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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

African leaders call for global involvement in Mali

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Bloody end to hostage crisis at Algeria plant 7 more hostages, 11 militants killed in final assault

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IN AMENAS, Algeria: Islamists shot dead all seven of their remaining foreign captives yesterday before being killed in an Algerian military assault on a remote gas plant, state media said. The “Signatories in Blood” group led by Algerian Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a former senior AlQaeda commander in North Africa, was demanding an end to French intervention against Islamists in neighbouring Mali, Mauritania’s ANI news agency said. The 11 Al-Qaeda-linked gunmen had been holed up at the In Amenas complex, deep in the Sahara near Libya, since they took hundreds of workers hostage at dawn on Wednesday in the bloodiest international hostage crisis in years.

Most of the hostages, including 573 Algerians and about 100 foreigners, had been freed when Algerian forces launched a rescue operation on Thursday, which was widely condemned as hasty, but some 30 remained unaccounted for. But French President Francois Hollande and US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta refused to lay the blame on Algeria. Algeria’s response was “the most appropriate” given it was dealing with “coldly determined terrorists ready to kill their hostages”, said Hollande. Panetta added: “They are in the region, they understand the threat from terrorism... I think it’s important that we continue to work with (Algiers) to develop a regional approach.”

In yesterday’s final assault, “the Algerian army took out 11 terrorists, and the terrorist group killed seven foreign hostages”, state television said, without giving a breakdown of their nationalities. A security official who spoke to AFP as army helicopters overflew the plant gave the same death tolls, adding that it was believed the foreigners were executed “in retaliation”. Algeria’s government, which has remained silent throughout the four-day siege amid a virtual news blackout in the country, was due to issue a statement.

British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the crisis had been “brought to an end by a further assault by Algerian forces, which has resulted in further loss of life”.

“We’re pressing the Algerians for details on the exact situation,” he said.

Continued on Page 13

IN AMENAS, Algeria: A still image broadcast by Algeria’s Ennahar TV yesterday shows hostages surrendering to Islamist gunmen who overtook a gas facility in Tiguentourine in the south of the country. (Inset) Two British hostages - Peter (left) and Alan - are seen after being released yesterday in a street near the gas plant where they had been kidnapped. — AFP/AP

Armstrong wants to compete again

SOFIA: Image grab from video shows a man identified as Oktai Enimehmedov, 25, pointing a weapon at Ahmed Dogan, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, during his speech at his party’s congress yesterday. — AP

Gun pointed at head of Bulgaria party leader SOFIA: A man leapt on stage and put a gun to the head of the leader of Bulgaria’s ethnic Turkish party before security guards wrestled him to the ground during a televised conference yesterday.

Ahmed Dogan, the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) escaped unscathed, and it was not immediately clear why the attacker targeted him at the party congress in central Sofia. Television footage showed the man jumping out of the audience brandishing the gun which he pointed at Dogan’s head. Dogan struck the man before he could pull the trigger, while other delegates wrestled the assailant to the ground. Security guards pulled him to the ground and he was repeatedly beaten and kicked by conference delegates.

Police arrested him and took him to a hospital. It wasn’t immediately clear if he sustained serious injuries, or how he got past security to enter the hall with nearly 3,000 people attending. The attacker was later identified by police as 25-year-old Oktai Enimehmedov, a Bulgarian national and ethnic Turk, from the coastal city of Burgas. He was carrying the gas pistol and two knives. A gas pistol is a nonlethal weapon used for self-defense, but

experts say when fired from close range it can cause life-threatening injuries.

Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said the attacker tried to fire two shots but “most likely the gun misfired”, adding that the assailant had a criminal record for drugs possession, robberies and hooliganism.

“Bulgarian society is traditionally known for its tolerance, mutual acceptance and respect between different ethnic groups and religions,” President Rosen Plevneliev said in a statement. “Such an act is unacceptable in a democratic state.”

The conference had met to elect a new leader to succeed Dogan, who is one of the Balkan country’s most influential political figures. The 58-year-old has been at the helm of the party since founding it in 1990. Lyutvi Mestan, who was expected to become the new party leader, said “the true reason for the assault was the language of hatred and confrontation.”

Dogan returned to the party conference a few hours after the attack to tender his resignation and was greeted with standing ovation from delegates. “This time my decision is categorical!” Dogan said, proposing that Mestan replace him as head of the MRF party. — Agencies

LOS ANGELES: Shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong wants to return to competitive sport, but says the driving force behind his belated doping confession was the well-being of his five children. “The biggest hope and intention was the well-being of my children,” Armstrong told talk show host Oprah Winfrey in the second segment of their televised interview that aired on Friday. In the first installment aired on Thursday, the 41-year-old Texan admitted for the first time that an array of performance-enhancing drugs helped sweep him to a record seven Tour de France titles from 1999-2005.

Years of aggressive denials - including vitriolic attacks on those who questioned him, collapsed last year when he was stripped of his Tour titles and banned for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency. “The older kids need to not be living with this issue in their lives,” Armstrong said. “That isn’t fair for me to have done to them. And I did it.” But Armstrong said that if confession could help him regain a place in sport - in triathlons or marathons he’d jump at it. “Hell yes, I’m a competitor,” Armstrong said, adding that he didn’t think he deserved the “death penalty” of a lifetime ban.

“Frankly, this may not be the most popular answer, but I think I deserve it,” he said, telling

Lance Armstrong Winfrey that former team-mates who implicated themselves in testifying against him received lesser punishments. “I deserve to be punished,” Armstrong said. “I’m not sure that I deserve a death penalty.” When Winfrey noted that virtually every article on the once revered cyclist now begins with the word “disgraced” Armstrong said he felt it fit. “But I also feel humbled. I feel ashamed. This is ugly stuff,” he said. “I’m deeply sorry for what I did. I can say that thousands of times and it may never be

enough to get back.” Thursday’s first installment of the interview was a ratings winner for Winfrey, with its estimated 3.2 million viewers in the United States making it the secondmost-watched show ever on her fledgling OWN network.

However, it left many still skeptical of Armstrong’s motives and methods, doubtful that he felt real remorse. David Walsh, the journalist who almost single -handedly queried Armstrong’s remarkable comeback from cancer, was one of those left cold by the interviews. This despite Armstrong apologising, when pressed to by Winfrey, for suing the paper Walsh works for The Sunday Times for libel and winning £300,000 ($480,000) in 2006 which the paper is now claiming back plus costs. “Watching part 2 of Armstrong interview, he admits to feeling shamed and humbled. But why is it so difficult to empathise with his situation?” the Irishman tweeted.

“Oprah pressured him, the apology was, I thought, hesitantly promised. I didn’t ask for it, or expect it, but, yes, if its offered, I accept.”

His former rivals too generally shrugged their shoulders saying there was nothing new in what he said. Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck said from Australia, where he is Continued on Page 13

Arab Spring looms over Saudi summit RIYADH: A two-day economic summit that opens tomorrow in Saudi Arabia must break with tradition and tackle people’s aspirations in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings, the Saudi foreign minister said. “Our meeting should not be mired in routine,” Prince Saud AlFaisal said at a meeting yesterday to prepare for the third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit. “The Arab world has faced these past two years upheavals of a political dimension... but we cannot ignore their economic dimension,” he added. The minister stressed that the summit must tackle “the problems and issues that concern the lives of our people. We must meet the aspirations

of the people”.

The summit in oil-rich Saudi Arabia is expected to discuss the amendment of an Arab convention on investments in a bid to bolster the role of the private sector, the minister said. The meeting would also examine means of drawing up new financial resources to support impoverished Arab states, he added. IMF first deputy managing director David Lipton told Tunisian businessmen in November that Arab countries in transition should push for reforms, encourage investment, boost productivity and create jobs. A World Bank-Gallup poll survey published on Nov 27 RIYADH: Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr (left) and stressed the regime was in dire his Saudi counterpart Prince Saud Al-Faisal smile as they attend a meetneed of “social safety nets” to satisfy ing of Arab foreign ministers yesterday on the eve of the third session of the Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LOCAL

Invigilators banned from wearing high heels New ministry instruction

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: In view of the approaching midterm exams, the Ministry of Education issued certain instructions to the school administrations meant for the teachers on invigilation duty during the exams. The set of instructions is meant to educate the teachers about refraining from certain behavior. The invigilators will not be allowed to wear shoes with high heels, or use their mobile phones, or to stand next to a particular student for a long period. They have been also asked to avoid talking to each other while proctoring.

According to the Ministry of Education, the instructions are aimed at ensuring an atmosphere conducive for the students to perform better in their exams without any pressure or disturbance. The specified set of acts may negatively affect the students’ concentration and disturb them during the exam.

Most of the instructions were in force earlier

too. “Every year before the exams, we receive instructions about dealing with students during the exams. We follow the instructions and are concerned about students performing well. I think the one new instruction in this set is about wearing high heels. I agree with this provision as there should not be any noise to disturb the student. And I think it also applies to the male teachers some of whom wear shoes with noisy heels,” Hasan, a teacher in a public school, told the Kuwait Times.

Huda, a 16-year-old female student at a public school, noted that in fact the noise of the high heels is disturbing. “High heeled shoes make me nervous if I need to concentrate on the exam.

Also, when the teacher shouts asking us to hurry up and finish makes me lose concentration during the crucial dying moments,” she pointed out.

Ibtihal, a teacher working in a private school who earlier worked at a public school for 25 years, also agrees that such instructions are cor-

Hadas ‘penetrates’ into oil sector KUWAIT: A number of MPs and politicians pointed out that the hand of “Hadas” was evident in all the controversy being raked up about Oil minister Hani Hussain’s decisions on promotions and employment that have affected 60% of oil leaders.

MP Nabeel Al Fadhel said that Muslim Brotherhood philosophy depends on controlling economic hubs of any country, emphasizing that they control the oil sector in Kuwait, and if there was any problem

to be found, they would surely have something to do with it, directly or indirectly.

At the same time, MP Abdullah AlMoayoref said that “Hadas” members being affected by the promotion decision in oil sector was behind all this talk, in addition to other commercial and tribal connections. Activist Abdul Mohsen Jumaa said that “Hadas” penetration into the oil sector is very clear and using the controversy as a political tool can lead to heavy losses.

‘Adjudge Assembly on achievements’ KUWAIT: MP Nabeel Al-Fadhal said the incumbent National Assembly Council should be adjudged on the basis of its achievements and growth which Kuwait had been missing for sometime. He said the MPs in the current parliament are not like their predecessors and there were no sectarian, tribal or special agendas in operation. Al Fahdel said that demonstrators in “Karmat Watan Rally” were against the prestige of this country, and were agitating under a forged banner. He aid if the police do not stop them, the public will. He said he will make it his mission to stop anyone in such demonstrations from overdoing things and will not care about the consequences. He said the opinions expressed by Al-Saadoun and Al-Saraawi contributed to

dissolution of the 2009 council. Meanwhile, MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan said that he will not back down from his determination to file a grilling motion against First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmad Al Hmoud, even if the latter implemented the recommendation of the secret session of the parliament.

Al-Duwaisan said that since the council drafted a plan of action for the minister in the form of recommendations, it was proof that he was unable to do his job and has fallen short of fulfilling his responsibilities.

Responding to a question about a suitable way to avoid this grilling which might spoil the desire of both authorities to cooperate, he said the only way out was for Al Hmoud to tender his resignation.

rect. “It is true that the staccato noise from high heels is annoying, and the teacher should refrain from wearing it during invigilation. However, I think that this mostly happens in private schools, as when I was in the public school, all the teachers used to wear flat shoes. Even the teacher who was wearing high heels used to change her shoes to a flat one before entering the classroom,” she noted.

She wondered why teachers wear high heels when they are standing all the time or have to walk most of the time. “I noticed that it is a common habit in the private schools, as they search for the good looking teachers rather than better qualified ones,” added Ibtihal. She then spoke about many other more serious and dangerous problems specific to private schools such as employing unqualified teachers and principals, fake certificates, wasta and the absence of the Ministry’s supervision in case of schools found in violation of norms and instructions.

Riyadh summit to focus on youth issues RIYADH: The Arab Economic and Social Development Summit due to open here tomorrow will focus among other things on youth issues, a senior Kuwaiti government official said yesterday.

Mustafa Al-Shimali, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister, told reporters following the joint meeting of Arab foreign and finance ministers that supporting youth springs from several aspects, mainly Kuwait’s USD two-billion initiative launched in 2009 by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

He said that the fund, which Kuwait launched with a USD 500-million contribution, is being run by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and has already started financing various projects in many Arab states.

This means that “the fund is on the right track,” he said. Al-Shimali, who left here earlier after attending the meeting, said youth are main lifeline of any society and should be supported in every way, especially when it comes to financing their small and medium projects. On establishing an Arab stock market, the Kuwaiti minister praised the proposal but said that its sources of financing is unclear.

On another matter, Al- Shinali said that some countries have honored their financial commitments to the Palestinian Authority while others didn’t, calling on all to commit.

Al-Shimali along with Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah represented Kuwait at the one-day meeting assigned to forward its finding to the two-day summit which starts tomorrow. — KUNA

Truffle-abundant season in Kuwait after heavy rain KUWAIT: Following the relatively heavy rains over the past few months, Desert Truffle or Fagga is nowadays available in the market. It grows in virgin deserts at the end of winter season. It is known to sprout forth from the ground after heavy rain with thunder and lightning. Kuwaitis collect fagga during their winter camping season in the desert. It can be cooked with rice, meat or separately.

Desert truffles, as the name suggests, predominantly grow in the desert. They have been found in arid and semi-arid zones of the Kalahari desert, the Mediterranean basin, Iraq, Kuwait, the Sahara, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and China. It is commonly said that they are found where lightening strikes the desert sands, since they are not

the most common of fungi, thus justifying their cost. The sight of truffle vendors standing at various roundabouts in residential areas mainly inhabited by Kuwaitis marks the beginning of the season and indicates how abundantly favoured these are in local markets. A vendor at the Truffle market opposite the Iranian market in Al-Rai said that the season actually started last month itself and was expected to last till May. “However, their taste turns somewhat unpalatable by April,” he stressed, noting that most of the truffles in the market were local except for some imported from Morocco and Algeria.

He added that truffles differed in size and color and were being sold for KD 7 to KD 20, the large ones locally known as Zubaidi commanding a premium. — KUNA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LOCAL

Drugs, moral deterioration main reasons behind crimes Seminar on violence in Kuwait

KUWAIT: (Left) Some of the tools used in crimes related to violence at the exhibition. (Center) Bats used in fights especially by youngsters and (right) a suitcase full of different kinds of drugs that the police caught from criminals. —Photos by Nawara Fattahova

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: A seminar on ‘Violence in the Kuwaiti S ociet y ’, organized by the Leaders S ecurit y Institute For Studies and Private Training (LSIFSPT) at the Kuwait Public Relations Association on Wednesday evening saw participants discussing the varied aspects of this negative phenomena in the community and how to take ameliorating steps. Lt Gen Musaed Al- Guwainem, General Director of the LSIFSPT, spoke about different kinds of violence in the society and illustrated his presentation with photos of victims of violence and other crimes, all taken in Kuwait courtesy the Ministry of Interior. Explaining the reasons for violence, he said the main factors were “drugs, reckless driving, moral deterioration, street violence, family violence, instances of absconding, robbery and terrorism, internet, flir ting, intra-student fights, and the camping season.”

The situation differs from one area to another.

“There are 176 police stations in 13 areas but the occupancy or jail terms differ hugely depending on the area. For instance, the jails of Jleeb or Salmiya police stations are always occupied while the jail in Dahiya Abdullah Al-Salem sometimes goes without a case being registered for two or three days at a stretch. Also the cases and crimes are different depending on the area. The posh areas mostly have minor and simple cases concerned with a lost dog or a cat,” stressed Musaed Al-Guwainem during the seminar.

According to him, there were four kinds of violence: family, school, street, and community violence. “Each of these four kinds has sub categories.

For instance, the street violence can involve violations connected to driving and traffic rules. Also locking the maids inside the house and then leaving them confined is illegal. Anyone doing that may be sentenced to an imprisonment for up to six months. In addition, poverty increases the potential for resorting to violence,” he explained.

The family violence occupies the biggest chunk of the violence in general. “This kind of violence includes violence between parents, their negligence and others. This leads to criminalizing the children who then may seek drugs and may also become drug dealers. Recently we nabbed a 14year-old boy who must be the youngest drug dealer in Kuwait. During last Ramadan, 17 young men died after consuming an overdose of drugs. The average statistics in Kuwait show that every 15 days, two young men die of drugs,” stated AlGuwainem.

The study that was discussed at the seminar also provided certain recommendations.

“The most important of these recommendations is to enhance the religious influence, to provide consultations, and to hold training courses for the parents. In this study, we also suggested setting up of an institution that will be in charge of studying and following the cases of violence in the community in cooperation with all ministries in charge of this issue. We register daily cases of violence, and we need to improve the abilities and skills of the staff working with these cases. The violence can also be classified into crime or misdemeanor depending on the act. The punishment can be three years’ imprisonment and even up to death sentence for certain crimes, while for the misdemeanors it can be less than three years of imprisonment,” he concluded.

The seminar ended with a tour of an exhibition of some drugs samples, bats, knives, fake banknotes and other crime-related exhibits.

Customs employees plan strike on allowances issue KUWAIT: Customs employees could go on a strike in a bid to force the government into paying allowances approved last April but which remain stalled due to routine procedures, the head of the labor union at the Customs General Department, Ahmad Uqlah, announced recently.

The Civil Service Commission had agreed to pay four different kinds of allowances for ‘noise, risk, contagion and pollution’ to staff members deployed at seaports and land border outlets in April last year. “The CSC has so far ignored letters sent by the customs department in last July and September inquiring about the delay,” Uqlah told Al-Rai on Friday.

According to Uqlah, nearly 3,000 employees are entitled to the allowances amounting to KD140 per employee. The total annual cost for the allowances will be KD3 million.

“We hope that things do not deteriorate and reach the point of strike,” Uqlah said, urging the government to avoid a situation which leaves them “with no other option but to resort to work stoppage.”

He defended such a step as “a way to demand the legitimate rights” of customs employees whom he described as “the shield protecting the country from smuggling.”

Financial panel set to approve interests write off

By A. Saleh KUWAIT: The parliament’s financial committee is set to approve a draft law calling on the government to write off the interests accrued on citizens’ loans in local banks during its meeting today even as Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali is expected to reiterate his rejection of the proposal at the same meeting.

This was revealed by rapporteur Safa Al-Hashim who said on Friday that the committee “is not going to give much regard to Al-Shamali’s statements which are likely to be similar to ones he made previously.”

The finance minister had argued that a plan requiring the government to drop the interests accrued on the loans, estimated by the Central Bank at KD1.7 billion, would hurt the state’s budget and instead proposed more commitment to a state fund established a few years ago to help defaulters.

Meanwhile, MP Abdullah Al-Tamimi pointed out that the government is “almost convinced’ by the proposal which he said “is backed by a majority in the parliament.”

In other news, head of the parliament’s human rights and Bedoons (stateless residents) committee criticized the opposi-

tion by stating that they “seek to make political gains” through demonstrations held under the title Karamat Watan (dignity of a nation) which he described as “politically motivated” and not a real public movement.

In a related piece of news, the Interior Minister was able to identify six people who took part in last week’s demonstrations and damaged patrol vehicles while wearing masks to hide their identity.

According to security sources privy to the investigations, the suspects were identified through fingerprints taken from the vehicles and further backed with testimonies of eyewitnesses. The sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity noted that search is currently on for the culprits.

Moving to another subject, parliamentary insiders revealed that MPs who are planning to file a grilling motion against Oil Minister Hani Husain are struggling to find documents which contain concrete evidence convicting him of violations committed in the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity pointed out that the lawmakers have so far received documents which hardly provide any evidence and could only be used to speculate that errors were committed “thus

rendering a grilling motion based on these documents to be weak.”

Separately, cabinet sources revealed that the decision to leave the Bedoons issue out of a list of 56 priorities handed recently to the parliament was due to the fact that “the Central Agency for Illegal Residents is already handling the process to find an end to the problem.”

Established in 2010, the agency was given a five-year ultimatum to come up with a solution to the decades-old issue.

Meanwhile, the insiders who spoke on the condition of anonymity further noted that the cabinet is looking to find alternatives in order to replace the current unemployment support the government pays to citizens laid off in the private sector as a result of the global economic crisis.

In this regard, the sources explained that the cabinet is looking for prompt enforcement of the unemployment insurance that covers citizens in the private sector, and hopes that the parliament passes it in the next few months. Another solution includes finalizing shareholding companies that will be established to build mega projects in the state’s development plan, in order to create more job opportunities for Kuwaitis in the private sector.

Municipality holds inspection campaigns KUWAIT: Four restaurants and a laundry were ordered to close operations as a result of field inspection campaign carried out by Kuwait municipality to check any violations by restaurants and foodstuff outlets in various areas of Hawally governorate.

Nine citations were handed out for opening an outlet before obtaining the mandatory license from municipality and not abiding by health and hygiene

norms. The surprise checking campaign was headed by Riyadh Al Rabie, who told reporters that restaurants were closed due to violations that could have affected the health of the consumers.

He cited instances like discovery of rodents in the kitchens and insectinfested food. The laundry was closed because it was opened before a license from municipality could be obtained.

The team handed out nine citations

due to lack of cleanliness at the place where food is prepared, employing workers before obtaining health papers or working with expired papers. Al Rabie said there could not be any compromise as far as the safety of the consumers was concerned.

He said the campaign will continue in all governorate areas with an element of surprise in accordance with a daily program.

Ruling family member investigated KUWAIT: A member of Kuwait’s ruling family was summoned for investigations for state security charges pressed over remarks he posted on Twitter, a local newspaper reported yesterday citing security sources.

The ‘Sheikh,’ identified in the AlQabas article by the initials ‘A.S.’, was reportedly subjected to “intense investigations at the Sharq police station over libel charges pressed by fellow ruling family members,” according to the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The sources added that the same man was subjected to investigations conducted by the State Security Service a couple of month ago for Twitter posts deemed offensive to His Highness the Amir. He was released after being held briefly while the case remains open for investigations.

The man was reportedly arrested outside his house and escorted to the Sharq police station where he underwent interrogation before being released, the sources added.

PAI employees seek more allowances KUWAIT: The chairman of labour union at Public Authority for Industry, Ahmad Al Failakawi, said that employees in the Authority are facing an unsafe environment and deserve allowances to encourage them.

He said the decisions being taken by the new authority director are impacting the gains achieved by the workers and he should check the violations. The reforms should not be at the expense of the workforce, he said.

Al-Failakawi said that Civil Service Commission was responsible for the strikes because it allowed the workers’ demands to gather dust and delayed taking any decisions on these.

He said it has become essential to restructure the CSC and appoint new leaders who can develop a work culture and achieve the targets.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LOCAL Local Spotlight

In my view

When law is absent

Govt priorities and health

By Muna Al-Fuzai

By Abdallah Bwair

muna@kuwaittimes.net

local@kuwaittimes.net

D

uring a demonstration under the banner of Karamat Watan 6 (dignity of a nation) which embarked from a residential area in Kuwait recently, security forces were present but just stood and watched without intervening. The situation eventually escalated and led to an incident in which two police officers had to take cover inside their patrol vehicle that was targeted by stone-throwing youngsters.

Organizers of these demonstrations claimed to be “making sacrifices” for the sake of the nation, and described those participating in it as “loyal citizens.” I do not know what kind of dignity they are talking about when they are violating the dignity of our nation with their irresponsible actions. What exactly are they trying to accomplish by terrorizing civilians in the neighborhood?

Some people described the participants at the Karamat Watan 6 demonstration as ‘bandits.’ I believe that this description applies to those who blocked the Sixth

Organizers of these demonstrations claimed to be “making sacrifices” for the sake of the nation, and described those participating in it as “loyal citizens.” I do not know what kind of dignity they are talking about when they are violating the dignity of our nation with their irresponsible actions.

What exactly are they trying to accomplish by terrorizing civilians in the neighborhood?

Ring Road during the demonstration, attacked the police officers and the press photographers and damaged three patrol vehicles. A newspaper published a report describing an incident in which police officers took shelter inside a Kuwaiti man’s house who volunteered to help them as they were being attacked by a group of youngsters. The attack reportedly started when a young man recognized a security officer and proceeded along with his friends to assault him. Police eventually managed to arrest the four attackers and search is on for the rest.

Despite such acts of violence aimed at provoking the police, security officers maintained their composure and refused to clash with the troublemakers. Such an approach left no doubt in anyone’s mind that there are plots afoot to ensure that violence erupts out at such ‘peaceful demonstrations’ and that certain individuals are there behind such plots. How else can we explain the illegal activities happening even after security officers maintained their distance and allowed the demonstrations to carry on? The law clearly specifies the mechanisms for such demonstrations and the specific places where these can be held. What we witnessed recently was clearly in violation of this law. The result was a natural outcome of the lack of law enforcement. Therefore, I urge the Interior Ministry to stop granting the demonstrators such leniency at the expense of our country’s security, and instead start enforcing the law properly.

kuwait digest

Our political activists

T

In my view

The ant and the elephant

By Najeeb Al-Rashed

N

o idea can remain valid definitively. The same cord and conflict.

It is by no means neither logical nor acceptable to idea that could once be applied to a certain time and place may well become invalid even brand an idea sound, then put a fence of infallibility if time and place were to remain stagnant, simply due around it. An idea that is not pulsating with life is to circumstance. Ideas should be placed constantly meaningless. Good ideas should be alterable for the under scrutiny. An idea can be nullified altogether or better. The introduction of the car with an 18-mile-anhour speed limit in the 19th century was seen to be a it may be developed using the same premise.

If you review the history of the kings of Europe, milestone in human progress. Had such an innovation you will find that every king would appoint a cynic at been seen as absolute, we would never have reached the royal court commonly referred to as a “jester”. This where we are today.

Bad ideas will never change and over time will comedian would be assigned different responsibilities to those of the acrobat, who would also perform reg- become worse if we do not allow ourselves to uncover their defects. A reluctance to critique any idea will ularly at royal headquarters.

As such, jesters had to be funny, witty and had to undoubtedly result in personal and professional stagnation, if not retardation. possess a sense of irony. In Lets not forget that the particular, given their immuIn today’s world, giant corporations American company Apple’s nity from punishment, they were allowed to discuss the such as Toyota have innovated sound very first notebook was born king’s ideas and new laws. brainstorming policies called the “war out of an initial idea, which to design a computer to Kings knew they were surtable”, or the “fighting table”, where was be placed on the lap in order rounded by docile subordinates who tended to always ideas are introduced, discussed and to be used in aircrafts by travagree with their opinions and abrogated in a combined effort of the elers and to conform to the of aircraft electhat’s why jesters were so company’s engineers, financiers, requirements tronics. important to the scene. They Still, the architects behind could criticize the king’s ideas economists, marketers, sellers and in a lighthearted and enter- users. Such roundtable discussions the idea would scratch their in confusion when taining manner. This was the will always remain in place in order to ideas product would lag in lessmechanism by which kings measured their approval rat- cope with a rapidly changing world than-modest market posiings amongst the public. and to keep apace of global decisions tions. Upon investigation, it was found that people of all Indeed, history narrates that on any one product. categories, specialties and kings often changed many business backgrounds had decisions and policies due to responded favorably to the launch of the notebook, the response garnered by the royal court’s jester.

In today’s world, giant corporations such as Toyota except for one category, and that, much to their surhave innovated sound brainstorming policies called prise, was air travelers.

Subsequently, the company called its experts into the “war table”, or the “fighting table”, where ideas are introduced, discussed and abrogated in a combined an urgent meeting to discuss the reasons behind effort of the company’s engineers, financiers, econo- what they had initially thought would be a surefire mists, marketers, sellers and users. Such roundtable recipe for success. Turns out, the brainstorming discussions will always remain in place in order to process was deeply flawed and there was a failure in cope with a rapidly changing world and to keep reading the market and forecasting the variables of apace of global decisions on any one product. It is no the near future. In short, any newly conceived idea wonder, then, that huge decision-makers readily should not be overvalued, as the imaginary sacredadhere to market forces at the first sign of controversy ness attributed to it will grow to become an elephant and the idea behind it will be reduced to an ant. That surrounding a product or an idea.

It goes without saying that unconstructive criti- ant will then be asked to bear the burden of the elecism that does not aim at altering or developing an phant, and that, as we know, is nothing but a recipe idea is counterproductive and only serves to sow dis- for failure.

kuwait digest

By Mariam Hussein Makki Al-Juma

N

owadays, all newspapers, news bulletins, political programs and even Twitter posts introduce many faces and names using a new and unearned title that is being used by everyone routinely.

Generally speaking, an ‘activist’ is an individual who works in his individual capacity or jointly with others interested in a certain activity with the aim of bringing social, economic or political changes in the society he or she lives in.

However, the Kuwaiti political arena has recently witnessed the emergence of a number of people who introduce themselves as ‘political activists,’ which is absolutely unlike how the term is used across the globe. Only people with certain ideological and political backgrounds, for example Islamist, liberal or communist, are supposed to be referred thus, or people with specific political and cultural background who belong to a certain party, parliamentary or public bloc or people who have a political history or have assumed political positions.

So, Kuwaiti ‘political activists,’ or rather, those who refer to themselves as such, usually belong to no particular ideology, have no significant cultural background, are not members of any party or bloc nor have assumed any political positions. Actually very few of such political activists really have well-defined views and perspectives or have any clear idea about the history of Kuwaiti politics. A majority of these so-called ‘political activists’ have no vision, ideologies nor views except for the superficial ones that those behind them have. They are only interested in how to guard and propagate their own interests.

While the political domain has its own concerns and will handle the issue in its own way, the media needs to seriously ponder over such usages and decide whether it is kosher to refer to such a large number of greenhorns as ‘political activists’. It is the responsibility of the media, print or electronic, to see that the phrase ‘political activist’ is not thrown around like an honorific for anyone whose total achievement as far activism goes is to have walked or taken part in a demonstration or strike, or Tweeted a post, scribbled on a blog or made an improvised political speech. When on earth will the media stop pumping up the egos of such people and stop introducing them with such grandiose titles and, thus, lending them more prestige than they deserve? —Al-Watan

Outcome of new voting system

By Waleed Al-Rujaib

W

here have we reached and in which direc- zens to fund the public treasury, which subsequently tion are we heading? From addressing the also leads to the government reducing social care.

Kuwaiti people’s welfare through social wel- Such a situation would result in financial troubles for fare, freedom, dignity and cultural renaissance in the the majority of the public while making the rich richsixties, to legislations against their interests, com- er. As a result, this increases the gap between social bined with deteriorating political management and classes and adds to the sufferings of limited income citizens. human values in the twenty first century.

Another draft law proposes amendments to the Freedoms in Kuwait have suffered a setback in the 2013 Freedom House report. This happens while the buy-operate-transfer (BOT) model to allow private firms or people with influpublic is being subjected on a daily basis to disrespect Freedoms in Kuwait have suffered ence to take over state lands without any checks. and verbal assaults and peoThe government also ple are being prevented from a setback in the 2013 Freedom taking legal action against House report. This happens while introduced a draft law that further restrictions state departments for violatthe public is being subjected on a enforces on media freedoms, penaling the law.

The single -vote system daily basis to disrespect and verbal ties on publishing online as was said to guarantee justice assaults and people are being pre- well as criminalizing labor strikes and increasing the and eliminate discrimination on sectarian, tribal and fac- vented from taking legal action remand period. And ahead tional basis. Instead, we see against state departments for vio- of a Constitutional Court’s verdict on the single-vote how it resulted in disintegratsystem, the government ing the society and other lating the law. prepared a draft law to be catastrophes that the opposiproposed by MPs on its behalf which will delimit tion tried to warn us about.

The cabinet announced recently 56 draft laws to constituencies while retaining the voting mechanism be given priority for discussion in the parliament. as it is. Once passed, the law would replace the curThe majority of these laws target democratic, eco- rent one and therefore the court’s verdict would be nomic and social rights while laying a foundation to of no value even if it finds the emergency decree complete the ‘coup against the constitution’ and that adopted the single-vote system unconstitutional. These priorities which the parliament is definitely benefit those who are corrupt and wield influence.

One of the proposed draft laws calls for enforcing going to pass comprise an organized attack against the value added tax as per recommendations of the people’s rights, wealth and freedoms. They are also notorious International Monetary Fund instead of aimed at providing legislative ground to benefit the imposing taxes on big companies and individuals corrupt people wielding influence. After all that, it is with large incomes, or following progressive tax the opposition which is being accused of giving top laws. Despite having no budget deficit, the govern- priority to its personal interests when it chose to ment insists on putting an extra burden on the citi- boycott the elections. —Al-Rai

he Committee for Government and Parliament Priorities met last week and discussed the priorities for both, identifying a list of 56 tasks. I doubt if this long list will be examined in its entirety right now but the fact that these priorities have all been chalked out and written at one place means that somewhere someone is keen enough to fashion out an agenda. As to how expeditiously or seriously it will be implemented is something only time will tell.

On the health sector, two issues that had emerged on the top concerned smoking law and patient rights. Both were my favourite for two reasons. First, I never believed that the smoking law was enforced in Kuwait. Second, people here smoke anywhere and everywhere, including in the hospitals.

Worse, even men in uniform smoke. Parents smoke in the presence of their children and with pride as if they are doing something very heroic and should be appreciated by all. As far as I am concerned, the issue needs to be examined and we need to identify and designate smoking areas.

Also, we will then be able to enforce the law, starting with the policemen themselves to ensure that they do not smoke during duty hours.

Another issue that topped the agenda concerned the rights of the patients. I do not know much about this issue and who are they talking about. Is it about Kuwaitis or expats, and what are their rights? With approximately two million expats in Kuwait, I guess setting up new hospitals would

The fact is that our hospitals are already too crowded and you will be lucky to find a bed in a private room.

Either it is blocked because some VIP is afflicted with sudden illness or because you do not have wasta and may have to wait for months. I think it is a fact that building new hospitals would take years but why do not we start by expanding the current facilities until the five new hospitals are ready. be a step towards protecting their right to receive proper medical treatment. We should be upgrading the medical insurance to cover new items and needs of the people, including cosmetic surgeries.

Some health insurance policies do not cover such exigencies. I wish that every Kuwaiti or expat receives the best medical treatment. That is the patient’s right. I hope this will also include right to receive overseas treatment.

For some unknown reason, this issue had never been dealt with in a transparent manner ensuring justice for all. It is very common to read complaints in the newspapers by those unfortunate who fail to obtain approval for overseas treatment because they do not have any wasta or someone in power to help them.

Correct me if I am wrong. I assume that people who fail to find the right treatment or cases in which treatment is not available in Kuwait seek permission to travel overseas at the expense of the state. That is in theory. In practice, we have been watching for years that even those whose life is not under any serious threat also go overseas at the state’s expense while some were sent abroad when it was already too late for them.

I guess the rules and regulations in this regard have made it possible to easily access such privileges because of proximity to power. If one does not have such ties, then he or she should better give up on the quest to avail of this facility.

The priorities of the health committee consist of two parts. The first is the core area of health and includes things like health insurance and overseas treatment while the second is related to social affairs such as issues of expatriate workers.

The chairman of the committee for health, MP Saleh Al-Ateeqi, explained that the panel heard a long explanation from the directors about the work mechanism of the department and the cases being followed for treatment “but we were not provided with any figures.”

“There is no doubt that the issue of overseas treatment has been politicized by some MPs,” he added.

He made a suggestion that this department should be under an independent regulatory authority that is run by doctors who have no political strings to pull on the issue of overseas treatment.

Those are not the only matter of concerns in the health sector. The fact is that our hospitals are already too crowded and you will be lucky to find a bed in a private room. Either it is blocked because some VIP is afflicted with sudden illness or because you do not have wasta and may have to wait for months. I think it is a fact that building new hospitals would take years but why do not we start by expanding the current facilities until the five new hospitals are ready.

That, too, should be part of patients’ rights.

I believe the health issue is not a matter that should take long meetings and convincing. It is a matter of life or death, literally.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LOCAL

Govt to ink agreements during Al-Maliki’s term Hopes to avoid complications

KUWAIT: Chief of Kuwait Naval Forces Brig General Jassim Al-Ansari and Pakistani Ambassador Iftekhar Aziz jointly cutting the cake.

PNS Alamgir visit to cement Pakistan-Kuwait relations KUWAIT: A number of ambassadors and diplomats from many countries as well as senior Kuwaiti civil and military officers attended the evening reception held on Jan 17 on board the visiting Pakistani naval ship PNS Alamgir, a release issued by Pakistan embassy in Kuwait said.

The Chief of Kuwait Naval Forces, Brig Gen Jassim Mohammad Al-Ansari, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Kuwait, Iftekhar Aziz and PNS Commanding Officer, Abdul Muneeb, welcomed the guests aboard the vessel, the release said.

In his brief welcome address, the Commanding Officer said the visit will reinvigorate the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two navies and also enhance the strong fraternal relations between the two countries. He also thanked all the dignitaries for the “extremely warm welcome that we have

received here.”

Ambassador Iftekhar Aziz thanked the Kuwaiti government, especially the Kuwait Navy, for hosting the Pakistani vessel in Kuwaiti waters. He said Pakistan and Kuwait maintain cordial relations and expanding economic ties, adding that the Pakistan Navy particularly enjoyed exceptionally good relations with Kuwait Naval Forces.

Later on, a specially made cake commemorating Pakistan-Kuwait friendship was cut jointly by the Ambassador and Brigadier General Jassim Al-Ansari.

Prominent members of the local Pakistani community were among the distinguished guests attending the event.

PNS Alamgir is currently on a goodwill visit to Kuwait. Pakistan Naval ships periodically undertake such goodwill visits which provide excellent opportunity to Pakistan Navy officials to interact with their counterparts at brotherly country Kuwait.

Jahra Pediatrics to apply direct admission system KUWAIT: Pediatrics Department at Jahra Hospital will be applying a direct admission system for patients suffering from chronic illnesses to avoid any prolonged routine procedures.

Head of Pediatrics Department Dr Fahad Hamed Al-Enizi announced, yesterday, that patients will be admitted to appropriatelyequipped rooms with the latest medical technologies and recreational means for children.

He noted that working hours in these rooms will be from 8 am to 10 pm where six patients at a time will be received in the rooms to get medical care of a maximum period of six hours for each patient.

Patients with blood, kidney, neurology and metabolism issues will greatly benefit from these rooms. In December 2012, Jahra Hospital’s Pediatrics Department opened a medical library specialized in children’s illnesses.— KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti government hopes that the parliament approves all the agreements reached with Iraq, including a settlement between the Kuwaiti and Iraqi Airways as well as one about navigation at the joint Khor Abdullah waterway, during the tenure of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, a Kuwaiti lawmaker said on Friday. MP Saleh Ashour told AlJarida newspaper that finalizing the agreements signed with Al-Maliki’s government will help Kuwait avoid complications which could arise in case of any change in the Iraqi government. Kuwait also hoped that all agreements are passed by the parliament before the planned visit of Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to Baghdad next month, Ashour added.

Ashour, who is the president of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, indicated that the panel is set to take a decision on the KAC-IAC settlement at its meeting today. The settlement envisages the Kuwaiti carrier dropping the lawsuits against its Iraqi counterparts in exchange of $500 million paid as compensation for destruction of the KAC fleet during the 1990/91 Iraqi Invasion.

The Minister of Communications and State Minister for Housing Affairs, Salem Al-Othaina, as well as KAC representatives will be present

during the meeting to answer the committees’ questions. The parliament is set to vote on the settlement during Tuesday’s session.

Meanwhile, several lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction at the recent reports hinting that the government plans to drop charges against some opposition members.

MP Safa Al-Hashem threatened using “all constitutional tools” to block any such decision while MP Khalid Al-Shatti rejected the idea of “pardoning individuals connected with terrorism funding agendas and who put Kuwait’s sovereignty at risk”. Meanwhile, MP Abdullah Al-Tamimi said that dropping cases against “lawbreakers” will be akin to “an inter-

80,000 ID cards issued to illegal residents KUWAIT: The Identification cards issued to illegal residents (bedoons) till end of 2012 had reached around 80,000, said a senior official at the central agency for illegal residents yesterday. Head of Information and ID Cards at the central agency Abduallah Al-Farhan said that procedures to obtain and reissue ID cards had

IDF holds annual forum under Amir’s patronage KUWAIT: Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the second session of the Kuwaitbased Indian Doctors Forum was held Friday evening at the Regency Hotel.

HH the Amir delegated Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Sheikh Ali AlJarrah Al-Sabah to represent him at the event. The forum was also attended by Kuwaiti Minister of Health Mohammad Barrak Al-Haifi and a considerable number of Indian and Kuwaiti doctors.

In his speech to the Forum, Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah expressed appreciation to the Kuwait-based Indian doctors’ role in offering high-quality medical care services and in conducting scien-

vention in the judicial authority’s affairs.”

In other news, the opposition announced its decision to file complaints with international organizations “regarding violations against the opposition members, youth activists and Twitter users,” said member of the annulled 2012 parliament Badr AlDahoum. His statements came following a meeting hosted by former MP Khalid AlSultan on Thursday night, attended by 23 members of the Majority Bloc which is a coalition of oppositionist who formed a majority in the parliament elected in February 2012 and annulled by a Constitutional Court verdict four months later.

tific medical researches to help upgrade the medical ser vice in Kuwait.

He also conveyed to the conferees HH the Amir’s greetings and appreciation to their efforts and noble mission. For his part, Health Minister AlHaifi highlighted the deeply-rooted and special ties as well as the great cooperation between Kuwait and India in all domains.

Meanwhile, the Forum President Dr. Narayanan Nampoory expressed gratitude for HH the Amir’s sponsorship of the forum and support to Indian doctors in Kuwait. Nampoory presented a memorial gift on this occasion to HH the Amir’s representative Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah. —KUNA

been going on smoothly and according to plan.

The agency will continue issuing the cards for bedoons as an implementation of the Cabinet decision no. 409 for the year 2011 that stipulates granting some facilities for this segment of the society.— KUNA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LOCAL Al-Rashid calls for Muslim unity, spread of tolerance KHARTOUM: The Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Ali Fahad Al-Rashed held talks yesterday with his Sudanese counterpart Ahmad El-Tahir. The meeting was attended by the National Assembly Secretary General Allam Al-Kandari and the Parliamentary Secretary Yaaqoub Al-Sanaa.

Al-Rashed also received at his residency here, Sudan’s Minister of Water Resources and Electricity Usama Abdullah.

The meetings focused on means to bolster bilateral relations between Kuwait and Sudan as well as the role of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in financing development projects in Sudan.

The meetings were attended by Parliamentary Secretary Yaaqoub Al-Sanaa, Head of the Executive Committee of the Kuwaiti Parliament Mubarak Al-Nejadah, Kuwait Ambassador to Sudan Suleiman AlHarabi and the Secretary General of the Parliament Allam Al-Kandari.

Meanwhile Al-Rashed received Secretary General of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Nour Eddin Bouchkouj.

Kuwaiti MPs Ali Al-Ameer, Abdullah AlMaayouf, Kuwait Ambassador to Sudan Dr. Suleiman Al-Harbi and Parliament Secretary General Allam Al-Kandari had also attended the meeting with Bouchkouj.

Earlier, Al-Rashid urged the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUOIC) to help achieve the Muslims unity, counter extremism, terrorism and spread tolerance and moderation.

In press statements upon departure to Sudan’s capital of Khartoum to participate in the eighth session of the PUOIC, Al-Rashid said the parliamentary work in Muslim countries needs major developments to meet the ever-growing challenges and live up to the aspirations of people. He signaled the Israeli illegal measures to Judaize the occupied Jerusalem and the ensuing aggression on Muslim and Christian sites in the holy city as one of the main challenges facing the Muslim world. Al-Rashid underlined the need to implement and spread the universal values of democracy and human rights.

The NA Speaker lamented the brutal suppression committed against people in some Muslim countries.

He also highly lauded His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah’s generous suppor t to humanitarian and charitable work in Muslim and non-Muslim countries. AlRashid spoke highly about Kuwait’s hosting of an international conference for donors to Syrian people later this months. —KUNA

KUWAIT: The Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Yahiya Abduljaleel Mahmoud hosted a ceremony recently to celebrate his country’s 57th Anniversary of Independence. Ministers, ambassadors and other dignitaries were in attendance. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

Attempt to smuggle in 8,000 bottles of alcohol thwarted Two children dead in accident

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Interior Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Technology Affairs, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah held a luncheon party in honor of the visiting chairman of British foreign ministry service authority Chress Moxy, and the accompanying delegation.

Kuwaiti ministers arrive in Riyadh for Arab summit RIYADH: Kuwait’s Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shimali arrived here yesterday to take part in the preparatory ministerial session for the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit which opens here tomorrow.

The ministers were greeted by Deputy Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah and Kuwait’s ambassador here Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad.

Sheikh Sabah and Al-Shimali will join their Arab counterparts in the joint meeting due to start here later in the day.

A follow-up panel met here yesterday at the level and senior officials and permanent representatives to outline the agenda for today’s session, which in turn will for-

ward the final draft to the leaders.

The panel had discussed ways to implement decisions of the 2009 summit in Kuwait and the one in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2011, topped by Kuwait’s $2 billion initiative to finance small and medium projects.

Today’s meeting is scheduled to look into guarantees to protect investments from the effects of wars and emergencies.

Other matters to be discussed include a strategy on ways of developing the uses of renewable energy, combatting non-contagious diseases and slashing poverty and unemployment rates. They will also discuss ways of keeping Arab capital at home and increase inter-Arab trade. The ministers are due to endorse the agenda of the summit, which will convene on Monday and Tuesday. — KUNA

New training course KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education’s Regional Center for Childhood and Maternity will be organizing a twoday training course tomorrow and Tuesday on ‘Behavior adjustment strategies for people with special needs.’

The center ’s director, Suad AlSuwaidan, in a statement yesterday explained that the course aims to “help change unwanted behaviors using calibrated methods in order to achieve effective objective adjustment in the behavior of children with special needs.”

KUWAIT: The customs officials at the Shuwaikh Port thwarted an attempt to smuggle 8,000 bottles of liquor concealed in a shipment that came with forged documents belonging to the US Army. The operation was carried out on Friday in cooperation with Drug Control General Department detectives who received information that a ‘large shipment of alcoholic drinks’ was on its way to be smuggled into the country. Meanwhile, police arrested an Arab driver and two Asian men who arrived to claim the shipment. During custodial interrogation, they let out the identity of a Kuwaiti man as being the shipment’s owner. Search is on for the suspect.

Meanwhile, two Kuwaiti men were arrested in Hawally for possessing four bottles of liquor, an amount of heroin and some drug pills in addition to drug paraphernalia. The duo first ignored the orders to pull over but patrol officers arrested them after intercepting and stopping them. The two were taken to the proper authorities to face charges.

Road accidents In a tragic accident, a teenaged driver ran over two children in a dimly-lit bylane in Al-Mutla’a on Friday night and then escaped. Later, after coming to know about the accident,

the father of the 18-year-old driver turned him in before the police. Four Kuwaiti children accompanied by the family housemaid were making their way out of a baqala (grocery shop) when the car hit two of them, aged 5 and 4. Both succumbed to their injuries. A 20-year-old Kuwaiti man died in an accident at a street located between Al-Qusour and AlQurain. His body was taken to the coroner after paramedics pro-

trying to ‘tease’ his friend who had been standing behind his car when he ended up accidently hitting him.

The driver was taken to Al-Na’eem police station where a case was filed.

Theft accusations A man dropped a case he had filed against his female friend after she returned an iPhone he had accused her of stealing. The woman told police officers that he had pre-

KUWAIT: The confiscated liquor. nounced him dead on the spot.

Investigations were on to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

In Jahra, a Kuwaiti man died when his friend accidently rammed his vehicle into him at a late hour of Thursday night. The victim was pronounced dead at the Jahra Hospital shortly after his friend rushed him there. The man later explained to the hospital’s detective that he was only

sented the phone to her as a gift, but after he took her by surprise coming up with a marriage proposal, she decided to maintain her distance. The Asian man had reportedly fallen in love with the Arab woman said to be ‘many years his senior,’ and eventually popped the sudden question shortly after giving her the gift which she thought was only a friendship present. After being rejected, the man headed to

‘Kuwait in Egypt’ 7th week to be held in April

Suad Al-Suwaidan

KUWAIT: The 7th Kuwaiti Week in Egypt titled as ‘Kuwait in Egypt’ will be organized in Cairo from April 23-25, 2013 in collaboration with Kuwait’s embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian embassy in Kuwait at Cleopatra Ballroom, the Semiramis Hotel.

“The function, to be organized by AlJabriya Exhibitions Group (JEG), will witness the participation of over fifty Egyptian and Kuwaiti public and private sector companies,” said Director of JEG board, Jaber Ahmed Bahbahani. He said the exhibition had attracted great interest and visitors during its previous cycles. “This week has come to indicate the strong relations between both countries and aims at developing them further in various fields, particularly economic ones,” he added. Bahbahani also stressed that the exhibition’s motto reflected Kuwait’s economic, cultural, media and arts activities and these will be displayed in Cairo during the exhibition to reflect the strong bilateral bonds between the brotherly countries and peoples. He also said that with all its potential such as the location, its leading regional role and, most importantly, its principled stance during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Egypt is open to all Arab investors in various fields, be these tourism, real estate,

Jaber Ahmed Bahbahani road, ports, education, health, communications and others. Moreover, Bahbahani stressed that Kuwaiti investments in Egypt had witnessed a remarkable increase over the past few years and were fairly diversified.

“Kuwait is a big market for Egyptian manpower and exports, and, given its surpluses, Kuwait can be a source of investments in Egypt,” stressed Bahbahani. Finally, Bahbahani stressed that JEG was keen on continuing the success it has achieved by organizing several exhibitions in the UK, Lebanon, Dubai, Egypt and locally in Kuwait.

the Salmiya police station and accused the woman of theft, after which she was summoned and explained her side of the story.

Drug overdose A drug addict, who seemed to have consumed an overdose of drugs, was found dead inside his Hawally apartment. The Kuwaiti man was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics who responded to an emergency call.

Based on the preliminary forensic repor t and the fac t that drug paraphernalia was found at the scene, the case filed at the area’s police station classified the death as having occurred due to a drug overdose.

Mergab stabbing A Pakistan man was hospitalized with several stab wounds after three of his compatriots attacked him in Al-Mergab over some financial dispute. The injured man, who was treated at the Amiri Hospital, explained to the police that the attackers came to his apartment to ask for money he owed to one of them, and attacked him when he told them he did not have any at the time.

Investigations were on to trace the attackers based on descriptions provided by the victim.

‘BuBa’ account holders receive offer from Barcelona Academy KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday that its BuBa Kids Account holders are entitled to a special offer with Barcelona football academy. BuBa Kids Account holders can now receive 15% discount from the academy on registration fees and membership fees to enjoy the wide range of benefits that the academy has to offer.

Barcelona football academy in Kuwait is a special football academy for children aged 5 to 14 years, which teaches football techniques according to the FC Barcelona training model and player development strategies.

The BuBa Kids Account is gaining its customers‘ trust since launching, where it aims at providing creative solutions for parents who want to earn more from their savings for their children and at the same time enjoy a wide range of benefits..

To find out more about Burgan Bank’s “BuBa” Kids Account, customers are urged to visit any of Burgan Bank’s conveniently located branches, or call the bank’s call center on 1804080, or log on to Burgan Bank’s website at www.burgan.com.

KUWAIT: A number of young citizens and football fans yesterday demonstrated outside Kuwait Football Association headquarters demanding the resignation of KFA Chairman Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmed. Some of the signs they held read: “Leave.......Kuwait deserves better”. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

Rahul Gandhi takes Congress’ No. 2 post

Clashes at trial of Egypt officers Page 8

Page 11

SAN, Mali: Residents, some holding a French flag, gather around a convoy of French troops as they pass through this town en route to Sevare on Friday. —AP

France seeks support for Mali force African leaders call for more global involvement A B I D J A N / N I O N O, M a l i : Fr a n c e c a l l e d ye s t e rd ay o n o t h e r wo r l d powers to commit money and logistical suppor t for African armies readying their troops to join French soldiers already battling al Qaedalinked militants in Mali. The appeal came as African leaders met in Ivory Coast where they are expected to agree details of a regional mission that is due to take over from French fo rce s b u t i s s h o r t o n f i n a n c i n g, planning and even ammunition.

Fr a n c e h a s d e p l o y e d g r o u n d troops and its war planes have bombed a rebel column, halting an Islamist advance. The intervention aims to stop militants from tightening their gr ip on M ali ’s nor thern desert zone and using it as a springboard for attacks in Africa and on the West. The stakes rose dramatically this week when Islamist gunmen cited the French intervention as a pretext to attack a desert gas plant in neighbouring Algeria and seize hostages. Algeria’s army carried out a “final assault” yesterday, killing 11 of the militants after they took the lives of seven foreign hostages.

The Sahara crisis has forced African nations to accelerate their own planned mission to Mali, which was originally not expected before September. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said French troops were in no way intended to replace the African operation. “We must, as quickly as possible, furnish the logistical and financial means required by the Malian army and (the African mission),” he said, calling on donors to make commitments at a Jan. 29 conference in Ethiopia.

Mali’s north has been occupied by a mix of gunmen since rebels bolstered with weapons seized from Libya after the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi took up arms last y e a r. S e p a r a t i s t r e b e l s w h o launched the fighting were soon sidelined by the Islamist alliance of al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM a n d h o m e - g ro w n M a l i a n g ro u p s Ansar Dine and MUJWA. Heads of state are expected to fo r m a l l y co n f i r m p l e d g e s to d i s patch some 5,000 African soldiers to join French forces in Mali. “We must i n t e r ve n e b e c a u s e n o e c o n o m i c revival, no region in the world will be safe if the Sahel goes over to the w r o n g s i d e ,” s a i d I v o r y C o a s t President Alassane Ouattara. Nigeria and Togo have already started their deployments, with Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad expected soon.

But a Western diplomat following the process said plans for the mission were “fluid”. “ The troops are meant to go with 10-day self-sufficiency. But there’s nothing in place t o s a y w h a t h a p p e n s a f t e r,” t h e diplomat said. “Who’s going to pay for this, and what mechanisms are going to pay for it? The money is a

big question.” Underscoring the scale of the challenge, two other diplomats said Senegal’s deployment was being held up by the lack of ammunition for their ar tiller y.

“They are waiting for it to be delivered,” said one.

The bombing of a rebel column

by French war planes and helicopters has halted an advance towards the central Malian towns of Mopti and Sevare. Dozens of air raids and the deployment of French ground troops have helped Mali’s disorganised army fight back. The town of K o n n a w a s s e i ze d b a c k f ro m t h e insurgents earlier this week , but there were conflicting repor ts on Saturday about the situation in another town, Diabaly. Malian military sources said French and Malian forces had entered Diabaly after it was abandoned by the insurgents on Fr iday following a number of Fr e n c h a i r s t r i k e s . “ Fr e n c h a n d Malian forces are clearing the town, house by house, as the Islamists had sheltered in houses,” one of the officers said.

H o w e v e r, Fr e n c h Defence M i n i s te r J e a n -Yve s Le D r i a n s a i d there were no Malian or French sold i e r s i n D i a b a l y, a n d d i s m i s s e d media reports over recent days of hand-to-hand fighting there. “I think someone’s hallucinating,” he told Fre n c h s t a t e T V i n a n i n t e r v i e w.

“There has been no fighting on the ground in Diabaly. We have said it and are saying it daily.”

Seydou Traore, a local government official in nearby Niono, said troops had moved in to Diabaly after the Islamists left, headed west.

He would not give their nationality but added that Islamists had abandoned arms and ammunition in the town. The Malian officer who spoke of a house-by-house mop-up after the exit by Islamist forces said that there would be a pause in operations as Malian and French forces awaited the deployment of the African regional mission. “ We are waiting for them to get here before we launch a bigger and wide-ranging offensive,” he said. Le Drian said Fr a n c e h a d 2 , 0 0 0 t r o o p s o n t h e ground in Mali as of yesterday morning, and the total might event u a l l y e xc e e d 2 , 5 0 0 . Pr e s i d e n t Francois Hollande said France’s military intervention would last as long as it takes to “vanquish terrorism” in the region. Militar y exper ts say France and its African allies must now capitalise on a week of hardhitting air strikes by preventing the insurgents from regrouping in the desert. “The more painful the militants can make the push into northern Mali and subsequent pacification effort, the more they can hope to turn French, Western and African public opinion against the intervention in the country,” global intelligence consultancy Stratfor wrote in a report on Friday. — Reuters

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

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

Syria defector swaps army trumpet for rebel rifle ALEPPO, Syria: Just a few months ago, Ali Naema was playing in the Syrian army band. Today, he’s making war, not music - but with the rebels, having swapped sides and his trumpet for an AK-47 assault rifle to join the fight against his former comrades with the aim of toppling President Bashar Al-Assad.

“I was in the military band for two years,” Naema, 24, tells AFP in Aleppo, where he is now part of a katiba (rebel unit) fighting to wrest the city from the regime. Conditions in the army were tough, he says.

His commander stole 70 percent of his $100-amonth salary. And when he got sick he had to pay for his own hospital care.

As the civil war worsened, he saw fellow soldiers loot, rape and steal from Sunni civilians. Defection was his only solution, the bearded young man himself a Sunni Muslim - says in a soft voice. He looked for a chance to defect for six months while stationed in a rural area, but the threat of being killed by watchful commanders was too great. It was only when he made contact with a rebel fighter in Aleppo, Ahmed Jamel, via Skype that he saw how to do it. In September, he paid $50 to an officer for family leave, caught a flight to Aleppo and changed into civilian clothes.

“As I left the base, Ahmed and some FSA (rebel Free Syrian Army) people came in a car and picked

me up,” Naema says. “I was very scared. I didn’t know what would happen. I was afraid maybe they were terrorists and they would kill me. But they kissed me on both cheeks and congratulated me. And I felt safe, and very happy.”

Like many of the conscripted troops who have joined the rebels, he decided to stay to fight the regime, rather than make his way to refugee camps around the Turkish border where conditions are rudimentary at best. He was given cursory weapons training - something he never received in the army, he says - and now totes his knock-off AK-47 with the same nonchalant pride as other rebels in Aleppo, his musician’s fingers curled around its forestock. A trickle of defecting troops is slowly swelling the rebel ranks. Insurgent commanders believe many more want to join them but are prevented from doing so. The rebels give varying estimates as to the number of defectors who arrive each day, ranging from a dozen to four times that. One commander, Abu al-Moatissim, 39, fills out and signs printed slips of paper bearing his brigade’s logo on it by candle light inside a building. His right hand gripping the pen is fingerless, scarred from a homemade mortar round that went off as he was loading it. The paper is carried by the turncoat newcomers to establish them as bona fide rebels, and gives

them the right to food, lodgings “and cigarettes, if they smoke”, Moatissim says. “We don’t give them any money. And it doesn’t matter if some of them are sent as spies or anything, because they never get to meet the commanders who decide things, or see anything strategic.” Two-thirds of the regular army conscripts switching sides stay to fight, “and in some cases die” with the FSA, he says.

Most defecting Syrian military officers, though, head north to Turkey, where they are housed in a separate camp that is off-limits to other Syrians and to media, he admits. “The honourable ones stay to fight,” Moatissim says, adding that several of those who did have more than proved their value.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to take many of the important bases and positions we have.”

For Naema and other conscripts like him who have chosen the rebel side, taking orders from former army officers in the struggle against the regime is meaningful. “I joined to battle the injustice” seen in Syria’s army, both within and in its treatment of civilians, Naema says. But the musician-turnedguerrilla still hopes that one day he will be able to drop his rifle and go back to what he loves. “When it’s all over, I want to go back to music. Maybe start my own band.” — AFP

ALEPPO: Former Syrian army soldiers Ali Naema (right) and Ammar (left), who defected and joined rebels, exchange AK-47 guns outside their compound on Jan 17, 2013.—AFP

Algeria raid shows sidelined Belmokhtar still a key force Islamist has forged close ties with Tuareg tribes

CAIRO: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi gives a speech as he attends the first forum for civil society and non-governmental organizations yesterday. —AFP

Clashes at trial of Egypt officers CAIRO: Riot police fired tear gas yesterday to disperse demonstrators throwing stones outside an Alexandria courtroom where the city’s ex-security director and other officers are on trial for the killing of protesters during Egypt ’s 2011 uprising.

Mohammed Ibrahim, the former security director of the Mediterranean coastal city, faces trial along with five other police officers for taking part in excessive violence against protesters during the revolt that ousted Hosni Mubarak.

Dozens of demonstrators had gathered outside the courthouse to express anger over what they see as a lack of accountability for the killing of protesters. Those who took part in the uprising say the nation’s legacy of police impunity and the use of brute force by security agencies cannot be ended without real reform.

Activists and family members of those killed in Alexandria during the uprising led the demonstration outside the courtroom ahead of the start of yesterday’s trial. Most of their slogans focused on the police but it was not immediately clear how the clashes broke out. There were no immediate reports of injury.

Nearly 100 police officers have been brought to trial in a string of cases since Mubarak was deposed on Feb 11, 2011. All were acquitted or received suspended sentences on charges of killing and wounding protesters. Out of more than 900 people killed nationwide in the anti-Mubarak protests, some 300 people were reportedly killed in Alexandria during the 18-day revolt. Mubarak and the former interior minister were sentenced to life in prison for failing to stop the killings, and were granted a retrial this month.

The father of 16 year-old Mohammed Ahmed, who was shot dead by police in Alexandria, said the loss of his son still

shocks the family and has taken a toll on him. “Imagine spending 18 years wanting a son and finally having Mohammed,” said Ramadan Ahmed, a retired naval officer.

His son was shot in the head by police during clashes outside a police station on Jan 28, 2011 the bloodiest day of the uprising.

Like many of those who lost loved ones during the uprising, Ahmed said he voted for President Mohammed Morsi, who had been imprisoned under Mubarak for his activities with the then-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Ahmed said he met with Morsi after he was elected last summer in the nation’s first free presidential vote. “I told him there must be justice for my son. He took the picture of Mohammed and another boy from Suez and kissed it.

He asked to keep the pictures and was clearly affected.”

But Ahmed said he does not expect the judge to find the officers on trial guilty. “It is one long chain of corruption,” he said.

“No one alive will get their rights until these people who died do.” In another case involving protesters, an Egyptian criminal court invoked a presidential amnesty and dismissed charges against 379 people accused of taking part in deadly clashes with police.

The charges stem from nearly two weeks of street fighting on downtown Cairo’s Mohammed Mahmoud street in Nov 2011 that left 42 people dead. Young protesters, mostly diehard soccer fans known as Ultras, led demonstrations against police near the Interior Ministry and Tahrir Square, the hub of Cairo’s activist movement. They were demanding a timetable for the military officers who were then ruling the country to hand over power and hold presidential elections, and denouncing violent security crackdowns on sit-ins.— AP

BAMAKO: Veteran jihadist Moktar Belmokhtar’s audacious hostage attack in Algeria after a bitter split from his north African Al-Qaeda allies is a statement that he is still a force to be reckoned with, experts say. The legendary one-eyed Islamist who has eluded capture for years formed his own brigade, the “Signatories in Blood” after a series of bitter feuds saw him cut ties with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb of which he was a founding leader. “Paradoxically it is he who has always had the best relationship with Al-Qaeda’s central command, with the organisation founded by Osama bin Laden who used him as their pointman in the Sahel,” said Mohamed Mokaddem, author of several books on Al-Qaeda.

“In 2001 he hosted a Yemeni envoy from bin Laden in the region for two months, and he has always boasted of his contacts with Al-Qaeda, harking back to his involvement in jihad in Afghanistan,” he said. An expert in smuggling and master of the desert, Belmokhtar has forged close ties with important Tuareg tribes, notably by orchestrating marriages into his family. For years he has furnished fighters in northern Algeria with weapons bought through his smuggling network.

Despite having life and death sentences on his head for several attacks in Algeria, Belmokhtar - nicknamed “The Uncatchable” by French intelligence, has often been reported

school building that apparently was sheltering displaced Syrians in the town of Salqin, some six kilometers from the border with Turkey in Idlib province. Dozens of people were killed and wounded. At least 30 people wounded in the attack were taken across the border to Turkey for treatment, and two of died in Turkish hospitals, the news agency said.

The displaced Syrians were eating when the school was attacked, according to Anadolu, who interviewed witnesses who has crossed into the Turkish border province of Hatay. The wounded included women and children, the agency said. Rami AbdulRahman, who heads the Observatory, said the government was sending reinforcements to the central city of Homs where rebels have controlled some neighborhoods for more than a year. Residents of Homs, Syria’s third largest city, were one of the first to rise up against Assad and many refer to it as “the capital of the revolution”. “It seems they are preparing for a big attack on Homs,” AbdulRahman said by telephone. The Observatory and the LCC said troops attacked several suburbs of the capital, Damascus, as well as Homs and the southern rebel-held town of Busra al-Harir. — AP

An undated grab from a video obtained

by ANI Mauritanian news agency reportedly shows former Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) emir Mokhtar Belmokhtar speaking at an undisclosed location. — AFP

Israel’s Labour leader rides social discontent TEL AVIV: Pragmatic and confident, the head of Israel’s Labour party Shelly Yachimovich believes she can eke out a victory in January elections by focusing on socio-economic discontent. It is a strategy that the 52-year-old former journalist hopes can reinvigorate the party - an Israeli stalwart that held 56 seats in the Knesset, or parliament during its 1969 heyday, but now has just eight. So far, the strategy appears to be working.

Labour is expected to become the second largest party in the next Knesset with around 18 seats, behind only the juggernaut list combining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing

Syria troops, rebels fight near bases in northeast BEIRUT: Syrian troops fought intense battles yesterday against rebels who are trying to capture two military bases in the northwest and step up their attacks on army compounds elsewhere in the nation torn by civil war, activists said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees said the rebels destroyed at least one tank near the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province. The rebels, who have been battling for weeks to take control of bases in Wadi Deif and Hamdiyeh, are working to cut off supply routes to the compounds, the Observatory said.

Attacks on government bases are a recent focus of fighting in Syria’s conflict, which according to the U.N. has killed more than 60,000 people since March 2011. Last week, rebels captured the nearby air base of Taftanaz, dealing a significant blow to President Bashar Assad’s forces, which have relied on its airpower in its fight against the opposition. The rebels also have been trying to capture other air bases in the northern province of Aleppo, and according to activists, were attacking the air base of Mannagh near the Turkish border.

In Turkey, state-run Anadolu news agency said Syria’s air force targeted a mosque and a

dead, only to reappear later. “This is why he has never accepted that (AQIM leader Abdelmalek) Droukdel, who is wary of him, has chosen other leaders” to command Zone 9, the Sahara, said Mokaddem. In 2007 Droukdel appointed Algerian Abou Zeid to lead this area. “ To

Shelly Yachimovich Likud with the hardline nationalist Yisrael Beitenu of ex-foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Yachimovich, who joined the party six years ago, was named its leader last year after winning 54 percent of the primary vote compared with the 46 percent taken by her former mentor Amir Peretz, himself a one-time Labour leader.

Known for her campaigning on social issues, Yachimovich is hoping to capitalise on the widespread discontent over rising prices in Israel that spurred massive protests in mid-2011. She has sought to clearly define the differences between Labour and the Netanyahu government, and even ruled out entering an eventual coalition with him, saying voters needed to see Labour as a real alternative.

Although she was not raised in the smoke-filled rooms of the Labour party, Yachimovich man-

aged to defeat two seasoned opponents to take over as its head.

It is only the second time that the party, which dominated Israel’s political scene for the first few decades after the founding of the state, has elected a female leader the first being Golda Meir who was premier from 1969 to 1974. Before she took the helm, Labour was effectively leaderless after its chairman Ehud Barak, the outgoing defence minister, left to form his own faction.

Four other Labour MPs jumped ship with him to form the Independence party in Jan 2011, but just two months ahead of Tuesday’s election, Barak said he was retiring from politics and the faction has effectively disappeared.

A skilled debater and former radio and TV presenter, Yachimovich has benefited from a mostly a warm reception from the local media.

The one exception has been the left-leaning Haaretz, which accused her of being the voice of “the fake left” because of her refusal to take a stand against Israeli settlements. “I do not consider the entire settlement project to be a sin or a crime,” she said in an interview with the paper.

She defines herself as a “humanist social-democrat” and says she would seek a peace settlement under which Israel would keep blocs of settlements in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

She has also sought to deemphasise the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in her campaigning, saying Israelis are most concerned about the cost of living and that vast income disparities should be the government’s primary concern.

Born in March 1960 in Kfar Saba, a comfortable town near Tel Aviv, she has two children and a degree in behavioural sciences. Her first job in journalism was with the leftwing daily Al-HaMishmar, after which she worked in radio and television before entering parliament in 2006. She held onto her seat during the disastrous election of 2009 when Labour fell to a historic low of 13 seats. Although most polls predict she will become the next leader of Israel’s opposition, her party has pointed to the consistently high number of Israelis who say they are undecided voters, saying they could swing the vote Labour’s way. —AFP

(Belmokhtar) Abou Zeid is just a vulgar smuggler turned jihadist with no legitimacy. He believes Abou Zeid continued trafficking fuel and cars while fighting in the name of Allah and Afghanistan,” Mokaddem said.

Mauritanian specialist in Islamist movements in the Sahel Isselmou Ould Moustapha, agrees.

“Belmokhtar considers Abou Zeid an ignoramus, a leader without charisma. He feels mistreated

by AQIM because, unlike other jihadist leaders in its history, he comes from southern Algeria, and not the north.” “But with the hostage seizure in In Amenas, he made a grand strike.” Belmokhtar’s group seized hundreds of Algerian and foreign hostages at a remote desert gas plant, prompting the army to launch a rescue bid which left some of the captives dead. International criticism has mounted over the haste of the Algerian military assault. “He is making steep demands, trying to save Islamists from a rout in Mali by demanding a halt to French airstrikes. He is acting like a leader amid silence from Droukdel. He has drawn the attention of the entire world,” said Moustapha. These two experts estimate Belmokhtar’s brigade counts a dozen members made up of mostly Malians and Mauritanians.

“They are few, but battle-hardened, motivated, ready for sacrifice on the orders of their leader, as was shown by what is currently happening at the gas site,” said Moustapha. “They knew there was little chance of getting out alive.” — AFP

Israeli settlers throw weight behind Bennett KIRYAT ARBA: Israel’s settlers, once firm suppor ters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, have a new political star: Naftali Bennett, head of the hardline nationalist Jewish Home.

His determined stance against the creation of a Palestinian state and outspoken support for the settlement enterprise have won over a significant chunk of voters among the Jewish settler population, which numbers more than 550,000. “Bennett has a better platform than Netanyahu’s,” said Roni Akrich, a teacher of Jewish thought who lives in Kiryat Arba, one of the West Bank’s more hardline settlements which is located next to the Palestinian city of Hebron. “I t ’s impor tant that Netanyahu has to his right real representatives of our ideas,” added Akrich, a one-time Likud voter. “Likud believes in our ideals but it is very flexible,” he said.

Polls show Bennett’s Jewish Home party could win around 15 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, making it the third biggest party in parliament. The settler vote accounts only for about four percent of the Israeli electorate, but the bloc generally turns out en masse to cast their ballots, giving them outsized sway. Bennett is so sure of winning the community’s support that he has barely campaigned in the settlements. “Those for whom the integrity of the land of Israel is important will vote for our party,” he told AFP. Bennett cannot, however, count on uniform support from the settler bloc, and he has seen the settler leadership, including his former employers at the Yesha Council which represents settlers throughout the West Bank, stand against him. Last week, council president Danny Dayan announced he was stepping down to campaign actively for Likud, which is running on a joint list with Yisrael Beitenu, led by former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, himself a settler. “The most impor tant thing is to strengthen Likud and not divide the right-wing vote among multiple parties,” said Dayan, who was Bennett’s boss when he served as director of the Yesha Council. “I admit that I’m disappointed by his reaction,” Bennett told AFP. Other settler leaders have also sided with Likud, with 15 mayors

and regional council heads signing an appeal for residents to vote for Netanyahu. Bennett’s camp dismisses such tactics as an attempt to curry favour with Netanyahu, who is vir tually guaranteed to head the next government. “It seems mostly like tactical support to ensure fur ther construction projects in the future,” a member of Bennett’s camp told AFP on condition of anonymity.

A smaller portion of the settler bloc is also eschewing Bennett, because they consider his views to be insufficiently pro-settlement.

“It’s an important part of my platform, but it’s not the only part,” Bennett acknowledges. “What we want is to take part in the building of a society that is more just for all Israeli citizens, and not just those in Judaea and Samaria,” he told AFP, using the Biblical name for the West Bank.

Naftali Bennett That admission concerns Israelis like Yehuda Shimon, a lawyer who lives in Havat Gilad, an unauthorised settler outpost. The Palestinians and the international community consider all Israeli settlements to be illegal under international law, but the Israeli government only frowns on those built without state permission, such as Havat Gilad. “I don’t trust him, he’s too much like Netanyahu, a man who has dismantled outposts and frozen Jewish construction,” Shimon told AFP. “He’s prepared to give the Arabs autonomy, which is against the (biblical) Torah,” he adds, referring to Bennett’s plan to annex 60 percent of the West Bank to Israel and give some measure of self-rule to Palestinians in the remaining parts. For Shimon and most of the others in Havat Gilad, the only party worth voting for is the ultraright O tzma LeYisrael faction, which pledges “no compromise” with the Palestinians and is regarded as extremist and racist by many Israelis. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

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

‘You can make it if you try’: Obama eyes legacy Reps lying low for Obama inauguration WASHINGTON: Presidential terms are measured by sweeping laws and stirring events, but legacies are about enduring ideas. The one Barack Obama has in mind will drive most everything he tries to do in the next four years: assuring that America is a place where anyone can make it.

There is no moonshot here, no call to end tyranny in our time. What Obama wants written in the first paragraph of history is that he helped deliver a better life for the people struggling in the richest nation on earth. His secondterm agenda amounts to a wish list in support of that core idea, and this time, he is freer to define the issues.

Obama wants an immigration law that would deal firmly but compassionately with millions of illegal residents; an economic model that demands more money from the rich to shrink the debt; a tax system that is fairer and simpler for families; and a bigger emphasis on education and made-in-America energy. The old problem of gun violence is suddenly on the list now, too, but only after an elementary school massacre led Obama into days of reflection. He concluded that the country is failing its people in another fundamental way, by not keeping even its children safe.

This is the playbook of a Democrat who thinks the basic compact between a nation and its people has been broken, who sees government as more of an aggressive force for good than a bureaucratic menace to society. In the discussions that shape Obama’s next moves, in the speeches that convey his thinking, the policy premise is usually boosting hope and genuine opportunity.

Many people have lost both. “I’ve got one mandate,” the president said after defeating Republican Mitt Romney in November. “I’ve got a mandate to help middle-class families and families that are working hard to get into the middle class. That’s what the American people said: ‘Work really hard to help us.’” The American people, however, also returned Republicans to power in the House, setting up a giant clash of visions over the role of government.

Should Obama get bogged down in power struggles over the debt and

spending, his overarching ideas may be shrunk along with his legacy. His influence is limited by his opponents in Congress, forcing him to scale back time and again, and frustrating him about the pace of progress. Yet piece by piece, he is building what he is convinced voters want. He will use his powers, he says, to build a country where “you can make it if you try.”

He does not have much time.

Presidential capital fades after the second year of a second term. What Obama does have is more freedom to pursue an agenda on his terms. By the time he is sworn in again, Obama will have sworn off some of the problems he inherited. The recession is over. So is the Iraq war and the Afghanistan war is winding down. Obama will never again have to worry about getting re-elected.

“He came into office when the American Dream was at its most maximum peril,” said Obama confidant Robert Gibbs, recalling a collapsing job market and stock market. “Fixing that is likely to be a journey that will be the charge of the next several presidents. But it’s his job to build a foundation.” Obama is halfway into that project. It began with the milestones of his first term: a law extending health coverage to millions of people, taxpayer intervention to help a plummeting economy, consumer protections and Wall Street reform, and the appointment of two women to the Supreme Court, including the first Hispanic justice.

He also repealed the ban on gays serving openly in the military and became the first president to announce support of gay marriage.

Almost forgotten, by now, is the symbolism of Obama’s presidency itself.

He was the first black man to win the office. “His progressive legacy is continuing the civil rights movements to the very last groups that have been marginalized,” said Douglas Brinkley, a Rice University historian who has written extensively about presidents. “He is, in a way, trying to bring into the fold the last people who haven’t made it.”

Even when Obama looks back at the lowest moment of his re-election campaign, it is to bemoan his failure

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama paints a bookshelf at Burrville Elementary School during Day of Service yesterday as part of the 57th Presidential Inauguration. — AFP at explaining what his presidency is Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekabout. He told Time magazine that his end with quick vacation getaways, flawed first debate against Romney quiet time at home or trips to the never conveyed the stakes of a society movie theater.

Few plan any “mourning parties” or in which too many have too little “bawls” that have been the staples of chance to succeed.

Meanwhile, for many Republicans, past inaugural festivities for the party this is a good weekend to get away out of power. But invites to pricey from it all. With hundreds of thou- balls and swanky soirees tend to be sands of Democrats traveling to scarce if your candidate lost and nation’s capital for President Barack watching television provides a conObama’s swearing-in ceremonies, stant reminder of November’s elecRepublicans and supporters of last tions. “Invitations must have gotten fall’s GOP presidential candidate, Mitt lost in the mail!” former Romney Romney, are leaving town for sunny adviser Ed Gillespie wrote in an email vacation destinations and company saying he had no major plans for the conferences or staying indoors and weekend.

Charlie Spies, an attorney and coavoiding the crowds. After failing to recapture the White House for a sec- founder of the pro-Romney super PAC ond straight presidential election, called Restore Our Future, was in Las many are not exactly in a partying Vegas for the weekend, hosting about mood. “It’s a good time to lay low,” 100 Republicans, including some forsaid John Feehery, the president of mer Romney campaign aides, at Quinn Gillespie Communications and events in the Wynn Las Vegas and a former top congressional aide. As Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.

Spies held a similar gathering for Democrats prepare to mark Obama’s second inauguration on Monday by about 20 friends and associates bundling up along the parade route four years ago but said he was suror donning party gowns or tuxedos, prised by the amount of interest Republicans are spending the long this time. —Agencies

Lawmaker pulls duty to retreat bill OLYMPIA: A Washington state lawmaker last week withdrew a bill to limit self-defense rights after saying she received threats by telephone and email that have made her fear for her life. Rep Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, said House Bill 1012, filed last month, was spurred by the Trayvon Martin shooting last February, in which a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida shot dead the unarmed Martin, 17, after confronting him on the street.

The shooter, George Zimmerman, was not immediately arrested after the shooting, with local law enforcement citing Florida’s “stand your ground” law as justification for his actions.

Zimmerman was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder last April. His case is pending.

Appleton’s bill would have required a person to retreat from a dangerous confrontation that person “knows or should know” that doing so would afford “complete safety.”

“I was so appalled by the Trayvon Martin shooting,” Appleton said. “I did the bill because we have no verbiage on ‘duty to retreat’ in Washington.”

Washington is one of at least 29 states with no explicit duty to retreat. Some other states employ a “castle doctrine,” exempting a person in his home from

the duty to retreat.

Appleton said her bill was written in September and she lamented that it was caught up in the reignited national debate over guns in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn., in which 26 people, including 20 children, were killed. “It’s unfortunate, because Newtown happened, and that riled up so many people,” Appleton said. “I think it would have gone unnoticed if it hadn’t been for Newtown.”

The threats against Appleton, which were among the more than a hundred emails and telephone calls she received about the bill after reports of it circulated on gun advocacy websites, were non-specific but “very scary,” said her assistant, Donna Bezon.

Bezon declined to provide copies of emails or transcripts of voice messages to The Associated Press, saying she wanted to spare Appleton, who has not seen the worst of them, the details contained therein. But she said the most concerning included information about where Appleton lived.

One advised the lawmaker to heed the lesson of an unnamed lawyer who had defended “murderers and rapists”

but who had changed his allegiances after his family was attacked, Bezon said. One of the perceived threats was forwarded to the state House of Representatives’ security office, said House Security Director Mark Arras.

“There was no direct or immediate threat, but there was disturbing language,” said Arras, adding that his office discussed it with the Washington State Patrol and continues to monitor the situation. Appleton conceded that the bill could have been written more narrowly, but said the threats have left her fearful and unwilling to pursue such legislation again. “I’m not going to fall on my sword to have to live with those kinds of threats,” Appleton said.

“It will have to be somebody else that will do the bill.” Rep Matt Shea, RSpokane Valley, a gun enthusiast, said he was heartened by the strong negative response to the measure - but he condemned any physical threats.

“When the grassroots gets involved like they did and they call her up and they say, ‘Hey, we oppose this,’ that’s grassroots activism at its finest,” said Shea. “Anytime anyone on either side of the aisle gets threatened, obviously that doesn’t help.” The bill was removed last week from the House’s official register of bills. — AP

Dallas woman found guilty in stepson’s dehydration death DALLAS: A Dallas woman was convicted Friday in the dehydration death of her 10-year-old stepson who was denied water for days during record-high temperatures in North Texas. Jurors deliberated more than two hours before finding Tina Marie Alberson, 44, guilty of reckless injury to a child, a second-degree felony, in the July 2011 death of Jonathan James. Alberson faces up to life in prison because of a previous felony conviction.

Testimony in the punishment phase of her trial began Friday afternoon, but jurors went home after deliberating for about an hour without reaching a decision about her sentence. The jury will resume deliberations Tuesday. Police thought Jonathan’s death was heat-related until the medical examiner’s report.

Alberson had testified in her own defense. She told jurors she limited Jonathan’s water intake only a few times as punishment for misbehaving, and that she saw him drinking water when he wasn’t in ‘time-out.’ She said she saw no sign that he was in medical distress. The boy’s fraternal twin brother, now 12, testified that Jonathan repeatedly asked for water and even pretended to use the bathroom in order to sneak a drink from the faucet before their stepmother ordered him out. Joseph James told jurors he was concerned for his brother’s health but was too afraid of Alberson to do anything.

After her stepson died, Alberson was charged with injury to a child with serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony in which someone knowingly or recklessly causes harm that creates a substantial risk of death. It carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. The lesser charge for which she was convicted carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence, but jurors can sentence Alberson to a maximum of life in prison because she previously was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, hitting someone with her van in 1998. — AP

Jury hears out US terror suspect’s dramatic takedown PORTLAND: At a darkened train station, the teenager and the purported jihadi pulled into a quiet lot where months of planning were to culminate in this: a plot to kill thousands at a Portland Christmas tree-lighting ceremony. “You know what to do,” the man said to the teenager, breathing heavily.

“O Lord, O Lord, O Lord.” “Ready,” the teenager said. “Alhamdulillah.” Praise be to God. They were 14 blocks northeast of this city’s busy tree-lighting ceremony two years ago on Nov. 26, 2010. On Friday, they found themselves across a federal courtroom from each other where the man - who Mohamed Mohamud would learn was an undercover FBI agent - testified against the now 21-year-old and a jury listened to a recording of the moments leading up to his arrest.

The recording crackles as the FBI agent reads out numbers and the teenager punches them into his black disposable Nokia cellphone. He then apparently encounters an error. “Dial it again,” the man said, words that were in fact the cue for his fellow agents.

Mohamud dialed again and waited for the explosion. Instead: “FBI, FBI, FBI! Get down!” The agent, whose cover name was “Hussein,” had told Mohamud the number he dialed was connected to a cell phone that would set off six 55-gallon drums filled with diesel fuel in a van parked next to the tree-lighting. The explosion, “Hussein” told him, would destroy two blocks in any direction.

Mohamud’s defense team doesn’t dispute the sequence of events, nor that their client intended to kill thousands of people at the tree-lighting ceremony. But the path by which he reached that point is the substance of the defense’s claim that Mohamud was entrapped. The entrapment defense has been launched, unsuccessfully, in several post-9/11 terrorism sting operations like the one that targeted Mohamud.

He came to the FBI’s attention, agents testified, when he kept up email contact with a Saudi Arabian man suspected by Interpol of terrorism.

Without the bureau’s intervention, prosecutors say, the already-radicalized Mohamud would almost certainly have found a way to reach Al-Qaeda or one of its affiliates and commit an act of terror in the US. Nonsense, Mohamud’s attorneys said in opening statements

and cross-examinations of prosecution witnesses. He was a 17-year-old when his emails were identified by the FBI, a teenager with grand but muddled ambitions of achieving some sort of fame in the Islamic world. If anyone radicalized him, his attorneys attest, it was the undercover FBI agents who convinced him they were members of Al-Qaeda that had chosen him as a promising recruit.

Jurors had by Friday heard the details of the undercover sting operation and testimony from the men who led it. “Youssef,” another undercover agent testifying under a pseudonym, said he encountered an angry young man at the outset of the sting on July 30, 2010.

But “Youssef” said he didn’t believe Mohamud was truly capable of violence. Not yet. It wasn’t until an August 2010 meeting in which Mohamud picked the tree-lighting ceremony as a target that “Youssef ” became concerned that he was dealing with a potentially dangerous person.

After that meeting on Aug 19, 2010, at least one agent or handler left his or her recorder running. The agents were heard saying it was “fantastic” that Mohamud had identified a “sexy” terrorist target, according to transcripts of the meeting quoted by Mohamud’s defense team. That plays in direct contrast to the FBI agents’ assertions that they kept hoping Mohamud would turn his back to violence and instead choose a different option offered by the agents: Pray five times daily, get an engineering degree, fundraise for alQaida.

Instead, they say, he insisted on becoming “operational,” at first even asking to be a martyr before the agents talked him out of it. It was a theme that they said continued throughout the sting: Agents offered peaceful options, Mohamud repeatedly chose violence.

Even in the final minute of the final hour of the final day, parked in the train station lot, “Hussein” said Mohamud could have walked away.

“Was there any hesitation on his part?” asked prosecutor Pam Holsinger on Friday. “None,” Hussein said.

Holsinger paused. “If he saw (the bomb) and said he didn’t want to...”

Holsinger said. “If he did not dial the number,” the agent said, “the directive was for us to drive him home.” — AP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

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

Slovakia’s steel hub Kosice dusts off its creative side KOSICE, Slovakia: Known mainly for its steelworks, the gritty industrial hub of Kosice in east Slovakia is hard at work reforging itself as a centre of creativity and the arts as it enters 2013 with the tag “European Capital of Culture”. A twoday gala blastoff featuring fireworks and gigs by international and local artists this weekend launches a year of metamorphosis with an unprecedented flurry of festivals and events to showcase Slovak film, literature and music. “We want to transform Kosice from a heavy industrialised city to one focusing on creative industries,” Culture Capital project director Jan Sudzina told AFP. Awarded the European Union title “European Capital of Culture” for 2013 and a 60-million-euro ($80- million) grant, central Kosice is a hive of hammering and drilling amid preparations for the opening show and side-events.

Tourists to the city’s most famous landmark, the 14th century St Elisabeth Cathedral, are met with a buzz of activity inside the usually solemn church, setting up for an exhibition this weekend by Paris visual artist Elise Morin, known for her three-dimensional creations with light. St Elisabeth is Slovakia’s largest church and Europe’s easternmost Gothic cathedral.

Tomas Cizmarik, a spokesman for the

Kosice European Capital of Culture project, said plans for the city ’s artistic renewal include “renovating old industrial objects such as former army barracks and giving them a new function” as concert halls and galleries. The most ambitious project - the transformation of a derelict swimming pool closed for three decades into a gleaming centre for contemporary art - is expected to conclude this spring. On top of the EU grant, Kosice also received Ä10 million from the Slovak government.

Later this year, the city plans to honour its most famous native, Hungarian author Sandor Marai, by re-publishing his works - some for the first time in Slovak. “What (Franz) Kafka is for Prague, Marai is for Kosice,” goes the local saying.

March through April will see a marathon screening of films by Slovak director Juraj Jakubisko, and in May the “USE THE C!TY” festival will bring a variety of art forms to the city’s streets.

A modern art exhibition is planned from June through to September, followed in autumn by an international contemporary arts festival involving modern classical composers from across the globe. The town’s efforts are starting to yield the desired effect. Sudzina said a creative IT industry has started to take root, creating up to 6,000 jobs so far as

the fastest developing sector. Britain’s Guardian daily has named Kosice one of the best bargain city breaks of 2013, while US news giant CNN ranked the city replete with historical monuments this year’s third top travel destination. Once a religious and cultural centre of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Kosice’s modern history is inseparably linked to steel.

Established in the 1960s, the communist state-owned giant Eastern Slovak Steel Works (VSZ), was bought by the United States Steel Corporation in 2000, a decade after the regime collapsed. The company provides more than 11,000 jobs and is the largest employer in this eurozone country of 5.4 million people.

With Kosice the city struggling with a 10-percent unemployment rate, spiking to 20 percent in the broader Kosice region, the company caused panic when it said last year it was contemplating quitting Slovakia and looking for a buyer for the steelworks. “ We hope the European Culture Capital project will boost small and medium-sized businesses and help overcome the region’s dependence on one company,” director Sudzina said. As a former US Steel manager who left the steel business to launch an independent music recording company ten years ago, Sudzina believes the city will not only

KOSICE, Slovakia: People walk in front of most famous landmark, the14th century St Elisabeth Cathedral on Jan 17, 2013. — AFP benefit from an influx of tourists, but Elisabeth Cathedral. “I never realised that the project will inspire a greater how amazing the Cathedral is - somefeeling of community. Locals seem to times when you see a treasure every day you tend to overlook its beauty,” she agree.

Nikola Nevidova, a 22-year-old stu- added. The European Union has awarddent, is optimistic the year will make its ed the title European Capital of Culture mark on her city. “I believe Kosice will every year since 1985, usually to two benefit a lot from this year as the cities at a time. The French port city of European Culture Capital,” she told AFP Marseille is Kosice’s twin beneficiary this gazing up at the soaring spires of St. year. — AFP

Gunmen fire on Nigerian Islamic leader’s convoy KANO, Nigeria: Gunmen opened fire on the convoy of one of Nigeria’s most senior Islamic leaders in the northern city of Kano yesterday, killing four people, although the Emir of Kano himself escaped unhurt, authorities said.

Violence has worsened in Kano, the north’s main city, in the past week, with near daily attacks by Islamist sect Boko Haram against security forces. The Emir of Kano is one of the two most senior Islamic traditional leaders in Nigeria, the other being the Sultan of Sokoto. The current emir has been on the throne for half a century.

Practising a strict Wahabist brand of Islam modelled on the Afghan Taleban, Boko Haram are fiercely anti-establishment and often attack Islamic clerics, many of whom they regard as corrupt, self serving and insufficiently strict in their interpretation of the Quran. A spokesman for joint military and police forces in Kano Captain Ikedichi Iweha said the gunmen fired on Emir Alhaji Ado Bayero’s own car but he was not hit. “We are still chasing further details,” the spokesman said.

A security source said three of the

Pro-Gbagbo youth leader sent home to Ivory Coast

NIONO, Mali: Malian soldiers are seen on their way to Niono some 270 km north of Bamako on Friday. — AP

French special forces a lifeline for Mali soldiers Malian army no match for separatist rebels, Islamists MARKALA, Mali: Fighting on the front in Mali to halt a swoop by Islamists descending from the north, French Special Forces have been a lifeline for the country’s illequipped and demoralised soldiers.

The French military intervention, sparked by the fall of the central town of Konna to Al-Qaeda linked militants over a week ago, saw hundreds of elite, war-hardened soldiers deployed in the west African country on a war footing. Initially restricted to air power, the French mission codenamed Serval, was soon broadened to include a ground offensive.

A French helicopter pilot died on the very day that Paris launched its operations in the former colony, but the French presence has been a tremendous shot in the arm for the Malian forces. “When the first

French troops arrived, everything changed,” said Captain Cheichne Konate. “ They were formidable.

They helped us to reconstitute the defence formations. The men who had left returned. Without them it would be over for us,” he said. The Malian army proved no match for Tuareg separatist rebels - many of whom had fought for Muammar Gaddafi in Libya - who took them by surprise when they relaunched a decades-old rebellion in January last year.

As anger rose over their defeats, a group of soldiers overthrew the government in Bamako in a disastrous coup which only made it easier for the Tuareg and their new Islamist allies to seize the vast arid north. But the Tuareg desert nomads, whose plans for independence were of no interest to the

extremists seeking to impose sharia law on the north, were quickly chased out by Islamist fighters who then set out to extend their reach southward. “ To fight a war, you need three essentials: weapons, fighters and cash,” Time magazine wrote, something the Islamists have in rich supply. “Clearly, the Malian army does not have the means to wage this war alone,” added Malian defence specialist Kissima Gakou.

A French Special Forces member affirmed this, speaking in the frontline area of Markala, where a strategic bridge is located. “There are just a handful of brave soldiers who fight for half-an-hour when the bearded ones attack before fleeing,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity and referring to the jihadists. The French air raids not only halted the progress of the

emir’s palace guards and a local government official were killed. The security source said they suspected Boko Haram militants to be behind the assault.

It was the latest of a spate of violent episodes in Kano, an ancient city that was once at the heart of the great caravan routes connecting West Africa’s interior with the Mediterranean.

Nigerian forces killed two Islamist gunmen in a shootout and arrested five others after their checkpoint in Kano on Thursday. Boko Haram killed hundreds last year in a campaign to impose sharia, or Islamic law, on religiously mixed Nigeria. Its deadliest single attack was in Kano last January, when attacks on multiple police stations left 186 people dead, most of them civilians. The Islamists have forged links over the years with international jihadists in Mali and Niger, including al Qaeda’s north African wing, whom French and West African forces are fighting in northern Mali.

Nigeria plans to deploy around 1,200 troops as part of a West African intervention force, and officials fear Nigeria’s involvement could further inflame its own Islamist insurgency. — Reuters

extremists deeper into the government-controlled south but also destroyed most of their bases and ammunition depots. And later when they launched a ground offensive, the French troops’ tactics and superior weaponry also made a huge difference.

A retired French Special Forces officer said the deployment was a flashback to Afghanistan in 2001 when US special operations forces helped the Northern Alliance score stunning tactical victories against the Taleban. Eric Denece, the head of the French Intelligence Centre think-tank, said the elite troops were also trained to “galvanise, train, supervise and accompany friendly forces in combat. “Their presence comforts and makes the local army, which knows the terrain, much more efficient,” he said. — AFP

ABIDJAN: A fugitive youth leader and close ally of Ivory Coast’s ex-president Laurent Gbagbo was sent home from Ghana on Friday and taken into police custody, the Ivorian government said in a statement.

Charles Ble Goude had been sought on one of more than two dozen international warrants issued by the Ivorian government following a brief post-election civil war in 2011.

Arrested in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Thursday, he is the first Gbagbo ally to be handed over by Ghana, and his transfer could have ramifications for other former top officials living in exile there.

“In a joint police operation between Ghana and Ivory Coast, Charles Ble Goude was apprehended,” the government said in a statement read out on state television. “He is currently being held in Ivory Coast by Ivorian police authorities in the framework of judicial proceedings already launched against him in Ivory Coast,” it continued. Ble Goude was the head of the Young Patriot street militia, whose members played the role of street enforcers for the regime under Gbagbo, who is now awaiting trial before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. He rose to become minister of youth before fleeing at the end of the conflict sparked by Gbagbo’s refusal to accept a 2010 election defeat to Alassane Ouattara. Ivorian authorities accuse him of

kidnappings, illegal detentions, torture, incitement of hatred and economic crimes while a member of Gbagbo’s inner circle. His supporters say the charges are politically motived, and on Friday accused the governments of both Ivory Coast and Ghana of rushing his transfer. “From a judicial standpoint, I don’t believe his tranfer conformed to international norms and procedures,” said Toussaint Alain, a former Gbagbo advisor and spokesman for Ble Goude’s defence team. “According to my information, his lawyer, who attempted to meet with him all day, did not have access to him,” he said.

Most top military and political officials from Gbagbo’s regime were killed, are in jail in Ivory Coast or now live in exile, many of them in Ghana. The government of Ouattara, now president, accuses them of being behind a wave of attacks on Ivorian security installations and infrastructure that began last August. A United Nations expert panel found that Gbagbo’s supporters had established a strategic command in Ghana and were orchestrating the violence in an attempt to destabilize the new authorities in Ivory Coast.

Ble Goude, who is currently on the United Nations’ sanction list and subject to a travel ban and asset freeze, is accused by the experts of raising money to purchase weapons for use in the attacks. — Reuters

Somalia prez speaks to thousands in US MINNEAPOLIS: A day after the US officially recognized Somalia’s government for the first time in two decades, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on Somalis living in Minnesota to help rebuild their war-torn homeland.

Mohamud spoke to about 4,000 people late Friday night at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Although most of his speech was in Somali, he said in English that it was, “the beginning of a new foundation”. Omar Jamal, first secretary of the Somali Mission to the United Nations, said the president thanked the crowd in Somali and asked that they help rebuild the country with an emphasis on security, the economy and judicial system - either by returning to Somalia or from their homes in Minnesota.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the US. Jamal had traveled with Mohamud to Washington, DC, where Secretary of State Hilary Clinton joined the Somali president on Thursday to announce the change in diplomatic relations.

The US recognition will help Somalia receive greater aid from the US and international agencies. After Friday’s speech, Ilhan Omar said he walked away with the feeling that there was a plan in place to rebuild her homeland. “I felt like it was the first time in 20 years that we can see a

light at the end of the tunnel,” said Omar, 30.

Amira Adawe, 34, added that she hopes the US government’s recognition of Somalia will open the door to widespread international support. The president’s visit solidified her desire to return there and do what she can. “It’s my country,” Adawe said. “I can’t wait to go back home and help.” On Thursday, Clinton said times have changed in Somalia and cited the militant group

WASHINGTON: Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during a press conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following meetings at the State Department on Jan 17, 2013. — AFP

Al-Shabab’s retreat from every major Somali city.

The US provided $780 million to African forces to help that effort.

Authorities say more than 20 young Somali men have left Minnesota since 2007 to join Shabab, a US-designated terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda. A Minneapolis man was convicted in October of helping funnel young men from Minnesota to Somalia to join the group. Roda Rabi, who helped organize a protest of the president’s visit that attracted about 50 people, said many Somalis are unhappy with Mohamud’s tenure since he was elected in September. Rabi said that despite his promises, Mohamud has failed to follow the United Nations’ plan for Somalia’s reconciliation.

Saeed Fahia, executive director of the Confederation of the Somali Community in Minnesota, said it’s too early to judge the new president. Too much has happened in the past two decades to be solved in a matter of months, he said. “It would be difficult for any human being to take on Somalia’s problems,” he said ahead of the president’s speech. “After 23 years, Somalia is back in the world community,” he added. “After all these years of fighting and drought ... we will be able to work toward rebuilding.” — AP

ABIDJAN: Charles Ble Goude, Gbagbo’s fiery youth minister and leader of the militant “Young Patriots” arrives to spend the night with several thousand people rallying in support of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo in this March 26, 2011 file photo. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

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

Rahul Gandhi takes Congress’ No. 2 post Gandhi eyes PM seat in mid-2014 polls

ALLAHABAD: An Indian Hindu saadhu (holy man) braids the dreadlocks of another devotee near Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad yesterday. The Kumbh Mela in the Indian town of Allahabad will see up to 100 million worshippers gather over the next 55 days to take a ritual bath in the holy waters, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings. — AFP

Pakistan to free more Afghanistan detainees ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to release more Afghan militant detainees in an attempt to boost the peace process in neighboring Afghanistan ahead of the departure of international troops next year, a top Pak istani official said. Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said Pakistan has initiated the process of releasing those Afghan detainees in its custody who they think will help facilitate the reconciliation process. His comments were made during a press conference Friday in Abu Dhabi and relayed by the Foreign yesterday. He did not give a timetable. In general, Kabul has pressed hard for Islamabad to release its detainees, with some officials saying that they hope the released Talebancan serve as intermediaries. But Washington is concerned about specific prisoners who they consider dangerous.

Jilani did not specifically mention whether Pakistan would release Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the former deputy leader of the Afghan Taleban whom Kabul has been pushing Pakistan to release. Senior US and Afghan officials told The Associated Press that the US has informed the Pakistani authorities that it was reluctant to see Baradar go free and asked for prior notice so it can try to track his movements.

Pakistan has upward of 100 Afghan prisoners in its custody including Baradar, who was arrested by Pakistan in the southern city of Karachi in 2010. The circumstances of his arrest, like that of most of the detainees, remain unclear. Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of providing shelter to some of the Taliban. The US and Afghan officials said a similar US request for notification upon release has been made for another prisoner, Abdul Samad, according to the officials.

Samad, who is from Kandahar, the former Taleban headquarters, is a specialist in making suicide jackets and came to prominence within the Taleban movement after its collapse in 2001.

Several senior Taleban have already been released by Pakistan including former governors and ministers. One of those released was the once -feared Vice and Vir tue Minister Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, who oversaw a legion of Taleban fighters who roamed the streets searching for women who were not properly covered, or residents

listening to music or watching television, both of which were forbidden under the Taliban.

In November Pak istan also released Anwar ul Haq Mujahed, a senior Taleban commander from eastern Nangarhar province whose release was sought by the Afghan High Peace Council although he had been implicated in several major attacks in eastern Afghanistan against coalition and Afghan forces. The Afghan peace process has made little headway since it began several years ago, hobbled by distrust among the major players, including the United States. But it appears to be getting a new push in recent months with a high-level peace commission traveling from Afghanistan to Pakistan and Pakistani officials releasing 26 Taleban prisoners since November. Part of the reason for the recent peace push is that Pakistani government and military officials are worried that if American troops leave without a plan in place, Afghanistan could deteriorate into another round of vicious infighting. After the Soviets pulled out in 1989, many of the militants who had helped best that superpower then turned on each other in what played out as a vicious war across the country. A repeat of that scenario could have horrific consequences for Pakistan, such as a flood of Afghan refugees across its borders and increased fighting in Pakistan’s tribal areas, where the military is already trying to suppress a stubborn insurgency.

The Afghan and US governments have long accused Islamabad of backing insurgents - an allegation Pakistan denies - and say many militant leaders are hiding in the countr y. Whether the recent detainee releases will play a significant role in the peace process remains to be seen. The US Ambassador to Afghanistan, James Cunningham, said on Thursday that although their release was a positive step, there was no indication of where the former detainees had gone. He said the Afghan government was trying to ensure they did not return to the insurgency. He said the Pakistanis so far have taken a “hands-off kind of approach to the people that they have released.” All officials spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to talk to the media.— AP

JAIPUR: Rahul Gandhi, the scion of India’s Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, was yesterday elevated to the governing Congress party’s No. 2 post, positioning him to lead the party that his family has long dominated in parliamentary elections next year. Gandhi, a 42-year-old lawmaker, will be the party vice president, a position behind his mother Sonia Gandhi, who is the Congress party president, spokesman Janardhan Dwivedy told reporters.

Rahul Gandhi is now expected to be the party’s candidate for the post of prime minister in elections due in mid-2014. “This decision will greatly strengthen the party,” Dwivedi said in a statement after a meeting of the party’s top policy making body in the western Indian city of Jaipur.

Manmohan Singh, a technocrat, was chosen to fill the prime minister’s seat in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi’s mother. Singh was widely seen as a regent, keeping the seat warm until Rahul Gandhi the son, grandson and great-grandson of Indian prime ministers - was ready to take his birthright.

But Gandhi displayed little public sign that he is undergoing any sort of apprenticeship that would prepare him for running the country.

He has never held a Cabinet-level position. Party workers have been demanding Rahul Gandhi’s elevation for years, but he had been shying away from holding a top position in the party. His supporters argued he was rebuilding the party at the grassroots level and has taken a lead in the Congress’ campaigns in state elections in Uttar Pradesh and in Bihar in recent years. The party performed poorly in both states’ elections last year. Rahul Gandhi entered politics in 2004 and became a lawmaker from Amethi seat in northern Uttar Pradesh state. The parliamentary seat was held by his mother until she shifted to a neighboring constituency of Rae Bareli.— AP

America’s national parks weigh solitude against cellular access SALMON: As cell phones, iPods and laptops creep steadily into every corner of modern life, America’s national parks have stayed largely off the digital grid, among the last remaining outposts of ringtone-free human solitude. For better or worse, that may soon change. Under pressure from telecommunications companies and a growing number of park visitors who feel adrift without mobile-phone reception, the airwaves in such grand getaway destinations as Yellowstone National Park may soon be abuzz with new wireless signals.

That prospect has given pause to a more traditional cohort of park visitors who cherish the unplugged tranquility of the great outdoors, fearing an intrusion of mobile phones - and the sound of idle chatter - will diminish their experience. Some have mixed emotions. Stephanie Smith, a 50-something Montana native who visits Yellowstone as many as six times a year, said she prefers the cry of an eagle to ring tones.

But she also worries that future generations may lose their appreciation for the value of nature and the need to preserve America’s outdoor heritage if a lack of technology discourages them from visiting. “You have to get there to appreciate it,” Smith said. “It’s a new world and technology is a part of it.” Balancing the two aesthetics has emerged as the latest challenge facing the National Park Service as managers in at least two premier parks, Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, consider recent requests to install new telecommunications towers or upgrade existing ones.

There is no system-wide rule governing cellular facilities in the 300 national parks, national monuments and other units the agency admin-

isters nationwide. Wireless infrastructure decisions are left up to the managers of individual park units. The agency’s mission statement requires it to protect park resources and the visitor experience, but each individual experience is unique, said Lee Dickinson, a specialuses program manager for the Park Service.

“I’ve had two visitors calling me literally within hours of each other who wanted exactly the opposite experience: One saying he didn’t vacation anywhere without electronic access and the other complaining he was disturbed by another park visitor ordering pizza on his cell phone,” Dickinson said.

Can you hear me now?

Wireless supporters say more is at stake than the convenience of casual phone conversations. Cellular providers say new wireless infrastructure will boost public safety by improving communications among park rangers and emergency responders. They argue that the ability to download smartphone applications that can deliver instant information on plants and animals will also enrich park visitors’ experiences.

“Our customers are telling us that having access to technology will enhance their visit to wild areas,” said Bob Kelley, spokesman for Verizon Wireless, which is seeking to install a new 100-foot cell tower at Yellowstone. Rural communities that border the national parks also stand to benefit from enlarged cellular coverage areas. On the other side of the debate, outdoor enthusiasts worry that bastions of quiet reflection could be transformed into noisy hubs where visitors yak on cell phones and fidget with electronic tablets,

also suffers from general anxiety disorder, high blood pressure and a gastrointestinal illness. She was managing her conditions well until the transfer, according to the lawsuit.

Working with the younger students adversely affected Waltherr-Willard’s health, the lawsuit said.

She was “unable to control her blood pressure, which was so high at times that it posed a stroke risk,” according to the lawsuit, which includes a statement from her doctor about her high blood pressure. “The mental anguish suffered by (Waltherr-Willard) is serious and of a nature that no reasonable person could be expected to endure the same.” The lawsuit was filed in June and is set to go to trial in February 2014. A judge last week dismissed three of the ex-teacher’s claims, but left discrimination claims standing.

The lawsuit says that Waltherr-Willard has lost out on at least $100,000 of potential income as a result of her retirement. Winters said that doesn’t make sense, considering that Waltherr-Willard’s take from retirement is 89 percent of what her annual salary was, which was around $80,000.

Patrick McGrath, a clinical psychologist and director of the Center for Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders near Chicago, said that he has treated patients who have fears involving children and that anyone can be afraid of anything. “A lot of people will look at something someone’s afraid of and say, ‘There is no rational reason to be afraid of that,’” he said. “But anxiety disorders are emotion-based. We’ve had mothers who wouldn’t touch their children after they’re born.”

He said most phobias begin with people asking themselves, “What if?” and then imagining the worst-case scenario. “You can make an association to something and be afraid of it,” McGrath said. “If you get a phone call that your mom was just in a horrible accident as you’re locking the door, you can make an association that bad news comes if you don’t lock the door right. It’s a basic case of conditioning.”— AP

detracting from the ambience of su c h natural wonders as Yellowstone’s celebrated geyser Old Faithful. Expanding cellular reception may even compromise safety by giving some tourists a false sense of security in the back country, where extremes in weather and terrain test even the most skilled outdoorsman, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.

Tim Stevens, the association’s Northern Rockies director, said distractions like meandering moose already challenge the attention of motorists clogging park roads at the height of the summer tourist season.

“People brake in the middle of the road to watch animals. The added distraction of a wireless signal - allowing a driver to text Aunt Madge to say how great the trip is - could have disastrous consequences,” he said.

Yellowstone already offers some limited mobile-phone service, afforded by four cellular towers previously erected in developed sections of the park. But vast swathes of America’s oldest national park, which spans nearly 3,500 square miles across the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, still lack wireless reception in an age dominated by Wi-Fi and iPad users who expect access even in the most remote locations. Park officials see definite signs that a portion of the roughly 3 million annual visitors to Yellowstone, which crafted a wireless plan in 2008, are finding the lack of cell phone coverage disconcerting. Park spokesman Al Nash said he routinely fields calls from anxious relatives of Yellowstone visitors unable to contact their loved ones. “They say, ‘My gosh, my niece, daughter or parents went to Yellowstone, and we haven’t heard from them for three days,’” hesaid. — Reuters

Judge dismisses terror charges against US cleric

Ohio ex-teacher sues, says fears young kids CINCINNATI: A former high school teacher is accusing school district administrators of discriminating against her because of a rare phobia she says she has: a fear of young children. Maria Waltherr-Willard, 61, had been teaching Spanish and French at Mariemont High School in Cincinnati since 1976.

Waltherr-Willard, who does not have children of her own, said that when she was transferred to the district’s middle school in 2009, the seventh- and eighth-graders triggered her phobia, causing her blood pressure to soar and forcing her to retire in the middle of the 2010-2011 school year.

In her lawsuit against the district, filed in federal court in Cincinnati, Waltherr-Willard said that her fear of young children falls under the federal American with Disabilities Act and that the district violated it by transferring her in the first place and then refusing to allow her to return to the high school. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Gary Winters, the school district’s attorney, said Tuesday that Waltherr-Willard was transferred because the French program at the high school was being turned into an online one and that the middle school needed a Spanish teacher.

“She wants money,” Winters said of WalterWillard’s motivation to sue. “Let’s keep in mind that our goal here is to provide the best teachers for students and the best academic experience for students, which certainly wasn’t accomplished by her walking out on them in the middle of the year.” Waltherr-Willard and her attorney, Brad Weber, did not return calls for comment Tuesday.

Winters also denied Walter-Willard’s claim that the district transferred her out of retaliation for her unauthorized comments to parents about the French program ending - “the beginning of a deliberate, systematic and calculated effort to squeeze her out of a job altogether,” Weber wrote in a July 2011 letter to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The lawsuit said that Waltherr-Willard has been treated for her phobia since 1991 and

AMETHI: In this file photo, Congress party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi waves to the crowd as he is felicitated by party workers with a garland during an election rally in Amethi, India. — AP

MIAMI: In this photo, attorney Joseph Rosenbaum (left) and his client Izhar Khan are pictured outside the Federal Courthouse in Miami.— AP

New Delhi rape cases jump 23% NEW DELHI: Rape cases in New Delhi jumped 23 percent in 2012 from a year earlier, according to official figures, highlighting rising crime against women in the sprawling metropolis. The numbers were released as the trial of five men was set to begin on Monday on accusations of murder, rape and kidnapping over the death last month of a 23-year-old gang-rape victim, whose assault sparked nationwide protests, The case against a sixth defendant, who says he is 17, is being heard separately by a juvenile court.

“The rate of conviction in rapes in Delhi is much higher than the national rate,” Delhi police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told reporters on Friday. “(But) we are not taking solace in this. We need to do much more,” said Kumar, who has faced fierce public criticism for the perceived failure of his police force to check mounting crime against women.

For 2012, some 706 rape cases were registered-a 23.43 percent leap from the previous year, police said. Some 45 cases of rape and 75 cases of sexual molestation were reported to police in the two weeks after the brutal gang rape attack on the physiotherapy student on December 16, police said. The victim died in a Singapore hospital from massive internal injuries nearly two weeks after the assault.

New Delhi, a city of 16 million people, has long been called the “rape capital of India”. It is known as the least safe major Indian city for women with more than twice as many rape cases registered in 2011 than commercial hub Mumbai. Since last month’s gang-rape, protesters across India have demanded stronger punishment for crimes against women and better safety. — AFP

MIAMI: A federal judge on Thursday dismissed terrorism support and conspiracy charges against the younger of two Muslim clerics accused of funneling thousands of dollars to the Pakistani Taleban, citing a lack of evidence. The judge ruled that “no rational trier of fact” could convict 26-yearold Izhar Khan, who is imam at a mosque in suburban Margate north of Fort Lauderdale. Trial is continuing against his father, 77-year-old Hafiz Khan. US District Judge Robert Scola said the evidence against the older Khan is much stronger.

“This court will not allow the sins of the father to be visited upon the son,” Scola wrote in a seven-page order. Federal prosecutors earlier dropped charges against another of Hafiz Khan’s sons who also had minimal involvement. Izhar Khan’s attorney, Joseph Rosenbaum, said a judge’s dismissal of charges is rare, particularly in a case linked to international terrorism.

“It shows that the justice system does work despite going against the federal government,” Rosenbaum said. “I’ve always believed Izhar was innocent. The judge really paid attention and the evidence was not there.”

Izhar Khan, who has been jailed in since his May 2011 arrest, was immediately freed after the judge’s decision.

“I’m happy with the justice system, to say the least, and I think justice was served,” he told reporters outside Miami’s downtown federal court complex. Hafiz Khan, imam at a downtown Miami mosque, still faces four terrorism support-related charges that each carry maximum 15-year prison sentences. Prosecutors said Hafiz Khan orchestrated the sending of at $50,000 to the Pakistani Taleban between 2008 and 2010, money that was allegedly used to help mujahedeen fighters attack Pakistani and US targets.

In his order, Scola noted that the older Khan was recorded by the FBI talking “openly and brazenly” about raising money to help overthrow the Pakistani government so that strict Islamic law could be imposed. The recordings showed Hafiz Khan praised suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan and the attempt in May 2010 by Faisal Shahzad to detonate a bomb in New York’s Times Square.

“He actually did send money to friends and family in Pakistan knowing that the money was going to be directed to support the Pakistani Taleban,” Scola wrote of the elder Khan. Izhar Khan, by contrast, barely appeared on the FBI recordings and never discussed violence. He was involved in two transactions to Pakistan totaling about $1,100 at a time when many Pakistanis living in the US were sending money to family members dealing with Taleban violence in that country’s Swat Valley.

The biggest transaction involved Izhar Khan’s sister, Amina Khan, who has also been indicted in the US case but remains in Pakistan. Scola noted that there is “ample evidence” she is a Taleban supporter but none that Izhar knew a $900 wire transfer sent to her would be used to support the Islamic fundamentalist group or violence. The prosecution rested its case prior to Scola’s dismissal of charges against the younger Khan, and Hafiz Khan’s defense began presenting its evidence. After Thursday the trial is off until next Tuesday. — AP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

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

US, China in deal on UN North Korea rebuke UNITED NATIONS: The United States and China have struck a tentative deal on a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning North Korea for its December rocket launch, UN diplomats said on Friday, and Russia predicted it would be approved by the council.

The resolution would not impose new sanctions, but would call for expanding existing UN sanctions measures against Pyongyang, the envoys said on condition of anonymity. They added that China’s support for the move would be a significant diplomatic blow to Pyongyang.

The 15-nation council could adopt the compromise resolution next week, they said. Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin confirmed the diplomats’ comments in remarks quoted by the Russian staterun RIA Novosti news agency, saying that adoption was likely early next week. “I expect we will support it,” RIA quoted Churkin as saying. “I don’t expect that the UN Security Council members will have any seri-

ous problems (with the resolution).”

“Our position is that the North Korean rocket launch is a violation of a UN Security Council resolution, so the council should react,” he said. South Korea gave a guarded welcome to the tentative agreement.

“Although we (the government) may not be fully satisfied with the outcome, (we) will have to welcome it if it can help restrain the unpredictable North’s ultraprovocative action,” said a government spokesman in Seoul, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the diplomatic negotiations.

The two Koreas have been technically still at war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty. The United States had wanted to punish North Korea with a UN Security Council resolution that imposed new sanctions against Pyongyang, but Beijing rejected that option. Beijing had wanted the council to merely issue a statement calling for the council’s North Korea sanctions committee to expand

the existing UN blacklists, diplomats said.

The tentative deal, they said, was that Washington would forgo the idea of immediate new sanctions, while Beijing would accept the idea of a resolution instead of a statement, which makes the rebuke more forceful. Assuming the North Korea sanctions committee agrees to expand existing measures, the resolution will ultimately lead to more stringent sanctions against Pyongyang.

“It might not be much but the Chinese move is significant,” a council diplomat said. “The prospect of a (new) nuclear test might have been a game changer (for China).” After North Korea’s April 2012 rocket launch, the council passed a so-called “presidential statement” that condemned the move and urged the North Korea sanctions committee to tighten the existing UN sanctions regime. The sanctions committee then blacklisted additional North Korean firms and broadened a list of items Pyongyang was banned

from importing. Washington was determined not to use the same formula as last year, so it insisted that the council adopt a resolution, not a presidential statement as China had wanted.

China is the North’s only major diplomatic ally, though it agreed to UN sanctions against Pyongyang in the wake of North Korea’s 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests. North Korea is already banned under Security Council resolutions from developing nuclear and missile technology but has been working steadily on its nuclear test site, possibly in preparation for a third nuclear test, satellite images show.

December’s successful long-range rocket launch, the first to put a satellite in orbit, was a coup for North Korea’s young leader Kim Jong-un. It raised tensions in East Asia at the same time as Japan and South Korea elected new leaders. Washington wants them to mend relations after a dispute over an island claimed by both countries. — Reuters

Clinton supports Japan on China island dispute Japan’s new PM to visit White House

BEIJING: Trainee bodyguards of the Genghis Security Academy conduct an ambush exercise at a training ground yesterday. — AFP

Crouching guard, hidden danger for China security firms BEIJING: In sub-zero winter cold, trainees at an army base outside Beijing wake before dawn to practise martial arts and evasive driving, while a Portuguese ex-special forces soldier barks commands. “We are not polite any more... we are only efficient,” declares Marco Borges-his words rapidly translated into Chinese-before slapping several of his charges in the face, to giggles from the other students. But despite their dark uniforms and heavy black boots these are not the latest recruits to some new unit of China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Instead the roughly 40-strong group-mostly with previous military experience-are on a commercial training course to become elite bodyguards protecting Chinese firms as they seek ever more resources and contracts in some of the world’s most unstable regions. The best will be recruited by the school’s sister company Genghis Security Advisor (GSA), which offers protection for China’s wealthiest citizens from attacks and kidnapping at home and abroad-a service analysts say could push the government in Beijing into unwanted foreign entanglements.

“Our main jobs will be abroad, because, as our teacher taught us, the situation there is much more unstable than in China,” said Li Qinsi, a 29-year-old trainee sitting on a dormitory bunk after an intense fighting class. Chinese citizens have been targeted by hostage-takers in countries as far-flung as Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia in recent years, with the latest incident in Sudan last weekend, and Chinese resource firms have a growing presence in Afghanistan.

“There are lots of rich people in China who have businesses in Europe, in Africa, everywhere” said Borges, an imposing presence in his black uniform and beret. “They are what we would call, in professional language, soft tar-

gets.” GSA’s founder Chen Yongqing is a former member of the PLA and learnt bodyguard techniques in Israel, a world leader in the field. The firm has permission to use part of the army base but no other connections with the government, he says.

“The bodyguard market in China is huge, but no one is serving it,” Chen said. “Lots of Chinese businesspeople have been injured abroad, but it shouldn’t be a problem for our company to protect them.” The three-week basic bodyguard course costs 28,600 yuan ($4,600), and those who pass can be flown to Israel for advanced weapons training, Chen said.

‘The training is torture’ The school is known for its tough regime, sometimes carried out in snowy fields or the strength-sapping heat of tropical beaches. “The situations our bodyguards could face in Israel, or Libya, will be more harsh than they can imagine, so they need to experience that harshness during training,” Chen said.

At the base trainees stooped to hoist classmates onto their shoulders before bundling them into the back of a van, to simulate rescuing a client. GSA declined to specify how many bodyguards it had trained, but said it had sent personnel to the US, Europe and South America, and the school’s graduates can also be recruited by other firms looking to protect Chinese interests overseas.

Chinese security contractors were involved in rescuing 29 of their compatriots kidnapped

by Sudanese rebels last February, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Sudanese army sources. A senior foreign affairs advisor for China’s government said last year that Chinese security companies should be “allowed to head abroad”. —AFP

Myanmar to modernise with innovative reforms NAYPYITAW: Myanmar’s government will unveil a slew of new reforms to donor countries and international organisations this weekend, aiming to consolidate achievements since the end of military rule in 2011 but also quickly improve the lives of its citizens. In opening remarks to donors yesterday, President Thein Sein said the government wanted “a modern, industrialised country” but also stressed the need to develop the agricultural sector and narrow development gaps between the regions. He told the donors the government wanted their help to raise living standards and skills of its people.

“This will also help us undertake political reforms that are aimed at transforming the country into a modern, developed democracy,” he said. A wide-ranging “Framework for Economic and Social Reforms” seen by Reuters set out broad initiatives to achieve those goals by 2030 plus more immediate priorities for the next three years. Admitting Myanmar was “way behind neighbouring countries”, it touches upon the liberalisation of trade and investment, health and education, transparency and infrastructure.

Thein Sein, himself a former junta general, has already pushed through far-reaching reforms since taking office in March 2011 at the head of a quasi-civilian government. He has introduced a market-oriented exchange rate, freed hundreds of political prisoners and agreed ceasefires with most of the ethnic rebel groups that have fought for decades for autonomy.

In his speech he said peace and stability went hand in hand with socio-economic development. “We will start political dialogue with all 10 major ethnic armed groups that have concluded ceasefire agreements with the government in the near future,” he said. He invited rebels in Kachin state who

have not yet joined the process to take part in peace talks. Late on Friday he issued a ceasefire order in Kachin state, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced in 20 months of fighting, although rebel leaders would not immediately commit to the truce, suspicious of the government’s motives. The army’s continued attacks in the state have raised doubts about his control over the military and even led some to question his sincerity about the reform process in general.

Encourage investment Western governments have dropped or eased sanctions imposed on the former junta in recognition of Thein Sein’s reforms, and international firms are keen to move into a country with vast resources, located between China and India and part of a vibrant Southeast Asia heading for closer economic union in 2015. Improving the environment for foreign investment is a central aim of the latest proposals.

The unification of exchange rates, already undertaken by the government, will be bolstered by further liberalisation efforts, such as removing all exchange and non-tariff restrictions on imports “as a matter of urgency”.

The government says it will give priority to a new central bank law that will grant it operational autonomy. A new foreign investment law was passed at the end of 2012 but left many questions open about how it would work. “Feedback from the business community suggests that it is particularly important that the law and procedures are specific as to which sectors are restricted with respect to foreign investment and does not allow for discretion with respect to implementation,” the reform document said. —Reuters

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a veiled warning Friday to China not to challenge Japan’s control of disputed islands as Tokyo’s new government vowed not to aggravate tensions. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Clinton on the first trip by a top Japanese official since Japan’s conservatives returned to power last month. Clinton announced that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would visit in February.

Amid signs that China is testing control over virtually uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, Clinton said the area was under Japan’s control and hence protected under a US security treaty with Tokyo. “We oppose any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration,” Clinton told a joint news conference with Kishida.

Clinton did not mention Beijing directly in the warning, but said: “We want to see China and Japan resolve this matter peacefully through dialogue.” “We do not want to see any action taken by anyone that could raise tensions or result in miscalculation that would undermine the peace, security and economic growth in this region,” she said. The United States insists it is neutral on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands-known as the Senkaku in Japanese and the Diaoyu in Chinesebut that they are under the de facto administration of Japan. China has repeatedly criticized the

US position. Chinese surveillance ships and stateowned planes have increasingly neared the area, in what some see as a bid by Beijing to contest the notion that Japan holds effective control.

“The frequency and scale of their provocations have drastically increased,” Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Masaru Sato told reporters in Washington. “The Chinese are trying to change the existing order by coercion or intimidation,” he said. Abe has been known throughout his career as a hawk on national security. But Kishida took a measured tone on China while in Washington, describing the relationship with Beijing as “one of the most important” for Japan.

“While Japan will not concede and will uphold our fundamental positions that the Senkaku islands are an inherent territory of Japan, we intend to respond calmly so as not to provoke China,” Kishida said.

Kishida welcomed Clinton’s support, saying that the statement on the security treaty “will go against any unilateral action that would infringe upon the administration rights of Japan.” US officials and pundits have largely welcomed the return of the Liberal Democratic Party, believing that Abe’s firm positions and pledges to boost military spending will deter confrontational moves by Beijing. However, Abe in the past has made controversial statements on Japan’s wartime history, leading to fears that a loose

comment could set off new tensions at a time that new leaders are also taking charge in China and South Korea. Clinton said US officials “applaud the early steps” taken by Abe and hoped that new leaders in Japan and China would “get off to a good start.”

Separately, Clinton said the United States and Japan wanted “strong action” at the UN Security Council on North Korea, which put a satellite into orbit last month in a launch the two allies fear could bolster Pyongyang’s missile capabilities.

Diplomats at the United Nations said the United States and China, North Korea’s main ally, had reached a compromise under which the Security Council would expand existing sanctions against Pyongyang.

The talks between Clinton and Kishida also focused on the hostage crisis in Algeria, with the two diplomats pressing the North African nation to release more information about a massive kidnapping at a desert gas field. Addressing one point of friction, Kishida promised that Japan would sign the Hague treaty on child abductions.

Hundreds of US parents have complained that they have no recourse if ex-partners take their children to Japan. A previous left-leaning government had committed but not taken action on joining the Hague convention, which requires the return of wrongfully held children to the nations where they usually live. — AFP

Ship stuck in Philippines used faulty map MANILA: An inaccurate map that mislocated a marine sanctuary may have caused a US Navy minesweeper to run aground on a coral reef in the Philippines this week, the Navy said yesterday. All 79 officers and crew of the USS Guardian were taken off the ship for safety reasons after it struck the reef with its bow at 2 am Thursday. The Navy’s Pacific Fleet, based in Hawaii, said yesterday that its ships along with several support vessels continued to conduct salvage operations that minimize environmental effects to the reef.

The Navy said in a statement that a review of Digital Nautical Charts, which are used for safe navigation by all US Navy ships, found they contained inaccurate data and may have been a factor in the Guardian’s grounding. As a result, Navigator of the Navy Rear Adm. Jonathan White released precautionary guidance to all Pacific Fleet ships, saying that “initial review of navigation data indicates an error in the location of Tubbataha Reef” in the Philippines.

“While the erroneous navigation chart data is important information, no one should jump to conclusions,” said Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. Darryn James. “It is critical that the US Navy conduct a comprehensive investigation that assesses all the facts surrounding the Guardian grounding.” The Avenger-class ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay, a former American naval base west of the capital, Manila, and was en route to Indonesia and then on to East Timor to participate in a training exercise when it hit the reef, about 128 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Palawan Island. The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines said that according to an initial visual inspection, the 68-meter- (74-yard-) long, 1,300-ton Guardian damaged at least 10 meters (yards) of the reef, which UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site. It is part of Southeast Asia’s Coral Triangle, a huge

MANILA: Police push back protesters as they attempt to hold a rally outside the US Embassy in Manila to protest the recent incident in the Philippines.— AP stretch of ocean that contains most of the world’s coral species, reefs, and more than 3,000 species of fish.

Angelique Songco, head of the government’s Protected Area Management Board, said the government imposes a fine of about $300 per square meter (yard) of damaged coral, plus other fees. In 2005, the environmental group Greenpeace was fined almost $7,000 after its flagship struck a reef in the same area.

Songco blamed the Guardian for turning away park rangers who wanted to board the minesweeper, but the Navy said it was cooperating with the Philippine government, a key US defense ally residential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the government will observe the law governing the Tubbataha Reef, but right now “the primary concern is extricating the ship out of the reef with minimal damage.” — AP

Myanmar’s Kachin rebels say fighting continues YANGON: Ethnic Kachin rebels in Myanmar said clashes in the country’s north continued yesterday despite a government promise to cease fire, casting doubt over hopes that the bloody conflict there could end soon.

Myanmar’s military had declared Friday it would stop attacks against rebels around the town of Lajayang, near Myanmar’s northeastern border with China, starting yesterday morning because it had achieved its goal of securing an army outpost there that had been surrounded by insurgents.

An official with the Kachin Independence Army confirmed Lajayang was quiet, but he said fighting was taking place in at least three other rebel positions in the region yesterday. The official declined to be identified because he is not a spokesman for the rebel group. The two sides have been fighting for 1 1/2 years, but the latest combat has represented a major escalation because the government began using fighter planes and helicopter gunships in its attacks starting on Christmas Day. Many of the skirmishes have centered on Lajayang, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Laiza, a town that also serves as a political headquarters for the guerrillas.

The upsurge in violence has drawn calls from the international community for the two sides to put down their arms and negotiate, but there was no public indication of any direct talks taking place. Speaking at a development forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, President Thein Sein invited the Kachin rebels to an upcoming peace conference with 10 other armed ethnic groups, although no date has been set for the talks. “I just want to stress that we continue to try to achieve genuine peace in the country,” Thein Sein said, adding that he had ordered the army and other government agencies

to seek peaceful solution. But the Kachin rebels, he said, “will need to reciprocate in a similar way.” There was no immediate word on whether the Kachin would take up the president’s offer. Tension with ethnic minorities fighting for greater autonomy in Myanmar is considered one of the biggest major long-term challenges for reformist Thein Sein, who inherited power in 2011 from the army, which ruled for almost half a century. The

Kachin, like Myanmar’s other ethnic minorities, have long sought greater autonomy from the central government. They are the only major ethnic rebel group that has not reached a truce with Thein Sein’s administration. A cease-fire that held for nearly two decades broke down in June 2011 after the Kachin refused to abandon a strategic base near a hydropower plant that is a joint venture with a Chinese company. —AP

NAYPYITAW: In this file photo, Myanmar soldiers march during a ceremony to mark the country’s 67th Armed Forces Day in, Myanmar. — AP

NEWS Bloody end to hostage crisis at Algeria plant Continued from Page 1 The deaths were “appalling and unacceptable and we must be clear that it is the terrorists who bear sole responsibility for it,” he told a news conference with Panetta. The hostage-taking was the largest since the 2008 Mumbai attack, and the biggest by jihadists since hundreds were killed in a Moscow theatre in 2002 and at a school in the Russian town of Beslan in 2004, according to monitoring group IntelCenter. Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain must prepare itself for “bad news,” and that “the large majority” of Britons originally caught up in the crisis were safe, with “fewer than 10” at risk or unaccounted for. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan said he had received “severe information” about 10 of his country’s nationals who were still unaccounted for.

The final death tolls, of both foreign and Algerian hostages and of gunmen, were not yet known. It was also not clear how many people were seized. A security official said 25-27 foreign and Algerian hostages had been killed during the crisis. On Friday the gunmen, cited by Mauritania’s ANI news agency, said they were still holding “seven foreign hostages” - three Belgians, two Americans, one Japanese and a Briton.

Brussels said it had no indication any of its nationals were being held.

As experts began to clear the complex of bombs planted by the Islamists, residents of In Amenas breathed a collective sigh of relief. “We went from a peaceful situation to a terror situation,” said one resident who gave his name as Fouad. “The plant could have exploded and taken out the town,” said another. Brahim Zaghdaoui said he was not surprised

by the Algerian army’s ruthless final assault. “It was predictable that it would end like that,” he said.

Algeria was strongly criticised for launching the initial assault on Thursday, which the kidnappers said had left 34 of the hostages dead and 15 of their own fighters. At least one American had already been confirmed dead before yesterday’s assault. Belmokhtar also wanted to exchange American hostages for the blind Egyptian sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman and Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in the United States on charges of terrorist links. But the State Department said “the United States does not negotiate with terrorists”.

France, which said yesterday that 2,000 of the 2,500 troops it had pledged were now on the ground in Mali, said that no more of its citizens were being held. President Hollande said French troops would stay in Mali as long as is needed “to defeat terrorism” in the West African country and its neighbours. Algerian news agency APS quoted a government official as saying the kidnappers, who claimed to have come from Niger, were armed with machineguns, assault rifles, rocket launchers and missiles.

This was confirmed by an Algerian driver, Iba El Haza, who said the hostage-takers spoke in different Arabic dialects and perhaps also in English. “From their accents I understood one was Egyptian, one Tunisian, another Algerian and one was speaking English or (another) foreign language,” Haza told AFP after escaping on Thursday. “The terrorists said: ‘You have nothing to do with this, you are Algerians and Muslims. We won’t keep you, we only want the foreigners.’” — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

Armstrong wants to compete again Continued from Page 1 competing, that today’s riders would pay the price for the systematic doping undertaken by Armstrong. “I think it’s good for him, maybe it gets some weight off his shoulders,” said Schleck, who was awarded the 2010 Tour de France when that year’s winner Alberto Contador was done for doping. “But I believe the sad thing about it is that cycling is going to pay the price now, and it’s sad if we have to pay the price for it when we weren’t even professionals 15 years ago.”

Genuine emotion seeped through on Friday.

Armstrong’s eyes reddened and his voice cracked as he described telling his 13-year-old son Luke: “Don’t defend me anymore” when his transgressions at last caught up with him. “When this all really started, I saw my son defending me and saying, ‘That’s not true. What you’re saying about my dad is not true.’ “That’s when I knew I had to tell him,” Armstrong said. “And he’d never asked me.

He’d never said, ‘Dad, is this true?’ He trusted me.”

He discussed the financial fallout, in particular the stampede of sponsors away from him with sports-

wear giant Nike in the lead. “You could look at the day or those two days or the day and a half where people left,” he said. “That was a $75 million day.”

Armstrong’s admissions could carry legal repercussions. The US Department of Justice is close to making a decision on whether to add the government’s name to a complaint lodged in 2010 against Armstrong by former fellow US Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis. The Postal Service, a federal agency, paid $30 million in public money to sponsor Armstrong’s team - and may now seek to get it back.

Armstrong denied USADA chief Travis Tygart’s assertion in a “60 Minutes Sports” interview last week that someone in Armstrong’s camp offered the agency a $250,000 donation in what could be seen as an attempt at a pay-off. “That’s not true,” Armstrong said, noting that it wasn’t in USADA’s official case against him. But the cheating, the lying, the bullying - all true, and Armstrong said the “ultimate betrayal” was of the people who believed in him. “I do not know the outcome here,” he said when asked about the future. “And I’m getting comfortable with that.” — AFP

14

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

ANALYSIS

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Washington Watch

‘Gun Crazy’

By Dr James J Zogby e have a cockeyed national debate on gun violence in which some motivated by political expediency seek to dodge core issues, while others driven by political ideology work to misdirect the discussion diverting it away from the core issues. The President has now signed Executive Orders offering small but eminently supportable reforms. And Congress can and should pass an assault weapon ban and universal background checks for prospective gun purchasers. But these will not solve the problem. Nor will the rather bizarre proposals from gun advocates that we turn our schools into maximum security facilities with armed guards and kindergarten teachers carrying concealed weapons, or that we take a page from our “cold war” with the USSR allowing airline passengers to carry weapons thereby creating a “mutually assured destruction” stand-off on planes.

No, our problem is neither that our guns are too sophisticated for our own good or that we don’t have enough of them. Our problem is simpler and deeper. It is our “gun culture” and guns, period. My generation grew up playing “cowboys and Indians” or “cops and robbers”. If we didn’t have cap pistols or toy rifles, we simply improvised with a pointed finger, a thumb trigger, and “pow, pow, you’re dead”. My grandsons do not play these games.

Instead they act out more fanciful tales of space invaders and fantasy futuristic heroes, all possessing more potent weapons. But they will also make do, when necessary, with sticks or fingers morphing them into weapons possessed of all sorts of magical and destructive powers.

Let’s face it from cradle to grave we are fed a steady diet of guns and violence. From cartoons, Westerns, or cop shows, to video games and Quentin Tarantino’s “bullet and blood fests”, guns and shooting and killing are ingrained into our “deep culture”. Like “Mom and apple pie”, guns have become part of who we are as a nation. There is a scene in the film noir cult classic “Gun Crazy” where Bart, the film’s main character, as a young boy is staring longingly into a store window. The object of his desire is a sixshooter. Unable to resist its call, he shatters the glass and attempts to steal the weapon, only to be arrested in the act.

The next scene has Bart standing before a judge trying to explain his obsession with guns. He tells the court, “I feel good when I’m shooting them. I feel awful good inside, like I’m somebody”. Gun Crazy Bart’s fixation with the weapon is pathological and it leads ultimately to his demise. When I see the look on the faces of gun enthusiasts lining up to make what they fear may be their last purchase before “Obama takes our guns away”, I think of Bart. When I watch them sensually cradling their assault weapons or “zoned out” at the shooting range, I think of Bart, knowing that nothing good can come of this obsession.

President Obama’s remarks, delivered last week before signing a series of Executive Orders, combined a thoughtful reflection on the tragedy of lives lost with a firm resolve to enact measures to address this curse of gun violence. Especially sobering was his observation that in the one month since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre more than 900 Americans have been shot to death. No one should have been shocked hearing these numbers. They are well known.

An average of 900 to 1,000 Americans have been murdered each month for years now. Almost 10,000 a year, or over 100,000 in the last decade. When suicide by gunfire and accidental gun deaths are added in, the total is more than 30,000 deaths annually, making guns one of the leading killers of Americans. We have almost 300,000,000 guns in circulation in the US, enough to arm 9 in 10 Americans. Almost one-half of all households have firearms, with statistics showing that these households are twice as likely to suffer from gun violence than households where no weapons exist. And while we should be concerned with assault weapons, the reality is that more than two-thirds of all gun murders are committed with handguns - and we haven’t had a serious debate about handguns in years.

We know all this. And yet there continues to be a pathological obsession not only with owning weapons but with blocking any reasonable controls on their ownership. Gun lobbyists, for example, defeated an effort in the Commonwealth of Virginia that would have restricted residents to purchasing just one gun per month. The modus operandi of this lobby is simple and direct.

They allow no discussion, no compromise, no concessions, and tolerate no wavering or signs of weakness. And they mask their deadly advocacy with the Constitution, arguing that what is at stake is the very survival of America’s freedoms. In the process, they further inflame the passions of their adherents.

In the end, we have a “gun crazy” culture, armed to the teeth, with some believing that they are the true patriots defending liberty against tyranny. When we add to this mix, all of the resentments and pressures that gave birth to the Tea Party (including a not so subtle appeal to race) and we are left with a dangerous and volatile brew. All this was in evidence after the President spoke last week. His opponents responded using harsh and, at times, near hysterical and violent rhetoric. Despite their rants, his Executive Orders will stand and new laws banning assault weapons and more will be proposed and debated and should be passed. But until we have a prolonged and serious national discussion about our sick love affair with guns and purge ourselves of this pathological obsession, we will only be skirting around the edges of an issue that is killing us.

W

NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute

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

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Algeria goal to crush Islamists, not save lives

By Rory Mulholland ardened by its decades-old struggle with Islamists, Algeria’s paramount concern in launching its deadly mission against Al Qaeda-linked hostage-takers was to crush them, not to save lives, analysts said. The aim of the Algerian military is “above all to neutralise terrorists, while for us the priority is to save the lives of hostages,” said Frederic Gallois, a former boss of French police elite counter-terrorism unit GIGN. “Their second objective is to pull the rug from under the feet of Islamist propaganda. They don’t want it (the hostage crisis) lasting a week,” he said.

International criticism was mounting of the Algerian government’s handling of the attack, amid reports that many foreign hostages may have been killed in the army raid.

“The concerns of Western governments would be very secondary in the decision-making process about tackling Islamists,” said Jon Marks, of the Chatham House think-tank in London. The raid on the sprawling In Amenas desert complex was unprecedented, he said, noting that not even during Algeria’s long war with Islamists in the 1990s - that left more than 100,000 dead - did extremists manage to launch such a brazen attack on a major hydrocarbon facility. “As such I think it was a humiliation to the Algerians and to the military,” which is central to the idea of the state, he said. Marks added that given Algeria’s long history of battling Islamists, it was not surprising the authorities there placed security concerns above the safety of the hostages, as would be the case in the West.

Britain, Japan and the United States, “may well be angry, but it is better for them to be angry than for there to be more victims, more abductions,” said Majed Nehme, director of the monthly current affaris magazine Afrique Asie.

“The Algerian doctrine is that they never negotiate with hostage-takers,” said Majed. “The hostage-takers were asking to take the hostages out (of the site) where they would have become bargaining chips, so they (the army) preferred to resolve the problem militarily,” he said.

Japan’s foreign ministry summoned the Algerian ambassador to demand an explanation why it had received no prior notice of the commando raid. Tokyo called the army assault “regrettable”, while a senior US official said Washington “strongly encouraged” the authorities to make the hostages’ safety their top priority. British Prime Minister David Cameron meanwhile said he was “disappointed” not to have been informed by the Algerians in advance.

Some commentators drew parallels between Algeria’s military tactics in In Amenas and Russia’s infamous handling of hostage situations that left hundreds dead in a Moscow theatre in 2002 and a Beslan school in 2004. A

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total of 334 people, including 186 children, died after armed Chechen rebels took more than 1,000 people hostage at the school, prompting Russian special forces to launch a fierce attack to end the siege.

The Moscow theatre crisis ended when special forces filled the building with a noxious gas before storming it.

One hundred and twenty-five people died after inhaling the gas, and five were killed by the hostage-takers. Gallois, the ex-boss of France’s GIGN, noted that while Algeria’s tactics might shock the West, the Russians, using similar tactics, “eradicated terrorist groups which were among the most violent in the world”. — AFP

Algeria facing lasting fallout

By Cecile Feuillatre he crisis created by Islamists’ seizure of one of Algeria’s most valuable gas fields and the ruthless response from the army has left its government facing lasting, damaging fallout, analysts say. The army assault on the gas complex that has left a number of expatriate workers dead and dozens unaccounted for confirmed the Algerian military’s reputation for taking no prisoners in its confrontations with Islamists. But even if the army ends up slaying every last one of the gunmen, the fact that a group of Libya-based militants was able to enter the country and take over such a heavily-guarded site is a severe blow to the government’s security credentials.

The authoritarian regime in Algiers has long presented itself to the west as a bulwark against “terrorism” in an increasingly unstable region. And its ability to ensure the safety of foreign businesses and their employees operating in the country is primordial for a government that generates 75 percent of its revenues from the oil and gas sector, which also accounts for nearly half the country’s economic output and almost all of its exports. The prospect of any fresh investment from Japan, in particular, do not look good in the short-term given the furious reaction in Tokyo to the speed with which the army resorted to force having spurned offers of assistance from British and US special forces.

With 10 Japanese nationals still unaccounted for, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday branded the hostage takers “despicable” but Tokyo’s wrath was also focused on the Algerian authorities, whom they accuse of blundering into military action without any consideration of the implications for the lives of the hostages. Britain, whose oil giant BP partly operates the gas field at the centre of the drama, has also made clear its displeasure at not being consulted on the tactics deployed. BP is seen as unlikely to give up any of its lucrative Algerian assets, but security concerns will now, inevitably, weigh heavily on future investment decisions.

Only France has refrained from any form of implied criti-

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cism, a stance analysts say reflects the permanently fraught nature of relations between Paris and its former colony, and the fact that the French air force requires access to Algerian airspace for its bombing campaign in neighbouring Mali.

However it turns out, the hostage taking is a great coup for its alleged mastermind, the one-eyed Islamist leader, Mokhtar Bel Mokhtar, who has been public enemy number one of the security services for years, according to Parisbased Algeria expert Khadija Mohsen-Finan.

“It has shown up in a very acute way, the weaknesses of the Algerian system,” said Mohsen-Finan, a lecturer at the Sciences Po university. “Algeria presents itself as the strongman in the region in terms of gathering intelligence, fighting Islamist groups and securing its territory,” she said. “But with this attack Mokhtar has shown he has the power to strike even in a highly secure zone and that the jihadis are alive and well.” Algerian political expert Salah Mouhoubi agrees: “The attack shows that the government’s security policy has failed. Our country is not able to protect its borders.”

Events of the last few days have also stirred up unhappy memories of the civil war among many Algerians that has been reflected in critical press coverage of the government’s handling of the crisis. “After 20 years of fighting terrorism, are we entering another spiral of Islamist violence?” asked the daily Liberte. Throughout the bloody chaos that engulfed Algeria in the 1990s and left up to 200,000 of its citizens dead, the oil sector was left unscathed - and the fear now is that a hugely important red line has been breached. “The taking of this site is catastrophic for Algeria because it has completely failed to develop its economy outside of the oil sector,” said Benjamin Auge of French think-tank IRFI. Analysts also fear that the attack, which the Islamists have framed as revenge for French bombing in Mali, could exacerbate divisions within the regime over the decision to cooperate with the former colonial power. “There are a lot of people very opposed to the decision to allow French planes to overfly Algerian airspace - it is a source of tension between factions in the government,” said Mohsen-Finan. — AFP

Can Obama fulfill wish on Asia outreach?

By Matthew Pennington President Barack Obama wants Asia to be a growing focus of his foreign policy, but as his second terms begins, success could hinge on his ability to manage hot spots elsewhere in the world and avert a fiscal crisis at home. Within two weeks of winning reelection, Obama became the first US president to visit Myanmar, signaling his intent to sustain his administration’s “pivot” to the region following the decadelong entanglement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That’s a reflection of Asia’s growing economic and strategic importance. In the past three years, Washington has embroiled itself in diplomacy over the disputed South China Sea, deployed more military-assets to the Asia-Pacific and pushed forward a regional trade pact. It has also put a lot of effort into managing ties with emerging rival China. Those moves have been broadly welcomed in Asia, but governments question the US ability to sustain its policy.

While Sen John Kerry, the nominee to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, is expected to continue the policy, the Middle East looks destined to demand the lion’s share of his attention.

There’s no end in sight to the civil war in Syria and pressure could mount to take military action over Iran’s nuclear program.

And it will be tough to enhance the US profile in Asia in an age of austerity. In contrast to China, the US can little afford more

US

aid for its allies and to expand its military presence.

But perhaps most critical to US stature in the region will be how it manages its deep political divisions at home. Failure to resolve the long-running standoff between Obama and Republicans over how to manage America’s $16.4 trillion national debt weighs on global financial markets. The Republican-controlled House is set to vote on a temporary measure next week that would permit the government to borrow more money to meet its debt obligations for about three months, although it wouldn’t tackle how to reduce the debt.

Without an extension in the debt ceiling, the world’s largest economy could default as soon as mid-February. That would likely prompt a downgrade in the US credit rating, leading to higher borrowing costs in the US and elsewhere. It would alarm creditor governments, such as China and Japan, which both hold more than $1 trillion in US Treasury securities. It could undermine America’s position as a safe haven for investors and trigger economic turmoil.

Australia’s foreign minister, Bob Carr, warned after a last-gasp deal at the new year - staving off an immediate tax hike and budget cuts - that the massive US debt has raised questions about the United States’ ability to provide world leadership. But the trusted ally put a positive spin on things: “America is one budget deal away from resolving the issue of

American decline,” he said. The top US diplomat for East Asia agrees. Kurt Campbell, who is expected to stand down soon, said last week how the US conducts itself domestically and handles its budget problems “will be at the heart of how Asia views our enduring role in the Asia-Pacific region.” That standoff looms large as Obama takes the oath of office in the White House for his second term today, ahead of a grand swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol tomorrow. Yet for all the divisiveness in Washington, Asia policy remains an area of broad agreement. Both parties have supported efforts to build stronger ties with Asia to position the US to benefit from the region’s rapid economic growth: cementing alliances in South Korea and Japan, building a strategic partnership with India and expanding ties in Southeast Asia. Most notably, Republicans and Democrats have shown rare unity in backing the administration’s ambitious outreach to former pariah state Myanmar.

But the Asia policy initiatives of Obama’s first term could bring with them messy responsibilities in the second term.

The US declaration in 2010 of its national interest in the peaceful resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea has boosted Washington’s standing among nations intimidated by China’s assertive behavior in the resourcerich region. But the Southeast Asian bloc that the US wants to tackle the disputes appears ill-suited to cope. It is at risk of fracturing between those nations that

want collective negotiations advocated by the US and those opposing such diplomacy in deference to China.

Doubts remain over the commitment of Myanmar’s military to democratic reform.

Despite a shift away from authoritarian rule that has been rewarded by the relaxation of US sanctions, the military has waged an offensive against ethnic rebels in the country’s north. If confirmed as secretary of state, an immediate concern for Kerry will be the rising tension in Northeast Asia, where China, Japan and South Korea all are ushering in new leaders.

China’s spat with Japan over contested islands threatens to embroil the US if it escalates. While Washington will reaffirm its alliance with Japan, it also wants deeper ties with Beijing to dilute the risk of conflict breaking out. The US will encourage Japan and South Korea - which both host American forces - to patch up relations strained over Tokyo’s attitude toward its colonial past. On North Korea, Kerry’s arrival could herald a new approach. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he was critical of the Obama administration’s reluctance to negotiate with Pyongyang on its nuclear program, and held informal talks last year with visiting North Korean officials in New York. But he’ll also be aware of the pitfalls of such engagement. Within a week of the meeting in New York, the North dashed hopes of rapprochement by announcing a longrange rocket launch. —AP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

S P ORT S Del Piero scores 4 in big Sydney win

Nadal to play in Chile Open SANTIAGO: Rafael Nadal plans to return to tennis a bit earlier than expected. Chile Open organizers announced that Nadal will make his debut in the clay-court event, which starts Feb. 4 in Vina del Mar. Nadal hasn’t played tennis since June, mainly because of tendinitis in his left knee.

He was scheduled to play in an Abu Dhabi exhibition event in late December, but a stomach virus forced him to withdraw and skip the Australian Open.

He then planned to return in late February. But on Tuesday, organizers of the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo said he enter the tournament, which begins on Feb. 11.

He’s also signed up for the Mexican Open in Acapulco on Feb. 25. He won the Brazil and Mexican titles the only time he entered them in 2005. — AP

MELBOURNE: Alessandro Del Piero delivered a four-goal master class to spearhead Sydney FC to their biggest-ever A-League win in a 7-1 rout of Wellington Phoenix yesterday.

The Italian maestro Del Piero struck a 19-minute first-half hattrick and added another brilliant goal after halftime for his ninth goal of the season for Sydney. It was the first time the 38-year-old former Italian World Cup winner had scored four goals in one match in his celebrated career. ‘I felt free in my mind today, for sure,’ Del Piero said. ‘It’s a day from the heavens because when you score four, for sure it’s a great day.’

While Del Piero dominated the headlines, new signing Joel Griffiths scored 10 minutes into his debut since returning to the A-League after more than four years in China.

The thumping win lifted Sydney to the cusp of the top six as they registered back-to-back wins for only the second time in a turbulent season.

Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti ensured Newcastle Jets shared the points in a 0-0 draw with leaders Central Coast in Gosford on Saturday.

A full stretch Birighitti pushed wide a brilliant Michael McGlinchey shot from close range after he had beaten four players in the 40th minute. There was a frantic end to the derby with Mariner Daniel McBreen hitting the side netting in the 78th minute and the Jets coming close in the 85th minute when Mariner Pedj Bojic was forced to clear off his line. — AFP

NBA results/standings Chicago 100, Boston 99 (OT); Philadelphia 108, Toronto 101 (OT); Charlotte 106, Orlando 100; Indiana 105, Houston 95; Brooklyn 94, Atlanta 89; Memphis 85, Sacramento 69; San Antonio 95, Golden State 88; Washington 112, Denver 108; Oklahoma City 117, Dallas 114 (OT).

Washington 8 29 .216 17.5 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Western Conference W L PCT GB Northwest Division NY Knicks 25 13 .658 Oklahoma City 32 8 .800 Brooklyn 24 16 .600 2 24 18 .571 9 Denver Boston 20 19 .513 5.5 Utah 21 19 .525 11 Philadelphia 17 23 .425 9 Portland 20 19 .513 11.5 Toronto 14 26 .350 12 Minnesota 16 20 .444 14 Central Division Pacific Division Indiana 25 16 .610 LA Clippers 31 9 .775 Chicago 23 15 .605 0.5 7 Golden State 23 15 .605 Milwaukee 20 18 .526 3.5 LA Lakers 17 22 .436 13.5 Detroit 14 25 .359 10 Sacramento 15 25 .375 16 Cleveland 10 31 .244 15 Phoenix 13 28 .317 18.5 Southeast Division Southwest Division Miami 26 12 .684 San Antonio 31 11 .738 Atlanta 22 17 .564 4.5 25 13 .658 4 Memphis Orlando 14 25 .359 12.5 Houston 21 20 .512 9.5 Charlotte 10 29 .256 16.5 Dallas 17 24 .415 13.5

NHL has work to do to win back fans after lockout DETRIOT: Three generations of the Ribble family hurried through a parking lot in suburban Detroit, eager to see the Red Wings practice when the lockout finally ended.

“I was getting nervous we weren’t going to have hockey this year,” said Reid Ribble, whose dad joined him, his wife and their two young sons to watch the Red Wings skate last Sunday. “I’m glad they got it figured out.”

It took a while and it might end up being a costly blow to the sport. The NHL, its teams and players have work to do to win people back after the third work stoppage in less than two decades.

“We all know there’s a debt there to the fans,” said Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews, who took part in negotiations with the NHL. Commissioner Gary Bettman, owners and players have said they’re sorry in various ways. Teams have tried to apologize with free food, beer and tickets, along with discounted gear and access to the players. The harder work begins Saturday, when 13 games kick off a lockout-shortened season where each team has a 48-game sprint before the playoffs.

“The lockout hurt the game, so we definitely want to do everything we can do to give them a good show,” Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. Marc Ganis, president of Chicago-based sports business consulting firm Sportscorp Ltd., said the league is skating against a steep incline in many parts of the United States.

“It’s a great sport, but it has geographic constraints,” Ganis said. “In the stronger markets, such as Detroit, there is a strong, passionate fan base for the NHL. The real challenge for the league is growing its fan base, and that has been its challenge for at least three decades. The league should use this restart of the season as an opportunity to be more fan-friendly.”

The league, teams and players seem to be trying to do that. Practices and scrimmages were open to the public for free and fans flocked to arenas in some cities such as Philadelphia, where 15,000 fans watched the Flyers skate. Flyers owner Ed Snider said “very, very few” of the team’s season-ticket holders canceled their packages. “They stuck with us,” Snider said. In other markets, though, there seems to be a wait-and-see approach at play.

Columbus has sold a little more than

7,000 season tickets this year, down about 1,000 from last season, perhaps in part because star Rick Nash was traded to the New York Rangers in addition to a backlash from the lockout. The Blue Jackets offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal for their opener Monday against Detroit, a popular draw, and a sellout is expected.

The Tampa Bay Lightning offered fans free lunch if they showed up for practice Friday and those attending Boston Bruins games this month can get free grub, too.

Molson Canadian will pass out beer samples at the home openers in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton.

Pittsburgh and Buffalo are among the teams slashing prices on merchandise as a kickback to fans. The Dallas Stars and other clubs are offering free tickets to kids, hoping to expose the sport to a younger generation in the hopes of hooking them on a game that is tough to beat in person.

Winning, of course, helps. “If you get one good Cup run and get the people in the building, then they can see what it’s like to watch live and feel that buzz and that electricity in the crowd,” Stars forward Brenden Morrow said. “I don’t think you find it in any other sporting event. You’ve just got to get them in the building.”

Not everyone, of course, can afford to buy a ticket and some states don’t even have a team. That’s why hockey is hoping to fare better on TV, the best source of revenue in sports. The NHL has almost bounced back from the viewership totals it had before the last lockout, which wiped out the 2004-05 season. Boston’s win in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals drew the sport’s highest rating in 37 years.

Ratings were down for last year’s finals with the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils despite having two teams from large markets after the first three rounds of the playoffs attracted the largest average audience since 1997. Restarting the season now as the NFL is winding down, college football is done and baseball is idle - might help the NHL. “They got rid of the right games during the lockout because there isn’t as much competition compared to when they usually start seasons,” Ganis said. “What will be interesting to watch is whether the lack of an uprising from fans is because they expected the lockout, or because there isn’t a depth of passion for the sport in this country.” — AP

TORONTO: Toronto Maple Leaf’s Phil Kessel is greeted by fans as he takes to the ice for an NHL hockey training session at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. — AP

Fight for places excites Ghana coach PORT ELIZABETH: Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says he is excited by the competition for starting places ahead of the opening Group B fixture today against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“If I tell you that I know my starting team against DR Congo, I would be telling a lie because the competition for places in the first team has been intense,” Appiah told a media briefing in this Indian Ocean city.

“There is competition everywhere in the team and no player can afford to be complacent as they all have to fight for places. ‘We now have young talent who are competing and so anyone who finds himself in the first team has to take his chance.’ Midfielders Christian Atsu and Mubarak Wakaso have forced their way into the team since the Black Stars finished fourth at thde 2012 tournament in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea. — AFP

Durant scores 52, Thunder top Mavs 117-114 in OT ‘Experience has helped me a lot’ DALLAS: Kevin Durant’s miserable fourth quarter ended with a final miss that gave Dallas a chance to finish a rally in overtime Friday night.

The Oklahoma City star took care of things in the extra period instead, and ended up with a career high and the first 50-point game in the NBA this season.

Durant scored 52 points, including the goahead basket with 16.9 seconds remaining in overtime, and the Thunder held on for a 117-114 victory that extended their winning streak to six games and ended the Mavericks’ season-best run of four straight.

A night after getting voted a starter for the All-Star game, Durant missed six straight shots and was 2 of 11 from the field while the Mavericks were rallying in the fourth quarter.

When Durant missed at the buzzer after O.J. Mayo’s tying 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left in regulation, he had to remind himself to keep shooting.

“In overtime, I knew if I got down on myself that I was going to put my team in a tough position to win,” said Durant, whose previous career high was 51 against Denver last February. “They look at me in crunch time to come through for them. When I don’t have confidence in myself, they make sure they pump me up a little.”

Durant was still scoring because he couldn’t miss at the free throw line. He was 19 of 19 in regulation, which he finished with 43 points.

Vince Carter, who kept the Mavericks close when Oklahoma City threatened to blow them out in the first half, had a season-high 29 points.

He hit three free throws to start overtime when he was fouled on a 3-pointer, but Durant answered with a pair on the other end.

Durant went on to score nine of Oklahoma City’s 12 points in overtime and had three goahead buckets to help the Thunder avoid losing for the first time in 28 games when leading after three quarters. The Thunder blew a 14-point lead in the second half.

“Experience has helped me a lot,” said Durant, who was 13 of 31 from the field but made all 21 of his free throws and also had nine rebounds. “If I look like I’m out there panicking, my teammates will look at me and feel the same way. I’ve got to be cool. If I miss a shot, so be it. I’m sure opportunity will come back around sooner or later.”

Dirk Nowitzki bounced back from a dreadful shooting night to score 12 in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks couldn’t get him the ball trailing by two in the final seconds of overtime. Mike James, who came in shooting less than 20 percent but had hit a go-ahead 3 earlier in the extra period, ended up with the ball well behind the arc with the shot clock dwindling. His shot barely hit the front of the rim.

Russell Westbrook, who scored 31, missed a free throw to give the Mavericks one more chance to tie, but Carter’s desperation 3 at the buzzer was short. “The play blew up and Mike ended up with it, and it was unfair to him,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “It was a play that didn’t work, and it was my responsibility.”

Nowitzki finished with 18 points after starting 1 of 11 from the field, salvaging his 10th straight

DALLAS: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives past Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion (0) during an NBA basketball game, Friday, in Dallas. The Thunder won 117-114. — AP double-figure game after scoring in single digits the first four games once he returned from missing 27 games due to right knee surgery.

The Mavericks had six players in double figures for the fourth straight game. Mayo had 18 points and seven assists, and Darren Collison scored 15.

Elton Brand had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas, while Serge Ibaka had 11 points and 14 boards for the Thunder. Durant, who has scored at least 40 three times in the past week, put Oklahoma City ahead 99 98 on a pair of free throws after he was fouled on a drive with 1:32 left in regulation. He hit two more after he was fouled following a rebound of a miss by Nowitzki, and Oklahoma City kept the lead until Mayo’s 3-pointer with two defenders in his face forced overtime at 105-all.

“There are some things that we obviously

could have done to limit him,” Carlisle said of Durant. “He had a great game, and he is the best shooter on the planet.” Neither team led by more than three in the final 6 minutes of regulation and overtime.

The Mavericks, who earlier this season tied an NBA record with their 10th straight overtime loss, fell to 1-8 in overtime games this season.

Two of the losses have been to the Thunder, who improved to 4-0 in overtime.

“It was one of those games no one deserved to lose,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said.

“I’m glad we came out with the victory because that’s not an easy win.”

The Mavericks trailed 87-79 when Carter hit a free throw and Nowitzki had a tip-in to start a 13 2 run that gave Dallas its first lead since the first quarter. Nowitzki’s free throws put the Mavericks up 90 89 with 6:41 left. — AP

NFL considers revisions to ‘Rooney Rule’ NEW YORK: Jim Caldwell nearly went undefeated as a rookie coach in Indianapolis three years ago and he’s one win away from returning to the Super Bowl as an assistant with Baltimore.

Yet Caldwell didn’t get one interview for any of the eight coaching vacancies in the NFL this year. “That’s almost impossible for me to comprehend,” John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation, told The Associated Press on Friday. Eight teams hired new coaches and six more filled general manager positions with one opening remaining. None of those jobs went to a minority. Now the league is considering revisions to the “Rooney Rule,” which mandates that teams must interview at least one minority candidate for front-office and head coaching jobs. “While there has been full compliance with the interview requirements of the Rooney Rule and we wish the new head coaches and general managers much success, the hiring results this year have been unexpected and reflect a disappointing lack of diversity,” Robert Gulliver, the NFL’s executive vice president of human resources, said in a statement.

“The Rooney Rule has been a valuable tool in expanding diversity and inclusion in hiring practices, but there is more work to do, especially around increasing and strengthening the pipeline of diverse candidates for head coach and senior football executive positions.

“We have already started the process of developing a plan for additional steps that will better ensure more diversity and inclusion on a regular basis in our hiring results. We look forward to dis-

cussing these steps with our advisers to ensure that our employment, development and equal opportunity programs are both robust and successful.”

Wooten said his group is already working on a proposal. “We feel very strongly there’s a need to extend the rule,” Wooten said. “I’m disappointed, but not discouraged because we have a plan of action. We’re putting it together right now and we’re going to present our thoughts and ideas to the league. We’ll be working together to make something happen.”

Caldwell won his first 14 games with the Colts in 2009 before losing the final two regular-season games after resting Peyton Manning and most of his starters. The Colts reached the Super Bowl only to lose to the New Orleans Saints.

Indianapolis went 10-6 the following season and captured another AFC South title, but lost to the New York Jets in a wild-card game. With Manning sidelined all of last season, the Colts went just 214 and Caldwell lost his job.

He joined the Ravens as quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator in mid-December. Baltimore has averaged 25.8 points in the five games since Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron. In two playoff wins, the Ravens have scored 62 points, including 38 in a doubleovertime win at Denver last week.

“Anybody in this business would certainly like to get to the point where they reach the top of their profession,” Caldwell said earlier this month.

“They’d love to have an opportunity to be a head coach, and I’m no different.”

But Caldwell has to wait until next year. So does Lovie Smith. The Chicago Bears fired Smith after he went 10-6. He interviewed with Philadelphia, San Diego and Buffalo. The Eagles chose Chip Kelly, the Bills hired Doug Marrone and the Chargers went with Mike McCoy. At least Smith had an opportunity. Caldwell didn’t. Neither did Winston Moss, an assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers. “I’m probably more disappointed that Jim Caldwell and Winston Moss didn’t get interviews,” Wooten said. “Caldwell could’ve been undefeated his rookie year if (then Colts general manager) Bill Polian doesn’t make the decision to bench Manning. And Moss is such an impressive coach. Look at the way he held together the Packers’ linebackers with all their injuries.”

Keith Armstrong, special teams coach for Atlanta, interviewed for vacancies with Kansas City, Philadelphia and Chicago. Armstrong wasn’t really considered a serious candidate for those teams. Some believe he was granted interviews simply to satisfy the Rooney Rule. The Chiefs hired Andy Reid just a few days after the Eagles fired him. The Bears chose Marc Trestman.

“I would never tell a guy not to take an interview because it’s not a realistic interview,” Wooten said. “Keith Armstrong is a strong talent evaluator and excellent coach.” There were a total of 203 minority coaches in the NFL in 2012, including six head coaches. With Smith and Romeo Crennel out, only four minorities will start the 2013 season as head coaches. That’s the fewest since 2003. — AP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

S P ORT S

Chowrasia’s wife misses out on best round of week ABU DHABI: Shiv Chowrasia’s wife will be ruing her decision to stay in bed yesterday morning after missing out on seeing her journeyman husband shoot the best round of the week at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The twice former European Tour winner teed off at 0738 local time in the second match of the day but the 5-foot-5 (1.65-metre) Indian quickly catapulted his way up the leaderboard with a flawless seven-under-par 65 earning a five-under total of 211. “My wife Simantini has been with me all week but it was too early a start for her today,” the 34-year-old Chowrasia told Reuters in an interview on another sunkissed day in the desert. “She walked around

the course with me on the first two days but then she said, ‘No more, it’s too early for me’.”

Chowrasia enjoyed an 11th-hour reprieve on Friday just as he looked like missing the halfway cut that fell at two-over-par. “I made a birdie putt from around 15 feet at the last hole yesterday to make the cut,” he said.

“I finished two-over and I still thought maybe I’d missed out but my wife said, ‘No, no, you might still get in’ ... and I did.” Chowrasia was fired up on Saturday morning, producing a barrage of four birdies in a row from the second hole at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The winner of the 2008 Indian Masters and 2011 Avantha Masters, which was also staged

in his native country, picked up more shots at the 10th and 11th before allowing himself a little fist-pump after knocking in another birdie putt from five feet at the 18th.

“It was a bit cold early on this morning but there was no wind so that was a benefit,” he said. “It still wasn’t easy though - there were a few very tough pin placements out there and it’s a tough course.

After my four birdies in a row I was feeling really good and I just started trying to hit the middle of the greens.

“This is my fifth year on the European Tour and I feel I’m gradually getting better. Both of my wins have come in India and I want to win

outside my own country,” said the world number 452. “I also want to play in the British Open for the first time. I’ve never played in any of the majors so that’s another big goal for me.”

Chowrasia has scaled down his efforts on the practice range this week because of a wrist problem that has niggled away since he sustained the injury in a motorbike accident in 2004. “After my lunch I’ll just do some chipping and putting,” he explained.

I’m not hitting too many practice balls right now because I’ve got some pain in the wrist.

“Every day I have it massaged and I also take painkillers but it didn’t feel too bad today. “I used to like riding motorbikes but one night at

around 11pm I was going home and a car suddenly came straight at me from the wrong side of the road and hit me,” said Chowrasia. “I didn’t come off the bike but I had six months off golf. I was playing on the Indian Tour then and I was looking to get on the Asian Tour.”

Chowrasia knows he will need another good score in today’s final round to have a chance of winning. “My ranking is so low I don’t check what it is,” he laughed. “My target is to get in the top-50 to get in the majors.

“I probably need to get to 15-under to win this week so I need a 62 or 63 tomorrow. I can do that - why not? “I shot a 65 today so why not a 62 or 63?”. — Reuters

Rose rules in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy and Woods flop Donaldson, Olesen to chase Rose in final round

LA QUINTA: Roberto Castro reacts after missing a birdie putt on the eighth hole during the second round of the Humana Challenge golf tournament on the Arnold Palmer Private course at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. Friday. — AP

Hahn, Castro maintain lead at Humana Challenge LA QUINTA: Rookie James Hahn and Roberto Castro maintained their lead by shooting five-under 67s in the second round of the PGA Tour ’s $5.6 million Humana Challenge on Friday.

Hahn and Castro are both chasing a first PGA Tour victory and are at 14-under par.

“Same situation as yesterday, my playing partner was making a bunch of birdies too and we both kind of got going and had the mojo going the right way, so it was a good day,” Castro said.

“I played well all day. Some nice up-anddowns on the par-fives for birdies, a couple slipped away there at the end. “Yesterday I made a 50-footer on the last on a good putt. Today I felt like I hit a good putt and three-putted. So that stuff is going to even out over 72 holes.”

Hahn had an eagle and a nice birdie stretch in the second half of his round. “I started off slow,” Hahn said. “But I hit some good shots and had a stretch of a birdie, eagle, birdie, and that was pretty much my round.” Just one stroke back were Darron Stiles, Scott Stallings and Richard H. Lee who each shot 65 and moved into a tie for third place.

Jason Kokrak had shared the first-round lead with Castro and Hahn. Kokrak shot 69 on Friday and dropped into a tie for sixth

place at 12-under with eight others.

Joining Kokrak were rookies Lee Williams and David Lingmerth, Zach Johnson, Kevin Stadler, Charles Howell, Charley Hoffman and Australia’s Aaron Baddeley and Greg Chalmers.

The best rounds among that group came from Lingmerth (64) Williams (65) and Howell (65), all on the Nicklaus Course.

Phil Mickelson, who has been battling a virus, rebounded on the second day for a 67, following up a first-round 72.

Mickelson rolled in seven birdies and had a pair of bogeys on Friday. “The last two holes was the first time that I actually hit solid shots and my rhythm felt good and I made good swings,” said Mickelson, who is making his season debut. “I’ve been quick from the top, my rhythm has been off, and I’ve hit a bunch of squirrely shots.

“I made a lot of rusty mistakes, like that three-putt there, but it feels a lot better, the last couple holes feel a lot better, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s round.”

Last week’s winner Russell Henley remained in contention at 11-under.

Henley had four birdies and an eagle in the second round. The cut will come today, after everyone has played each of the three par-72 courses in use over the first three rounds. —AFP

Posey, Pence, Ellsbury among 81 to strike deals NEW YORK: NL MVP Buster Posey agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, teammate Hunter Pence got a $13.8 million deal and Jacoby Ellsbury settled with the Boston Red Sox for $9 million on a busy Friday as players and teams swapped figures in salary arbitration.

Eighty-one players reached agreements, leaving just 36 headed toward hearings next month in Phoenix from among the 133 who filed for arbitration Tuesday. Most of the cases are expected to settle.

San Diego third baseman Chase Headley had the largest request and the biggest spread, asking for $10.3 million while the Padres offered $7,075,000.

Boston reliever Craig Breslow had the slimmest gap. He sought $2,375,000 that was $50,000 more than the Red Sox offered. Teams won five of seven cases decided by three-arbitrator panels last winter, their 14th winning record in 16 years. Overall, owners lead 291-214 since arbitration began in 1974.

Posey was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting a National League-leading .336 with 24 homers and 103 RBIs and helping the Giants win their second World Series title in three seasons. Posey, who made $615,000 last year, cannot become a free agent until after the 2016 World Series.

Obtained by San Francisco from Philadelphia on July 31, Pence can become a free agent this fall, as can Ellsbury. Among those left in arbitration, Cincinnati has a major league-high six players remaining. Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, acquired from Cleveland last month, asked for a raise from $4.9 million to $8 million, while the Reds offered $6.75 million. Right-hander Homer Bailey asked to be increased from $2.5 million to $5.8 million and was offered $4.75 million.

Mat Latos, eligible for arbitration for the first time, asked for a raise from $550,000 to $4.7 million after going 14-4 in his first season with the Reds.

Cincinnati offered $4.15 million. The other Reds still in arbitration are pitchers Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon and outfielder Chris Heisey.

Two interesting settlements involved Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jason Vargas ($8.5 million) and Seattle Mariners first baseman-designated hitter Kendrys Morales ($5.25 million), who were swapped for each other last month.

Also reaching agreements were Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters ($5.5 million), Milwaukee closer John Axford ($5 million) and Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward ($3.65 million).

Only two players got multiyear deals Friday. Toronto catcher Josh Thole, acquired from the New York Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade, got a $2.5 million, twoyear contract, and Washington reliever Craig Stammen agreed to a $2,225,000, two-year deal.

The high-spending Los Angeles Dodgers settled with catcher A.J. Ellis ($2 million) and right-hander Ronald Belisario ($1.45 million). That raised the Dodgers’ projected payroll to $214.2 million after an adjustment for cash received this year as part of last summer’s trade with the Boston Red Sox for Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett.

Five players settled after the exchange of figures, with Boston and reliever Alfredo Aceves agreeing to a deal at the $2.65 million midpoint.

Posey, Vargas, Washington reliever Tyler Clippard ($4 million) and Detroit reliever Phil Coke ($1.85 million) submitted the same figures as their teams, an indication they reached agreement shortly before the exchange and didn’t finalize them until after the swap. — AP

ABU DHABI: World golf number five Justin Rose showed his title rivals a clean pair of heels in the Abu Dhabi Championship third round yesterday, surging two strokes clear after cramming seven birdies into a four-under 68.

After top-ranked Rory McIlroy and world number two Tiger Woods missed the cut yesterday, Rose had centre stage pretty much to himself at the European Tour event and again showed he revels in the spotlight.

Fellow Briton Jamie Donaldson (69) and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen (69) were tied for second on 10under 206, one ahead of Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (66). Rose, who led by one stroke overnight, dropped a shot by three-putting the par-four first before launching a dynamic charge with five birdies in six holes to the turn.

The 32-year-old made more inroads on par at the 12th and 18th and would have stretched his lead further but for bogeys at the 13th and 17th, the latter coming after another three-putt.

The 6-foot-2 (1.89-metre) Englishman, still waiting to achieve that elusive first major triumph despite racking up 10 victories

around the world, said a win here would hold special significance.

“Anyone who wins, they have beaten the number one and number two in the world,” Rose told reporters. “It gives this tournament absolutely huge amounts of credibility.

“You can say you’ve beaten the best players and that’s exactly what you need to do. You need to do that in majors and you need to do that most weeks on tour,” he added after lighter winds led to lower scoring on the difficult Abu Dhabi Golf Club layout.

Rose said the absence of McIlroy and Woods made it easier for the rest of the players.

“If Tiger and Rory are the two guys right behind you there is a lot of hullabaloo about the day and I guess it would be more intense out there just based upon people’s interest,” he said.

“I think what does influence you when you go up against Rory and Tiger is the crowd. There are a lot more people milling around, there are more cameras, more distractions and that makes it more difficult.”

Rose felt his overall game was exactly where he wanted it to be

ABU DHABI: Justin Rose of England follows his ball on the 15th hole during the third round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, yesterday. —AP yesterday.

“I played really well today,” he said. “Every time I had the club in my hand I felt like I was going to hit a good shot and that’s not always the case.

“Some days you have to work harder than others and some days are a bit of a grind. Today it felt pretty smooth.”

The best third-round perform-

ances came from India’s Shiv Chowrasia (65) and Australian Andrew Dodt (65) as they carded the lowest scores of the week.

“I got married two weeks ago. I don’t know if that’s got something to do with it,” said Dodt after finishing on 209 thanks to a birdie hattrick on each nine. “It’s all going well at the moment - as it probably should be.” — Reuters

Ulster break French jinx PARIS: Last season’s beaten finalists Ulster rounded off their European Cup pool campaign with a first win in France at their 15th attempt, beating Castres 9-8 yesterday.

All their points came from the boot of South African Ruan Pienaar, but a weakened side were unable to get the bonus point that would have strengthened their chances of getting a home quarter-final.

The 1999 European Cup winners, who topped Pool Four, will have to wait till the end of the weekend and the outcome of other matches to see if they entertain their quarter-final opponents in Belfast.

“We wanted to win and even by a point, I’ll take it. A win is a win,” said Ulster coach Mark Anscombe.

“It wasn’t our best performance but we knew it would be difficult here. I don’t know if we will be playing at home in the quarter-finals, but the most important thing is that we are in the last eight. We will play anyone, anywhere.”

Castres went into the final 20 minutes with an 8-6 lead, Remy Lamerat’s try and South African kicker Rory Kockott’s penalty giving them the edge. Ulster had two Pienaar penalties to their credit.

Pienaar, who had been moved to fly-half from scrum-half for the match, sent Ulster into the lead for the first time with a penalty in the 64th minute. In the pool’s other match a surprisingly effective performance by previously winless

Glasgow saw the Scottish side beat English giants Northampton 27-20 which ended any hopes the 2000 champions had of making the last eight as a one of the two best runners-up.

George Pisi’s second-half tr y saw Northampton overhaul Glasgow, who had taken a surprising 13-8 lead when South African backrow forward Josh Strauss touched down with Scott Wight converting.

The Scottish side went back in front as Fijian scrum-half Nikola Matawalu scored their second try which Wight also converted.

Back came Saints and England fullback Ben Foden, whose pass had been intercepted by Matawalu for his try, brought them level with a try in the dying minutes.

But Glasgow centre Peter Horne brought the home crowd to their feet as he scored right at the death-and converted for good measure-to give the hosts their long-awaited win.

Meanwhile, former All Black Nick Evans put in a perfect kicking performance in treacherous, driving rain as Harlequins defeated Biarritz 16-9 on Friday to complete their European Cup group stage with a sixth win in six games.

Quins, who had already made sure of their place in the quarter-finals, failed to gain a winning bonus point, but their Pool 3 tally of 28 points could still make them the top seeds in the knockout phase.

Evans kicked three penalties and converted the game’s only try which left Biarritz without a

hope of squeezing into the last eight as a best runner-up.

Dimitri Yachvili, the third highest points scorer in the European Cup history, missed an early penalty but was bang on target with a second attempt as the French side edged ahead at a drenched Stade Aguilera.

Evans levelled at the other end before the English champions grabbed the only try of the game. Hooker Joe Gray threw long at a line-out where No 8 Tom Guest gathered before barging over for a well-worked try which Evans converted.

Both sides ended the half with 14 men after Biarritz lock Wenceslas Lauret and Quins prop Joe Marler were sin-binned for coming to blows as their packs struggled to keep their feet on the swampy, chewed-up surface.

Yachvili dragged the French side back into contention with two early penalties in the second period before Evans kicked a 45-metre penalty which bounced kindly off the crossbar and over for a 13-9 lead just before the hour mark. Yachvili again went wide with another penalty as the game became an exhausting battle of attrition. Evans showed him how to do it with another penalty seven minutes from time to seal a well-earned Harlequins win.

In the night’s other Pool 3 game, Dan Parks kicked 20 points as Connacht beat Zebre 25-20 with the Italian side ending their campaign with a sixth successive defeat. — AFP

CASTRES: Castres’s center Remy Lamera (C) vies for the ball in the ruck during the H cup rugby match between Castres and Ulster at the Pierre Antoine Stadium in Castres, yesterday. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

S P ORT S

‘Short man’ Irfan aims high for Pakistan KARACHI: A towering man of seven feet one inch, fast-rising Pakistan paceman Mohammad Irfan often struggles to find bowling shoes that fit and a comfortable bed.

But on the cricket pitch, the 30-yearold former factory worker is more than comfortable with a new ball in his hands, cleverly exploiting his height to unsettle some of the best batsmen in the world with bounce, pace and variation.

Pakistan tagged Ir fan a “surprise package” on their December-January tour of India and despite taking just three wickets, he plagued the opposition’s much-vaunted batting.

“We jokingly call him the short man,” Pakistan Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez told AFP. “We knew he would be a surprise package and with his determination and hard work I hope that he can

go a long way in international cricket.”

It is only now that officials accept him to be 7’1”. In the past, his height has been purportedly measured at 6’8” and 6’10”. “My height was measured at the US embassy when I applied for visa in 2010,” Irfan told AFP, boasting of being the tallest ever international cricketer, surpassing West Indian Joel Garner and Australian Bruce Reid who stood at 6’8”.

He also claims to be the tallest known cricketer, beating English county players Anthony Allom, Paul Dunkels and Will Jefferson, all measured at 6’10”.

But for Irfan, height hasn’t always been an advantage. He was born a farmer ’s son in the small village of Gaggu Mandi in the central Punjab province, where he found his height hard to cope with, even as one of five brothers all over six feet tall.

“My height started to increase when I was in class eight,” Irfan remembers. “I couldn’t sit on the school bus properly, my uniform stopped fitting after a few days and people started to make fun of my height.”

His father, himself six feet nine inches, advised him to be patient. “My schoolmates used to mock me saying, why am I in class eight when I am so tall. I used to come in my friends’s car with a special seat. “I would join two beds to sleep properly and when I wanted to play cricket I couldn’t find proper shoes,” said Irfan who now gets shoes in a British size 15 from a friend.

Growing up, his role model was fellow villager Mohammad Zahid, who took eleven wickets in his debut Test in 1996 before a back problem cut short his career. But he was discouraged by a lack

of opportunity and took a job in a nearby pipe factory in 2000.

“Those were very difficult days for me,” remembers Irfan. “I wanted to play cricket but was forced to work for 300 rupees ($3) a week and the future was not looking good.”

But suddenly lady luck smiled at Irfan.

Former first-class cricketer Nadeem Iqbal spotted him in a club match and sent him to Pakistan’s national cricket academy to be coached by former paceman Aaqib Javed and former opener Aamir Sohail.

Irfan made the most of it. In 2009, he was picked up by the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) team, set up by the father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb A.Q Khan, where Irfan turned into an explosive bowler, taking nine wickets in only his second match. “Irfan was unique,”

said Rashid Iqbal, manager of the KRL. “He has worked very hard to come this far and the most remarkable thing about him is that despite his height he has kept his fitness through extra work-outs.”

The KRL stint saw Irfan picked for Pakistan’s one-day series in England in 2010 but two wicketless matches seemed to end his career before it even started.

“I did not get discouraged and kept up the hard work,” said Ir fan, who impressed coach Dav Whatmore enough during the national Twenty20 tournament in Lahore last month to be picked to stage a comeback in India.

Leaving Indian batsmen shaken, Irfan now bowls against the world’s number one Test team South Africa next month, aiming to prove that he is not all about height. — AFP

Franklin steers NZ to one-wicket win McClenaghan takes four for 20 on debut

WENGEN: Christof Innerhofer of Italia is pictured in the finish area of the Men’s downhil race of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup yesterday in Wengen. — AFP

Innerhofer wins World Cup downhill at Wengen WENGEN: On a day when the World Cup speed record fell three times in a matter of minutes, no one could match Christof Innerhofer when it came to consistency and control going down the classic Lauberhorn downhill.

Innerhofer mastered the longest and fastest course on the circuit to win in 2 minutes, 29.82 seconds yesterday, and then watched as the 160-kph (100-mph) barrier was broken for the first time in a World Cup race. Ten minutes after the Italian finished, Johan Clarey of France flashed past the speed gun on the Hanneggschuss straight at 161.9 kph (100.6 mph) - the fastest speed recorded in competition in 46 years of World Cups. Clarey’s top speed propelled him to fifth place, but he didn’t have the consistency to match Innerhofer down the historic 4.4kilometer (2.7-mile) course.

“For me, it’s amazing winning at Wengen.

It cannot be better,” said Innerhofer, who clocked 158.8 kph (98.7 mph) for the fifthfastest speed check. “It wasn’t dangerous. I know people speak a lot of time about safety, but it’s downhill.”

Klaus Kroell of Austria was second, 0.30 seconds behind Innerhofer. Another Austrian, Hannes Reichelt, was 0.76 back in third after holding the speed record for as long as it took Clarey to come down after him. It was clear that the conditions were right for a speed record after Carlo Janka of Switzerland set a new mark by clocking 158.7 kph (98.6 mph) in the downhill leg of the super-combined event on Friday. Skies then cleared early yesterday to ensure good visibility and hard-packed snow conditions for the lunchtime start.

“It’s a good feeling,” Clarey said of the record. “I felt it was faster than in training and it wasn’t scary. It’s a little thing in the race but I’m happy to have it.” Clarey predicted he would “hold this record for a long time now,” after two opponents held it for just minutes.

First, Benjamin Thomsen of Canada flashed through the straight, two minutes into his run, at 159.8 kph (99.3 mph). Reichelt then cranked it up to 160.34 kph (99.6 mph).

Clarey’s mark added another chapter to

Wengen lore in the 83rd year of the Lauberhorn meeting. Switzerland’s signature sports event drew 33,000 spectators by cograilway and helicopter up to the race slope beneath the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains.

Downhill standings leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway never made it to the Hanneggshuss straight. After being fastest in the top section, he crashed into safety nets failing to make a left turn after the spectacular Hundschopf jump. He was not injured.

Svindal retained his discipline lead, with Innerhofer now second, but failed to close the gap on overall World Cup leader Marcel Hirscher of Austria. Hirscher, who skips downhill races, leads by 108 points and will be the favorite to win Sunday’s slalom, which Svindal will miss.

Innerhofer’s fifth career World Cup win was his second in downhill this season after success at Beaver Creek, Colorado, in November. The Italian has defied expectations after suffering through much of 2012 with back problems, which still require prerace painkilling medication. “At the start I said, ‘yes Christof, this is perfect for you. All or nothing,’” said Innerhofer, who had been fastest on Friday in the super-combined downhill before finishing fifth.

Innerhofer said one key to victory was attacking the technical mid-course, S-curves where racers slam on the brakes to just 75 kph (47 mph). He won his first downhill race at Bormio, Italy, in December 2008, yet gained a reputation for peaking before race day. “In the past I was world champion in training,” joked Innerhofer, the world super-G champion. It was another poor day for the home Swiss men’s team, which was boosted by a first podium finish of the season on Friday, when Janka was third in super-combined.

Janka, the 2010 Lauberhorn winner, skied out on the Hanneggschuss, and 2009 winner Didier Defago managed just 17th. The best Swiss skier was 15th-placed Patrick Kueng, 1.95 behind Innerhofer. The Swiss sorely missed 2012 winner, Beat Feuz, who is sidelined by a knee injury, and Didier Cuche, who retired last year. — AP

PAARL: James Franklin batted skillfully with the tail to secure a tense one-wicket upset win for New Zealand in the first one-day international against South Africa at Boland Park yesterday.

Franklin hit 47 not out as the last three New Zealand wickets added 104 runs in a low-scoring match after South Africa had been bowled out for 208. He put on 35 for the eighth wicket with Nathan McCullum (24) and 47 for the ninth wicket with Kyle Mills.

When Mills was bowled by Ryan McLaren for 26 there were still 22 runs needed but Franklin successfully farmed the strike before hitting McLaren through the covers for the winning boundary.

“It was incredibly satisfying to come up against the top side in the world, be under pressure and come through,” said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. Franklin, whose runs came off 61 balls, added: “We were trying to bat as deep as we could. We know these (lower order) guys are no mugs with the bat.” It was a heartening result for New Zealand at the start of the three-match series after they lost both Test matches by an innings. “We came up against an incredible team in the Test matches but we know we can compete in the shorter forms of the game,” added McCullum. South Africa went into the match on top of the one-day rankings but lost their place to India, who beat previous number ones England in Ranchi earlier yesterday.

“We were not at our best today,” said South African captain AB de Villiers. “We were probably at about 80 percent. New Zealand deserved to win.” McLaren seemed to have won the game for South Africa before Franklin’s final flurry of strokes. He had shared a crucial 59-run sixth wicket partnership with top scorer Faf du Plessis (57) as South Africa were bowled out for 208 after being sent in to bat. Then McLaren took four for 46. He bowled BJ Watling for 45, trapped Jimmy Neesham two balls later for nought and then broke two late partnerships when he dismissed Nathan McCullum and Mills.

Left-arm opening bowler Mitchell McClenaghan took four for 20 on debut as New Zealand’s bowlers exerted tight control.

McClenaghan took the key wickets of Graeme Smith and de Villiers and followed up with two late wickets.

Part-time off-spinner Kane Williamson took four for 22 as the South African batsmen failed to master some steady bowling on a slow pitch.

Du Plessis made a dogged 57 off 71 balls.

He hit only three boundaries in a South African innings which included only 12 fours and four sixes. One of the fours and three of the sixes were hit by tailender Rory Kleinveldt, who hit his sixes off four balls from Mills in making all 26 runs in a last wicket stand with Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Kleinveldt followed up with the wickets of Brendon McCullum and all-rounder Grant Elliott to cap a successful debut in 50-over internationals. McCullum’s decision to send South Africa in to bat paid dividends when the home side’s three most experienced batsmen, Smith, Hashim Amla and captain de Villiers were dismissed within the first 12 overs. — AFP

PAARL: New Zealand’s James Franklin (L) celebrates after hitting the four that won the first One Day International (ODI) between South Africa and New Zealand, yesterday, at Boland Park, in Paarl, about 60Km north of Cape Town. South African Greame Smith (R) applauds the Black Caps win, by one run with a score of 209/8. — AFP

SCOREBOARD PAARL, South Africa: Scores in the first one-day international between South Africa and New Zealand at Boland yesterday: South Africa H. Amla lbw b Mills 13 G. Smith lbw b McClenaghan 7 C. Ingram c N. McCullum b Williamson 29 A. de Villiers lbw b McClenaghan 7 F. du Plessis c Nicol b Williamson 57 Q. de Kock c N.McCullum b Franklin 18 R. McLaren c B. McCullum b Williamson 33 R. Peterson lbw b McClenaghan 0 R. Kleinveldt c Mills b Williamson 26 D. Steyn b McClenaghan 0 L. Tsotsobe not out 0 Extras (b4, lb3, nb1, w10) 18 Total (46.2 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Amla), 2-27 (Smith), 3-37 (De Villiers), 4-83 (Ingram), 5-119 (De Kock), 6178 (McLaren), 7-179 (Peterson), 8-182 (Du Plessis), 9-182 (Steyn), 10-208 (Kleinveldt) Bowling: Mills 8-1-55-1 (1nb, 2w), McClenaghan 10-2-20-4 (2w), N. McCullum 6-0-34-0, Franklin 10-1-44-1 (2w), Williamson 7.2-0-22-4, Neesham 4-0-22-0 (3w), Elliott 10-4-0

New Zealand R. Nicol c Smith b Tsotsobe 4 M. Guptill run out (De Villiers) 0 B. Watling b McLaren 45 K. Williamson c Du Plessis b Tsotsobe 5 B. McCullum lbw b Kleinveldt 26 G. Elliott c Smith b Kleinveldt 1 J. Franklin not out 47 J. Neesham lbw b McLaren 0 N. McCullum lbw b McLaren 24 K. Mills b McLaren 26 M. McClenaghan not out 0 Extras (lb13, nb3, w15) 31 Total (9 wkts, 45.4 overs) 209 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Guptill), 2-4 (Nicol), 3-21 (Williamson), 4-73 (B. McCullum), 5-81 (Elliott), 6-105 (Watling), 7-105 (Neesham), 8-140 (N. McCullum), 9-187 (Mills) Bowling: Steyn 10-3-33-0 (2w), Tsotsobe 8-243-2, Kleinveldt 9-0-37-2 (1nb, 9w), McLaren 8.4-0-46-4 (2nb, 3w), Peterson 10-0-37-0 Result: New Zealand won by 1 wicket

Vonn wins WC downhill for first victory in 5 weeks

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, center, winner of an Alpine Ski World Cup women’s downhill, celebrates on the podium with second placed Tina Maze, of Slovenia, left, and third placed Leanne Smith, also of the US, in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, yesterday. — AP

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Lindsey Vonn showed she’s back in form yesterday, winning a World Cup downhill for her first victory in more than five weeks. Saturday in a World Cup downhill, beating overall leader Tina Maze by nearly half a second.

The four-time overall champion defeated overall leader Tina Maze by nearly a half-second. Vonn, who recently took 27 days off to regain her strength from an intestinal illness, clocked 1 minute, 38.25 seconds down the sun-drenched Olympia delle Tofane course. Maze finished second, 0.43 seconds behind, and Vonn’s American teammate Leanne Smith was third, 0.89 back.

“It was a great feeling today, to come down and see No. 1 next to my name again was incredible,” Vonn said. “It’s been a hard couple of weeks trying to get my strength back and trying to get my confidence back.”

In her first races back last weekend in St. Anton, Austria, Vonn finished sixth and fourth in a downhill and super-G, respectively. This time, there was no stopping her. Wearing a rainbow-colored race suit, Vonn made a slight error midway down and nearly touched her right hip to the snow.

But she had the strength to regain her balance and keep charging.

“I finally feel like myself again,” Vonn said. “I feel healthy, finally, and I’m able to ski the way I want to. It’s good to be back on top.” The race was held in perfect conditions, with temperatures well below the freezing mark making for hard snow and clear skies allowing fans to marvel at the jagged snow-dusted peaks, which are some of the most spectacular in the Dolomite Range.

Vonn earned her seventh win in Cortina and the 58th of

her career, moving within four of the all-time record held

by Austrian legend Annemarie Moser-Proell. “St. Anton was a good performance, but definitely not my best,” Vonn said.

“Cortina is a place where I’ve had a lot of success, so I knew what I needed to do and I was finally able to put all of the pieces together.”

Vonn’s last win was a super-G was Dec. 8 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. For Maze, it was her first podium of the season in downhill - having already registered wins in three other disciplines. “I feel like I can be on the podium in every event,” the Slovenian said. Maze extended her massive lead in the overall standings to 670 points ahead of Maria Hoefl Riesch of Germany, who lost control toward the end of her run and did not finish.

Vonn holds a 129-point lead over teammate Stacey Cook in the downhill standings, with Maze 151 points back in third. Smith earned her second podium of her career after finishing second last month in a downhill in Val d’Isere, France.

“She put down a great run,” Vonn said. “It’s fun to be on the podium with your teammates. ... Everyone is feeding off each other. We have a great energy about the team right now.” With Alice McKennis having won in St. Anton last weekend and Cook finishing second to Vonn twice in Lake Louise, Alberta, at the start of the season, it’s the first time four different American women have reached the podium in downhill in a single campaign.

The other American finishers Saturday were Julia Mancuso in ninth, McKennis 11th, Cook 15th and Laurenne Ross 27th. A super-G is scheduled in Cortina on Sunday, a race Vonn has won the last three years. — AP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

S P ORT S

Kimiko Date-Krumm, 42, calls longevity ‘a miracle’ MELBOURNE: Kimiko Date-Krumm is amazed she’s still playing Grand Slam tennis at 42.

“It’s a miracle,” she said. After a week of setting age-related records and becoming the media darling of this year’s Australian Open, the Japanese player lost her third-round singles match yesterday.

“It was a great tournament for me,” DateKrumm said after a 6-2, 7-6 (3) loss to 21-yearold Serbian Bojana Jovanovski. In a sport dominated with women half her age, it was a great tournament for Date-Krumm.

This was her 43rd time playing a Grand Slam tournament - and she was the oldest woman in the draw by about a decade. The only other player who came close was 33-yearold Greta Arn of Hungary - who lost in the first round.

Date-Krumm is ranked 100th but defied the ranking system. She created a stir by beating No. 12-seeded Nadia Petrova - who is 30 - 6-2, 6-0 in the first round and becoming the oldest woman to win a singles match at the Australian Open.

During the week, she held court at packed press conferences and fielded questions about her secrets to longevity. “Sleep a lot. Drink water a lot. It’s nothing special,” she said, noting that she’s older than some of her opponents’ mothers.

Date-Krumm, who is married to German race car driver Michael Krumm, took a 12-year break from tennis and returned in 2008. When she came back, she never planned to play at the Grand Slam level.

“So, yeah, it’s a miracle I was in the third round this year,” she said. “I’m very surprised myself.” She recounted amusing conversations with her peers, like Steffi Graf and Lindsay Davenport, who retired years ago and started families.

“Everybody says to me, ‘You are crazy,’ first word is always, ‘You are crazy,’” she said, laughing. “But they support me a lot.”

Date-Krumm’s best result at the Australian Open came in 1994 when she reached the semifinals. She achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 1995. She admitted finding it tough to keep up with this generation of fitness fanatics, whose raw power has changed the women’s game.

“Every time when I go to the gym, everybody is there, even before their matches, after their match,” she said. “They’re doing so much exercise. That’s why women’s tennis is changing compared to 10 years ago, 20 years ago.”

When Graf was winning her 22 Grand Slams in the 1980s and 90s, the game was more about technique, she said. “Now it’s more speedy and more powerful,” she said, a few hours after Serena Williams unleashed her latest 128 mph serve.

Her stay in Melbourne is not quite over yet.

She’s still playing doubles and has advanced to the third round with Arantxa Parra Santonja of Spain. Resting doesn’t seem to be on her agenda.

After Melbourne, Date-Krumm plans to return to Japan for a few days before flying off for a packed schedule of tournaments that include Pattaya, Thailand, Fed Cup, Memphis, Brazil, Indian Wells, Miami, Mexico. In answer to the inevitable question: Will she be back next year?

“I will try my best,” she said.

Milos Raonic is convinced his fever, aches and blurred vision are what helped him to win.

The big-serving Canadian wasn’t sure he’d make it to his third-round match after sweating through the previous night with fever and aches.

“I had a tough night last night,” the No. 13-

seeded player said. When he arrived at the court, he “struggled seeing,” but still managed a straight-sets win against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4.

“I just felt like every type of ache I had was magnified,” he said. “In a way, it was a good thing because I’ve been struggling a little bit with the intensity. It forced me to go 110 percent right away from the start.”

He’ll need that kind of commitment again in the next round against Roger Federer.

Federer has already won 17 Grand Slam trophies, including four at the Australian Open.

The celebrated Swiss star was hailed as “the maestro” by the center court announcer after he beat Bernard Tomic in straight sets.

At 6-foot-5, and armed with a huge serve, the 22-year-old Raonic is regularly mentioned as an up-and-coming player to watch. He’s played Federer three times and lost all of them. “I’ve had my three shots against him, and I look forward to the fourth,” Raonic said.

Federer said he expected a close match.

“I’ve had some tough matches with him in the past,” Federer said. “Some of them I should have lost.”

Serena Williams paid tribute to Gussie Moran, the trailblazing tennis star who scandalized Wimbledon in 1949 by wearing a tennis skirt above her knees and lace-trimmed underwear.

The 89-year-old Moran died Wednesday in Los Angeles. Williams, the 15-time Grand Slam winner, who has a flair for on-court fashion, said it was women like Moran who paved the way for how female athletes can dress today.

“When you look at the history of tennis, especially Wimbledon, you see these women wear these long gowns,” said No. 3-seeded Williams, gesturing toward her feet. “I don’t know how they could have possibly played in

MELBOURNE: Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm makes a backhand return to Serbia’s Bojana Jovanvski during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. — AP that.” As a 25-year-old at Wimbledon in 1949, Moran made jaws drop and flashbulbs pop when she showed up for her first match minus the knee-length skirt considered proper for women at the time.

She lost the match, but her striking fashion statement appeared on magazine covers around the world.The British press dubbed her “Gorgeous Gussie.” Once ranked as high as fourth in the United States, Moran never achieved great fame for her tennis.

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus said she had never heard of Moran. And Williams said she knew “the name Gussie” but needed a reminder about her legacy.

“Someone always has to be first. I think that obviously she made a way for not only tennis players but just women in general in sport,” Williams said. “Like you don’t have to wear a dress to your ankles to be a female athlete playing sports. “I think being a trailblazer is honorable.” — AP

Federer slaps down Tomic after Del Potro upset Williams, Murray win in straight sets

MELBOURNE: Supporters of Australia’s Bernard Tomic pose for photographers as they cheer him on while watching his third round match against Switzerland’s Roger Federer on a giant screen outside the Rod Laver Arena, at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne. — AP

Serena cruises as Azarenka struggles MELBOURNE: Third seed Serena Williams eased into the Australian Open fourth round yesterday but defending champion Victoria Azarenka was made to work hard and play “ugly” to stay in the tournament.

Five-time champion Williams powered past Japan’s Ayumi Morita 6-1, 6-3 after a minor second-set wobble, but it was much tougher for the top seed who survived a scare before beating injured American Jamie Hampton in three sets. The Belarusian came through the match on Rod Laver Arena 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to set up a clash with unseeded Russian Elena Vesnina, who upset 16th-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci. But it was much harder than the scoreline suggested against a player who was wincing in pain from a back problem that needed treatment in the second set.

“I don’t think it was the best performance, honestly, today; but in another way I can say I can play better, so that’s a positive note from there,” said Azarenka, who beat Maria Sharapova in the final last year.

“You know, these kind of matches sometimes bring better things for you in the future, because winning ugly always means that you overcame something, that you weren’t feeling great, you weren’t feeling all your shots. “So I take it as a positive at the end of the day.” The plucky Hampton had never played a Grand Slam third round before, and gave it her all in a match packed with quality rallies and tight games.

On a cool Melbourne day, Azarenka was given a thorough test and was soon pumping her fist and shouting “C’mon” as her emotions showed. Neither player was serving well and Hampton left the court for treatment on a lower back problem, but despite being in obvious pain she returned to take the second set, with Azarenka slamming her racquet in frustration.

The brave American, who appeared close to tears at times from the discomfort, had the crowd onside but Azarenka fought back to win the match and stay on course to meet Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals. It was much easier for Williams, who followed Azarenka onto centre court. With sister Venus out of the tournament after being crushed in straight sets by Sharapova in the third round Friday, she was in no mood to be detained longer than necessary. There was no stopping her in the first set, with Williams firing down the fastest women’s serve of the tournament so far at 207 kilometres per hour (128 mph).

But the 15-time major winner, who has an eye on the first calendar-year Grand Slam since 1988, wavered on her serve in the second set and Morita raced to 3-0 lead. It was a shortlived advantage with Morita imploding and Williams reeling off six games in a row to easily clinch the match. “I was really focused out there,” said Williams, who now faces 14thseeded Russian Maria Kirilenko, who beat Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

“Ayumi played well and she gave me a good test.” In other matches, former US Open and French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia beat Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets and will next play Wozniacki, who beat Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in two

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MELBOURNE: Roger Federer was in no mood to let a trend develop after the first real upsets of the week at the Australian Open tennis yesterday and slapped down local upstart Bernard Tomic with authority to reach the fourth round.

Juan Martin del Potro stunned Federer to win the US Open in 2009 but the Argentine sixth seed was on the receiving end of the shock yesterday when an inspired Jeremy Chardy led a four-strong French charge into the last 16.

Serena Williams and Andy Murray never looked like losing sometimes challenging contests earlier in the day but defending champion and world number one Victoria Azarenka had a closer call and was forced to dig deep for her victory.

All eyes were on the evening match in Rod Laver Arena, however, where Tomic had been talking up his chances of translating his good early-season form into a victory over a player rated by many as the best to ever pick up a racket.

Tomic gave his best and came within two points of winning a thrilling second-set tiebreak but the 17-times grand-slam champion simply upped the gears, pulled out a couple of extraordinary winners, and raced away to a 6-4 7-6 6-1 victory.

“I had to be able to bring the whole repertoire to the court today, defence and offence, which I enjoy,” said the second seed, who next faces Milos Raonic, before offering some advice to Tomic.

“I think it’s important to be confident but obviously you respect the game and you respect the other players. I think he has a lot of respect for me.” Del Potro battled back from two sets down to level his third-round contest but the mercurial Chardy grabbed a break in the decider and held his nerve to serve out for a 6-3 6-3 6-7 3-6 6-3 win.

“I had nothing to lose today so it was easy to play,” said the world number 36. “It’s a big win for me, maybe the best of my career.” After five days without any upsets of note at the year’s first grand slam, two came along within minutes.

As Chardy was packing up his rackets on Hisense Arena, Italian Andreas Seppi was securing his place as the Frenchman’s next opponent by wrapping up a 6-7 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2 win over Croatian 12th seed Marin Cilic, a semi-finalist in 2010. Azarenka had to come back from a break down in the deciding set to avoid the same fate

MELNOURNE: Switzerland’s Roger Federer makes a backhand return to Australia’s Bernard Tomic during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. —AP against injur y-hampered American Jamie need to strike the ball better. My timing was off Hampton and her relief at her 6-4 4-6 6-2 win and I was leaving a lot of balls very short and allowing him to dictate some of the points.” was clear.

Murray was able to put his feet up and watch “She took a medical timeout but she rips winners all over the place,” said Azarenka. “I was like: his next opponent Gilles Simon beat compatriot ‘Can I have a back problem? I’m feeling great but Gael Monfils 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-6 8-6 in a four-hour, 43-minute marathon that ensured four I’m missing every shot’.”

Williams, seeking a sixth title at Melbourne Frenchman would be in the fourth round for the Park, also wobbled a bit at 3-0 down in the sec- first time since 1998.

Ninth seed Richard Gasquet’s progress was by ond set against world number 72 Ayumi Morita after losing her serve for the first time in the no means smooth and he was a set and a break down before he charged back to beat Croatian tournament.

The third seed showed no discomfort from Ivan Dodig 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-0. His seventh-seeded the ankle strain she sustained in the opening compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had an easier day, round, however, and stormed back to win the hammering Blaz Kavcic 6-2 6-1 6-4 as the next six games and dismiss the Japanese 6-1 6-3. Slovenian paid the price for the nearly five hours “I feel good,” the 31-year-old American said. “I he spent in the sweltering heat on Thursday in feel today was actually a really good match for his second-round tie.

“We have a lot of good players,” said Chardy. “I me. I was involved in a lot of longer points, something I definitely wanted.” US Open cham- think everybody starts to play well this year. I pion Murray berated himself for playing “non- don’t know what is the thing. We just play good.” sense” tennis at times but eventually broke Japan has also had a good tournament but down his Lithuanian practice partner Ricardas Kimiko Date-Krumm’s fairytale run came to an Berankis 6-3 6-4 7-5 after a tricky 132 minutes in end with a 6-2 7-6 defeat to Serbian Bojana Jovanovski, who was born two years after her the Melbourne sun.

“Sometimes when you are struggling, you get 42-year-old opponent made her debut at very frustrated,” said the British third seed. “I Melbourne Park. — Reuters

Roger Federer saddened by Armstrong doping scandal MELBOURNE: Roger Federer said he was saddened by the Lance Armstrong drugs scandal yesterday as players lined up to criticise the disgraced cyclist and Andy Murray backed tougher controls for tennis.

“What a sad story,” said 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer, when asked about Armstrong at the Australian Open. “Look, I mean, I don’t know what to say. It just really saddens me to see that someone did this for such a long time.

Obviously he’s hurt his sport in a big way, even though he helped it in the beginning.

“But now the burden they live under, all other sports maybe as well. I’m an active athlete right now, and it’s not fun times really to be in sports to a degree.

“I guess all I needed to see was the first few minutes of the interview and then I knew what was the deal, and the rest I don’t really care.

It’s just very saddening, really, this story, to be honest.”

While Serena Williams also called the saga “sad”, and women’s number one Victoria Azarenka said Armstrong “deserves everything he gets”, Murray said tennis may need to tighten its anti-doping procedures.

“I think it’s something that all sports are now trying to improve their doping controls and make it better, make sure that every sport’s as clean as possible,” the British major-winner said.

“If that’s more blood testing or the biological passports, that’s something we need to do and improve in tennis, as well.” Drug cases are rare in tennis but its antidoping system, which relies largely on urine rather than blood tests, has been criticised as outdated, and some suspicions have been voiced about leading players.

Men’s number one Novak Djokovic Friday said he had not been blood-tested for six or seven months, although Murray said his

blood was examined between four and six times a year.

Biological passports are used in some sports including cycling to provide a running record of each athlete’s test results, to detect unusual variations. After Djokovic said Armstrong should “suffer for his lies” following his long-awaited doping confession, Azarenka also had harsh words for the seven-time Tour de France champion.

“I think he deserves everything he gets. You cannot go through the stuff and be a hero in the end of the day. You cannot lie. You cannot cheat,” said the Belarusian.

Williams said she was “glued” to the TV interview, adding that the Armstrong case would now bring many top athletes under suspicion.

“I think as an athlete, as someone that works really, really hard since I was four or three, I think it’s a sad day for all athletes in general,” she said.

Williams added: “Unfortunately, I

think a lot of people now look and are like, OK, if somebody that great, what about everyone else in every other sport?” — AFP

US cyclist Lance Armstrong

19

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

SPORTS

Business as usual as Bayern return with victory BERLIN: After the euphoria of Pep Guardiola’s appointment as head coach for next season, Bayern Munich returned to Bundesliga action yesterday with a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Greuther Fuerth. “We’re pleased we won and also kept a clean sheet,” said Bayern’s current coach Jupp Heynckes, who will stand down at the end of the season. “Our game was tenacious and not so fluid as we are used to, but perhaps that is a positive, as we know what we have to work on.” Striker Mario Mandzukic scored either side of half-time after Bayern pulled off a coup for the German league on Wednesday by announcing 42-year-old Guardiola, who won 14 titles in four years at Barcelona, will take charge from July 1.

Fuerth have just one league win all

season and Bayern enjoyed more than 75 percent ball possession to dominate their Bavarian neighbours at the Allianz Arena. With Germany striker Mario Gomez left on Bayern’s bench until the last five minutes, Mandzukic added to his tally of 11 league goals as he first volleyed home on 26 minutes with some help from Fuerth goalkeeper Wolfgang Hesl. The second came on 61 minutes when the Croatia star headed home a Toni Kroos corner having slipped marker Christopher Noethe to keep Bayern nine points clear of second place Bayer Leverkusen.

“It’s not important whether I score, only that we won as a team,” said Mandzukic. “We have worked hard in recent weeks. We didn’t play as well as we can, but we’re satisfied.” Bayer

enjoyed a 3-1 win at home to fourthplaced Eintracht Frankfurt, although the first-half was briefly held-up at the 15-minute mark after away fans lit flares in their block.

Bayer bolted into a 2-0 led with two goals in as many minutes as Poland defender Sebastian Boenisch slotted home on 31 minutes after Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp failed in his attempt to parry the shot.

Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling, the league’s top scorer, took his tally to 13 shortly after when he tapped into an empty net after midfielder Gonzalo Castro had drawn Trapp out of his goal. Germany forward Andre Schuerrle made sure of the three points with the third on 58 minutes, before Frankfurt midfielder Alexander Meier scored a 78th-minute consola-

tion, his 12th of the season, as defeat left Eintracht fourth.

Third-placed defending champions Borussia Dortmund stayed in touch with the leaders with an emphatic 5-0 victory at Werder Bremen on Saturday night in sub-zero temperatures.

Germany midfielder Marco Reus curled in a ninth minute free-kick, international team-mate Mario Goetze slammed in a shot off the crossbar ten minutes later before centre-back Felipe Santana headed home three minutes after the break.

Poland pair Robert Lewandowski and his national team captain Jakub Blaszczykowski completed the rout with goals in the last ten minutes as the Bremen defence collapsed.

Mainz were held at home to a

goalless draw by Freiburg after German-American striker Shawn Parker was sent off for the hosts after earning his second yellow a minute from time.

Hoffenheim remain in the bottom three and seven points from safety after a 0-0 draw at home to Moenchengladbach. On Sunday, Nuremberg host Hamburg, while Fortuna Duesseldorf are home to Augbsurg.

On Friday, Schalke 04 earned their first win in seven league games, dating back to November 10, with a 5-4 win over Hanover to give new coach Jens Keller his first Bundesliga win.

Tottenham Hotspur-bound Lewis Holtby created two goals and scored Schalke’s fifth as eight goals were scored in the second-half. — AFP

David Silva trims United’s lead, Reading rally again Man City 2

Fulham 0

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s English midfielder Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Norwich City at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England, yesterday. — AFP

Liverpool thrash Norwich 5-0 in Premier League Liverpool 5

Norwich 0

LIVERPOOL: Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were both on the scoresheet as Liverpool secured their biggest victory under Brendan Rodgers with a 5-0 win over Norwich yesterday. Jordan Henderson opened the scoring with just his fourth goal for the club before Sturridge set up Suarez for his 20th of the campaign to give the home team a two-goal lead at halftime.

Sturridge tapped in a third to become the first player to score in his first three Liverpool matches since Ray Kennedy in 1974. Steven Gerrard added a fourth from distance before Ryan Bennett’s own goal sealed a comfortable win that moves Liverpool to within six points of fourthplaced Tottenham, while Chris Hughton’s side slipped to a sixth defeat in nine matches. The Reds were without injured goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while Jamie Carragher made his first Premier League start in three months. With Suarez and Sturridge starting together for the first time, the Reds took control from the start.

Suarez started in a deeper role and took just a couple of minutes to clip over a cross that was headed wide at the far post by Stewart Downing. Norwich produced an opportunity of their own when Robert Snodgrass’s free-kick to the far post picked out Bennett, but the Canaries defender headed straight at goalkeeper Brad Jones.

The pressure from the home side was constant and Downing cut in from the right and missed with a low shot.

Sturridge provided a simple save for Mark Bunn after collecting a pass from Downing and the Norwich goalkeeper took two attempts to hold a Suarez effort after the striker fooled Michael Turner with a smart turn. Reds skipper Gerrard also drilled an effort narrowly wide from distance and Bunn also did well to deal with a mis-hit cross from Glen Johnson that threatened to fly in at the far post.

But after 25 minutes Liverpool moved in front with a goal from an unexpected source. Suarez lost possession on the edge of the area but the ball fell for Henderson and the midfielder thumped a shot into the top corner for his first Premier League goal since May last year.

Ten minutes before the interval, Henderson tried again, this time from 30 yards, and forced a decent save from Bunn.

But just a couple of minutes later, Sturridge ran over a throughball from Lucas, leaving the Norwich defence flat-footed and Suarez broke clear to clip into the corner.

Liverpool kept Norwich out at the other end when Andre Wisdom headed a Grant Holt effort off the line after the hosts failed to deal with a Snodgrass free-kick.

The home side should have had a third when Johnson held on to the ball for an eternity in the Norwich area before sending over a cross that just evaded Henderson.

Wisdom also sliced wide after he was picked out by an 70-yard cross-field pass from Gerrard.

But just before the hour Downing was found by a Henderson pass and drilled to the where Sturridge had an easy tap in to make it three. Liverpool produced a fourth midway through the second period when Gerrard found the corner of the net from more than 25 yards.

Then with a quarter of an hour remaining substitute Raheem Sterling burst into the area and Bennett turned into his own net.—AFP

In-demand Hooper keeps Celtic at top GLASGOW: In-demand striker Gary Hooper showed his worth to Celtic yesterday as he grabbed a double in their 4-1 win over Hearts that keeps the Hoops nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic looked re-energised after the twoweek winter break and it took just 90 seconds for Hooper, who was the subject of a rejected 5 million bid from Premier League Norwich in midweek, to open the scoring when he prodded home Adam Matthews’ cross. The Hoops quickly doubled their advantage in the 12th minute when Samaras was on hand to tap home after Jamie MacDonald had saved Kris Commons’ initial shot. Hooper then thought he had grabbed a double when he converted a Commons cross in the 51st minute only to see the flag up for offside.

However, despite dominating proceedings, the home side failed to kill off Hearts’ hopes and they found a way back into the match through a deflected Jason Holt strike in the 69th minute to set up a nervy finish. With time running out Hooper fired a fierce strike past MacDonald in the 85th minute before substitute Lassad Nouioui wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time to keep them nine clear of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who claimed a 3-0 win over Aberdeen. “We got off to a great start and there was a lot of good football and it

was a great result with great goals,” said Celtic manager Neil Lennon. “It is always disappointing to lose a goal, particularly at 2-0 when you are on top, but our reaction was very good today.”

Hearts manager John McGlynn said his young players would learn lessons from the game. “It wasn’t the start we wanted in the game. We had a mountain to climb but at least we stuck together and managed to get a goal back,” McGlynn said. At Celtic Park, Lukasz Zaluska was handed a rare start in place of injured keeper Fraser Forster while Commons and Joe Ledley returned from injury. Hearts were without suspended captain Marius Zaliuskas and Ryan Stevenson but handed a debut to onloan Liverpool defender Danny Wilson.

However, the former Rangers player had a horror start to his Hearts career when his side found themselves 1-0 down after just 90 seconds. Matthews got the break of the ball off a Hearts player and broke into the box before squaring the ball to Hooper who prodded it home from six yards out.

The Hoops didn’t have to wait long to double their advantage with Samaras making it 2-0 in the 12th minute. Commons turned Kevin McHattie on the right wing before racing in the box and firing in a shot that keeper MacDonald could only push into the path of the Greek striker who rolled the ball into the net from eight yards.—AFP

LONDON: Manchester City cut Manchester United’s Premier League lead to four points by beating Fulham 2-0 yesterday thanks to a brace of goals from Spanish midfielder David Silva.

United are not in action until they visit Tottenham Hotspur today and defending champions City took advantage to breathe fresh impetus into their title defence. Silva broke the deadlock after just 96 seconds at the Etihad Stadium, slamming home from six yards after Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer parried a longrange shot from Edin Dzeko.

Steve Sidwell hit the post for the visitors in the 31st minute and City lost Pablo Zabaleta to injury before Silva added a second with 21 minutes left, gathering a Carlos Tevez flick and beating Schwarzer with a dinked finish. “All we can do is win our games,” said City assistant manager David Platt. “We have got 15 left and Man United have got 16 left and I am sure both teams will drop points between now and the end of the season.

“We have to make sure we keep getting victories so if United do slip up, we are in a position to take advantage of that.” Meanwhile, Liverpool reacted to last weekend’s 2-1 loss at United in emphatic fashion by thrashing Norwich City 5-0 at Anfield to close to within three points of the European places.

Jordan Henderson broke the deadlock with a vicious 26thminute half-volley before home debutant Daniel Sturridge’s clever dummy freed Luis Suarez to beat Mark Bunn for his seventh goal in three games against the Canaries.

Sturridge tapped in his third goal in three games for his new club in the 59th minute, with Steven Gerrard getting in on the act from 25 yards before Norwich’s Ryan Bennett put through his own goal in the 74th minute.

“We have played well for most of the season but Daniel coming in adds that extra threat,” said

MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder David Silva (C) vies with Fulham’s English midfielder Steve Sidwell (L) and Fulham’s German defender Sascha Riether during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday. — AFP Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. “He has pace and power and he has got good touch and good skills.” At the bottom of the table, Adam Le Fondre scored twice in six minutes as Reading dragged themselves out of the relegation zone by coming from behind once again to win 2-1 at Newcastle United.

Yohan Cabaye’s picture-perfect free-kick put Newcastle in front 10 minutes prior to the interval but Le Fondre equalised 65 seconds after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute and then curled in a 77thminute winner.

“The win can be a massive springboard for us,” said Le Fondre. “We’ve done well since Boxing Day and now we’ve transformed it into a win away from home.”

It was Reading’s second improbable comeback in two games following their dramatic 3-2

success over West Bromwich Albion last weekend and it meant that Newcastle remain two points above the bottom three.

Joe Cole scored the first goal of his second spell at West Ham United to prevent former manager Harry Redknapp from enjoying victory on his return to Upton Park with Queens Park Rangers.

New signing Loic Remy marked his QPR debut with a coolly-taken 14th-minute goal but Cole gave West Ham a share of the spoils when he converted from close range in the 68th minute after Julio Cesar saved from Carlton Cole.

Sunderland continued their recent revival by coming back from a goal down to win 3-2 at Wigan Athletic, who slipped into the drop zone. David Vaughan’s own goal gave Wigan a fourth-minute lead but the visitors equalised in the 17th minute when Craig Gardner converted a penalty after James

McCarthy was penalised for handball. A brace from Steven Fletcher put Sunderland 3-1 up by half-time and Martin O’Neill’s men held on despite a 79th-minute goal for Wigan by on-loan Manchester United forward Angelo Henriquez.

Swansea City warmed up for the second leg of their League Cup semi-final with Chelsea by beating Stoke City 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium. Teenage defender Ben Davies, 19, claimed his first senior goal to put the hosts ahead four minutes into the second half.

Jonathan de Guzman claimed a classy brace, netting a 57th-minute free-kick and then steering a shot past Asmir Begovic from Danny Graham’s lay-off, before Michael Owen broke his Stoke duck to register a late consolation. Yesterday’s late game is a Midlands derby between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, who sank into the bottom three last weekend. —AFP

Gignac scores injury-time winner for Marseille PARIS: Andre Pierre-Gignac profited from a defensive error to score an injury-time winner as Marseille came from behind to beat defending champion Montpellier 3-2 yesterday and move to within one point of French leader Lyon.

Marseille bounced back from last weekend’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at Sochaux with a crucial win, but left it late with two goals in the last 10 minutes.

“We suffered a lot against Montpellier but since the start of the

MARSEILLE: Marseille’s Cameroonian defender Nicolas Nkoulou (L) and Marseille’s Ghanaian forward Andre Ayew (R) vie with Montpellier’s Brazilian defender Vitorino Hilton (C) during the French L1 football match Marseille (OM) vs Montpellier (MHSC) yesterday at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France. — AFP

season there is a real solidarity in this team,” Marseille coach Elie Baup said. “It was a hard game, we didn’t play very well but in the end we won with heart and courage.”

Also, Sochaux followed up its win over Marseille by beating Reims 1-0 at home to climb out of the relegation zone and send Reims there instead. On Friday, Lyon dropped points when it drew 0-0 at home to struggling Evian.

Paris Saint-Germain, which is in third place, can move top of the league on goal difference if it wins at Bordeaux today. A minute’s silence will be held before the game in memory of Nick Broad, PSG’s performance director, who died as a result of the injuries he sustained in a traffic accident on Thursday night.

At Stade Velodrome, winger Andre Ayew gave Marseille the lead in the 14th when he headed in Joey Barton’s curling cross from the right, but the lead lasted only two minutes as Emanuel Herrera equalized after being played through by John Utaka. Montpellier winger Remy Cabella was a constant thorn in Marseille’s side and he set up Utaka in the 57th as Montpellier took the lead. But Marseille equalized with 10

minutes left when Andre Ayew ran onto Gignac’s pass and squared the ball to his younger brother, Jordan Ayew, who got to it ahead of defender Mathieu Deplagne and poked the ball into the roof of the net. Starved of service, Gignac had a quiet game but that did little to affect his scoring instincts as he proved with a razor-sharp finish.

The ball came in from the left and center half Daniel Congre failed to see Gignac lurking behind him on the edge of the penalty area.

Congre’s weak clearance hit Gignac and he reacted quickly to advance before driving a low shot past goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren.

“It was a very hard game for me as I was up against two massive defenders. You only need one chance to put it away,” Gignac said after scoring his seventh league goal of the season. “We had to make up for our bad start. Even though we gave ourselves a scare, we have the courage we need to come back and that’s a great thing.” Having lambasted his players after the midweek loss to Rennes in the League Cup semifinal, Montpellier coach Rene Girard was angry with them again. — AP

Silva trims United’s lead, Reading rally again

Federer slaps down Tomic after Del Potro upset

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

Vonn wins WC downhill for first victory in 5 weeks

Page 17

SOWETO: South Africans perform during the opening ceremonies of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at Soccer City stadium in Soweto yesterday. — AFP

Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Soweto Cape Verde dampens S Africa spirits in 0-0 draw SOWETO: The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off at a damp Soccer City stadium yesterday with a Group A match between hosts South Africa and debutants Cape Verde Islands.

A colourful ceremony of dance and music and the official opening by President Jacob Zuma preceded the first of 32 matches over 22 days in five venues around the country.

Torrential pre-match rain did not dampen the spirits of about 60,000 spectators, with many blowing vuvuzelas (plastic horns) and creating a din reminiscent of the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa.

The crowd swelled to 80,000 by the start of the second half as supporters who ignored pleas to come early and were delayed by traffic jams and long queues finally took their

seats in the biggest sports stadium on the continent. A star-stacked Ivory Coast squad captained by striker Didier Drogba are expected to win the February 10 final, and shed a ‘chokers’ tag earned by failing to justify favouritism in the previous four Africa Cup tournaments.

The only Ivorian success in the competition came 21 years ago against Ghana with, ironically, a team of far fewer stars than that available to French coach Sabri Lamouchi this year.

Ghana, four times champions but without a title since 1982, are widely considered the greatest threat to Ivory Coast, although the absence of injured midfielder Andre Ayew is a blow.

Dogged fighters Zambia are back to defend a title won against the odds in Gabon

last year when they held Ivory Coast goalless for 120 minutes and won a marathon penalty shootout.

Other countries with a chance of lifting a trophy that symbolises national team supremacy on the continent include South Africa, Morocco, Mali, Nigeria, Algeria and Tunisia.

Traditionally staged in even-number years, the Africa Cup has been moved to unevennumber years to avoid every second tournament being staged the same year as a World Cup. Libya were chosen to host the 2013 Cup of Nations, but the uprising which ended four decades of dictatorship by Moamer Kaddafi led to a swap with original 2017 hosts South Africa.

Meanwhile, South Africa got their Africa

Cup of Nations campaign off to a limp start here yesterday when debutants Cape Verde held the disappointing former champions to a goalless draw.

On this evidence the 2013 hosts will have to show marked improvement in their next Group A games against Angola and Morocco if they are to avoid a humiliating first round exit.

Cape Verde were the moral winners, producing the two best chances of this Cup curtain-raiser in front of a near 90,000 crowd at Soccer City. The only time the vuvuzela-blowing fans fell totally silent was for President Jacob Zuma’s opening address-the head of state’s head protected by the lone umbrella in the stadium with his citizens banned from bringing theirs for security reasons.

South Africa coach Gordon Igesund made

four changes from last weekend’s drab goalless draw against Algeria-with Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro in attack.

For Cape Verde, marshalled by dreadlocked skipper Nando Neves, this was the mother of all baptism of fires, playing the hosts in front of a partisan crowd in the stadium that hosted the final of the 2010 World Cup. But in contrast to Niger 12 months ago, who suffered a bad stage of stage fright on their debut, Luis Antunes’s men held their own in a tepid first period.

They even had the best chance of the half, from Platini, but he failed to live up to his famous namesake’s artistry by pulling his shot badly wide. With only half a million inhabitants, Cape Verde are the smallest country to compete in the African showcase. —AFP

‘Psychic’ favourites Ghana begin Africa Cup quest

SAN SEBASTIAN: Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez, fourth right, Carles Puyol, third right, and Sergio Busquets, second right, jump as Real Sociedad’s Chory Castro of Uruguay kicks the ball to score during their Spanish League soccer match at Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian, northern Spain, yesterday. —AP

Barcelona suffer first Liga defeat of season MADRID: An injury-time strike from substitute Imanol Agirretxe condemned 10-man Barcelona to a 3-2 defeat at Real Sociedad yesterday, their first of a recordbreaking La Liga season. Lionel Messi scored in a 10th consecutive game for a landmark second time, putting Barca ahead after six minutes with Pedro Rodriguez doubling lead. But Chory Castro pulled a goal back before the break and then got his second after 63 minutes.

With Gerard Pique off the field after receiving a red card, Agirretxe got the winner in the 91st minute. There appears to be no record out of reach for Messi who scored in 10 straight matches in the 2011-12 season, notching up 18 goals in the process. It equalled the mark set by

Ronaldo, who scored 12 in 10 games during the 1996-97 season, and Mariano Martin who put away 18 in 10 matches between 1942 and 1943. Messi has now hit 15 goals in 10 games and 29 overall in the league this season, but it counted for little on the night.

Barca went into the game having set a new record for a La Liga start with 18 wins-and just one draw against Real Madrid-for 55 points from a possible 57.

Despite the loss, they are still 11 points ahead of Atletico Madrid, who play Levante on Sunday, and Real Madrid in third, who face Valencia, a huge 18 points off the pace. Barca once again began with Andres Iniesta in attack alongside Messi and Pedro Rodriguez with Alexis Sanchez struggling for form

and David Villa injured. Real Sociedad played the more defensive Markel Bergara in midfield rather than Ruben Pardo but even so they were under threat right from the start with a ball over their backline from Iniesta saw Messi scamper clear on goal.

On this occasion, he slotted the ball the wrong side of the post but he was not so forgiving minutes later as he fired Barca ahead. Iniesta was once again involved as he slipped the ball to Messi on the edge of the area and he picked his spot in the corner past the desperate dive of keeper Claudio Bravo.

A weakened Barca had drawn 2-2 with Malaga at Camp Nou in the first leg of the Spanish Cup quarter-final after they dropped their level after the break but

they came out all guns blazing in San Sebastian. Still Real have a dangerous forward line of their own and they went close to equalising after 10 minutes when Carlos Vela knocked a free-kick to Xabi Prieto, who had been left unmarked in the box, but he hit the side netting.

After the break Real managed to ruffle Barca with Pique receiving a second yellow card and then Castro got his second of the night.

Real were pressing forward and an Asier Illarramendi deep cross found Castro whose shot was deflected in off Javier Mascherano. There was no late rally this time as has so often happened this season from Barca and instead they conceded at the death as Agirretxe scored from close range. —AFP

PORT ELIZABETH: Ghana, picked by psychics in South Africa to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, kick off their campaign today against DR Congo, a side never far from confusion and controversy. The Black Stars have won this competition four times, but their last triumph was back in 1982, when they defeated hosts Libya on penalties. Since flopping at the 2006 tournament, they have not failed to reach the last four. Even when lacking some of their best players, they have impressed leading up to this competition with big wins over Egypt and Tunisia in Abu Dhabi.

South African psychic and spiritual healer Jamil Ahmad has picked Ghana as “the cream of the crop.”Ivory Coast or Ghana will take the Cup. Ivory Coast were runners-up in the last tournament and Ghana are just the cream of the crop. They play with passion,” said Ahmad. Ghana enjoyed their finest hour in South Africa three years ago when they came within a whisker of becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

The Black Stars missed a spot kick in the dying seconds of extra time against Uruguay and lost the penalty shootout.

But from the team that caught the imagination of millions of South Africans in 2010, Kevin-Prince Boateng has retired, Sulley Muntari is out of favour, John Mensah and Andre Ayew injured and long-time absentee Michael Essien says he will end a selfimposed exile only later this year for World Cup qualifiers.

“South Africa is a second home for us. We won lots of hearts during the World Cup and we hope to do so again,” promised skipper and striker Asamoah Gyan, who fluffed the chance to win the World Cup clash with Uruguay game from the penalty spot.

Ghana will fancy their chances against a DR Congo side, who on Friday had to deny the resignation of French coach Claude Le Roy after another bonus-related upheaval.

Le Roy has admitted his team face a daunting task against a country he coached five years ago, but is pleased his team are not favourites. “So many of their players were given their first international game with me a young and new generation of players that has come through,” said the experienced 64-year-old Frenchman in his second stint with the Leopards. “It will be a difficult, difficult first game. We are not favourites in this group, we know we are ranked behind Ghana and Mali-both were 2012 semi-finalists. “But it’s a good position for us. I like this kind of position.” Le Roy has been credited with getting several of the country’s top Europe-based stars to return to the national team after they quit because of the perennial problems with the team.

Highly-rated Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani is one such player and he said they hope to upstage the Black Stars.

“Ghana are a strong team and they could win this tournament.

Nigeria and the Ivory Coast are also a threat, but I’ll bet on Ghana,” the 27-year-old said. “But I hope we play well against them and surprise them.” — AFP

Business

Saudi Mobily expects further data growth Page 22 Warba Bank gives away 12 Mini Coopers

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

Page 23 Toyota launches all-new 2013 RAV4

All-new 2013 Cadillac ATS arrives in Kuwait Page 26

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RIYADH: A general view shows the meeting hall of the Arab Foreign Ministers on the eve of the third session of the Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit held in Riyadh yesterday. Saudi Arabia is due to host the Arab Economic summit for the leaders on January 21 and 22. — AFP

US House backs 3-month debt limit hike Lawmakers gear for tough budget battle WASHINGTON: US lawmakers geared up for a tough budget battle after Republicans agreed to a three-month increase to the US debt ceiling but made further extensions of the government’s borrowing authority conditional on steep spending cuts.

The Republican-led House of Representatives will hold a vote next week on the temporar y measure, Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced at the end of his party’s two-day work retreat outside Washington.

The move could help defuse a fiscal time bomb that Congress and the White House face in late February and early March with the nation hitting its debt ceiling, looming automatic federal spending cuts and debate over the budget. The three-month extension of US borrowing authority would buy time for the Senate to pass a non-binding budget, Cantor said.

The House has approved budgets every year of Barack Obama’s presidency, but the Senate has not passed one for four years.

Should they fail to approve a budget by April 15, the legislation would withhold lawmakers’ paychecks. “Members of Congress will not be paid by the American people for failing to do their job. No budget, no pay,” Cantor said. “It’s time to come together and get to work.”

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the administration was “encouraged” by the development. Obama has repeatedly stressed he will not negotiate on raising the debt ceiling and has demanded that Congress act so the government can meet its obligations.

Some Republicans have signaled they would be willing to let the government shut down unless a debt limit increase was met with an equal reduction in federal spending. In the two months after Obama’s re-election, Republicans and Democrats were locked in a bruising battle over the so-called fiscal cliff, the combination of across-the-board tax hikes and mandated spending cuts that would have kicked in if Congress had not acted by

year’s end. A deal was reached to allow taxes to rise only on the very wealthy, but Congress delayed a negotiation on the cuts, known as the sequester, until early March. Friday’s move is seen by some officials as a concession and a sign of a more pragmatic approach to debt talks by House Republicans amid pressure over the prospect of sending the government into default.

US stocks edged mostly higher on news of the Republican plan, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.39 percent to 13,649.70, and the broad-based S&P 500 adding 0.34 percent to close at 1,485.97.

Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid’s office suggested he would swiftly bring the Republican measure to a vote. “If the House can pass a clean debt ceiling increase to avoid default and allow the United States to meet its existing obligations, we will be happy to consider it,” Reid’s spokesman Adam Jentleson said in a statement.

Congressman Paul Ryan, the powerful

House Budget Committee chairman and Republican Mitt Romney’s losing vice presidential nominee, backed the proposal but insisted the Senate pass a budget that gives priority to how taxpayer dollars are spent. Any deal to temporarily raise the debt ceiling “rests on the recognition that our challenge is twofold: We have to pay our bills today, and we have to make sure we can pay our bills tomorrow,” Ryan said.

House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, favored the proposal-and made it clear the debt limit would remain a bargaining chip despite Obama’s insistence to the contrary.

“Before there is any long-term debt limit increase, a budget should be passed that cuts spending,” Boehner said. Delaying the debt debate could allow lawmakers to focus first on the $110 billion in mandated cuts set to hit the military and domestic programs this year, as well as the temporary funding that is keeping the government running and which expires at the end of March. —AFP

Egypt’s foreign reserves rise after Qatar deposit CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign reserves have risen to $15.5 billion, helped by a deposit by Qatar to support the economy, its finance minister said, although they are still close to critical levels after being run down to defend Egypt’s currency.

The central bank put reserves at $15.015 billion at the end of December. It has implemented a new regime for buying and selling foreign currency and currency controls to try to stem a fall in reserves, which have tumbled from $36 billion before the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in early 2011.

Finance Minister Al-Mursi Al-Sayed Hegazy told reporters about the new reserve figure on Saturday without giving fur ther details about the deposit by Qatar, a generous donor to Egypt.

Qatar said earlier this month it had lent Egypt $2 billion and given it $500 million outright. It has pledged to stand by Egypt to help support the nation, which has been battered by political turmoil and violence that has scared away investors.

Hegazy said reserves should rise further in future after approval of a

draft law allowing Egypt to issue sovereign Islamic bonds, known as sukuk.

The draft law was passed by cabinet this week but needs the backing of the Islamist-led upper house of parliament.

The minister said in December that Qatar had deposited $500 million, although the reserve figure for that month was still around $15 billion, the same as at the end of November.

The central bank has said reserves have reached a critical level. At $15 billion, reserves cover roughly three months of imports. Egypt has spent about $21 billion of its reserves since the start of 2011 when the uprising against Mubarak erupted, plus several billion dollars in additional aid and support from Qatar and other donors to defend the Egyptian pound.

Cairo is negotiating a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. After the deal was agreed in principle in November, it was delayed after Egypt postponed some unpopular tax rises viewed as needed to secure the IMF funds.

An IMF team is expected to return to Egypt in the coming weeks for fresh discussions. —Reuters

Saudi Almarai Q4 net profit up 29% JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian dairy and food producer Almarai Co posted a 29.2 percent rise in its fourth-quarter net profit, beating analyst forecasts, the firm said in a bourse statement yesterday.

Almarai made a net profit of 369 million riyals ($98.4 million) in the three months ending Decmeber 31, compared with 286 million riyals in the same period a year earlier. Six analysts polled by Reuters expected the firm to post on average 320 million riyals in the fourth-quarter. “The reason for higher sales and profit growth for the fourth quarter compared to the corresponding period of the previous year is due to strong performance from all products, especially poultry and bakery,” it said in the statement. In a separate statement Almarai said it plans to issue a dividend of 1.25 riyals per share for the full-year period.

Operating profit rose 27.4 percent to 437 million riyals in the fourth-quarter. Almarai has been keen to expand its footprint outside its core presence in the Gulf region. In December it acquired Fondomonte SA, which owns and operates firms in Argentina, to secure feed for its dairy herd and poultry business.

In November Almarai said it plans to issue the second tranche of a riyal-denominated Islamic bond program to private investors in the coming months. It raised 1 billion riyals through the first tranche in March in a deal taht was 4.7 times oversubscribed.

Proceeds from the sukuk are seen helping finance Almarai’s $4.2 billion investment program, aimed to expand its business between 2013 to 2017. — Reuters

Saudi Sabic Q4 net profit rises 11%

MADRID: Protestors shout slogans as they carry a banner reading ‘Popular Party, dangerous party’ during a protest against a measure raising Court fees in Madrid yesterday.

Spain has sold euros 4.5 billion ($5.97 billion) in a medium- and long-term bond sale that saw interest rates dropping as market fears ease over whether the country will need outside help to manage its finances. —AP

RIYADH: Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the world’s biggest petrochemicals group by market value, posted an 11.3 percent rise in fourth quarter net profits yesterday, but missed analysts’ forecasts. SABIC said it enjoyed stronger sales and higher prices in the fourth quarter than it had in the yearearlier period, but its full-year profit fell despite a rise in overall sales. Its full-year performance, with net income of 24.7 billion riyals ($6.59 billion), represented a fall of 15.5 percent from 2011, when the company enjoyed successive quarters of record performance.

The chemicals, metals and fertilisers conglomerate earned net income of 5.83 billion riyals ($1.55 billion) in the three months ending Dec 31, compared to its profit of 5.24 billion riyals a year ago, it said in a bourse statement. The fourthquarter results marked a 7.6 percent fall from its third quarter net earnings.

Five analysts polled by Reuters had forecast, on average, that Saudi Arabia’s largest listed company would earn 6.39 billion riyals. Sabic, 70 percent state-owned, cited a “higher cost of sales and lower sales prices for certain products, despite higher sales and production volumes and reduction in financial charges” for its fall in 2012 net income. — Reuters

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

BUSINESS

Saudi Mobily expects further data growth

Bayt.com weekly report

Five skills that will get you hired in 2013

By Lama Ataya

Q4 net profit 1.88bn riyals DUBAI: Revenue from data and corporate customers will drive growth at Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), the chief executive of Saudi Arabia’s No 2 telecom operator said yesterday after it beat forecasts with an 11 percent rise in quarterly profit.

The company’s focus on these two segments reflects market dynamics in the kingdom, where conventional call margins have slumped due to increased competition and substitute services such as Internet-based phone calls and instant messaging.

Mobily seems to have responded to these industry-wide pressures better than many of its Gulf peers, posting a fourth-quarter net profit of 1.88 billion riyals ($501.31 million), up from 1.7 billion riyals in the prior-year period. Analysts polled by Reuters on average forecast Mobily would make a quarterly profit of 1.78 billion riyals.

Mobily’s shares were up 2.1 percent at 1155 GMT on the Riyadh bourse, outperforming the main index, which was up 0.2 percent.

The firm, an affiliate of the United Arab Emirates’ Etisalat , has recommended a cash dividend of 1.15 riyals per share for the fourth quarter. “We’re positioning Mobily to not only be a mobile operator but a total telecom and ICT player in Saudi Arabia,” chief executive Khalid AlKaf told Reuters. “The game will be data, adjacent services and integrated services ... it won’t

anymore be a traditional type of voice revenue.”

Adjacent services include mobile health, finance and machine-to-machine communications.

Data accounted for 27 percent of Mobily’s full-year revenue, up from 22 percent in 2011.

This will probably top 30 percent in two years and could hit 40 percent by about 2017, Kaf said.

Data volumes rose more than four-fold in 2012 from a year earlier.

Mobily is vying with state-controlled Saudi Telecom Co (STC) to be the kingdom’s top operator and between them they accounted for nearly 90 percent of sector revenue in the nine months to Sept. 30, according to NBK Capital.

Former monopoly STC has responded to a 40 percent fall in annual profit from 2006 to 2011 by exploiting its dominant position in fixed-lines to woo back customers with packages including Internet, phone and TV services.

But Mobily aims to reduce that advantage and will soon sign a formal partnership agreement with fixed-line operator Atheeb Telecom, Kaf said, having already announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bahrain Telecommunications (Batelco) affiliate in December. “Attracting business (customers) will become part of the fixed-line offering,” said Kaf, adding Mobily will become a re -seller for Atheeb’s estimated 2 million lines.

Mobily is in the midst of launching IPTV serv-

ices and offers fixed Internet services through its subsidiary Bayanat Al Oula. It aims to connect 500,000 homes with fibre by year-end and the Atheeb deal will allow it to offer fixed-line calls.

Corporate revenue, which includes the public and private sector, rose 71 percent in 2012 and will maintain “high double-digit growth” this year, said Kaf. It accounted for about 10 percent of total revenue in 2012.

The Saudi telecom regulator this month set a May 4 deadline for companies to submit applications for three mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) licences in the kingdom.

Ahead of this deadline, Mobily has signed MoUs with “two or three” foreign MVNO companies, Kaf said. “I don’t want an MVNO that will (compete) on price - the price war in Saudi Arabia started two years (ago),” he said.

Instead, Mobily wants to host an MVNO that can address certain customer groups “better than we can”, said Kaf. Mobily plans to spend about 22 billion riyals over the next five years expanding its network, but the company has no immediate financing needs, Kaf said.

The firm remains in talks with STC over a possible tower-sharing deal. Kaf had told Reuters previously that this would likely be concluded by the end of 2011. “It’s not off, discussions are going on but at a slow pace,” he added. Mobily’s full-year net profit was 6.02 billion riyals, up 18 percent from 2011. —Reuters

IMF resumes loan talks with Tunisia WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund has begun negotiations with Tunisia on a loan program and is reviewing budget measures in Egypt before it moves forward with talks on a crucial $4.8 billion funding deal, a senior IMF official said on Friday.

Masood Ahmed, IMF director for the Middle East and North Africa, told reporters he hoped to report progress in the talks with Tunisia by early February.

Tunisia, whose uprising two years ago sparked political changes across North Africa, said in November it was seeking a $2.5 billion loan from the IMF. Ahmed said current discussions are trying to establish the government’s funding needs.

Tunisia’s newly elected Islamist-led government has sought to revive the economy in the face of a decline in trade with the crisis-hit euro-zone and domestic political disputes over the future of the North African Arab state. In Egypt, the government is keen to move forward to finalize its IMF loan deal, Ahmed said, after an agreement was postponed in November due to political unrest triggered by President Mohamed Morsi’s drive to fast-track a new constitution.

Confront by street protests, Morsi postponed planned tax increases seen as part of a package of austerity measures needed to secure the IMF loan.

Ahmed said the government told the IMF during a visit in early January it was ready to move forward. An IMF mission currently in Cairo was updating the economic measures given changes in the domestic and global economy since November.

“Part of it is to make sure that the measures ... will deliver the outcomes and are politically feasible,” he said. “The work we’ve done provides a very good basis now for us to finalize our discussions.” Ahmed said the IMF needed to be satisfied that Egypt would be able to implement the program before it gave a final approval. IMF demands for spending cuts and the removal of price subsidies will be a hard sell to an already fractious population ahead of parliament elections later this year.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian pound hit a new record low against the US dollar this week after the authorities introduced a new system of foreign currency auctions to curb a decline in foreign reserves. —Reuters

HONG KONG: Local residents sit down to eat in the spectator stand of a sports ground in Hong Kong yesterday. Hong Kong plans to raise the city’s minimum wage to 30 Hong Kong dollars ($3.87) an hour, a minister said in a hike slammed by labor groups as inadequate for the Asian financial hub. Known for its stunningly wealthy tycoons, the southern Chinese city is also home to hundreds of thousands of workers who live on hourly wages sometimes as low as $2 an hour prior to the introduction of the minimum wage. —AFP

GE earnings edge up NEW YORK: General Electric Co has been re-energized. Performance at all of the conglomerate’s industrial segments is improving thanks to cost cutting, a shift in strategy and growth in emerging markets. GE, based in Connecticut, reported an operating profit per share of 44 cents, a penny higher than analysts polled by FactSet expected.

Perhaps more importantly for shareholders, GE’s revenue rose 4 percent to $39.3 billion and beat Wall Street expectations. Shares rose over 3 percent Friday.

CEO Jeff Immelt said the outlook for developed markets remained uncertain. But China and other emerging markets, along with regions that are exploiting natural resources, are growing.

Immelt has been reshaping GE, focusing on its

more traditional operations, such as making complex industrial equipment and providing services to companies. GE also makes refrigerators, CT scanners, wind turbines, gas turbines and engines for jets and trains. In a new push, it also provides equipment and services to the oil and gas industry.

The company is shrinking its banking division and trimming other non-industrial operations like commercial real estate. The shift has led to higher profit margins, a trend that continued in the fourth quarter. GE reported increased profits at all seven of its industrial segments, with growth topping 10 percent at four of them - oil and gas, energy management, aviation and transportation. —Reuters

initial point of contact, in many cases this is established in your CV. According to Bayt.com’s ‘Hiring Practices in the MENA’ poll (December 2011), spelling mistakes and bad grammar top the list with 21.3% of employers voting for these two things as the most common mistake on a job seekers CV. In fact, half of employers in the MENA region are looking for individuals with good communication skills in both English and Arabic (Bayt.com’s August 2012 Job Index survey). Think of how you handle yourself on the phone, how your CV reads, whether you can communicate well at different levels and if your written correspondence is crisp and succinct. Employers will know right away if you can communicate well by how you introduce yourself at interviews and address questions.

H

aving a good career is definitely on top of the agenda for most Middle East professionals this year, as revealed Bayt.com’s poll ‘MENA professionals New Year Resolutions’. In fact, the number one career-related resolution for 2013 is to find a better job, according to 65.3% of Middle Eastern professionals.

Finding your dream job for 2013 requires you to know which skills are in high demand among employers, which can help you navigate your career path successfully.

And yes, some skills are more coveted than others and can make all the difference between someone who can do the job and someone who does it well. Bayt.com’s August 2012 Job Index survey revealed that more than half of the employers in the MENA region will be looking for skills that go beyond degrees and relevant experience. So, what skills will get you hired in 2013?

In 2013, job seekers should consider transforming their job search by seeking out creative ways to land the job of their dreams. While we know that 50% of employers in the MENA region are looking for cooperative, helpful and flexible employees (Bayt.com’s August 2012 Job Index survey), there’s a set of skills that you want to be sure to develop this year. The HR experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 jobsite, list the 5 most critical skills to work on this year.

1. Teamwork With half of employers in the MENA region looking for team players, it is hard to find a job that doesn’t mention “works well in a team”. To highlight your teamwork skills during the interview, try citing specific examples of when you put this skill at its best on display.

These could be specific projects that you worked on, features you collaborated on and what your contributions were to the overall outcome.

It’s important that you give the employer an idea of the size and scope of the project so don’t forget to also mention specifics such as the number of people on the project and the timelines.

3. Professionalism and demeanor Personality plays a role in how you are perceived by others. Even if you have the right experience, being rude can put a damper on your eligibility for a job. Radiate enthusiasm and motivation for your career. In a poll conducted

by Bayt.com (‘Hiring Practices in the MENA’) 28.8% of employers choose hunger, drive and ambition as the most important aspect they base their hiring decision on.

4. Good presentation and personal grooming Hiring managers rarely judge job seekers on their sense of fashion in an interview, but they do notice how you dress. Dressing professionally for an interview and having refined presentation skills can help hiring managers see you as a welcome addition to their team.

5. Sales and marketing experience Fourth on the list of experiences most coveted by employers, as per Bayt.com’s August 2012 Job Index survey, is sales and marketing experience with 25% of employers saying it is valuable. However it is important to take note that the qualities that make a good sales person / marketer are not just for those who are in that industry but extend to other job roles as well.

These skills can be valuable when ‘selling’ an idea, overcoming objections, convincing a team mate, etc.

Whether you are a software developer, a designer, or a sales engineer, you can seek knowledge in marketing strategy, product promotion and demonstration, and sales techniques.

Because in the end, we are all promoting the company we work for and the products we help in creating.

2. Communication Today’s typical workplace requires you to communicate with geographically scattered offices, engage in online correspondence and share a whole lot of information. In such a scenario, good communication skills (both written and verbal) are highly prized.

If you can communicate well then you are halfway there to many jobs.

Employers evaluate this right from the

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals Philippine Peso

.2740000 .4480000 .3710000 .2990000 .2830000 .2940000 .0040000 .0020000 .0762170 .7425550 .3880000 .0720000 .7279430 .0430000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2808500 .4509890 .3731370 .3013250 .2850110 .0500010 .0432120 .2964790 .0362260 .2292650 .0031860 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0764950 .7452570 .0000000 .0749130 .7297650 .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.235 5.141 2.902 2.235 3.222 231.000 36.499 3.537

.2840000 .4610000 .3810000 .3120000 .2920000 .3030000 .0067500 .0035000 .0769830 .7500180 .4060000 .0770000 .7352597 .0510000 .2829500 .4543610 .3759270 .3035780 .2871420 .0503750 .0435350 .2986960 .0364960 .2309800 .0032100 .0051950 .0022440 .0029100 .0035700 .0770670 .7508290 .4002120 .0754730 .7352220 .0070170

Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - transfer Irani Riyal - cash

UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

6.931 9.296 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.470 77.763 735.090 751.690 77.063

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 282.900 Euro 371.590 Sterling Pound 455.190 Canadian dollar 287.500 Turkish lire 159.130 Swiss Franc 306.830 Australian dollar 297.890 US Dollar Buying 281.700 GOLD 311.000 157.000 81.500

SELL DRAFT 301.97 290.56 308.38 378.73 281.65 455.48 3.27 3.554 5.151 2.231 3.244 2.899

Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar terling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

Selling Rate 282.650 286.870 454.355 370.475 306.160 748.310 76.930 77.585 75.335 398.440 43.553 2.212 5.144 2.900 3.506 6.913 693.345 4.230 9.375 3.975 3.305 92.855

SELL CASH 300.000 289.000 311.000 380.000 282.850 458.000 3.750 3.800 5.400 2.600 3.550 2.980

COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar

SELL CASH 301.000 749.950 3.910 290.100 553.800 45.900 51.500 167.800 45.080 381.000 37.080 5.470 0.032 0.161 0.242

Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

3.260 399.630 0.191 96.410 45.200 4.340 240.500 1.827 52.400 732.500 3.030 7.290 78.000 75.290 231.720 35.040 2.686 457.100 44.700 308.800 3.400 9.710 198.263 76.890 282.400 1.360 GOLD

10 Tola 1,765.300

Sterling Pound US Dollar

Bahrain Exchange Company

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee

77.200 748.000 45.500 399.500 733.000 78.500 75.350

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 46.200 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 43.552 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 Tunisian Dinar 181.170 Jordanian Dinar 399.270 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.899 Syrian Lier 3.075 Morocco Dirham 33.880

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

76.75 749.94 42.79 401.26 733.02 77.78 75.32

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 455.100 282.000

Al Mulla Exchange

SELLDRAFT 299.500 749.950 3.532 288.600

231.700 42.924 379.500 36.930 5.172 0.031

Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 281.400 379.400 456.500 288.400 3.180 5.170 42.865 2.229 3.552 6.945 2.908 749.400 76.600 75.100

399.590 0.190 96.410 3.260 239.000

732.320 2.901 6.964 77.570 75.290 231.720 35.040 2.234 455.100 307.300 3.400 9.570 76.790 282.000

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

BUSINESS

Warba Bank gives away 12 Mini Coopers Winners announced during grand ceremony at 360 Mall

The 12 Mini Coopers KUWAIT: Warba Bank, the most recently opened Islamic bank in Kuwait, yesterday celebrated the conclusion of “La t7aty” campaign, which was launched in September 2012, where twelve customers won a new Mini Cooper through a first-of-its-kind campaign on the level of local banks in Kuwait.

Winners were announced on Thursday during the ceremony, which included a range of activities and gift presentations for participants. The ceremony also included a distinctive show by a group of people cheering “La T7aty”, in addition to Simon Pierro, the “iPad performer” who enter-

tained spectators with three shows and other competitions that lasted throughout the day.

The “La t7aty” campaign has received a very positive response from customers. The campaign provided an opportunity for customers to transfer their salaries to a Warba Bank account and qualify for the draw to win a Mini Cooper.

Commenting on the occasion, Adnan Salman Al-Salem, Chief Retail Banking Officer of Warba Bank, said: “Today, we celebrate the successful conclusion of “La t7aty” campaign, the first event of its kind in

Adnan Al-Salem during the show

Wind Mobile CEO to quit; Orascom to gain control

Kuwait, where twelve customers won a new Mini Cooper. The campaign is an extension of our promise to provide quality products and services to all customers and to give a distinct character to all our services.”

The lucky winners who drove away 12 Mini Coopers are: First Prize: Falah Shabeeb Alajmi Second Prize: Fahad Saif Al Rasheedi Third Prize: Mahmoud Hamad Alazmi Fourth Prize: Mohammad Rajeh Al-Hajri Fifth Prize: Riyadh Sami Alamer Sixth Prize: Fatheyah Obaid Al-Rashidi

Seventh Prize: Summayah Bader bu-rusley Eighth Prize: Nawaf Fahad Al Tobaikh Ninth Prize: Mohammad Ayad Al Rasheedi Tenth Prize: Naflah Mohammad Alajmi Eleventh Prize: Abdulrahman Mohammad Alburak Twelfth Prize: Ahmad Saleh Alawiss During the course of the day, Simon Pierro, the “iPad performer” entertained spectators with three shows of digital magic, the first ever such show to be taken place in Kuwait. Several gifts were given away for participants during the ceremony, which

was broadcasted live on Al Rai TV. The event marked attendance by the bank’s senior and administrative staff from the bank’s various departments. Al-Salem concluded: “On behalf of Warba Bank, I would also like to thank all customers for their active participation in the closing ceremony.”

Warba Bank is seeking to be a pioneering financial institution that provides unique banking services for customers, and to allow customers to make the most of Warba diverse products and services that are customer oriented and Sharia compliant.

Simon Pierro during the show

Inflation in India holds steady KCIC Weekly Asia Analysis

By Dana Al-Fakir

TORONTO: Anthony Lacavera, founder of Canada’s upstart Wind Mobile, plans to step down as chief executive as part of a deal that will give Egypt’s Orascom Telecom control of the carrier, a newcomer to a market long dominated by three companies.

Lacavera, who plans to focus on a new investment initiative called Globalive Capital, will serve in a non-operational capacity as Wind’s honorary chair after the deal closes later this year, the companies said on Friday. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Following the close of the deal later this year, Orascom will own a majority voting and economic interest in Wind, the companies said. The deal is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including regulatory approval for the conversion of Orascom’s non-voting shares into voting shares. Wind, with a subscriber base that has grown by almost 50 percent over the last 12 months, just completed its strongest quarter ever, said Lacavera in an interview.

Lacavera, 38, founded Wind in 2008, and with financing from Orascom, built it into Canada’s fourth-largest wireless carrier with some 600,000 subscribers. Russia’s VimpelCom Ltd now owns a majority interest in Orascom.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with Wind bringing real competition to the Canadian wireless space,” said Lacavera in an interview, adding that he will still maintain an economic stake in Wind. Despite the growth of Wind and other newcomers, the Canadian market is still dominated by the big three players: Rogers Communications, BCE’s Bell Canada and Telus . Each of them has more than 7 million wireless customers.

Wind, managed by holding company Globalive, has faced some significant challenges in its few years of existence, due to foreign ownership restrictions in Canadian telecoms. Canada only last year began to move to ease curbs on foreign investment in the telecom sector, allowing non-Canadians to take control of carriers with a market share of 10 percent or less.

“The company is on a great growth track now, after facing unprecedented legal and regulatory challenges,” said Lacavera. “I shepherded the company through that and got it on a good track and I’m now ready to start Globalive Capital.”

Lacavera, who was born in southern Ontario, said Globalive Capital will focus on funding early-stage media, technology and telecom companies. “When I started Globalive Wireless I looked everywhere in Canada for the capital, and I got the door slammed in my face everywhere,” he said.

“I believe that Canada needs Globalive Capital today, as much as Canada needed Globalive Wireless back in 2008 when I started it,” he said. “I’ve been an entrepreneur and now I have the trackrecord and resources to help other entrepreneurs.”

The move comes just as the Canadian government earlier this week announced a plan to invest C$400 million ($402.5 million) in venture capital in new and existing funds led by the private sector over a span of seven to 10 years. Lacavera said with increased demand for smartphones, he sees the market moving increasingly toward a postpaid model.

“Talk and text has been left far behind and everybody wants a smartphone now. The reality of smartphones is you are talking about a very significant ticket - there is a need for handset subsidies, Canadian consumers want handset subsidies, and once you are talking about subsidies you are by definition talking about a postpaid model.”

The roughly 90,000 subscribers Wind added in the fourth-quarter were predominantly postpaid customers, Lacavera said, adding that Wind also plans to offer Research In Motion Ltd’s new BlackBerry 10 devices that are set to launch later this month.

“We will certainly be carrying BlackBerry 10,” he said. “I’ve been playing with the BB10 test devices that we have and I have to say they are definitely light years ahead of where they were.” — Reuters

KUWAIT: A steady fall in the price of manufactured goods, as illustrated in the graph above, has again kept India’s headline inflation in-check. India’s yearon-year change in headline inflation or wholesale price index ( WPI), was rather flat compared to November’s 7.24% reading, coming in at 7.18% in December, a three-year low. On average, analysts were expecting inflation to rise to 7.44% on the back of rising food prices and fuel price hikes. Food prices did accelerate in the final quarter of 2012 due to base effect, bouts of drought, poor local infrastructure and underdeveloped logistics. However, weak external and especially domestic demand continue to drag the price of manufactured goods lower. The nation posted yet another disappointing industrial production (IP) figure in November, -0.1% year-on-year.

India’s IP has been on a downward trend since the end of 2010 and if it continues its sub-par performance, core inflation should continue to fall as well.

With core prices making up at least two-thirds of the WPI basket, headline inflation should be driven lower too. The nation’s trade sector also continues to deteriorate: the trade deficit widened in December compared to the same month last year, on the back of lower exports and higher imports. Subsequently, the dire performance in both the manufacturing and trade sectors is putting more pressure on both the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to increase the pace of policy reforms and to endorse another rate cut, respectively.

Unlike most countries, India uses changes in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as its main gauge of inflation. While being very similar to the Consumer Price Index(CPI) in the sense that it represents the changes in prices of a particular basket of goods, WPI differs by focusing on goods traded between corporations rather than goods bought by consumers. The reason is that tracking Indian consumer goods is more difficult, hence less precise. Suffering from a long-standing inflation problem, controlling liquidity is important for India, but there is a trade-off between inflation and growth. The main interest rate used by the RBI for monetary policy actions is the “Repo rate”, the rate at which banks borrow rupees from the central bank. This rate is used as a reference for the interbanking lending rates, and for the amount of deposits required by banks. By cutting the policy rate,

the RBI plans to make loans cheaper and deposits less attractive, hence increasing liquidity in the economy.

India continues to get plagued by persistently high inflation, a widening fiscal deficit and slowing exports, heightening the need for more policy reforms. With the government potentially in a political deadlock at least until the elections in 2014, and struggling to bring its growing fiscal deficit under control, the nation is becoming increasingly reliant on the RBI to give its economy a much needed boost.

Given that inflation has been either slowing or remaining steady since October of 2012, the government and corporations alike have been calling upon the central bank for a rate cut, as lower borrowing costs should help spur investments and ultimately bolster growth. India’s economy has grown between a mere 5.2% and 5.5% in the first three quarters of 2012, sharply lower than the 9% growth rate seen as early as the start of 2011. However, a rate cut during

its policy meeting on the 29th of January would be deemed as premature and could revive inflationary pressures. Thus it is unlikely that the central bank will give in to demands for a rate cut. Inflation remains high and far above the bank’s comfort level of 4-5%, but the bank may not be able to wait until inflation falls to levels regarded as ‘comfortable’ given that it may take years and given that economic growth is in urgent need of a boost. So, if inflation does remain in check, for at least two more months, then we should expect to see a rate cut at the end of the first quarter or sometime in the first half of 2013. In the meantime the RBI will continue to urge the government to reduce its fiscal spending and take more supply-side measures to improve India’s infrastructure and inefficient logistics, and ultimately give investor confidence a boost. —Prepared by Dana Al-Fakir, economist at KCIC, an investment firm specializing in emerging Asia investments

Gulf Bank announces winners of first Al-Danah draws in 2013 KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its first Al-Danah daily draws on January 13th, 2013, announcing a total number of ten Al-Danah daily draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD 1,000.

The 1st Al-Danah daily winners are: Sunday-Zahrah Sulaiman Ali Al-Qatan, Rania Saadallah Faaour Monday - Abdulrahman Haji Ali Ahmed Al-Mahdi, Mousa Hussein Mohammed Dashti Tuesday-Tarek Mohammed Mustafa Hassan, Rawan Nabeel Abdulwahab Al-Khamees Wednesday-Saminah Aqeel Bhajat, Nouf Rashed Nasser Al-Azmi

Thursday-Souad Ali Sadek, Nasser Jawad Nasser Hussain Al-Arbash Gulf Bank’s new Al-Danah 2013 draw lineup includes daily draws (2 winners per working day each receive KD1000), as well as two additional prizes per quarter.

Al Danah’s 1st Quarterly draw will be held on 28 March (KD200,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 2nd Quarter - 27 June (KD250,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 3rd Quarter - 26 September (KD500,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000) and the final draw held on 9 January, 2014 announcing winners of KD50,000, KD250,000 and the Al-Danah millionaire.

Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and simultaneously encourages them to save

money. Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an AlDanah winner.

To be part of the Al-Danah draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.egulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al-Danah and who the winners are.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

BUSINESS

Earnings, money flows to push stocks higher WALL STREET WEEKLY OUTLOOK NEW YORK: With earnings momentum on the rise, the S&P 500 seems to have few hurdles ahead as it continues to pow-

er higher, its all-time high a not-so-distant goal. The US equity benchmark closed the week at a fresh five-year high on strong

NEW YORK: Market specialists work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. - File photo

housing and labor market data and a string of earnings that beat lowered expectations.

Sector indexes in transportation, banks and housing this week hit historic or multiyear highs as well. Michael Yoshikami, chief executive at Destination Wealth Management in Walnut Creek, California, said the key earnings to watch for next week will come from cyclical companies.

United Technologies reports on Wednesday while Honeywell is due to report Friday.

“Those kind of numbers will tell you the trajectory the economy is taking,” Yoshikami said.

Major technology companies also report next week, but the bar for the sector has been lowered even further.

Chipmakers like Advanced Micro Devices, which is due Tuesday, are expected to underperform as PC sales shrink. AMD shares fell more than 10 percent Friday after disappointing results from its larger competitor, Intel. Still, a chipmaker sector index posted its highest weekly close since last April.

Following a recent underperformance, an upside surprise from Apple on

Wednesday could trigger a return to the stock from many investors who had abandoned ship.

Other major companies reporting next week include Google , IBM, Johnson & Johnson and DuPont on Tuesday, Microsoft and 3M on Thursday and Procter & Gamble on Friday.

Perhaps the strongest support for equities will come from the flow of cash from fixed income funds to stocks. The recent piling into stock funds — $11.3 billion in the past two weeks, the most since 2000 — indicates a riskier approach to investing from retail investors looking for yield.

“From a yield perspective, a lot of stocks still yield a great deal of money and so it is very easy to see why money is pouring into the stock market,” said Stephen Massocca, managing director at Wedbush Morgan in San Francisco.

“You are just not going to see people put a lot of money to work in a 10-year Treasury that yields 1.8 percent.” Housing stocks, already at a 5-1/2 year high, could get a further bump next week as investors eye data expected to support the market’s perception that housing is the sluggish

US economy’s bright spot.

Home resales are expected to have risen 0.6 percent in December, data is expected to show on Tuesday. Pending home sales contracts, which lead actual sales by a month or two, hit a 2-1/2 year high in November. The new home sales report on Friday is expected to show a 2.1 percent increase.

The federal debt ceiling negotiations, a nagging worry for investors, seemed to be stuck on the back burner after House Republicans signaled they might support a short-term extension. Equity markets, which tumbled in 2011 after the last round of talks pushed the United States close to a default, seem not to care much this time around.

The CBOE volatility index, a gauge of market anxiety, closed Friday at its lowest since April 2007.

“I think the market is getting somewhat desensitized from political drama given, this seems to be happening over and over,” said Destination Wealth Management’s Yoshikami. “It’s something to keep in mind, but I don’t think it’s what you want to base your investing decisions on.” —Reuters

Gulf economies poised to slow to 3.6% in 2013 NBK GCC MONTHLY OUTLOOK KUWAIT: GCC economic growth is set to slow to 3.6% in 2013 from 5.4% in 2012 as the three-year surge in regional oil production comes to an end. However, on the ground, business conditions are expected to remain solid as governments maintain elevated levels of investment

and social spending, which will ultimately support confidence and private sector activity.

Geographically, Qatar and Oman are likely to be the region’s best performers. But project market activity will also help build or sustain growth momentum in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Our base case forecast assumes that oil prices average $100 per barrel (pb) over the forecast horizon - a level that allows most GCC governments to finance higher spending without draining their financial reserves. GCC oil production is projected to fall by 1-2% per year over the next two years as Gulf OPEC producers move to reverse some of the big output increases seen since 2010.

But there are risks to this forecast. A major global economic downturn could see global oil market fundamentals loosen by more than expected in 2013, pushing oil prices below $100 pb for a prolonged period. This would put government fiscal balances under pressure and cause cuts in spending or delays in project execution, weakening economic growth. Over the medium-term, major economic reforms in areas such as the labor market, education, and competition policy are needed to enable the private sector to grow more independently of state support. Such reforms have taken a back seat of late as governments have prioritized measures to boost incomes and jobs.

Despite healthy rates of economic growth, GCC inflation remains low. Weighted consumer price inflation had fallen from 2.7% mid-year to 2.0% by October and is expected to have averaged 2.4% in 2012. The decline has been driven by a deceleration in food price inflation in some countries, soft figures for housing rents and the lagged impact of earlier US dollar strength on import prices. A slight pick-up in inflation to 3% is seen in 2013, as some of these factors go in to reverse while domestic economic growth remains strong. However, at these levels, inflation is unlikely to register as a major policy concern.

Fiscal and monetary policies will remain expansionary. Aggregate GCC government spending is seen rising by 6-8% per year over the next two years and by 2014, spending could be nearly 50% higher than in 2010. Lower oil production and prices will hit oil revenues, however, and the region’s budget surplus will more than halve from 12% of GDP in 2012 to 5% by 2014.

Finally, interest rates are expected to stay at recent record lows, in order to help manage exchange rate pegs against the US dollar. Bank lending is also likely to remain solid overall - and particularly in those countries where growth is strongest. Banking sector profitability should see an improvement after a provisioning-affected 2012 - so long as the global economy maintains its footing.

Geithner may have alerted banks on rate cut: Official WASHINGTON: In the summer of 2007, as storm clouds gathered over the world’s financial system, then-New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner allegedly informed the Bank of America and other banks about the possibility the US central bank would lower one of its critical interest rates, according to a senior Fed official.

Jeffrey Lacker, the head of the Richmond Fed, originally raised the allegation during a Fed conference call in August 2007, and he stuck to his 5-yearold claim against the current US treasury secretary in a statement provided to Reuters on Friday.

“From conversations I had prior to the video conference call on August 16, 2007, I was aware of discussions among a few large banks about borrowing from their discount windows to support the asset backed commercial paper market,” Lacker said in the statement. “My understanding was that (New York Fed) President Geithner had discussed a reduction in the discount rate with these banks in connection with these initiatives.”

According to transcripts of the call released by the Fed on Friday, Geithner at the time denied that banks knew the Fed was considering cutting the discount rate. The Fed regularly releases transcripts of its policy meetings with a fiveyear lag.

“We don’t have any comment beyond the transcript,” said Treasury spokesman Anthony Coley. The Treasury declined to make Geithner available to comment. Information about any planned interest rate move by the Fed is among the most sensitive as it can have a huge impact on a range of financial markets worldwide. That was particularly

Timothy Geithner the case in the summer of 2007 when there were growing concerns about financial stability as a crisis that would reach fever pitch just more than a year later began to build.

Private disclosure of confidential, market-sensitive information by the central bank would be highly unusual, but it was not immediately clear if it would be illegal. It also was not clear if strict Fed internal rules governing confidential information would have been breached, or whether any internal or external investigation was mounted. Lacker made no

suggestion of wrongdoing by the banks as a result of getting hold of any information.

The central bank delivered a surprise cut in the discount rate, which governs direct loans it makes to banks, the day after the call. The action spurred a big stock market rally, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index enjoying its best gain in 4-1/2 years. In his statement to Reuters, Lacker did not say which banks may have been privy to the information, although in the transcript of the Aug. 16, 2007, call he said he had discussed the matter with Bank of America’s then CEO, Ken Lewis, earlier that day. The Richmond Fed supervises the Charlotte, North Carolinabased bank.

Spokesmen for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, the New York Fed and Bank of America all declined to comment, as did Lewis.

The unusually large half-point cut in the discount rate to 5.75 percent that the Fed delivered on Aug. 17 was the first in a long series and came just days after French bank BNP Paribas froze three investment funds that were facing heavy redemptions. A month later, the Fed would also cut the overnight federal funds rate, its primary lever to influence the economy. During the Fed’s Aug. 16, 2007, conference call, Geithner said that banks had started to ask about borrowing from the Fed earlier in the month

after the central bank had released a statement saying it stood ready to provide liquidity to credit markets.

Geithner said banks “obviously don’t have any idea that we’re contemplating a change in policy” - a statement that Lacker then questioned. “Did you say that they are unaware of what we’re considering or what we might be doing with the discount rate?” Lacker asked, according to the transcript.

Geithner said yes, and Lacker followed up: “I spoke with Ken Lewis, president and CEO of Bank of America, this afternoon, and he said that he appreciated what Tim Geithner was arranging by way of changes in the discount facility.

So my information is different from that.”

Geithner responded, “I cannot speak for Ken Lewis, but I think they have sought to see whether they could understand a little more clearly the scope of their rights and our current policy with respect to the (discount lending) window.”“The only thing I’ve done is to try to help them understand ... what the scope of that is,” he said.

Geithner, who is stepping down from his Treasury post next Friday, was an advocate of aggressive action to stem the crisis, and the steps the central bank took are widely credited with helping to calm the financial storm.

Lacker was less inclined to intervene in the markets. —Reuters

CHONGQING: Cement tankers park on a construction site near a statue of former Communist leader Mao Zedong in southwestern China’s Chongqing city. China’s economy is finally rebounding from its deepest slump since the 2008 global crisis but the shaky recovery could be vulnerable to a new downturn in global trade. —AP

Obama’s inauguration a boon for businesses WASHINGTON: Tucked behind a tidy souvenir shop storefront on the ground floor of an office building one block from the White House, t-shirts, sweatshirts, buttons and a vast assortment of inauguration paraphernalia is staged for an onslaught of purchasing.

Over the course of the weekend, which culminates on Monday on the grassy, parklike National Mall when US President Barack Obama will be sworn in for a second time, Washington businesses that cater to tourists are girding for a deluge of customers. “It’s just breathtaking in the store during those days,” said Andrew Gallagher, general manager at White House Gifts, whose shop is located on the inaugural parade route.

This year’s inauguration has shrunk to an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 people from the record-breaking 1.8 million who showed up for Obama’s first swearing in four years ago, but that hasn’t reduced his expectation for financial gain. “When you’re a store that’s 3,500 square feet, there are only so many people you can fit in the store,” Gallagher said.

Statistics for how much business the inauguration brings to the city aren’t generally tabulated, but Max Farrow, DC Chamber of Commerce director of communications, said that in terms of general tourism, each visit to DC generates about $336 in expenditures. “We do know that in inauguration years, on average we see about a four percent increase in hotel occupancy than in non-inauguration years” for January, said Alicia Malone, a media relations manager at Destination DC, a nonprofit that manages and markets tourism in the capital.

At the Tabard Inn, a quirky hotel and restaurant in Washington’s trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood, general manager

Jeremiah Cohen said rooms are sold out for the weekend and the restaurant will be packed, but the establishment’s biggest moment comes Monday.

“Imagine, like, everything being dictated by the end of swearing in and thousands of people who are famished,” Cohen says. “The flood gates open and I’d say thousands of people start walking north,” heading all the way to his restaurant, a favorite with locals, a mile away.

For Rich Benning, president of production company All Stage and Sound, Inc., the work that will be done over the four-day rush from Friday through Monday creates four times the business he usually sees in January. The unofficial balls that are clustered near the Mall, with their staging, sound, and lighting needs, are the company’s inaugural bread and butter this year.

“Because of this push here, we actually went out and bought more speakers and cable” said Benning. “You can’t use it throughout the year, but just because it’s all so compressed during this one period of time.”

For most, inauguration is a boon, but not for John Rider, who sells burritos from an unassuming cart on the corner of 15th and K Streets, two blocks from the White House. His main clientele are the people who work in the surrounding multi-floor office buildings, who will be taking a threeday weekend on account of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. “If I thought there was a chance I could open up and make good money, I’d be down there,” at the Mall, he said, but in his past gigs at large crowds, such as Washington’s annual Cherr y Blossom Festival, he said throngs passed his cart by.

As a mass of visitors descend on the city and businesses fling their doors open, his is one shop that will be shuttering. —AFP

US banking earnings paint a mixed picture NEW YORK: Earnings released in recent days by leading banks and other large financial institutions might be thought of as the good, the bad and the ugly. On one side, banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase zoomed ahead with earnings that either set new records, beat expectations or accomplished both of those things.

But those positives were countered by results from Citigroup and Bank of America that were dominated by messy charges for legal costs and feeble profits.

Still another model was given by Wells Fargo, which reported record profits but disappointed the markets because its earnings underscored the drag of low interest rates on company earnings.

In spite of all these mixed signals,

some observers see progress in the overall performance of the banking sector, one that follows a similar trajectory to the economy as a whole.

“The losses have been coming down as the economy has been stabilizing,” said Marty Mosby, an analyst at Guggenheim Partners.

Still, some remain cautious about the prospects for the sector given how inextricably it is tied to the overall health of the US economy. That was the conclusion of a report issued this week by Standard & Poors, which sees a mixed bag in terms of the macro picture. The housing market and consumer spending may have stabilized, but there is evidence that some businesses postponed spending due to the fiscal cliff debate, S&P said. —AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

BUSINESS

Toyota launches all-new 2013 RAV4 Impressive and dynamic exterior styling • Bold & high quality interior • Excellent dynamic performance and safer driving

KUWAIT: Al-Sayer and Toyota management during the launch of the Fourth Generation all-new 2013 RAV4. — Photos from the launch ceremony by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: Toyota yesterday announced the launch of the fourth-generation all-new 2013 RAV4 SUV in the Middle East showcasing a bold reinvention of the world’s original crossover sport utility vehicle. The new RAV4 offers balanced performance and capability, while being more engaging and fun to drive. It also offers great fuel efficiency, spacious rear space, striking design, and a compelling array of standard features.

“The 2012 RAV4 draws on the innovative heritage of the original model which started an industry trend and sets a new standard for the compact SUV market with more than 4.5 million units sold since 1994 in over 150 countries, “ said Nobuyuki Negishi, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation. “The all new RAV4 offers customers a distinctive, Sophisticated “Dynamic & Strong” styling, refined, premium-quality interior design in addition to a more engaging and fun drive with fuel efficient powertrain and comes with the assurance of three generations of satisfied customers.”

According to Makoto Arimoto, RAV4 Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, “ With the 2013 RAV4, what we have achieved is a sportier driving experience characteristic of a Cross Over vehicle while enhancing the agile handling performance that is highly regarded in the current model. Over 700 staff members came together to prioritize the feelings of each customer and reflect them in the development of the newgeneration RAV4. I am confident that customers will be impressed by the new-generation RAV4 and view it as a sign of Toyota’s ambitions and spirit to give them the best compact SUV in the market.”

Exterior Design & Body Structure The RAV4 pursues the design goals defined

by Toyota President Akio Toyoda, with new front expression that provides a bright, intelligent, and dynamic expression that define RAV4’s athletic presence and sophisticated strength.

The RAV4 features a sporty, strong front design that emphasizes the center pushed forward. An eyebrow-shaped plating accent extends from the grille to the headlamps while the projector lamps are positioned far outboard, creating a sharp, sporty expression.

In terms of the side design, the RAV4 expresses the agility and strong proportions of the exterior design while achieving both excellent interior spaciousness and aerodynamic performance to give a sleek appearance. From the rear, the RAV4 features a stable rear design with dynamism and agility while the cabin tapers strongly inward at the rear in order to enhance aerodynamics.

In a significant break with its heritage, the RAV4 will switch from its side-hinged rear door to a convenient roof-hinged liftgate with a spare tire stored under the cargo floor.

As on other recently introduced Toyotas, RAV4 engineers paid special attention to aerodynamics with aerodynamic under trays beneath the passenger cabin to help smooth and control airflow.

Following body-engineering principles, RAV4’s body structure will include highstrength steel to help achieve both strength and light body structure. RAV4 engineers used several grades of high-strength steel to form key structural components in the roof, rocker sills, floor, engine compartment and door frames. The weight savings were in part invested in sound deadening materials helping to create a quiet passenger cabin.

ties on even tough road surfaces.

In conjunction with a new, more comfortable and focused driving position, the new RAV4 builds on these key SUV attributes with retuned front and rear suspension systems, revised Electric Power Steering, and a new Dynamic Torque Control 4WD. In combination, these developments award the new RAV4 greater stability and agility on both wet and dry roads, offering customers a confidence-inspiring, more intuitive and engaging driving experience.

The all new 2013 RAV4 is equiped with a 2.5liter four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i technology which enhances power delivery efficiency by controlling both intake and exhaust timings to produce 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 233 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm.

Replacing the previous four-speed automatic will be a six-speed transmission with sequential shift. First and second gear ratios will be optimized for around-town performance. To keep engine revs lower at highway speeds and enhance fuel mileage, fifth and sixth gears will be overdrives.

The new ECO MODE is designed to promote more efficient driving thus helping to enhance fuel efficiency.

Interior Design & Functions The new RAV4’s interior has a premium, sophisticated look with soft-touch accents and driver-centric controls. The dash panel is drivercentric and asymmetrical within easy reach. On the passenger side, the sculpted dash panel creates a sense of airy spaciousness.

The RAV4’s dash panel and gauges all feature new Clear Blue illumination, which provides crisp visibility in most ambient light conditions, and a unified, coherent appearance at night. The RAV4 will come standard with a manual tilt/telescope steering column. The base and mid grades feature a urethane steering wheel. The Top grade will have a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All RAV4 steering wheels will have controls for audio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, and the Multi-Information Display (MID).

All RAV4’s will have driver and front passenger seats with a slim back, enhancing rear-passenger knee room. They will also feature 60/40 split/fold rear-row seats that recline several degrees to enhance passenger comfort.

The 2013 RAV4 will be available with reinforced, UV-cut, green glass, LED daytime running lights, cruise control and rear view monitor.

Complementing these are power side mirrors,

power door locks, power windows and a rear window wiper.

The RAV4 will be available with a Smart Entry & Start System, dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen-removal type clean air filter, fog lights, power sunroof with sliding sunshade and power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators.

Standard on all RAV4 models is Display Audio with a 6.1-inch. touchscreen, AM/FM/CD, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX mini-jack, and six speakers.

The Top grade is equipped with AVN system as an option, 7.0-inch WVGA TFT display, AM/FM/CD/DVD 6-speaker, ASL which adjusts the sound volume and the acoustic characteristics according to the interior noise levels to produce audio playback at the optimal sound volume and quality.

A microphone compatible with the voice recognition navigation system and Bluetooth, hands-free system has been installed.

The Multi-Information Display (MID) is controlled through buttons on the right-hand spoke of the steering wheel. The MID provides an array of information including: distance to empty; average fuel economy; instant fuel economy;

selected gear transmission; warnings, including low fuel, battery, and more.

The Fun Driving Experience The 2013 RAV4 arrives with a multitude of driver-focused features, including a SPORT MODE for enhanced performance and road feel The new SPORT MODE also modifies the RAV4’s power steering, throttle and transmissions; decreasing power steering assistance, sharpening throttle response and offering higher revs, and automatic gearbox management, for a more dynamic, sporting driving experience.

All RAV4’s with AT transmission will be available with sequential shift. When down shifting the engine revs rise with a clearly audible “blip,” adding to the driving experience.

The 2013 RAV4 achieves exceptional quietness in normal driving conditions. However, the intake system generates an exhilarating roar when accelerating to give customers a more enjoyable driving experience.

Performance, Handling, and Efficiency Successive generations of RAV4 have established a reputation for their ride comfort, ease of driving, manoeuvrability and reassuring capabili-

Safety The all new RAV4 builds on the very highest standards of occupant safety and pedestrian impact protection evolved over three generations of the compact Toyota SUV, with even higher levels of active and passive safety.

2013 RAV4s will have a class-leading six airbags. In addition to Traction Control (TRC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), automatic limited slip differential and Back & clearance sonar.

Automatic LSD (Limited Slip Differential) is added to the 2WD models with VSC (Vehicle Stability Control). The Auto LSD places a greater emphasis on controlling wheel spin to assist with freeing the vehicle when one of the drive wheels is not in contact with the road and to enhance start-off performance on road surfaces with large rolling resistance, such as sand.

The new RAV4 also features Back & Clearance Sonar which are ultrasonic wave sensors to detect obstacles located behind/at the rear of the vehicle and notify the driver of the location and distance from the obstacle through an LED display and buzzer.

A system with four sensors on the rear bumper has been adopted to enhance detection accuracy.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

BUSINESS

KUWAIT: Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive officials, General Motors representatives, members of the media, as well as Cadillac fans and enthusiasts during the launch of all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS. —Photos from the event by Yasser Al-Zayyat

All-new 2013 Cadillac ATS arrives in Kuwait New initiative from Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive KUWAIT: Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Cadillac in Kuwait, launched the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS in Avenues Mall on January 17, 2013 in the presence of Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive officials, General Motors representatives, members of the media, as well as Cadillac fans and enthusiasts.

The all-new 2013 ATS delighted its fans with progressive advancements in the realm of innovation, technology and cutting-edge design. The all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS is available in two engines that deliver real power and capitalize on the car’s lightweight structure, complementing its performance with efficiency. The engines include a standard 2.5L, 4 cylinder generating 202 horsepower and Cadillac’s award winning 3.6L, V-6 generating 321 horsepower. The all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS also comes with a range of advance safety features based on Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy that employs advanced technologies including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors to help prevent crashes.

Among the most sophisticated features in the All-New 2013 Cadillac ATS is the CUE, Cadillac’s innovative and exclusive infotainment system. CUE (Cadillac User Experience) pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players, with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons. The vibrant LCD screen displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen, by using large, easy-to-target Icons to execute commands.

The All-New 2013 Cadillac ATS has already made a big splash in the industr y by winning the ‘2013 North American Car of the Year Award’ and the ‘Esquire Car of the Year’ award.

The overall highly-customized service for Cadillac customers has greatly increased customer satisfaction and has become the new benchmark for success in General Motors’ showrooms around the Middle Eastern region. This initiative is helping Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons establishing a strong and enduring relationship with all of its Cadillac owners.

If you are a fan of distinctive luxury sports sedans, visit Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons’ showroom in Safat Alghanim to test-drive the All-New 2013 Cadillac ATS.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

technology

Oracle sees the future in the cloud ‘Security is not a concern’

By Islam Al-Sharaa DUBAI: Ramping up efforts to expand cloud computing worldwide, Mark Hurd, president of Oracle Corporation, kicked off Oracle CloudWorld in Dubai part of an international tour to shed light on the technology giant’s ambitious cloud strategy. In his keynote address to over 2,000 delegates from 20 different countries, Hurd detailed Oracle’s strategy and the trends driving cloud. He said there are 9 billion Internet devices in the world, which will balloon to 50 billion by 2020.

Stating that the number of Internet users today exceeds 2 billion worldwide and global Internet penetration is estimated to grow from 35.3 per cent in 2012 to 42.8 per cent in 2016, he said 90 per cent of all Internet users now have an account on at least one social service, and there are more than 13 million business pages on Facebook alone.

Elaborating on data production, the Oracle president said that it will be 44 times greater in 2020 than

it was in 2009, reaching a worldwide total of eight trillion gigabytes by 2015. Hence, Hurd added, companies are searching for solutions that will provide the unprecedented capacity, scalability, and speed to keep pace with this explosive growth.

Briefing journalists, Hurd pointed out that Oracle being the first in the region to initiate a drive to promote cloud services - is in an advantageous position to tap opportunities in the Middle East. “Today we have over 10,000 customers and more than 25 million users of the Oracle cloud. Security is not a concern,” he said, adding, “the company has its own infrastructure.”

It may be recalled that some experts had discovered security flaws in its Java software a few days ago and that they said hackers were exploiting it to attack computers. On the investment front, Hurd stated that in this fiscal year, the corporation has invested $5 billion in cloud computing and in the past three years, the company’s spending in the research and development of the cloud has reached $13 billion. Hurd said that various acquisitions are expected to augment

profit margins as the world’s largest enterprise software company fends off smaller rivals offering similar products.

Some of the acquisitions Oracle has used to beef up its offerings in cloud services include RightNow Technologies for $1.5 billion and Taleo Corporation for $1.9 billion. Oracle also said it would buy Collective Intellect, which tracks and analyses customers’ comments on social media. Last month, the US-based company also agreed for the buyout of DataRaker to expand in smart-grid analytics platforms that enable water, power and other utilities to use data to increase efficiencies.

Later, a senior Oracle executive said that clouds are often one or two dimensional. Oracle Cloud delivers on all 3 dimensions of transformational technologies like social and mobile for a more powerful and innovative experience, he said. Oracle’s cloud services applications include human capital management, talent management, sales and marketing, customer experience, financial management, procurement

Mark Hurd, President of Oracle sourcing, inventory, project management and governance risk and compliance. Subsequent stops of the 10-city road show are scheduled to take place in London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, Munich, New York, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

Using mobile phone while walking could be deadly ‘Real-time’ study of pedestrians

CHICAGO: In this file photo, volunteers pass through the first full body scanner, which uses backscatter technology, installed at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Those airport scanners with their all-too revealing body images will soon be going away. The Transportation Security Administration says the X-ray scanners will be gone by June 2013 because the company that makes them can’t fix the privacy issues. The other airport body scanners, which produce a generic outline instead of a naked image, are staying. — AP

Companies donate security technology to Newtown NEWTOWN: A Connecticut company said yesterday it has nearly finished installing state-of-the-art security equipment at a school to which students were moved after the deadly Newtown school shooting.

Thomas Marino Jr.’s father owns Advanced Security Technologies in Stratford, which provides security services to Newtown High School and was told to remotely lock down buildings on Dec. 14, the day of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“It was hard for us to realize what was happening,” Marino said. In an effort to provide some peace of mind to Sandy Hook students, staff and parents, he decided to reach out to about a dozen security manufacturers and ask whether they’d donate equipment if his father’s company contributed the labor to install it at the new school in Monroe. “Nobody said no,” he said.

Marino said he has since collected hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment and other services. It’s

been enough to outfit the Monroe school with technology ranging from an intrusion detection system to a panic alarm, as well as to fully equip Newtown’s five other schools.

“There has been an enormous outpouring of donations to beef up security,” said Newtown Board of Education member Richard Gaines, calling Marino’s effort to coordinate everything “incredibly generous.” Marino estimates the security upgrades at just the Monroe school are worth $113,000. He expects the upgrades at the other schools could be worth about the same amount.

“I feel obligated to try to do the best we can,” he said, adding how no security system is foolproof. “I think if you can save a few lives, it’s worth it.”

The Newtown Board of Education voted Thursday to accept 30 real-time security cameras, the final step at the Monroe school. They are expected to be installed by the end of next week, Marino said.

Twenty first-graders and six educators died in the Newtown shooting. — AP

How to delete regrettable posts from the Internet STANFORD: It might seem that the Internet doesn’t lose track of anything ever published online. The alleged permanence of tweets, blogs, snapshots, and instant messages worries both privacy activists and policymakers such as Viviane Reding, justice commissioner of the European Union and vice president of the European Commission. She has proposed that Europe adopt a “right to be forgotten”-a proposal that is now working its way through the EU legal process and could be law within two years.

Reding’s proposal would grant EU citizens the right to withdraw their consent from online information services after the factallowing people to redact embarrassing things from the global information commons, even after the data had been copied to other websites. It’s a controversial proposal: George Washington University law professor Jeffrey Rosen wrote in the Stanford Law Review that such a right could have negative implications for both free speech and journalism and could ultimately fragment the Internet. Rosen pointed out that companies like Google would need to suppress from European search queries information that had been deemed “forgotten” on the continent, even though such information would still be perfectly allowable in the United States. The proposal might also be unnecessary. Even without a right to be forgotten, there are still many ways for information to be removed from the Web. Such methods could be made more widespread.

One possible model comes, somewhat surprisingly, from Facebook. Its “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities” says that anything you upload to the social network remains your property-posting, liking, and otherwise interacting with Facebook merely gives the service a license to the data. That license ends when the information is deleted.

Wiping away those embarrassing self-portraits you took and posted when you were drunk won’t delete the copies that your friends have saved on their own hard drives. But who

makes copies of photos anymore? Here’s a way that the convenience of cloud-based services works in favor of privacy: they give you a single place to go and get something deleted.

Facebook was created to make it easy for people to share their personal data-and as a result, people often share information without even realizing it. But Facebook also makes it easy to clean up after yourself. If you put your phone number in your profile, that number might get copied to your friends’ cell phones through Facebook’s application programming interface (API). But if you delete your phone number from your Facebook profile, that same API should go through your friends’ phones and remove it as well. That’s because Facebook’s developer guidelines prohibit programs that access Facebook from making permanent copies of your personal information: software is allowed to make a “cache” copy in order to improve performance, but that copy must be linked back so that it can be kept up to date. Such license terms, designed to keep app developers dependent on Facebook, have the side effect of enforcing privacy.

It’s not necessarily difficult to have information removed from Twitter, either. Even though the company’s privacy policy warns that “what you say on Twitter may be viewed all around the world instantly,” Twitter lets users delete their own tweets. Twitter will also take down tweets that contain harassing or private information, including credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Although it’s possible that someone has made a copy, in many cases removing information effectively sends it down the memory hole. Other big websites have similar forms for requesting that information be taken down. They do this even though they generally are not required to by U.S. law.

Advertising-funded websites make so little money off any individual piece of data that it’s much easier to take information down than to spend time fighting for the rights of the person who posted it. —MCT

ISLAMABAD: Texting while crossing the road was the riskiest activity, making people four times more likely to ignore oncoming traffic and disobey the traffic lights, according to a new study. Texters also took longer to cross the street at busy junctions. Almost one in every three pedestrians were using phones or doing something else at the same time as they were trying to cross the road, Mail Online website reported.

The findings come from a ‘real-time’ study of more than 1,000 pedestrians who were watched at busy road junctions, in the US city of Seattle.

Study leader Dr Beth Ebel, of Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, said that there should be a ‘low tolerance’ approach to pedestrian behaviour that puts both them and others at risk of serious injury.

She also said, “Some years ago no one would think twice about having a couple of drinks before getting in the car to drive home But today people know the risks and we have to get that same level of awareness in an era of growing distraction.” “We may need advertising campaigns to get the message home,” she added.

There is an increasing concern about the near trance-like state people adopt while using mobile phones and MP3 players, which psychologists call ‘divided attention’ or ‘inattentional blindness’. It has become the focus for safety campaigners worried about safety on the roads and pavements, with some research suggesting serious accidents involving people wearing headphones while walking in the street have tripled.

In the latest study, 1,100 people were

observed crossing 20 busy road junctions this summer at different times of the day, including the morning rush hour. The observers recorded ‘distracting’ activities, such as talking on the phone, text messaging, or listening to music on mobile devices, as well as talking to others or dealing with children or pets. “Just under 30 percent of pedestrians were doing something else when they crossed the road,” said a report in the journal Injury Prevention. One in 10 were listen-

ing to music, seven percent were texting and six percent were talking on the phone.

Those who were distracted took significantly longer to cross the road, 0.75 to 1.29 seconds longer. While listening to music speeded up the time taken to cross the road, those doing it were less likely to look both ways before doing so.

People distracted by pets or children were almost three times as likely not to look both ways. — MCT

Cleverest business model in online education LONDON: Learning a new language is tedious and demands a lot of practice. Luis von Ahn doesn’t want all that effort to be wasted. In fact, it might be a gold mine.

Von Ahn, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, is the co-creator of Duolingo, a free language-learning site that turns students into an online workforce. His software uses their answers to simple exercises in a translation service that he expects to charge money for.

It’s clever stuff: an education that pays for itself.

That achievement is important as education moves toward being given away online. Teachers and universities are now running into the same problem journalists and movie studios have faced: how will they make any money if the content is free? No matter how cheap it is to pipe information across the Web, producing lessons and coursework is still demanding and expensive.

Duolingo, which launched in June, has raised $18.3 million in venture funding. It offers English lessons for Spanish and Portuguese speakers and lessons in Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese for English speakers. Around 300,000 people now use it each week.

The company is going up against popular language software such as Rosetta Stone (itself a less costly alternative to in-person lessons). But von Ahn thinks he has the edge, and not only because his classes are free.

“Most language-learning software providers have no incentive for you to learn,” he says. “Once [they] get your $500, they’re happy. We’ll do a lot to get you to come back, because it really matters.”

His hoped-for translation business depends on it.

That’s why the company’s 20 employees in Pittsburgh spend most of their time getting the software to teach better. Von Ahn says that so far about 30 percent of people who start learning a language will still be visiting the site a week later.

That figure may sound low, but it’s impressive for any Web service, he says. Duolingo users are drilled on new words using both written exercises and audio (the software can detect and assess their pronunciation). As they progress, their performance is used to decide what lessons they get next.

It adds up to a free course several hundred hours long that can take a student from zero knowledge of a second tongue to what von Ahn describes as “intermediate level” ability-the kind you’d need to get by on a foreign vacation or grasp the gist of a newspaper article.

The other side of the business comes in when students are asked to practice what they’ve learned by translating single sentences from one language to another. Those sentences come from such sources as English Wikipedia articles without equivalents in Spanish.

Multiple students translate the same sentence;

software compares those results to settle on a final translation. After many sentences are put through this process, they are combined to create a translation of an entire document. The results, says von Ahn, are better than an automated translation but typically just short of professional quality.

Duolingo’s translation service is currently free, but by early next year the company intends to begin charging for “rush jobs” that have a deadline.

Von Ahn says Duolingo will ask for less than the five to 20 cents a word that professional translators charge. The service is in pilot tests with a big media company, he says.

An inexpensive translation service could solve some big problems, particularly for newspapers in US cities with large Hispanic populations. In August, for instance, the Hartford Courant launched a Spanish-language edition. But it was produced almost entirely using Google Translate.

The results, which were spotty, drew negative reactions. (The newspaper later abandoned the idea.)

This isn’t the first time von Ahn has found a clever way to distribute small tasks among many people to solve a challenge, an approach he dubs human computation. He created something called the ESP Game, which turned labeling computer images into an online challenge. Google licensed that technology for its search engine and later also acquired ReCaptcha, a system Von Ahn created to help digitize blurry old books. Those distorted let-

ters a website will sometimes ask you to copy to show you are human? That’s ReCaptcha getting you to decipher text a computer can’t.

Duolingo’s design is inspiring others to look for new ways to apply human computation in education. “I think Duolingo is incredibly exciting,” says Dan Weld, a professor of computer science at the University of Washington who helped organized a workshop last summer on how to use crowdsourcing in education. Weld thinks such methods could, for instance, turn students into a workforce that could correct or score the work of other students learning online. That could overcome a major shortcoming of massive open online courses, or MOOCs, which are encountering problems grading the work of tens of thousands of students.

There’s a “groundswell” in online education, says Weld. “But a lot of it is prepackaged video clips and other things we tried a long time ago that didn’t go anywhere. We need more power and personalization.” Achieving that solely with software is unlikely, he says, but properly directed crowds could provide the necessary intelligence.

Von Ahn has his own ideas along these lines. For example, he hopes to use the work of students who are learning computer languages online at places like Codecademy.

“You could imagine something with programming, maybe finding bugs in software as part of a course,” he says. “We may try it.” — MCT

Apple, Google chiefs face grilling on ‘no-poaching’ SAN FRANCISCO: Apple chief Tim Cook and Google chairman Eric Schmidt are expected to face questioning in a lawsuit accusing Silicon Valley giants of secretly agreeing not to “poach” one another’s workers, according to officials and court documents.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys said US District Court Judge Lucy Koh endorsed questioning Cook, Schmidt, as well as Intel head Paul Otellini, after reasoning that high-level executives would know about restrictions on hiring talent.

During a hearing Thursday in her courtroom in the California city of San Jose, Koh referred repeatedly to email evidence that included a request in 2007 by then Apple chief Steve Jobs that Google stop recruiting Apple workers.

While Cook was not mentioned in the email messages, it was reasonable to expect that his position as chief operating officer included being kept apprised of issues involving employee expenses, the judge said. Cook took over as Apple chief in 2011 after Jobs stepped down due

to a battle with cancer, which claimed his life.

Schmidt was scheduled for deposition on February 21, while Intuit chief and Apple board member Bill Campbell was slated to be deposed the fifth of that month, according to court documents. The date of Cook’s deposition has not been set. The lawsuit filed in 2011 accuses a set of technology companies of stifling careers and earnings prospects of employees by agreeing not to “poach” one another’s workers.

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs have asked Koh to grant them class-action status to represent all workers who may have been affected. A jury trial is set to begin in November.

“We’re pressing forward to comply with the court schedule and get the case ready for trial in November,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Brendan Glackin of the Lieff Cabraser law firm in San Francisco.

The civil suit followed the settling of restraint of trade litigation by the US Justice Department due to the “no-poaching” agreement. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

UN clinches deal on Mercury Treaty adopted in Geneva by 140 countries GENEVA: Delegations from some 140 countries agreed yesterday to adopt a ground-breaking treaty limiting the use and emission of health-hazardous mercury, the UN said, although environmental activists lamented it did not go far enough.

The world’s first legally binding treaty on mercury, reached after a week of thorny talks, will aim to reduce global emission levels of the toxic heavy metal also known as quicksilver, which poses risks to human health and the environment. “This was a herculean task ... but we have succeeded,” Achim Steiner, UN under-secretary general and head of the UN environment program (UNEP), told reporters in Geneva.

The treaty has been named the Minamata Convention on Mercury, in honor of the Japanese town where inhabitants for decades have suffered the consequences of serious mercury contamination.

The text will be signed in Minamata in October and will

take effect once it has been ratified by 50 countries-something organizers expect will take three to four years. Mercury is found in products ranging from electrical switches, thermometers and light-bulbs, to amalgam dental fillings and even facial creams.

Large amounts of the heavy metal are released from small-scale gold mining, coal-burning power plants, metal smelters and cement production.

“It is quite remarkable how much mercury in a sense has entered into use in our lives....

We’ve been creating a terrible legacy,” Steiner said. “Mercury accumulates in the food chain through fish... It is released through coal fired power stations and it travels sometimes thousands of kilometres. It affects the Inuit in Canada just as it affects the small-scale artisanal gold miner somewhere in southern Africa,” he said. Serious mercury poisoning affects the body ’s immune system and development of the brain and nervous system, posing the greatest risk

to foetuses and infants. The treaty sets a phase out date of 2020 for a long line of products, including mercury thermome-

tions for some large medical measuring devices where no mercury-free alternatives exist yet. In a controversial move, it

Small-scale gold mining is a growing source of toxic mercury emissions. ters, blood pressure measuring devices, most batteries, switches, some kinds of fluorescent lamps and soaps and cosmetics.

It however provides excep-

also excluded vaccines that use mercury as a preservative, since the risk from these vaccines is considered low and for many developing nations removing

them would entail losing access to vaccines altogether, Tim Kasten, head of UNEP’s chemicals division explained.

Amid pressure from dentist groups, the treaty also did not provide a cut-off date for the use of dental fillings using mercury, but did agree that the product should be phased down. Nongovernmental groups at the talks meanwhile lamented that the treaty fell short in addressing the greatest sources of mercury in the environment: small-scale gold mining, which directly threatens the health of the some 10-15 million people working in this field and contaminates water and air, and emissions from coalburning power plants. “ We’re disappointed,” Joe DiGangi, a senior advisor with an environmental umbrella group called IPEN, told AFP, saying that “the two biggest sources of mercury have only weak controls on them.”

For coal-fired power plants, the treaty calls only for control and reduction of mercury emis-

sions “where feasible”, which is “vague and very discretional,” he said.

As for small gold mining activities, using mercury will still be allowed, meaning imports and exports of the metal for this process will be legal, and governments will only be required to control the activity if they deem it “more than insignificant-whatever that means,” DiGangi said.

UNEP’s Steiner acknowledged the criticism but stressed that the treaty “is a dynamic instrument,” insisting it would evolve over time to address all the areas of concern.

Switzerland and Norway, which initiated the process a decade ago, had along with Japan pledged an initial $3.0 million to get things started. Once up and running the treaty will provide funds to help transition away from mercury-linked products and processes through the UN’s existing Global Environment Facility (GEF), and probably also a second mechanism, organizers said. —AFP

US flu epidemic worsens, 29 children dead WASHINGTON: A flu epidemic gripping the United States is more severe than usual, striking the elderly especially hard, health authorities said Friday as they also announced 29 child victims.

With the nation only about halfway through the season, complications are likely to worsen for those who caught the flu, said Tom Frieden, chief

rates, up from 24 states last week. And more than 5,000 people have required hospitalization to treat their flu symptoms. New York has declared a state of emergency over the crisis.

Widespread geographic flu activity was also reported in 48 states for the week ending January 12, up from 47 states the previous week.

Pamela Black got a flu shot from Debbie Smerk in Cleveland. It’s not too late, officials said. —AP of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We expect to see both the number and rates of hospitalization and deaths to rise further,” Frieden told reporters. The CDC said 30 states and New York City are reporting high influenza

Nationwide, influenza rates dropped slightly to 4.6 percent, down from 4.8 percent the previous week. There is no national reporting system for flu-related deaths among adults, but the CDC said that 8.3 percent of deaths reported through the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System were

due to pneumonia and influenza.

That exceeds the epidemic threshold of 7.2 percent. The rate of flu- and pneumonia-linked deaths the week before was 7.3 percent. Nine children died last week alone, bringing the total to 29 since the season began in early December.

The flu kills an average of about a hundred children in the United States each year. The toll was 34 in 2011-2012.

“It’s shaping up to be a worse than average season and a bad season particularly for the elderly,” Frieden said, stressing that there was still time to get vaccinated and that early treatment was “critically important.” He predicted that hospitalizations and deaths would continue to rise as the flu epidemic spreads further.

The severity of the symptoms this year may be explained by the season experiencing a dominant strain of influenza A(H3N2), historically blamed for more serious cases of the virus.

So far, about half of confirmed flu cases concern people aged 65 and older, with a high hospitalization rate of 82 per 100,000. People older than 65 usually account for about 90 percent of the 36,000 annual flu deaths around the country.

Flu strikes every year across the United States, bringing chills, fever, coughing and achy misery to millions. Health officials said the flu vaccine is a good match for the strain of influenza circulating around the nation, and confers about 62 percent protection against the illness this season.

The CDC recommends that everyone older than six months get vaccinated, particularly those who are at risk for serious complications, such as babies, senior citizens, pregnant women and those with chronic health issues including asthma, diabetes or lung disease.

In addition to being inoculated against the flu, health officials recommend such basic prophylactic measures as frequent hand washing, and coughing or sneezing into one’s sleeve to keep the illness at bay. —AFP

Russians warily turn to AA in battle with alcohol MOSCOW: One-time Russian prisoner Andrei tried to quit drinking 22 times, going for cures that lasted from one to six months. But each time, he went back to the bottle.

Then 14 years ago, the 58-yearold tried Alcoholics Anonymous, attracted by the different approach, which was not about doctors reprimanding the drinker, but taking personal responsibility.

And after going through the 12step program five times, the Muscovite with deeply-furrowed face and intense dark eyes, said he felt confident he could stay dry. The Alcoholics Anonymous method of treating alcoholism first came to Russia from the United States more than 20 years ago, but is still not mainstream in a country where hard drinking is often viewed as inevitable and ingrained in the national psyche. The AA movement of “mutual aid” groups created in the United States in the 1930s first came to Russia at the end of the 1980s during the perestroika era, as the country opened up under the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Yet more than 20 years later, Russia has just 400 AA groups with 10,000 members-a tiny number for a population of 143 million where alcohol abuse and its social effects are a national scourge.

“The AA groups do not have much success in Russia, while 2.5

million Russians are registered as addicted to alcohol, and almost one in two Russian men regularly abuse alcohol,” said Alexander Nemtsov, an expert on alcoholism at the Institute of Psychiatry in Moscow.

“The Russians’ mentality opposes this American program, which is based on extremely extrovert behaviour within a group,” said Nemtsov. “Besides that, going through the AA cycle demands working with one’s self, while Russians prefer a passive role during their treatment.”

Russian alcoholics often choose treatments such as hypnosis, used by doctors to make them develop an aversion to alcohol and lose the urge to drink.

Another treatment involves under-the-skin implants of capsules containing a substance that allegedly produces negative physical effects if the patient drinks alcohol. ‘An illness, not a sin’-Andrei, who has spent nine years in jail for robbery, said that Russian methods were based on making him feel guilt and repentance, “which prevented me from stopping.”

He said he was attracted by the AA program because it portrays alcoholism as an illness, not a sin.

But it was not smooth sailing. “To start off, I found it horrible to tell my life story in front of 20 other alcoholics,” said Andrei. “Everything

about it, like the meetings where you buy tea and biscuits for everyone and then you tidy up the room together... made me think of our subbotniks,” he said, referring to a Soviet custom of making people volunteer to do community service on Saturday.

Today, though, he said he no longer felt guilty and was comfortable in his group, which meets two or three times a week in a basement in central Moscow.

The tight-knit atmosphere of such groups is viewed with suspicion by some in the Russian medical establishment, who perceive it as “foreign.” “With its pragmatism, rationalism, individualism, its cult of material success, the AA is hard pushed to take root in Russia,” said Andrei Igonin, head of the alcohol dependency department of the Serbsky Centre, the country’s best known psychiatric hospital.

Russians “are more emotional, open and confident, and at the same time they are more turned towards authority. They are altruists in search of spiritual protection,” the scientist claimed in an article in Toxicology journal.

Some Russians are more inclined to turn for spiritual help to the Russian Orthodox Church.

“I went to the AA and I couldn’t believe my ears. They have no God and they say that they conquer alcoholism themselves. That fills

them with pride,” one Orthodox believer wrote in a blog.

“I went back to the Church.

There, they conquer it with prayer and fasting.

Why reinvent the bicycle?” he asked. Nevertheless, some AA groups meet on premises owned by the Church, which in 2010 described the AA as an “effective instrument in rehabilitating drug and alcohol addicts”, while stressing the need to develop its own antialcohol program.

A 2011 WHO report found that every fifth male death in Russia was attributable to the effects of alcohol, with the average male drinker knocking back 35.40 litres of pure alcohol per year.

Many Russians take a fatalistic attitude to this, or half-admire it as something suffered by people who also have great talents. Russian literature from 19th-century novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky to Venedikt Yerofeyev-who wrote a cult Soviet “prose poem” about an alcoholic’s meditations on a Moscow suburban train-overflows with memorable characters who are drinkers.

“It has always been that the Russian drinks to be able to bear the unfairness of existence,” said Vladimir, an AA activist who quit drinking 18 years ago. “In Russia, alcoholics have traditionally been an object of sympathy... and that is also a killer.” —AFP

SHANGHAI: The Pudong financial district in Shanghai. Several days of hazardous air quality across large swathes of northern China this week triggered an emergency response which saw schoolchildren kept indoors, factories closed and government cars parked. —AFP

Eli Lilly drug chosen for US-led Alzheimer’s trial WASHINGTON: Researchers have selected Eli Lilly and Co’s experimental treatment, solanezumab, for a federally sponsored study of whether Alzheimer’s disease can be slowed or prevented in older patients who have not yet developed significant memory problems.

The closely watched “A4” prevention study will select 1,000 participants aged 70 to 85 who have varying levels in their brains of amyloid protein - believed to be a main cause of the memory-robbing disease.

“This is the first time investigators will test an amyloid-clearing drug in older individuals thought to be in the pre-symptomatic stage of Alzheimer’s disease,” Brigham and Women’s Hospital said on Friday.

The affiliate of Harvard Medical School is helping coordinate the three-year study, which could cost up to $100 million.

Solanezumab, a monoclonal antibody given by infusion, failed in two earlier Lillysponsored trials to slow the progression of the disease in patients who already had mild and moderate symptoms.

But when data from the two large Phase III trials was combined and analyzed last summer, cognitive declines were slowed by 34 percent among patients who started out with only mild symptoms. It was the first time any drug ever arrested the progression of Alzheimer’s.

In the new prevention trial, patients will be selected by using a radioactive Lilly imaging agent called Amyvid (florbetapir) that can detect amyloid plaques in the

brain. The agent is approved in the United States and was also approved in Europe this week.

Dr. Reisa Sperling, a Harvard neurology professor who will lead the A4 trial, said she and her colleagues are hoping solanezumab will reduce memory decline by 30 percent. That would be similar to the benefit seen among already mildly symptomatic patients in Lilly’s earlier pair of large studies.

“But in asymptomatic people, a 30 percent slowing might prevent symptoms from ever developing at all,” Sperling said. “In others, they might develop symptoms, but not get to the stage where they need help with daily activities,” she said in an interview.

Sperling said final data from the trial will not be seen until 2018. Meanwhile, other Alzheimer’s drugs will be tested beginning next year as part of her project, including a promising class of drugs called beta secretase inhibitors.

Solanezumab and an anti-amyloid drug being developed by Roche Holding AG were selected in October for another highprofile prevention trial, but it involves younger patients with a genetic high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The study will begin early this year at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. It is being supported by DIAN, a US-funded collaboration of leading Alzheimer’s disease centers worldwide.

Lilly shares closed 0.8 percent higher on the New York Stock Exchange. —Reuters

Measles deaths fall but vaccine gaps threaten progress GENEVA: Fatal cases of measles have fallen by nearly 75 percent globally since 2000, but big outbreaks in Asian and African states with low vaccination rates jeopardise progress towards eradication, the World Health Organization said yesterday.

The highly-contagious disease is a leading cause of death among young children around the world, especially the poor, malnourished and unvaccinated, it said.

Measles has been virtually eliminated in North and South America, and the western Pacific region is on track towards elimination, but Western Europe is lagging due to stagnating vaccine coverage, according to the United Nations agency.

“The data is showing an overall decline in cases, improvements in vaccine coverage and a decline in deaths,” Dr Robert Perry, a medical officer at WHO’s immunisation strategies group, said.

“We’ve seen some large outbreaks over this period of time, in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Nigeria,” he said.

Measles deaths globally decreased by

71 percent between 2000 and the end of 2011, from 542,000 to 158,000, according to the WHO’s latest data. Over the same period, new cases dropped by 58 percent from 853,500 in 2000 to 355,000 in 2011.

The WHO recommends two doses of vaccine. But an estimated 20 million children worldwide did not receive the first dose of vaccine in 2011, leaving them vulnerable to the virus, it said. More than half live in five countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

In 2011, major outbreaks were reported in DRC (134,042 cases), Ethiopia (3,255), India (29,339), Nigeria (18,843), Pakistan (4,386), France (14,949), Italy (5,189) and Spain (3,802), the WHO said.

“In Europe, the big outbreaks seem related to a reluctance to get kids vaccinated and a lack of appreciation of the seriousness of the disease,” Perry said.

“There have been deaths in Western Europe as well, although at a much lower rate than in countries like the DRC,” he said, noting that Congo had reported more than 1,000 deaths in 2011. —Reuters

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Vets struggle to treat hurt rhinos Johannesburg Zoo tells ‘the Tale of Phila’ JOHANNESBURG: A high-value target survives two attempts on her life. After recovering from multiple gunshot wounds, she is secretly moved to an undisclosed location in hopes that the killers won’t track her down again.

This isn’t a Hollywood thriller about a hunted witness in a police protection program. It is the tale of Phila, one of a growing number of rhinoceroses that survive horrific injuries during attempts by poachers to hack off their horns.

With her horns still intact, Phila is a rare survivor of a surge in rhino killings in South Africa, home to most of the world’s rhinos.

In a new push, veterinarians are racing to learn more about rhino anatomy so they can swiftly treat survivors of attacks by poachers whose arsenal includes assault rifles and drug-tipped darts. The obstacles are funding, a dearth of past research and the logistics of helping fearsome-looking behemoths that are easily traumatized if moved from their habitat.

There are “suddenly a lot of live rhinos needing medical attention,” said Dr. Katja Koeppel, senior veterinarian at the Johannesburg Zoo, where Phila spent two years before her surreptitious return to a game reserve in November.

She cautioned that treatments for rhinos are inexact: “We know very little about rhinos. We treat them as a large horse.” The South African government says a record 668 rhinos were killed in the country in 2012, an increase of nearly 50 percent over the previous year.

Demand is growing in Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia where rhino horn is believed to have medical benefits despite evidence to the contrary. The horn is made of keratin, a protein also found in human fingernails.

Veterinarians say there are no reliable statistics for the number of rhinos injured by poachers, partly because some game reserve owners prefer to keep quiet for fear other criminals will flock to any location known to harbor rhino. Those involved in the protection

of rhinos are skittish, and suspicion that people are colluding with poachers is plentiful.

One of Phila’s guardians refused to talk to The Associated Press on the telephone, saying: “I don’t know who you are.” Dr. Georgina Cole, a veterinarian at the Johannesburg Zoo, said she knew of 10 rhinos that survived poaching attacks in South Africa in the past year, and she believes the unreported num-

having their horns hurriedly carved out of their faces while they are unconscious.

“Guys are calling us up and saying, ‘Listen, I have a rhino that was poached and its horn has been hacked off. It’s alive. Can you please come and fix it,’” said Marais, who seeks funding for CAT scan software to map the head of the white rhino. Three-dimensional images of facial muscles, nerves, blood vessels

and soft tissue trauma extended down into the remnants of his face, through the outer layer of bones, to expose the underlying nasal passages.” After consultations, he euthanized Geza with a dart containing an overdose of anesthetics.

Phila, the rhino that recently left the Johannesburg Zoo, was shot a total of nine times on two separate occasions and suffered injuries to her sinus cavity,

Chantal Beyer and her husband Sven Fouche (left) pose for a photograph with rhinos at the Aloe Ridge Nature Reserve near Johannesburg South Africa. Just after the photo was taken the closest rhino attacked Beyer and its horn penetrated Beyer’s chest from behind, resulting in a collapsed lung and broken ribs. —AP ber is much higher.

Dr. Johan Marais, an equine and wildlife surgeon at the University of Pretoria, said a “conservative” estimate of rhino survivors is 40 to 60 a year.

Marais predicted: “As the amount of poaching goes up, we’ll probably get more and more of these survivors.”

Marais said he recently visited a rhino that still had bullet pieces in its flesh from a shooting a year ago. The rhino suffered lingering wound infections.

While a few lucky rhinos elude their shooters, others survive a grislier fate: being shot with a tranquilizer dart and

and the sinuses around the horns would make surgical treatment easier.

In February 2011, Dr William Fowlds, a wildlife veterinarian, was summoned to a game reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province where Geza, a rhino, had lost its horns to machete-wielding poachers. The rhino was clinging to life.

“In a small clearing enclosed by bush, stood an animal, hardly recognizable as a rhino. His profile completely changed by the absence of those iconic horns attributed to no other species,” Fowlds wrote in an emotional account.

“More nauseating than that, the skull

nose and shoulder area, and she lost hearing in her right ear, according to veterinarians. Despite the heavy injuries, Phila escaped from poachers in both attacks.

Although some bullet fragments could not be removed, she recovered after six months of treatment with antibiotics, as well as a medicinal spray and fly repellent for her wounds. It took another year and a half before her handlers settled on a location in the wild where they thought she would be safe from poachers. Still, Phila’s departure from the zoo was conducted without

publicity because of fears that poachers might infiltrate the zoo or hijack the vehicle transporting her to a game reserve. There are reports of poachers offering more than $1,000 just for a tip about where to find a rhino. In November 2011, the University of Pretoria hosted a workshop for more than 80 veterinarians who discussed the care of injured rhinos, post-mortem methods and the collection of blood samples whose analysis can guide treatment. One research goal is to be able to make hard choices about whether to try to save an injured rhino, or resort to euthanasia.

Facial gouging is not always fatal, but what seem like minor injuries can be. A rhino sedated by poacher darts might lie too long on its side, causing myopathy - or muscle damage because the tremendous weight of the rhino’s body reduces blood flow.

Myopathy can kill rhinos, Cole said.

Frederick Selous a British hunter and conservationist who died in 1917 wrote how rhinos die quickly if shot through both lungs or the upper part of the heart, but said they “will go on to all eternity” if shot from in front, and the bullet only perforates one lung. He also wrote about the elemental role of the horn in the mother-offspring relationship. “A small calf always runs in front of its mother, and she appears to guide it by holding the point of her horn upon the little animal’s rump; and it is perfectly wonderful to note how in all sudden changes of paces, from a trot to a gallop or vice versa, the same position is always exactly maintained.”

This month, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a South Africa-based conservation group, said it was recently called to help rescue a 2-month-old rhino that lost its mother to poachers and suffered 18 deep lacerations on her face. The group believes the gang slashed at the baby, whose horns have not yet grown out, because it tried to return to its dead mother while they were removing its horn. —AP

China working age population falls BEIJING: China’s working-age population declined for the first time in recent decades in 2012, the government said yesterday, as it detailed the extent of the demographic time bomb the country faces.

China introduced its controversial one-child policy in the late 1970s to control population growth, but its people are now ageing, moving to the cities, and increasingly male, government statistics showed.

The world’s biggest national population rose by 6.7 million in 2012 to 1.354 billion people, excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Almost 118 boys were born for every 100 girls.

The working-age population-defined as those from 15 to 59 — fell by 3.45 million to 937 million, adding to concerns about how the country will provide for the elderly, with 194 million people now 60 or over.

It was the first absolute drop in the working-age population in “a considerable period of time”, said National Bureau of Statistics director Ma Jiantang, adding that he expected it to “fall steadily at least through 2030”.

China’s wealth gap and population imbalances are major concerns for the ruling Communist Party, which places huge importance on preserving social stability to avoid any potential challenge to its grip on power.

Hundreds of protests break out across China every year, sparked by a wide range of social issues, including wage disputes and rural workers being denied residents’ rights in cities.

China’s urban population rose to 712 million, up 21 million on the previous year and adding to the strains on public services, while the rural population fell 14 million to 642 million.

Average per capita income was 26,959 yuan ($4,296) in the cities, compared to 7,917 yuan in the countryside, the statistics said. —AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS

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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

Greetings

TIMES REALTY INDIA - 2013 Ramada Hotel - Kuwait I May you have All the joy your heart can hold, All the smiles a day can bring, All the blessings a life can unfold, May you get the World’s best in everything.

Wishing u a very very !!!!Happy Birthday!!!!

Wishes from your loving PAPA & AMMIJI

Announcements

Arabic courses

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WARE will begin Winter 1 Arabic language courses with new textbooks and curricula on from December 2, 2012 until January 24, 2013. AWARE Arabic language courses are designed with the expat in mind. The environment is relaxed & courses are designed for those wanting to learn Arabic for travel, cultural understanding, and conducting business or simply to become more involved in the community. For more information or registration, please log-on to our website.

India - Flag Hoisting Ceremony

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n 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 Saturday, January 26, 2013. This will be followed by the reading of the message of Honorable President of India by the Ambassador, singing of patriotic songs, and an Open House Reception. All Indian nationals in Kuwait are cordially invited to attend the Ceremony.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

f you have been planning to invest in India, this is the time to do so; Reputed builders across India will showcase their properties at TIMES REALTY INDIA -2013 event to be held on 18th & 19th Jan 2013 at Ramada Hotel - Al Riggae - Kuwait.

Events organized by The Times of India Group- The leading media conglomerate, The Times of India Group’s business spam across the print , Television, out of Home , Radio and online space and Mindscape Exhibitions Pvt Ltd -India’s leading Event & Exhibitions Management Group in association with Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) Kochi Mr .Zia Sait - Managing Director Mindscape Exhibitions spoke to media and said India’s Real Estate sector is expected to grow to a USD 180 billion industry by the year 2020 as per the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). With rising urban population and a growing economy driven by a growing services sector, the fundamentals for the growth of the Indian Real estate industry are strong.

With the Real Estate sector opening up for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2005, several foreign and domestic funds have invested in Indian Real Estate sector.

Until 2010 nearly 27% of all the PE investments made in India were in the Real Estate and Infrastructure sector.

Traditionally Indian Real Estate sector was dominated by regional players with limited expertise and sources of funding. But today, various channels of financing are available to the sector like PE funds, External Commercial Borrowings (ECB), Qualified Institutional Placements (QIP), Initial Public offering (IPO) and offshore listing to name a few. Also, the presence of foreign funds in the Indian market and strict regulation by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), transparency levels have increased in this previously unorganized sector. This has also brought in the much required stream-lined approach towards construction and project delivery.

On the demand side, the Net Employment Outlook for Q3 2012 remains positive as per HR Consultancy firm Manpower. Employers in all four regions and across all sectors expect their payrolls to increase in Q3 2012.Several technology firms have announced their expansion plans in the southern cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai in 2013. Key companies that have announced their expansion plan in these cities include Facebook, Amazon, and AMD, Intuit and Xerox.

Office: Commercial office space market in India is driven by the services sector. IT/ ITeS, BFSI, manufacturing, media and telecom industries are some of the industries that have contributed significantly to office space absorption in the past decade. The office market has evolved significantly in the last decades. The total office stock in the seven major cities1 is pegged at 270 million sqft. Close to 55 million sqft of office space is under construction in the seven major cities in India and is expected to enter the market by 2013. Tier I cities namely Bangalore, Delhi NCR and Mumbai will contribute to majority of the absorption.

Pre-leasing activities have been high during 2012 due to

Seven major cities include: Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata.consolidation activities of large corporations in Tier I cities in India. Companies are also opting for the built-to suit option as in the case of Goldman Sachs deal in Bangalore.

This quarter also saw several companies opting for the purchase option as valuations are attractive as in the case of Citi in Mumbai.

With an increase in office space absorption over the last two years rental and capital values are appreciating in almost all cities. The strongest market for office spaces is Bangalore which has recorded the maximum absorption in the last two years. With steady demand and restrained supply rental values are likely to remain stable across micro-markets in most cities.

Retail: Mumbai and Delhi NCR have been the forerunners in the development of the organized retail real estate in India. These two cities account for more than 70% of the retail stock in the country. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune are now witnessing high activity in organized retail segment. Post the financial crisis the retail sector has laid emphasis on good mall management and various revenue sharing models have been introduced. Retailers are now focusing on leasing space in superior grade malls.

The first half of 2012 saw limited supply (1.65 million sqft) of mall space in the major cities with majority of the supply in Bangalore. The year 2011 saw the completion of nearly 14 million sqft of mall space in the seven major

— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat cities. As a result of such large supply, several developers have deferred completion of under construction malls this year in order to maintain demand-supply equilibrium.

Also with the uncertainties in the macro-economic conditions and business sentiment retailers are watchful about their expansion plans. Therefore both supply as well as absorption has been restrained thereby keeping the rents stable in most cities. Tier I cities are witnessing absorption in superior grade malls. This has led to retailers willing to pay a premium for space in good quality malls due to a shortage of such spaces. No consensus has been reached on the proposal allowing 51% FDI in multi-brand retail, but a positive response is expected in the short-term.

Residential: Residential sector contributes to more than 80% of the Real Estate sector. This sector also contributes to 5-6% of the India’s GDP. While the real estate recovery in India post the global economic recession was driven by the residential sector. The residential sector currently has varied formats catering to different buyers falling under various income levels. Capital values are increasing steadily in most cities with some cities like Mumbai witnessing a strong price increase. RBI’s decision to shift focus from reigning inflation to easing liquidity in Q1 2012 is expected to be beneficial to the residential sector. However, there is a severe shortage for affordable housing units for people in the lowest income bracket.

The government is taking steps at the policy level to encourage private sector participation in the affordable housing sector.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Paragon Bulgaria Operations Manager to head Paragon Kuwait

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department.

All processing of visas and immigration matters in conducted by The Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VFS) immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office); Tel: +971 4 355 1958 (VFS) - +971 4 508 7200 (Visa Office); Fax: +971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). In Kuwait applications can be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre 4B 1st Floor, Al-Banwan Building Al-Qibla Area, Ali Al-Salem Street, opposite the Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Working hours and days: 09:30 - 17:30; Sunday - Thursday. Or visit their website www.vfs-au-gcc-com for more information. Kuwait citizens can apply for tourist visas on-line at www.immi.gov.au/e visa/e676.htm.

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Ivan Totev

Diana George

Louai Alasfahani he internationally awarded branding agency, Paragon Marketing Communications; celebrated for innovative and disruptive work shaking up the industry, has kicked off its New Year by locally infusing new blood throughout its agency ranks coupled with top management restructuring in the Paragon independent network as Ivan Totev Paragon’s Bulgaria operations manager takes the helm at Paragon Kuwait while his predecessor Diana George leads Paragon Oman. Marzouq Jassem Al Marzouq and Louai Alasfahani both remain as founding partner/chair-

man and founding partner/chief creative officer respectively.

Ivan Totev launched his carrier as a copywriter and swiftly honed his skills at international agencies in Bulgaria such as: Bates, Ogilvy&Mather and Saatchi&Saatchi, where he held the position of managing director prior to joining Paragon, the fastest growing independent agency in the region. Ivan’s rich experience extends beyond the telecom, retail, financial and FMCG sectors which he is most passionate about having worked for the last 15 years for some of the Balkan’s (Eastern European) mega

Marzooq J Al Marzooq

brands in his specialized fields of integrated marketing communications, branding, new business development and consultancy.

Ivan stated, ‘’Kuwait’s local advertising industry is highly developed yet highly price sensitive; a fact that continues to fascinate thereby propelling Paragon’s upward trajectory through deep understanding of its client’s brand-values, markets, competitors and delivering more than just creative designs as advertising solutions but equally important, campaigns that have measurable results and real direct impact on business profits

through pushing sales upwards’’. He added, “Paragon’s lead position is maintained by fuelling its creative renaissance by utilizing graphic design as a business strategy in an independent network corporate culture operating in three markets namely Kuwait, Bulgaria and Oman with plans to expand to other GCC countries in the very near future”.

Both Ivan Totev and Louai Alasfahani had the privilege of being mentored by Misa Lukic - President of the Management Board & Co-owner at MMS Communications/Publicis Group Serbia (Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi).

Winners of My McDonald’s Smart Phone Competition - Week 1

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EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassyof Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada†should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca†or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-imenquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00†until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday.

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EMBASSY OF KENYA The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform the Kenyan community residents throughout Kuwait and the general public that the Embassy has acquired new office telephone numbers as follows: 25353982, 25353985 - Consular’s enquiries 25353987 - Fax Our Email address: info@kenyaembkuwait.com.

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Zhabdal

Abdul-Samad

Yaaqub Al-Houli

Week 1 winners for My McDonald’s are: (from left to right) Zhabdal, Abdul-Samad and Yaaqub Al-Houli “My Mcdonald’s” is a one month photography contest which started on the 10th January 2013 and will run until 26th January 2013. The competition, which is open to all individuals in the State of Kuwait, is a platform to showcase creativity and talent in photography using either smart-phones or digital cameras to capture what the McDonald’s brand means to them. For full rules and regulations please visit: http://www.mcdonaldsarabia.com/kuwait/en/home.html

IES celebrates national math year

EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy has moved its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, Al-Salaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location. Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, email:myankuwait11@gmai1.com.

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EMBASSY OF NIGERIA The Nigerian embassy has its new office in Mishref. Block 3, Street 7, House 4. For enquires please call 25379541. Fax25387719. Email- nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or nigeriankuwait@yahoo.co.uk.

I

ndian Educational School (Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan), Kuwait organized a Mathematics Exhibition on Wednesday, 9th January 2013, to celebrate the National Year of Mathematics to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the Indian Mathematics wizard Dr. Srinivasa Ramanujan, as it was declared by the Prime Minster of India Dr. Manmohan Singh.

The proceedings of the day began with the recitation of the verses from the Holy Qur’an, a prayer in English followed by the lighting of the Ceremonious Lamp. The Lamp was lit by the Principal T. Premkumar, Vice Principal Lalitha Premkumar, HoD of Mathematics(Senior Section) Beena Krishna, HoD of Science and Math (Primary Section) Vinita Maheshwari and other Math teachers. The privilege to extend welcome to all the guests of the day was vested in the Deputy Cultural Secretary, Miss Alishba John.

Beena Krishna briefed the gathering about the importance, and amazing hidden benefits of Math and various competitions that were held in connection with the National Year of Mathematics. The exhibition also proved to be an auspicious day for the release of the “Mathematics News Letter” designed by Daksh of class 11, and the logo designed by Arjun Sadananda of class 10. The logo was the one chosen to be the best among the several entries received by the Math Department.

T. Premkumar in his inaugural speech enlightened the children on the life history and accomplishments of Ramanujan and wished them all success in their attempt to attain expertise in the field of Mathematics.

Ramachandran Menon, Chairman, Bhavan Group of Schools, Middle East, got impressed with the exhibits and showered his words of blessings on them.

Master David of class VII, a young genius of Bhavans, then demonstrated his skill by solving the Rubik’s Cube in just 45 seconds. Another young genius Master Ryan of class II entertained the audience with a poem on multiplication table of 8.

The occasion unfurled the saga of accolade and achievements accomplished by Bhavanites in the second level of National Mathematics Olympiad and numerous other competitions like Logo Making (classes 9 - 10), Poster Designing (classes 7 - 8) and Chart Making (classes 5 - 6). 72 proud gold medallists in the National Mathematics Olympiad of Bhavans were adorned with medals by the Principal and the Vice Principal in the Prize Distribution Ceremony. Honours were bestowed on the virtuosic wunderkinds at Bhavans for their outstanding endeavours, and were ardently approbated by the audience.

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EMBASSY OF PERU The Embassy of Peru is located in Sharq, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Al Arabiya Tower, 6th Floor. Working days / hours: SundayThursday /9 am - 4 pm. Residents in Kuwait interested in getting a visa to travel to Peru and companies attracted to invest in Peru are invited to visit the permanent exposition room located in the Embassy. For more information, please contact: (+965) 22267250/1.

Seminar on Islamic Banking & Finance

“T

he AWARE Center cordially invites you to its diwaniya presentation entitled, “Islamic Banking & Finance: An Introduction to Riba ‘interest or usury’,” (Part One)

by TA. Omar N. AlHussainan on Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 at 7 pm.

This presentation aims at giving you an introduction to Islamic Banking and Finance from Riba’s (interest or usury) perspective. In the presentation, Omar will underline the key principles of Islamic banking, contrasts between the conventional banking system and the Islamic banking, define the variants of Riba and explain the Islamic rational for the prohibiting ‘Riba.’ Yet, he will describe riba from the Holy Quran, Sunnah (sayings, acts and approvals of Prophet Mohamamad (PBUH) and the economical perception.

Omar N. AlHussainan is a certified Islamic finance analyst and an Islamic banking and finance academic. He wrote research papers on “How Islamic is Islamic Banking?”, “Cross-country comparison of regulation on ownership characteristics and capital issues” and others within the Islamic Banking and Finance field. He graduated from one of the top research universities in the United Kingdom, Bangor University, Wales.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

00:20 Karina: Wild On Safari 00:50 Untamed & Uncut 01:45 Killer Crocs 02:35 Animal Cops Philadelphia 03:25 Wildest Latin America 04:15 Bad Dog 05:05 Karina: Wild On Safari 05:55 Animal Cops Philadelphia 06:45 Wildest Latin America 07:35 Wildlife SOS 08:00 Meerkat Manor 08:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 09:15 Crocodile Hunter 10:10 Weird Creatures With Nick Baker 11:05 Monkey Life 11:30 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 12:00 Natural Born Hunters 12:25 The Really Wild Show 12:55 Wildest Latin America 13:50 Mutant Planet 14:45 Mutant Planet 15:40 Shamwari: A Wild Life 16:35 Wildlife SOS 17:30 Too Cute!

18:25 My Cat From Hell 19:20 Call Of The Wildman 20:15 Gator Boys 21:10 Attack Of The Giant Jellyfish 22:05 Wildest Latin America 23:00 Untamed China With Nigel Marven 23:55 Great White: The Impossible Shot

01:15 Come Dine With Me: South Africa 02:05 Antiques Roadshow 06:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 07:50 Antiques Roadshow 08:40 Trish’s Mediterranean Kitchen 09:00 Trish’s Mediterranean Kitchen 09:25 Rhodes Across The Caribbean 10:10 Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes 11:00 Eating In The Sun 11:30 Eating In The Sun 12:00 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again 12:25 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again 12:50 10 Years Younger 13:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 15:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 16:20 DIY SOS 16:50 DIY SOS 17:20 Bargain Hunt 20:20 Come Dine With Me 21:10 Come Dine With Me 22:00 Vacation Vacation Vacation 22:25 Vacation Vacation Vacation 22:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials

00:00 BBC World News 00:30 Dateline London 01:00 BBC World News 01:10 The Art Of Spain 02:00 BBC World News 02:10 World Features 02:30 Middle East Business Report 03:00 BBC World News 03:10 World Features 03:30 Equestrian World 04:00 BBC World News 04:30 Dateline London 05:00 BBC World News 06:30 Newsnight 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 Click 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 India Business Report 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 Fast Track 10:00 BBC World News 10:10 World Features 10:30 Equestrian World 11:00 BBC World News 11:10 World Features 11:30 Dateline London 12:00 BBC World News 12:10 Have You Heard From Johannesburg?

13:00 13:10 14:00 14:10 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:15 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:30 20:00 20:10 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:15 22:30

BBC World News The Art Of Spain BBC World News World Features Newsnight BBC World News The Culture Show BBC World News Sport Today Click BBC World News Horizons BBC World News India Business Report BBC World News The Art Of Spain BBC World News The Ideas Exchange BBC World News Sport Today Equestrian World

00:20 00:45 01:10 01:35 02:00 02:25 02:50 03:15 03:40 04:00 04:20 04:45 05:10 05:35 06:00 06:25 07:00 07:20 07:45 08:10 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:40 09:55 10:10 10:25 10:50 11:05 11:30 11:55 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 14:00 14:50 15:15 15:40 16:30 16:55 17:20 18:10 19:00 19:30 19:55 20:20 20:45 21:00 21:25 21:50 22:15 22:40 23:05 23:30 23:55

Yogi’s Treasure Hunt Duck Dodgers Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Dastardly And Muttley Popeye Wacky Races Scooby Doo Where Are You! The Flintstones The Jetsons What’s New Scooby Doo? Taz-Mania The Looney Tunes Show Tom & Jerry Tales Johnny Bravo Moomins Dexter’s Laboratory What’s New Scooby Doo? Taz-Mania Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Tom & Jerry Tales The Garfield Show Baby Looney Tunes Bananas In Pyjamas Cartoonito Tales Ha Ha Hairies Jelly Jamm Gerald McBoing Boing Pink Panther & Pals Moomins Tom & Jerry Tales Dexter’s Laboratory Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Taz-Mania The Looney Tunes Show Tom & Jerry The Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals Pink Panther And Pals Tom & Jerry Tales Taz-Mania Taz-Mania Johnny Bravo Dexter’s Laboratory Looney Tunes Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Taz-Mania The Looney Tunes Show Tom & Jerry The Garfield Show Pink Panther And Pals What’s New Scooby-Doo? Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Puppy In My Pocket The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop The Addams Family Droopy: Master Detective

00:40 Chowder 01:30 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 02:20 Foster’s Home For...

02:45 Foster’s Home For...

03:10 Courage The Cowardly Dog 04:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 04:25 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 04:50 Adventure Time 05:15 The Powerpuff Girls 05:40 Generator Rex 06:05 Ben 10 06:55 Angelo Rules 07:00 Casper’s Scare School 08:00 Grim Adventures Of...

08:45 Total Drama Island

09:10 Total Drama Island 09:35 Transformers Prime 09:55 Level Up 10:15 Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge 10:35 Ben 10: Omniverse 11:00 Thundercats 11:25 Mucha Lucha 11:50 Regular Show 12:40 The Amazing World Of Gumball 13:05 Adventure Time 13:30 Johnny Test 14:20 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 15:10 Total Drama Island 16:00 Level Up 16:50 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 17:40 Young Justice 18:30 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 19:20 Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge 19:45 The Amazing World Of Gumball 20:10 Adventure Time 20:35 Regular Show 21:00 Mucha Lucha 21:25 Total Drama Island 22:15 Grim Adventures Of...

23:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 23:50 The Powerpuff Girls

00:15 02:30 03:00 03:25 03:55 04:20 04:50 05:15 05:40 06:05 06:35 07:00 07:50 08:45 09:40 10:30 11:25 12:20 14:35 16:25 16:55 19:10 20:05 21:00 21:30 21:55 Story 23:45

00:10 00:35 01:25 02:15 03:05 03:55 04:45 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:40 07:05 07:30 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:10 09:35 10:00 10:25 10:50 11:15 12:35 12:55 13:20 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 16:40 17:00 18:25 18:45 20:05 20:25 20:40

Auction Kings How Stuff Works How It’s Made How Stuff Works How It’s Made How Stuff Works How It’s Made How Stuff Works How It’s Made How Stuff Works How It’s Made Fast N’ Loud One Car Too Far Wheeler Dealers Gold Rush Deadliest Catch Gold Divers How It’s Made Auction Kings Auction Kings Border Security Mythbusters Mythbusters Magic Of Science Time Warp Costa Concordia: The Whole Around The World In 80 Ways

Stitch A Kind Of Magic Replacements Emperor’s New School A Kind Of Magic Replacements Emperor’s New School A Kind Of Magic Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Handy Manny Suite Life On Deck A.N.T Farm Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Prankstars Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Jessie Austin And Ally A.N.T Farm Gravity Falls Starstruck Jessie Wizards Of Waverly Place Suite Life On Deck Good Luck Charlie Gravity Falls Phineas And Ferb Prankstars Shake It Up A.N.T Farm Read It And Weep Prankstars Starstruck Austin And Ally Prankstars Prankstars

20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:30 22:55 Cody 23:20 Cody 23:45

A.N.T. Farm Jessie Jessie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie The Suite Life Of Zack And The Suite Life Of Zack And

Behind The Scenes Behind The Scenes E! News A-List Listings Giuliana & Bill Ice Loves Coco Ice Loves Coco Opening Act Opening Act

Stitch

00:20 Little Einsteins 00:50 Special Agent Oso 01:05 Special Agent Oso 01:15 Lazytown 01:40 Jungle Junction 01:55 Jungle Junction 02:10 Handy Manny 02:20 Handy Manny 02:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:55 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 03:00 Lazytown 03:25 Special Agent Oso 03:50 Imagination Movers 04:15 Handy Manny 04:40 Special Agent Oso 05:00 Timmy Time 05:10 Lazytown 05:35 Little Einsteins 06:00 Jungle Junction 06:30 Little Einsteins 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Jungle Junction 07:30 Jungle Junction 07:45 Handy Manny 08:00 Special Agent Oso 08:15 Jungle Junction 08:30 Little Einsteins 08:55 Lazytown 09:20 Imagination Movers 09:45 Timmy Time 09:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:20 The Hive 10:30 Doc McStuffins 10:45 Zou 11:00 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:15 Animated Stories 11:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 11:45 Art Attack 12:10 The Adventures Of Disney Fairies 12:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:00 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 13:10 Timmy Time 13:20 The Hive 13:30 Doc McStuffins 14:00 Zou 14:15 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 14:30 Mouk 14:45 Jungle Junction 15:00 Handy Manny 15:15 Animated Stories 15:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 15:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 16:05 The Hive 16:20 Mouk 16:35 Zou 16:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 17:20 Doc McStuffins 17:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:10 The Adventures Of Disney Fairies 19:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:00 Animated Stories 20:05 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 20:25 Doc McStuffins 20:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:10 Zou 21:25 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 21:30 Mouk 21:45 Handy Manny 22:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:25 The Hive 22:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 23:00 Timmy Time 23:10 Animated Stories 23:15 A Poem Is...

23:20 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 23:30 Jungle Junction

00:00 Programmes Start At 7:00am KSA 07:00 Pokemon: BW Rival Destinies 07:25 Rated A For Awesome 07:45 Phineas And Ferb 07:55 Phineas And Ferb 08:10 Almost Naked Animals 08:35 Lab Rats 09:00 Ultimate Spider-Man 09:30 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 09:55 Kickin It 10:20 Phineas And Ferb 10:45 Pair Of Kings 11:10 Mr. Young 11:35 Scaredy Squirrel 12:00 Slugterra 12:30 Zeke & Luther 13:00 Wendy Wu 14:35 My Babysitter’s A Vampire 15:00 My Babysitter’s A Vampire 15:25 Scaredy Squirrel 15:50 Lab Rats 16:15 Slugterra 16:40 Mr. Young 17:05 Almost Naked Animals 17:30 Kickin It 17:55 Pair Of Kings 18:20 Scaredy Squirrel 20:00 My Babysitter’s A Vampire 20:25 Zeke & Luther 20:50 Mr. Young 21:15 Phineas And Ferb 21:25 Phineas And Ferb 21:40 Iron Man Armored Adventures

THE LADYKILLERS ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY

17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:30

00:00 Opening Act 00:55 Style Star 01:25 THS 04:10 E!es 05:05 Extreme Close-Up 06:00 THS 07:50 Behind The Scenes 08:20 E! News 09:15 Extreme Close-Up 10:15 E!es 11:10 Opening Act 12:05 E! News 13:05 Married To Jonas 14:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 15:00 THS 16:00 Fashion Police

00:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 01:30 Heat Seekers 01:55 Iron Chef America 02:45 Chopped 03:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:50 United Tastes Of America 05:15 Unique Eats 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Iron Chef America 07:10 Unwrapped 07:35 Unwrapped 08:00 Iron Chef America 08:50 Kid In A Candy Store 09:15 Unwrapped 09:40 United Tastes Of America 10:05 Barefoot Contessa - Specials 10:55 Cooking For Real 11:20 All Star Healthy Makeover 12:10 United Tastes Of America 12:35 Unwrapped 13:00 Iron Chef America 13:50 Tyler’s Ultimate 14:15 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 14:40 Everyday Italian 15:05 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 15:30 All Star Healthy Makeover 16:20 United Tastes Of America 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Barefoot Contessa - Specials 18:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 19:15 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 19:40 Tyler’s Ultimate 20:05 Guy’s Big Bite 20:30 Chopped 21:20 The Next Iron Chef 22:10 Food Network Challenge 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:50 Unwrapped

00:15 I Married A Mobster 00:40 Evil, I 01:30 Ghost Lab 02:20 Dr. G: Medical Examiner 03:05 Blood Relatives 03:55 I Married A Mobster 04:20 I Married A Mobster 04:45 Evil, I 05:30 Ghost Lab 06:20 Dr. G: Medical Examiner 07:10 Disappeared 08:00 Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries 08:50 Street Patrol 09:40 Real Emergency Calls 10:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

10:30 On The Case With Paula Zahn 11:20 Undercover 12:10 Disappeared 13:00 Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries 13:50 Street Patrol 14:40 Forensic Detectives 15:30 On The Case With Paula Zahn 16:20 Real Emergency Calls 16:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

17:10 Undercover 18:00 Disappeared 18:50 Forensic Detectives 19:40 Street Patrol 20:05 On The Case With Paula Zahn 20:55 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 21:20 Nightmare Next Door 22:10 Couples Who Kill 23:00 Reel Crime/Real Story 23:50 I Almost Got Away With It

00:15 Deadliest Journeys 00:45 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 01:40 On Hannibal Trail 02:05 Finding Genghis 02:35 Ultimate Traveller 03:30 Exploring The Vine 03:55 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 04:25 Street Food Around The World 04:50 Market Values 05:20 Amish: Out of Order 06:15 On Surfari 06:40 On Surfari 07:10 Don’t Tell My Mother 08:05 Don’t Tell My Mother 08:30 Don’t Tell My Mother 09:00 Deadliest Journeys 09:25 Deadliest Journeys 10:50 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 11:45 On Hannibal Trail 12:10 Finding Genghis 12:40 Ultimate Traveller 13:35 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 14:00 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 14:30 Street Food Around The World 14:55 Market Values 15:25 Cruise Ship Diaries 16:20 Don’t Tell My Mother 17:15 Deadliest Journeys 17:40 Deadliest Journeys 18:10 Deadliest Journeys 18:35 Deadliest Journeys 19:05 Amish: Out of Order 20:00 On Surfari 20:30 On Surfari 21:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 22:00 Nomads 22:55 Food School 23:20 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 23:50 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1

00:00 01:00 01:55 02:50 03:45 04:40 05:35 06:30

Animal Intervention Ultimate Animal Countdown The Living Edens Ultimate Animal Countdown Planet Carnivore Animal Intervention The Incredible Dr. Pol Dangerous Encounters With

COWBOYS & ALIENS ON OSN MOVIES HD Brady Barr 07:25 Animal Fugitives 08:20 Wild Case Files 09:15 Snake Wranglers 09:40 Snake Wranglers 10:10 Fish Tank Kings 11:05 Kingdom of The Oceans 12:00 Monster Fish 13:00 Wild Alaska 14:00 Ultimate Animal Countdown 15:00 Planet Carnivore 16:00 Ultimate Predators GPU 17:00 Lion Battle Zone 18:00 Wild Case Files 19:00 Monster Fish 20:00 Wild Alaska 21:00 Ultimate Animal Countdown 22:00 Planet Carnivore 23:00 Ultimate Predators GPU

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 07:45 09:45 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

The Last Exorcism-18 Army Of Darkness-18 Dad Savage-PG15 And Soon The Darkness-PG15 The Rocketeer-PG15 Jackie Chan’s Who Am I?-PG15 Rage Of The Yeti-PG15 The Rocketeer-PG15 True Justice: Dead Drop-PG15 Rage Of The Yeti-PG15 Monsters-PG15 The Heavy-18

01:00 PG15 03:00 PG15 05:00 06:45 09:00 PG15 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:15 19:00 21:00 23:00

My Girlfriend’s BoyfriendNothing Like The HolidaysFeed The Fish-PG15 Moneyball-PG15 My Girlfriend’s BoyfriendHoney 2-PG15 33 Postcards-PG15 Another Year-PG15 Ways To Live Forever-PG15 Larry Crowne-PG15 The Inbetweeners-18 I’m Still Here-PG15

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:30 The Ricky Gervais Show 03:00 Last Man Standing 04:00 Brothers 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Til Death 06:00 Samantha Who? 06:30 Seinfeld 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Brothers 08:30 Last Man Standing 09:00 Til Death 09:30 Samantha Who? 10:00 How I Met Your Mother 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Seinfeld 12:30 Brothers 13:00 Til Death 13:30 Samantha Who? 15:00 How I Met Your Mother 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Seinfeld 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Last Man Standing 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Two And A Half Men 20:30 Breaking In 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Angry Boys 22:30 American Dad 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 06:00 07:00

Criminal Minds C.S.I. Miami Strike Back Breakout Kings Boardwalk Empire Good Morning America Royal Pains

08:00 08:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 23:00

Emmerdale Coronation Street House Royal Pains Criminal Minds Breakout Kings House C.S.I. Miami Live Good Morning America Emmerdale Coronation Street Breakout Kings Eureka The Closer Boardwalk Empire

00:00 07:00 07:30 12:00 12:30 16:00 16:30 18:00 19:00 21:00 22:00

Grimm Emmerdale Coronation Street Emmerdale Coronation Street Emmerdale Coronation Street C.S.I. Breakout Kings The Closer Grimm

00:00 Idle Hands-18 02:00 High Fidelity-PG15 04:00 The Ladykillers-PG15 06:00 It’s Kind Of A Funny StoryPG15 08:00 Scooby-Doo-PG 10:00 The Winning Season-PG15 12:00 The Ladykillers-PG15 14:00 Scooby-Doo! Curse Of The Lake Monster-PG 16:00 The Winning Season-PG15 18:00 Cars 2-FAM 20:00 The Switch-18 22:00 Super-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 PG15 09:00 PG15 11:00 PG15 13:15 15:30 PG15 17:15 19:00 21:00 23:00

True Grit-PG15 Somewhere-18 Life In A Day-PG15 Sunny And The Elephant-

00:00 01:00 03:00 05:00 PG15 07:00 08:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:30 17:15 19:00 21:00 23:00

Into The Wind-PG15 Jack And Jill-PG15 Water For Elephants-PG15 Happythankyoumoreplease-

Jesse Stone: Innocents LostWhen A Man Loves A WomanA L’origine-PG15 Jesse Stone: Innocents LostBackwash-PG15 Burlesque-PG15 The Chorus-PG15 Beautiful Boy-18

The Birth Of Big Air-PG15 Into The Wind-PG15 Senna-PG15 Water For Elephants-PG15 The Help-PG15 Another Earth-PG15 Senna-PG15 My Week With Marilyn-PG15 Crazy, Stupid, Love.-PG15 Cowboys & Aliens-PG15

01:15 The Great Bear-PG 02:45 Twigson-PG 04:15 Turtle Hero: Part I-FAM 06:00 The Fantastic Adventure Of The Ugly Duckling-FAM 08:00 Supertramps-FAM 10:00 Princess Lillifee-FAM 11:30 Turtle Hero: Part I-FAM 13:00 Sammy’s Adventure: The Secret Passage-FAM 14:45 Twigson-PG 16:15 Turtle Hero: Part II-FAM 18:00 Princess Lillifee-FAM 20:00 Rebound-PG 22:00 Sammy’s Adventure: The Secret Passage-FAM 23:45 Turtle Hero: Part II-FAM

00:00 03:00 03:30 06:15 14:30 15:00 17:00 21:00 22:30 23:00

Live European PGA Tour Inside The PGA Tour Live Champions Tour Live ODI Cricket ICC Cricket 360 Rugby Union Challenge Cup Live Snooker Masters The Ryder Cup ICC Cricket 360 Live Snooker Masters

02:00 05:00 07:00 07:30 10:30 11:00 12:00 16:00 16:30 17:30 18:00 21:00 23:00 23:30

Live UFC Prelims Live UFC ICC Cricket 360 Cricket T20 Futbol Mundial Trans World Sport Live PGA European Tour Futbol Mundial WWE Bottom Line NFL Gameday UFC Prelims UFC NFL Gameday Inside the PGA

00:30 Rugby Union European Challenge Cup 02:30 Snooker Masters 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Snooker Masters 11:00 Top 14 Highlights 11:30 Rugby Union European Challenge Cup 13:30 Trans World Sport 14:30 Cricket T20 17:30 Futbol Mundial 18:00 Rugby Union European Challenge Cup 20:00 Trans World Sport 20:30 Cricket T20 23:30 Dubai World Cup Carnival

00:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter The Smashes 01:00 UFC 04:00 UFC Unleashed 05:00 NHL 07:00 WWE Bottom Line 08:00 WWE NXT 09:00 V8 Supercars Highlights 11:00 NHL 13:00 Prizefighter 16:00 WWE SmackDown 18:00 WWE Bottom Line 19:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter The Smashes 20:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter 21:00 WWE Experience 22:00 WWE This Week 22:30 WWE Vintage Collection 23:30 Mobil 1 The Grid

00:00 Pawn Stars 00:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 01:00 Soviet Storm: WWII In The East 02:00 Storage Wars 03:00 Pawn Stars 03:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 04:00 American Pickers 07:00 Soviet Storm: WWII In The East 08:00 Ancient Aliens 10:00 Soviet Storm: WWII In The East 12:00 Pawn Stars 14:00 American Pickers 15:00 UFO Hunters 16:00 WWII: Europe’s Secret Army 17:00 Storage Wars 18:00 Pawn Stars 18:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 19:00 American Pickers 20:00Mankind The Story Of All Of Us 22:00 Ancient Aliens

00:30 Diner 02:20 Rhapsody-FAM 04:15 The Wheeler Dealers-FAM 06:00 Meet Me In St. Louis-FAM 08:00 White Heat-PG 09:50 Rhapsody-FAM 11:45 Young Cassidy-PG 13:35 A Patch Of Blue-PG 15:20 Seven Brides For Seven Brothers-FAM

Classifieds SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

Kuwait

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (17/01/2013 TO 23/01/2013)

SHARQIA-1 PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:15 PM 8:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

SHARQIA-2 ZAMBEZIA (DIG-3D) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-5 DJANGO UNCHAINED DJANGO UNCHAINED DJANGO UNCHAINED DJANGO UNCHAINED DJANGO UNCHAINED NO SUN+TUE+WED

SHARQIA-3 THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

MARINA-1 PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-1 GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:15 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:15 PM 11:45 PM

MARINA-2 CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 12:05 AM

MUHALAB-2 CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-3 TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

MUHALAB-3 DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-1 GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-2 TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) ZAMBEZIA (DIG-3D) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-3 HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) JAB TAK HAI JAAN (DIG) (HINDI) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:15 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-4 CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-1 HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-2 SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 2 GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:45 PM 6:30 PM 9:15 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 3 ZAMBEZIA (DIG-3D) ZAMBEZIA (DIG-3D) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 11:30 PM

360 º- 4 SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

360 º- 5 PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) SAT PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) FRI+SAT PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) NO MON PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:30 PM 11:00 PM

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

360 º- 6 THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:30 PM

AL-KOUT.1 ZAMBEZIA (DIG-3D) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 4:15 PM 7:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.2 HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) PARENTAL GUIDANCE (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

AVENUES-3 CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

AVENUES-4 DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

360 º- 1

THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

AL-KOUT.3 CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM

THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.4 THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) GREAT EXPECTATIONS (DIG) THE IMPOSSIBLE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

BAIRAQ-1 CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

BAIRAQ-2 THE LAST STAND (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) SABOBA (DIG) THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

BAIRAQ-3 DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 5:15 PM 8:15 PM 11:15 PM

PLAZA TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) THU+FRI TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) SAT+MON SEETHAMMA VAKITLO SIRIMALLE CHETTU THU+FRI SABOBA (DIG) NO THU+FRI SABOBA (DIG) TEXAS CHAINSAW (DIG) LAILA THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO THU CHINESE ZODIAC (DIG) NO THU THE LAST STAND (DIG) NO THU DJANGO UNCHAINED (DIG) NO THU AJIAL.1 SAMAR (DIG) (TAMIL) SAMAR (DIG) (TAMIL) SAMAR (DIG) (TAMIL)

3:30 PM 4:45 PM 5:30 PM 6:45 PM

FOR SALE

99072651 / 99527500.

(C 4283) 20-1-2013

Toyota Camry 2004, 4 cylinder, white color, interior and exterior neat and clean, car’s maintenance done by Al Sayer service center, tires and battery new, accident free, original paint, A/C super cool, 174000 km run, price KD 2,300, Contact:

Mitsubishi jeep Outlander model 2012 dark silver colour 4 cylinder engine, km 17,000, 4x4 drive electronic gear (installment possible) cash price KD 3,850. Tel: 66507741.

(C 4282) 16-1-2013

8:45 PM 10:45 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM

3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM

AJIAL.2 SEETHAMMA VAKITLO SIRIMALLE CHETTU 3:30 PM SEETHAMMA VAKITLO SIRIMALLE CHETTU 6:30 PM JAB TAK HAI JAAN (DIG) (HINDI) 9:30 PM AJIAL.3 MATRU KI BIJLEE KA MANDOLA (DIG) (HINDI) 4:00 PM NAAYAK (TELUGU) 7:00 PM KANNA LADDU THINNA AASAIYA (DIG) (TAMIL) 10:00 PM

Prayer timings

Fajr:

05:20

Shorook

06:43

Duhr:

11:59

Asr:

14:56

Maghrib:

17:16

Isha:

18:36

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airlines JAI THY JZR JZR QTR ETH GFA UAE ETD QTR FDB MSR RJA KAC CLX DHX THY JZR BAW KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB ETD GFA IRA FDB IRC JZR MEA MSR UAE KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC KNE SVA SYR QTR JZR KAC

Arrival Flights on Sunday 20/1/2013 Flt Route 574 MUMBAI 772 ISTANBUL 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 148 DOHA 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI 138 DOHA 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 642 AMMAN 544 CAIRO 792 LUXEMBOURG 170 BAHRAIN 770 ISTANBUL 555 ALEXANDRIA 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 352 COCHIN 855 DUBAI 121 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 55 DUBAI 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 603 SHIRAZ 69 DUBAI 6666 AHWAZ 165 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 610 CAIRO 871 DUBAI 382 DELHI 742 DAMMAM 774 RIYADH 57 DUBAI 672 DUBAI 472 JEDDAH 500 JEDDAH 341 DAMASCUS 140 DOHA 561 SOHAG 284 DHAKA

Time 0:30 0:35 0:45 0:50 1:00 1:45 1:50 2:35 2:45 3:00 3:05 3:10 3:15 4:20 4:55 5:15 5:30 6:00 6:40 6:45 7:40 7:45 7:55 8:15 8:25 8:40 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:20 9:55 10:40 10:45 11:10 11:20 11:55 12:45 12:50 12:55 12:55 13:30 13:50 14:10 14:10 14:30 14:40 14:45 14:50 15:10

QTR JZR UAE ETD RJA FDB GFA SVA JZR QTR ABY UAL KAC JZR RBG KAC BAB FDB AFG KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC OMA FDB JAI AXB MSR ABY QTR ALK MEA QTR GFA ETD UAE KAC JZR JAI KAC FDB DHX KLM AIC JZR GFA KAC JZR UAL DLH

134 787 857 303 640 71 215 510 777 144 127 982 542 177 3553 786 438 63 415 166 618 102 674 562 647 61 572 393 606 129 146 229 402 136 221 307 859 172 135 576 514 59 372 417 981 239 217 502 185 981 636

DOHA RIYADH DUBAI ABU DHABI AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH DOHA SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES CAIRO DUBAI ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI KABUL PARIS DOHA NEW YORK DUBAI AMMAN MUSCAT DUBAI MUMBAI KOZHIKODE LUXOR SHARJAH DOHA COLOMBO BEIRUT DOHA BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DUBAI FRANKFURT BAHRAIN COCHIN TEHRAN DUBAI BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM CHENNAI AMMAN BAHRAIN BEIRUT DUBAI BAHRAIN FRANKFURT

15:30 16:10 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:05 17:15 17:20 17:45 17:50 17:55 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:30 18:40 18:45 19:00 19:10 19:20 19:35 19:35 19:55 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:25 20:35 20:45 20:55 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:35 21:40 21:45 21:50 21:55 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:30 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:25 23:55

Airlines AIC AXB BBC UAL DLH JAI KAC ETH THY KAC FDB UAE ETD MSR ACX QTR QTR JZR GFA RJA THY CLX JZR FDB BAW KAC KAC ABY UAE KAC KAC FDB ETD KAC QTR GFA FDB KAC IRA IRC JZR KAC JZR MEA KAC MSR JZR UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Sunday 20/1/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA 390 MANGALORE 44 CHITTAGONG 981 WASHINGTON 637 FRANKFURT 573 MUMBAI 283 DHAKA 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL 381 DELHI 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 8752 CAIRO 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 643 AMMAN 771 ISTANBUL 792 GIALAM 560 SOHAG 54 DUBAI 156 LONDON 171 FRANKFURT 671 DUBAI 122 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 741 DAMMAM 117 NEW YORK 56 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 773 RIYADH 133 DOHA 214 BAHRAIN 70 DUBAI 541 CAIRO 602 SHIRAZ 6667 AHWAZ 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 786 RIYADH 405 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 611 CAIRO 176 DUBAI 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI

Time 0:05 0:15 1:00 1:10 1:20 1:30 2:25 2:45 2:55 3:15 3:45 3:50 4:00 4:10 4:45 4:50 6:05 6:55 7:00 7:05 7:35 8:15 8:15 8:25 8:45 9:10 9:35 9:45 9:55 9:55 10:00 10:00 10:05 10:05 10:30 10:40 11:25 11:30 11:40 12:10 12:15 12:20 12:55 12:55 13:00 13:45 13:50 14:15 14:30

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

KAC KAC KNE SYR SVA KAC QTR KAC JZR ETD KAC JZR QTR UAE RJA FDB GFA JZR SVA ABY JZR QTR RBG JZR UAL FDB BAB AFG FDB OMA JAI AXB ABY MSR DHX ALK MEA ETD QTR GFA KAC FDB UAE JAI KAC KAC DHX KLM QTR KAC JZR GFA KAC KAC

561 673 473 342 503 617 141 501 238 304 513 538 135 858 641 72 216 184 511 128 266 145 3554 134 982 64 439 415 62 648 571 394 120 619 171 230 403 308 137 222 301 60 860 575 351 205 373 417 147 343 502 218 411 415

AMMAN DUBAI JEDDAH DAMASCUS MADINAH DOHA DOHA BEIRUT AMMAN ABU DHABI TEHRAN CAIRO DOHA DUBAI AMMAN DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI RIYADH SHARJAH BEIRUT DOHA ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN JEDDAH DUBAI MUSCAT MUMBAI KOZHIKODE SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI DOHA BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI KOCHI KOCHI ISLAMABAD BAHRAIN DAMMAM DOHA CHENNAI LUXOR BAHRAIN BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR

14:30 15:05 15:10 15:40 15:45 15:45 16:15 17:05 17:15 17:35 17:40 17:40 17:45 17:50 17:55 17:55 18:15 18:30 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:50 19:00 19:05 19:10 19:25 19:30 20:00 20:40 20:55 21:10 21:15 21:15 21:25 21:50 21:55 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 22:55 23:00 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:15 23:35 23:50 23:55 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 75

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES Perhaps a quiet day has created a lull in your imagination just now. Your path of self-development and expression may become more and more unusual—setting you apart from the crowd. Communication technologies interest you as well as medical technologies. Grants, job searches and creating your own business are options you may consider. The new, the futuristic, the high tech are the things that spur your imagination and move you into being inventive. Soon, a major new focus in your life will be ideas and technologies that change the lives of people, not just one person. If you need more education, you will dedicate yourself in returning to school. If you are considering a move, consider a city near a large river, lake or ocean.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) More friends and more neighborhood involvement than usual this weekend find you caught up with games of trivia as well as the latest news on family members. It is fun to be kept abreast of the news and others appreciate your interest as well. You will want to work on your living conditions. This may mean changing the filters or finding the source of a draft. You may decide to plan a garden for the spring—take this in little steps. If you have never had a garden—start small. You may even get each family member to be responsible for his or her own square of land. Of course, plans could be made toward this endeavor but weather may not permit preparation for a time. A book signing at a bookstore near you may be fun this evening.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. Thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord.

4. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret.

11. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells.

15. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

16. Relating to or like or divided into areolae.

17. Any property detected by the olfactory system.

18. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

19. Norwegian explorer of the Arctic and director of the League of Nations relief program for refugees of World War I (1861-1930).

21. Partially clothed.

24. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric.

27. Covered with paving material.

31. Green turtles.

35. The ending of a series or sequence.

36. A Loloish language.

38. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neutralizing.

39. (British) An open river valley (in a hilly area).

40. United States swimmer who in 1926 became the first woman to swim the English Channel (1903- ).

43. Relating to or containing the azo radical.

45. Lower in esteem.

46. A garment that covers the head and face.

47. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another proposition.

49. An independent group of closely related Chadic languages spoken in the area between the Biu-Mandara and East Chadic languages.

51. The sign language used in the United States.

54. A radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons.

55. An Iranian language spoken in Pakistan and Iran and Afghanistan and Russia and the Persian gulf.

61. Genus of western United States annuals with showy yellow or white flowers.

62. Hungarian choreographer who developed Labanotation (1879-1958).

65. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

68. Electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field.

69. A diacritical mark (two dots) placed over a vowel in German to indicate a change in sound.

72. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

73. Mature female of mammals of which the male is called `buck'.

74. A learner who is enrolled in an educational institution.

75. The use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images.

76. The compass point midway between northeast and east.

77. A mountain peak in south central Sri Lanka (7,360 feet high).

78. Not divisible by two.

DOWN 1. By bad luck.

2. A narrow way or road.

3. A fraudulent business scheme.

4. A Dravidian language spoken in southern India.

5. A river that rises in northern Colombia and flows generally eastward to the Orinoco in cen-

tral Venezuela.

6. A circular segment of a curve.

7. Indian physicist who with Albert Einstein proposed statistical laws based on the indistinguishability of particles.

8. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer.

9. A local computer network for communication between computers.

10. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

11. Southeastern Asian tree producing large fruits resembling grapefruits.

12. The sixth month of the civil year.

13. Consisting of or made up of bone.

14. An elaborate song for solo voice.

20. A translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color.

22. An iconic mental representation.

23. Any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all.

25. Tropical trees having papery leaves and large fruit.

26. Drought-resistant Asiatic treelike shrub bearing pleasantly acid small red edible fruits commonly used in sherbets.

28. Affect with wonder.

29. A cavity in the mesoderm of an embryo that gives rise in humans to the pleural cavity and pericardial cavity and peritoneal cavity.

30. A woman of refinement.

32. Greek mythology.

33. Relating to or being within or near the inner side or limit.

34. Spider monkeys.

37. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

41. The branch of engineering science that studies the uses of electricity and the equipment for power generation and distribution and the control of machines and communication.

42. Sacred text of Zoroastrianism.

44. A mountain range in the northwestern United States extending through Washington and Oregon and northern California.

48. Any of a group of antidepressant drugs that inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase in the brain and so allow monoamines to accumulate.

50. Japanese ornamental tree with fragrant white or pink blossoms and small yellow fruits.

52. A gonadotropic hormone that is secreted by the anterior pituitary.

53. (Old Testament) A youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC).

56. American professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934).

57. A school for students intermediate between elementary school and college.

58. The part of the small intestine between the jejunum and the cecum.

59. Follower of Rastafarianism.

60. The mission in San Antonio where in 1836 Mexican forces under Santa Anna besieged and massacred American rebels who were fighting to make Texas independent of Mexico.

63. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

64. Any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae.

66. One of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes.

67. Lacking sufficient water or rainfall.

70. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

71. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring on the sea or ships.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

You have support from others in whatever you want to achieve. If you are working now, you will find work exciting as new technologies are all around you. You are brimming full of curiosity with an industrious attitude! We certainly live in exciting times and avenues are opening now for you to learn about new technologies, as well as some new healing remedies. This could mean a home show or technical type of show at a convention center in your city. Be wise and pace your activities—if you have made promises—keep them. Wear comfortable shoes today, tend to your automobile, dress for the weather, get plenty of exercise, begin a vitamin regimen and do not take chances with your health care. Your compassion is great.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) If you are a healer or work for a medical service, take time to strengthen your own energies. Good nutritional meals and plenty of breaks from whatever you are doing are very important. Try to say no to new projects when your dance card is already full. If you are really tempted to cram more into your already busy schedule, you could regret the end results. Your path of personal improvement becomes more intense. A subject that you are interested in could gain most of your attention this afternoon. Will you improve communication and respect between the police and the community in your area? Your sense of purpose is enhanced. Tickets to a concert are surprisingly not that hard to obtain and you look forward to the entertainment.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Frustrations hide around every little corner today. Do not take things too seriously—consider the saying: do not sweat the small stuff. Make it a point to meditate at the same time and the same place each day—even if it is only for five minutes. This time will bring about opportunities for you to receive insights and to gain some sort of focus—positive changes magically happen. However, you will have to empty your mind and continue this meditative practice in order to gain continued success. The insights will come little by little. A more positive life is within your reach! The evening is full of the sounds of laughter. You could be a great party planner. Being creative, inventive, good-natured and fun loving is in high demand for this sort of job.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Ideas are all around you for the expression of art. Take advantage of this day and plot out an art plan for the year. You may even receive some big surprises for your efforts. This is a time when your path of self-development and expression becomes more and more unusual—setting you apart from the crowd and from all that is traditional. The new, the advanced and the high tech are the marks of your lifestyle as this part of your life is started. Your creative interest could possibly become a big money maker—if you wanted to turn it into a business. Ideas and technologies that change the way people live all over the country are a major new focus in your life. Commitment with principles and visionary groups enhance your sense of purpose.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) You may perceive how to proceed with some difficult plans. A creative endeavor now can be very successful. You may find it is easy to procrastinate when there are so many activities and events scheduled on your calendar. Thin these out in order to create a better balance—you will be glad you did. Distance yourself from a situation that could be holding you back. Adjustments and fine-tuning relationships are the keys to emotional satisfaction. Harmony and beauty are most satisfying and this is the area in which you and most of us would like to remain; don’t rock the boat, so to speak. Consider inviting your friends to join with you this evening. Good, healthy fun multiplies. The feelings of those around you may be very clear.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) With the chores out of the way, family members may enjoy some of your time to visit and enjoy your company. There is talk of dreams and fantasies. Your intuition is active today. The idea of keeping notes of your psychic or intuitive insights will provide you with a doorway to your private self. Ideas are clear and strong.

This is a time when your inner path of self-development becomes more focused.

Diplomacy may be necessary with young family members as you come together in some sort of participation. There is an expression of love through the way you share your time.

Provide areas of retreat for each member of the family—everyone can have his or her very own private space. A sense of humor and pleasant social gatherings are enjoyable.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) There is a competitive activity among siblings that could air a few frustrations. You can teach control of emotions as well as a few techniques for solving problems if you will remember that you can. There are positive results when you work to help others. Your ideas and your headway in technology may change the way people live—there are positive outcomes. If you are not involved in a group that works to better the community, as well as solidarity between neighbors, you may want to introduce them to some of your ideas. There is backing for a creative venture. You take the time tonight to listen to others and enjoy time with someone you love. General good feeling and a sense of support and harmony makes this a happy and productive time.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) A plea for understanding from a loved one today could bring about some long discussions. Financial problems may seem to loom ahead— rethinking a budget, however, will have positive results. Ideas flow easily and through good communications, you may come up with some successful moneymaking ideas.

Plan a garage sale and consider a part-time job. Parts of this month have been rest, fun and renewal of friendships. Now it is time to mastermind. Your attitude is positive and will help you to avoid future frustrations. This could be a time to make some changes in your environment. You may also discover expenses that are unnecessary. A free health symposium is something you and a friend may plan to attend.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) You hate to let things drop until you have understood all avenues of a situation—you will find clear understanding resulting from your probing questions. You could be lunching with a couple of friends today, enjoying the camaraderie between friends. Take little bites . . . there could be lots of conversation and laughter. Carry that light spirit home with you and you will find this attitude continuing.

You will be writing letters and making phone calls this afternoon. You could be most persuasive with others and compelling in having things go your way—particularly this evening. A good conversation with those you love is possible. You may want to escape into your dreams or do some creative work later this evening. Enjoy this time with your loved ones.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) You find yourself feeling more private and in a stay-at-home mood.

Catching up with unfinished personal business is necessary. The new, the advanced and the high tech world are fascinating to you. Both you and your loved one are interested in the new ways to reach out and communicate—perhaps computers. Be careful that you do not overspend or indulge too much just now. Your community concerns may increase and you are willing to volunteer. There is time to spend with loved ones and family later today—you look forward to building better relationships. A cycle of nostalgia and domesticity begins, emphasizing a need for security and a sense of roots. Pregnancy is possible. Family, home, relatives and real estate begin to play a big part in your life.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

ST TATE T OF KUW K WAIT A

Te el.: 161

DIRECTORA ATE T GENE GENERAL OF CIVIL AV VIA AT TION PARTMENT A METEOROLOGICAL DEP DA AY: Y Saturday

Ext.: 2627 262 - 2630

BY Y DA AY:

Visibility isibil i will improve gradually with light to moderate south easterly wind, with speed of 08 - 28 km/h

BY Y NIGHT:

Cool with light to moderate south easterly to light variable wind, with speed of 06 - 28 km/h with a chance for fog forming early morning No Current Warnings arnin a

WA ARNING MIN. REC.

KUW WA AIT CITY

17 °C

12 °C

KUW WA AIT AIRPOR RT

21 °C

07 °C

NUW WA AISEEB

19 °C

10 °C

WAFRA A

19 °C

08 °C

SALMI

16 °C

05 °C

25746401

ABDAL LY

17 °C

05 °C

Jabriya

25316254

JAL ALIY YA AH

17 °C

07 °C

Maidan Hawally

25623444

FA AILAKA

17 °C

12 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

17 °C

14 °C

Mishref

25381200

QARUH ISLAND

19 °C

17 °C

W Hawally

22630786

UMM AL-MARADEM

19 °C

17 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

SFC. CHART

19/01/2013 0000 UTC

4 DA AY YS FORECAST Temperatures DA AT TE

WEA ATHER T

MAX.

MIN.

Wind Direction

Wind Speed

New Jahra

24575755

Sunday

20/01

visibility will improve

21 °C

07 °C

VRB

06 - 22 km/h

West Jahra

24772608

Monday

21/01

sunny

21 °C

09 °C

NW

12 - 35 km/h

South Jahra

24775066

Tuesday

22/01

sunny

21 °C

10 °C

NW-VRB

08 - 30 km/h

North Jahra

24775992

Wednesday e

23/01

sunny

21 °C

09 °C

VRB-SE

06 - 22 km/h

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

PRA RA AYER Y TIMES

RECORDED YESTERDA AY AT KUW WAIT A AIRPORT

Fajr

05:20

MAX. Temp.

19 °C

24884079

Sunrise

06:43

MIN. Temp.

04 °C

Firdous

24892674

Zuhr

11:59

MAX. RH

80 %

Asr

14:55

MIN. RH

Omariya

24719048

Sunset

17:15

MAX. Wind

N Khaitan

24710044

Isha

18:36

TOT TA AL L RAIINF FA ALL L IN 24 HR.

Fintas

23900322

39 % SE 32 km/h 00 mm

19/01/13 02:50 UTC

All times are local time unless otherwise stated.

V1.00

T1.06

PRIVATE CLINICS

Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Salem soso

22618787 General Surgeons

Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

22666300

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

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

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

07:00

Issue Time

MAX. EXP P.

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

Al-Shuhada

WWW.MET.GOV V..KW

Expected Weeather for the Next 24 Hours

DA AY

22418714

Fax: 24348714

19/01/2013

ST TAT TION

Al-Madeena

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 Anil Thomas

3729596/3729581

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

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

Neurologists Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

Endocrinologist Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

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

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 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Geri Halliwell is dating a Russian millionaire

T

he former Spice Girls singer - who has five-year-old daughter Bluebell Madonna from a previous relationship - met Anton Kaszubowski last month and she is said to be smitten with the “gentleman”. A source told The Sun newspaper: “They hit it off instantly and are seeing a lot of each other. “Anton’s just her type.

He has friends in high places and loves shooting in the country. “Geri’s typically rushing into it with guns blazing saying, ‘He’s the gentleman that I’ve been waiting for.’ “ Since Geri, 40, met 39-year-old Anton - whose friends include the singer’s former boyfriend Henry Beckwith they have enjoyed a romantic trip to Rome, Italy, dinners in London and a day out shooting.

Last year, the ‘Look at Me’ singer enjoyed a brief relationship with comic Russell Brand after meeting during rehearsals for the London Olympics Closing Ceremony. A source said at the time: “Things are getting very serious between them - they’re a proper couple now.

They had met several times in the past but really got to know each other during the Olympics.

“People thought Russell was joking at the time when he said he had a crush on Geri all over again, but it was true. “They just clicked - they have so much in common. He is spending so much time in London just to be with her.”

Jessica Simpson set to have a baby boy

T

he 32-year-old singer announced her pregnancy with fiancé Eric Johnson on Christmas Day, and it looks like eight-month-old daughter Maxwell will be welcoming a brother into the family.

An insider told RadarOnline.com: “It’s Jessica’s dream come true, she prayed she was having a boy. “She found out this week after a check-up at the doctor, who asked her if she wanted to know the sex of the baby. “Jessica immediately said yes and when the doctor told her it was a boy she screamed with joy.

“She was so happy that Maxwell is getting a little brother because that’s something she always wanted when she was growing up. “Jessica and Eric are so excited and have started going through names, but they haven’t settled on one just yet. “It’s just a pity their favourite boys name went to their daughter first!” The ‘With You’ hitmaker recently revealed her second pregnancy has postponed her wedding plans with Eric, who she starting dating in May 2010 before they got engaged later that year. She told ‘The Tonight Show’: “Apparently it was a part of God’s plan for my life ... We’ve had two different wedding dates, but he keeps knocking me up. “We’re doing it very backwards”.

Jennifer Hudson wants another baby

T

he 31-year-old actress and singer admitted she wants to grant him his wish, revealing she would like a daughter herself. She told E! News: “I definitely want another baby. I want a little girl so bad and every day [David Jr] reminds me, ‘Mommy I want a baby sister. I want a baby sister.’ “And I said OK, maybe when he gets 4-years-old, but he is 3. He is almost 4 now so maybe when he gets 6 or 7 because...3 and 4 comes too fast.” The ‘Think Like A Man’ hitmaker has been engaged to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar David Otunga since 2008, but she admits most of the pressure for

Denzel Washington flattered

another child is coming from her son. She added: “Oh yes! It’s, ‘Mommy I want a baby sister!’ “ As her fiancÈ looks to branch into acting with a role in ‘The Call’, Jennifer revealed she has a new nickname for the wrestling star. Talking to Access Hollywood, she said: “We call him ‘Curtains,’ because when he got the role he was like, ‘Curtains for everybody!’ “He’s so excited. I can’t wait to see the film ... He’s super excited about the project coming out and he got to play an officer ... I just got to see the preview for it... Look out, curtains for everybody!”

he is the Obamas’ favourite actor

T

he 58-year-old actor was delighted to discover he is US First Lady Michelle Obama’s secret celebrity crush and that she would love him to play her husband President Barack Obama in a movie about their lives, claiming he would take the role in a heartbeat. Speaking at the UK premiere of ‘Flight’ in London’s Leicester Square on Thursday, Denzel enthused: “That’s a sharp stick in the eye!

That’s beautiful. That’s lovely!” However, the Oscar-nominated actor has one of the longest marriages in Hollywood to wife Pauletta and even worldwide icon Michelle setting her sights on him wouldn’t tempt him to stray. He added: “I’ve been married for 29 years - I’m not going anywhere.”

Quizzed as to how his wife reacted when she found out he would be playing an alcohol and drug-binging pilot in Robert Zemeckis’ new film, Denzel laughed: “I didn’t tell her!” The actor - who was joined by his co-star Kelly Riley on the red carpet - admitted he hadn’t had a chance to explore London yet, but was keen to tuck into his favourite British snack after they finished promoting the film. Asked if he had been exploring, he enthused: “No, but I’m going to have some fish and chips tonight. Salt and vinegar!”

Denzel might have to fend off stiff competition from Will Smith if he wants to play Barack in a biopic about his rise to power since the ‘Men In Black’ actor is convinced he would be the “natural choice”. Will previously joked: “It’s about the ears, that’s the thing. People see the ears and Barack and I both have the ears, so I’m the most natural choice. “I told [Obama] jokingly, ‘It’s definitely something I would consider, you just have to write the ending.’ So he’s working on the ending right now.”

John Mayer

makes his musical comeback

T

he 35-year-old singer - who has not performed since having throat surgery over a year ago - made a surprise appearance earlier this week at the Livingston Town Proper benefit concert in Montana, in aid of firefighters that saved his home and others from a summer wildfire. The sold-out event raised more than $100,000, and John’s first song of the night was ‘If I Ever Get Around to Living’. He tweeted a picture of himself singing ‘Speak For Me’, with the message: “And we’re back.” The Pine Creek fire raged across Paradise Valley last summer but John was in Los Angeles at the time and said he felt guilty talking to the people who raced to clear out his things. He said: “It’s my house. I want to help save it. I want to be the guy on the front porch with a bucket of water.” After his house was saved, John - who is dating Katy Perry - vowed to help the residents of Paradise Valley. The concert also featured performances by Zach Brown and Clay Cook of the Zac Brown Band, and John’s current band members David Ryan Harris, Sean Hurley and Aaron Sterling.

Katie Price marries for 3rd time after listening to psychic

T

he reality TV star tied the knot with part-time stripper and builder Kieran Hayler after just two months of dating on Wednesday and she has revealed it was a medium who inspired her to take the plunge again. She said: “A medium said the man I’d marry was called Kevin. Kieran’s name is close to Kevin and it all became clear... It’s only my third one.” Katie - who was previously married to singer Peter Andre, 39, and cage fighter Alex Reid, 37 - doesn’t care if people want to criticise her for getting married again and is convinced she has found her true love this time in Kieran, 25. The 34year-old busty beauty told The Sun newspaper: “As usual, I get a hard time for my choices because I’m me - I still don’t really understand why. “This is only my third marriage. I did my own Pricey Marriage Survey and discovered I was in good company. Joan Collins has been married five times, Liz Taylor did eight and Zsa Zsa Gabor nine. “So there! I get stick, but no one has picked on them for all the marriages they’ve had.” The couple tied the knot in the knot in the Bahamas at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa and frolicked in the sea after making their vows to one another.

They were snapped playing in the surf moments after swapping their vows. —

Bruce Willis has become more ‘tranquil’

T

he 57-year-old actor - who has a nine-month-old daughter, Mabel Ray, with second wife Emma Heming, as well as three grown-up daughters with first spouse Demi Moore - has learnt not to worry about trivial things in his life and won’t let himself get worked up. He said: “I have changed as a man, physically and... we’ll leave spirituality out of it. But maturity? Am I much more mature? I don’t know. I still tell the same jokes! I still do mostly the same things. I’m much more gentle with the people in my life and I’m much more tranquil. Things don’t bother me as much anymore as they used to.” Bruce is currently starring in his fifth ‘Die Hard’ movie, ‘A Good Day To Die Hard’, and is pleased the franchise has been spread out over 27 years because it’s a great way of documenting his life. He told Total Film magazine: “If you said to any 30-year-old actor, ‘OK, over the next five years, you’re going to have to age from 30 to 57 and make five films for us...’ If that had been me I would have failed horribly.

It just wouldn’t have worked. Having done five films over the course of 27 years, what you see is my life moving forward and where I am at the age of 30, 31, 40, 57...”

37

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

LIFESTYLE F e a t u r e s

Ang Lee mulls directing historical epic ‘Cleopatra’

O

scar-winning director Ang Lee said yesterday he will “probably” accept an offer to direct historical epic “Cleopatra” starring Angelina Jolie, after the Hollywood actress wrote to him asking him to come on board. Lee, whose 3D adventure “Life of Pi” has earned 11 Oscar nominations, said he would read the script before making a decision but the project was “very attractive”.

“Sony has asked me to shoot the movie and Angelina Jolie wrote to me to express her wishes to collaborate. We admire each other... the project looks very attractive,” the Taiwanese-American told reporters in Taipei. “It’s a big-budget movie so I am carefully evaluating it ... this is a rare opportunity and I will probably take it.”

Lee returned to his birth place over the weekend to celebrate after “Life of Pi” earned 11 Oscar nominations, including best picture and best director. The movie, based on the novel by Yann Martel about an Indian boy cast adrift with a Bengal

tiger, has become Lee’s highest-grossing film ever with more than $450 million in global box office sales, according to 20th Century Fox. About 70 percent of the movie was shot in Taiwan, including at a now-abandoned airport in the centre of the country where Lee’s team built a specially designed wavegenerating tank. Asked if he plans to cast his son Mason Lee, who starred in “The Hangover Part II”, in his future projects, Lee joked that he would rather not “torture” his kin.

“He likes acting and I give him my blessings... I am tough on actors but it’s difficult to be tough on your own son and it’d be an unnecessary torture for us. I’d rather torture other people’s kids.” The filmmaker, who is based in New York, was hailed as the “glory of Taiwan” after becoming the first Asian to win a best director Oscar for his gay cowboy drama “Brokeback Mountain” in 2007. —AFP

Myanmar’s ethnic Naga hill tribe people in costumes perform traditional dance during a celebration of auspicious New Year in Lehei, Sagaing Division, central Myanmar. —AP

Radcliffe explores daring territory in new film D

Actor Daniel Radcliffe poses at the premiere of “Kill Your Darlings” during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Friday, Jan 18, 2013 in Park City, Utah. —AP

aniel Radcliffe has really left Harry Potter behind with a startling and explicit Sundance Film Festival role as poet Allen Ginsberg. “Kill Your Darlings,” the “Harry Potter” star’s first film at the independent-cinema showcase, premiered Friday at Sundance and puts Radcliffe into daring territory. In a session with the audience after the premiere, Radcliffe was asked if he chose the role because it fit the “weird stuff” he likes. Radcliffe said it was the second time that day he was asked the same question and conceded his tastes can run outside the mainstream.

“Films like this don’t get made unless everyone involved loves them,” Radcliffe said. The film recounts a little-known story of murder involving Ginsberg’s circle of friends, including fellow future beat heroes Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) and William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster). Dane DeHaan co-stars as Ginsberg idol and intimate Lucien Carr, and the cast also includes Michael C. Hall, Elizabeth Olsen and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Director John Krokidas said Radcliffe became his muse on the film and that it was clear within minutes of their first meeting that the part was his. Krokidas said young Ginsberg starts as a dutiful son who spends his time taking care of others but eventually spills over with repressed passion. “By the end of the movie, he is a poet and a rebel,” Krokidas said. “I had a feeling Dan might be able to relate to this.” —AP

‘Django Unchained’ producers order end to slavery action-figures

T

he producers of Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” on Friday ordered a halt to the production of action figures based on the Oscar-nominated slavery movie after criticism that they were offensive to African-Americans. The eight-inch (20-cm) dolls, which were intended for people 17 and older, included gun-slinging freed slave Django, his wife and cruel, white plantation owner Candie.

“Django Unchained” has been attacked by some African-Americans for its portrayal of slavery and its violence. Despite the controversy, the film was nominated for five Oscars, including best picture. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton’s National Action Network was among the groups that criticized the action figures.

“Selling this doll is highly offensive to our ancestors and the African-American community,” KW Tulloss, president of the Los Angeles branch of National Action Network, told the New York Daily News.

“The movie is for adults, but these are action figures that appeal to children,”

Tulloss told the paper. “We don’t want other individuals to utilize them for their entertainment, to make a mockery of slavery.”

The Weinstein Co, which produced “Django Unchained,” said in a statement on Friday that in light of the reaction to the dolls it had ordered production to stop.

“We have tremendous respect for the audience and it was never our intent to offend anyone,” the company said. The action figures were sold by the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, which could not be reached for comment on Friday.

The producers noted that action figures have been produced for all of Tarantino’s past films, including his World War Two revenge fantasy “Inglourious Basterds” in 2009. “Django Unchained” stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio and has taken in some $130 million at US and Canadian box offices since its release on Dec 25. —Reuters

In this file photo, Musician Prince performs in Yas Island, on the final night of the F1 motor race meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Prince will perform and be honored with Icon Award at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, ABC announced. —AP

Oscar-winning Taiwan-American director Ang Lee gestures during a press conference in Taipei yesterday. —AFP

Pro-nuclear activists get pulpit at Sundance

W

hat if nuclear energy offered the world the only chance to escape poverty and control global warming? A documentary that lends a pulpit to former opponents of nuclear energy who have made a 180-degree turn has made a splash at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, titled “Pandora’s Promise” and produced by Anglo-American director Robert Stone, was presented Friday at the independent film event, which runs until January 27 in this mountain city in Utah.

Stone, whose anti-nuclear film “Radio Bikini” (1988) was nominated for an Oscar for best documentary, has long been a bitter opponent of atomic energy. But his positions have evolved as he produced “Earth Days” (2009), a history of the US environmental movement. “I really discovered there was a lot of cynicism and fatalism and apocalyptic thinking on the part of most of the environmentalists,” Stone told AFP. “They really didn’t think that their solutions would ever going to work, and we were really all doomed. I don’t want to think that way.”

“Pandora’s Promise” offers an opportunity to speak to leading scientists, environmentalists, scientists, activists and journalists, who had been fiercely anti-nuclear most of their lives, but then changed their minds. “I wanted the film to be told through the eyes of people who were antinuclear and changed their minds,” the director said. “And I wanted to have them address why they were anti-nuclear.”

The film does not portray nuclear energy as perfect. But it takes a pragmatic stance, seeking to tear down-statistics in hand-some ideas supported by the environmental movement, such as achieving robust economic growth while consuming less energy. One of the participants in the documentary notes that an iPhone-and the computer servers that run its applicationstogether consume as much electricity as a

refrigerator.

“It’s a fact, we are here,” noted Stone.

“We are not going anywhere, there’s more of us, and I think we have a moral obligation to lift the rest of the world out of poverty and not just leave them behind.

And in order to do that, we will need a lot more energy.” Stone believes there is a need to break what he calls “this fantasy that first of all we’re going to power the world with wind and solar” energies.

“And I don’t put much faith in the whole world agreeing on limiting greenhouse gases,” he argued. “I think the future is going to be in designing very simple effective advanced nuclear reactors.”

He spoke of the need to minimize the human impact on the planet. “And the only way to do that is not scaling back and going back to the 19th century,” he said.

“It’s using the best technology we have.”

“Pandora’s Promise” addresses the fears of nuclear power, including the risk of accidents. The film begins with images of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant accident in Japan, of nuclear weapons proliferation and challenges posed by nuclear waste.

Using documents, including those from the United Nations, it seeks to make the risks of nuclear power relative to those posed by the use of fossil fuels. The documentary states that nuclear energy remains today the cleanest and least dangerous of all. According to Stone, the number of environmentalists reconsidering the value of nuclear energy is now increasing. “We are at a tipping point,” he said. “We know now that 2012 was the hottest year ever.

Hurricane Sandy, I think, has woken up a lot of people up, people are realizing that the things that we’ve been doing are not working and we have to do something else.

Nuclear is that thing, but people have been afraid to go there.” —AFP

Handcrafted creature comforts for pets and their owners

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n just a few weeks, at an event that celebrates the iconic Westminster Kennel Club’s annual All Breed Dog Show, a shelter dog will model doggie bling designed and hand-crafted by Mona Straub of Boca Raton, Fla. Straub is one of 30 exclusive participating vendors in the upcoming New York Pet Fashion Show, Feb. 8 that launches a weekend of events leading to the famous annual dog show that following Monday. It’s a coup for Just Fur Fun, the online startup Straub launched two years ago to sell her handcrafted beaded leashes and collars for pets. “I’ve gotten as far as I have because I make connections and utilize resources,” said Straub. “As a small business, if you become an island and don’t reach out, you’ll get lost.”

The pet fashion show receives hun-

dreds of booth requests every year from pet-related start-ups to established companies, says Richard Cordero, marketing director for the show and vice president at Oehler Media Inc and ad director for Cesar’s Way Magazine, a major sponsor of the show. The event is a massive showcase for those in the pet industry, from food and fashions to wellness products, toys and every other creature comfort one could invent for beloved pets. “We look for that fit, products that are practical, durable and fashionable,” said Cordero. “And vendors have to be confident about their products.”The show, however, has a two-fold purpose: Featuring shelter dogs on its runways is one example of its charity outreach, and a huge draw, attracting over 1,000 attendees, says Cordero.

For an investment of over $1,300, including table, shipping and product samples for VIP bags, Straub will showcase her collars and leashes, including on a shelter dog during its appearance in one of three runway shows featured that evening. Last year, the event produced over $10,000 in money and product donations to Animal Care & Control of NYC. This year’s beneficiary is The Animal Haven shelter, also in Manhattan. Straub launched her second career several years ago after leaving her corporate marketing job because she wanted to be creative in a meaningful way and give back to the community, she says.

Straub herself has three rescue Dachshunds, five cats, a 22-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare and a mustang, which is also a rescue. She buys

made-in-America materials, such as the leather that forms the base for her products, from United States-based vendors.

She manufactures locally, employing about six bead artisans who fulfill her pattern designs for the pet bling, including special made-to-order collars with a wider profile for bigger dogs. Pet owners can partake with matching belts.

Straub has the right entrepreneurial focus and dogged determination, says Sharon Geltner, a counselor at the Small Business Development Center at Palm Beach State College who has assisted Straub with her strategies. “Mona has grown to look at everything as an opportunity, from attending trade shows to expos,” said Geltner. “Her thirst for knowledge has been her biggest asset,” added Geltner. —MCT

Mona Straub, founder of Just Fur Fun pet accessories in Boca Raton, Florida, and her dog, Nathan, who is wearing one of her creations.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

lifestyle F A S H I O N

Joseph Beuys inspires slouchy John Galliano show

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British’s fashion designer Bill Gaytten for John Galliano gestures, at the end of the men’s fashion collection, presented in Paris, Friday, Jan 18, 2013. — AP photos

Models wear creations by British fashion designer Bill Gaytten for John Galliano, as part of the men’s fashion collection, presented in Paris.

he trilby hat and short, baggy pants of German artist Joseph Beuys was the muse behind John Galliano’s fall-winter 2013 show.

Designer Bill Gaytten was spurred on creatively after seeing installation by Beuys, who died in 1986, and was famous for his slouchy style. Models walked down the Paris catwalk with a swagger in loose and flowing coats and jackets often complemented with oversized turtlenecks in a masculine, muted palette of camel, gray, burgundy, olive and black.

There were also several takes on the trilby, some with Stetson dents, that came across with theatrical panache. But it was not just Beuys’ personal style at work here. Gaytten also said he was inspired by “(Beuys’) use of material, in particular the contrast of felt with the unexpected.” Providing this contrast, fluorescent neon teddy boy shoes jarred nicely as they accompanied a classically tailored suit.

Some of the free flowing looks hit the right spot, with the best coming in the form of a jacket with one lapel that flowed down as a scarf. However, the

theatricality got the better of some of the ensembles: like an exuberantly printed jacket that was just plain busy. Backstage Gaytten would not comment on news that the house founder, John Galliano, has been invited to return to fashion for the first time since a drunken rant at a Paris cafe caused him to leave his eponymous label. Oscar de la Renta invited Galliano to spend time in his studio over the next three weeks, according to a statement released Friday by de la Renta’s company. Who knows what the future holds. — AP

Calvin Klein

Sri Lanka

creates 24-hour winter look

Fashion

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talo Zucchelli, creative director for Calvin Klein Collection menswear, invented his own version of the layered look by combining sportswear with formal attire to create a 24hour look for the winter 2014. “Nobody wants to change several times a day anymore,” Zucchelli told reporters ahead of his Sunday show during Milan Fashion Week. A sporty quilted nylon vest can be worn over an elegant three-quarter coat, or a fancy silk blazer. Trousers are workman multi-pocketed cargo pants but fashioned in soft gentlemanly materials. Synthesized rubber is worked to look quilted, and can be used for both formal and informal wear. The main winter palette is made up of wine red, gray and black, colors that go well for both day and night. — AP

Sri Lankan models display creations by Indian brand Siyaram’s during a fashion event in Colombo yesterday. Clothing accounts for over half of Sri Lanka’s $7.5 billion export earnings. — AFP photos

Indian Bollywood film actress Deepika Padukone poses during the launch of Tanishq IVA Fashion Jewellery range in Mumbai on January 18, 2013. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

lifestyle F A S H I O N

Givenchy makes menswear combatorial G

ladiatorial combat is in the air for Givenchy’s ever-creative Riccardo Tisci. For the fall-winter 2013 menswear show, the Italian designer delved into his rich ancestry bringing back hundreds upon hundreds of candles which carved out an ominous catwalk arena. Like Roman torches, they lit the way for the models who filed by in 48 mainly blackand-white looks.

The references were subtle but unmistakable: square breastplate-like photographs by Robert

Mapplethorpe printed on T-shirts, sweaters and tank tops. Winter bubble jackets, tied round the waist, fell in the shape of a legionary’s skirt - sometimes on top of shorts - almost to the groin - that exposed the muscular models’ legs. Then, leather shoes shined provocatively with a silver armor-band; while combat gear was also evoked in crudely stitched padded biker jackets and sweaters.

For several minutes, Ancient Rome did indeed come to Paris - albeit with a contemporary, even

futuristic edge. There was, however, a real sense of continuity with previous season’s styles - despite the new theme. Tisci’s signature gothic and black-heavy palette was used, for instance. A long gray coat that lacked lapels, also evoked the ecclesiastical style of last season’s show, that Tisci said explored his catholic roots. As ever, the look was unbusy, clean and often minimalist, with a tight silhouette. For fall-winter therefore, it was not revolution, but evolution, Roman-style. — AP Models display creations by Italian designer Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy on January 18, 2013 during the men’s fall-winter 2013-2014 fashion week in Paris.

— AFP photos

Dries Van Noten sends bed gear down catwalk W

hen it comes to menswear, Dries Van Noten rarely plays by the rules. But even by his own standards, he set himself a tough challenge for fall-winter 2013, aiming to produce clothes for men “that may not ever been in their wardrobe.” Considering that one main theme of the show was the use of nighttime pajamas for day jackets and outerwear, in this challenge the Belgian designer most definitely succeeded. That is, of course, provided there are no sleepwalkers out there with black, orange and paisley pajamas in their closet.

Models display creations by Dries Van Noten during the men’s FallWinter 2013-2014 collection show in Paris. — AFP photos

The result of this unorthodoxy?

Astoundingly, one of the most elegant shows Van Noten has done in recent memory. It’s owed mainly to how the pajama style was worked: luxuriously, in soft and heavy brushed jacquards, cashmere and double quilted silks and velvets. It gave many of the looks a regal quality - albeit a very hip one.

As ever, Van Noten used contradictions as the dynamic of his wardrobe. The more feminine types of fabrics and tonal colors, as well as tight pants, contrasted with boyish, slouchy forms of the loose jackets and sweaters - creating plays on volume. The program notes remark that the “special and precious are often disguised as the ordinary.” Here, we saw this paradox - so typical of the 54-year-old designer - in a crumpled black hooded coat with luxury printed lining and then flashes of fastidiously embroidered denim. This was no rules dressing at its best. — AP

Ang Lee mulls directing historical epic ‘Cleopatra’

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013

Emerald’s

imprint shines bright T

here’s a reason the Wizard of Oz lived in the grand Emerald City. The deep shade of green is synonymous with elegance and luxury. After color authority Pantone named emerald the official color of 2013, the green tone began popping up on runways and in stores everywhere. We’ll also be looking to spot pops of emerald jewelry on the red carpet during the Oscars. Here are some ways you can make the color shine in your wardrobe.

The Alexander Wang Vika Croco embossed wedge sandals, $743 from MyTheresa.com are perfect paired with cigarette pants or print dresses for spring.

For a classic, versatile blouse, try the Greylin silk button down blouse, $97 from Piperlime.com.

The Amanda Uprichard ponte peplum dress, $174 from Cusp.com by Neiman Marcus, features a fun and flirty silhouette.

For a night on the town, try the Robert Rodriguez lace tee, $92 from NeimanMarcus.com, with a mini skirt or skinny jeans.

Take the leather trend a step further with the Free People Emerald City distressed leather bomber jacket, $856 from Free People.com, with a detachable hood.

Get cozy with the Reiss Callister boyfriend cardigan, $105 from Reiss.com.

Why stick to simple black leggings for spring? The rich green Rag & Bone emerald legging, $187 from Rag-Bone.com, can work with a blouse and heels for a night out or with a casual tee.

For dramatc sparkle, get the Oscar de la Renta beaded tassle clip earrings, $395 at Net-a-porter.com.

The John Wind Maximal art emerald heir-

loom bracelet, $73 from MaxandChloe.com, makes for a subtle, classic accessory.

The Sue Devitt hydrating marine minerals destination eye palette, $30.75 from Dermstore.com, includes pearly white and different shades of green and is made with shea butter, sea butter, ceramides and vitamins. — MCT

Models wear creations by German fashion designer Tillmann Lauterbach for his fall-winter 2013/2014 men’s fashion collection, presented in Paris yesterday. — AP

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