American qualifier Jamie Hampton. “(She is) someone that’s beaten me the last time we played at a major... (and) she can definitely play some really good tennis. I think I was just mentally prepared for that,” Sharapova said of a victory that took just 58 minutes. “Overall, I think I played pretty good and aggressive.” There had been a feeling of deja vu prior to the match. The last time the pair had met, the tall Russian was lacking in preparation as she continued her comeback from shoulder surgery.

As a consequence, the Argentine forced the rusty Sharapova into a string of errors and ran out a 6-2 3-6 6-4 winner.

Sharapova entered Hisense Arena yesterday without playing a competitive match this year after an ankle injury flared up but this time, she blasted Dulko off the court. “She’s someone that likes to have time to create her shots,” Sharapova said of forcing the Argentine into 22 errors while Dulko committed another 18 that were unforced. “She likes to get you off

the court. She has many weapons when you give her that time. I think it was just important not to give her that, what she likes.”

DOUBLE BAGEL The 24-year-old Russian had been heading for a ‘double bagel’ 6-0 6-0 victory until she temporarily lost control of her serve in the third game of the second set and was broken. Dulko punched the air in delight after winning the game while the crowd on Melbourne Park’s second show court gave her a massive cheer and sustained applause.

Sharapova, however, was not prepared to stay on court any longer than necessary in the intense heat, breaking Dulko’s next two service games and surviving a trio of break points when serving for the match to complete the win.

After the comprehensive display, the three-times grand slam winner said she felt well prepared for the tournament despite being restricted to hitting practice. “Of course I would have preferred to have played a few matches, there’s no doubt.

But I have experience in how to handle going into a grand slam maybe with not as many matches,” she added. “I feel like if you can put in the time on the practice court and if you’re healthy enough, you have that energy,...(and) if you can have that intensity pretty high... then sometimes it’s even better to have that practice week.” — Reuters

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Novak Djokovic and the player he beat in last year’s final, Andy Murray, advanced in contrasting styles at the Australian Open yesterday. World number one Djokovic ripped through Italian journeyman Paolo Lorenzi for the loss of just two games, while fourth seed Murray needed over three hours and four sets to douse young American Ryan Harrison. Djokovic oozed confidence in disposing of the 109-ranked Lorenzi 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 in only 1hr 32min in high temperatures on Rod Laver Arena and will play Colombia’s 56th-ranked Santiago Giraldo in the next round.

But Murray was kept on court for 3hr 12min on Hisense Arena before ousting the 77th-ranked Harrison, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Another former finalist, Frenchman JoWilfried Tsonga, fought out a tough four-setter before overcoming Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 in almost three hours in a night match. Djokovic is brimming with self-belief after his sensational 2011 when he claimed three of the four grand slams and seized the top ranking from Rafael Nadal last July. Only four men on five occasions have won three or more consecutive grand slams in the open era-Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Nadal and Roger Federer twice.

“I feel much more complete as a player and as a person as well,” Djokovic said. “Mentally I’ve gained a lot of experience playing at the top level in the last couple of years. “I understand the game better, I understand what I need to do in order to win major events. “I just have more confidence that I’m playing on right now. I just believe that I can win, especially against the biggest rivals in the major events.” Last year’s Australian Open triumph was the first of seven straight tournament wins in a 41-match streak that was finally ended by Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open.

Murray, bidding to become Britain’s first male major-winner since Fred Perry in 1936, is looking to go one better than his shattering defeats to Federer and Djokovic in the past

two Australian Open finals. He has enlisted tennis great Ivan Lendl as his new coach and is unbeaten in six matches this year after winning the Brisbane International earlier in January. The Scot recovered from his early setback to gain control over Harrison and only lost nine games in the closing three sets to wrap up victory and a second-round meeting with Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Elsewhere, Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer eased past Portugal’s Rui Machado 6-1, 6-4, 6-

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reaches for a return against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy in their first round men’s singles match on day two of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament yesterday. — AFP 2 in 1hr 44min to set up a second-round encounter with American Ryan Sweeting. “I won in three sets in the first round, I won last week in Auckland. I’m really happy with my game and with my performance,” said Ferrer, who reached last year ’s semi-finals in Melbourne. “I won in three sets. This is very important for me as my game is very physical.”

look to continue on his path to a potential semi-final meeting with his great rival when he plays Andreas Beck. Women’s champion Kim Clijsters will have an early start when she faces Stephanie Fortez Garcon in the second match on Rod Laver Arena, following China’s Li Na, who will play Australia’s Olivia Rogowska in the first match of the day.

World number one Caroline Wozniacki continues her quest to shake off the unwanted tag of holding the top rank without having won a grand slam, against Georgia’s Anna Tatishvili. Local fans will have plenty to keep them interested later on Rod Laver Arena when teenager Bernard Tomic, who came back from a two-set deficit to upset 2009 semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco in the first round, plays big-serving American Sam Querrey before Australian wildcard Casey Dellacqua meets third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. — Reuters

Rafael Nadal of Spain

Japan’s Kei Nishikori, Asia’s leading men’s player, swept into the second round with a straight-sets win over Stephane Robert of France. “(My ranking) gives me a little bit of pressure because I feel like I have to win with these guys,” Nishikori said. “I have to play with lower-ranked guys now (in the draw). That gives me a little bit of pressure.” — AFP

Player power can end tour insanity: Roddick

Nadal battered knee to be tested against Haas MELBOURNE: Rafa Nadal’s painful right knee will be tested on centre court yesterday when he meets German Tommy Haas in the second round of the Australian Open tennis. The secondseeded Spaniard, who has been plagued with knee problems in recent years, said he had suffered a scare before the tournament began on Monday when he felt “unbelievable” pain in his right knee just from sitting in a chair. The 10-times grand-slam winner, who has been hampered by injury in the last two Australian Opens and been knocked out in the quarter-finals both times, got treatment for his latest problem and easily advanced to his second-round clash with Haas.

The 33-year-old Haas last met Nadal at Melbourne Park in 2009, when the Spaniard was on his way to claiming his first, and so far only, Australian Open title. Men’s third seed Roger Federer will

American 15th seed Andy Roddick put away Dutchman Robin Haase in straight sets and will face Australian wild card Lleyton Hewitt, who showed his trademark fighting spirit to down German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in almost four hours.

Frenchman Gael Monfils was too strong for Australian wild card Marinko Matosevic, the 14th seed winning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-3, and compatriot Richard Gasquet, the 17th seed, downed Italy’s Andreas Seppi in four sets.

MELBOURNE: Zheng Jie of China serves against Madison Keys of the US in their first round women’s singles match on day two of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament yesterday. — AFP

Zheng boosts China charge MELBOURNE: Zheng Jie became the third Chinese woman through to the second round of the Australian Open yesterday as Japan’s Kei Nishikori led the Asian men’s challenge in Melbourne. Zheng, who reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2010, came to Melbourne full of confidence after winning the Auckland Classic earlier this month, and she lost just three games against US wildcard Madison Keys. She joins China’s French Open champion Li Na and 16th seed Peng Shuai in the second round after her 6-2, 6-1 win, although 127th-ranked Zhang Shuai, handed a wildcard, lost to Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak. “I have had good practice before this year after my injury last year and I think my win in Auckland gave me confidence. I will be ready for a comeback,” Zheng said.

Zheng, who missed last year’s Australian Open with a wrist injury, said it would be tough to match her run in 2010 as she had a difficult draw, with Italian 23rd seed Roberta Vinci up next. “You never know because two years ago I didn’t think I would be in the semifinal. I’ll just do my best, enjoy my matches,” said the 28-year-old.

Nishikori, seeded 24th, beat Stephane Robert of France 6-1, 7-6 (9/7), 6-0 and was joined in the second round by Japanese wildcard Tatsuma Ito, who battled past Italy’s Potito Starace in four sets. Nishikori is seeded for the first time at a grand slam but said he had tried to put his new-found status to the back of his mind. “I try not to think about it because if I start thinking, you know, it’s more pressure. So it is different, but I try to not

think about it,” he said.

And the 22-year-old, ranked as low as 98th at the end of 2010, said any pressure he felt was more to do with his higher ranking than as a result of being the best Asian men’s player. “(My ranking) gives me a little bit of pressure because I feel like I have to win with these guys. I have to play with lower-ranked guys now. That gives me a little bit of pressure.” “A lot of Asians are coming, so I’m proud that I’m one of the guys,” he added. Nishikori, the highest-ranked Japanese men’s player in history, said his goal was to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne, which would top his previous best performance at a grand slam. “I played the US Open 2008 and I made the last 16. That’s the next goal for me,” he said. Ito, ranked 117th, who was given a wildcard for the Australian Open, lost the second set but prevailed 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Starace.

And Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn went down 0-6, 6-2, 0-6 to Ekaterina Makarova of Russia. Veteran Tamarine, who has appeared in 57 grand slams, the most for any active female singles player, said she was disappointed not to have made progress. “The last couple of years I’ve been playing second round (Kim) Clijsters (2010) and (Maria) Sharapova in the first round (2011),” said the 34-year-old, ranked 93rd in the world. “So this year I was pleased I didn’t play the big seeds in first round. But on the day she played better than me.” Her fellow Thai Danai Udomchoke lost to French 12th seed Gilles Simon in a five-set battle 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 36, 2-6.- AFP

MELBOURNE: Former world number one Andy Roddick is convinced professional tennis players have the leverage to push through the changes they want to see in the men’s game if they remain united.

Speaking about last weekend’s meeting of 140 players, at which a mass boycott of the Australian Open was proposed, the American said it was important that the unity displayed was maintained.

“I think as the product, I don’t think we should underestimate our leverage in this game, especially if we do have one voice,” Roddick said after beating Robin Haase in the first round at Melbourne Park. “I don’t think it’s smart for us to ask for permission to have less events. That seems ridiculous if you’re looking at tennis as a business.

“U2 doesn’t ask to go on tour. They go on tour. So I think that’s kind of the fundamental issue at hand.” While there are a variety of different issues the players are disgruntled about, including the distribution of prize money from the grand slam tournaments, Roddick’s main beef is not being able to choose how many tournaments he plays.

The 29-year-old, who has earned $20 million in prize money over his career, is obliged to play the four grand slams, eight of the nine Masters series events and a string of smaller tournaments every year.

“By no means am I saying get rid of events,” he said. “I don’t care if everyone else plays a million tournaments. I feel like I’ve played long enough and I know myself well enough to know what I need to play.” Roddick described Saturday’s meeting as “passionate” while 32nd seed Alex Bogomolov Jr, who tweeted over the weekend of a possible strike at Melbourne Park, said he had been inspired by the unity on display.

“I was very excited as far as how the players were united,” said the 28-year-old Russian, who has earned $1.2 million in his 10-year career. “I’ve never been to a meeting like that before in my life. The way everybody is sticking by each other, the way everybody is on the same page, is inspiring.” Roddick said there was widespread agreement on the main problems but that the players had reached similar conclusions a decade ago, only for splits to open up later. “Unity is a hard thing to attain,” Roddick said. “While I think we have probably the majority, it’s easy to talk about it, but it’s another thing to go through the process and the work and the hours to try to get an angle.

“There’s a lot of issues,” he added. “I think if we have unity, it’s our choice where we want to start.” New ATP chief Brad Drewett will speak to the media at Melbourne Park on Wednesday but Roddick was at pains to emphasize that the players’ complaints were not only with the men’s tour but all of the tennis establishment. “ The definition of insanity defined by the dictionary is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,” he said.

“That’s the process that’s been in place since the late ‘80s or early ‘90s. We’re still having some of the same discussions they had then.” — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

S P ORT S

Fisher hooks Mavericks with late game-winner 76ers win 3rd straight, beat Bucks

FOXBOROUGH: In this file photo, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a 10-yard touchdown pass while being defended by Denver Broncos cornerback Andre’ Goodman (21) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass. — AP

Patriots and Ravens set for classic gridiron clash NEW YORK: While the NFC divisional playoffs provided two surprises, action in the AFC went according to script as the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens will square off in a battle of the top two seeds for a ticket to the Super Bowl. The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers added some spice to the National Football League (NFL) postseason with respective wins over the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints but the Patriots (13-3) and Ravens (12-4) were as reliable as their records.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady put on a clinic with six touchdown passes to tie an NFL playoff record in a 45-10 win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday. The next day the Ravens flexed their defensive muscle in stopping the Houston Texans 20-13 to set up a classic showdown at New England’s Gillette Stadium on Jan. 22 where an offensive powerhouse will meet a ferocious defense. “There’s no one that’s going to overlook a team like that. It would be impossible to do,” Brady told Boston sports radio station WEEI on Monday. “They present a ton of challenges in all three phases of the game.

“You watch them yesterday, they’re physical, they’re tough, they can cover. They’ve got some of the best players in the history of the NFL at their position. “We’ve really got our work cut out for us. “We’ll use the week to prepare like we always do, and really try to be at our best-hopefully be better than we were this past Saturday night.” Brady will need to come up with something magical if the two-time Super Bowl most valuable player is to top the numbers her put up against the overmatched Broncos.

While those who witnessed the dissection of the Broncos defense were left in awe at Brady’s brilliance, the Patriots quarterback could only

see room for improvement. “There’s ways that we need to be able to improve,” said Brady. “A couple of turnovers hurt us. But for the most part, it was really a good, solid effort. “I feel like you win the game and then immediately you’re thinking about the next game. “So, there’s not too much you take from the game other than winning and moving on.” Standing between the Patriots and a fifth trip to the Super Bowl in 11 years is one of NFL’s most menacing defenses led by 13-time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed.

Against Houston, the Ravens put enough points on the board in the opening quarter then watched their defense wrestle the Texans into submission with four turnovers and intercepting rookie quarterback TJ Yates three times. Brady, a three-time Super Bowl champion and seventime Pro Bowler, will present a much more serious challenge for Baltimore but it is one Lewis says the Ravens are prepared for. Super Bowl champions in 2001, the Ravens are unbeaten at home this season but now must make the short trip north to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to face a team they have beaten just once in seven meetings.

That one win, however, was a pounding of the Patriots in the 2009 divisional round.

“Defensively for us to come out in the second half (against Houston) and pretty much pitch a shutout that’s our standard of football,” declared Lewis, the Ravens defensive lynchpin. “All we have to do is be the team that we are. “You don’t take a game from this week to next week.

“That’s the 24-hour rule in this business, win, lose or draw. You are going to see a totally different Ravens team next week because we we’re playing a totally different team in the Patriots.” — Reuters

LOS ANGELES: Derek Fisher hit a tiebreaking 3pointer with 3.1 seconds to play as the Los Angeles Lakers survived a dismal offensive game by both teams for a 73-70 victory over the Mavericks on Monday. Vince Carter missed a 3pointer at the buzzer for the defending champion Mavericks, who swept Los Angeles out of the second round of the postseason last spring, ending the Lakers’ bid for a three-peat. Kobe Bryant, whose streak of four straight 40-point games ended with just 14 against the Mavs, drew the Dallas defense before passing to Fisher. The veteran point guard calmly drilled a long 3-pointer from the wing. Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won nine straight at home. Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 for the Mavericks, but committed a crucial traveling violation with 38 seconds left in their first loss since Jan. 5. Lamar Odom scored 10 points in his return to Staples Center, where he won two championships.

76ERS 94, BUCKS 82 At Philadelphia, Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 9482 and remain unbeaten at home. Andrew Bogut returned from concussion-like symptoms to lead the Bucks with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

THUNDER 97, CELTICS 88 At Boston, Russell Westbrook scored 26 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the final 91 seconds to help Oklahoma City pull away from slumping Boston. Kevin Durant scored 28 with seven rebounds for the Thunder, who won their seventh consecutive game. Thabo Sefolosha scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, and Kendrick Perkins had seven points and five rebounds in his first game back in Boston since the trade that sent him to Oklahoma City and broke up the starting lineup from the Celtics’ 2008 NBA championship team. Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo added 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Boston.

MAGIC 102, KNICKS 93 At New York, Ryan Anderson scored a careerhigh 30 points, extending his NBA lead with seven 3-pointers, as Orlando completed a perfect four-game road trip. JJ Redick added 21 points for the Magic, who won three games on the West Coast before finishing in New York and will play at home the next two nights to wrap up a stretch of three games in three nights. Howard was in foul trouble and finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony had 33 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks in his return from a one-game absence with a sprained right ankle, but shot just 9 of 27.

CLIPPERS 101, NETS 91 At Los Angeles, Blake Griffin had 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Clippers beat New Jersey without injured point guard Chris Paul after blowing an 18-point lead. Chauncey Billups scored nine of his 20 points in the final 4:23 including a clinching 3-pointer with 1:09 left.

MarShon Brooks led New Jersey with 19 points and eight rebounds. Deron Williams finished with 14 points and six assists.

LAWRENCE: Thomas Robinson (0) of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots over Quincy Acy of the Baylor Bears during the game on January 16, 2012 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. — AFP

T-Rob, Taylor lead No 7 Kansas over No 3 Baylor LAWRENCE: Tyshawn Taylor coasted down the right side of the lane, lofted a pass over the Baylor defense, then stood back and watched as Thomas Robinson took to the air, grabbed the ball with his right hand and threw it down with rim-rattling authority. It was that kind of night for Taylor and Robinson. For Kansas, too. Robinson had 27 points and 14 rebounds, Taylor matched a career-high with 28 points and the seventh-ranked Jayhawks rolled to a 92-74 victory Monday night, ending the thirdranked Bears’ perfect start and proving once more that the road to the Big 12 title goes through Kansas.

“I think we made a big statement tonight,” Taylor said. “I told my team with like, 11 minutes left, that we have to make a statement. I don’t know if people are sleeping on us - they know we’re good but I don’t know if people knew what we could do.” A trendy pick to end the Jayhawks’ seven-year stranglehold on the conference, Baylor (17-1, 4-1) had been riding the longest winning streak in school history to its best start ever. It was the first loss for Baylor in football or men’s and women’s basketball since Oct 29 - a span of 40 games.

“Start with their leadership. Thomas Robinson showed why he’s a player of the year candidate. Tyshawn Taylor was outstanding,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said.

“Early on we didn’t have some success in the paint, got away from it. From there we couldn’t stop them all night long.” Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson added 11 points each for the Jayhawks (15-3, 5-0), who won their 16th straight game at Allen Fieldhouse and 10th in a row at home over the Bears. Kansas is 17-2 against them alltime. Baylor’s start came undone in one of college basketball’s premier venues.

“Loudest place we’ve ever played. Their fans got into the game,” said Perry Jones III, who had 18 points to lead Baylor. “We still tried to stay together and not let the noise affect us.”

Quincy Miller added 17 points, Quincy Acy had 14 and Pierre Jackson had 11 points and 11 assists, but the long and lean Bears were dominated inside and had no answer for the combination of Robinson and Taylor, one of the best inside-outside tandems in the nation. Robinson overpowered the Baylor front line with an array of dunks and short-range jumpers, while Taylor hit four 3-pointers and doled out six assists. The outcome left No 1 Syracuse and No 12 Murray State as the only undefeated teams in Division I. “We’re one of the best teams, but we’re five games in,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “That would have been a big deal for us and our aspirations in the league to not win tonight.” Facing its fourth top-10 opponent of the season, the veteran Jayhawks swarmed the younger Bears with pressure from the opening tip, making life miserable on both ends of the court.

Robinson provided the early boost, scoring eight of his 12 first-half points in the opening 6-plus minutes. The run included that dazzling one-handed dunk off an alley-oop feed from Taylor that set Twitter ablaze and generated a roar inside Allen Fieldhouse that could be heard in Kansas City. “He pressed the up button and he went and got it,” Taylor said with a grin.

The Bears answered the first salvo with a 16-5 run of their own. Jones started it with a jumper, and Gary Franklin curled in a 3pointer for his only points of the game. By the time Jackson knocked down another 3 and Acy added a basket inside, Baylor had pulled ahead 27-22 and Self asked for a timeout. —AP

GRIZZLIES 102, BULLS 86 At Memphis, Tennessee, Rudy Gay scored 24 points and Mike Conley added 20 points and eight assists to help Memphis end Chicago’s five-game winning streak. The Bulls played without leading scorer Derrick Rose, who missed his second game in the last four with a left toe sprain. Marc Gasol had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Marreese Speights finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds as Memphis extended its winning streak to three games. Luol Deng led the Bulls with 20 points and CJ Watson finished with 17 points. Taj Gibson had 16 points and Carlos Boozer added 13 points and seven rebounds.

ROCKETS 114, WIZARDS 106 At Washington, Kevin Martin scored 25 points and Samuel Dalembert added 20 as Houston broke away in the third quarter to beat

BOSTON: Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (left) watches as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook knocks the ball free in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, on Monday, Jan 16, 2012. — AP Washington. John Wall scored a career-high 38 points on 13 of 22 shooting for the Wizards. He began the game making under 35 percent this season. Luis Scola had 18 and Kyle Lowry had 16 for the Rockets in their highest-scoring game of the season.

CAVALIERS 102, BOBCATS 94 At Charlotte, North Carolina, Kyrie Irving had 25 points and seven assists to lead Cleveland past Charlotte. Antawn Jamison added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Cavs, who returned to .500 on the season. Omri Casspi played a big role in Cleveland’s second half comeback with 14 points and seven rebounds with most of his damage coming in the third quarter. D J Augustin led the Bobcats with 24 points and eight assists and Gerald Henderson added 17 points.

TRAIL BLAZERS 84, HORNETS 77 At New Orleans, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points as Portland beat New Orleans to end a three-game losing streak. Nicolas Batum add 19 points and Gerald Wallace 14 for the Trail Blazers, who blew open a tie game early in the third quarter with a 17-2 run during which Aldridge made all five of his shots for 10 points. Jarrett Jack scored 21, while Emeka Okafor added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who’ve

lost four straight and 10 of 11.

HAWKS 93, RAPTORS 84 At Atlanta, Josh Smith scored 28 points and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds, and Joe Johnson added 27 points to help Atlanta win its third straight game. Leandro Barbosa finished with 22 points in a reserve role for Toronto, which has lost five straight. The Raptors were without center Andrea Bargnani, the NBA’s ninth-leading scorer, for the third straight game because of a strained left calf. Reserve guard James Johnson didn’t play because of a sprained right ankle.

TIMBERWOLVES 99, KINGS 86 At Minneapolis, Kevin Love had 33 points and 11 rebounds, and Luke Ridnour added 25 points and nine assists to lead Minnesota over Sacramento. Wayne Ellington scored 15 off the bench for the Timberwolves, a significant contribution for a backcourt that was missing J.J. Barea for the third straight game because of a sprained left ankle. Tyreke Evans had nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds but shot just 3 of 11 from the field as the Kings lost for the fifth time in six games. Jason Thompson and Marcus Thornton led Sacramento with 12 points each. Ricky Rubio had nine points, eight assists and eight rebounds for Minnesota. — AP

NBA results/standings NBA results and standings on Monday.

Memphis 102, Chicago 86; Orlando 102, NY Knicks 93;Cleveland 102, Charlotte 94; Philadelphia 94, Milwaukee 82; Houston 114, Washington 106; Portland 84, New Orleans 77; LA Clippers 101, New Jersey 91; Atlanta 93, Toronto 84; Minnesota 99, Sacramento 86; Oklahoma City 97, Boston 88; LA Lakers 73, Dallas 70.

Western Conference Eastern Conference Northwest Division Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 12 2 .857 Philadelphia 10 3 .769 8 4 .667 3 Utah NY Knicks 6 7 .462 4 Portland 8 5 .615 3.5 Boston 4 8 .333 5.5 Denver 8 5 .615 3.5 Toronto 4 10 .286 6.5 Minnesota 5 8 .385 6.5 New Jersey 3 11 .214 7.5 Pacific Division Central Division LA Clippers 7 3 .700 Chicago 12 3 .800 LA Lakers 10 5 .667 0 Indiana 9 3 .750 1.5 Phoenix 4 8 .333 4 Cleveland 6 6 .500 4.5 Golden State 4 8 .333 4 Milwaukee 4 8 .333 6.5 Sacramento 4 10 .286 5 Detroit 3 10 .231 8 Southwest Division Southeast Division San Antonio 9 4 .692 Orlando 9 3 .750 Dallas 8 6 .571 1.5 Atlanta 10 4 .714 Memphis 6 6 .500 2.5 Miami 8 4 .667 1 Houston 6 7 .462 3 Charlotte 3 11 .214 7 New Orleans 3 10 .231 6 Washington 1 12 .077 8.5

Championship pedigree shows for Brady, Eli NEW YORK: The playoffs have a way of bringing out the pedigree in NFL quarterbacks.

Simply take a look at the fingers of Tom Brady and Eli Manning to recognize it. Brady has three Super Bowl rings, with another taken away by Manning and the Giants in 2008. Both have their teams on course for a reprise of that memorable title game. Standing in their way are two inconsistent QBs seeking to fill out their own championship resumes: Joe Flacco of Baltimore and Alex Smith of San Francisco.

Based on their histories and the way they have performed this season, Brady and Manning overmatch Flacco and Smith. When things have gotten tight for New England or New York, the quarterback often has provided the winning edge.

“The team revolves around him,” Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez said of Brady.

“When he comes to play, which he mostly does every game, then we’re going to be on fire, and when he’s ready, we’re all ready.” Ditto for Manning. Even when the Giants hit a fourgame slide that jeopardized making the playoffs, he stood out. “He’s just been great,” said receiver Victor Cruz, who had a breakout season with Manning throwing to him. “He understands the defense, he understands what we can see on every single down and every single coverage and he’s just making the right reads and really hitting people when the time is right.” The time certainly is right. For a decade, it’s been Brady time once New Year’s Day hits.

In early 2008, it also was Manning time. It is again. Brady was as good as ever in Saturday’s romp past outmanned Denver. His six TD passes tied Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica for the NFL record. His five in one half were the most ever. Sure, he’s got superb targets in AllPros Wes Welker at wideout and Rob Gronkowski at tight end, plus Hernandez and Deion Branch, who is something of a security blanket for Brady. He also makes them outstanding with his precise passes, leadership and competitiveness.

It rubs off. “We never look at the individual.

We all try and do our job,” defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. “If (Brady) plays well, everyone else plays well. When he has an off day, we try to rally around him as a team to help Tom and the offense. We aren’t going to get 20-30 points all the time.” Thirty certainly could be difficult against Baltimore’s staunch defense. But 20 might be enough if Flacco doesn’t come through. Something of a surprise first-round draft choice in 2008 out of Delaware, he’s helped the Ravens make the playoffs in all four of his NFL seasons. In great part, Flacco has been along for the ride as opposed to driving the vehicle the way Brady does.

He also doesn’t have nearly the talent to throw to, with the exception of running back Ray Rice, who led the NFL with 2,068 total yards.

His offensive line is spotty. For Baltimore to reach its first Super Bowl since 2001 - oh, yeah, the QB then was Trent Dilfer, and Flacco is a far

better player than Dilfer was - some of Brady has to rub off on Flacco. Smith finally has become comfortable in San Francisco thanks to new coach Jim Harbaugh’s guidance and confidence in the seven-year veteran. The 49ers are efficient on offense with a strong running game behind Frank Gore, and a tight end, Vernon Davis, who displayed all his skills in a sensational playoff debut against New Orleans.

To expect Smith to trade throws with Saints star Drew Brees was unthinkable, yet there he was, making clutch pass after clutch pass in the late stages of Saturday’s thrilling win. If he’s capable of a similar performance against the Giants, it would enhance San Francisco’s chances immeasurably. “He deserves all this,” Gore said of Smith’s revival. “He’s had some tough times. But I always believed he could play at this level. We have the right people leading us. And he’s got the right people leading him.”

Leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl means beating Manning and the Giants. The Niners did it in November when Smith made just enough key plays. That’s been his style this season, a style Manning once adhered to. Now, Manning is as much a playmaker as his older brother, Peyton, has been. Or as Brady is.

Indeed, another title will give him the championship lead in his family, adding yet another shiny achievement to Eli’s resume. But he’d still be behind Brady. For now, Smith and Flacco can only wonder if they have what it takes to grab the ring. — AP

18

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

S P ORT S

Eto’o tops list of African Cup absentees JOHANNESBURG: African Cup leading scorer Samuel Eto’o tops a list of high-profile absentees at this year’s tournament after former winners Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa all surprisingly missed out in qualifying. The 30-year-old Eto’o won’t be able to add to his 18 African Cup of Nations goals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and his absence will rob the cup of one of the continent’s best-ever - if recently controversial - strikers.

Egypt’s almost unthinkable failure to make the tournament it has dominated with three straight wins from 2006-10 means veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan, who shares the record for the most international appearances, likely won’t get to add to his four titles in an incredible nine tournament appearances.

Without Nigeria, West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie, Everton forward Victor Anichebe and AC Milan defender Taye Taiwo aren’t present. And after a farcical end to its seesaw qualifying campaign, South Africa missed out for the second tournament in a row, leaving Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar and Ajax midfielder Thulani Serero to concentrate on club duties in 2012. In their places, up step Niger, Guinea, Libya and Sudan. Niger sneaked in ahead of South Africa and Egypt, Guinea forced out Nigeria, and Libya and Sudan claimed spots with secondplace finishes in their groups ahead

Samuel Eto’o

of Cameroon because of better points totals.

Eto’o’s complicated relationship with Cameroon’s national federation hit a new low when he was banned for 15 games for his part in a player strike at the end of last year that saw the Indomitable Lions, already humbled by their African Cup failure, back out of a friendly with Algeria. The ban was reduced to eight months - or four matches after intervention by the government. The initial sanction caused uproar with the country’s football followers and yet Eto’o was picked out as the player most blamed by fans for not qualifying. It was the first time since 1994 that the fourtime champion and second most successful African Cup team ever didn’t make the continental championship.

The striker said recently it should lead to a period of introspection for the nation’s football authorities. “It’s a big disappointment for Cameroon not to qualify for the African Cup of Nations,” Eto’o said. “Cameroon is a big nation in football and the national team has brought much happiness in country. “They will want to learn with this big defeat.

They have to change different things to improve and reach their next goal.” With the next African Cup brought forward to 2013, one of Africa’s great football exports should still appear in another continental tournament - if Cameroon

qualifies. It’s doubtful, however, if the 36-year-old Hassan will be retained by Egypt’s new American coach, Bob Bradley, if the seventime African champion Pharaohs make it to South Africa next year.

The midfielder, whose international career is nearly at an end, is level on 178 caps with former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammad Al Deayea and should still pass the mark. But it would have been fitting if Egypt’s captain and veteran of four Cup of Nations-winning squads had made history at the tournament he had played in without fail since 1998. However, Egypt’s team distracted by a groundshaking revolution at home - slumped to finish last in its group and will be missing from the championship for the first time in 30 years.

Odemwingie’s eventful 2011 saw him complete a dream debut season in England with 15 goals for Premier League team West Brom. It also brought the disappointment of missing out on the African Cup as two-time winner Nigeria let slip a place at the final tournament to the Guineans with a dramatic 2-2 home draw in the final round of qualifiers.

In between, the striker was involved in a spat with former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia for apparently walking out on a training camp, had a rant on social networking site Twitter, was dropped and asked to apologize and finally reinstated to the Nigeria squad.

Serero has yet to establish himself completely in the Bafana Bafana team, but there was a feeling that the Soweto-born midfielder - now with Dutch giant Ajax would have his big break at the 2012 African Cup. The 21-year-old product of Ajax’s academy in Cape Town never got the chance as South Africa followed Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria’s failure although at one point it thought it had qualified. South Africa’s players and coaching team celebrated a 0-0 draw with Sierra Leone in the final round of matches thinking it was enough to see them through on goal difference after tying with Sierra Leone and Niger at the top of their group.

In fact, Niger’s better performance against its two rivals for top spot was the criteria Africa’s football body used to decide the tiebreaker. The sight of Bafana Bafana players joyously dancing and doing a lap of honor around a stadium to mark their return to the tournament, when they actually hadn’t qualified, made an embarrassing failure even more distressing for the 1996 champions.

South African Football Association President Kirsten Nematandani said in the aftermath he would “like to own up and say we are profoundly sorry for letting the nation down. “I would like to take this opportunity to unreservedly apologize to the entire nation, our government and our sponsors.” —AP

We are ready, Nations Cup co-hosts declare LIBREVILLE: Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, co-hosts of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, are confident that despite scepticism and after massive investment in stadia, roads and hotels they are finally ready to stage the continental showpiece. While they may agree on that the two oil-rich west central African states have taken markedly different routes to make it across the finish line. In Equatorial

Oyala, as well as renovation work at Bata. A brand new 15,000-seater stadium has been built in Malabo especially for the competition while the 38,000-seater venue in Bata, venue for the opening match on Saturday between Equatorial Guinea and Libya, has received a facelift. Official figures put the cost of these two projects at 75 million euros. Improvements to the country’s transport system has seen

weak and becomes rapidly saturated while internet costs are high. Other sensitive subjects are transport and accommodation, notably in Bata.

President Obiang wants the Nations Cup to serve as a shop window for his country. “The only reason for winning (the right to host) the Cup is to present the best image of our country, to sell our image,” he declared at the group draw in October. But Equatorial

FRANCEVILLE: Gabon’s Pulun Lloyd (back) vies with Sudan’s Saifeldin Ali during a friendly football match in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations on January 16, 2012 in Franceville. —AFP Guinea, with its population of 700,000 and run with an iron fist since 1970 by president Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the Nations Cup has formed one of the central planks of a long term investment project.

This has seen the birth of Sipopo, with its conference centres and luxury villas which played host to the 17th African Union summit, and the start of the construction of a new town,

80 percent of its road network freshly tarmacked. Hotels have been either built from scratch or renovated in Malabo.

Work on the Nations Cup began, according to the country’s autocratic ruler, from the moment they were awarded the 2012 edition back in 2006. Despite these efforts there are areas which are likely to cause problems. The mobile phone network is

Guinea’s involvement in the competition has been questioned by the lone member of the opposition, Placido Miko.

He said: “We are hosting the Cup for the sole intention to divert national and international public opinion away from the real problems of Equatorial Guinea and to present an image which is not the reality of the country.” In neighboring Gabon, the

situation is different. From 2006 to 2009 nothing or almost nothing was done to prepare for the arrival of the African football flagship. It was only when President Ali Bongo Ondimba came to power that work on a wide scale began. Preparations were hampered by confusion at the local organizing committee (Cocan) which has changed leadership three times. In March last year the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared itself “worried” at the lack of progress the country was making.

As a result the historic Omar Bongo stadium is not being used as it is still a work in progress. Matches in Libreville will be held at the Amitie Agonje stadium, finished in November, while work on the renovated stadium in Franceville has only just been completed. As in Equatorial Guinea internet access and hotel accommodation are weak links, while access to the stadium in Libreville, venue for the final, is complicated with traffic in the capital at a standstill due to road works. Despite this the official line is that things will be okay on the night. “Gabon is finally ready for the competition,” Cocan spokesman Louis Claude Moundzieoud Koumba asserted.

The opposition, which has constantly attacked the delays, puts the overall cost to Gabon of hosting the tournament at 760 million euros Moundzieoud suggests the true figure is lower, at between 450 and 600 million euros.

He added: “The stadiums, the infrastructure, these are for the Gabonese people, for the Gabon state, independent of who is running it. It’s a legacy for the future. “The investment that has been carried out for the Nations Cup is part of a vast project of investment - 900 kilometers of tarmacked roads across the state, bypasses, work on electricification. For a generation we’ve never witnessed so much work. It’s all for the benefit of the Gabonese people.” The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations runs from Saturday to February 12.—AFP

Africa Cup may tilt English title race LONDON: The Africa Cup of Nations may well shape the course of the Premier League title race as English clubs prepare to lose key players for several weeks at a critical time in the season. Premier League managers have grumbled about the timing of Africa’s biennial championship for years, complaining about the fact that the tournament deprives them of players just when the fixture list is at its busiest.

But the 2012 tournament, which kicks off in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, could have an even bigger impact in England than normal as clubs such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle grapple with several absentees. Nowhere is the Cup of Nations more unpopular than at Eastlands, where City manager Roberto Mancini is glumly resigned to the loss of Ivorian brothers Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure when his team can least afford it. In many respects the loss of the Toure duo has already been felt by City, who have led the league for much of the season.

Since the players departed to link up with the Ivory Coast squad earlier this month, City have lost key games against Manchester United in the FA Cup and Liverpool in the semi-final of the League Cup. More pertinently, City were comfortable 3-0 winners

over Liverpool in the League on January 3, with Yaya Toure influential throughout, before losing 1-0 in the League Cup a week later when the midfielder was missing. “I have tried to find another Yaya in my squad but there isn’t another Yaya,” said Mancini recently.

“He is a very important player. For this reason January is a big month. If we can stay on the top of the table after January then I think we have a very good chance to win the league.”

City’s nearest challengers in the title race, Manchester United and Tottenham, will not be affected by the Nations Cup. None of the Africans in Spurs squad, including Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor, represent Nations Cup qualifiers, while the lone African on United’s books, Mame Biram Diouf, has been overlooked by Senegal. Yet while Spurs and United are primed to pounce on any slip-ups from City, other sides near the top of the table have not been so fortunate. Chelsea manager Andre VillasBoas will be hoping that Spanish striker Fernando Torres finds his goalscoring boots sooner rather than later as the club bids farewell to Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.

Drogba, who is at loggerheads with Chelsea over his future, has been the club’s best striker this season

and his absence will become even more acute should Torres fail to rediscover his best form. Chelsea’s challengers in the race for a top four finish, Arsenal, could also suffer from the absence of the Ivory Coast’s Gervinho and, to a lesser extent, Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh. Chamakh has remained a peripheral figure at the Emirates this season but Gervinho has been a key source of assists during Robin van Persie’s scoring run. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the impact of the Nations Cup will be felt for several weeks after its conclusion.

“It is the equivalent of a player here going to the European Championship.

They are under immense pressure,” Wenger said.

“It is a different climate (over there). Usually we have snow in February here, so they come from a big temperature difference. Most of the time, they are dead (afterwards).” Newcastle manager Alan Pardew meanwhile is hoping his team can maintain their impressive start to the season - which has seen the Magpies climb to sixth place-in the absence of star striker Demba Ba and midfielder Cheick Tiote. Senegal forward Ba netted his 15th goal of the season in the 3-0 victory over Manchester United earlier this month, a game in which Tiote dominated in midfield. —AFP

Goa Maroons and Malabar bow out KUWAIT: Defending champions Goa Maroons bowed out despite a 4-0 thrashing of Santos FC in their last match of the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) League 2011-12 for J P D’Mello Memorial Trophy played at the MOH Grounds, Shuwaikh. Maroons, with 7 points, fell short of one goal to catch up with Don Bosco Oratory (also 7 points) who qualified with a better goal difference of plus 4 against Maroons’ plus 3.

It began raining during the first half of Maroons-Santos match which made the field slippery. Maroons managed to score 3 quick goals in the first half and they didn’t waste time in finding the net again soon after resumption. It looked Maroons would score the much needed ‘miracle’ goal to get them atleast level with Don Bosco for a play-off, or score even more goals to qualify directly. However, they couldn’t enter the crowded defence of Santos United. Don Bosco fans who were keenly watching the match, along with the spectators, began supporting Santos United which encouraged the lads to stop Marooons from doing any further damage. Ian Dsouza, Zelito Cardozo and Sandy Fernandes (2 goals) found the net for Maroons but the real ‘winner’ eluded them till the end.

Chinchinim topped the group with 9 points from 3 wins and 1 loss. Kerala outfit Malabar FC, one of the strongest team, physically, made the exit without losing a match in the league. Needing an outright victory to qualify, Malabar started brightly against Navelim scoring in the first quarter through Sulfi. However, 5 minutes later, Gasper Crasto ensured Navelim finished unbeaten in the first phase with a stunning 30 yard free-kick which Malabar goalkeeper Ruriyan failed to shield (1-1).

Malabar played better in the first half than their established opponents but Navelim star, former Salgaocar-East Bengal and Churchill Brothers footballer Bernard Pires took total charge in the second session to orchestrate the game. His combination with Duarte Ferrao and Simon was amazing. Navelim topped group D while YRC Rising Stars took second spot. Earlier, Curtorcares United beat Don Bosco 2-0 for a consolation win. Antony Cardozo and Minguel Mouro scored for the winners.

Curtorcares, one of the best teams in the league, were unlucky not to qualify finishing 4th in the group of death with 6 points behind Maroons. They are one of the few teams to let in least number of goals against them.

The other match of the day between Indian Strikers and Betalbatim was a ‘sweatout’ exercise as both teams were already eliminated from the league and the result

was inconsequential. The teams shared the spoils of the day one apiece. The exciting knockout phase begins Friday with all the 4 quarter-finals. Teams that have qualified for the quarters are Chinchinim and Don Bosco from Group A; DHL and Skynet Raiders from Group B; Kuwait Goan Association and United Friends Club from Group C; Navelim YC and YRC Rising Stars

from Group D. The finals of the league are scheduled to be played in June at the end of the season. KIFF league comprises of 19 clubs affiliated to the federation. They are AVC Sports & Cultural Association, CRC Chinchinim, Curtorcares United, DHL Sports Club, Don Bosco Oratory, FC Sparx, Goan Overseas Association, Gulf Cable Football Club, Indian Strikers, Kuwait Goan Association, Malabar United Football Club, Navelim Youth Centre, Real Betalbatim Football Club, Santos Football Club, Santos United, Skynet Raiders Soccer Club, United Friends Club, United Goans Center, and YRC Rising Stars.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

S P ORT S

Ancelotti mulls PSG shopping list ROME: Paris Saint Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has an extensive shopping list as he looks to make his new club a feared name in Europe, with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres in his thoughts as well as the likes of Pato and Kaka, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported today. Real Madrid’s Kaka and AC Milan’s Pato are well-known targets for the Italian, but he says agents have bandied around plenty more names. “Since I joined PSG (last month) I have had about a hundred calls from agents proposing some absolutely unthinkable players!

“They all want to come here; the money is there, it’s Paris, there is a coach with a good reputation...,” the Gazzetta reported Ancelotti as saying. “Names? Well, Tevez, Torres, (Manchester United’s Dimitar) Berbatov, ( Tottenham’s Roman) Pavlyuchenko, (Napoli’s Edinson) Cavani, (Bilbao’s Fernando) Llorente. “Kaka could be free in June,” former Milan and Chelsea

coach Ancelotti went on. “Pato? That’s a strange story - we don’t know. We’ll see. For January that one’s no longer a topic. In June ...” he mused, having tried and been turned down in the current transfer window. “With agents we could revamp the team week after week. I don’t like that,” Ancelotti conceded amid all the speculation which accompanies the mid-season window.

Admitting he fancies adding to his striking contingent Ancelotti said “Pippo (Inzaghi), I’d take him, his only drawback is his age” of 38. Regarding the squad he currently has and which lies three points clear of the pack after Ancelotti marked his league start with a weekend success over Toulouse, the Italian said: “I have found a very good group - (Javier) Pastore, (Jeremy) Menez, Nene are the best known but (Mathieu) Bodmer is a very good midfielder. (Salvatore) Sirigu is a good keeper and

(Mamadou) Sakho has enormous potential.”

But Ancelotti said the situation was very different for him compared with his arrival at Chelsea, whose players were already used to success whereas PSG have been in the doldrums since their last league title 18 years ago. “When I arrived at Chelsea players already had their medals. There were the likes of (John) Terry, (Frank) Lampard, (Didier) Drogba and they had worked with high-level coaches such as (Jose) Mourinho. “PSG players do not have that past so the things I have won (Champions Leagues as both player and coach) weigh heavier,” he suggested. But Ancelotti also said he felt for predecessor Antoine Kombouare, sacked despite the club leading the league. “That was a bit of an anomaly as he left me a team on top of the heap.

So if I don’t win the title that will look bad, no point in denying it.”— AFP

Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti

City boss unapologetic over card waving habit

DUBAI: Pakistan’s Abdur Rehman tries to stop the ball from England hit during the first cricket test match of a three-match series between England and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday. — AP

England crumble under Ajmal’s off-spin Ajmal takes fifth five-wicket haul DUBAI: Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal flummoxed England’s batsmen with his offspin for a career best haul of seven for 55 to dismiss the visitors for 192 on the first day of the opening test in Dubai yesterday.

In reply Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez (22) and Taufeeq Umar (18) survived 15 overs from the number oneranked test side to finish on 42-0 at the close, 150 runs in arrears. Ajmal, whose previous best figures were 6-42, bagged his fifth five-wicket haul in tests as England were shot out in the last session of the day. “Best bowling against England, best batting against England, I’m happy.

They’re the number one team,” Ajmal, who was ready to come in as nightwatchman in the event of a wicket, told Sky Sports.

“I just tried to bowl line and length and bowl at middle stump. The ball was a little bit low,” Ajmal said in a modest description of an exquisite bowling performance that humbled a top batting lineup. England were reduced to 94 for seven at one stage before Matt Prior (70 not out) and Graeme Swann (34) stemmed the rot with a defiant 57-run stand for the eighth wicket. “When you go in at 45-5 it’s hardly time to play your shots. I’m not worried about how many boundaries I hit, it was important to build a partnership,” said wicketkeeper Prior. “I was happy to get a score on the board. It’s been a tough day when we won the toss.”

WILY AJMAL England captain Andrew Strauss had no hesitation in opting to bat first on what appeared to be a good batting pitch but was soon left to rue his decision as his batsmen crumbled to some smart bowling. The pitch did not offer much turn for the spinners but it was enough for the wily Ajmal, who mixed his top-spinners and doosras to perfection. Prior was the lone batsman who looked at ease at the crease, using his feet to the spinners regularly.

The other English batsmen were

guilty of some unwarranted risky shots after being denied opportunities to score freely. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was quick to introduce spin in the sixth over of the morning and it immediately bore fruit when opener Alastair Cook (3) edged part-time off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez behind the stumps. Left-hander Cook attempted to cut a delivery which was too close to him to attempt the shot.

Jonathan Trott (17) was then caught down the leg side off paceman Aizaz Cheema, getting a faint edge to a delivery which was going harmlessly wide.

Ajmal, the leading wicket-taker in tests last year, struck immediately after he was introduced in the 19th over when he dismissed Strauss (19) after the captain played across the line to a straight delivery and was clean bowled. Ian Bell (0) and Kevin Pietersen (2) fell in the space of four deliveries in Ajmal’s next over, both fooled by the off-spinner’s doosra. Eoin Morgan, who survived a stumping chance off Ajmal when on three, tried to unsettle the off-spinner with his unorthodox sweep shots but was out lbw (24) attempting the same shot. Stuart Broad, who has often managed to bail England out off tricky situations, did not last long either and fell to Ajmal in a similar fashion for eight.

Resuming the final session at 139-7, Prior and Swann continued to rebuild England’s awful start but ultimately found Ajmal too hot to handle. Abdur Rehman briefly stole the limelight with a brilliant delivery to clean bowl Swann with the score at 151, before Ajmal accounted for Chris Tremlett (1) and then capped a fine bowling display with the dismissal of James Anderson (12), also leg before. In contrast Pakistan’s openers made batting look surprisingly easy, though Prior said top-ranked England would rise to the challenge ahead of them. “Of course we can come back. It’s nothing new to us. First and foremost we have to bowl well and bowl them out cheaply.” — Reuters

SCOREBOARD DUBAI: Scores at close on the opening day of the first cricket Test between Pakistan and England played at Dubai Stadium here yesterday: England 1st innings A. Strauss b Ajmal 19 A. Cook c Adnan b Hafeez 3 J. Trott c Adnan b Cheema 17 K. Pietersen lbw b Ajmal 2 I. Bell c Adnan b Ajmal 0 E. Morgan lbw b Ajmal 24 M. Prior not out 70 S. Broad lbw b Ajmal 8 G. Swann b Rehman 34 C. Tremlett lbw b Ajmal 1 J. Anderson lbw b Ajmal 12 Extras: (lb2) 2 Total: 192 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Cook), 2-31 (Trott), 3-42

(Strauss), 4-42 (Bell), 5-43 (Pietersen), 6-82 (Morgan), 7-94 (Broad), 8-151 (Swann), 9-168 (Tremlett).

Bowling: Gul 12-4-35-0, Cheema 12-0-43-1, Hafeez 6-3-5-1, Rehman 18-5-52-1, Ajmal 24.37-55-7.

Overs: 72.3 Pakistan 1st innings Mohammad Hafeez not out 22 Taufiq Umar not out 18 Extras: (lb1, nb1) 2 Total: (for no wkts) 42 Bowling: Anderson 5-1-16-0, Tremlett 3-0-13-0 (nb1), Broad 4-2-3-0, Swann 3-1-9-0.

Overs: 15

WIGAN: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini refused to apologize after reigniting his red card row with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Mancini found himself at the centre of controversy once again after waving an imaginary card in the 88th minute of City’s 1-0 win at Wigan on Monday after Maynor Figueroa had handled to deny Sergio Aguero a run at goal. It is the second time Mancini has been pictured trying to influence the referee from the sidelines in two weeks.

The Italian issued a public apology after admitting he made “a mistake” by campaigning for Martin Skrtel to be dismissed when the Liverpool defender gave away the penalty from which James Milner scored City’s third goal during the 3-0 league defeat of Liverpool on January 3.

And Mancini was also involved in a post-match row with Steven Gerrard for suggesting Glen Johnson deserved a red card for a two-footed challenge on Joleon Lescott during Liverpool’s League Cup victory at City last week.

Rooney was forced to defend himself after Mancini accused him of putting pressure on the referee to get Vincent Kompany sent off in City’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat

by United on January 8. And Rooney took to Twitter to have a go at Mancini’s actions towards the end of City’s narrow victory over Wigan. “Was manchini (sic) asking for a red card????” Rooney wrote on his official Twitter account. Mancini defended his

that. “I am on the bench. When you are near to the referee you can have more of an influence. “I am on the bench and the referee cannot see me.” City moved three points clear at the top of the table after Edin Dzeko’s goal saw the Premier League leaders

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini

actions and insisted: “I used to do this (card waving) but I don’t want to say anything. I did it because Wayne Rooney did this but it’s normal with a chance like

return to winning ways after back-to-back cup defeats.

Defender Micah Richards and striker Mario Balotelli missed the Wigan match with hamstring and

ankle injuries respectively and Mancini refused to be drawn on whether they will make Sunday’s home game with third-placed Tottenham Hotspur. “I hope they will both be back on Sunday, but it is difficult to say. Micah has a hamstring injury but it is not serious,” he added. Dzeko’s effort ended a two-month goal drought. “We could have scored one or two more but at the end we are happy with the three points because we didn’t play that well,” said the 25-year-old Bosnian. “I am happy to score again.” Meanwhile, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insisted Figueroa’s handball was not a sending off offence. “I don’t think it’s a goalscoring opportunity,” said the Spaniard. “I’ve been here long enough to understand that trying to influence the referee is not accepted in the British game.

“When a player tries to simulate or buy a decision from the referee that is regarded as cheating. “I understand that in Italy, France and Spain it is acceptable to try and get a decision from the referee, but it is different here.” Wigan who only avoided relegation on the last day of last season remain bottom of the Premier League two points adrift of safety.—AFP

Ronaldo ‘working like an animal’: Mourinho MADRID: Under-fire Real Madrid for ward Cristiano Ronaldo may not be enjoying his best period of form but he is still “working like an animal” for the team, coach Jose Mourinho said ahead of today’s King’s Cup showdown with Barcelona. Ronaldo has been whistled by some home supporters at Real’s Bernabeu stadium since a poor performance in last month’s La Liga ‘Clasico’ against arch rivals Barca.

The former Manchester United player reacted by refusing to celebrate his goal in a 5-1 win against Granada and makes his first appearance in front of Real fans since then in today’s quarter-

final first leg. At a news conference today, a cantankerous Mourinho said Ronaldo’s performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Real Mallorca had been his best of the campaign despite the fact that he had not added to his 21 league goals. “He worked like an animal and did exactly what the team needed,” Mourinho said. “He doesn’t need to score or be man of the match every time. I told him nobody can touch him after the way he worked in the second half.

“When the team wins everyone is responsible and when they lose everyone is responsible for that too. Simple.” Mourinho has managed only

one win over Barca in eight attempts since taking the Real job at the end of the 2009-10 season, when Ronaldo nodded an extra-time winner in a 1-0 triumph in last season’s Cup final.

The last time the two teams played each other over two legs in the Spanish Cup, in the 1996-97 campaign, the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager was assistant coach at Barca and the Catalan club went through 4-3 on aggregate.

Mourinho refused to give any details about his tactics for today’s game, saying that whatever he decided would no doubt be criticized in the Spanish media. —Reuters

Giggs could play for Britain at Olympics

Mariam Irzouqi

Abdallah Al-Rashidi

LONDON: Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs could finally make his debut at an international tournament at the London Olympics. The most decorated player in British football history is under consideration for one of three overage player spots on Britain’s Olympic football squad. The Welshman could reunite with former United teammate David Beckham, who is also interested in playing. The 38-year-old Giggs has played a club-record 895 times for United and won 25 major titles but Wales has not qualified for the World Cup or European Championship since 1976, when Giggs was 2.

England’s Football Association is organizing the team and wrote to 191 players from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to sound out their interest in playing in Britain’s first Olympic football matches since 1960.

Current Wales internationals Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are also among 184 players who have indicated they would like to play for the combined British Olympic team.

“This is an outstanding response and it confirms what we have believed all along, which is there is widespread interest among players in competing for Team GB at the London 2012 Games,” British Olympic Association spokesman Darryl Seibel said. —AP

Shooters dedicate Olympics qualification to Kuwait Amir DOHA: Kuwaiti shooters Fehaid AlDihani and Mariam Irzouqi said they both dedicated their progression to the London 2012 Olympics to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Dihani qualified for the Olympics after coming second in the Asian qualifiers for the double trap individuals, with his female compatriot, Irzouqi, earlier coming second in the 10m air rifle individuals. ”Competition was tough. We were competing with the champions of Asia and the world.

All of the teams have been preparing over the course of three years the atmosphere on the field was electrify-

ing,” Al-Dihani said. “I got the bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a result of the injustice and mistakes of judges, but I can assure you that in London Kuwait will be taking home the gold, God willing.” Irzouqi reiterated the aim of her fellow countryman. She also expressed pride at achieving the milestone of being the first athlete to qualify to the London Olympics for her nation. “Progression to the London Olympics was achieved after tough moments I went through a night before the competition. It is a beautiful dream everyone hopes for, whether Arab or Asian,” she said. —KUNA

Matches on TV (Local Timings) FA CUP Wolves v Birmingham Aljazeera +3

23:00

ITALIAN CUP AC Milan v Novara Aljazeera Sport +1 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD

23:00

SPAIN COPA DEL REY Athletic de Bilbao v Real Mallorca Aljazeera +8 TOMORROW Real Madrid v Barcelona Aljazeera +2 Aljazeera +9

22:00

0:00

Fisher hooks Mavericks with late game-winner

Ruthless Sharapova demolishes Dulko

17

16

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

City boss unapologetic over card waving habit

Page 19

WIGAN: Manchester City’s Gareth Barry (third right) competes with Wigan Athletic’s Ben Watson during their English Premier League football match at The DW Stadium in Wigan on January 16, 2012.—AFP

Dzeko ends City’s poor away run City go three points clear at top of table WIGAN: Edin Dzeko’s first-half header lifted Manchester City three points clear at the top of the Premier League as the leaders swapped flair for functionality in a gritty 1-0 win at bottom club Wigan Athletic on Monday. It was not pretty and did not produce the sackfuls of goals City have often managed this season but three points from a scrappy game at a cold and sparse DW Stadium are exactly what teams eke out on their way to championships. “This evening it was important to take three points, I think that we played well in the first half an hour and after (that) so-so,” City manager Roberto Mancini told a news conference.

“We had three or four incredible chances

to score the second goal but we didn’t score ... in this moment it is important to get three points, this month it is important to do the maximum points we can get.” City, who had been suffering a blip since the start of the New Year with one win and three defeats in all competitions, knew they could not afford a slip-up after Manchester United pulled level with them on points on Saturday. After dominating possession with their trademark swift passing, City’s breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when David Silva floated in a free kick that the towering Dzeko nodded past Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi. Silva returned from the ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s 1-0

defeat by Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final and a little of the dynamism that has torn apart so many teams also came back, in the first half at least.

Wigan, though, had their chances against a City defense missing suspended Vincent Kompany but anything they engineered, such as two long-range shots

by James McArthur, was more opportunistic than some of the slick moves crafted by their opponents. The hosts started the second half brightly before City rediscovered their rhythm and should have scored when Sergio Aguero did all the hard work by dribbling past several Wigan players and the keeper

only for Dzeko to fluff his shot. Silva was then denied by Al Habsi’s quick reflexes and City keeper Joe Hart dived well to block James McCarthy’s low shot as a spirited Wigan sensed they could still snatch something.

City manager Roberto Mancini was literally hopping mad shortly before the end when Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa handled the ball near the halfway line when he was the last man, denying Aguero from running clear through on goal.

Having accused Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney of encouraging the referee to send off Kompany in their FA Cup meeting earlier this month, Mancini adopted a similar approach over Figueroa

conference. City moved on to 51 points from 21 games, three ahead of champions Manchester United. Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who visit City on Sunday, are a further two points behind.

Mancini was hoping striker Mario Balotelli and defender Micah Richards, who missed the short journey to Wigan with minor injuries, would be back in time for that game against Spurs. He will also be hoping Silva, the inspiration behind so many of City’s moves up the field before he was taken off in the second half, will be back to full fitness soon. “David is an important player for us but he is not 100 percent, he was tired after 55/60 minutes,” Mancini said.— Reuters

Copa clasico returns

Italian League

Napoli frustrated again as Bologna claim point ROME: Napoli’s title hopes took another blow as Walter Mazzarri’s team were frustrated by lowly Bologna, who held them to a 1-1 draw at the San Paolo Stadium on Monday. Despite having recorded impressive wins over AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City this season, Napoli have slipped up too often against supposed minnows. And it happened again as they needed Edinson Cavani’s penalty to cancel out Robert Acquafresca’s early opener for the visitors.

The result left Napoli down in sixth and still 10 points off leaders Juventus while Bologna moved four points clear of the drop zone. Bologna coach Stefano Pioli was proud of his team. “We played a great game, it’s not easy going to Napoli and keeping your head up against such a strong team with good organization, a well-defined game-plan and quality players,” he said. Napoli were straight on the attack and Marek Hamsik should have given them an early lead when picked out by Hugo Campagnaro’s cross, all alone, 10 yards out but his low finish was stopped by Jean-Francois Gillet.

Mazzarri was full of excuses and said he felt scoring then would have changed the game. “My only regret is that chance Hamsik missed after a few minutes,” he said. “Bologna played well, they contained well and that countered, but then again everyone who comes here plays like that. “We weren’t very lucid tonight, there were too many players not at their best. “We play with tempo and the pitch tonight didn’t help us and then when you don’t get a goal straight away and instead concede

by waving an imaginary card in the air.

Asked if he felt the Honduran left back should have been shown a red card rather than the yellow he received, Mancini replied: “Next question, please.”

He said it was perfectly “normal” to react as he had done to the incident and said it was different for a manager to act that way compared to a player. “I am on the bench, it’s different from one player that is near the referee,” he said. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, whose side are rooted to the bottom of the table with 15 points and who have not won at home since Aug. 27, denied a red card should have been shown. “I don’t think it was a goal-scoring opportunity,” he told a news

one you have to claw your way back and it was easier for Bologna.” The hosts were made to pay for that as Bologna scored out of nothing.

Camapagnaro failed to block Nico Pulzetti’s through ball and Acquafresca was left all alone in front of goal to beat Morgan De Sanctis.

Hamsik came close again as he worked space on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected behind. In the second half Bologna had a close shave as Goran Pandev took down a corner on the six-yard box but with his back to goal and under pressure he failed to get the contact needed to turn the ball home. Napoli started getting desperate and Salvatore Aronica tried his luck from fully 30 yards, but although he hit it well, Gillet held on.

Drama broke out 20 minutes from time as Diego Perez was adjudged, perhaps harshly, to have handled the ball. The referee originally gave a free-kick on the edge of the box but then changed it to a penalty on the linesman’s advice. Bologna defender Andrea Raggi gave Aronica a huge shove in the mayhem and protests that ensued but the referee didn’t see it and it was left to Cavani to thrash home the spot-kick. Pioli was fuming about that decision. “The rule is clear, a handball has to be intentional to give a penalty but it was ball to hand, the rule wasn’t properly applied,” he moaned. Captain Marco Di Vaio had two great late chances to snatch a victory on the counter-attack for the visitors but he was tackled by Juan Zuniga the first time and De Sanctis denied him on the second.— AFP

NAPLES: SSC Napoli’s Slovakian forward Marek Hamsik (top) fights for the ball with Bologna’s Swedish defender Mikael Antonsson during their Italian Serie A football match in San Paolo Stadium in Naples on January 16, 2012.— AFP

Sideshow to Liga glory hunt MADRID: Real Madrid and Barcelona resume their historic rivalry today when the two teams meet in the first leg of the quarter finals of the Spanish Cup. The scene is the Santiago Bernabeu before the return leg in Barcelona the following today and at stake is the first of three prizes the two giants are targeting this season. With the Champions League resuming in February with both teams in the last 16 and the two locked in a battle at the top of La Liga, the season promises combat on three fronts.

In the league at the weekend the pressure was already starting to show for both teams. Madrid had to come back to win 2-1 away at Mallorca on Saturday night with late goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon, a result that temporarily opened a gap of eight points on Barcelona in second position. Twentyfour hours later it was Barcelona’s turn to suffer when they gave away a two goal lead at home to Betis, the first goals conceded by the Catalans in the league at home this season, before running out 4-2 winners and reducing the gap back to five points.

Barcelona have already triumphed in the Bernabeu in December with a resounding 3-1 league victory after goalkeeper Victor Valdes had gifted Madrid a first minute lead with an uncustomary mistake. On that occasion Cristiano Ronaldo was criticized for his performance and despite scoring the winning goal in last season’s Spanish Cup final

between the two sides, his tally of three goals in 11 games against Barca is subject to debate. It does not compare favorably with Lionel Messi’s total of 13 strikes against Real and a good display from the Portuguese superstar will be key to Real’s chances today.

Ahead of today, Ronaldo has denied that games against the eternal rival are a problem for him. “Before matches I am relaxed, pressure means nothing to me and I don’t feel any more against Barca,” he said. For Barcelona’s talismanic midfielder Xavi Hernandez, matches against Madrid are a highlight. “I like playing in the Bernabeu, it’s a special stadium and an historical game which makes us motivated and makes for an intense match,” he said. “Madrid don’t change, they play a direct game with three or four players who can hit you on the counter attack, they are also dangerous from dead balls and we have to be alert in defense,” he continued. “However, we do not hold back, we’ll play our usual game to attack and score goals and be as brave as we have been in recent years in the Bernabeu.” Madrid have injury doubts over Sami Khedira and Pepe but expect to welcome back Angel Di Maria, who has been very important for them this season. Barcelona’s long-term casualties Ibrahim Afellay, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez will not be in the Bernabeu, and neither will Seydou Keita who has travelled to the Africa Cup of Nations to play with Mali.—AFP

S Korea frets as US ups oil pressure on Tehran Page 22

China’s economic growth ebbs to lowest in 2 years Page 23

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

KSE stocks advance

Airbus outsells Boeing in 2011 jet order race Page 24 Page 25

ATHENS: A man begs in the street yesterday during a 24-hour strike against austerity measures in Athens. Greece’s main union called for a strike in Athens as the government upped pressure on labor unions to accept wage cuts to avert bankruptcy. — AFP

Oil embargo ‘economic suicide’ for EU: Tehran Reconsider oil vow, Iran tells Saudi TEHRAN: Iran yesterday warned Saudi Arabia to reconsider its vow to make up for any shortfall in Iranian oil exports under new sanctions, saying Riyadh’s pledge to step into the market was unfriendly.

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi issued the warning in remarks carried by state media. “We invite Saudi officials to further reflect and consider” their offer to compensate for curbed Iranian oil exports, Salehi said.

He attacked comments by Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi that Saudi oil output could be boosted by around 2.6 million barrels per day-the same amount that Iran exports-and that the world will not permit Iran to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

“These signals are not friendly signals,” Salehi said. “Iran expects all Gulf countries, in particular Saudi Arabia ... to avoid making rash remarks.” He also said that “the security of the Gulf is a collective security and Iran is a major player in this regard.”

Iran’s OPEC governor said yesterday a European Union embargo on Iranian oil would be “economic suicide” for Europe, the latest stiff statement reflecting Iranian concern about the prospect of deeper sanctions over its nuclear program.

Iran is OPEC’s second largest oil

producer, and oil exports account for 80 percent of Iran’s foreign currency income. Iran sells about 20 percent of its oil exports to Europe.

European nations are considering whether to go along with new US legislation outlawing transactions with Iran’s central bank, indirectly limiting Iranian oil shipments by making it harder for customers to pay for them.

The law takes effect later this year.

Iran has reacted with a string of strong pronouncements. It threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, where most of the Gulf’s oil exports pass, it scheduled war games in the area of the strait, it warned the US not to send an aircraft carrier back into the Gulf - and now it is cautioning Europe over the consequences of abandoning Iranian oil.

Iran has already told Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing Arab neighbors that if they step in to compensate for Iranian oil exports cut under looming EU and US sanctions, it “would not consider these actions to be friendly.” Tehran’s representative to OPEC, Mohammad Ali Khatibi, was quoted as saying on Sunday that those countries “will be held responsible for what happens” if they did so, adding ominously: “One cannot predict the consequences.”

Iran’s political and military leaders have repeatedly said that if their country is unable to export its oil, they will stop other producers in the Middle East from sending their oil through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. The narrow channel is a chokepoint for more than a third of the world’s tanker-borne oil, or 20 percent of the world’s total traded oil, according to the US Energy Department. Saudi Arabia is by far the biggest exporter in OPEC, followed by Iran. Relations between the two countries have long been poor, and have become worse in recent months following US allegations that a thwarted plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington was hatched in Tehran. The Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises oil-producers Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, has accused Iran of interfering in their members’ internal affairs.

Naimi’s interview with CNN was recorded on the weekend, before Khatibi made his warning to Iran’s neighbors, but after Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. He said Saudi Arabia was currently producing up to 9.8 million barrels per day, but had “substantial spare capacity” to produce 12.5 million bpd.— Agencies

KFH: Global Sukuk issuance to surpass $200bn in 2012

UN sees fall in global GDP per capita in 2012

KUWAIT: Sukuk issuance in 2012 will increase by 25-30% to break the $200 billion barrier, despite challenges that face prosperity of this industry, such as the financial struggles of some European countries and their effect on the rest of the world, a report prepared by KFH-Research about the horizons of global Sukuk in 2012 expected.

The report noted that several positive indicators forecast a brighter future for Sukuk during this year, such as the increasing role of governmental issuance that will form the backbone of the market to boost the private sector and finance major developmental projects; the economic growth that the region and emerging markets are witnessing; having new parties and the increase in popularity of Sukuk outside Islamic markets, after Sukuk successfully substituted conventional bonds. In addition, the report mentioned that the Sukuk market witnessed unprecedented growth during 2011 that reached 88% compared to last year. It added that Kuwait has returned to the Sukuk issuance market after three years through the issuance of Al-Oula Investment Company. The Islamic finance industry has grown at an average rate of 15.0%-20.0% per annum over the past decade to reach approximately $1.3tln in 2011. The sukuk industry has emerged as one of the main components of the Islamic financial system, indicated the report.—KUNA

GENEVA: The global economy will grow by only 0.5 percent in 2012, effectively shrinking on a per capita basis, unless there is rapid action to create jobs, prevent sovereign debt distress and shore up fragile banks, a United Nations study said yesterday.

The annual U.N. World Economic Situation and Prospects report forecast average economic growth of 2.6 percent in 2012 and 3.2 percent in 2013, assuming what it said were benign conditions in a “make-or-break year” for economic recovery. The assumptions included a 50 percent cut in Greek sovereign debt, a minor U.S. economic stimulus in the short term and a realization of economic policy commitments taken by the G20 group of nations at Cannes in November. The report said these would at least allow developed economies to “muddle through” but there was a high risk that these assumptions would be overly optimistic. “The developed economies are on the brink of a downward spiral enacted by four weaknesses that mutually reinforce each other: sovereign debt distress, fragile banking sectors, weak aggregate demand (associated with high unemployment and fiscal austerity measures) and policy paralysis caused by political gridlock and institutional difficulties,” the report said. — Reuters

23

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

BUSINESS

Kuwait consumer price inflation slows to 4.2% NBK Economic Report KUWAIT: Inflation in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) slowed to 4.2% year-on-year (y/y) in November. This 16-month low should be an indicator of lower inflation in the months to come. We estimate a 4.7% average for 2011 and forecast a lower 4.0% for 2012.

Excluding food and beverage prices, core CPI inflation, which is more indicative of the underlying trend, was 3.0% y/y. It is off its late 2010/early 2011 highs and has been on a downward trend for most of

2011. The relatively low core CPI figure shows that most of the pressure on the CPI comes, or came, from food prices. Food prices recorded a y/y increase of 8.3%, its lowest rise in the past 16 months. Yet, this component still sees the biggest y/y increases, as pressure from international factors has been slow to abate. While some sub-components are still a source of upward pressure, others have already started to subside (fruits and vegetables were down 2.7% y/y). Pressure from inter-

national food and commodity prices should decline in the coming months, limiting pressure from this component on the CPI. Housing services (rent) saw a 2.9% increase, this component is only updated on a quarterly basis.

Price inflation in education and medical care continued to ease off, also recording 2.9% y/y, its lowest in 2011 yet.

Inflation for household goods and services was 3.3% y/y, and has averaged 4.5% so far in 2011. Within

this group, the largest subcomponents saw modest increases (furniture and carpets +1.4%, household appliances +1.0%). The November figure, a 15-month low, points to decreasing inflationary pressure stemming from non-food sources.

The inflation rate should remain subdued in the months ahead, as different pressure sources -primarily food- begin to subside. CPI inflation should have averaged 4.7% last year and we project 4.0% for the current year, 2012.

China’s economic growth ebbs to lowest in 2 years

ATHENS: Protesters take part in a rally organized by the PAME Communistaffiliated union as they hold banners with anti-austerity slogans in Athens yesterday. —AP

Euro-zone won’t break up: EU bailout chief SINGAPORE: The euro-zone will not break up despite the debt crisis sweeping the currency bloc, the chief executive of the European Union bailout fund said yesterday.

Klaus Regling, head of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), also said that a ratings downgrade by Standard and Poor’s on Monday will have limited impact on the fund. “The euro will not break up. (The) economic costs of that will be very high,” Regling told reporters in Singapore, adding that investors’ fears over such a development were “unfounded”. “No country will be forced to leave the euro area,” he said at a news conference after meeting with government officials and major investors in the wealthy citystate. “That’s clearly not a policy objective.

We are family and no family member is forced out as a policy objective,” he added.

“If things go terribly wrong it might happen but it’s not something that is actively pursued by anybody with something to say in the euro area.”

No reason was given for Regling’s visit, but the EU’s delegation in Singapore said it was unrelated to the downgrade.

Regling said that S&P’s decision to cut the EFSF’s credit rating by one notch to AA+ will have little impact because two other credit risk evaluators, Moody’s and Fitch, kept their triple A ranking on the bailout fund. “There’s no need to get overly excited yet,” he said. “As long as it is only one ratings agency, there is not much of an impact... there is no need to do anything really.”

S&P’s decision was the result of downgrades to France and Austria’s triple-A rat-

ings since they served as top-level guarantors of the EFSF, a temporary bailout fund that uses guarantees from members to borrow money at low rates. The EFSF, which started off with borrowing power of 440 billion euros, has 250 billion euros left following rescues of Portugal and Ireland.

Greece is also awaiting a second bailout, leaving scant funds to come to the aid of Italy or Spain, the euro-zone’s third and fourth economies, which have been hit by higher borrowing costs. A permanent fund called the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is due to begin operating in July. It will run in parallel with the EFSF, a temporary instrument, for one year. The combined capacity of both funds is supposed to be capped at 500 billion euros, but several countries, the European Central Bank and the European Commission want it beefed up. Regling said “the probability that everything will be in place by July is very high,” referring to ESM, which he added will be less vulnerable to a ratings downgrade.

But Regling said there were enough funds available to help troubled countries in the euro-zone. “More than one trillion euros has been made available or is potentially available,” he said. “ These are substantial amounts and sometimes I don’t really understand why the markets and analysts and journalists say there’s not enough firepower because that’s a lot of unused firepower.” Regling described the euro as the “the highest and deepest level of European integration”. —AFP

BEIJING: China appears on track to avoid an abrupt economic slowdown with possible global repercussions after growth eased to a still robust 8.9 percent in the last quarter of 2011.

The expansion in the world’s second-largest economy was the slowest in 2 1/2 years but December retail sales and factory output accelerated, data showed yesterday. Growth in the previous quarter was 9.1 percent. “Today’s outcome seems to confirm a ‘soft landing’ scenario,” said Frances Cheung of Credit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong.

China is one of the biggest importers and slower growth could have global repercussions if it cuts demand for iron ore, industrial components and other goods from Australia, Brazil, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Growth decelerated in 2011 as Beijing hiked interest rates and tightened investment curbs to prevent overheating and tame politically dangerous inflation. Communist leaders reversed course and started easing lending late in the year after plunging US and European export demand raised the threat of job losses and unrest.

The slowdown was in line with government plans, said Ma Jiantang, commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics. He said the “ideal situation” would be to keep growth between 8.5 percent and 9 percent, with inflation low. In 2012, China faces “complexity and challenges” due to global malaise and pressure for prices to rise, Ma said at a news conference.

Still, he said, “The fundamentals of China’s long-term steady economic growth have not changed.”

Growth in the three months ending in December was the slowest since the second quarter of 2009, when the economy expanded 7.9 percent. Retail sales growth rebounded to 18.1 percent from November’s 17.1 percent while fac-

tory output rose 12.8 percent, up from November’s 12.4 percent.

“This all reaffirms our outlook on China for a soft landing,” said Moody’s Analytics economist Glenn Levine in a report. “Export demand has cooled, but domestic demand is still running strong.”

Consumer inflation, a volatile element in a society where poor families spend up to half their

to stimulate growth with an interest rate cut, tax cuts or other measures.

The central bank promised pro-growth measures this month to help entrepreneurs though it also pointed to inflation pressures and global uncertainties and said its monetary policy will stay “prudent.”

Also in 2011, China’s urban pop-

SHANGHAI: A customer looks at vegetables at a shop yesterday in Shanghai. China appears on track to avoid an abrupt economic slowdown with possible global repercussions after growth eased to its lowest level in 2 1/2 years in the last quarter of 2011. —AP incomes on food, edged down in December to 4.1 percent after hitting a 37-month high of 6.5 percent in July.

That could give Beijing leeway to stimulate the economy, helping small companies that have been hurt by plunging export demand and squeezed by lending curbs, forcing thousands out of business and wiping out jobs.

Analysts expect Beijing to try

ulation exceeded the number of rural dwellers for the first time, rising to 51.3 percent of the nation’s 1.3 billion people, the government reported. Industry surveys show manufacturing and exports contracted in November and December, while a slowdown in real estate sales triggered by government efforts to stop speculation and cool surging housing prices has sparked concern about

occurred, and we flew into a thick cloud we’d never experienced,” the veteran pilot said.

The carrier temporarily reduced flights and switched to smaller aircraft in response to the decline in traffic after the disaster, which also triggered a nuclear crisis that badly dented inward tourism.

“Thanks to the support of our customers, efforts by our employees and cooperation of people concerned, we can now see a trace of the sun,” he said.

“However, we are still in a climbing flight and need to move to a stable cruising altitude,” he added. Local media have reported that the company may go public by September 2012. During the conference, Ueki described the planned listing as “a key point” of the restructuring.

Ueki, the son of kabuki actor Kataoka Chiezo, joined the company in 1975 and continued flying until he joined the board two years ago. —AFP

NEW YORK: A Citibank customer makes a transaction at an ATM in New York. —AP

Citi misses Street; Q4 profit down 11% NEW YORK: Citigroup says its income fell 11 percent in the last three months of last year because of lower investment banking income, an accounting charge and a decline in the value of its assets.

The bank said yesterday that it made $1.2 billion, or 38 cents per share, on revenue of $17.2 billion. The results fell

short of the 54 cents per share estimated by analysts surveyed by FactSet, a provider of financial data.

A year earlier, in the fourth quarter of 2010, Citigroup made $1.3 billion on revenue of $18.4 billion. Citi’s stock is down 2.5 percent at $29.98 in pre-market trading. —AP

Trust in EFSF bonds not shaken: Japan TOKYO: Japan’s trust in bonds issued by the euro-zone’s rescue fund has not been shaken

by Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the European Financial Stability Facility’s credit rating, Finance Minister Jun Azumi said yesterday.

Azumi also said there was no change in his view that Japan would continue to cut Iranian

oil imports following a US push to prevent Iran from making nuclear weapons even after the premier dismissed his view as “personal opinion”. The US rating agency cut its top AAA credit rating of the euro zone’s rescue fund by one notch to AA+ on Monday, three days after it cut the ratings of France and Austria by the same margin and downgraded seven

investment to drive growth. The communist government has pledged for years to reorient its economy but is only starting to make progress after its stimulus in response to the 2008 global crisis fueled a surge in construction spending. Ma, the statistics official, pointed to the shift in population toward cities and said that might help to spur consumption growth. —AP

ExxonMobil to continue tie-up with Abu Dhabi

JAL names ex-pilot as new president TOKYO: Japan Airlines (JAL) yesterday named a former pilot as the company’s new president as the once-troubled carrier continues on its flightpath to recovery.

Senior managing executive officer Yoshiharu Ueki will replace Masaru Onishi next month, almost a year after JAL completed bankruptcy proceedings. “During the first year (of restructuring), we concentrated only on a safe and secure take-off,” Ueki told a news conference.

Under government supervision, JAL completed bankruptcy proceedings in March last year after becoming one of Japan’s biggest ever corporate failures in January 2010 with debts of about 2.32 trillion yen ($30 billion at current exchange rates).

“Shortly after we succeeded in taking off, the (March 11 earthquake and tsunami) — an unprecedented disaster-

the impact on the overall economy. December import growth fell to 11.8 percent, barely half the previous month’s 22.1 percent gain.

“The slowdown has yet to come to an end,” said economist Zhang Xinfa at China Galaxy Securities in Beijing.

Analysts say Beijing still needs to boost consumer spending to reduce reliance on exports and

other euro zone nations. But Azumi said the EFSF bonds remained “attractive” investment for Japan.

“Japan has bought them by certain amounts and our stance will not immediately change just because of the downgrade,” Azumi told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Japan has so far bought 3.535 billion euros

worth of EFSF bonds of a total 21 billion euros worth of such bonds sold by the Luxembourg-based fund, set up in May 2010.

Japanese officials have said they would continue to buy EFSF bonds by tapping euro assets in its foreign reserves providing that Europe makes efforts to resolve the region’s debt crisis. —Reuters

ABU DHABI: US energy giant ExxonMobil is confident of continuing to be a partner in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas concessions, a top company official said, as the emirate prepares to open a tender for its fields before the deals come up for renewal in 2014. Oil concessions of the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) will be put to tender following a screening process of the companies interested, including current partners, the director-general of national oil company ADNOC said.

ADNOC’s comments on Monday marked a strategy change, opening the floor to increased competition, particularly as Asian companies are keen to take part in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas fields.

Asked yesterday whether Exxon sees itself as a frontrunner for the ADCO concessions, Morten Mauritzen, president of ExxonMobil companies in Abu Dhabi, sounded confident.

“We believe we have the strengths, the technology, the people and the tools that Abu Dhabi should be looking for, and in that context, yes I see ourselves as a company that can be one of those partners,” he told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines the world future energy summit.

Abu Dhabi’s concessions lie at the heart of the United Arab Emirates’ plan to raise its crude oil production capacity to 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2017 from the current 2.7 million bpd.

Under the concessions, producers can acquire equity stakes in return for providing investment and accepting profit margins that analysts say are tight by international standards.

Already, Western oil majors such as Shell and Total as well as Exxon hold large stakes in concessions that pump most of the oil and gas of UAE. But they could face fierce competition from Asian companies as experts point out that ADNOC’S and Abu Dhabi’s decisions are very price sensitive. “Abu Dhabi should and are looking at their options,” Mauritzen said. “It will be important to underline the potential for the country by selecting the best partners.”

Exxon has two concessions in Abu Dhabi. One is an onshore venture with ADCO, due to expire in 2014, and the other an offshore joint venture with ADNOC and JODCO (Japanese Oil Development Co) called the Upper Zakum project. Current production at Upper Zakum is 600,000 barrels per day, while at the project with ADCO the output is 1.4 million bpd, and there are plans to increase it to 1.8 mbpd over the next five to seven years, Mauritzen said. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

business

KSE stocks advance GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended yesterday’s session on a higher note, amid increased trading activity, buoyed by heavyweight banking stocks.

Global General Index (GGI) added 0.71 percent to its value, closing at 178.78 points. Market Capitalization also went up by KD205.0mn, reaching KD29.3bn.

KSE Price Index advanced by 0.46 percent, compared to Monday’s session, closing at 5,789.4 points.

Market Breadth During the session, 105 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers with 48 equities advancing against 24 that declined. Trading activates increased during the session. Volume of shared traded increased by 41.3 percent, with 382.3mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD39.3mn (+89.0 percent).

Investment sector accounted for 32.5 percent of the total volume of shares traded on the exchange during this session with 124.4mnn shares changing hands at a total value of KD8.9mn. Al-Madina for Finance and Investment Company took the lime light, with 20.0mn shares changing hands. The scrip closed the session up by 9.09 percent, closing at KD0.060.

In the meantime, Services sector accounted for 27.4 percent of the total value of shares traded in the market during yesterday’s session, with a total value of KD10.8mn. Hits Telecom topped the volume and value leaders’ lists, with 75.6mn shares changing hands at a total value of KD5.5mn.

The scrip closed the session up by 4.2 percent at KD0.074.

In terms of top gainers, Coast Investment & Development Company was the top gainer for

the day, adding 9.8 percent to its share value and closing at KD0.056.

On the other hand, share price of Boubyan International Industries was the biggest decliner in the market, shedding 5.3 percent of its value, ending at KD0.071.

Sectors Six out of the eight sectoral indices ended the day on a higher note. Global Banking Index was the biggest gainer, appreciating

by 1.19 percent. Share price of heavyweights, National Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Finance House increased by 1.75 percent, closing at KD1.160 and 1.14 percent, respectively. However, Ahli United Bank was the biggest gainer in the sector, adding 3.41 percent, ending at KD0.910.

Global Investment Index came second, with a daily advance of 0.9 percent. The sector’s heavy weight, Kuwait Projects Company added 1.6 percent to its value, ending at KD0.315, while share

price of National Investment Company added 2.50 percent to its value, closing at KD0.164.

In the meantime, Global Industrial Index gained 0.52 percent during the session. Share price of Gulf Cables & Electrical Industries climbed by 2.9 percent, finishing at KD1.440.

Global Non Kuwaiti Index was the biggest decliner, shedding 0.6 percent of its value, after United Gulf Bank retreated by 2.8 percent and Gulf Finance House dropped by 2.3 percent.

Oil up above $112 on China data LONDON: Oil prices rose above $112 yesterday, supported by a weaker dollar and by expectations of steady demand growth after China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, posted stronger-than-expected economic growth.

Brent crude futures were up $1.28 at $112.62 a barrel by 1122 GMT, gaining for a second day. US crude rose $2.17 a barrel from Friday’s closing price to $100.87. There was no settlement price for the benchmark on Monday because of a US holiday.

Analysts and traders said China’s 8.9 percent fourth-quarter GDP growth had helped lift commodities and equities. Although the growth figure was the weakest in two and a half years, it was still better than a forecast of 8.7 percent made by economists in a Reuters poll.

“There is general positive market sentiment today - it’s not just oil which is up today, it is almost everything,” said Carsten Fritsch, an oil analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

Asian and European equities, base metals, the euro and gold all rose as markets viewed the Chinese data as a sign that growth momentum in the world’s second-biggest economy remained intact. “Yesterday OPEC warned that the euro-zone debt crisis could have a negative impact on oil demand in emerging economies, but those fears have receded because of this Chinese data,” said Fritsch.

Investors had been concerned that Europe’s debt problems would reduce demand for Chinese goods, forcing China’s factories to pare output and reduce energy consumption. But China’s implied oil demand climbed to an all-time high of 9.64 million barrels per day in December, up 0.4 percent from a year earlier,

and finished 2011 with 6.8 percent growth.

Fritsch added that there was some talk in the market that China could ease monetary policy because the data still showed growth slowing.

Oil was also supported by a weaker dollar, with the US currency down 0.79 percent against a basket of currencies at 1116 GMT as the Chinese data encouraged investors to embrace riskier assets.

Investors were also cheered by the biggest rise in German analyst and investor sentiment ever recorded, with a reading from the Mannheim-based ZEW economic think tank for January of -21.6 from 53.8 in December. The jump was attributed to upbeat economic data as well as the European Central Bank’s massive injection of cash last month, which has left banks awash with money.

Market participants continue to follow Iranian developments, with fears of tighter supply currently outweighing concerns stemming from the euro-zone debt crisis.

“We are in a sideways range in oil prices,” said Commerzbank’s Fritsch.

“We have supporting factors like geopolitical risk regarding Iran and the downside risk from the euro zone debt crisis. Depending on which has the upper hand, prices are going up or down.”

Tehran faces growing isolation over its nuclear program, with the United States pressuring top consumers including China and Japan to stop buying Iranian oil.

Conversely, supply concerns about Nigerian crude have eased somewhat after trade unions called off strikes and protests that threatened to shutdown output in Africa’s biggest oil producer. — Reuters

25

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

business

European auto sales decline accelerates PARIS: The decline in Europe’s car market accelerated in December, led by a slump at regional No.2 automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen, as increasingly worried consumers held back from major purchases, industry figures showed yesterday.

Car registrations tumbled 5.8 percent last month following declines of 1.4 percent in September and 3 percent in November, the Brussels-based Association of European Carmakers said. Registrations ended the year 1.4 percent lower at 13.6 million. “Consumers are loath to engage in big-ticket expenditure as purchasing power comes under pressure,” said Alexander Law, head of economics consulting firm Xerfi Global in Paris.

The downgrade of nine European nations’ debt by Standard & Poor’s last week will lead to higher interest rates on consumer credit including car loans, the consulting firm predicts.

“That will weigh heavily on the auto market,” Law said. “This year is going to be very tough for Europe’s auto market.” December’s auto market slide was accompanied by worsening euro zone consumer confidence, according to European Commission data.

In Germany, the region’s biggest economy

and its only major auto market to post growth last month, ZEW index data due later on Monday is expected to show that morale has fallen further this month. Paris-based PSA’s sales dropped 19 percent to 112,802 cars, weighed down by a 23 percent plunge for the Peugeot brand, while Citroen declined a more modest 13 percent.

PSA lost one percentage point of market share as its stock underperformed all 14 other members of the STOXX Europe 600 autos & parts index, with a 56 percent plunge over the past 12 months. The company appointed a new strategy director on Jan. 10, a week after the surprise departure of second-ranking executive JeanMarc Gales.

Volkswagen, the region’s biggest automaker, bucked the market decline to consolidate its recent gains, with sales advancing 9 percent in December for a 7.8 percent advance in 2011.

VW’s full-year market share rose by 2 percentage points to 23.3 percent.

Sales by Renault, General Motors and Fiat fell 14 percent, 15 percent and 16 percent respectively on a shift away from smaller cars, collapsing southern European demand and the effects

of ageing model line-ups. European carmakers are expanding overseas to reduce dependence on their stagnating home markets.

Renault increased the share of deliveries out-

PARIS: Jerome Stoll, commercial director of Renault Group, gestures as he speaks during a press conference yesterday to present the 2011 worldwide commercial results of the Renault Group at Renault Communication headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, west of Paris. — AFP

side Europe to 43 percent in 2011 from 37 percent a year earlier, the company said yesterday.

Global sales increased 3.6 percent to 2.72 million vehicles last year and will grow another 3-4 percent in 2012, Renault sales chief Jerome Stoll said, adding that conditions should improve towards the end of the year after a tough first half.

At the Detroit auto show last week, industry executives predicted a steady recovery in US car demand but were far less bullish about the European market, seen contracting about 5 percent for a fifth straight annual decline. “What we’re seeing is a recession coming in Europe,” Renault-Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said on Jan 10.

Premium car makers have so far largely escaped the European sales slump. Daimler’s Mercedes Benz posted a 10 percent December sales gain to keep the group’s 2011 sales in positive territory.

BMW, the world’s biggest luxury car maker, saw registrations drop 3 percent last month as some buyers held back for an imminent update to the core 3-Series model. Full-year sales rose 7.6 percent. — Reuters

Airbus outsells Boeing in 2011 jet order race Airbus could lag rival in 2012

PARIS: A close-up of the opening page of the ratings agency Moody’s website.

Moody’s on Monday confirmed France’s triple-A credit rating three days after its rival agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the country’s top rating by one notch. — AFP

France facing key bond test after downgrade PARIS: France is to issue long-term bonds on Thursday in the first test of its market credibility in the wake of Standard & Poor’s decision to strip the country of its cherished triple-A rating.

The sale, an attempt to raise between 7.5 billion and 9.5 billion euros (between $9.5 billion and $12 billion), will be watched keenly to see whether France will pay higher yields or whether the markets will shrug off the downgrade as they did last year when S&P downgraded the United States.

Finance Minister Francois Baroin voiced confidence ahead of the issue, saying France remained a no-risk bet for investors. “An investment is rarely risk free, which is why its often profitable. But a risk-free investment does exist, that’s an investment in the sovereign wealth of our country,” he said on Monday.

“France is a great country with a solid ... diversified economy, a skilled workforce, a highly resistant banking system and a high savings level,” Baroin said.

“So we can have confidence,” he said, adding that the S&P downgrade needed to be kept in perspective. “This is one message among others.” New York-based S&P cut the credit rating of nine debtladen European countries on Friday, including stripping France of its topnotch AAA rating.

Though long expected, the downgrade highlighted increasing concerns over French public finances.

If President Nicolas Sarkozy’s government finds itself saddled with high yields on Thursday, it will call into question the credibility of his deficit reduction plan and plunge the euro-zone into further turmoil.

An unsuccessful auction would also likely to hit Sarkozy’s re-election hopes with only three months to go before a presidential vote. Facing a tough challenge from Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, Sarkozy is desperate to shore

up his economic credentials.

France successfully sold 8.59 billion euros in short-term bonds on Monday, paying a lower rate of interest than at a previous similar auction despite the loss of its triple -A. But analysts said Thursday’s auction will be the real test. “ The longer-term debt auction on Thursday is much more of a challenge,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading site Forex.com.

“Last week we saw good demand for short-term Italian debt, but a lukewarm reception to longer-dated securities issued by Rome. If that happens at the French auction on Thursday then we could see a sharp decline in euro-based assets.” But she added: “There isn’t much of a relationship between a sovereign rating downgrade and a deterioration in credit market conditions. When the US was downgraded in August 2011, 10year treasury yields fell to their lowestever level six weeks later.”

In its last long-term bond issue on January 5, France raised just shy of eight billion euros. Analysts described demand in that auction as “solid” but France was forced to pay slightly higher interest rates. The rate on France’s benchmark 10year bond rose to 3.29 percent in that auction, up from 3.18 percent during the last long-term bond issue on December 1. Last month, France said it will need to raise 178 billion euros in medium- and long-term bonds in 2012, slightly less than last year, as the state will have to meet a budget deficit of 78.7 billion euros and repay 97.9 billion in debt.

Struggling to get its public finances under control, the French government has imposed two deficit-cutting packages aimed at saving a total of 72 billion euros since August. It has said it needs to save 100 billion euros to balance its budget by 2016 but Sarkozy has vowed no new austerity measures ahead of the election in April. — AFP

WASHINGTON: A Mini John Cooper Works car is seen on display at the 2011 Washington Auto Show at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Nearly 30,000 Mini Coopers are to be recalled in Britain after makers detected an electrical fault which could lead cars to catch fire, according to local media. — AFP

HAMBURG: Airbus outsold Boeing almost two-to-one in 2011 after gambling on a revamped fuel-efficient jetliner and delivered more jets than its rival for the ninth year running, while admitting it may struggle to keep its order crown this year.

Figures released by the European planemaker yesterday confirmed the popularity of narrowbody jets offering significant fuel savings based on new engines available from mid-decade. Airbus said it had won orders for 1,608 aircraft or a net total of 1,419 after cancellations, giving it a record market share of 64 percent by volume or 54 to 56 percent by value. The tally includes over 1,220 A320neos, a revamped 150-seat workhorse launched just over a year ago and which prompted Boeing to update its own best-selling jet as the 737 MAX. Both manufacturers have decided to inject new life into the short-haul A320 and 737 models, their biggest cash cows. They are banking on demand for fuel savings to help airlines stay alive as oil prices remain unusually high through the downturn.

Airbus moved first, sweeping up an initial wave of orders in the largest segment of the industry, which is valued at $2 trillion over the next 20 years, but Boeing posted record sales of its larger and more expensive long-haul 777 mini-jumbo. Airbus confirmed it had delivered 534 aircraft in 2011, as reported by Reuters last week. The 5 percent rise from 2010 comes as both Airbus and Boeing plan further increases to meet demand from rising Asian economies.

Deliveries drive the bulk of aerospace revenue. Between them, the world’s dominant airplane manufacturers made industry history by delivering more than 1,000 aircraft and taking orders for more than 2,500 in a single year as Asia’s growing wealth continued to outshine the bleak Western economy. “It was a tough year for the world economy but traffic is growing and the number of middle classes, by which I mean people with disposable incomes for things like air travel, will triple in the next 20 years,” said Airbus sales chief John Leahy.

He dismissed recent fears of a shortage of financing for aircraft deliveries as European banks scale back their lending. Airbus’ endyear order book included an unexpected decision to downgrade the way it accounts for a key order for 130 aircraft from bankrupt American Airlines.

American’s parent AMR Corp went into Chapter 11 in November, months after splitting an historic 460-plane order between Airbus and Boeing. Under US bankruptcy law, the $40 billion mega-order is on hold until a court reaffirms or cancels it.

Airbus auditors ruled against including the AMR order in the final tally. Leahy said the airline’s chief executive had given Airbus a

add up 2010, 2011 and 2012, I’d like to be over 50 percent, but I am not chasing it for 2012,” Leahy told reporters at an annual press event hosted by Airbus parent EADS. The development moves by Airbus and Boeing have reinforced their duopoly against market entrants from Canada, Russia and China, but Leahy said China, which is making its first 150-seat jet, would be a serious com-

HAMBURG: Louis Gallois (left), CEO of European aerospace and defense giant EADS, and Airbus CEO Tom Enders (C) prepare to give a press conference at Airbus in Hamburg yesterday. Airbus said it outgunned American rival Boeing in 2011, winning a dominant twothirds market share with a record number of aircraft orders and expected clear skies ahead. — AFP strong indication that AMR planned to go petitor within the next 25 years.

While taking a lead against Boeing for now ahead with the order.

Boeing last week reported 921 sales in in the short-haul jets used by most low-cost 2011, or a net total of 805 when adjusted for carriers, Airbus is paying a price for delays to its 350-seat A350-1000, a wide-body jet cancellations, and 477 deliveries.

Leahy said he expected Airbus orders to designed to challenge the successful longfall back to 600 or 650 in 2012 and resigned range Boeing 777 mini-jumbo.

Airbus pushed back development of the himself to the possibility that Boeing would win the order race for the first time since largest of three variants of A350 by two years 2006. He cited pent-up demand from Boeing’s last summer to deal with industry criticism existing customers for the 737 MAX, which over the size of its Rolls-Royce engines, but came onto the market a year later than the doing so risks losing business when gaps appear in fleet plans.

A320neo.

Airbus said Abu Dhabi’s Etihad had canThe US company says it has 1,000 firm and provisional 737 MAX orders and has pledged celled six of the 25 A350-1000s it had ordered, to make 2012 “Boeing’s year”. “I predict that in worth $300 million each at list prices. Leahy 2012 our share will be down to around 50 per- insisted Etihad remained committed to the cent, or probably even lower than that. If you project. — Reuters

Huge rise in German investor confidence BERLIN: German investor confidence rose sharply in January, a closely watched survey showed yesterday, suggesting that Europe’s top economy remains resilient to the crisis causing chaos in the euro-zone.

The ZEW think-tank’s economic expectations index rose by a whopping 32.2 points in January to stand at minus 21.6 points, it said in a statement.

The result shattered the estimates of even the most optimistic forecasters surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires. On average, analysts had expected a slight increase to minus 49.5 points from last month’s minus 53.8 points.

The euro spiked on the foreign exchange markets and the DAX leading index of German shares also enjoyed a solid gain on the news. “Contrary to repeatedly expressed fears of a recession the assessment of the financial market experts gives reason for cautious optimism that Germany will only experience a dent in economic activity,” ZEW head Wolfgang Franz said.

“Nonetheless, the further development of the debt crisis remains a risk to economic growth,” added Franz. Despite the spectacular jump, the survey remained well below its historical average of 24.5 points. “This month’s increase suggests that within the next six months, German economic activity is likely to stabilize instead of deteriorating further,” said Franz. For the survey, ZEW questioned 293 analysts and institutional investors on their view of the economy. While cheering the results, one analyst warned that the survey took the pulse of investors before a recent raft of bad news from the euro-zone. — AFP

British inflation falls sharply in December LONDON: Inflation in Britain fell sharply in December, official figures showed yesterday, laying the ground for more monetary stimulus from the Bank of England.

The Office for National Statistics said consumer prices rose by 4.2 percent in the year to December. That was down from November’s rate of 4.8 percent and represented the joint-biggest monthly fall since December 2008, when the sales tax was reduced.

The decline was in line with market expectations and came on the back of declines in car fuel, energy and clothing as retailers discounted heavily in the runup to Christmas. They more than offset increases in phone charges.

The Bank of England is predicting that inflation will fall back towards the 2 percent target over the coming year as the British economy continues to flatline and last year’s rise in sales tax drops out of the annual comparison. Recentlyannounced falls in electricity and gas prices should also help drive inflation back to target. That’s why many economists think the Bank of England will soon sanction another round of monetary stimulus as it seeks to get the British economy going again. Many economists predict a modest recession and unemployment to rise to 3 million as the crisis

in the euro-zone hits UK exports and the government continues its deficit-reduction program.

There is growing speculation in the markets that the Bank of England’s ninemember rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee will decide next month to continue its asset purchases program, beyond the 275 billion pounds ($422 billion) it has sanctioned so far. At February’s policy meeting, the Bank will be armed with its latest quarterly economic projections.

The Bank of England expects to conclude its latest 75 billion pounds in asset purchases - known as quantitative easing, or QE - by early next month.

“Inflation still looks set to fall below its target further ahead and today’s figures support our view that we will see more QE from the Bank of England next month in an attempt to prevent this,” said Vicky Redwood, chief UK economist at Capital Economics.

The Bank last backed new asset purchases in October - after halting the program in January 2010 - even though inflation was running at 5 percent, more than double the target. At the time, it cited the faltering economy and expectations that inflation would fall back sharply this year. — AP

26

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

BUSINESS

BRIC and host of rising stars shine amidst gloom

Renovated Toyota Service Center opens in Al Ghazali KUWAIT: Following their well developed expansion plan, Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons is proud to announce the opening of its newly renovated Toyota service center in Al Ghazali, to provide convenient services for our valued Toyota customers. The ceremony was attended to cut the ribbon by Naser Mohamed Al-Sayer, Chairman - MNSS, Faisal Bader Mohamed Al Sayer, Vice Chairman - MNSS, in addition to Al Sayer’s managers, a number of guests of honor and the press. Toyota Al-Sayer takes great pride in excelling continuously by providing the highest levels of Customer Satisfaction thus matching the high level of Toyota quality standards in motor engineering dominance. To keep up with such a purpose and maintain an even broader and stronger presence in Kuwait, we are increasing the number of our Centers to provide our Toyota Customers with an even higher level of services than ever

before. That is why the newly renovated Ghazali Center will be geared with the latest state of the art advanced technology in car servicing and maintenance equipment.

center include: l 8 Quick service bays 8 Express Maintenance bays and 10 Quick lube bays l Oil change average time in 10

This latest endeavor is part of the continuous commitment by Al Sayer of providing the most convenient locations for Service and Showroom facilities to all their customers.

The new facilities in the new

minutes lOne way flow l Fully air conditioned working areas l Special ladies rest area with a designated female advisor l Waiting Area for Toyota cus-

tomers to follow up the maintenance of the car through a viewing window, with the provision for Wi-Fi internet connection. l All Toyota cars maintenance are carried out by highly qualified and trained staff, they have been handpicked to meet the highly advanced state of the art Toyota quality standards, technologically and equipments. l Opening Hours are Saturday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM Faisal Bader Mohamed Al Sayer, Vice Chairman - MNSS, reiterated his faith in Kuwait and its economy, saying: “We are under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, and his good government, we will spare no effort to invest in various different areas that will support Toyota customers at all levels, which in turn will enable us always to beat the expectations and the goodwill of our existing customers to be for life“.

Showcasing premier Indian properties Realty India 2012 KUWAIT: Realty India 2012, the biggest real estate exhibition in Kuwait, opens on Friday 20th January, at the Ramada Kuwait Hotel in AlRiggae. The two-day exhibition, open from 10am to 8pm on both days, will be inaugurated by the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Satish C. Mehta. Over 70 leading reputable real estate developers from India will be displaying more than 200 projects from across the country.

The Realty India exhibition is presented by Indian media giant, Times of India Group in association with CREDAI Kochi, an association of professional builders in Kerala affiliated to CREDAI, the apex body of organized real estate developers in India.

Among the top sponsors and exhibitors at the Realty India 2012

exhibition are Arista Group, a diversified business conglomerate with verticals in various sectors and multinational projects. The Group, which is the platinum sponsor of Realty India 2012, has over 35 million square feet of real estate developments across India that include large township projects and luxury apartment blocks.

Among their prestigious projects that cater to the varying needs of discerning customers is Arista Grandeur, the pinnacle of opulence with the best of amenities that is strategically located in the western suburb of Andheri in Mumbai.

Ireo, with their tagline of ‘The Big Multiplier’, is one of the three gold sponsors of the realty exhibition. The company, which aims to multiply customers’ quality of life expectations from their home, will be showcasing several of their prime properties in and around Delhi. In keeping with their commitment to deliver exceptional quality, IREO’s initial project launches - The Grand Arch, Ireo Uptown, Ireo Waterfront and Ireo

Victory Valley - are already making an indelible mark and successfully challenging many f the existing paradigms of the Indian real estate sector.

Mohtisham, a second gold sponsor of Realty India 2012, has played a leading role in the multi-dimensional growth of Mangalore city since 1990.

Through the many luxury apartments, commercial complexes and malls that they have developed all over the city, Mohtisham has become synonymous with quality constructions among real estate buyers in and around Mangalore. Creating masterpieces of architectural elegance, every endeavor of Mohtisham is evidence of their inspiration, integrity and imagination.

Another gold sponsor of Realty India exhibition, once again from Mangalore, is Land Trades. With a 20-

year track record of delivering successful constructions to satisfied customers, Land Trades is among Mangalore’s leading builders specialized in developing and marketing residential and commercial properties.

Enviable elite location, excellent aesthetic design, superior quality construction and wide range of amenities and facilities are hallmarks of all projects developed and promoted by Land Trades.

Other well known names at the Realty India 2012 include Nirmal Lifstyle, a leading property development company in Mumbai with over 5 million square feet of residential and commercial complexes to their credit. The company, which considers quality and innovation as the soul of all projects they undertake, has been at the helm of promoting the suburb of Mulund as a prime destination of commercial and residential space in Mumbai. The company has imparted quality lifestyle and living through their superb residence complexes and aesthetically designed function-

al shopping malls. The company is currently building and developing one of India’s largest shopping and convention centers with malls and five-star deluxe hotels in Mulund, to further promote Mumbai’s vision of becoming a world-class city.

Lokhandwala Infrastructure, a trusted household name when it comes to construction and building, has been at the center of Mumbai’s real estate scene from the late 1970s.

In its over three decades in the industry, Lokhandwala has transformed the landscape of Mumbai achieving seemingly imper vious tasks like turning vast stretches of quicksand in the Mumbai suburb of Versova into architectural masterpiece. The company’s accomplishments have relied on inducting innovative building technologies that ensure the homes they build deliver a better living environment to their customers with minimum impact on the environment.

Indiabulls Group, one of the largest listed real estate companies in India and a leading national player across multiple realty and infrastructure sectors is also one of the top business houses in India with diverse business interests and a net worth that exceeds $4 billion. Among the prestigious projects of the Group are luxury residential developments and high-end office and commercial complexes. Stellar real estate attractions of the Group include Green Living projects in Panvel, Maharashtra and Chennai, as well as a premium residential complex in Hyderabad. These projects offer not only integrated township at par with international standards but also are an attractive investment option due to their strategic locations.

The well-planned, high-profile Realty India 2012 exhibition, with its display of a wide range of properties, offers choices to suit every budget and lifestyle from luxury villas to budget-friendly apartments for KD 5,000. In addition, various financing options with attractive interest and repayment terms also make Realty India 2012 a must-visit event for people looking to buy or invest in the Indian real estate sector.

The two-day exhibition, organized

by Times Exhibitions and Events, a division of Indian media behemoth Times of India, and Mindspace Events & Exhibitions from India, is being held in association with Response Events and Exhibitions, Kuwait.

BAAR, Switzerland: Global economic uncertainty and Middle East political turmoil are doing little to dim the attraction of emerging markets, which show signs of reducing their dependency on developed markets as they compete to be the trade hubs of the future, a new study shows. A second-half slowdown in 2011 cooled growth in virtually every region of the world at a time when regimes in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and other Middle East countries were collapsing in the face of popular unrest.

In spite of the economic slowdown and political upheaval, output in powerhouse economies such as Brazil, China and India remains high, and the so-called “Arab Spring” countries are now viewed as more attractive places to do business, according to the 2012 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index released today.

The annual Index spotlights 41 emerging markets and ranks them by their investment potential and progress each year. Attractiveness is measured by: market size and growth, market compatibility (foreign direct investment, security, urbanization and wealth distribution) and market connectedness (international and domestic transport infrastructure). The report, sponsored by global logistics provider Agility, is compiled by Transport Intelligence, a leading provider of expert research and analysis to the global logistics industry. As part of the Index, 550 senior logistics executives were surveyed, making this the biggest survey to date in the emerging markets logistics sector. For the first time, the Index offers trade lane analysis from 2005 to 2011.

The countries that dominated the rankings continued to be those that combine size and robust growth. China ranked first; India second; Brazil third. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) came in Nos. 4 and 5, and Indonesia and Russia at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively. Malaysia moved up three places from last year’s rankings to land at No. 8. Chile was No. 9, and Mexico was No. 10, falling two places.

“Emerging markets are more resilient and independent than they’ve ever been,” said Essa Al-Saleh, Agility’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Integrated Logistics. “There’s growing evidence that their dependence on the established markets is diminishing as new trade lanes grow and consumer demand in huge markets like China and India gathers strength. In the Middle East, where we saw old regimes fall, the Index indicates that logistics professionals see the region as ‘open for business’ in a way that it wasn’t before.”

“Emerging markets have never been so

important to the global economy,” said John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive of Transport Intelligence. “However operating in these markets requires a great deal of attention and preparation as the business environment is often highly challenging. The Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index highlights many of these challenges and points towards the markets that will deliver the greatest opportunities.”

Middle East stays strong and moves to diversify beyond oil In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman continue to strengthen their position as fast-growing emerging markets. In the Index rankings that look at market compatibility, all three markets rank in the top five, and make the top 10 for connectedness. While its ranking remained the same as last year (4), Saudi Arabia improved its overall Index score given its continued efforts to create a market environment that facilitates access and investment from foreign companies.

The UAE performed strongly again and topped the ranking of smaller markets (with less than $300 billion GDP) as well as the connectedness ranking. In the last three decades, the UAE has witnessed significant growth in infrastructure development and continued government spending is expected.

Additionally, with its free trade agreements and low trade barriers, the UAE offers easy market access supported by its strong shipping connections.

In the global survey of more than 550 logistics executives that accompanied the Index, the UAE was the seventh country most often nominated as likely to grow into a major logistics hub on the back of heavy investment in its ports, airports, road and rail infrastructure.

Oman scores well in the 2012 Index on compatibility and connectedness, driven by further developments to its infrastructure, especially its airports. Oman also emerges as an important trade hub with Europe and the US. Between 2005 and 2011, the volume of non-oil trade from Oman to the EU has increased almost tenfold and the country’s exports to the US have also seen significant growth. Increasing non-energy based exports was identified as a key objective by the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development. Other countries in the Middle East - Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait - also rank among the fastest growing trade lanes.

Like Oman, these countries have been focusing on diversifying outside the energy sector through increasing non-oil exports.

Marketing campaign to support Mazaya Towers KUWAIT: In support of the opening of its Mazaya Towers in Kuwait Business Town, Al-Mazaya Holding has announced the launch of a campaign aimed at creating a professional business environment while providing companies with a unique and stylish working space.

The campaign, called “office at reach”, came about as a result of extensive research into the needs of Kuwaiti companies and will be implemented alongside the opening of Mazaya Towers, the regional developer’s flagship project, later this month.

Eng Salwa Malhas, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Al-Mazaya Holding, explained: “Our team conducted research across a vast section of Kuwaiti companies, assessing their needs and determining their requirements. The team found that while many companies are located in old buildings that lack in logistics and aesthetics, most did not consider moving due to the additional cost and effort of fitting a new space with finishes and furnishings, despite a remarkable drop in the rental prices of many modern office blocks in the city.

“These findings led to the creation of “Office at Reach”, a product that will support companies by offering modern designed spaces with high standard finishes at competitive prices,” Malhas added.

One of the most important charac-

teristics of Mazaya Towers is its strategic location in the heart of Kuwait, which is regarded as one of the most active and strategic locations for investors. The Towers also offer easy access to various main roads into the city center, as well as to service roads.

Eng Salwa Malhas Malhas further highlighted the fact that the development is characterized by a unique exterior design, which has become internationally familiar, but added: “Not only do the Towers boast a stylish exterior, but every level also offers a full view of Kuwait City on one side, and the beauty of the Arabic Gulf on the other.”

With stylish appearance and unique looks aside, Malhas believes that what adds real value is the management’s firm belief in insuring the best services for the tenants in terms

of hygiene, maintenance, security and hospitality, as these issues all combine to ensure a modern, practical and pleasant working environment. She stressed that Al Mazaya is well known for its state of the art architectural designs and its unique and unrivaled management and logistic services.

Another attractive feature is the soon to be constructed multi-level car park designated for tenants and their guests, for which Al Mazaya recently got the council’s approval.

Until the car park is completed, however, the company will provide access to four large car parks with a valet service to insure that tenants and their guests have easy access to the Towers.

Speaking of the “office at reach” campaign, Malhas stated that the Towers is open for visits since the contractor has finished the examination and has all the machinery running. “During the visit, we will introduce potential tenants to “Office at Reach”, showing them the rental options and conditions that will suit their needs and circumstances. This includes a range open spaces starting from KD5/m2, or finished spaces starting from KD7.250 m2, or furnished offices starting from KD9 m2, as well as the opportunity to work hand in hand with associate companies to customize the dÈcor and furnishings at competitive prices.”

Unique opportunity to choose your dream home in progressive Kerala We are very delighted to announce the launch of Credai Kerala Property show in association with Times of India called “The Times Realty India 2012” on 20th & 21st Jan -2012 at Ramada Kuwait Hotel - Ardiyah, Kuwait The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) is the apex body of organized real estate developers representing over 6000 developers through member associations spread across 20 states of the country.

It promotes real estate development in Kerala with a national impetus. Credai Kerala, the Kerala chapter of Credai, comprises a league of developers and builders who have over the years earned a reputation among buyers and investors.

Credai Kochi, the Kochi chapter of Credai Kerala, is also actively involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

A major initiative of Credai’s CSR activities is the “Credai Clean City

Movement”, a nonprofit, NonGovernmental Organization undertaking activities in the solid waste management in the high rise apartments in Kochi.

This initiative has attracted numerous and prestigious awards and accolades from the Government

M V Antony, president

John Thomas, secretary

of Kerala including Award for the best Environmental Program.

Kerala, these days, is in a phase of development and progress. The important developments are happening in Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala - the metro rail, Vallarpadam

Transshipment Terminal, the Smart city, the Cyber City and the Mobility Hub to name a few, giving it an aura of a metro city. Not far behind are the other leading cities of Kerala Trivandrum, Kozhikode and Kannur.

While the Vizhinjam International Seaport coming up at Trivandrum, the upcoming cyber park in Kozhikode is witnessing the property development gathering momentum and the opening of malls and retail outlets of well known brands will see makeover of the city in the near future. Kannur is also fast developing with an international Airport underway.

CREDAI Kerala Property Show at the Ramada Kuwait Hotel brings the leading builders of Kerala under one roof, and is a unique venue to choose your dream home in the choicest locations of Kerala. With years of repute and credibility, CREDAI Kerala Property Show has been the favorite venue for the Nonresident Keralites to choose their homes in their homeland.

27

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

TECHNOLOGY

Best in show: gadgets that defined CES LAS VEGAS: Cheaper tablets, thinner laptops and an array of sleeker TVs stood out at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. More than 140,000 people gathered there this week, for an event that’s growing despite the absence of Apple and more recently, the decision by Microsoft to make this the last year it participates.

A bevy of celebrities, including 50 Cent, Will.i.am, and Kelly Clarkson, stopped by to add glitz to the proceedings -but they were hardly the stars of the show. Here are some of the more significant gadgets that shined at CES: Cheaper tablets The industry’s enthusiasm for tablets was considerably tempered this year compared to last, when more than a hundred manufacturers thought they could capitalize on the iPad’s success with their own models based on Google Inc.’ Android software. Sales were disappointing, in large part because Apple prices the iPad relatively low compared to the cost of making it.

Then, late last year, Amazon.com Inc. demonstrated that you can take on Apple by selling a smaller, barebones tablet for $199. Analysts believe Amazon sold millions of Kindle Fires in little more than a month.

Now, Asian manufacturers are hoping to jump on Amazon’s bandwagon.

One of those companies, Taiwan’s AsusTek Computer Inc., showed off a tablet with a Fire-sized screen and said it would sell it for $249. It’s considerably more powerful than the Fire, sporting a premium “quadcore” processor. Still, one of the things that made the Fire a success - Amazon’s library of e-books, music and movies will be missing.

Nokia Lumia 900 In recent years, the world’s largest phone maker, Finland’s Nokia Corp., has practically been a no-show in the US market. That’s hurt the company badly. Now, it hopes to come back with smartphones that run Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone software.

The Lumia 900 is its first such phone for the AT&T network, and the first Nokia phone to use AT&T’s faster wireless “LTE” network. In a sign of how much is riding on these phones, both the Microsoft and Nokia CEOs showed up for Monday’s announcement. The companies didn’t announce price or availability. T-Mobile USA, a smaller carrier, started selling a more modest Lumia this week.

Lenovo K800 While Nokia’s been shut out of the

US phone market, Intel Corp., the world’s largest chipmaker, has been shut out of phones entirely. Its PC chips use too much power to go into a smartphone: they’d drain the battery in no time. That’s a big problem for the company, since PC sales are flat in the developed world, while smartphone sales are exploding. Now, Intel says a new line of chips is ready for smartphone use, and Lenovo Corp. of China is the first to take them up on it, with a smartphone to be sold in China in the second quarter. Outwardly, it’s indistinguishable from any other touchscreen phone, and it runs Android.

Motorola Mobility, the phone maker that’s being bought by Google, also committed to making phones and other devices with Intel chips. Without offering many details, the company said the new devices will be on the market in the second half of the year.

OLED TVs Both LG and Samsung showed off 55-inch TVs with screens made from organic light-emitting diodes rather than the standard liquid crystals or plasma cells, and said they’ll on sale this year. They didn’t say what they would cost, but analysts expect the price to be upwards of $5,000. The sets are long-awaited. OLED TVs have been on the horizon for some time, but they’re difficult to manufacture in large sizes. They provide a high-contrast picture with highly saturated colors. They can also be very thin: LG’s set is just 4 millimeters thick, or one-sixth of an inch.

Ultrabooks Intel created the “ultrabook” as a marketing term for thin, light and powerful laptop computers. They’re essentially the Windows versions of Apple’s MacBook Air. PC makers have embraced the term enthusiastically. As a result, there were scores of ultrabook models on display at the show. Two that stood out were the Lenovo Yoga, which has a touch-sensitive screen that bends backward to fold over completely, turning the device into a large tablet.

It will launch with the new Windows 8 operating system later this year. The HP Envy 14 is a more conventional luxury model, and goes on sale Feb. 8, but has two details that set it apart: a sensor for Near-Field Communications Chips (which means you can transfer information from a similarly equipped phone by tapping it to the PC) and an audio chip that can communicate with some headphones to provide much better audio quality than Bluetooth.

The Envy 14 will cost $1,400. —AP

Under pressure, China firm scraps Jobs doll LOS ANGELES: A China-based firm has scrapped plans to market an action figure made to resemble the late Apple founder Steve Jobs following “immense pressure” from lawyers. “Unfortunately, we have received immense pressure from the lawyers of Apple and Steve Jobs’ family,” the In Icons company said in an emailed statement. The 30.4-centimeter (12-inch) doll-offered with Jobs’s trademark black turtleneck and jeanswas to go on sale for $99 at the start of next month.

“Though we still believe that we have not overstepped any legal boundaries, we have decided to completely stop the offer, production and sale of the Steve Jobs figurine out of our heartfelt sensitivity to the feelings of the Jobs family,” the company said. The company’s website (inicons.com) shows the figurine in lifelike poses alongside famous Jobs quotes,

such as: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.”

The company manufacturing the dolls, Hong Kong-based DiD Corp, insisted earlier this month that the doll was not a toy, but a sincere tribute to the iconic innovator. “We didn’t put anything related to the Apple brand or Apple products, nor did we smear the image of Jobs,” a DiD Corp official told AFP earlier this month. “We are making this for Apple fans.” Last year Apple-the maker of iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macintosh computers-blocked the sale of unauthorized Steve Jobs bobble-head dolls made by a different company in China. Jobs died on October 5 at the age of 56 after battling cancer for several years. DiD Corp also offers military action figures and one of US President Barack Obama, according to its website. —AFP

Google tackles online privacy in unusual ad blitz ‘Good To Know’ ads to include websites for additional info SAN FRANCISCO : Google is focusing on the importance of protecting personal information in an unusual marketing campaign for a company that has been blasted for its own online privacy lapses and practices. The educational ads started appearing yesterday in dozens of US newspapers, including The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and magazines, including Time and the New Yorker. Google Inc. also will splash its message across billboards within the subways of New York and Washington, as well as various websites.

Google will address some of the basics of online privacy and security in the “Good To Know” ads, which will all include referrals to a website for additional information. Initial topics to be covered include the steps that can be taken to protect online account passwords and the use of computer coding to locate and identify Web surfers. Google will also try to explain why its widely used search engine can produce more helpful results if it knows more about the past interests of the person making the request.

While Google views the campaign as a public service, it may come across as disingenuous to critics who say the Internet search

leader compiles too much personal information about its users and then isn’t careful enough about protecting the sensitive data.

In a major gaffe, Google exposed the personal contacts of its email users in 2010 when it launched a new social service called Buzz.

That breakdown led to a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission requiring the company to submit to external audits of its privacy policies every other year.

Google’s commitment to privacy was called into question again in 2010 when it acknowledged that company-dispatched cars taking photos of streets around the world also had been vacuuming up personal emails and website activity occurring over unsecured wireless networks set up in homes and small businesses. “This campaign should be nominated for some kind of award for fiction,” said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. “If grades were given out for privacy protection, Google would get a D plus.”

Google’s ads are coming out at a time when lawmakers and regulators in the US and Europe have been examining whether to mandate changes on how much information that websites can gather about visitors with-

Wikipedia to go dark to protest web piracy drafts WASHINGTON: Free online knowledge site Wikipedia will shut down for 24 hours today in protest at draft anti-online piracy legislation before the US Congress, founder Jimmy Wales said Monday on Twitter. “Student warning! Do your homework early. Wikipedia protesting bad law on Wednesday!” Wales said on the microblogging site. “‘Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.’ MLK - on Wednesday, Wikipedia demands,” Wales said, citing slain US civil rights leader Martin Luther King. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is currently before the House of Representatives, while the Protect IP Act is the version before the Senate.

The draft legislation has won the backing of Hollywood, the music industry, the Business Software Alliance, the National Association of Manufacturers and the US Chamber of Commerce.

But last month, the founders of Google, Twitter, Wikipedia, Yahoo! and other Internet giants expressed concern over the two drafts, saying in a open letter that they would “give the US government the power to censor the Web using techniques similar to those used

by China, Malaysia and Iran.” “We urge Congress to think hard before changing the regulation that underpins the Internet,” they said. “Let’s not deny the next generation of entrepreneurs and founders the same opportunities that we all had.”

Wales said Wikipedia would go dark for a

full 24 hours in English, saying: “Final details under consideration but consensus seems to be for ‘full’ rather than ‘soft’ blackout!” “This is going to be wow. I hope Wikipedia will melt phone systems in Washington today. Tell

everyone you know!” he said. Volunteerstaffed Wikipedia turned 11 years old on January 15th and boasts being the largest encyclopedia in history with more than 20 million articles in 282 languages. —AFP

WASHINGTON: The online encyclopedia Wikipedia is viewed yesterday. Free online knowledge site Wikipedia will shut down for 24 hours beginning at midnight US eastern standard time in protest at draft anti-online piracy legislation before the US Congress, founder Jimmy Wales said Monday on Twitter. — AFP

Getting your home theatre perfect BERLIN: A giant screen, surround sound and plentiful snacks.

Check, check and check. And those are just some of the reasons owners of home theatres prefer their setups to the cinema.

But it can all fall apart if the TV and the movie system aren’t synched up properly. Plus there are seemingly hundreds of settings about which to worry: colour temperature and white balance; bass and higher registers. “A lot of consumers don’t trust themselves to try out these menus,” says Jenny Braune of Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer goods tester. “But it can be worth it to play around

with them a little.”

After all, you really can’t break anything, since just about every device has a reset function to restore it to its factory settings.

But that isn’t always the best setting for televisions, found Stiftung Warentest. One test showed that only 3 of 20 tested televisions direct from the factory provided good colour and contrast. “It used to be worse before,” says Christoph de Leuw, an editor with German magazine Audio Video Foto Bild.

The reason for the poor startup image is because of the way televisions are sold in stores.

Many of them are set so they can

Bum’s the word in Japan security TOKYO: Put your fingerprint scanners away. Stand aside iris measurers.

Buttocks are the new way to prove who you are. A team of Japanese scientists claim their pressure sensor sheet can accurately identify an individual’s backside and when placed on a driver’s seat could be used as a last line of defence to stop someone else driving away your motor. “The sheet has 360 sensors, which collect data for 39 features to recognise a person, such as pressure patterns and the dimensions of the buttocks,” said Dr Shigeomi Koshimizu, who led the research.

Koshimizu, an associate professor at Tokyo-based Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology, said his device is 98 percent accurate and far less onerous than conventional biometrics as it requires nothing more than someone to sit naturally. But, he added, there are still a few hurdles to clear before the technology makes it to market. “The recognition tends to be compromised by different clothes,” he said. “Sensors read different signals from a pair of trousers and a pair of jeans.” — AFP

out giving them more controls to prevent the surveillance. Gathering digital dossiers of personal data helps target Internet ads at people more likely to buy the products and services being peddled. Google has an incentive to ensure online ads remain as effective as possible because those commercial messages generate most of its revenue, which totaled $27 billion through the first nine months of last year. The company’s full-year figures are due out Thursday.

The ad campaign is “really just a PR offensive to help dim the increased scrutiny of Google’s privacy practices,” Chester said. Not so, says Alma Whitten, who was named Google’s director of privacy for product and engineering after the company acknowledged its 2010 missteps. “We all have family and friends that ask us for advice on privacy and security all the time,” Whitten said. Those recurring questions, she said, made Google realize it should do something to give everyone a better grasp on the fundamentals of online privacy. The total bill for the multiweek blitz will run in the “tens of millions” dollars, according to Google. The company, which is based in Mountain View, California, declined to be more specific. — AP

make an impression, especially when compared with competitors and under bright lights. But that is way too bright for home use. Some models even ask upon being powered up if they should opt for settings for a store or for a home. A test image is the best tool for choosing settings. There are various ones available online.

Just burn it onto a DVD so you can see how the television processes different inputs. If you don’t trust your own judgment, you can go online again to find ideal settings suggested by others. Be prepared to tune the settings separately for each input device, since televisions often

reconfigure the signal for each individual gadget.

De Leuw advises beginners try out several different initial settings. Most people will have luck with settings branded Normal, Natural or Film. Avoid ones with names like Dynamic or Games, which are usually too harsh.

Braune also recommends experimenting: “A lot of these settings can’t be judged objectively, they’re just a question of taste.”

That applies to things like the colour temperature setting, which controls if an image feels warm or cold.The ideal lighting settings in a home theatre are also a question of taste. — dpa

India’s ‘Angry Brides’ game wages war on dowry

TOKYO: Shigeomi Koshimizu (R), associate professor of the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology displays a sheeted sensor, which has a total of 360 pressure sensors to analyze patterns of users’ buttock pressure at his laboratory in Tokyo yesterday at (L) is 3D pressure pattern of a buttock. A team of Japanese scientists claim their pressure sensor sheet can accurately identify an individual’s backside and when placed on a driver’s seat could be used as a last line of defence to stop someone else driving away your motor. —AFP

NEW DELHI: A new online game in India called “Angry Brides” which seeks to highlight the problem of illegal dowry demands for women has attracted more than 270,000 fans. The game by online matchmaker shaadi.com-inspired by the hugely popular “Angry Birds” game-sees players attack prospective grooms greedy for dowry with a variety of weapons, from a brick-red stiletto to a broomstick.

The three grooms-an engineer, a doctor and a pilot-dodge the attacks while demanding dowries starting at 1.5 million rupees ($30,000). Each time a player hits a groom, he or she wins money towards a virtual anti-dowry fund.

The game, available as a free application on Facebook, has already attracted more than 272,000 “likes.” “Shaadi.com has always believed that marriage is an institution of love, where there is a place for togetherness, mutual understanding, family values and emotional support but not for dowry!” it said in a statement.

Paying and accepting a dowry in India has been illegal since 1961, but the centuries-old tradition of the bride’s parents presenting gifts of cash, clothes, jewellery, even appliances to the groom’s family remains strong. Demands for dowry often persist well past the wedding ceremonies, and in the worst cases, brides are tortured and even murdered if they or their parents do not comply.

According to India’s National Crime Records Bureau in 2010, 8,391 women died in dowry-related deaths, and 44 percent of all crimes against women in the country were carried out by their husbands and relatives. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

H E A LT H & S C I E NC E

UK scientists find Darwin fossils Item ‘lost’ for more than 150 years

SAINT-AIGNAN: Yuan Zi (“chubby”), one of the two Chinese pandas is seen in his enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France yesterday. The animals left their breeding centre in southwestern China for a 10-year stay in France, on a loan sealed after years of top-level negotiations. —AFP

US may be behind Mars probe failure: Russia MOSCOW: Russia yesterday said the failure of its Phobos-Grunt probe for Mars could have been caused by radiation from US radars, in its latest allegation of Western interference in its space program. “ There is such a theory,” Yury Koptev the head of the scientific committee of state technology company Russian Technologies told the RIA-Novosti news agency. “To test (the theory), an equipment block similar to the one on PhobosGrunt will be exposed to radiation from the possible unintentional exposure to American radars,” said Koptev, a former head of Russian space agency Roscosmos. Roscosmos is currently looking into the possible causes of its latest major space mishap, after the probe, which was launched in November, met an inglorious end Sunday when it crashed back into Earth over the Pacific Ocean.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitr y Rogozin said yesterday that most of the agency’s failures were aftershocks following the industry’s dark period of the 1990s, when poor funding could have led to production of faulty equipment.

“If we confirm the fact of a foreign influence on our space equipment over the part of Earth we cannot see, we will come to different conclusions,” he told Interfax in apparent reference to the West. Roscosmos mentioned the possibility of foreign interference last week when the current agency chief Vladimir Popovkin openly asked why its failures often occurred when craft were over the western hemisphere.

“I do not want to blame anyone, but today there are some very powerful countermeasures that can be used against spacecraft whose use we cannot exclude,” he told the Izvestia daily on January 10.Phobos-Grunt was one of the more high-profile mishaps costing $165 million and carrying also a Chinese satellite it was supposed to release in the Mars orbit. It struck less than three months after an unmanned Progress supply ship bound for the International Space Station crashed into Siberia. Russia also lost three navigation satellites as well as an advanced military satellite and a telecommunications satellite in the past year.—AFP

Afghan polio cases rise, govt appeals to militants KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged insurgents yesterday to allow health teams to vaccinate children in war-torn parts of the country where cases of polio have risen sharply. A total of 80 cases of the crippling disease were reported in Afghanistan last year-a threefold increase over 2010, the health ministry said, marking a major setback in the drive to eradicate polio worldwide.

About four in five of the cases were in the troubled south of the country, with Karzai pointing to the area along the porous border with Pakistan, marked out by the disputed Durand Line, as particularly hard hit.

The area is a stronghold for hardline Taliban Islamists, who have waged a 10year war to oust Karzai’s government since they were themselves overthrown by a US-led invasion in 2001. “Despite all the past efforts to vaccinate millions against polio, there are still children suffering from the disease on both sides of the Durand Line,” the president said.

Militants who stood in the way of vaccination teams trying to prevent the spread of the paralyzing illness were “the

true enemies of our children’s future”, he said. Karzai appealed to religious and community leaders to persuade the insurgents to allow the immunisation teams to vaccinate children. Polio-which afflicts mainly the under-fives, causing death, paralysis and crippled limbs-travels easily across borders and is transmitted via the faecal matter of victims.

The news of the increase in Afghan cases comes just days after India announced that it had marked a year since its last case of polio — a major milestone in a country once considered the epicentre of the disease. India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are listed by the World Health Organization as the only four countries where the crippling disease is endemic.

The decline in polio worldwide through a concerted effort by governments, UN agencies and private donors, has raised hopes polio might go the way of smallpox, the only disease successfully eradicated globally. There were 604 cases of polio worldwide in 2011 and India will only be judged to have eradicated the disease if it stays infection-free for another two years.— AFP

Dar Al Shifa Hospital Leads the way with its Healthcare Services

Dr Emad Al Hamar KUWAIT: Dar Al Shifa Hospital, one of Kuwait’s leading private hospital announced yesterday that its internal medicine department continues to lead the way by applying innovative and state-of-the art procedures that have been introduced for the first time across private hospitals in Kuwait. The hospital’s department has a wide range of procedures that are exclusive to it across the country, and these include liver biopsy, gastric ulcer bleeding treatment, esophageal varices linking along with the technology and doctors to perform these procedures.

Dr Emad Al Hamar- Consultant in Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Dar Al Shifa Hospital said:

“The hospital continues to utilize its state -of-the -art technology, and renowned leading doctors and consultants to deliver optimal levels of healthcare to its patients. Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and the hospital’s department includes a wide range of specialties such as Gastroenterology and Hepatology, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, diabetology, pulmonary along with the variety of diagnosis services that include Capsule Endoscopy which is responsible for providing video images of the digestive tract. The hospital also introduced Colon Cleaning, which aims at cleansing patients’ digestive system.”

The hospital regularly invests in providing a superior healthcare service to its patients. It has, and continues to introduce, unique medical technologies which seek to deliver more efficient results along with the dedication of its doctors as well as specialists. Dar Al Shifa Hospital, which has renowned credentials, was established in 1963, and has been developed to become one of Kuwait’s leading private healthcare providers. The hospital includes a wide range of departments that covers all specialties.

LONDON: British scientists have found scores of fossils the great evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin and his peers collected but that had been lost for more than 150 years. Dr. Howard Falcon-Lang, a paleontologist at Royal Holloway, University of London, said yesterday that he stumbled upon the glass slides containing the fossils in an old wooden cabinet that had been shoved in a “gloomy corner” of the massive, drafty British Geological Survey.

Using a flashlight to peer into the drawers and hold up a slide, Falcon-Lang saw one of the first specimens he had picked up was labeled ‘C. Darwin Esq.” “It took me a while just to convince myself that it was Darwin’s signature on the slide,” the paleontologist said, adding he soon realized it was a “quite important and overlooked” specimen.

He described the feeling of seeing that famous signature as “a heart in your mouth situation,” saying he wondering “Goodness, what have I discovered!” FalconLang’s find was a collection of 314 slides of specimens collected by Darwin and other members of his inner circle, including John Hooker - a botanist and dear friend of Darwin - and the Rev. John Henslow, Darwin’s mentor at Cambridge, whose daughter later married Hooker.

The first slide pulled out of the dusty corner at the British Geological Survey turned out to be one of the specimens collected by Darwin during his famous expedition on the HMS Beagle, which changed the young Cambridge graduate’s career and laid the foundation for his subsequent work on evolution. FalconLang said the unearthed fossils lost for 165 years - show there is more to learn from a period of history scientists thought they knew well.

“To find a treasure trove of lost Darwin specimens from the Beagle voyage is just extraordinary,” Falcon-Lang added. “We can see there’s more to learn. There are a lot of very, very significant fossils in there that we didn’t

know existed.” He said one of the most “bizarre” slides came from Hooker’s collection - a specimen of prototaxites, a 400 millionyear-old tree-sized fungi.

Hooker had assembled the collection of slides while briefly

CAMBRIDGE: This image made available by the Royal Holloway, University of London yesterday shows a polished section of fossil wood from the cabinet of Reverend John Henslow, Charles Darwin’s mentor at Cambridge, comprising a 150 million years old tree.—AP

working for the British Geological Survey in 1846, according to Royal Holloway, University of London.

The slides - “stunning works of art,” according to Falcon-Lang contain bits of fossil wood and plants ground into thin sheets and affixed to glass in order to be studied under microscopes.

Some of the slides are half a foot long (15 centimeters), “great big chunks of glass,” Falcon-Lang said.

“How these things got overlooked for so long is a bit of a mystery itself,” he mused, speculating that perhaps it was because Darwin was not widely known in 1846 so the collection might not have been given “the proper curatorial care.”

Royal Holloway, University of London said the fossils were ‘lost’ because Hooker failed to number them in the formal “specimen register” before setting out on an expedition to the Himalayas. In 1851, the “unregistered” fossils were moved to the Museum of Practical Geology in Piccadilly before being transferred to the South Kensington’s Geological Museum in 1935 and then to the British Geological Survey’s headquarters near Nottingham 50 years later, the university said.

The discovery was made in April, but it has taken “a long time” to figure out the provenance of the slides and photograph all of them, Falcon-Lang said. The slides have now been photographed and will be made available to the public through a new online museum exhibit opening yesterday.

Falcon-Lang expects great scientific papers to emerge from the discovery. “There are some real gems in this collection that are going to contribute to ongoing science.” Dr. John Ludden, executive director of the Geological Survey, called the find a “remarkable” discovery.—AP

Study faults research linking hormone therapy to cancer PARIS: A landmark investigation which found that hormone treatment for the menopause boosts the risk of breast cancer is riddled with flaws, a new study published on Monday alleges. The so-called Million Women Study (MWS) unleashed headlines when it was first published in 2003. Based on questionnaires returned by more than a million postmenopausal women in Britain, it said hormone replacement therapy (HRT ) led to a rise in breast-cancer incidence.

Its estimate caused a wave of anxiety-and much confusion-among regulators and doctors and among women using HRT. HRT uses the female hormones oestrogen or progestogen, sometimes combined, to ease menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness.

Updates of the MWS have finetuned the perceived risk. The MWS website says there is an increased cancer risk of 30 percent in oestrogen-only treatment, and a twofold risk in oestrogen-progestogen therapy, compared with women who do not take these drugs. The risk increases the longer a woman uses HRT, but drops to normal level within five years after stopping use, the MWS says.

But an assessment published on Monday in

the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health says the MWS’s design has so many problems that a safe conclusion cannot be drawn. “HRT may or may not increase the risk of breast cancer, but the MWS did not establish that it does,” the paper says bluntly. Among half a dozen points, the authors say cancers detected within a few months of the study’s start would have already been present when the women were enrolled.

But these cases were not stripped out of the cancer count, it says. The review also points to “detection bias” through the choice of participants. The volunteers were taking part in a breast screening programme when they were invited to join the study. They would thus have already known about breast lumps and suspect lesions that point to breast cancer. As a result, the MWS found a 40-percent higher incidence of breast cancer among its volunteers-regardless of whether they used hormone therapy or not-than in the population at large.

The paper also notes that breast cancers typically take many years to develop. It was thus “biologically implausible” that so many would have cropped up within a year or two of enrolment in the study, as the MWS maintained. “ The name ‘Million Women Study ’

implies an authority beyond criticism or refutation,” say the authors, led by Samuel Shapiro, a professor of public health at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. “Yet the validity of any study is dependent on the quality of its design, execution, analysis and interpretation. Size alone does not guarantee that the findings are reliable.”

In an email to AFP, the leaders of the MWS rebutted the criticism, saying that more than 20 studies had replicated its findings and a decline in the use of HRT had led to a fall in cases of breast cancer. “Hormone-sensitive cancers are still three times as common in HRT users as in non-users or ex-users,” said Richard Peto, a professor of statistics and epidemiology at Oxford University. Independent commentator Anne Gombel, a French professor who is a member of the International Menopause Society, said a complex picture about breast cancer was emerging. Breast density, alcohol and obesity, and not just HRT are now emerging as risk factors that should be taken into account, and not just HRT, said Gombel. “HRT does not carry the same risk and benefit for each woman; some women will have increased risks, some will have only benefits, and this also applies to breast cancer.”—AFP

Captive rhino romance may be last hope for species LAHAD DATU: Puntung is a Sumatran rhino, one of roughly two hundred left in the world. Captured in a Borneo forest on Christmas Day, she is the latest addition to Malaysia’s Borneo Rhino Sanctuaryand experts say she may also be one of the last hopes for a species on the brink of extinction. Veterinarians want to introduce Puntung to Tam, a 20-year-old male Sumatran rhinoceros in the enclosure next door, in the hopes that they will breedalthough this cannot take place for a number of months yet, until Puntung is deemed ready.

Estimated to be 10 to 12 years old, she was airlifted to the sanctuary in the Tabin Forest Reserve after her capture, and has since been adjusting to her new home, eating more than 60 kg (132 lb) of leaves each day. “She doesn’t look stressed, she’s eating well ... but the stress (of a new environment) is enough to offset her cycle, her normal cycle,” said Zainal Zahari Zainuddin, a veterinarian with the Borneo Rhino Alliance. “So she may

not have a cycle now. That’s why we’re monitoring her.” Captive breeding is now regarded as the only way to boost the population of the two-horned Sumatran rhino, which at 500 to 600 kg (1,100 to 1,322 lb) and 1.3 metres tall (4.3 feet) is the world’s smallest rhinoceros. Deforestation and illegal hunting have decimated the population in the wild, and habitat fragmentation has cut the surviving animals off from potential mates.

The animals are ageing to the point where they are too old to breed.

But even the capture of Puntung, dubbed a “Christmas miracle” by scientists, does not mean success is assured. Though she is the right age to breed, she may well turn out to be infertile, said John Payne, at the Borneo Rhino Alliance.

“The rhinos that were caught in Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sumatra in the past ... quite a few wild caught females did have reproductive tract problems.

They weren’t producing eggs or they had cysts or tumours in the

COLOGNE: Deer stand on a meadow covered in hoar frost yesterday in Cologne, western Germany. Meteorologists forecast sun and clouds and temperatures ranging between minus six and plus seven degrees Celsius. — AFP fallopian tubes,” Payne said. “So we are not over the hurdle yet. It may prove that she’s not fertile, in which case we need to go on what sort of treatments might be possible to make her fertile.”

The sanctuar y ’s only other female rhino, Gelegob, was unable to conceive even with the help of fertility treatment, since she could not produce eggs. She is now 30 years old and blind. If Puntung shows signs of being ready after six months of observation, she’ll be released into an enclosure with Tam, who walked out of a palm oil

plantation in 2008 and refused to go back into the forest.

The two are now being kept in adjacent paddocks so each is aware of the other ’s existence. But Sumatran rhinos are solitary animals and only come together in the wild for courtship and the rearing of young. Two breeding attempts have been made since the Malaysian captive breeding project began in 1983, but neither succeeded. The last successful attempt to breed captive rhinos took place at the Cincinnati Zoo in the United States.—Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

H E A LT H Fewer US children hospitalized for near-drowning, study finds NEW YORK: The number of US children being hospitalized after nearly drowning is half what it was nearly two decades ago, according to a study that suggests public health campaigns about drowning risks may be working. Researchers, whose work was published in Pediatrics, found that hospitalization rates dropped for both boys and girls, and in all age groups, from babies to teenagers. The results are also consistent with recent research suggesting that fewer children are dying from drowning now than in the past. “I think there have been some very good efforts ... to try to educate parents on the importance of helping to prevent drowning at all points in childhood development,” said Stephen Bowman, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, who led the study. Those efforts include encouraging parents to install fences around backyard pools and to make sure children wear life preservers in open water.

Bowman and his colleagues used a national database that included information on eight million people admitted to about 1,000 hospitals annually to estimate the total number of children in the United States hospitalized for neardrowning. In 1993, they calculated that an estimated 3,623 children and teens aged 19 and under were admitted to the hospital after nearly drowning-a number that fell to 1,781 in 2008. That works out

to between four and five of every 100,000 US youth being hospitalized annually in the early study years, down to two to three per 100,000 in the most recent years.

The researchers reported that the drop was due largely to a decreasing number of hospitalizations in southern and western states, though more children are still hospitalized for neardrowning in those regions than in the Midwest and Northeast. Based on their findings, they also estimated that the number of children who died after being hospitalized fell from roughly 359 in 1993 to 207 in 2008. While the findings can’t attribute the decline to any one specific public health intervention, they do suggest that parent education efforts are starting to work, said Gary Smith, head of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

“This trend, this was really remarkable,” said Smith, who is also the president of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance and was not involved in the study. But he added that much still needs to be done.

“While this study shows we’re making really good progress, especially in the western and southern regions of our country, we have some sobering data still that this remains one of the leading causes of death among children,” he added. — Reuters

Babies try lip-reading in learning to talk WASHINGTON: Babies don’t learn to talk just from hearing sounds. New research suggests they’re lipreaders too. It happens during that magical stage when a baby’s babbling gradually changes from gibberish into syllables and eventually into that first “mama” or “dada.” Florida scientists discovered that starting around age 6 months, babies begin shifting from the intent eye gaze of early infancy to studying mouths when people talk to them.

“The baby in order to imitate you has to figure out how to shape their lips to make that particular sound they’re hearing,” explains developmental psychologist David Lewkowicz of Florida Atlantic University, who led the study being published Monday. “It’s an incredibly complex process.”

Apparently it doesn’t take them too long to absorb the movements that match basic sounds. By their first birthdays, babies start shifting back to look you in the eye again - unless they hear the unfamiliar sounds of a foreign language. Then, they stick with lip-reading a bit longer.

“It’s a pretty intriguing finding,” says University of Iowa psychology professor Bob McMurray, who also studies speech development. The babies “know what they need to know about, and they’re able to deploy their attention to what’s important at that point in development.” The new research appears in this week’s issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It offers more evidence that quality face-time with your tot is very important for speech development - more than, say, turning on the latest baby DVD. It also begs the question of whether babies who turn out to have developmental disorders, including autism, learn to speak the same way, or if they show differences that just might provide an early

warning sign. Unraveling how babies learn to speak isn’t merely a curiosity. Neuroscientists want to know how to encourage that process, especially if it doesn’t seem to be happening on time. Plus, it helps them understand how the brain wires itself early in life for learning all kinds of things.

Those coos of early infancy start changing around age 6 months, growing into the syllables of the baby’s native language until the first word emerges, usually just before age 1. A lot of research has centered on the audio side. That sing-song speech that parents intuitively use? Scientists know the pitch attracts babies’ attention, and the rhythm exaggerates key sounds. Other studies have shown that babies who are best at distinguishing between vowel sounds like “ah” and “ee” shortly before their first birthday wind up with better vocabularies and pre-reading skills by kindergarten.

But scientists have long known that babies also look to speakers’ faces for important social cues about what they’re hearing. Just like adults, they’re drawn to the eyes, which convey important nonverbal messages like the emotion connected to words and where to direct attention. Lewkowicz went a step further, wondering whether babies look to the lips for cues as well, sort of like how adults lip-read to decipher what someone’s saying at a noisy party.

So he and doctoral student Amy Hansen-Tift tested nearly 180 babies, groups of them at ages 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months. How? They showed videos of a woman speaking in English or Spanish to babies of English speakers. A gadget mounted on a soft headband tracked where each baby was focusing his or her gaze and for how long. They found a dramatic shift in attention: When the speaker used

English, the 4-month-olds gazed mostly into her eyes. The 6-month-olds spent equal amounts of time looking at the eyes and the mouth. The 8- and 10-month-olds studied mostly the mouth.

At 12 months, attention started shifting back toward the speaker’s eyes. It makes sense that at 6 months, babies begin observing lip movement, Lewkowicz says, because that’s about the time babies’ brains gain the ability to control their attention rather than automatically look toward noise. But what happened when these babies accustomed to English heard Spanish? The 12month-olds studied the mouth longer, just like younger babies. They needed the extra information to decipher the unfamiliar sounds.

That fits with research into bilingualism that shows babies’ brains fine-tune themselves to start distinguishing the sounds of their native language over other languages in the first year of life. That’s one reason it’s easier for babies to become bilingual than older children or adults.

But the continued lip-reading shows the 1-yearolds clearly still “are primed for learning,” McMurray says. Babies are so hard to study that this is “a fairly heroic data set,” says Duke University cognitive neuroscientist Greg Appelbaum, who found the research so compelling that he wants to know more.

Are the babies who start to shift their gaze back to the eyes a bit earlier better learners, or impatient to their own detriment? What happens with a foreign language after 12 months? Lewkowicz is continuing his studies of typically developing babies.

He theorizes that there may be different patterns in children at risk of autism, something autism experts caution would be hard to prove.—AP

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N Greetings

Happy birthday to dearest Chelsea Rosy Mendonca who celebrates her birthday today. May God showeer His choicest blessing on you today and the whole year through. Best wishes come from your brother, parents and your best friends Nicole and Shannon Coelho.

Happy birthday to Hridik, many happy returns of the day. Wishes from father Jobs Tirur, mother Divya.

KYS celebrates 11th anniversary

K

uchivaripalli Yuvajana Sangham celebrated their 11th anniversary at Ahmadi Park with a daylong fun filled games, sports and quiz competitions. Vijayakumari’s innovative games enthralled the participants.

The program started with inaugural speech by the president Subbaiah Reddimacina. He conveyed all a happy new year and advance Sankranti wishes and appreciated the entire member’s unity, sincerity to carry out charity activities in the name of the association successfully for the past 11 years back home in India.

Pothuru Parthasaradhi thanked all the members for their active part and voluntaring services for the event despite the weather conditions. A special thanks was given for the hardworking team Daggubati Haribabu, Amineni Ramesh, Nataraj, Naresh, Amineni Chandra, Chinni Krishna and Katikoti Babu that made the event a grand success. Appreciated also went out to Daggubati Srinivasulu and Tallapaneni. As well as for Srinivasulu for arranging delicious food for the members and friends.

Vote of thanks given by Madineni

Srinivasulu and shared few of great achievements such as the renovation of village temple with a cost of IRS.45lakhs, erecting an arch with a cost of IRS. 5lakhs at the entrance of the village, contributions for village facilities and helping poor students.

The event concluded with a general body meeting and it was unanimously agreed to build SAIBABA MANDIR with a budget of 1core and decided to conduct an event for the donors of Saibaba Mandir. Indrakumar Raju was among a few friends who graced the event inspired by this noble

Kuwait English School under 15 boys basketball season review

By Craig Broome

K

Happy birthday to Rosanna Sison. May your smile reach and teach the hearts of hundreds of kids you meet every day. From friends, colleagues and well-wishers.

CONGRATULATIONS

Mohammed Ali Hilal GM Toyota Spare Parts of Al Sayer Group Kuwait and OICC chairman’s daugher Rubina Hilal and Ramees Salim S/O Salim and Mrs Shakeela got married at RDR auditorium Tvm on Dec 31, 2011.

Congratulations and all the very best for a happy married life.

Upcoming event Vichar Bharati seminar on Swami Vivekananda On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary, Vichar Bharati, an affiliate of Seva Darshan Kuwait, will hold a seminar on Swami Vivekananda on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the Indian Central School, Abbasiya. Vivekananda is regarded as the patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness. His Philosophy and vision became the eye-opener for millions across the world.

Vivekananda’s unique message still remains as “an unopened gift” to mankind and Vichar Bharati aims to enlighten its members and well wishers with the message of this great visionary. Eminent speakers from the Indian community in Kuwait will deliver thoughts on various aspects of Vivekananda’s life.

Suresh V Balakrishnan, HOD, English Department at Bharatheeya Vidhya Bhavan will deliver a speech on Swami Vivekananda and Man-making. Sajeev K Peter, Business Editor, Kuwait Times will speak on the role of Swami Vivekananda in propagating Indian culture and heritage. Dr Srikumar T S, Scientific Consultant, Kuwait Foundation For The Advancement Of Science, will deliver a speech on ‘Swami Vivekananda, the Patriot and the Voice of India.’ Krishno Sarkar (Planning Engineer, KNPC) will talk on ‘Swami Vivekananda - The Role model of the Youth’ while Satyanarayanan S, Electrical Supervisor, Al Julaih Petroleum Company, will speak on Spiritual Perceptiveness of Swami Vivekananda. For more details and information please contact vbkuwait@gmail.com

uwait English School (KES) under 15 boys basketball team started the season tentatively to say the least.

Having put themselves into a sound lead against The English Academy (TEA) the boys surrendered their lead during the third quarter and were beaten. Tensions were running high throughout the camp and coach Broome stressed that the team needed cohesion and a severe improvement in fitness standards.

The team started to work hard leading up to a friendly invitational tournament at the British School of Kuwait (BSK). Although this was merely a friendly opportunity for coaches to experiment with their squads, the KES boys used it as a stepping stone for the rest of the season. The boys were impressive in their displays, going undefeated against the other schools in attendance.

The KES team then had their first home game of the season against The English School of Fahaheel (ESF) where they put on an impressive display, securing a comfortable victory. The team was showing signs of blossoming as training ground scenarios were becoming common practice during games.

That weekend was to prove to be KES biggest challenge, an away trip to the New English School (NES). This was a close nip-n-tuck encounter throughout, with the score line never exceeding a 6 point difference. KES were confident going into the last quarter 6 points to the good but unfortunately they were unable to hold out against the marauding NES offense and again KES were on the receiving end of a defeat.

The pressure was now beginning to build in the camp.

With two defeats from the first three games, KES was faced with the prospect of traveling to old rivals BSK for a must win encounter to help their qualification prospects. This was always going to be a tough challenge for KES but one which they knew they could overcome. The game was a tense affair and close throughout. Both teams were fighting for the win to secure qualification and BSK took a deserved 9 point lead going into the last quarter. It was a new scenario for the KES team, having to chase a game rather than hold out, and they took to the challenge superbly. Coach Broome decided to throw caution to the wind as Omar Musa was given a lone offensive role. This proved to be a winning tactic as a late KES surging rally ended with a stunning 41 - 38 points victory. The boys were elated after this result and were now ready for an end of season surge.

Following this game the KES boys continued to work hard and needed a convincing victory to secure their qualification spot. Gulf English School (GES) were the visitors and the KES team put on the display of the season with an emphatic 122 - 6 points victory to secure their spot in the top 4 qualification slots.

The semi-final proved to be another classic encounter,

with the KES boys having to travel back to BSK. This time KES had confidence on their side having already left victorious from BSK earlier in the season. KES started brightly taking an early lead in the game. BSK kept within striking distance of KES throughout until going into the final quarter KES found themselves 10 points to the good. This would be a true test as KES had previously failed twice to fend off a leading position. BSK began to rally strong and put KES under huge amounts of pressure during the final quarter but KES held their nerve and won by the narrowest of margins 56 - 55. It was another outstanding effort by the team to travel to BSK and leave victorious for the second time during the season. Now only one obstacle remained, the dominant team of the season to date, NES. The final was held at Fawzia Sultan International School (FSIS) and KES were confident going into the game. They had been in a winning predicament once before against NES and as the team had grown throughout the season they knew that victory could be theirs. KES started the game nervously and were not competing as they had previously. Coach Broome had to call an early time out as KES were 9 - 1 down in the first quarter. The players needed to settle and they responded well, exiting the first quarter 14 9 down. KES spent the next two quarters chipping away at the NES lead and drew level at 20 - 20. It was an enthralling encounter which was a true spectacle for the neutral supporters. NES managed to again try and keep KES at bay and with less than a minute left on the clock in the final quarter KES found themselves 5 points down. Coach Broome called a timeout, a 3 point shot screen was set executed perfectly by Omar Al-Farhan and Danilo Jocic to bring the score line within 2 with only seconds left on the clock. KES were desperate to gather possession of the ball and with literally 1 second left on the clock Saleh Zubair was left with no option but to attempt an audacious long range effort. The crowd stared intensively as the ball travelled towards its intended target. Unfortunately the ball rebounded of the rim and failed to drop, KES were defeated 35 - 33 in the final.

After the match coach Broome was somber, the previous year the team had been knocked out at the semi-final stage and earlier in the year they were looking at failure to even qualify for the semi-finals. Hard work from all involved ensured that KES turned their season around and were only narrowly beaten at the end in a pulsating final.

Finishing runners up was a great achievement and coach Broome was ecstatic with the response of his players all season. A very proud Kuwait English School under 15 Basketball Squad consisted of captain Ahmed Mansour, Saleh Zubair, Ahmed Al-Enezi, Danilo Jocic, Josh Jenkin, Omar Musa, Omar Al-farhan, Mohab El-Samadisy, Aarish Khan, Krish Kabra, Mohammed Jamal, Azraf Farooq and Aamer De. Coach Broome is extremely proud of their efforts this season and looks forward to going one stage further next season.

K’s PATH to hold first ever ‘Bark in the Park’ A fundraiser event no dog would want to miss

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’S PATH (Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat) - a non-profit organization committed to animal welfare and habitat protection - will hold its first ever ‘Bark in the Park’ on Saturday 21st January 2012 from 11 am to 5 pm at the Mishref Fair Grounds. The fundraiser event is a fun-filled day for all dogs and their humans with a host of unique competitions, funny races, vendors and lots of entertainment and games for children. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support K’S PATH’s programs in animal welfare, environment and habitat protection.

“Following the success of our Charity Ball and Golf Tournament, Bark in the Park is the newest addition to K’S PATH’s annual calendar of exciting fundraiser events. Bark in the Park takes a departure from the pedigree dog show by celebrating all types of dogs through fun activi-

ties in a carnival setting”, says K’S PATH Chairman Ayeshah Al Humaidhi. “It’s a great opportunity for people who love dogs to treat their beloved pets to novel competitions and socialize with other dogs while supporting a worthy cause.

We have a range of renowned pet care and F&B vendors participating and we invite Kuwait’s dog-loving community to come out and be part of Bark in the Park.” Thanks goes to Blue Buffalo Co., Pawsh Boutique and Move One for sponsoring Bark in the Park in its very first year, she adds.

Dogs and their families can enjoy fabulous fare from a host of select vendors such as The November Bakery, Popcornopolis, Blue Pitt Bull Kennel, Q8 Bullies Kennel, Kerry A Sellers Photography, Epetome, Kuwait Petography, Organica Fish and Chips, Basic Organic Pet and Feed, Petzone, Royal Animal

Hospital, Gloria Jeans Coffee and Animal Care. Visitors can also bag special door and raffle prizes from Easa Al Yousifi and Sons, Ethan Allen, Johnny Rocket, Moevenpick, Hard Rock Cafe, Baskets made perfect and Alghanim.

Competitions will be held through the day in the following categories: Most Mysterious Heritage, Egg Race, Best Child Handler, Most Obedient, Musical Sit, Best Dressed, Temptation Alley, Best Look A Like, Best Veteran, Terrific Pet Tricks, Most Adorable and Sack Race. Visitors can register their dogs for competitions on the day of the event itself, 15 minutes before the commencement of each competition.

For a complete list of competitions and their timings, please visit www.kspath.org or email events@kspath.org.

announcement and donated IRS. 2lakhs check for the construction of Saibaba Mandir. His valuable contribution appreciated by all the members and others presented there.

BAIA and BAS launch 2012 program of events

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he British Academy of International Arts (BAIA) and The British Academy of Spor t(BAS) launched its 2012 program of extra-curricular activities on a bright sunny Saturday morning with a new year’s welcome for old and new faces. BAIA runs courses in dance, theatre, speech, music and art and special events this term include auditions for the ever popular Mary Poppins production on Friday 27 January the visit of Ms Nona Sheppard from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in February and LAMDA examinations in April. Dance classes include tap, jazz dance, ballet, hip hop and line dancing and examinations in Ballet will be held in April.

Children and parents arrived with much enthusiasm for an array of courses from BAS which included basketball, gymnastics, ice-hockey, soccer, swimming, horse riding, karate, shooting and skating.

This is the twentieth year of this highly popular programme of academic and leisure courses which are aimed at serving the community and are open to everyone. Staff at the various stands were busy answering queries and taking registrations as well as encouraging the visitors to make new friends and try out some of the thrills and spills on offer.

Sponsors included Baroue, Move One, Rausch, Office Depot, Holiday Inn Salmiya. Registration continues for the next week and full details of all extracurricular activities on offer at BAIA and BAS is available on www.thebas.co or www.thebaia.com

Cinemagic schedule THE GREAT DICTATOR In Chaplin’s satire on Nazi Germany, dictator Adenoid Hynkel has a double... a poor Jewish barber... who one day is mistaken for Hynkel.

Thursday, January 19th at 7:30pm THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED Should Tom (Duris) make like his thuggish father or pursue his dream of becoming a pianist?

Saturday, January 21st at 7:30pm THRONE OF BLOOD A ruthlessly ambitious lord, egged on by his wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become Emperor. Thursday, January 26th at 7:30pm GREASE Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? Saturday, January 28th at 7:30pm AKIRA A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psionic psychopath that only two kids and a group of psionics can stop. Cinemagic Kuwait, is organizing these events as part of its efforts to contribute to the development of an internationally competitive Kuwaiti audio-visual production industry, partly by bringing the filmmakers and audiences together and by Increasing the public’s interest in - and appreciation for - the art of film-making. Cinemagic movies are screened in the old Salmiya, on the roof on top of Alghanim Electronics and LG. Entrance is free of charge and includes refreshments, popcorn and much more.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF BRITAIN The British embassy will be closed on Wednesday, 18 January, 2012 for training. The embassy will reopen on Thursday 18, January 2012. The Consular services will also be closed on the same day. Opening hours of the consular section are 8:30 am until 10:30 am from Sunday to Thursday.

For information on the British Embassy services, visit the website: www.uninkuwait.fco.gov.uk nnnnnnn

Kuwait Bilingual School presents Charlie Brown

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or the people of Jahra who saw Charlie Brown, the shy, withdrawn and pessimistic character, captured in an excellent performance by 7th grader Abdullah Mubarak, taught a valuable lesson: being a good man means trying oneís best and making the most of the things one has been given in life. The two performances of You Are a Good Man, Charlie Brown, at Kuwait Bilingual Schoolís auditorium on Sunday and Monday, January 15 and 16 saw the parents, students and guests cheering and whistling pleasantly.

The other characters equally won the hearts of all: Charlieís philosopher friend Linus (performed by Abdullah Adel), Charlieís jump roping sister Sally (Asma), psychiatrist Lucy (Alaía), piano player Schroeder (Darin), the never settled down teacher (Tamara) and Charlieís best friend the cute dog Snoopy (1st grader Mariam) mesmerized the audience with their

ëstage behaviorí, singing and rhythmic movement.

To add more spice to the story of Charlie coming to terms with him and life in general, there was the school choir, mostly comprised of 5th grade girls and an acrobatic movement group of grade 4 girls who synchronized their physical movements in tune with the popular ëFollow the leaderí song. Both groups did a magnificent job making the school production a true musical. The school music teacher Norman Dennis, the brains behind the musical coordinated the production. Cecilia who took up the directorís role, Lee ëCharlie-likeí withdrew to the technical side, along with Jason, Ms Rebecca who took the prompterís chair and Mohammed, the choreographer, Saleh, Sunil and Desiree who managed the stage and other staff who helped with the production, including the live band deserve a standing ovation.

EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 12:30 to 01:00 pm for lunch break. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad.

This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca.

The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca. nnnnnnn

ACK embraces renewable energy exhibition

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n collaboration with the German Embassy in Kuwait, Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) embraced a renewable energy exhibition, on the occasion of the German Week, and under support by the Dena-German Energy Agency and Siemens. The exhibition marks the efforts of the German government to pave the road towards upgrading the renewable energy market and increase awareness in

this area. The exhibition provided its visitors with special information about wind power, which, in turn, generates offers clean and environment-friendly electricity.

The exhibition also provided information about solar energy, as well special literature and photographs on hydroelectric power and bio-energy. It is worth mentioning that the Australian College, by

embracing such specialized exhibitions and advanced scientific activities, aims at increasing the awareness of its affiliates with regard to the latest scientific breakthroughs realized by researchers and experts, and encourage them to conduct scientific research and cope with the latest in modern science, through education based on the application of projects in several scientific areas.

Announcements Salhiya Speaks Italian 2012 exhibition Salhiya Complex and Sartoria Italia are proud to present the Salhiya Speaks Italian 2012 exhibition. The exhibition, under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Kuwait, presents the genius and Italian lifestyle and showcases the very unique Italian experience via art, fashion, leather goods, design, gastronomy and luxury conveyance. Salhiya Speaks Italian 2012 brings cultures together through art and style, building a bridge between Kuwait and Italy. At the same time, the exhibition reaches out to the youngest generations to introduce them to the different art disciplines as a mean to express their own personalities. Be sure to book your tickets to the GALA Dinner with Charity auction taking place on January 19th which will include a sure to be amazing performance by local Kuwaiti talent Rahmani!

Today Open from 10 am to 10 pm From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm workshop by A. Faiani (Ceramic painter) From 8 pm to 9 pm piano bar “Concertino” January 19 Open from 10 am to 3 pm 8 pm Gala dinner and a charity auction (Tel: 67639309) Exhibition by Khaled Farhan Khaled Farhan is a young artist with international fame who represents the line of modern sculpture in its global dimensions. Farhan works on the plurality of raw materials such as stone and wood, iron and bronze. This exhibition contains a variety of artistic pieces in a variety of topics that combines his three-dimensional sculptures and two-dimensional paintings. In fact, Farhan seeks to find a continuous dialogue between these artistic dimensions within his artwork. The work of the sculptor highlights also the poetic and the aesthetic aspects of each artwork in a simple and artistic way.

When: January 16th - 26th, Where: Dar Al-Funoon Gallery, Al-Watiah-Behbehani Compound, House 28, Kuwait City, Exhibition Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1pm & 4pm - 8pm (Fridays & Saturdays by appointment) For further info: 2243-3138 BLS to host book writer The British Ladies Society of Kuwait has invited Marita Phillips, author and playwright, to give a talk at their Library Session in Rumaithiya. The Library starts at 10am but Marita will be there just after 12 noon.

Everyone is welcome to come & meet her, hear about her life as a writer, and to buy her book ‘The Dream Dealer’ on Thursday, January 19th.

Marita Phillips is the author of The Dream Dealer, a children’s book that was made into a musical and performed here in Kuwait (amongst other places in the

world). Phillips will be visiting Kuwait this month to see another of her musicals, “Buzz: The Story of Glorybee,” performed at the opening of Bayt Abdulla.

Book Synopsis: What starts as an ordinary school playground with ordinary teenage tensions, gangs and cliques, takes a sinister turn when a stranger parks his Ice Cream Van outside the school gates. Nothing is the same again. Twelve year-old Finn is a misfit at school and lonely at home. He is searching for his long-lost mother. In another part of town, hell-bent on his own mission, lives the charismatic Dream Dealer. Attractive but not wholly human, his unusual origins remain a mystery. With his apparently gormless side-kick Flake, he sets up his Ice-Cream Van by the school. However, when the adults aren’t looking, it’s not Ice Creams he’s selling but Ice Dreams! Most of the kids fall for the Dream Dealer’s artful ways. Finn resists until it seems only the Dream Dealer can help him find his mum. As he finally accepts an Ice Dream he is faced with the choice of fulfilling his dream or saving the life of his enemy. His decision leads to consequences nobody could have guessed.

For more info: info@theblskuwait.com

info@alsadu.org.kw SaduWeaving@gmail.com 2243-2395 or 9959-7983

Burns Supper The Kuwait Caledonians are pleased to invite you to the 2012 Burns Supper To be held at the Movenpick Hotel, Al-Bida’a On Thursday 2nd February, 2012 Tickets will be available in January Please email kuwaitcaledonians@gmail.com Or call 60057882

Pre-school activities Better Books & cafe will be hosting a fun pre-school activities time. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Activities will include stories read by a teacher, songs and crafts.

From 11am to 1pm , For the ages of 2 to 6, On Thursday, January 19th, For more info: monikajoshi0409@gmail.com

Kuwait Little Theatre to host a show Following the success of Mad Musicals 7 and Dick Whittington this season KLT continues to push the theatrical envelope with a whole new genre of show brought to you by Kristen Falcioni and Stephen Grimes.

This Valentine’s Day step into a musical Love Story performed by Vocal Rhapsody, KLT’s first ever GLEE-esque show choir. Vocal Rhapsody’s “Love Story” - is a show choir production with hit songs from artists such as Journey, Queen, Katy Perry and Meatloaf. It promises to be an exciting evening for all with some classic songs that everyone will enjoy.

When: February 14th - February 17th Where: Kuwait Little Theater in Ahmadi Sadu weaving workshop This workshop is of four weeks duration, and it will be held twice a week. The morning group sessions are on Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 12pm. The evening group are on Sunday and Tuesday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. A total of 8 sessions of three hours each.

This workshop will be held from January 22nd to February 18th.

For more Information kindly contact Sadu House at:

Boat show in Kuwait Kuwait City, is like a magnet: indeed it has been attracting Bedouin people from the Arabian interior, in search of a sea breeze and an escape from recurring drought, for centuries. Today the metropolis is still an oasis in a land of desert plains, but rather more of the cultural and epicurean kind. Excellent museums; a corniche ornamented with combed beaches and extravagant restaurants; modern shopping complexes and marinas, and long and lazy retreats at new beach resorts mark the Kuwait City experience. The organizers of the Kuwait International Boat Show expect more than 100 marine companies to display their latest products, boats, yachts, super yachts, electronics, engines and thousands of boating accessories from major marine manufacturers. The Boat Show encompasses more than 120.000 m2 of space, both on land and in water.

Where: Souk Sharq Marina & Water Front Boat Show Timings: 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm, February 8- 12

The Wedding Expo The Wedding Expo is an annual event that caters to the elite soon-to-be brides of Kuwait who plan on hosting an extravagant and unique wedding, looking for high range and designer oriented brands, products and services that will aid in executing “the perfect wedding.” It is an elite event, targeted to all members included in the planning and execution process of an elite wedding and all interested parties interested in wedding oriented products and services. The Wedding Expo is a 3 day event. The first day will be an ‘invitation only’ event that will include a catered service and drinks. The second and third day will be open to the public. It will include a list of exhibitors in the fields of designer wear, jewelry, flowers, beauty, catering and wedding planning who will show their products and services to the visiting public.

The Event will be a heavily publicized event through the communication of various media outlets such as magazines, TV stations, Newspapers, online social networking and specialized invitations.

When: February 8th, 9th & 10th Where: 360 Mall Exhibition Hall

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus requests Cypriot citizens living in Kuwait to register with the Embassy. This registration service is provided so that the Embassy can update its contact list and assist Cypriot citizens in cases of emergencies.

Registration information can be emailed to cyprusembassykwt@gmail.com or faxed to 22253227 or given by phone to 65906048 (Mrs Christine). nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF INDIA On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony will be held at the Embassy of India premises at 9:00 AM on Thursday, January 26, 2012.

This will be followed by the reading of the message of Hon’ble President of India by the Ambassador, singing of patriotic songs by Indian children, and an Open House Reception. All Indian nationals in Kuwait are cordially invited to attend the Ceremony. 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

EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax- 25387719.

Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF PERU Peruvian Permanent Expo will be temporarily closed from December 2lst 2011 to January 21st 2012. The Expo will reopen on January 22nd 2012 and offer once again “Peruvian Private Gastronomy Tasting Lunches” and much more like Peruvian culture, tourism, trade and great possibilities of investment. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF UKRAINE We’d like to inform you that in response to the increasing number of our citizens who work in the state and the need for 24-hour operational telephone in case of emergency the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait has opened “hotline telephone number” (+ 965) 972-79-206.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

TV PROGRAMS

00:50 I’m Alive 01:45 Animal Cops Philadelphia 02:40 Wildest Africa 03:35 Big Five Challenge 04:30 I’m Alive 05:25 Dogs 101 06:20 Animal Cops Philadelphia 07:10 Monkey Life 07:35 Wildlife SOS 08:00 Gorilla School 08:25 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 08:50 Talk To The Animals 09:15 Chris Humfrey’s Wildlife 09:40 Breed All About It 10:10 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 11:05 Dogs 101 12:00 Michaela’s Animal Road Trip 12:55 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 13:20 Wildlife SOS 13:50 K9 Cops 14:45 Animal Cops Philadelphia 15:40 Wildest Africa 16:30 Monkey Life 17:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 17:30 Talk To The Animals 18:00 The Really Wild Show 18:25 Dogs 101 20:15 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 20:40 Breed All About It 21:10 Dogs 101 22:05 Wildest Africa 23:00 Wild France 23:55 Untamed & Uncut

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

00:30 01:20 01:45 02:45 03:10 04:00 04:45

Eastenders Doctors Waking The Dead The Weakest Link Last Of The Summer Wine Balamory Tellytales Bobinogs The Roly Mo Show Buzz & Tell Tweenies 3rd & Bird Nina And The Neurons Balamory Tellytales Bobinogs The Roly Mo Show Buzz & Tell Tweenies 3rd & Bird Nina And The Neurons Last Of The Summer Wine Keeping Up Appearances The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Holby City New Tricks The Green Green Grass Last Of The Summer Wine The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Holby City New Tricks The Weakest Link Eastenders Doctors Casualty Last Of The Summer Wine As Time Goes By Lark Rise to Candleford Keeping Up Appearances The Green Green Grass The World’s Toughest Driving The Weakest Link

Antiques Roadshow James Martin’s Champagne What To Eat Now - Summer Indian Food Made Easy 10 Years Younger Fantasy Homes By The Sea James Martin’s Champagne

05:10 06:10 06:35 07:25 07:45 08:00 08:10 09:10 10:20 11:05 12:00 12:50 13:40 16:15 17:05 17:50

What To Eat Now - Summer Indian Food Made Easy Come Dine With Me Cash In The Attic USA The Boss Is Coming To Dinner Indian Food Made Easy What To Eat Now - Summer Masterchef Australia Bargain Hunt Antiques Roadshow Come Dine With Me 10 Years Younger What Not To Wear Fantasy Homes By The Sea House Swap Bargain Hunt

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

Johnny Bravo Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Droopy: Master Detective The Flintstones Johnny Bravo Duck Dodgers King Arthur’s Disasters The Scooby Doo Show Popeye Classics Tom & Jerry Popeye The Jetsons The Flintstones Looney Tunes Pink Panther & Pals Tex Avery Duck Dodgers The Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals Bananas In Pyjamas Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Jelly Jamm New Yogi Bear Show Puppy In My Pocket The Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals The Scooby Doo Show Tom & Jerry Dastardly And Muttley Top Cat New Yogi Bear Show Puppy In My Pocket Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Bananas In Pyjamas The Jetsons Duck Dodgers Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop Puppy In My Pocket Looney Tunes Tom & Jerry The Scooby Doo Show Scooby-Doo And ScrappyScooby Doo Where Are You! A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Jelly Jamm Baby Looney Tunes Gerald McBoing Boing Bananas In Pyjamas New Yogi Bear Show Pink Panther And Pals The Garfield Show Dastardly And Muttley Tom & Jerry The Garfield Show Dexters Laboratory

00:40 Samurai Jack 01:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 02:20 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 03:10 Best Ed 04:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 04:25 Adventure Time 04:50 Generator Rex 05:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 05:40 Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 05:55 I Am Weasel 06:55 Powerpuff Girls

07:45 Angelo Rules 08:00 Casper’s Scare School 08:30 The Amazing World Of Gumball 08:45 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 09:15 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 09:40 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 10:05 Angelo Rules 10:30 Chowder 10:55 Adventure Time 11:20 Eliot Kid 11:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 12:00 Ben 10 12:25 Sym-Bionic Titan 12:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 13:15 I Am Weasel 13:40 Best Ed 14:05 Cow & Chicken 14:30 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 14:50 Eliot Kid 15:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 15:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 16:05 Courage The Cowardly Dog 16:30 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 16:55 The Amazing World Of Gumball 17:10 Adventure Time 17:35 Regular Show 18:00 Cow & Chicken 18:25 Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 18:50 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 19:15 Angelo Rules 19:30 Total Drama World Tour 19:55 Hero 108 20:25 Sym-Bionic Titan 20:50 Adventure Time 21:25 The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy 21:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog 22:25 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 22:50 Cow & Chicken 23:00 Ben 10 23:25 Ben 10 23:50 Courage The Cowardly Dog

00:00 Kim Possible 00:25 Fairly Odd Parents 01:15 Stitch 02:00 Replacements 02:50 Emperor’s New School 03:35 Stitch 04:25 Replacements 05:15 Fairly Odd Parents 06:00 Hannah Montana 06:20 Recess 06:45 Good Luck Charlie 07:05 Suite Life On Deck 07:55 Phineas And Ferb 08:10 Fish Hooks 08:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:00 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:25 Handy Manny 09:40 The Hive 09:48 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 09:50 Fairly Odd Parents 10:15 So Random 10:40 Have A Laugh 10:45 Hannah Montana 11:10 Suite Life On Deck 11:35 Jake & Blake 12:00 Jonas 12:25 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:45 Phineas And Ferb 13:10 So Random 13:30 Suite Life On Deck 14:20 Shake It Up 14:55 Have A Laugh 15:00 Good Luck Charlie 15:25 Phineas And Ferb 15:50 Fish Hooks 16:10 Shake It Up 16:35 Suite Life On Deck 17:25 Good Luck Charlie 17:50 Fish Hooks 18:15 Suite Life On Deck 18:35 Have A Laugh 18:45 Suite Life On Deck 19:10 Good Luck Charlie 19:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 20:00 Hannah Montana 20:25 Phineas And Ferb

THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR ON OSN ACTION HD

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

Destroyed In Seconds Animal Cops South Africa Dirty Jobs Overhaulin’ Ultimate Survival Mythbusters How It’s Made Dirty Jobs Mythbusters Curiosity Mythbusters How It’s Made Cake Boss Border Security Auction Kings Man, Woman, Wild Overhaulin’ Ultimate Survival Mythbusters Cash Cab Us

00:40 The Gadget Show 01:35 Colony 02:25 The Tech Show 02:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 03:40 Nasa’s Greatest Missions 04:35 How Does That Work?

05:00 How Stuff’s Made 05:25 Engineered 06:20 Catch It Keep It 07:10 Sci-Trek 08:00 Space Pioneer 08:50 How Does That Work?

09:15 How Stuff’s Made 09:40 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 10:35 Nasa’s Greatest Missions 11:25 Engineered 12:20 Catch It Keep It 13:15 The Gadget Show 14:05 Sci-Trek 14:55 How Does That Work?

15:20 How Stuff’s Made 15:50 Space Pioneer 16:40 The Tech Show 17:05 Catch It Keep It 18:00 The Gadget Show 18:50 Engineered 19:40 Weird Or What?

20:30 What’s That About?

21:20 Catch It Keep It 22:10 Space Pioneer 23:00 Weird Or What?

FOOD NETWORK 00:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:05 Gourmet Farmer 01:30 Unwrapped 01:55 Guy’s Big Bite 02:20 Guy’s Big Bite 02:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:35 Food Network Challenge 04:25 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 04:50 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 05:15 Kid In A Candy Store 05:40 Unique Sweets 06:05 World Cafe Asia 06:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:50 Food Network Challenge 07:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 08:00 Food Network Star 08:50 Gourmet Farmer 09:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 09:40 Kid In A Candy Store 10:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 10:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 10:55 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 11:20 World Cafe Asia 11:45 Everyday Italian 12:10 Unwrapped 12:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:00 Ten Dollar Dinners 13:25 Guy’s Big Bite 13:50 Easy Chinese: San Francisco 14:15 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 14:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 15:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 15:30 Unwrapped 15:55 Paula’s Best Dishes 16:20 Mexican Made Easy 16:45 Chopped

00:20 Special Agent Oso 00:50 Jungle Junction 01:15 Little Einsteins 01:40 Higglytown Heroes 02:10 Jo Jo’s Circus 02:30 Special Agent Oso 03:00 Jungle Junction 03:25 Little Einsteins 03:50 Higglytown Heroes 04:20 Jo Jo’s Circus 04:40 Special Agent Oso 05:10 Jungle Junction 05:35 Little Einsteins 06:00 Higglytown Heroes 06:30 Jo Jo’s Circus 06:50 Jungle Junction 07:15 Higglytown Heroes 07:45 Handy Manny 08:00 Special Agent Oso 08:15 Jungle Junction 08:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:10 The Hive 09:20 Handy Manny 09:30 Special Agent Oso 10:15 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 10:25 Timon And Pumbaa 10:45 The Hive 10:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:20 Imagination Movers 11:45 Little Einsteins 12:10 Imagination Movers 12:30 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 12:45 Lazytown 13:10 Handy Manny 13:25 Jungle Junction 13:40 Imagination Movers 14:05 The Hive 14:15 Special Agent Oso 14:25 Little Einsteins 14:50 Lazytown 15:15 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

15:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:05 Handy Manny 16:35 The Hive 16:45 Special Agent Oso 17:30 Handy Manny 17:45 Jungle Junction 18:00 The Hive 18:20 Handy Manny 18:30 Jungle Junction 18:45 Handy Manny 18:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 19:25 The Hive 19:35 Little Einsteins 20:00 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 20:30 Animated Stories 20:35 Handy Manny 20:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:20 The Hive 21:30 Mini Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 21:33 A Poem Is...

21:40 Jungle Junction 21:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 22:35 Special Agent Oso 22:50 Little Einsteins

00:25 Kendra 00:55 Style Star 01:25 E!es 03:15 25 Most Stylish 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Extreme Hollywood 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Bridalplasty 10:15 15 Most Infamous Child Star Mugshots 12:05 E! News 13:05 Ice Loves Coco 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 15:00 Style Star 15:30 THS 16:25 Behind The Scenes 16:55 Dirty Soap 17:55 E! News 18:55 THS 19:55 Awards Fashion Police 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:25 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 22:25 E! News 23:25 Chelsea Lately 23:55 Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami

00:00 Enfusion 00:50 Final Fu 01:40 Mantracker 02:30 World Combat League 03:20 Final Fu 04:10 Enfusion 05:00 Ed’s Up 05:50 Mantracker 06:40 World Combat League 07:30 Ride Guide Mountainbike 2009 09:00 FIM World Motocross MX3 Championships...

09:25 Blood, Sweat And Gears 10:15 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championships...

11:05 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championships...

11:55 Man’s Work 12:45 Fantasy Factory 13:35 Final Fu 14:25 Mantracker 15:15 World Combat League 16:05 Man’s Work 16:55 Fantasy Factory 17:45 FIM World Motocross MX3 Championships...

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

Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab Psychic Witness Couples Who Kill Deadly Women Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab Psychic Witness Mystery ER FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared Murder Shift Mystery ER Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared FBI Files Forensic Detectives Murder Shift Real Emergency Calls Mystery ER Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Disappeared I Almost Got Away With It FBI Case Files

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

Meet The Natives: USA Inside Extreme Tourist Afghanistan Lockdown Treks In A Wild World Hunter Hunted Deadliest Journeys Lockdown Eccentric Uk Air Crash Investigation Which Way To Buffalo Warrior Graham’s World Meet The Natives: USA Megastructures Extreme Tourist Afghanistan Inside Treks In A Wild World Lockdown Deadliest Journeys Air Crash Investigation Deadliest Journeys Eccentric Uk Hunter Hunted Which Way To Graham’s World Lockdown Meet The Natives: USA Air Crash Investigation On The Camino De Santiago Quest For The Megafish of The

THE PERFECT SCORE ON OSN MOVIES HD

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassin’s Ball Circle Of Eight-PG15 Planet Of The Apes-PG15 Shinjuku Incident-PG15 From Paris With Love-PG15 Ransom-PG15 The Thirteenth Floor-18 From Paris With Love-PG15 Top Gun-PG15 The Thirteenth Floor-18 Sanctum-18 Alive-PG15

01:00 02:45 05:00 06:45 09:00 11:15 13:00 14:45 16:45 19:00 21:00 23:00

Jackass 3.5-R Secretariat-PG15 My Dog Tulip-PG15 Flash Of Genius-PG15 Secretariat-PG15 My Dog Tulip-PG15 The Eclipse-PG15 Paper Man-PG15 The A-Team-PG15 Faster-PG15 Waiting For Superman-PG15 Brothers-18

12:00 Two And A Half Men 12:30 Will And Grace 13:00 Melissa And Joey 13:30 Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne 16:30 The Office 18:00 Friends 19:00 Friends With Benefits 19:30 Parks And Recreation 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 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:00 Family Guy

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 04:30 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 21:00

Private Practice Royal Pains Terriers Grey’s Anatomy In Treatment In Treatment Good Morning America Law & Order: Los Angeles Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Martha Stewart Show The View Private Practice Grey’s Anatomy Law & Order: Los Angeles Live Good Morning America The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Once Upon A Time Strikeback

01:00 Luster-18 03:00 Planet Of The Apes-PG15 05:00 The Haunting Of Molly Hartley-18 07:00 The Devil’s Teardrop-PG15 09:00 Long Weekend-PG15 11:00 Blue Crush 2-PG15 13:00 Bodyguard: A New BeginningPG15 15:00 Long Weekend-PG15 17:00 The Bannen Way-PG15 19:00 Empire-18

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Indian Summer-PG15 Wake-PG15 Heart And Souls-PG Cry Baby-PG15 I’ll Be Home For Christmas A Pyromaniac’s Love Story Revenge Of The Bridesmaids The Making Of Plus One-PG15 Indian Summer-PG15 Without A Paddle-PG15 Kuffs-PG Spud-PG15

01:00 Stan Helsing-18 03:00 Get Low-PG15 05:00 The Perfect Score-PG15 07:00 My Last Five Girlfriends-PG15 09:00 Shrek Forever After-FAM 11:00 Cats & Dogs-PG 13:00 Josie And The Pussycats-PG15 15:00 Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief-PG15 17:00 Shrek Forever After-FAM 19:00 Due Date-PG15 21:00 Waiting For Superman-PG15 23:00 Ironclad-18

00:00 Barbie: Princess Charm School-PG15 02:00 The Nimbols: Part I-PG15 04:00 Quest For Zhu-PG15 06:00 Barbie: Princess Charm School-PG15 08:15 Tom Tom & Nana-FAM 10:00 Quest For Zhu-PG15 11:45 Casper Haunted Christmas 14:00 The Nimbols: Part II-PG15 16:00 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid-PG 18:00 Casper Haunted Christmas 20:00 Kong: Return To The Jungle 22:00 Tom Tom & Nana-FAM

02:00 05:00 05:30 12:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 21:30 22:00

Cricket Twenty20 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Live Test Cricket Live Cricket Twenty20 Trans World Sport Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Live Snooker Masters Volvo Ocean Race Highlights Live Snooker Masters

02:00 02:30 04:30 05:30 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 22:00 23:00

World Hockey Scottish Premier League Trans World Sport Live Test Cricket FIVB Beach Volley Ball World Cup of Pool Trans World Sport Test Cricket Trans World Sport Cricket Twenty20

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 03:30 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 17:00 18:00

American Pickers Ax Men How The Earth Was Made American Restoration Pawn Stars Pub Dig American Pickers Ax Men How The Earth Was Made American Restoration Pawn Stars Pub Dig American Pickers Ax Men How The Earth Was Made American Restoration Pawn Stars Pub Dig American Pickers

00:05 Big Rich Texas 01:00 Jerseylicious 02:00 Videofashion Daily 02:55 Videofashion News 03:25 How Do I Look?

04:20 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

06:10 Homes With Style 06:35 Area 07:05 Clean House 08:00 Videofashion News 09:00 Videofashion Daily 10:00 Open House 10:55 How Do I Look?

11:50 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

12:50 Clean House: Search For The Messiest...

13:50 Clean House 14:45 How Do I Look?

15:45 Giuliana & Bill 16:40 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 17:35 Jerseylicious 18:30 Big Rich Texas 19:25 Clean House: New York 20:25 Open House 22:15 Tia And Tamera 23:10 How Do I Look?

02:00 02:30 05:30 06:00 07:00 08:00 14:00 14:30 15:30 21:30 22:00

Futbol Mundial Cricket Twenty20 Futbol Mundial FIVB Beach Volley Ball Golfing World Live Cricket Twenty20 ICC Cricket World Golfing World Live Snooker Masters European Tour Weekly Live Snooker Masters

01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 15:00

V8 Supercars Championship Speedway Intercontinental Le Mans Cup UFC Unleashed WWE Vintage Collection WWE NXT Speedway Intercontinental Le Mans Cup V8 Supercars Championship WWE SmackDown Intercontinental Le Mans Cup

00:00 Floyd Around the Med 01:00 Globe Trekker 03:00 Glutton For Punishment 04:00 Floyd Around the Med 05:00 Cruise 1st 09:00 Planet Food 10:00 Globe Trekker 11:00 The Ethical Hedonist 12:00 Cruise 1st 12:30 Cruise 1st 13:00 Floyd On Spain 13:30 Floyd Uncorked 14:00 Globe Trekker 15:00 Sophie Grigson In The Home Counties 15:30 Cruise 1st 16:00 Cruise 1st 16:30 Floyd Around the Med 17:30 Glutton For Punishment 18:30 Globe Trekker 19:30 Cruise 1st 20:00 Cruise 1st 20:30 Floyd On Spain 21:00 Floyd Uncorked 21:30 Sophie Grigson In The Souk 22:00 Cruise 1st 22:30 Cruise 1st 23:00 Wild Carpathia

00:00 01:25 03:15 03:30 05:10 06:35 08:15 09:45 11:10 12:35 14:25 16:05 17:35 19:10 20:40

The Glory Stompers-PG Cop Mgm’s Big Screen-FAM Mad Dog Coll-PG Bloodmatch Dancehall Queen-PG Seduced By Madness-U Road Rage-PG Critical Assembly-PG The Perez Family-PG Romantic Comedy-PG Nashville Beat-PG Crossplot-PG High Noon-PG Mgm’s Big Screen-FAM

00:35 02:35 04:20 06:20 08:00 09:35 11:10 12:45 14:20 16:35 18:05 19:30 21:15 23:00

Clash Of The Titans The Outfit Whose Life Is It Anyway?

The Letter-FAM Boys’ Town-PG Each Dawn I Die-PG Marlowe-PG Ride The High Country-PG Some Came Running-PG These Wilder Years-PG Invasion Quartet-FAM The Stratton Story-FAM 3 Godfathers-FAM The Fixer

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JZR PIA YYY JZR QTR ETH ETH THY UAE QTR DHX MSR FDB ETD GFA KAC THY DHX FAH JZR JZR BAW KAC AFR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD FDB GFA FCX IRA RBG KNE JZR RKM IRM MEA KAC MSR JZR CLX KAC GFA MSR SYR FDB KAC UAL IRC QTR KNE SVA RJA ABY JZR KAC KAC QTR JZR IYE JZR ETD UAE FDB KAC GFA SVA RBG ABY JZR ALK JZR FDB KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC AIC KAC KAC KAC FDB JAI OMA DHX GRF MEA GFA QTR UAE JZR SAI JZR UAL AXB DLH

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 18/1/2012 Flt Route 185 DUBAI 205 LAHORE/PESHAWER 2020 HAHN 539 CAIRO 6130 DOHA 2620 ADDIS ABABA 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 555 ALEXANDRIA 529 ASSIUT 157 LONDON 412 MANILA/BANGKOK 6702 PARIS 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 302 MUMBAI 362 COLOMBO 344 CHENNAI 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI 55 DUBAI 213 BAHRAIN 203 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 3555 ALEXANDRIA 839 JEDDAH 165 DUBAI 310 RAS ALKHAIMAH 5066 MASHAD 404 BEIRUT 382 DELHI 610 CAIRO 201 DAMASCUS 792 LUXEMBOURG 672 DUBAI 219 BAHRAIN 621 ASSIUT 341 DAMASCUS 57 DUBAI 790 MEDINAH 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 6791 MASHAD 140 DOHA 745 JEDDAH 500 JEDDAH 640 AMMAN 123 SHARJAH 257 BEIRUT 284 DHAKA 546 ALEXANDRIA 134 DOHA 561 SOHAG 824 SANAA/DOHA 213 DEIREZZOR/ALEPPO 303 ABU DHABI 857 DUBAI 59 DUBAI 550 SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 3564 ASSIUT 127 SHARJAH 777 JEDDAH 227 COLOMBO/DUBAI 177 DUBAI 63 DUBAI 542 CAIRO 618 DOHA 787 RIYADH 786 JEDDAH 614 BAHRAIN 674 DUBAI 975 CHENNAI/GOA 166 PARIS/ROME 102 NEW YORK/LONDON 774 RIYADH 61 DUBAI 572 MUMBAI 647 MUSCAT 372 BAHRAIN 81 BAGHDAD 402 BEIRUT 217 BAHRAIN 136 DOHA 859 DUBAI 135 BAHRAIN 441 LAHORE 239 AMMAN 981 BAHRAIN 393 KOZHIKODE/COCHIN 636 FRANKFURT

Time 0:20 0:25 0:25 0:50 1:15 1:15 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 6:20 6:40 6:45 7:00 7:40 7:45 7:50 7:55 8:20 8:25 8:30 9:00 9:05 9:15 9:20 9:55 10:30 10:40 10:45 11:05 11:20 11:45 11:50 11:55 12:45 12:55 13:00 13:15 13:20 13:25 13:30 13:45 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:20 14:20 14:25 14:30 14:40 14:45 15:00 15:00 15:20 15:25 16:10 16:35 16:45 16:50 16:55 17:05 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:35 17:40 17:45 18:00 18:15 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:30 19:35 19:40 20:00 20:10 20:15 21:00 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:40 23:50

Airlines UAL AXB BBC RLB AIC DLH PIA ETH KAC ETH QTR THY KAC FDB UAE DHX MSR ETD QTR YYY THY JZR GFA JZR FDB KAC BAW AFR KAC JZR KAC KAC JZR JZR UAE ABY ETD KAC FDB QTR KAC GFA RBG IRA FCX KNE KAC JZR KAC RKM MEA IRM KAC JZR MSR GFA MSR FDB SYR CLX KAC KNE UAL IRC ABY RJA KAC SVA JZR KAC KAC QTR JZR IYE ETD JZR QTR FDB UAE GFA RBG ABY SVA JZR JZR ALK FDB JZR KAC FDB DHX KAC KAC JAI OMA KAC DHX MEA GFA FAH QTR KAC JZR UAE KAC JZR KAC SAI

Departure Flights on Wednesday 18/1/2012 Flt Route 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 390 MANGALORE/KOZHIKODE 44 DHAKA 1003 KABUL 982 AHMEDABAD/HYDERABAD 637 FRANKFURT 206 LAHORE 2621 ADDIS ABABA 283 DHAKA 621 ADDIS ABABA 6131 DOHA 773 ISTANBUL 381 DELHI 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 371 BAHRAIN 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 2020 CAIRO 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 302 ABU DHABI 117 NEW YORK 56 DUBAI 133 DOHA 177 FRANKFURT/GENEVA 214 BAHRAIN 3563 ASSIUT 602 SHIRAZ 204 DUBAI 840 MEDINAH/JEDDAH 541 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 311 RAS ALKHAIMAH 405 BEIRUT 5065 MASHAD 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 220 BAHRAIN 622 ASSIUT 58 DUBAI 342 DAMASCUS 792 VIETNAM 673 DUBAI 746 JEDDAH 982 BAHRAIN 6792 MASHAD 124 SHARJAH 641 AMMAN 617 DOHA 503 MEDINAH/JEDDAH 786 RIYADH 613 BAHRAIN 773 RIYADH 141 DOHA 238 AMMAN 824 SANAA 304 ABU DHABI 538 CAIRO 135 DOHA 60 DUBAI 858 DUBAI 216 BAHRAIN 3556 ALEXANDRIA 128 SHARJAH 511 RIYADH 266 BEIRUT 134 BAHRAIN 228 DUBAI/COLOMBO 64 DUBAI 184 DUBAI 361 COLOMBO 62 DUBAI 171 BAHRAIN 331 TRIVANDRUM 351 COCHIN 571 MUMBAI 648 MUSCAT 543 CAIRO 373 BAHRAIN 403 BEIRUT 218 BAHRAIN 102 DUBAI 137 DOHA 301 MUMBAI 554 ALEXANDRIA 860 DUBAI 205 ISLAMABAD 502 LUXOR 415 KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA 442 LAHORE

Time 0:45 0:50 1:00 1:00 1:05 1:20 1:25 2:15 2:40 2:45 2:45 3:15 3:30 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:00 4:00 4:55 5:25 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 10:00 10:05 10:10 10:35 10:40 11:25 11:40 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:15 12:30 12:50 12:55 13:20 13:40 13:50 13:55 14:20 14:30 14:35 14:45 14:45 15:05 15:10 15:20 15:20 15:25 15:35 15:40 15:45 15:50 16:20 16:25 16:30 17:15 17:35 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:50 18:10 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:35 18:45 19:05 19:10 19:20 19:55 20:20 20:40 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:55 22:00 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:35 23:45 23:50

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available for decent Indian Christian bachelor or couple next to Salmiya garden.

Cable TV, landline facility available.

Contact 66884273, afternoon 2:30: 25657832. (C 3829) 16-1-2012

FOR SALE Toyota Camry 2007 model GLX, silver color, excellent condition very law mileage with interior wooden CD player, fog lamp, rear sensor, remote key etc, wanted price KD 3450. Contact: 60099305. (C 3830) 17-1-2012 Internet for sale, 3 DSL service for ready use, 3 months for KD 25, 1 Mbps speed and subscription periods with the ability to upgrade any time, valid before 29 February 2012.

Contact: 66203674. Email: francisappoline@gmail.com (C 3825) 15-1-2012 Mitsubishi Gallant 1998 for sale. Passing till November 2012. Owner wants to leave Kuwait for good. Please call 66372366.

Mitsubishi Nativa 2008, 66564 km, black color, excellent condition, KD 3,560/-, negotiable.

Contact: 60306273. (C 3827) 14-1-2012 Toyota Corolla 2012 model, gray color, alloys wheel, sensor, mileage 5000km, under warranty 3 years, price KD 4,950/-. Contact: 55522942.

(C 3818)

MATRIMONIAL Parents settled in US invite proposals for their daughter age 27 5”3”, completed Bachelors degree, doing Masters in Physio-Therapy in USA. Currently on vacation to Kerala, on short visit in Kuwait (Jan 21st to 25th) invite proposals from Christian parents of Doctors/MPharm/Engineer.

Contact: merlinfredin@gmail.com (C 3831) Parents settled in US invite proposals for their daughter age 27 5”4”, completed BPharm from India, doing MD, residency/rotation in New York. Currently on vacation to Kerala, on short visit in Kuwait (Jan 21st to 25th) invite proposals from Christian parents of Doctors/MPharm/Engineer.

Contact: merlinfredin@gmail.com (C 3832) 17-1-2012

No: 15332

TUITION

Business management teacher with doctoral degree for universities, institutions, corporate & all student levels. Over 10 years experience. Call 66495951. (C 3817) Business management teacher with doctoral degree for universities, institutions, corporate & all student levels. Over 10 years experience. Call 66495951. (C 3817) 16-1-2012

SITUATION WANTED Accountant: young, smart, first class B.Com graduate, knowing Peachtree and Tally Accounting Software with 2 years experience in Kuwait looking for suitable job as Accountant. Contact: 65179245. (C 3828) SITUATION VACANT Required house cook, Indian nationality - male, attractive salary. Contact: 99062666. (C 3822) 15-1-2012

34

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

stars CROSSWORD 561

STAR TRACK

CALVIN & HOBBES

Aries (March 21-April 19) This is one of those days where you seem to worry much about your money and how you have invested it and future investments.

You have become much more adaptable and willing to go the extra mile it may take to bring in more money. Research into understanding better ways to invest would be wise. You are encouraged to succeed in all your affairs. You may become concerned about the welfare of others; if you are not a counselor, you might consider the education to achieve that professional status. You are certainly good at listening to the needs of others. You rely on facts rather than feelings, especially when an expensive mistake might be the outcome. You might consider becoming a professional mentor.

Your sense of humor is contagious.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You take much pride in preparing yourself to meet or make presentations to groups of people in extraordinary ways. You want to encourage others to seek information and you want to help be informative. You have a large following and should do well in holding people’s interest at this time. You might want to swing for a new jacket or suit this evening.

Something new can do much to boost the confidence level. Obtaining and exchanging information takes on more emotional significance for you now. Being more involved with neighbors or siblings satisfies a deep emotional need.

Communicating feelings becomes important. Mental endeavors are favored this afternoon, as is communication with friends and loved ones.

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and Pipturus albidus.

5. Cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth.

10. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

13. South American armadillo with three bands of bony plates.

14. (Greek mythology) The Titaness who was mother of Helios and Selene and Eos in ancient mythology.

15. How long something has existed.

16. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

17. Inability to stand due to muscular incoordination.

19. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

21. The craniometric point in the region of the sphenoid fontanelle.

22. The United Nations agency concerned with atomic energy.

25. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

26. A member of a people native to the Philippines chiefly inhabiting central Luzon around and including Manila.

31. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

32. Antibacterial drug (trade name Nydrazid) used to treat tuberculosis.

33. A federal agency established to regulate the release of new foods and health-related products.

35. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

36. Plant having a large slender white bulb and flat overlapping dark green leaves.

38. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium.

41. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

43. A river that rises in central Germany and flows north to join the Elbe River.

45. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

47. A blow from a flat object (as an open hand).

49. Dishware consisting of a small cup for serving a boiled egg.

52. Being one more than one hundred.

53. A visual representation of an object or scene or person produced on a surface.

56. An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape.

57. United States feminist (1885-1977).

59. A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn.

60. English prelate noted for his pessimistic sermons and articles (1860-1954).

61. A yellow pungent volatile oil (trade name Agene) formerly used for bleaching and aging flour.

63. The shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object.

64. (old-fashioned) At or from or to a great distance.

65. Filled with a great quantity.

66. (informal) Of the highest quality.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) This is a great time to be with others and to work together.

Some may even find you especially witty and eccentric just now. You may be singled out as just the person for a particular job. Your management and directional abilities are in high focus. You are also prone to be deluded by another person, so watch out! On the positive side, it is a good day to just reflect or help others.

The romantic dreamier side of you is in full blossom now. You are apt to spend a great deal of time communicating with co-workers and people apart from work. It’s also a good time to think seriously about your career or work up until now and take stock of it. Parental instincts may become quite strong now as you make every effort to help a young person this evening.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

Today is a most favorable time for working in groups, particularly in soliciting the aid of friends in a pet project. It is important during this time to effectively communicate your ideas to co-workers and those who work under you. You are invigorated to work or play at an accelerated pace. Physical activity, especially sports, is a good way to channel your energy this afternoon.

Spiritual interests are high and if you make the effort and act selflessly, you can be of tremendous emotional help to a friend or family member later today. You may desire to take part in different and perhaps unusual activities this evening. You may also have a chance to meet someone new at this time—you should take it slow and steady with this new person.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Your mind is full of creative ideas and one of them may actually come to fruition in a way that makes some positive changes far into your future. Take an honest and moral approach to a philosophical question this afternoon. You have fun helping co-worker friends this afternoon. In your dealings with co-workers, be forthright. You are apt to experience a sudden and unexpected change of scenery in the workplace. This may entail getting a new boss, new co-workers, or embarking on a totally different project or taking interest in a new field. There are many opportunities for you to succeed.

Sympathy and understanding for loved ones is heightened at this time. Don’t be surprised if everyone in the family comes to you for help!

ZITS

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Business dealings may be particularly fruitful. You have much contemplative thinking about your work. There should also be a great deal of communication, which could prove very helpful in getting your ideas across to others. Today you will be able to tackle tasks that require real discipline or organization. You find yourself in a very practical mood and working with, instead of against, yourself. You may have some serious or contemplative moments. A conference with others is very important at this time. Your mind could be quite clear and natural just now. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. There are subtle changes to your relationship with loved ones now. It would be a good idea to strengthen ties before they are weakened.

Libra (September 23-October 22) DOWN 1. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

2. Someone who copies the words or behavior of another.

3. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells.

4. A peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

5. A New England state.

6. A midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region.

7. Gather, as of as crops.

8. Characteristic of or peculiar to a woman.

9. Fed beyond capacity or desire.

10. Member of a Jewish sect that observes a form of strict Orthodox Judaism.

11. A fee charged for exchanging currencies.

12. Wild or seedling sweet cherry used as stock for grafting.

18. An anti-TNF compound (trade name Arava) that is given orally.

20. The basic unit of money in Sierra Leone.

23. American prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942).

24. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

27. In bed.

28. (Greek mythology) Goddess of the earth and mother of Cronus and the Titans in ancient mythology.

29. Made of fir or pine.

30. Small European freshwater fish with a slender bluishgreen body.

34. Any orchid of the genus Disa.

37. Someone who buys old buildings or ships and breaks them up to recover the materials in them.

39. Delivered from danger.

40. A town in northern Egypt.

41. A fee charged for exchanging currencies.

42. (Babylonian) The sky god.

44. Harsh or corrosive in tone.

46. Strike with disgust or revulsion.

48. English writer of stories for children (1882-1956).

49. (Brit) A tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes.

50. A city in southwestern Switzerland at the western end of Lake Geneva.

51. Mentally or physically infirm with age.

54. Of or relating to near the ear.

55. A language unit by which a person or thing is known.

58. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

62. Half the width of an em.

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) It may be time for an employee review. In case you were wondering, you have nothing about which to worry. As long as you enjoy what you do, you will continuously find ways to improve and move up the corporate ladder. You have a good attitude. Your goals and objectives are very clear and you proceed, not only with self-confidence, but with a clear understanding of the material resources and detailed hard work necessary to achieve them. If others are involved in your goals, you could accept a leadership role; otherwise, you may prefer to work alone. With your concern about the future of business, it would be a wise idea to step away from time to time and give your concerns a break. Clear your mind this evening and enjoy your loved ones.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Achievement, ambition and authority grab your attention this morning. You display an urge to be recognized for your hard work. There is a possibility that during this time your work as a whole will come under examination. This afternoon there is a desire for outdoor, physical activity with ample opportunity to partake in it. However, be wise in risk taking and thrill seeking at this time. Futuristic ideas and social reform have a way of changing your life. Friends or groups you associate with have an element of mystery about them—perhaps an aura of the mystical or psychic. You become involved with causes you believe in this week. Better water, better emergency response crews, etc.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

To

Yesterday’s Solution

You almost feel that you can do no wrong these days. Whatever your goals are, you will find yourself feeling that you have finally reached the right path. Up until now, you have not really been working to get to those goals of yours accomplished, but now the way ahead seems clear. You may find yourself intuitive, particularly regarding a scholarship or a new job, a move, a new friend etc. Until the middle of February, you will find life’s puzzles have a way of becoming crystal clear. Do not try to prove yourself when it comes to a discussion at home this evening—the right answer in your home condition will make itself known soon. Find the positive in every situation. You may find yourself in a contest over musical instruments or cooking recipes.

Improvement, reorganization and optimism are your paths to growth now. New, futuristic ideas are part of this, but it’s much more than that: putting them into practice is essential because this is much more than empty wishes. You should expend great zest in moneymaking efforts and in turn—show much caution to what may seem like the best investment ever! You are happy to follow through with whatever responsibilities you have regarding relationships but you are apt to have difficulty expressing your own needs to your companions. You should try during this period to loosen up and enjoy your companions without being afraid to voice your true feelings. There are some fun surprises this afternoon as you meet with an old friend.

Yesterday’s Solution Yester

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Others value you for your ability to make practical decisions concerning group issues. You have a natural sense of what the public wants at this time. Clear decisions affecting others could be made now. You could be in the limelight, especially with superiors or in relation to your work. You may find that you enjoy your job or the responsibility it entails more than usual. You have tremendous mental energy today. Take care to avoid being temperamental and touchy. If you channel this energy well, you can be very influential. This is a good time to throw yourself into your work, though you should check the desire to complain about others who do not work as hard. Your imagination soars! Insights into all sorts of shortcuts and inventions are easy!

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

An employee review is due soon and now is a good time to clearly define your goals in writing. Two things happen when you write out your goals: crystallization and commitment. Create one particularly important goal for yourself but then think about a couple of short term goals that will show success quickly. Your work is mounting but you dive in and accomplish more than you thought you could. You may begin to seek out friends who are unusual or unconventional in their social behavior—perhaps to experience a change of pace from the everyday stress. You face many responsibilities in your relationships and the love you show is quickly returned. It is easy to express your desires openly to companions at this time. You definitely feel the power of love.

A

y

e niv rsar n

Years

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

i n f o r m at i o n

FIRE BRIGADE STATE ST TATE T OF KUW KUWAIT K WA AIT

112

DA AY: Y T DAY: Tuesday uesday

Ext.: 26 2627 627 - 2630

Fax: 24348714 WWW .MET.GOV V.KW . W WWW.MET.GOV.KW

17/01/2012

Ministry of Interior

19:00

Issue T Time ime

Expected Weather Weeather for the Next 24 2 Hours

website: www.moi.gov.kw For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

BY Y NIGHT: NIGHT:

Cold with light variable wind cha changing anging to light to moderate north n westerly wind, with sp speed eed of 06 - 26 km/h h and some scattered clouds will w appear

DAY: BY Y DA AY:

Partly y cloudy to cloudy with ligh light ht variable wind changing to light to moderate north west westerly terly wind, with chance speed d off 06 - 28 km/h k /h with ith a chan h nce for f light li ht rain i

WARNING W ARNING A

No Current W Warnings aarnin ngs

STATION ST TATION T

Hospitals Sabah Hospital

Tel.: T e el.: 161

DIRECTORA DIRECTORATE AT TE GEN GENERAL NERAL OF CIVIL A AVIATION V VIA AT TION DEPARTMENT METEOROLOGICAL L DEP PA ARTMENT

24812000

MAX. REC.

MIN MIN. N. EXP EXP. P.

KUWAIT KUW WA AIT CITY

18 °C

0 °C 09

KUWAIT KUW WA AIT AIRPORT AIRPOR RT

19 °C

0 °C 04

18 °C

0 °C 07

Amiri Hospital

22450005

NUWAISEEB NUW WAISEEB A

Maternity Hospital

24843100

WAFRA W A AFRA

20 °C

0 °C 04

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

SALMI

19 °C

0 °C 04

Chest Hospital

24849400

ABDALY ABDAL LY

20 °C

0 °C 04

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

JAL ALIYAH ALIY YAH A

19 °C

0 °C 08

Adan Hospital

23940620

FAILAKA F AILAKA A

18 °C

0 °C 07

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

PORT AHMADI POR RT

17 °C

11 °C 11

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

UMM AL-MARADEM AL-MARAD DEM

17 °C

1 °C 14

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

WARBA W A ARBA A - BUBYAN BUBY YAN A

18 °C

0 °C 04

Clinics

SFC. CHAR CHART RT

17/01/2012 120 1200 00 UTC

4 DAYS DA AY YS FORECAST

4732263

Roudha

22517733

DAY DA AY

DATE DA AT TE

WEATHER WEA AT THER R

Adhaliya

22517144

W eednesday Wednesday

18/01

Khaldiya

24848075

Thursday

Keifan

24849807

Friday

Shamiya

24848913

Saturday

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Fajr

05:20

Temp.

MAX. T M emp.

18 °C

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Sunrise

06:43

MIN. T M emp.

Temp.

03 °C

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Zuhr

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Al-Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

3900322

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

Al-Jahra

25610011

Al-Salmiya

25616368

POLICE STATION

Rabiya

Al-Khadissiya

Al-Madena

T emperatures Temperatures W Wind ind Speed

Wind Direction Direction Wind

MAX.

MIN.

partly cloudy + lig ght rain light

17 °C

04 °C

NW -N NW-N

06 - 28 km/h

19/01

cool + high clo ouds clouds

17 °C

04 °C

NW

12 - 35 km/h

20/01

very cold + raising du ust later on dust

15 °C

03 °C

NW

20 - 45 km/h

21/01

dusty

1 1 °C 11

°C

NW

25 - 50 km/h

PRAYER P PRA AY YER TIMES

RECORDED RECORDE ED YESTERDA YESTERDAY AY A AT T KUW KUWAIT WA AIT AIRPOR AIRPORT RT

1 1:58 11:58

MAX. M RH

69 %

Asr

14:54

MIN. RH

23 %

Sunset

17:14

MAX. W M ind Wind

Isha

18:34

TOTAL RAINFALL T OT TA AL L RA AINF FALL A L IN 24 HR.

22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry

NW 28 km/h N

about the Civil ID card is 1889988

00 mm

17/01/12 14:22 UTC

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

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

V1.00

T1.06

PHARMACIES

AIRLINES

ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Hawally

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Kuwait Airways Jazeera Airways Jet Airways FlyDubai Qatar Airways KLM Air Slovakia Olympic Airways Royal Jordanian Reservation British Airways Air France Emirates Air India Sri Lanka Airlines Egypt Air Swiss Air Saudia Middle East Airlines Lufthansa PIA Alitalia Balkan Airlines Bangladesh Airlines Czech Airlines Indian Airlines Oman Air Turkish Airlines Aeroflot

171 177 22924455 22414400 22423888 22425747 22434940 22420002/9 22418064/5/6 22433388 22425635 22430224 22921555 22438184 22424444 22421578 22421516 22426306 22423073 22422493 22421044 22414427 22416474 22452977/8 22417901/ 2433141 22456700 22958787 22453820/1 22404838/9

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands

0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345

Central African Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK) Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia

00236 00235 0056 0086 0057 00269 00242 00682 00506 00385 0053 00357 0090392 00420 0045 00246 00253 001767 001809 00593 0020 00503 0044 00240 00291 00372 00251 00500 00298 00679 00358 0033 00594 00689

36

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

lifestyle G O S S I P

Japan’s pop princess to divorce Austrian hubby apanese pop princess Ayumi Hamasaki is to divorce her Austrian actor husband Manuel Schwarz after just a year of marriage, local media reported yesterday. Hamasaki, 33, and Schwarz, 31, married on January 1 last year, and she had planned to move to the United States to live with her husband, according to news reports. But Hamasaki, better known as “Ayu” by her large fanbase in Asia, began to have second thoughts about leaving Japan after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Kyodo News reported.

Hamasaki, who met the actor in Los Angeles in August 2010 while making a promotional video for her song Virgin Road, intends to file for divorce in the United States through her lawyer, Kyodo said.

The starlet, who started her career as a model and actress, became immensely popular among teenage girls-and a not insignificant number of boys after making her debut as a singer in 1998. With unusually round eyes and fair hair, Hamasaki’s fashions have repeatedly triggered nationwide fads, including for elaborate nail polish and large sunglasses.

Swift

teases songs about heartbreak in next album S

hould Jake Gyllenhaal be worried? Taylor Swift graces the cover of Vogue’s February issue and tells the magazine her next album will be about an “absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak” she experienced. The 22-year-old singer doesn’t name names, but she did date Gyllenhaal for a few months in 2010, and he broke up with her. Swift says it helps her to “feel better” and gain “clarity” by writing songs about her relationships.

She also says she now has a list of “red flags” for if a relationship won’t work: If a guy falls in love with her based on her Wikipedia page, is threatened that she needs security, puts her down or is obsessed with privacy, he’s not for her. The February issue of Vogue magazine goes on sale January 24.

Gervais won’t host Golden Globes again

Madonna blasted by Furnish

J

Lohan returns to court for latest probation update

L

Madonna has been branded “embarrassing” and “desperate” by David Furnish. The film director was angry his husband Sir Elton John did not pick up Best Original Song at the Golden Globes - losing out to Madonna for her song ‘Masterpiece’ from ‘W.E.’ - for his efforts on animated movie ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’, and criticized her on social networking site Facebook. He wrote: “Madonna. Best song???? !! “Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in its narcissism.

And her criticism of Gaga shows how desperate she really is.(sic)” Earlier in the evening Elton had blasted Madonna’s efforts, saying he did not believe she could win. He said: “Mary J [Blige] might win it for ‘The Help’.

Madonna doesn’t have a chance.” However, Madonna retorted she was ready to fight him to take home the award. She told Carson Daly: “Was he wearing a dress? Damn him, those are fighting words. OK, well may the best man win.” Accepting her prize on stage at the awards, she said: “This is a surprise.

Thank you.”

indsay Lohan is returning to court to give a judge her second update on how she’s faring under strict new probation requirements. The hearing is expected to be much like Lohan’s last progress update: short and without surprises. The starlet has been doing cleanup work at the county morgue and attending psychotherapy sessions in an effort to avoid problems with her probation for separate drunken driving and theft cases. Lohan’s spokesman Steve Honig says the actress has made her community service her “primary focus” and is eager for Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner to receive the details. The 25-year-old struggled with her probation until Sautner imposed a series of tough new rules, including monthly meetings with the court, in November.

Clooney mocks Pitt

eorge Clooney mocked his friend Brad Pitt’s injured leg at the Golden Globes. The actor took to the stage at the awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles to introduce a clip of his pal’s movie ‘Moneyball’ and as he climbed the steps he used Brad’s walking stick. Brad - who attended the show with his partner Angelina Jolie - has been seen using a cane recently after injuring himself when he took a tumble while carrying his three-year-old daughter Vivienne. As he took to the podium, George told the star-studded audience: “I have to give it back to him ... He can’t make it to the bar otherwise.” The crowd laughed in approval of the Hollywood hunk’s gag. The two friends were both nominated in the Best Actor in a Drama category for their roles in ‘Moneyball’ and ‘The Descendants’ respectively and were also up against Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Gosling.

But it was George who emerged victorious on the night. In his acceptance speech, the 50-year-old star stopped the jokes to praise Brad, 48, for his work over the last year. He said: “I wanted to say it’s nice to see Brad, and it’s nice to be able to tell him not just what wonderful work he’s doing in two films this year.

But what wonderful work he does in the rest of the world to the rest of the people.” George was accompanied to the Golden Globes - which were hosted by Ricky Gervais - by his girlfriend Stacy Kiebler, and the former wrestler sent pulses racing when the couple arrived in a figure-hugging floor-length red dress.

G

icky Gervais will not host the Golden Globe Awards again.

The comedian - who aimed a number of crude jokes at celebrities in the audience when he fronted the event in Los Angeles on Sunday - has instructed his agent not to let him present the ceremony for a fourth time because he doesn’t enjoy the prestigious hosting role until the evening is over. Writing on his official blog, Ricky - who came under fire after insulting several celebrities in the audience while hosting the spectacle in 2011 - said: “Thank that’s over. I had a blast actually. It was by far my favorite of the three hosting stints. “I’ve told my agent to never let me be persuaded to do it again though. It’s like a parachute jump.

You can only really enjoy it in retrospect when you realize you didn’t die and it was quite an amazing thing to do.” The 50-year-old star’s latest jibes saw him joke about Jodie Foster’s sexuality and poke fun at Justin

R

Bieber’s recent paternity scandal but he thinks the audience understood his crude comedy a lot more this time around. He wrote: “The crowd were great this year too. I think they finally worked out that my gags only seemed rude and nasty but were actually not too scary at all.

“Or they were just drunker. Either way, it was fun but I’m glad to say I’m off to New York to chill out a bit.”

However, it’s not the first time Ricky has said he won’t host the Golden Globes again. Following his controversial presenting stint in 2011 which saw him ridicule top Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr - he ruled out fronting the ceremony for a third time. When asked last year if he would do it again, he replied: “It’s doesn’t really matter because I’m not going to do it anyway. I said I wouldn’t do it a second time but I think twice is enough.”

Kidman admits she’s ‘boring’ at the Golden Globes T

he Oscar-winning actress says not many people think she’s that fun because she no longer drinks alcohol and stays on the soft drinks when she goes out. Speaking at the Golden Globes , the mother-of-four - whose husband Keith Urban has a history of alcohol abuse - said: “I don’t drink alcohol. See how boring I am? I’ll have sparking water tonight.”

While many may think she’s boring, Nicole was probably being sensible as she has two young daughters - Sunday Rose, three, and 13-monthold Faith Margaret - to look after. The 44-yearold beauty - who also has adopted children, Isabella, 19, and 16-year-old Connor with exhusband Tom Cruise - recently said she can’t stop kissing Faith, who was born in December 2010 via a gestational carrier. She said: “She’s divine, she’s growing and an absolute little bundle of yumminess. I can’t stop kissing her!”

Nicole also said she thinks her life has got richer since she became a mother. She said: “I love every stage, I just love raising children. They bring so much to your life!”

Grammer’s wife

Walsh expecting twins elsey Grammer’s wife Kayte Walsh is expecting twins. The 56-year-old actor - who married the former flight attendant in February 2011 - is “really looking forward” to welcoming the new arrivals, and revealed Kayte is in her second trimester. He said backstage at the Golden Globe Awards: “I’m really looking forward to meeting these new arrivals in our lives.”

Paying tribute to his wife, he added: “She’s one of the most loving, amazing, warm human beings I’ve ever met.” The ‘Frasier’ star already has four children - Spencer, 28, and Greer, 19, from previous relationships and 10-year-old Mason and Jude, seven,

K

with ex-wife Camille Donatacci, best known for her appearance on ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’. Kelsey and Kayte previously suffered heartache when she had a miscarriage in October 2010.

The actor recently revealed he met Kayte six months before he announced his split from Camille and enjoyed a “magical” few days getting to know her better. He said: “We actually met in the air on a plane to England. It was very romantic, she was working on the plane. We went out for coffee several days later and had this magical night in the snow in London around Christmas time. It was two years ago.”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

Disney characters Mickey, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck smile with smiling faces printed umbrellas, which are carried by kindergarten children at the Tokyo Disneyland at Urayasu, suburban Tokyo on January 16, 2012.

Some 120 children participated in an art performance with Disney characters ‘Dream for Smiles’, directed

by Japanese artist Koji Mizutani. — AFP

Kenyans holiday at home as middle class grows P

roudly pointing to her newly bought Tshirt, Sarah Mukei reads out animals printed on the front, a treasured souvenir of a family’s trip from her home in Kenya’s capital to Nairobi’s national park. “Elephant, lion, buffalo and rhino, leopard,” the 10-year old reads, adding she had just seen three of the “big five” animals listed. Going on safari-meaning simply “travel” in east Africa’s Swahili language-was once seen as a white colonial preserve, when khaki-clad big game hunters would prowl the savannah followed by teams of porters and servants. Things however have changed. Kenya’s tourism industry relies on higher paying foreigners to bankroll the running of the parks, but thanks to a burgeoning national middle class almost two-thirds of visitors are now Kenyans.

“It’s been a wonderful visit, something all the family has enjoyed,” said Sarah’s father George, an accountant at a small firm in the bustling city centre. The numbers are growing: Kenyan visitors to national parks rose by 55 percent over the past five years, according to official figures from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). “The numbers for locals are rising, especially the new emerging middle class in Kenya that show an interest in Kenyan national parks,” said Julius Kipng’etich, KWS director. “Five years ago, 57 percent of the people going to national parks were Kenyansthat figure has now moved to 64 percent. On a typical weekend, families and school groups crowd at the entrance of the park, enjoying the dramatic scenery and wild animals that form the remarkable natural heritage of this east African nation.

“It’s good to show the children the animals of their country,” said Mary Ogari, a government civil servant and mother of two. “We live in an apartment block here in Nairobi, so the park is a good place to come out to relax.” Inside the park lies a rolling expanse of grassland where gazelles, giraffes, lions and other animals roam, protected by a high wire fence on the edge of the rapidly growing city. Abroad, the persistent image of Africa held by foreigners is often one more of poverty, hunger, corruption or war.

Kenya is not without its problems: a struggling currency, impoverished northern regions hit by harsh drought last year and an army fighting Islamist insurgents in neighboring Somalia. But there are signs of more hopeful change. The African Development Bank (AfDB) calculates that the number of middle class Africans has tripled

over the past 30 years, now making up more than a third of the continent’s population.

‘Expansion of the middle class’ “The West has had a stereotypical view of Africa for a long time,” said Aly Khan Satchu, a Kenyan market analyst. “But there is an expansion of the middle class-evidenced in the burgeoning mall culture, for example,” he added, citing consumer spending and Nairobi’s booming housing demand as indicators of that change.

The AfDB report, while admitting inherent difficulties in definition, estimates that some 17 percent of Kenyans could be seen as middle class.

in the city-others are succeeding to improve their lives.

“We come here early in the morning because it wastes the day to be stuck in traffic,” said Andrew Kinyua, another visitor at the national park, noting the increasing headache of Nairobi’s sometimes hours-long road jams. The number of private cars in Kenya more than doubled between 2002-2007, according to AfDB figures, which it points to as another indicator of a changing society. Kenya’s wildlife authorities are keen to tap into that change, by encouraging people to take their leisure time at the parks, weaning them off the once near total dependen-

A Kenyan tourist feeds a giraffe.

Indian fest hopes Rushdie attends, despite protest A Kenyan couple takes photos of giraffes using mobile telephones.

Its financial benchmark for the middle class is low-an annual income exceeding $3,900 US (3,000 euros) — but the report notes that other indicators such as education, professions and lifestyle also mark out shifting divisions within society.

“Strong economic growth in the past two decades has helped reduce poverty significantly and lift previously poor households into the middle class,” the AfDB report notes, referring to the whole continent. While many live in grim poverty in Kenya in crowded shanty districts-a stark contrast to the construction boom of apartment blocks and commercial centers elsewhere

cy on foreign visitors. “We have done a lot of marketing to encourage local Kenyans to visit national parks,” Kipng’etich said.

“We are excited because then it cushions the industry if the international market suddenly drops.” The park entrance for Kenyans — $1.50 for an adult, 0.75 cents for a child is many times lower than for foreign visitors, but is still a significant outlay for many families here. “It is not cheap, but when I have some spare money, after all the bills have been paid, it is good to bring the children along,” added Kinyua, a building materials wholesaler. “They enjoy it, and I enjoy it.” — AFP

File photo shows Indian-born writer Salman Rushdie speaking during the XI Rio de Janeiro International Book Fair in Rio de Janeiro. — AP

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Kenyan tourists feed a giraffe at the Giraffe Center in Nairobi.

— AFP photos

rganizers of an Indian literary festival said yesterday they hope Salman Rushdie will attend, despite calls by Muslim clerics to ban the British-Indian author from the event. Rushdie’s planned appearance at the Jaipur Literary Festival has sparked an outcr y among some Muslims who consider his 1988 book “The Satanic Verses” blasphemous. Last week, Darul Uloom seminary leader Maulana Abdul Qasim Nomani urged the government to bar Rushdie from the five-day event that starts Friday. The 150-year-old seminary preaches an austere form of Islam that has inspired millions of Muslims, including the Taliban.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan, where Jaipur is based, said protesters’ feelings should not be ignored and that Rushdie should stay away due to security concerns. The 64-year-old author has attended the annual festival previously without incident. He has said he does not need permission or a visa to enter or travel

within India. Festival director Namita Gokhale said yesterday the invitation to Rushdie stands. “We certainly hope he’ll be there,” she said, though his planned Friday appearance has been shifted due to changes in his schedule. Gokhale would not give more details about when he might show.

Organizers called the controversy an “irritation,” and said they were discussing security measures with authorities to ensure the safety of all who attend. “Every liberal person in this country needs to stand up and be heard,” organizer Sanjoy Roy told Indian broadcaster CNN-IBN. “We are becoming a very shrill nation” that calls for banning and burning “stuff we don’t like.” Rushdie, who won the 1981 Booker Prize for his novel “Midnight’s Children,” spent years in hiding after Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini urged that he be killed for blasphemy because of “The Satanic Verses.” The book also was banned in India. —AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

lifestyle

Milan F A S H I O N

fashion offers

M

ilan fashion designers are offering an escape route for next winter.

Fantasy was the mood permeating runways on the third day of previews for the winter 2013 menswear collections. Men, burdened by global worries, could become yesteryear dandies, or Victorian charmers. In more extreme cases, they might even take flight. Though they went in decidedly different directions, all of the designers took many of the same cues, including doublebreasted suits, evening tailcoats, ascots, velvet slippers, fur trimming, floral prints and brocade. Next winter, feathers evoke freedom on a multitude of garments, allowing men to play peacock.

winter

escape

fusing of materials - or elegant in slate gray with a velvet shawl collar jacket. Burton used a feather motif in the collection, pinning peacock feathers on to super soft overcoats and creating an electrified feather print suit in midnight and peacock blue, worn with a matching tie and shirt.

A floral red embroidery created a rich,

lection, albeit dandified, with ultra light sheepskin jackets with military detailing worn over lusciously soft turtleneck cableknit sweaters, paired with pleated riding pants and crocodile boots. Colors range from browns and grays to deep reds and blues, and the darkest of nighttime black.

By night the Gucci guy turns into a latter

GUCCI Next winter’s Gucci guys are part rocker romantics, part dandy dreamers.

“Tormented poets,” creative director Frida Giannini calls them in her show notes, men who have a passion for roses, and are committed to a quest for a personal style. The overall look of the latest Gucci collection is by the designer’s own description “Bohemian grunge.” This translates into lots

Models wear creations from the Gucci men’s Fall-Winter 2012/2013 collection. —AP/AFP photos

day Oscar Wilde in a black velvet tuxedo worn with the new collar-less shirt, peaking out of the jacket like a silk evening scarf.

In the accessory department, along with the luxurious riding boots, the contemporary Bohemian can renovate his shoe closet with the new patent leather or velvet slipper with a micro logo horsebit buckle.

Travel bags come in floral printed jacquard velvet or printed antique maps. For those days our romantic is forced to go to work to be able to fulfill his dreams: Gucci hands him a flat computer size crocodile briefcase with a handle in real horn.

ETRO

of layering, oversized deconstructed coats, double-breasted blazers, collarless shirts, equestrian style trousers, and lace-up riding boots. The rose theme appears throughout the collection from silk prints to woven jacquards, to real roses in the pocket of an evening jacket.

There is room for sportswear in this col-

Models display creations of Etro.

Etro’s man dreams of taking flight.

Designer Kean Etro employed feathers from the tip of his fedora hats to the toe of his velvet slippers in the menswear collection for next winter. Etro turned convention on its head, opening the show with evening wear, featuring such clever interpretations as tuxedo tails adorned with feathers.

Jackets also appeared in velvet - a clear Milan trend for next winter - with feathered lapels. As the collection moved into day

wear, the use of feathers became even more bold. A jacket of golden and orange feathers evoked a sunrise. An eye-popping patchwork vest of pink, black and orange feathers could easily be worn beneath Joseph’s amazing Technicolor dream coat.

And a red tailcoat was feathered behind in orange, peacock blue and black.

Etro also used brocade to create striking black and white outerwear, including a long cape with three-quarter length fringed sleeves. Shearling coats are clearly de rigueur for next winter, and Etro distinguished his with brocade or patchwork panels. Like other designers, Etro is offering a broad range of outerwear, including trenches, down vests and a paisley-printed explorer jacket with multitudes of outer pockets. The overall look was heavy on the tribal, with patterns inspired by Native Americans appeared on the backs of jackets.

Etro also made effective use of scarves, light and oversized, creating layered looks seen all over Milan runways. Fringed scarves were worn under jackets. And in an unconventional look, a long scarf was tucked beneath a sweater stitched with feathers, to create the impression of a loin cloth, another tribal echo. The show - which pulsated to such airborne classics as “Fly Like an Eagle,” and “Volare” - ended with alternate Etro models wrapped in blankets bearing signature motifs, from an eagle, to paisley to an Aztec print.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Alexander McQueen’s Sara Burton looked to the Victorian age for inspiration for wintertime menswear. The period is most strongly evoked in what the Americans might call knickers, but the British fashion house founded by the late Alexander McQueen calls plus-fours, three quarter length pants often fastened at midcalf with a button. The plus-fours nicely show off shiny leather lace-up shoes, and look sporty with a jersey and knit jacket exemplary of the 2013 winter collection’s

sumptuous look on black a velvet waistcoat and matching V-neck. Burton, who sprang to worldwide fame when her design was chosen for the wedding dress of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, took over the label after founder Alexander McQueen’s death in 2010. Press-shy and highly sought-after, Burton chose to show her wears in presentations rather than a conventional runway show.

MOSCHINO The latest victim of Moschino’s proverbial fashion humor is the bespoke tailoring of London’s Savile row, with basted formal evening wear, quilted biker jackets made up of patchwork tweeds and stripes, and unconventional graffiti-painted blazers. For the first time, Moschino is taking it’s Cheap&Chic women’s winter collection to London, where it will be previewed during London fashion week in February.—AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

lifestyle F A S H I O N

Models display creations of Etro.

Models display creations of Moschino.

Swift teases songs about heartbreak in next album

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

(From left) Indian actor Amitabh Bachan at the wheel, along with son Abhishek Bachan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, center, in a car with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey in Mumbai, India, Jan 16, 2012. — AP

Oprah Winfrey picks Manish Malhotra outfits

US

talk show host Oprah Winfrey picked three Manish Malhotra outfits yesterday night in Mumbai, writes Nimisha Tiwari. International talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, who is in India to shoot for her new show ‘Next Chapter’, is all praise for Bollywood celebrities after meeting them at a party hosted in her honor by socialite Parmeshwar Godrej.

“Was so great meeting you and all the beautiful Bollywooders. Directors, poets, screenwriters, what a nite!” the 57-yearold wrote on her Twitter page.

On her maiden visit to India, Winfrey got a warm welcome from Indian socialites and Bollywood celebrities like megastar Amitabh Bachchan, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai at the party.

She couldn’t resist the temptation to dress up like a B-town diva herself, and so, she headed straight to designer Manish Malhotra’s store in Juhu, Mumbai and picked two churidaar kurtas and one saree amongst her favorites. Manish said that he was honored to be designing for her. She opted for an emerald Chikankari outfit with Kashmiri work and velvet finish.

Another was a deep red georgette and net kalidar with antique gold embroidery. “She was floored by the wine chiffon saree with black lace applique with a corset, thus giving her a contemporary young Indian feel.”

Designer Manish Malhotra has designed for many international celebrities in the past. Oprah’s the latest to join the list.

— www.timesofindia.com

US talk show host Oprah Winfrey (centre L) walks with Australian author Gregory Roberts through a lane in Mumbai yesterday. Winfrey is on her first visit to the country to film an episode of her new talk show, ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’, and is expected to attend a literary festival in Jaipur city. — AFP

‘The Artist’ leads ‘Tinker’ in BAFTA nominations ‘T

he Artist’ leads the nominations at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). The French silent movie - starring Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo - has received 12 nods in categories including Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, Leading Actor and Leading Actress, beating ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ which is up for 11 awards. Meryl Streep has been nominated for Leading Actress for her performance as former British Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Iron Lady’, the same category in which Golden Globe on Sunday, with Michelle Williams, Tilda Swinton, Viola Davis and Berenice also in the running. Jim Broadbent has been nominated for Supporting Actor for his part as Dennis Thatcher in ‘ The Iron Lady’ alongside Christopher Plummer, Jonah Hill, Kenneth Branagh and Philip Seymour Hoffman ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’, ‘The Descendants’, ‘The Help’, ‘Drive’ and ‘The

Artist’ will all compete in the Best Film category.

Standout 2011 comedy ‘Bridesmaids’ - about a woman who suffers with the loss of her job and social circle when he best friend gets married gained nods for Best Original Screenplay and Supporting Actress for Melissa McCarthy. The awards will be presented at the Royal Opera House in London on February 12 in a ceremony hosted by Stephen Fry.

Full List of Nominees for the BAFTA Awards: 1- Best Film: ‘The Artist’ ‘The Descendants’ ‘Drive’ ‘The Help’ ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’

In this image from video released by MTV, teen mother Maci is shown with her son Bentley in a scene from the teen reality series, ‘Teen Mom.’ — AP

Soundtrack to be released for MTV’s ‘Teen Mom’

T

he TV shows “Teen Mom” and “Teen Mom 2” are getting a soundtrack and no, it won’t consist of lullabies.

Instead, the soundtrack “Teen Mom” features the songs from emerging acts featured on the hit MTV shows. Proceeds from now until July 17 will benefit The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. It’s being released

yesterday on iTunes.

Joe Cuello, senior vice president of creative music integration at MTV, says this is the first time MTV has used a series soundtrack to “promote and support a cause.” The hit shows document the plight of several young women as they deal with the hardships of young motherhood and more. —AP

2- Outstanding British Film: ‘My Week With Marilyn’ ‘Senna’ ‘Shame’ ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’

19- Make Up and Hair: ‘The Artist’ - Julie Hewett, Cydney Cornell ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2’ - Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin ‘Hugo’ - Morag Ross, Jan Archibald ‘The Iron Lady’ - Marese Langan ‘My Week with Marilyn’ - Jenny Shircore

3- Outstanding Debut By a British Writer, Director of Producer: ‘Attack The Block’ - Joe Cornish (Director/Writer) ‘Black Pond’ - Will Sharpe (Director/Writer), Tom Kingsley (Director), Sarah Brocklehurst (Producer) ‘Coriolanus’ - Ralph Fiennes (Director) ‘Submarine’ = Richard Ayoade (Director/Writer) ‘Tyrannosaur’ - Paddy Considine (Director), Diarmid Scrimshaw (Producer)

20- Sound ‘The Artist’ - Nadine Muse, GÈrard Lamps, Michael Krikorian ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2’ James Mather, Stuart Wilson, Stuart Hilliker, Mike Dowson, Adam Scrivener ‘Hugo’ - Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty, Tom Fleischman, John Midgley ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - John Casali, Howard Bargroff, Doug Cooper, Stephen Griffiths, Andy Shelley ‘War Horse’ - Stuart Wilson, Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Richard Hymns

(From right) British actor Daniel Radcliffe and actress Holliday Grainger pose for pictures with BAFTA Chairman Tim Corrie at a photocall to mark the 2012 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Awards) nominations in central London yesterday. The BAFTA awards willl be held on February 12, 2012, in London. —AFP

4- Film Not in the English Language: ‘Incendines’ ‘Pina’ ‘Potiche’ ‘A Separation’ ‘The Skin I Live In’

‘The Ides of March’ - George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon ‘Moneyball’ - Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan

5- Documentary: ‘George Harrison: Living in the Material World’ - Martin Scorsese ‘Project Nim’ - James Marsh, Simon Chinn ‘Senna’ - Asif Kapadia

10- Leading Actor: Brad Pitt - ‘Moneyball’ Gary Oldman - ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ George Clooney - ‘The Descendants’ Jean Dujardin - ‘The Artist’ Michael Fassbender - ‘Shame’

6- Animated Film: ‘The Adventures of TinTin’ ‘Arthur Christmas’ ‘Rango’ 7- Director: ‘The Artist’ - Michel Hazanavicius ‘Drive’ - Nicolas Winding Refn ‘Hugo’ - Martin Scorsese ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - Tomas Alfredson ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’ - Lynne Ramsay

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan attends a promotional event for the forthcoming Hindi film ‘Agneepath’ in Mumbai on January 16, 2012. —AFP

‘Hugo’ - Sandy Powell ‘Jane Eyre’ - Michael O’Connor ‘My Week With Marilyn’ - Jill Taylor ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - Jacqueline Durran

8- Original Screenplay: ‘The Artist’ - Michel Hazanavicius ‘Bridesmaids’ - Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig ‘The Guard’ - John Michael McDonagh ‘The Iron Lady’ - Abi Morgan ‘Midnight In Paris’ - Woody Allen 9- Adapted Screenplay: ‘The Descendants’ - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash ‘The Help’ - Tate Taylor

11- Leading Actress: Berenice Bejo - ‘The Artist’ Meryl Streep - ‘The Iron Lady’ Michelle Williams - ‘My Week with Marilyn’ Tilda Swinton - ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ Viola Davis - ‘The Help’ 12- Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer - ‘Beginners’ Jim Broadbent - ‘The Iron Lady’ Jonah Hill - ‘Moneyball’ Kenneth Branagh - ‘My Week with Marilyn’ Philip Seymour Hoffman - ‘The Ides of March’ 13- Supporting Actress: Carey Mulligan - ‘Drive’ Jessica Chastain - ‘The Help’ Dame Judi Dench - ‘My Week with Marilyn’ Melissa McCarthy - ‘Bridesmaids’ Octavia Spencer - ‘The Help’

14- Original Music: ‘The Artist’ - Ludovic Bource ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross ‘Hugo’- Howard Shore ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - Alberto Iglesias ‘War Horse’ - John Williams 15- Cinematography: ‘The Artist’ - Guillaume Schiffman ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ - Jeff Cronenweth ‘Hugo’ - Robert Richardson ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - Hoyte van Hoytema ‘War Horse’ - Janusz Kaminski 16- Editing: ‘The Artist’ - Anne-Sophie Bion, Michel Hazanavicius ‘Drive’ - Mat Newman ‘Hugo’ - Thelma Schoonmaker ‘Senna’ - Gregers Sall, Chris King ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ - Dino Jonsater 17- Production Design: ‘The Artist’ Laurence Bennett, Robert Gould ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2’ Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan ‘Hugo’ Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana MacDonald ‘War Horse’ Rick Carter, Lee Sandales 18- Costume Design ‘The Artist’ - Mark Bridges

21- Special Visual Effects: ‘The Adventures of TinTin’ - Joe Letteri ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2’ -Tim Burke, John Richardson, Greg Butler, David Vickery ‘Hugo’ - Rob Legato, Ben Grossman, Joss Williams ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ - Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White ‘War Horse’ - Ben Morris, Neil Corbould 22- Short Animation: ‘Abuelas’ - Afarin Eghbal, Kasia Malipan, Francesca Gardiner ‘Bobby Yeah’ - Robert Morgan ‘A Morning Stroll’ - Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe 23- Short Film: ‘Chalk’ - Martina Amati, Gavin Emerson, James Bolton, Ilaria Bernardini ‘Mwansa The Great’ - Rungano Nyoni, Gabriel Gauchet ‘Only Sound Remains’ - Arash Ashtiani, Anshu Poddar ‘Pitch Black Heist’ - John Maclean, Gerardine O’Flynn ‘Two and Two’ - Babak Anvari, Kit Fraser, Gavin Cullen 24- The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award: Adam Deacon Chris Hemsworth Chris O’Dowd Eddie Redmayne Tom Hiddleston —AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

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

Gaza Shiites claim Hamas persecution GAZA CITY: Masked Hamas police beat and detained members of the Gaza Strip’s tiny Shiite community during a religious commemoration last week, a follower and local rights groups said yesterday, accusing their Islamist rulers of religious intolerance.

It was the first claim of harassment by a group of Shiite worshippers against the territory’s mainstream rulers, who are Sunni Muslims. Hamas officials, who have close ties with Shiite Iran, denied the allegations.

A man who described himself as a

Shiite said police burst into a house where followers were marking Arbaeen, commemorating the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The man said about 15 worshippers were beaten and detained.

He declined to be identified, fearing further harassment. But some of the men filed complaints to the Gazabased Palestinian Center for Human Rights and the rights group Mezan,

which both sharply condemned Hamas over the attack.

Mezan said in a statement that during Saturday evening’s incident in the town of Beit Lahia, police smashed up the apartment, broke the bones of seven of the men, detained some of them at a police station and beat them again before sending them to a military hospital for treatment.

“The attack is a violation of the freedom ... to practice one’s faith,” said Mezan official Samir Zakout. Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab Ghussein

said yesterday that police stormed the apartment of a group of “outlaws” who were planning “criminal acts.” He said he was unaware of the presence of any Shiites in Gaza. He said his offices would look into right groups’ allegations that the men were beaten.

There are no official statistics on the number of Gaza’s Shiites. They are believed to number several dozen - a minuscule minority among a population of 1.6 million people who are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, including the territory’s Islamist militant

Hamas rulers. In many parts of the Middle East, Shiites and Sunnis have had strained relations due to deep theological differences that date back centuries. These differences have boiled over into violence over the years in places like Iraq and Pakistan.

Despite such strains, the attack in Gaza seemed surprising, given Hamas’ traditionally warm ties with Iran. The fundamentalist Shiite government in Iran has given hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as military training and other backing, to Hamas. — AP

Syrian rebel chief asks world to stop bloodshed At least 18 reported killed in fresh violence

CAIRO: An Egyptian woman supporter of ousted president Hosni Mubarak holds a Saudi flag as she leaves Mubarak’s trial outside the police academy on the outskirts of Cairo yesterday. Mubarak’s lawyers said there is no evidence that he ordered Egyptian security forces to open fire on protesters, as they challenged prosecution calls for the ousted president to be hanged. — AFP

Mubarak defense team challenges death penalty CAIRO: Hosni Mubarak’s main lawyer yesterday challenged prosecution calls for Egypt’s former president to be hanged for the deaths of protesters, saying there is no evidence to show he ordered security forces to open fire.

Mubarak was wheeled into court as his defence began a five-day challenge to calls for the ex-strongman who was ousted from power last February 11 to be executed for the deaths of hundreds of pro-democracy protesters. “ There is no evidence to prove that Mubarak gave orders to open fire on the protesters,” lawyer Farid al-Deeb said, citing what he said was testimony by Egypt’s military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and former spy chief Omar Suleiman.

Tantawi and Suleiman testified last year behind close doors and the court imposed a gag order on their testimony, but according to lawyers both have said they had no knowledge that Mubarak gave such orders.

On October 2, Tantawi himself said in a speech that Mubarak never ordered his security forces to open fire on demonstrators who rose up against him in JanuaryFebruary 2011, forcing him to quit after 18 days of protests.

“Nobody asked us to open fire and nobody will open fire” on the people, Tantawi said at the time. Deeb spent one hour listing Mubarak’s achievements from the time of his birth in 1928 until his ouster, describing him as “a respectable man who is neither bloodthirsty nor aggressive,” an AFP correspondent said.

“He is a just man, not a dictator... and a man like him cannot be held responsible for criminal acts like those he is accused of committing,” Deeb told the court. The attorney began his case by identifying himself as “the lawyer of he who served Egypt for 60 years, 30 of them in the armed forces and 30 as the president of the republic.”

The ailing 83-year-old Mubarak was wheeled into court lying on a stretcher under a blanket, his eyes shielded by dark sunglasses. Presiding judge Ahmed Refaat told the audience that the court has pledged to allow the defence to submit arguments and documents “that preserve

the rights of the defendants.”

Refaat has given the defence team 25 sessions until February 16 to make their case and Deeb said in published statements yesterday that he has requested five days to deliver his arguments. Chief prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman said at a previous hearing that Mubarak must have ordered police to open fire on protesters during violence which left more than 850 people dead. Mubarak “must have agreed on the killings,” Suleiman told the court on January 5, explaining that co-defendant and former interior minister Habib al-Adly would have given the orders to police commanders to fire on protesters. Six senior Adly aides are also being tried in the case while Mubarak’s two sons, Gamal and Alaa, are on trial with their father on separate charges of corruption in the same court.

Deeb denied newspaper reports that Gamal Mubarak and his mother Suzanne gave him instructions on how to present his case and refused to reveal his strategy.

He reportedly told the government daily Al-Akhbar that he “does not have a magic wand, nor surprises to offer,” and that he would present his defence “in line with the law.”

The flagship government daily Al-Ahram said on Monday that Deeb would make surprise revelations. Deeb, meanwhile, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Kuwaiti lawyers were among several attorneys who had joined the defence team but would not take an active part in arguing the case.

He also insisted that Mubarak must lie on a hospital bed throughout the trial and not sit on a chair as he did during the last hearing. “His hospital bed is equipped in case he suffers another stroke. If he sits on a chair, saving him will be difficult,” Deeb is quoted as saying by Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Mubarak is being treated in a military hospital for a heart condition. His trial opened on August 3, after protesters stepped up demonstrations calling on the ruling military to try him and ex-regime officials. A medical source quoted by Al-Masry AlYoum said Mubarak is in no condition to be carried to court every day, and was expected to miss some sessions. — AFP

Israel prosecutors hold graft hearing for Lieberman JERUSALEM: Israel’s attorney general was yesterday presiding over a hearing to decide whether to indict Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on charges of fraud, breach of trust and money laundering. Lieberman’s four-strong legal team began presenting their arguments at midday (1000 GMT) to State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and other top prosecutors in a bid to convince Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein not to indict their client, judicial sources said.

“Lieberman’s lawyers began presenting their client’s response to allegations against him at midday,” a justice ministry spokeswoman told AFP. “The hearing is taking place at the justice ministry and may possibly continue today,” she said.

The hearing was to end by 3:00 pm but the ministry said it was not planning to put out a statement, with Weinstein only expected to make a decision in the coming months, media news reports said.

Lieberman, who is currently wrapping up a trip to Poland, was not required to attend. In April 2011, Weinstein announced he was considering pressing criminal charges against Lieberman, pending a hearing. In cases where a government minister or a judge is suspected of criminal

activity, only the attorney general can decide whether or not to press charges.

The alleged offences include “fraud, breach of trust, receiving something by deception, money laundering and tampering with a witness,” a justice ministry statement said at the time. The indictment says Lieberman is suspected of receiving “millions of dollars” between 2001 to 2008 when he served as an MP and then as a cabinet minister.

Prosecutors say they have evidence Lieberman set up a system of straw companies through which he received the money, which was never declared. Lieberman has in the past pledged to step down both as a minister and MP if he is charged, but it is unclear what the consequences might be for the coalition government.

Lieberman’s ultranationalist Israel Beitenu party is the second largest in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition after the premier’s rightwing Likud faction, and it is the third-largest in parliament.

Lieberman has since 1996 been investigated several times over allegations of fraud and corruption, but has never been charged. He denies any wrongdoing and says the police investigations are politically motivated. — AFP

BEIRUT: A Syrian rebel army chief urged the world yesterday to protect civilians in Syria, saying Arab peace monitors had failed to curb President Bashar al-Assad’s violent response to a 10-month-old revolt against his rule.

Big powers have also proved unable to stop the bloodshed in Syria, where U.N. officials say more than 5,000 people have been killed and Damascus says its security forces have lost 2,000 dead.

Riad Al-Asaad, Turkish-based commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army, called for international intervention to replace the Arab observer mission, which has just days to run.

“The Arab League and their monitors failed in their mission and though we respect and appreciate our Arab brothers for their efforts, we think they are incapable of improving conditions in Syria or resisting this regime,” he told Reuters by telephone.

“For that reason we call on them to turn the issue over to the UN Security Council and we ask that the international community intervene because they are more capable of protecting Syrians at this stage than our Arab brothers,” Asaad said. President Assad, while proffering reform, has vowed to crush his “terrorist” foes with an “iron fist”, but Syrians braving bullets and torture chambers appear equally determined to add him to the list of the past year’s toppled Arab leaders.

Army deserters and other rebels have taken up arms against security forces dominated

by Assad’s minority Alawite sect, pushing Sunni Muslim-majority Syria closer to civil war.

“Terrorists” firing rockets killed an officer and five of his men at a rural checkpoint near Damascus, and wounded seven others, the state news agency SANA reported yesterday, a day after gunmen assassinated a brigadier general near the capital.

Eight people were killed when a bomb hit a minibus on the Aleppo-Idlib road, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. In Homs,

tank fire crashed into the Khalidiya district after a night rally against Assad there, activists said. YouTube footage showed a crowd dancing at the rally and waving the old Syrian flag used before the Baath Party seized power in 1963.

The British-based Observatory said two people were killed and nine wounded in the violence in Homs. Activists also reported fighting between rebels and troops trying to edge into Khalidiya, a neighbourhood that is home to Sunni tribesmen and lies next to the Alawite district of Nozha.

Tanks were firing sporadically at the rebelheld town of Zabadani, near the Lebanese border, which has been under attack since Friday, activists said. They added that several soldiers who had tried to defect to the opposition had been killed.

Syrian forces shot dead a man at a roadblock in the restive Damascus suburb of Qatana, they said, and an activist was killed by sniper fire in the northwestern town of Khan Sheikhoun. The Arab League must decide soon whether to withdraw its 165 monitors, whose mandate expires on Thursday, or keep them in Syria even though they are set to report that Damascus has not fully implemented a peace plan agreed on Nov. 2.

The Arab plan required Syria to halt the bloodshed, withdraw troops from cities, free detainees, provide access for the monitors and the media and open talks with opposition forces. Qatar has proposed sending in Arab troops, a bold idea for the often sluggish League and one likely to be resisted by Arab rulers close to Assad and those worried about unrest at home.

Syria’s foreign ministry said yesterday it was “astonished” at Qatar’s suggestion, which it “absolutely rejected”.

The League could ask the UN Security Council to act, but until now opposition from Russia and China has prevented the world

body from even criticising Syria, an old ally of Moscow.

Western diplomats said a Russian draft resolution handed to the council on Monday did not make clear if Moscow would accept tough language demanded by the West.

Few Western powers favour any Libya-style military action in Syria, which lies in the heart of the conflict-prone Middle East. Bordering Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Israel, it is allied to Iran and the armed Lebanese Shi’ite Hezbollah group.

The United States, the European Union, Turkey and the Arab League have announced sanctions against Syria, but while these have hurt its economy, they have yet to prompt Assad to change course. Opposition to sanctions from some of Syria’s trading partners, notably Lebanon and Iraq, also dilutes their impact.

Council members have been divided for months over the uprising against Assad, with Western countries pushing for strong condemnation of the government’s bloody crackdown but Russia seeking to shield its ally Damascus.

In October, Russia and China vetoed a European-drafted resolution that threatened possible sanctions. Russia presented its own draft on Dec. 15 and Western countries agreed to discuss and negotiate it, but there has been little progress since then.

A Syrian lawmaker told Reuters on Monday he had fled the country to join the opposition after losing hope that Assad would enact reforms or stop the violence.

“Blood is in the streets,” said Imad Ghalioun, from the restive city of Homs, who took refuge in Cairo two weeks ago.

“The whole country is bleeding. I do not think there will be any reforms because the young people have taken their decision,” he said. “This is a revolution and there is no going back.” — Reuters

Yemen unrest may force election delay SANAA: Yemen’s presidential election, set for Februar y, may be delayed by security concerns, the foreign minister said, raising the prospect that a US and UN-backed plan to end months of unrest by easing the president from office may collapse.

The comments - the first suggestion the vote might be held up came after Islamist fighters seized an entire city, underscoring US and Saudi fears that chaos born of political crisis may empower al Qaeda in Yemen, which sits alongside key oil and cargo shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The vote is central to the plan crafted by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a bloc of Yemen’s wealthy neighbours, to ease President Ali Abdullah Saleh from power after nearly a year of protests against his 33-year rule.

“Unfortunately, there are a couple of events relating to security, and if they are not solved ... it will be difficult to run the elections on Februar y 21,” Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi, a member of Saleh’s General People’s Congress (GPC) party, said in an interview shown on Al Arabiya TV yesterday.

The opposition coalition that shares power with the GPC in a government tasked with leading Yemen to a vote and ending fighting between Saleh’s forces and those of a rebel general and tribal magnates swiftly rejected any delay.

“The statement makes clear the practices of President Saleh’s regime, which aim to create chaos,” said Ghalib al-Odainy, a spokesman for the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP).

He echoed charges that Saleh long funded by Washington as part of its counterterrorism strategy, which includes assassinations of alleged Islamist militants - was ceding territory to Islamists, in order to

SANAA: Yemeni gunmen loyal to dissident tribal chief Sadiq Al-Ahmar withdraw from key government sites under a security plan agreed on by the rival sides in the capital Sanaa yesterday. The building was damaged during fighting last year between tribesmen loyal to Al-Ahmar and soldiers who support outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh. — AFP demonstrate that the end of his rule means anarchy in which al Qaeda will flourish.

“These statements make it clear that the handover of Radda was with the complete approval of Saleh’s regime,” he said, referring to a town about 170 km (105 miles) southeast of the capital Sanaa which Islamist fighters took on Sunday. “ The goal is to put the country in chaos and then avoid the Gulf initiative and the presidential elections.”

Saleh’s camp denies the charges and accuses an Islamist party - once its partner in government - that is powerful in the JMP of being a front for al Qaeda.

Yemen’s anti-Saleh protests were

largely inspired by the ‘Arab Spring’ protests that have already toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The youth activists who have directed demonstrations aimed at ousting Saleh reject the transition deal, which would grant him and close aides immunity from prosecution. They want him tried for killing protesters during the uprising.

The interim government - which is also to oversee the separation of pro-Saleh forces, rebel army units and tribal militias which have fought one another - has backed a draft immunity law now awaiting parliament’s approval. Forces loyal to General Ali Mohsen - a longtime Saleh confidant who turned on the president as protests against him

gained momentum - accused Saleh of handing Radda to Islamists, who also control of much of the southern Abyan province.

“The regime is repeating its irresponsible experiment in Abyan to create a security and administrative breakdown in Radda,” the rebel units said in a statement. “They believe it will ... sabotage implementation of the Gulf initiative.”

Any successor to Saleh will face multiple conflicts in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country, including rising separatist sentiment in the south, once an independent socialist state that fought a civil war with Saleh’s north in 1994 after four turbulent years of formal union. — Reuters