18 Feb 2013

CR IP TI ON BS SU

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Australia beat Windies to win women’s World Cup

Chelsea stroll in replay, Aguero double lifts City

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Nadal wins first title since return from injury

Azarenka beats Serena to retain Qatar title

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MP to grill oil minister as speaker calls for meeting Opposition dismisses ‘charade’ • Full week of trials of activists

Max 24º Min 11º High Tide 05:42 & 16:45 Low Tide 10:53

By B Izzak conspiracy theories

KUWAIT: MP Saadoun Hammad said yesterday he will file to grill the oil minister today, the third grilling against a minister in two weeks, while another lawmaker vowed he will file to grill the finance minister this week. Meanwhile, Speaker Ali Al-Rashed called MPs for a meeting to discuss the political situation in the country as former opposition MPs alleged that the current wave of grillings from members of the pro-government Assembly is orchestrated to eventually dissolve the Assembly before the constitutional court issues its verdict on the amendment of the electoral law.

Hammad said the grilling of Oil Minister Hani Hussein deals with five issues after excluding the contract with Shell. He did not reveal the issues but the lawmaker had sent questions about several issues including appointments, promotions, the Dow Chemical deal, partnership with an Israeli company and others.

The lawmaker said MP Nawaf Al-Fuzai will join Hammad in signing the grilling request while MP Abdullah Al-Tameemi, who was supposed to join the request, said he will speak during the debate in favour of the grilling. Fuzai confirmed that he will put his name on the grilling request but insisted that he will file another request later this week to grill Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali over the issue of writing off interest on bank loans taken by Kuwaiti citizens.

The grillings against Hussein and Shamali will be the third and fourth grillings to be filed by members of the pro-government Assembly elected less than three months ago after the opposition boycotted the polls in protest against the amendment of the electoral law.

Shiite MPs Hussein Al-Qallaf and Faisal Al-Duwaisan have submitted requests to grill the ministers of communications and interior, respectively. The debate on the former is expected to take place tomorrow.

Continued on Page 2

Grilling season part seven

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

cannot call it the grilling season. Watching the first sessions of the parliament, I remembered that every season is the same story. Our parliament has become like a Turkish soap opera of thousands of episodes. I have no objections against Turkish series other than they are super long. In short, our parliament has become a never ending soap opera. Be it the old parliaments which were dominated by the so-called opposition or be it the new parliament which is accused of being pro-government. They all have the same behavior - I’m sorry I mean acting.

The drama starts with elections. Who makes it into the popular series and who does not. Even campaigning for elections, the program is based on grilling threats. They think that such threats are amusing to the nation. Once they are under the Abdullah Al-Salem dome, sitting on the comfortable green leather chairs, they take seriously only the grilling part of their portfolios.

They had promised before that there will be no grilling for at least six months. But we noticed that the grillings started in the first session of the parliament. First they started with the grilling of the interior minister. They are grilling him because an Israeli company was allegedly contracted to monitor the borders between Iraq and Kuwait, in addition to other issues which concern MPs. Do not worry about the Minister of Finance. He was not spared.

The poor guy is going to pay for an issue he inherited from his predecessors and how many parliaments. Was it five or six parliaments in the span of six years? The issue is the same - to write off the debts. Now they are asking him to write off the interest on the debts. The minister of oil is on their hit list too. He is accused of discriminating over salary increases.

I agree. Parliament is there to monitor, investigate and grill. But also, this is 50 percent of their work. I expect that the other 50 percent is dedicated to the development of the country and the services of the ministries and the infrastructure of Kuwait which has become like an impoverished country without oil. So, grilling season No. 7 has started. I think our parliament is inspired by the scripts of The Bold and Beautiful or Harry Potter.

At least these were interesting. They were amusing. But what is happening in parliament now is not amusing at all. The whole Gulf is advancing and we are retreating. Thanks! Big time thanks!

Scientists find surgery, cancer use for mussels BOSTON: Mussels secrete a powerful adhesive to hold tight on rocks swept by violent waves - and a synthetic version could prove critical for surgery and cancer treatment, researchers said Saturday.

Scientists have created materials that mimic the mussels’ sticky proteins and could have medical applications such as sealants for fetal membrane repair, self-setting antibacterial hydrogels and polymers for to deliver cancer drugs and destroy cancer cells. “An inland stream with water moving at only one meter per second is very hard to stand in,” said University of Washington, Seattle biologist Emily Carrington, who studies the tiny mollusks. “Imagine something going 10 times that speed - over your whole body.”

That’s what mussels withstand - and more - as they cling to rocks, grasses and other materials under water.

Continued on Page 13

Bloodied bat found at home of Pistorius ABU DHABI: Members of the United Arab Emirates’ woman armed forces participate in a military show launching the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the Emirati capital yesterday. — AFP

Rise of Islamists frays UAE-Egypt relations DUBAI: Days before his overthrow, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received a senior visitor from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of several Gulf monarchies long supportive of the most Arab populous country and its veteran strongman. What transpired between Mubarak and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahayan is not known, beyond the fact that a letter from UAE ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AlNahayan was delivered. But the significance of the Feb. 8, 2011 visit was clear: It was a gesture of understanding and concern for a longtime friend who had been a trusted diplomatic ally for most Gulf Arabs, not least in their confrontation with non-Arab Iran.

Fast forward to 2013 and the picture is starkly different. The UAE-Egyptian relationship has been strained by the regional spread of Islamist influence - Egypt now has an elected Islamist president - with implications not only for the two protagonists but all Arab states hit by the uprisings against dictators and dynasties that began two years ago. Poorer, densely populated Arab states like Egypt often look to Gulf states for investment and financing, as well as overseas work for their nationals, a need ever more acute with rulers under unprecedented pressure to produce jobs and services. The UAE, home to around 380,000 Egyptian expatriates and a major Continued on Page 13

JOHANNESBURG: South African police have found a bloodied cricket bat at the home of track star Oscar Pistorius, who has been charged with murdering his model girlfriend, a newspaper reported yesterday.

The Olympic and Paralympic athlete was charged on Friday with the Valentine’s Day murder of 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead at his luxury Pretoria home. Pistorius’ family denies he intentionally killed the blonde covergirl, with his father telling a newspaper he had “zero doubt” his son had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder and his 89-year old grandmother telling AFP the killing was accidental.

The family has said the 26-year-old, who is being held until a bail hearing tomorrow, is “numb with shock as well as grief” over Steenkamp’s death. South Africa’s independent City Press newspaper quoted police sources close to the investigation saying that the cricket bat had been found and that Steenkamp’s skull had been “crushed”. “There was lots of blood on the bat,” one source said.

Police are investigating whether the bat was used to assault Steenkamp, who was shot four times in the early hours of Thursday, or if she may have used it to defend herself, the newspaper said. “The suspicion is that the first shot, in the bedroom, hit her in the hip. She then ran and hid herself in the Continued on Page 13

Bahrain dismantles ‘terror cell’ Shooting wounds Saudi woman, child

RIFFA, Bahrain: Mourners carry the Bahraini flag-draped body of police officer Mohamed Assef Khan, 33, who was killed Thursday during clashes with antigovernment protesters, during funeral ceremonies yesterday. The Bahraini ministers of justice and the interior as well as relatives and fellow police officers participated in the funeral procession. — AP

MANAMA/RIYADH: Bahrain has dismantled a “terrorist cell” linked to Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, the interior minister said, slamming what he called “escalation” in the kingdom as the Shiite opposition intensifies its protests. Security services “have, with the help of a brotherly country, arrested the members of a terrorist cell made up of eight Bahraini elements,” state news agency BNA late Saturday quoted Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa as saying.

The eight “moved between Iran, Iraq and Lebanon and received training in using arms and explosives as well as financial aid,” he said. “Details about the case will be announced as soon as the investigation is completed.” Sheikh Rashid also denounced the “escalation in violence” in the Sunni-ruled kingdom where a protester and a policeman were killed during Shiite-led protests to mark the second anniversary of a 2011 uprising there on Thursday.

He said “terrorist acts had taken place over the past three days” in which “two people were killed and 75 policemen were wounded,” adding that “there has been an escalation... with the use of firearms” and explosives.

Separately, unknown gunmen opened fire at a prison and police targets in Saudi Arabia’s Shiite-populated Eastern Province, wounding a woman and her child, police and rights activists said yesterday. The gunmen carried out three separate shootings in two Shiite towns on Saturday, provincial police spokesman Ziad Al-Rukaiti said. “The prison in Qatif came under fire from an unknown source,” said Rukaiti, referring to the prison in the Shiite town of Awamiya in the Qatif district. Rukaiti said the shots directed at the prison were “followed by shooting at a police checkpoint” in Awamiya, and another shooting targeting a police patrol in a separate Shiite town. — AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

LOCAL Al-Haifi lays foundation stone of new building in Al-Razi Hospital KUWAIT: The new building in Al-Razi Hospital, which is expected to be completed within 18 months, is designed to improve the performance of the health system and keep up with the latest developments according to a scientific vision and future needs for health programs, said Health Minister, Dr. Mohammad Barrak Al-Haifi. During Al-Haifi’s speech at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new building yesterday, he said that the project is considered a model for dozens of construction projects within the work of the ministry, in accordance with the work of the government and the state’s development plan, which aims at providing integrated health care. The project was designed according to the latest international standards that commensurate with the population growth and expectations for the future health care needs in orthopedic diseases and surgery as the need for specialization has increased due to demographic changes and the effects of modern civilization on health, he said.

The most prominent effects are traffic accidents and the resulting injuries, disabilities and diseases of the joints and the musculoskeletal system, resulting from advanced age and proliferation of physical activity due to modern lifestyle, he added.

The project includes 32 specialized outer

clinics, in addition to radiology, laboratory, medical records and a pharmacy, leading to providing the best medical care, said Al-Haifi.

He stated that the project will cost KD 3.390 million as it is integrated with the new Al-Razi project whose cornerstone was laid a few weeks ago and will cost more than KD 31 million, and is estimated to be completed in 730 days. The ministry is keen on the continuous development of the medical performance through several ways such organizing conferences, workshops and training courses.

For his part, Director of Al-Sabah Health Zone Dr. Adel Al-Asfour said in his speech that Al-Razi Hospital will benefit from the new expansion, because specialist and outer clinics will be transported in an integrated manner to the new building.

Sending patients abroad does not depend on the presence of a large number of hospitals in Kuwait, Al-Haifi said, noting that the treatment outside Kuwait is intended for severe conditions.

The required procedures to stop the spread of SARS, Swine Flu and Avian Flu are known, and “we have taken precautionary measures to stop the spread of SARS,” said the Health Minister Mohammad Barrak AlHaifi regarding the warnings of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the worldwide outbreak of SARS. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah with winners of the Sheikh Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah’s Journalism award yesterday.

PM keen on supporting Kuwaiti youth KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah affirmed yesterday the eagerness of His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Ahmad AlSabah to support Kuwaiti youth through the establishment of a standing ministerial committee.

The advisory Committee tasked with developing strategic priorities for the youth and studying the mechanisms related to the priorities of young people will present a report soon, the Minister said on behalf of HH the Prime Minister at the Sheikh Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-

Sabah’s Journalism award ceremony.

He added that the study will benefit Kuwait’s vision to care for the youth and encourage them to develop the future of the country.

Sheikh Salman praised the efforts of the national project entitled “Kuwait hears”, where the youth will present a report containing 10 priorities for youth in the first National Youth Conference to be held on March 13, under the auspices of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The cooperation of the executive and legislative bodies in accordance with the constitution is the basis for prosperity and evolution of

Kuwait, calling for remembering the achievements made in the service of the country.

He pointed out that the Kuwaiti media organizations have advanced and they are capable of providing a responsible media according to the laws.

The government sought to promote electronic media freedom to achieve social cohesion and progress, expressing Kuwait’s pride in the nomination of the Chairman of the Kuwaiti Journalists Association Ahmad Behbehani as Chairman of the Federation of Arab Journalists, which proves the deep-rooted Kuwaiti journalism, Sheikh Salman noted. —- KUNA

1,000 fake companies to be prosecuted in Kuwait Involvement in human trafficking

MP to grill oil minister...

Continued from Page 1 Rashed called MPs for an emergency meeting today to discuss the political situation in the country, apparently to specifically discuss the causes of the grillings.

But member of the scrapped oppositiondominated Assembly Hamad Al-Matar claimed the recent developments in the Assembly including grillings are orchestrated. He said the next step is to file to grill the prime minister, leading to dissolve the Assembly before the constitutional court is scheduled to issue its verdict against the controversial amendment to the electoral law. With this measure, the constitutional court will throw out all petitions against the amendment, which is known as the single-vote law, and accordingly the law will be immunised against challenges.

In another development, the public prosecution yesterday freed without bail

15 opposition activists, including three women, after interrogating them on accusations of taking part in an illegal gathering in Kaifan last month. Also, the criminal court set April 2 as the date to start hearing a complaint by the foreign ministry against former MP Mussallam Al-Barrak for allegedly making remarks deemed offensive to Jordan king Abdullah II at an opposition rally in November.

The court will resume hearing the case of 70 opposition activists and former MPs for allegedly storming the Assembly building in Nov 2011. Also today, the court will try four activists and the son of lawyer Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie separately for taking part in an illegal protest.

Tomorrow, the appeals court will hear the appeal against the closure of the proopposition channel Al-Youm and the criminal court will try three activists for abusing HH the Amir’s authorities and taking part in an illegal procession.

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rashidi submitted a report to the cabinet containing details about at least 1,000 fake companies caught recently and referred to the proper authorities on suspicions of being involved in human trafficking, a local newspaper reported yesterday quoting sources familiar with the subject. Speaking to Al-Qabas on the condition of anonymity, the sources explained that the companies were discovered through crackdowns which revealed that they do not exist on the ground while they were duly registered in the databases of the MSAL and other state departments. Files of inactive companies are often used by human traffickers who use the licenses to issue work permits which are then sold to expatriate laborers looking to come to Kuwait.

In other news, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor managed through coordination with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait to avert a mass labor strike that thousands of cleaning workers were reportedly planning to carry out yesterday (Sunday).

The workers had planned to push through their work stoppage to increase their minimum monthly wage from KD60 to KD90, Al-Qabas reported yesterday quoting MSAL insiders. “The Labor Relations Department began a coordination move with the Bangladesh embassy based on information received about nearly 50,000 workers planning to stay at home that [Sunday] morning,” said the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

They added that the plan was called off after embassy staff visited several homes of cleaning workers in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Al-Farwaniya and

Khaitan, explaining to them that the MSAL can legally deport any worker for striking work due to a law which disallows expatriate workers from staging labor strikes to demand pay increase. “The workers were also told to respect their contractual obligations and that they can later freely demand pay increase or seek better offers once their contracts expired,” the sources added.

In other news, dozens of workers gathered outside the office of the Jaber Hospital project manager in South Surra on Saturday to demand immediate investigations into the death of a worker two

days back.

The Egyptian construction worker died after a fatal head injury that he received when he fell off a scaffold, prompting a number of workers to demand further safety procedures.

No representative from the company tasked by the Ministry of Public Works to carry out the project was quoted in the report, but a ministry official who spoke on the condition of anonymity insisted that the company “has been following all procedures to support the rights” of nearly 3,500 workers at the project site.

Two Arabs fight in departure lounge

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Two Arab expats who ended up in a scuffle over a slot in the check-in queue briefly held up operations in the departure lounge of the Kuwait International Airport before they decided not to file any case against each other and preferred instead to catch their flight.

An argument over one of them allegedly trying to jump the queue flared up when the other refused to yield. As one threw the other’s luggage, the heated argument turned into a fight which lasted for awhile before other passengers interfered and separated them.

Both the feuding men received facial injuries but refused to press charges when taken to the investigation office, preferring instead to make up and catch the fight.

The officer decided to accommodate them and made them sign an undertaking that they would not repeat such an act in future. Both of them boarded the plane and no treatment was administered.

Kuwaiti held A man who wanted to contest the First Constituency seat during last Parliament election but found his name deleted from the list of candidates was arrested and detained at Maidan Hawally for trying to kill his ex-wife.

Police acted after the Ministry of Interior received a report that a man was trying to drown his wife in the sea near the Yacht Club. When the police arrived, they found that the woman was his divorcee. She said her divorced husband brought her there to resolve some of their outstanding problems, but she was surprised when he tried to kill her.

Kuwait to host health meeting KUWAIT: Kuwait hosts today the first meeting of the GCC Committee for School Health and the health of adolescents and youth in the presence of representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the field of school health and the health of young people.

Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr. Qais Al-Douiri said in a press statement yesterday that the twoday meeting will discuss health programs of young people, indicating that health program of young people has been integrated with the Gulf committee of school health based on the recommendation No. 16 and Recommendation No. 9 of the 77th meeting of the Executive Body of the GCC States for 2012.

He explained that the Jeddah declaration for Youth and Adolescent Health of the 3rd Gulf Conference is now in effect to initiate constructive cooperation with international and regional organizations, adding that it is now important to have a unified GCC research for the health of adolescents and young people. — KUNA

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

LOCAL

Men in early 50s must undergo prostate screening annually Cancer not widely prevalent in Kuwait

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday at Al-Seif Palace the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Roger Gifford, and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by Mubarak Al-Kabir Governor Sheikh Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince Diwan’s Undersecretary for Protocol Affairs Sheikh Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.

British-Kuwaiti ties stronger today than ever before

By Roger Gifford (The Lord Mayor of the City of London)

S

trengthening the longstanding friendship between Kuwait and the UK was one of my first jobs on becoming the 685th Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Last November, I had the honour of hosting a State Banquet for His Highness the Amir of Kuwait at Guildhall during his visit to the UK. This came seventeen years after my predecessor, Lord Mayor Sir Christopher Walford, spoke of our “special relationship” when hosting His Highness the Amir’s brother at the same venue in London.

The special relationship between our two countries is stronger today than ever before. Ours is an economic and trading partnership that can trace its roots back to the eighteenth century, when we traded saffron and silks, satin and spices through Kuwait as a key trading post throughout a joint maritime history. But even as we celebrate our shared past we must look forward to strengthen our strategic ties. From the City of London’s perspective, we view this relationship very much as one of sharing skills and experience to grow both financial sectors. Closer partnership will support the wider goals of economic diversification and sustainable growth.

That is why I am leading a senior City business delegation to Kuwait. Kuwait and Britain have many shared attributes.

Both are relatively small countries that act as gateways to a wider region Kuwait to the Gulf, London to Europe.

Both also have dynamic private sectors, with an emphasis on financial expertise, and are democracies.

We are natural partners and this is reflected in our flourishing economic relationship. Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to double bilateral trade to £4bn by 2015 when he visited Kuwait in February 2011 and I am delighted that we are on track to achieve this goal.

Exports on goods from the UK rose 17% for the first 8 months of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, while the services sector posted a 13% annual increase in 2011. This is a positive trend and one that I hope this visit wilt help to sustain.

Our mutually beneficial trade relationship will help to support the visionary plans outlined in Kuwait’s National Development Plan for a pipeline of $108bn projects to improve infrastructure. Madinat al Hareer and Bublyan

Port, in particular, are ambitious projects that pose a multitude of challenges.

The new Kuwait University City is another significant step forward.

Education is integral to releasing untapped potential and ensuring a sustainable future, particularly when it comes to nurturing the skills base needed to develop a financial services cluster.

The UK is uniquely placed to be Kuwait’s partner of choice when it comes to delivering these plans. The City is a world leader at mobilising the capital needed for such large-scale development and our companies have experience of working on ventures across the globe.

What makes the UK stand out is our hard won reputation for delivering major, high-quality projects on time and on budget - as demonstrated memorably by the 2012 Olympics. The City has vast expertise in mobilising the capital and providing the services required throughout a project’s lifecycle from design to delivery, whether using publicprivate partnerships (PPP) or other models. PPP can help Kuwait to lock in longterm expertise through involving the private sector in public service delivery.

Our expertise when it comes to professional services is second to none - of particular interest as Kuwait takes forward its PPP programmes.

On the other hand, Kuwait Continues to play a huge part in the life and work of the City of London. We are delighted that the UK is a second home to many, with around 15,000 properties owned by Kuwaiti nationals.

Meanwhile, the Kuwait Investment Office - the oldest sovereign wealth fund in the UK - Is celebrating its 60th anniversary in London this year. The KIO’s new roadmap for investing in the UK - particularly large scale infrastructure projects - will build on its reputation for making long-term investments via London. It will also support Kuwait’s discrete role in financing and driving a vast number of developments including Cheapside, the City’s fast growing retail area. Much has been achieved to foster our mutually beneficial ties over the 60 years Since the KIO set up in London.

More still in the past three centuries since we began our trading partnership.

But I believe there is scope to further strengthen our friendship. Closer collaboration between Kuwait and the UK will help to boost the mutually beneficial exchange of talent, ideas and capital. I hope this visit will help to support this objective.

25,000 flags around Kuwait for National Day

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The supervisor at Kuwait Municipality, Ahmad Al-Bikhait, said 25,000 flags of varying sizes are fluttering all across Kuwait on the occasion of National Day and Liberation Day, thanks to the Municipality’s efforts.

The national flag was hoisted at Bayan Palace in an official and popular ceremony.

Flags that were hoisted ranged in their sizes between 1.5 x 0.75 meters, 1.5 x 3 meters and 1 x 2 meters.

Al-Bikhait said Kuwait celebrates several occasions during the month of February ever y year, including the day of His Highness the Amir assumed office, Independence Day and Liberation Day. AlBikhait said that the municipality makes necessary arrangements for flag holders at the beginning of October every year. He called upon everyone to cooperate with those hoisting the flags.

Inspection campaign The Ahmadi Municipality branch carried out an inspection campaign at the heritage village camp behind the Mina Abdullah

Ahmad Al-Bikhait barns, confiscating many contraband items.

Among the confiscated goods were 41 bags of charcoal including 24 of large size and 17 of small size, five chairs, four small cookers, four gas cylinders, three ice cream refrigerators, two mobiles, one heater, one juicer, one case of smoking pipes and many other things. One Hardees car was also confiscated.

Public relations department emphasized the importance of abiding by the rules and regulations and not breaking the law. Officials said legal action would be initiated against any violators.

KUWAIT: Men in their early 50s must undergo an annual digital rectal screening of their prostate to avoid bigger problems, according to a cancer expert.

Speaking to Kuwait Times, Dr Ehab El Mallah, the urology and andrology consultant at Taiba Hospital, it is important for men in their early 50s to regularly undergo medical checkups to avoid bigger problems in the future. El Mallah, who is also a professor of Urology and Andrology Department at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, said men in that age group are susceptible to cancer and even the Word Health Organization (WHO), advises undergoing medical rectal examination annually. “Prostate can be affected by several disorders including prostatitis or inflammation of prostate, the benign enlargement of the prostate which affects mostly men above 50s,” he said. “We call upon all men to undergo examination of their prostate when they reach the age of 50. I also advise men to undergo blood check, called Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or a test used to help detect prostate cancer or other prostate abnormalities,” he noted.

He explained that a study in the US found that many cancers of prostate happened in the men above 50 and very low among those below that age. “So they concluded that prostate cancer could start at the age of 50 and in order to avoid it, men should regularly get a check up when they reach the age of 50,” he reiterated. However, he advised men especially if their family has a history of cancer to undergo regular checks when they reach the age of 40. “We have to start the examination in case of such people at 40 years of age, but others without any history of cancer can start at the age of 50. In the US, for black people, WHO advised that check up should start at the age of 45. They found that black men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer compared to white men,” he opined. “The earlier the detection of cancer in your prostate, the better it would be because then it is more curable. In order for the cancer to be detected earlier, they have to follow the doctor’s advice in the matter,” he said. Kuwait, just like any other country in the Arab world, experiences a very low incidence of prostate cancer. “In the Arab world, a research found only about 3-4 percent rate of prostate cancer as compared to the 5-6 percent rate in the rest of the world,” he added. “So it is not widely prevalent in Kuwait and other GCC countries,” he argued. In fact, in the last

three years of Dr El Mallah’s practice in Kuwait, he only encountered about five prostate cancer patients in his hospital. “They were all in the above-50 category, so we are focusing our campaign to inform men in Kuwait to undergo medical rectal screening of prostate annually at that age,” he reiterated.

Additionally, El-Mallah said sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are also rare in Kuwait. “Take for example the AIDS disease. In the last three years, I have not encountered any patient with AIDS here. So, I think there is a very low rate of AIDS in Kuwait, but other

Dr Ehab El Mallah talking to Kuwait Times.

— Photo by Joseph Shagra sexually transmitted diseases, like the syphilis of gonorrhea are found. People contract these diseases usually when they travel abroad. From there, it is transmitted to the wives. It can also be transmitted in cases where people have multiple partners. So, if you have the disease, the treatment should not only be directed at the carrier but all those who came into sexual contact would need to be treated,” he said. “The wife should be treated too because if it was transmitted to the wife, you can become afflicted again as a result of sexual contact,” he advised. Treatment of the infection can last at least a week. “The disease could also reduce the fertility level. Besides, it could turn into prostate infection and the treatment of prostatitis could last another one month,” he added. Treatment of such conditions can be handled by Taiba Hospital with the most recent and advance technology available. “There are advance technologies available now in Taiba Hospital. In the last few years, there has been huge advancement in the laser technology in handling the

patients with the prostate condition, like prostate enlargement and urinary tract. Very few country in the world are doing open surgery of prostate conditions now and most are treating their patients through laser. That is because laser is giving the same result as the other options, and is much safer. We have the most advance technology in Taiba. For example, we have the ‘green laser 180 watts, very powerful, exclusive to Taiba only’ laser which is now the first choice in the vaporization or treatment of prostate enlargement condition. We can do that very safely and easily.”

Uric acid stones can also be disintegrated (vaporized) with laser using another type of laser available only at Taiba Hospital.

Taiba Hospital also treats and accepts patients with low counts of sperm. “We treated many patients with infertility problems. We evaluate the hormones and the sperm count if there are abnormalities and make at least two consecutive semen analysis. Many do not know that sperm is formed in 72 days. It is not one hour but 72 days. So it is very important for us to understand why the treatment usually takes three months. We have an excellent treatment of low count sperm here at Taiba Hospital.” Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological disorders. The organs covered by urology include the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis.

Urology is one of the most competitive specialties to enter for physicians. The urinary and reproductive tracts are closely linked, and disorders of one often affect the other. Hence, a major part of the conditions managed in urology fall in the area of genitourinary disorders. Urology combines management of medical (i.e., non-surgical) problems such as urinary tract infections and benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as surgical problems such as the surgical management of cancers, the correction of congenital abnormalities, and correcting stress incontinence.

Urology is closely related to, and in some cases overlaps with, the medical fields of oncology, nephrology, gynecology, andrology, pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, and endocrinology.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

LOCAL In my view

Letters to Badrya

Cyber security, cyber-gangs

Raise your voice for us badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

By Labeed Abdal

local@kuwaittimes.net

O

ne cannot deny the continuous global threats to military or security entities in many parts of the world, given that it is an open arena for muscle flexing and display of some tangible power.

Some countries do not stop there but also extend that power to cyberspace. There are cyber invasions led by cyber gangs or e-criminal networks which can be leashed on the private sector of a targeted country and may include banks, insurance, medical, financial and industrial institutions etc.

Even individuals are targeted to become victims of efraud, money laundering crimes and indirectly being drafted into criminal organizations or ransom deals

kuwait digest

Universities... once again

By Yousuf Awadh

The matter might not stop even there even as such threats can even target the entire country as a form of a new type of weaponry meant to escalate attacks and weaken it. Such cyber attacks are part of the larger armoury of ground, air or naval attacks in the new emerging forms of war. through e-scams.

The matter might not stop even there even as such threats can even target the entire country as a form of a new type of weaponry meant to escalate attacks and weaken it. Such cyber attacks are part of the larger armoury of ground, air or naval attacks in the new emerging forms of war. Most of the countries must unite their efforts against such new forms of terrorism which pose a serious threat. Furthermore, the issue can also involve acute uncertainties which can cripple the internet and other ways of communication which are so vital to our lives and all our daily decision making processes.

In Kuwait, I find it as part of the national duty, historic responsibility and political wisdom to work on this area through serious efforts to maintain the state security in a solid and scientifically advanced fashion.

Meanwhile, the global coordination and cooperation has become an imperative need for the whole international community to protect the international peace and security in many new senses.

I

believe that this particular subject is not of any interest to the government. In fact, it is behaving as if the subject is not even within its domain. It is possible that even a discussion among the ministers is to be prevented on this issue. There seems to be an overt decision not to talk about it, forget about discussing it. I do not know the real reason behind such behaviour.

There has to be some reason behind such peculiar state of affairs because it is impossible for the government not to take interest in such an important issue. As for the parliament, the annulled Assembly faced its responsibilities with courage and approved the Jaber Applied University, but this proposal was sent back in a bad and perplexing move.

It is time to say things out in a frank manner. There seems to be a certain agreement with a sister country to export Kuwaiti students to it with certain conditions, backed by economic support. I find that not only is that possible, but that there is no other option because it is such an apparent thing. The government did not assume any responsibility to resolve this issue which many Kuwaiti families have been grappling with. Let us suppose that it is true that the government decided that there was no need to build another university as long as it was possible to send the students backed with money to other countries. In this way, instead of injecting money into establishing new universities for the benefit of the upcoming generations, the money is being sent to those countries through Kuwaiti students who will study there.

If this is the case, the government is making a big mistake in its policy towards the students. Besides, it will be a poor way of conducting our foreign relations. It is not realistic to remain in dire need of universities when we can eas-

ily set up new ones instead of channeling the money abroad, irrespective of how much our government loves these countries or, rather, how much they pressurize our government.

As long as the government remains under foreign pressure and is adamant on keeping its eyes closed towards the extortion of Kuwaiti money, I have this solution, which I must hasten to add, is a solution only a desperate man will have to resort to, but then I have little option. My solution is that the government’s representatives should sit down with the representatives of countries demanding their share of Kuwaiti students and calculate the money the students will be spending in the friendly countries.

Then it should grant them the required sum instead of having Kuwaiti students go through the hardships in those countries away from their families. It should move towards constructing new Kuwaiti universities in Kuwait. I am not speaking of only one new university but several.

And I am talking of real universities, not grocery stores like education dispensing shops which masquerade themselves as universities.

What happens to Kuwaiti students in these countries is shameful and they deserve to study in their own country.

Their future must be segregated from the pressures of foreign policy and political influence. After all, these students are our national capital and they are more valuable than any political practice or unfruitful deals. Any country is build only by its own people and the establishment of new universities and making it easier for students to join these is what the citizens can rightfully demand from their government which has no option to be found lax in fulfilling the educational needs of our youth. — Aljarida

kuwait digest

An apology appreciated

By Iqbal Al-Ahmad

I

never thought that someday I would find something right in front of me only moments after I was imagining it in my head, but this is exactly what happened with me the other day. I was driving with my daughter when we saw a police patrol over-speeding and swerving without using indicators.

My daughter said, “What do you expect from traffic officers who don’t even use seatbelts?”

I imagined a situation in which a patrol vehicle stops next to my car at a traffic light, and I notice that the officer inside was not wearing his seatbelt. How our conversation would have gone if I had decided to confront him about it? The next thing I know, I stopped at a traffic light and a police vehicle stopped just towards the right of my car. I looked over and saw that the young police officer did not have his seatbelt on.

I rolled the window down and pulled my already fastened seatbelt outwards so that he could see it. He smiled, in a way that gave the impression that he knew what I meant. Then I asked him “you are not fastening your seatbelt, right?

Shouldn’t you as a police officer be setting an example and issue tickets to drivers who are not fastening their seatbelts?”

I thought he was going to apologize or give me some kind of excuse for not having the seatbelt on. Instead, he said with the smile still on his face something which, had it been said by any police officer in any other country where the law is fully enforced, would have immediately cost him his job. “I was never convinced about the seatbelt, and never use it. If my mom or sister chose not to fasten their seatbelt, I would not issue them traffic tickets,” he replied. While I was flattered that he probably was trying to show me respect by comparing me to his mother or sister, I felt sorry for him and for the level of safety and security in our streets.

What if a policeman saw someone killing a thief, drug trafficker or an addict, does that give him the right not to arrest the killer because he is convinced that the murdered person deserved to die? Is that the kind of response one expects from a policeman or someone whose job is to enforce the law? Did the lack of law enforcement reach this serious level?

Have we really reached a level where the civilians are alerting police officers about violations and asking them to apply the law? Have we reached a level where police are refusing to issue a traffic ticket even if we ask for it, just because they are not convinced about the validity of the law?

I suggest that the Ministry of Interior makes an official apology to the Kuwaiti people, using the electronic billboards on main streets which they use to spread awareness about following traffic laws, such as fastening seatbelts. It appears that these instructions should be first be directed to the police officers before the public is asked to follow these.

You really cannot blame the drivers for violating the law if they find traffic police officers not following the same law they are assigned to protect. I hope the Ministry of Interior would give us a clarification on this: when I break the traffic law and am issued a ticket for it, then I would be obligated by law to pay my fine or be subjected to other penalties accordingly. But if a police officer breaks the traffic laws, how are we supposed to act? By the way, I have the number of the policeman’s patrol vehicle, just in case the Interior Ministry wished to follow up the case. I am not saying that they have to, just in case any ministry official wanted to know who he was! —- Al-Qabas

Good Morning, I read with interest your article in this morning’s Kuwait Times Newspaper.

I, too, have been harassed in the Fahaheel area of Kuwait by groups of young men on more than three occasions. The most recent was two weeks ago when a group of three youth began throwing rocks at me. I asked for help from passersby, but no one bothered.

I first called the emergency number and asked for an English speaking person. Once that person came on the phone, I was told to go to the nearest police station and file a complaint. While I was on the phone, I was still being hit by rocks, yelled at and cursed at.

I went to the police station in Abu Halifaya and was told that I needed to go to the police station in Fintas. I went to the police station in Fintas and was told to come back with someone who speaks Arabic.

Now I have a solution. I must fight back.

Thank you.

Kimberly McDuffie Dear Badrya: I am a real fan of your articles. Particularly I loved the article titled “Hamdulillah Ala Salama” I am an American, teaching at a university here. As a foreigner, you know we should not raise our voice.

Therefore, writers like you need to bring these to other peoples’ attention hoping that someday some people would stand up to straighten up certain things.

Will you believe that my bachelors, masters and PhD diplomas were mailed in November last year and I still have not received these? They were mailed via United States Postal Service Express mail, and it never takes more than three to four days to receive those. I have no clue what is happening as I contacted the post office so many times but only encountered a negative answer. You can understand what kind of trouble I am facing without those documents. I guess it is needless to mention what kind of treatment we receive from employees working in the Post Office. I was born in a South Asian underdeveloped country, but even there I never faced such a situation. Sometimes I feel as if I was living in the medieval age.

It has been about six months that I have been working here and still, I could not get my “Akamah,” i.e. work visa and civil ID card. You know very well that one is literally stuck if one does not have that card here. My only offense was that I left the country due to emergency reasons.

According to the Kuwaiti law, you have to start processing the work visa all over again if you leave the country.

Also, I am sure you are as much frustrated as I am about how terribly Kuwaitis drive. I have been to so many countries, but I swear nowhere I had to play such a video game out on the roads, which is what driving here is like.

The only difference between a virtual and this real video game is that I might end up losing my life. I guess if you have the magical power named “Wasta,” you can get away with literally everything.

I am sure you are not unfamiliar with any of these issues. My point is that more and more people like you, those with conscience, need to raise their voice and bring these to the attention of the right authorities. I am relatively new here, but from the other expats the impression I get is that things have not improved much over the last many years.

As you mentioned in the article, you don’t have to go too far. Just compare the Kuwaiti systems with those of other GCC nations, some of which are way poorer than this country, and you can figure out where Kuwait stands.

So like everyone, I, too, am keeping my fingers crossed.

Keep up the good job, ma’am.

Best, Mahmud

kuwait digest

Childish games at parliament

By Thaar Al-Rashidi

A

s I entered one of the diwaniyas, people were arguing about whether the “Batman” can really fly or not? It was one of the silliest arguments I ever heard. The important thing is that after resorting to Google, the argument ended in favour of those who claimed that the “Batman” does not fly.

The-batman-can-fly-or-not argument hardly differs from the kind of arguments that some of the National Assembly MPs have been indulging in on the issue of whether “the loans should be waived off or not” since there is little of content or significance but a lot of political show off involved. These are arguments devoid of seriousness but full of shenanigans.

The entire debate is mostly aimed at gaining ever more political influence and suggestions that no one can get his or her head around, but we have to bear with them.

This is democracy, and this is the National Assembly. In general, and since our people like obstinacy and love anyone seen swimming against the stream, I suggest a national and popular campaign to be mounted on a large scale under the slogan “No to scrapping loans.” Believe me that within five days of the campaign, the loans will be cancelled. Just try it. Any economist who tells you to your face that “cancelling of loans” will be a disaster for the country, catch him by the scruff of his neck and ask him why he did not open his mouth when debts were being dished at such high interest rates? Why was he silent at a time of direct support loans and the multi billon fund? Most importantly, do not forget to ask him about the KD 37 billion growth money and what happened to it? Sure, some economists do talk about fear of spending public funds. Their tongues wag only about money spent in favor of the people, rather poor people. Were the same money to be spent for the rich or was to line the pockets of those with huge influence, they will remain silent and even give their blessings.

Note: It is with regret that the largest legislative building in the state has been reduced to a theater for childish games played by the grown ups. — Al-Anbaa

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

LOCAL

KD 5.4 billion allotted for development strategy More role for private sector KUWAIT: The Ministry of Finance has recently formed six teams to examine and confirm ventures of the fourth development plan (2013-2014) with projects included in budgets of government departments, Minister Mustafa Al-Shimali announced yesterday. AlShimali, in an inaugural statement of the conference themed “Role of the private sector in development and infrastructural projects of 2013,” revealed that more than KD 5.4 billion had been earmarked for execution of the development strategy (2013-2014). This covers forecast costs of various aspects and sections of the plan, namely concerning infrastructure.

Action is underway for improving the regulatory status of financial investments in the country, “preparing an adequate administrative and legal environment for the private sector and upgrading the infrastructure, such as hiking electrical energy output and increasing productivity of water desalination plants to meet mounting demand,” Al-Shimali declared.

Indicating that the private sector is being given the chance to take part in projects for upgrading Kuwait’s land, maritime, air transport networks, energy, health and education services, Al-Shimali affirmed that the national development strategy is devised to transform Kuwait into a lucrative financial hub, with an environment of free competition, equal opportunities, and mounting output.

Asserting that he was hoping that the private sector, mainly the banks, would take part in funding some of the key ventures to develop and modernize Kuwait further, the

minister affirmed the government’s sincere desire to let the private sector have stakes in such ventures, noting formation of a technical apparatus for BOT and BBB projects.

Toufic Al-Jarrah, Chairman of the RealEstate Union, affirmed that the conference was aimed at promoting awareness on necessity of development and infrastructural ventures, with emphasis on the role of the private and public sectors, as well as promoting Kuwait as a major regional market for investments.

Guidelines of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah constitute the main blueprint for efforts at placing Kuwait on the map of economic development, on par with other regional countries. “Perhaps, one of the major steps that should be taken by the government currently is hiking capital expenditure,” he opined.

Elaborating on other needed moves, he noted necessity of allocating more land plots for investment and aiding stumbling companies, still suffering from ripples of the global financial crisis. The government has expressed serious desire to coordinate between the public and private sectors to boost development, “however, some relevant laws must be amended to aid such an approach,” he cautioned.

Kuwait has to speed up implementation of the development plan for 2013/2014 and to encourage the private sector to greatly contribute to the process, experts underlined yesterday. In a seminar on the sidelines of the conference, economic experts spoke about

slackness in the execution of projects whose budgets were approved in 2010.

“The state bodies have to accelerate the execution of the development plan to achieve its objectives,” former Kuwaiti minister of commerce and industry Abdulwahab Al-Haroun stressed.

He added that the state executive bodies shoulder the responsibility of putting these multi-billion Kuwaiti dinars plan into effect.

“So these bodies have to employee professional cadres and experts to forge ahead with the plan projects without more loss of time,” Al-Haroun said.

He noted that accelerating the development projects would help restore people confidence and will encourage private sector and foreign investors to pour in more capitals in the Kuwaiti market.

For his part, Director of the technical committee for studying development projects Adel Al-Rumi said the committee has completed studying of several new ambitious development projects. He underscored the need for significant contribution from the private sector in the development projects in Kuwait. “The committee will do it best to overcome any bureaucratic obstacles facing the investment in development projects in a short time,” Al-Rumi said.

He disclosed that the committee has unveiled four development projects; North Al-Zour Power Station, Khiran and Umm alHayman projects to re-refining sewage water and a solid waste recycling plant in Kabd, adding that 20 projects will be put up for investors in the coming three years. — KUNA

Stage set for meeting of Arab Parliament CAIRO: Deliberations of the 2nd ordinary round of the Arab Parliament in 2013 headed by its Speaker Ahmad Al-Jarwan kicks off today.

The session will discuss a number of issues of concern to the joint Arab action, particularly the Palestinian issue, the situation in Syria, three occupied UAE islands and the situation in Somalia.

Al-Jarwan said in a statement at the end of the four committees of the Parliament that the parlia-

ment will discuss a number of legislative and administrative issues related to the statute of the Arab Parliament and its bylaws, in addition to the nomination of a new Secretary General.

He said the gathering would also discuss the latest developments in the region, especially with regard to upgrading the status of Palestine as a non-member observer state at the United Nations as a historic achievement for the Palestinian people at this

time. With regard to the Syrian crisis, Al-Jarwan underscored the Parliament’s support for all movement aimed at stopping the bloodshed of the Syrian people and to support any peaceful proposal that preserves the dignity of the Syrians.

“We in the Arab parliament condemn any foreign interference messing in this case and the Syrian blood,” he stated.

On the issue of Iran’s occupation of three UAE islands, Al-

Jarwan said “We condemn the planned visit of some members of the Iranian Shura Council to Abu Musa and the Lesser Tunb islands occupied by Iran since 1971.”

H e c a l l e d fo r t h e n e e d to develop a timetable to resolve the issue of the UAE islands with Iran, if not through bilateral dialogue, then through the international forums, including t h e I n te r n a t i o n a l Co u r t o f Justice. — KUNA

UAE-Kuwait Media Forum kicks off in Dubai

DUBAI: Secretary General of Kuwait Journalists Association Faisal Al-Qenai and other officials at the UAE-Kuwait Media Forum.

Al-Rashed holds talks with Qatari officials DOHA: Deputy Amir and Crown Prince of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received here yesterday Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Ali Fahad Al-Rashed, who is visiting Qatar at the head of a parliamentary delegation.

Al-Rashed also met earlier chairman of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser.

Al-Rashed said that the meeting with Sheikh Tamim was dominated by friendliness and appreciation, which reflects the depth of historical relations between the two brotherly

countries in various fields.

He added that he discussed with Sheikha Mozah Qatar’s experience in bringing in the world’s most prestigious universities to open branches in Qatar.

He said that the educational city in Qatar is an educational edifice that Qatar must be proud of and represents one of the cultural aspects of the State of Qatar, thus, serving the GCC education as a whole.

Al-Rashed hoped Kuwait would witness a similar edifice in the coming period saying that education is the strongest weapon in each state. — KUNA

DUBAI: The Fifth UAE-Kuwait Media Forum k icked off here yesterday under the patronage of Deput y Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. “ The press domain in the Arab Gulf region is peculiar in the special bonds link ing its people,” Dubai Press Club Secretary General Muna Bu Samra said in the opening session, citing the relations between UAE-Kuwaiti journalists as a clear example of the strong ties.

The two-day event is organized

by Dubai Press Club, the United Arab Emirates Journalists and Kuwait Journalists Association.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Kuwaiti Consul-General in Dubai Tariq Al-Hamad, Kuwaiti MP Nawaf Al-Fuzai’a, Secretary General of Kuwait Journalists Association Faisal Al-Qenai, chief editors of several Kuwaiti newspapers and a large number of UAE and Gulf journalists and public figures.

Bu Samra welcomed the Kuwaiti delegation, wishing the success of the forum in expanding cooperation between journalists from the two countries.

For his part, Secretary General of Kuwait Journalists Association Faisal Al-Qenai lauded the cooperation between the Kuwaiti and UAE journalists and thanked Sheik h Maktoum for his sponsorship of the forum.

Al-Qenai also presented a memorial gift to Sheikh Maktoum who toured the exhibition held on the sidelines of the Forum.

The event includes a plethora of media-related activities including seminars, lectures, workshops and exhibition.

Among Kuwaiti participants in the Forum, the Information Ministry, Kuwait News Agenc y (KUNA), M inistr y of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, University of Kuwait, Civil Service Commission and Kuwait Airways Corporation.

The event coincides with Kuwait’s celebrations of national days; the 52nd National Day of Kuwait Independence, the 22nd Liberation Day and the Seventh Anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s assumption of the leadership of the country. —KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team carried out a cleaning campaign at the Ushairej Beach yesterday in which they removed 17 tons of waste that include ship wreckage and fishing net. This was the first phase of a major cleaning campaign at the beach carried out in commemoration of the national holidays.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

LOCAL

73% of Kuwait employers planning to hire in 2013 KUWAIT: The latest Middle East and North Africa Job Index survey conducted

by Bayt.com, and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation, has shown that in the next three months, 30% of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) employers are ‘definitely hiring’, with an additional 27% stating that they are ‘probably hiring’ - an increase of 2% in both instances in comparison to results gathered in Q3 2012.

In Kuwait, 31% of the companies are ‘definitely hiring’ in the next three months, with 30% stating that they are ‘probably’ hiring. In a year’s time,73% of companies are expecting to hire new employees.

“The clear improvement in the number of jobs to be available in the coming 12 months is a positive sign for Kuwait’s economy. We have seen a regional increase in terms of the numbers of employment opportunities, and this is a good indicator of the region’s growth and development,” said SuhailMasri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com. “At Bayt.com, we specialize in gathering the information that matters most to employers and employees across the region as we aim to empower jobseekers and employers alike by giving them the tools to find their dream job and top talent respectively.” The majority of companies in Kuwait (74%) are expecting to hire up to 10 employees in the coming three months - 5% higher than the regional prospects of 69%. Employers in Kuwait consider an educational background in business management to be most important for new hires, followed by commerce and engineering. They also consider good communication skills to be most important when seeking a new hire, followed by good leadership skills and the ability to be a cooperative, helpful and flexible team player. Companies will look to hire candidates who have experience in team management, sales and marketing,andcomputer skills.

Respondents believe that the industries that attract and retain the top talent in Kuwait are banking and finance, oil, gas and petrochemicals, and construction.

Across the region, multinational private sector companies will be hiring the highest number of new employees in the next three months, and will continue to be the biggest source of employment in a year’s time. Within the next three months, they are looking to hire predominantly at junior executive level, followed by executives and coordinators.

“A high number of lower-tier jobs is good news for new graduates. This provides a more open field at entry-level, which will give first-time jobseekers more opportunities to find employment in the industries that they wish,” said SundipChahal, CEO, YouGov. Regionally, the most desirable qualifications for candidates are in business management, commerce, engineering, and computer science. Good communication skills in English and Arabic are most desirable by employers, though being a cooperative, helpful and flexible team player is also considered highly. In terms of experience, most highly regarded is the ability to manage a team, followed by computer skills, and sales and marketing.

Four out of 10 respondents (38%) state that their current country of residence is more attractive than others in the Middle East, with the UAE topping the list of the most attractive countries in the region, followed by Qatar and KSA. Similarly, 43% believe that the industry they are currently working in is more attractive as a potential employer, in comparison to others. Banking and finance, and telecommunications (33% each) are considered to be the industries that are attracting and retaining the top talent in the respondents’ countries, followed by construction (32%) and oil, gas and petrochemicals (27%).

Data for the Bayt.com Job Index January 2013 survey was collected online from December 21st, 2012 to January 31st, 2013. Results are reported on a base of 4,349 respondents.

Countries that participated are UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Pakistan.

KUWAIT: LOYAC held a ceremony to graduate members of its programs, who received the ‘LOYAC Star’ certificate. Several state officials, social figures and other dignitaries attended the event including Minister of Education Nayef Al-Hajraf, Minister of Information Salman Al-Sabah, as well as representative of LOYAC’s partner Dow Chemical, Jamaal Al-Attal.

Drug smuggler detained at Kuwait’s northern border Three wounded in mysterious assault KUWAIT: A truck driver was detained at the northern border with 2kg of hashish that he attempted to smuggle into Kuwait. The Turkish man was immediately placed under arrest after customs officials at the Abdaly Border Checkpoint found the drugs ‘concealed skillfully in hidden cavities inside his truck,’ according to the police report. The man was referred to the Drug Control General Department for further action.

Syrians injured Three Syrian men were seriously injured in a scuffle in Saad Al-Abdullah when a big group of some 25 people assaulted them and targeted their truck which was badly damaged.

According to the police report, the three men thwarted the assault but it was not known what triggered it in the first place. The three were diagnosed with multiple stab wounds and other injuries at the Jahra Hospital where they were admitted to the intensive care unit.

A case was filed for investigations.

Man hurt in scuffle A man was hospitalized with serious head injuries in Farwaniya when he decided to settle an old dispute with fisticuffs but suffered a

blow to his head from a sharp objec t.

According to the police report, the man was rushed to the Farwaniya Hospital in an ambulance which picked him up from the Farwaniya police station where he was initially reported by an eyewitness. Search is on for the suspect.

Suicide case An Indian man committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of his Hawally apartment. The police reached the scene after an emergency call was made on 7:55 pm on Friday. The man, identified as an Indian in his twenties, was found hanging in his Muthanna Street apartment. The body was taken to the coroner and a case was opened for investigations.

Rapist caught A rapist was caught during a patrolling operation carried out by Hawally police on the night of the Valentine’s Day. Police pulled the suspect over in Salmiya when he was in the company of a woman. The man was arrested after officers who verified his identity learnt that he was wanted in a sexual assault case as well as to face theft charges pressed by a Kuwaiti woman a month ago. The man had

reportedly raped the plaintiff when she ended their relationship because she found him not committed to their marriage plans. In fact, she had already given him KD45,000 in total, believing him to be the man she was to marry.

It was also revealed that the suspect was headed for his apartment when he was stopped by police. Thus, the officers could potentially have prevented him from raping a new victim. He was taken to the proper authorities to face charges.

Foul play Investigations into an accident reported recently at a camp in the Rahiya desert in which a Kuwaiti man had died took a new turn after a fire was reported at the same camp.

After firefighters extinguished the flames which destroyed two tents in the camp late Friday night, detectives found traces of a flammable substance prompting speculation that someone was trying to destroy certain evidence in the death case reported earlier. A friend of the victim who had rushed him to the hospital had told the police that he had accidently ran him over while driving out of the camp. Investigations are on to determine the circumstances behind the case.

ABK proud winner of Service Hero KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait is proud to be the winner in First Place for Best Customer S er vice in Retail bank ing Category from Service Hero. ABK has consistently been among the top three contenders for the last two years, but this time, standing first among the best in the country is a tremendous achievement.

Stewar t Lock ie, heading Retail Banking was delighted at this prestigious recognition, “We have consistently committed ourselves to reach the level of customer service we provide today. I am so happy, and proud, that I am leading such a wonderful team in Retail Banking, and

our dedication has brought us this wonderful reward. We will continue to strive to excel in all fields, and bring only the best to our valued customers, who today have voted us into the first position for best customer service. We are indeed grateful to them.”

Service Hero is the Arab World’s only 100% consumer-driven customer satisfaction index. Service Hero adheres to internationally recognized research principles and is backed by an Independent Advisory Council ensuring results which are impartial, objective and which accurately reflect the voice of the customer.

Kuwait believes in IFAD’s unique role in development ROME: Kuwait’s representative at Board of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) asserted yesterday Kuwait’s strong support of the Fund and unique role in the field of development, as well as the fight against poverty.

Hisham Al-Wugayyan, also Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), said after his participation in the Board 36th session, which concluded meetings yesterday, that Kuwait is committed to supporting IFAD’s missions and objectives, mainly eradicating poverty through developing less fortunate rural classes.

He praised the session’s outcomes, especially ratifying the Fund’s ninth resources’ allocation of $1.5 billion for the 2013-2015 period in order to pump field investments to help some 85 million people out of poverty, pointing out that Kuwait has contributed its share of $15 million.

In this context, Al-Wugayyan pointed out that Kuwait, which was the forerunner in supporting this trend, also supported recommending IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze for a second four-year term, praising his efforts to reduce expenses and administrative reforms in the Fund, as well as establishing more regional offices in beneficiary countries.

On Kuwait’s catalyst role within the Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Group of the Fund, Al-Wugayyan said that he, along with GCC representatives, have discussed with IFAD chief and officials the nature of partnership that “both parties aspire,” especially since Kuwait and the GCC states are donor countries and do not benefit from the Fund’s loans.

Yesterday’s meeting mainly discussed the possibility for GCC countries to benefit for IFAD’s technical assistance in solving problems related to fisheries, animal and soil erosion, overgrazing, lack of resources and dependence on food import; some 90 percent, he noted.

He also revealed that Kuwait, and after the success of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, which it held last October, “is currently negotiating to join the Asian Development Bank this year to become the only Arab state to join this major financial institution.”

The IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations, which was established as an international financial institution in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference.

The conference was organized in response to the food crises of the early 1970s that primarily affected the Sahelian countries of Africa.— KUNA

KRCS launches ‘Ragheef’ campaign for Syrian refugees in Jordan AMMAN: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) launched here yesterday the “Ragheef” campaign, in aid of Syrian refugees in Jordan.

“Ragheef” one month-campaign is offering a total of 120,000 loaves of bread to Syrian refugees in various parts of Jordan, Head of the Kuwaiti delegation, and Head of Public Relations in KRCS Khalid Al-Zaid said.

This campaign, the 8th to be launched by KRCS, includes distributing bread and other aid in-kind to families of Syrian refugees, he added.

KRCS signed agreements with a total of 11 bakeries in the Hashemite Kingdome to supply refugees with bread, he said.

KRSC is offering a total of two kilograms of bread for each Syrian family, in coordination with the Jordanian Red Crescent Society.

The KRCS team distributed 60 tons of clothes and blankets to Syrian families in various parts of Jordan, he said. The teams started in Jerash city, in which they distributed blankets for 400 Syrian families, Al-Zaid pointed out. The Kuwait Red Crescent is committed to

its humanitarian mission and works to alleviate the suffering of the refugees, especially during this harsh winter season, he affirmed. He praised the efforts of Jordanian Red Crescent Society in offering assistance to reach all families of Syrian refugees.

Al-Zaid also hailed the role of the Kuwaiti diplomatic mission in Jordan in facilitating the work of KRCS in Jordan.

A total of 350,000 refugees fled their country and crossed border to Jordan, to escape the deteriorating situation in Syria. — KUNA

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Pope calls for Church to ‘renew’

UN envoy backs Syrian oppn’s call for talks Page 8

Page 9

BAGHDAD: Iraqis inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in the Ameen neighborhood of eastern Baghdad yesterday. —AP

Blasts kill 28 in Baghdad Violence accompanying growing political unrest BAGHDAD: Eight car bombs exploded in Shiite Muslim neighbourhoods across Iraq’s capital Baghdad yesterday morning, killing at least 28 people in blasts that tore into shops, restaurants and busy commercial streets. No-one claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Sunni Muslim insurgents have stepped up their activity since the beginning of the year in a bid to undermine the Shiite-led government and trigger deeper intercommunal fighting.

One blast tore off shop fronts in Qaiyara district while another left the remains of a car and its twisted engine littered across a high street in the busy, commercial

Karrada district packed with restaurants and shops.

“I was buying an air conditioner and suddenly there was an explosion. I threw myself on the ground. Minutes later I saw many people around, some of them dead, others wounded,” said salesman Jumaa Kareem, his jacket spattered with blood in Habibiya distric t, which was also hit.

Yesterday’s blasts followed the assassination of a senior Iraqi army intelligence officer on Saturday, the latest in a wave of suicide bombings since January that indicate insurgent determination to stoke sectarian tensions.

Violence in Iraq is increasing just as political tensions are rising against Shiite Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s power-sharing government made up of Shiite, Sunni and ethnic Kurds who split posts among them.

Thousands of Sunni Muslim protesters have rallied daily since late December in western provinces against what they see as the marginalisation of their minority sect, and calling for Maliki to step down. Many Iraq Sunnis feel they have been sidelined and unfairly targeted by security forces since the fall of Saddam Hussein and the rise of the countr y ’s Shi’ite majority

through the ballot box after the US-led invasion.

The country’s fragile power-sharing government has been paralysed by political infighting since the last American troops, who invaded the OPEC country to oust Saddam in 2003, withdrew more than a year ago. Maliki has offered concessions to Sunni protesters, but the Shiite premier has warned against allowing insurgents and hardline Islamists to hijack the demonstrations. Violence in Iraq is still far from the sectarian bloodletting that killed tens of thousands in 2006-2007, though insurgents have carried out at least one big attack a

Shiites lash out after Pakistan bomb kills 81 QUETTA: Angry Pakistani Shiites considered launching a new round of protests against the government in a southwestern city yesterday, a day after a bombing killed at least 81 people, mostly from their sect, in the second such attack

in as many months. Saturday’s blast at a produce market in Quetta underlined the precarious situation for Shiites living in a majority Sunni country where many extremist groups don’t consider them real Muslims. Some 160 people were also wounded in the blast. Friends and relatives of the dead gathered in the hundreds around Shiite mosques, where some 60 victims were laid out in coffins as religious leaders debated whether to protest the bombing by refusing to bur y the dead as they did after January’s attack.

After 86 people died in that bombing, which hit a billiards hall, Shiites camped for four days in the street alongside the coffins of their loved ones. Eventually the country’s prime minister ordered a shake-up in the regional administration, putting the local governor in charge of the whole province. “So far, we are not going home. We are not burying the dead,” said Dawood Agha, a Shiite leader in Quetta. Most of the dead and wounded were Hazaras, an ethnic group that migrated from Afghanistan over a century ago. Shiite Muslims, including Hazaras, have often been targeted by Sunni extremists in Baluchistan province, where Quetta is the capital, as well as in the southern city of Karachi and northwestern Pakistan.

The violence touched a chord

among Pakistanis elsewhere in the country, with small-scale protests being held in Islamabad, Karachi and at least 12 other cities.

At the Islamabad rally, hundreds of Shiites and various civil rights groups demanded the government crackdown on the al-Qaida-linked militant group Lashkar-e -Jhangvi, which has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“We all know it is LeJ,” said Hasan Raza, a Shiite activist. “We want the government to act now and take action against the terrorist group.”

The large-scale attack comes as the government, headed by the Pakistan People’s Party, is preparing for elections this spring, and it adds to the widespread perception that the government has done little to improve security or the economy during its five-year tenure.

Whether that anger will translate into widespread opposition to the PPP come election time remains to be seen. Baluchistan, the largest but most sparsely populated province, is a long way from places like Punjab and Sindh provinces where most of voters live. The protests calling for government action have generally been small scale so far and limited to mostly liberal activists. At the blast site, members of the Hazara community helped authorities dig through rubble to find the dead or survivors. Most of their efforts were focused on a two-stor y building that was completely destroyed. More than 20 shops nearby were also demolished. Clothing and shoes were scattered through the concrete rubble, broken steel bars and shattered wooden window frames littering the streets.—AP

month since the last US troops left.

More than 10 suicide attackers have struck security forces, Shiite targets and a Sunni lawmaker since the start of January.

In the most recent attacks, a suicide bomber killed the head of the army’s intelligence school on Saturday after storming his home in a northern town. Another suicide bomber killed 26 at a Shi’ite funeral at the start of the month. Iraqi Shiite leaders fear the war in neighbouring Syria - where Sunni rebels are fighting to oust President Bashar Al-Assad, an ally of Shiite Iran could further destabiliseIraq’s delicate sectarian and ethnic balance. — Reuters

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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

UN envoy backs Syrian oppn’s call for talks Brahimi wants ‘acceptable’ Syrian delegation

BOUREM: A Malian soldier handles ammunitions aboard a vehicle as they enter Bourem, northern Mali yesterday. — AP

Mali army detains 8 Arabs in Timbuktu TIMBUKTU: Mali’s military detained eight Arab men last week in Timbuktu, raising fears of further reprisals against the region’s Arab minority whose members are accused of having supported the al-Qaida-linked groups which overran northern Mali last year. Family members and witnesses late Saturday confirmed the Thursday arrests, carried out in what appeared to be a systematic sweep of the city’s Arab neighborhoods. Most of them were thrown into the bed of a pickup truck and covered with a tarp. The eight were among the last Arabs still living in this northern outpost.

Hundreds of others have fled to the neighboring nations of Algeria and Mauritania, where they are living in refugee camps.

Seventy-year-old Ali Ould Mohamed Kalbali was trembling when he was forced by Malian soldiers out of his boutique, stocked with nothing more than a few boxes of sardines and mostly-empty cartons of soap, said eyewitnesses, including his son, Ibrahim Ould Ali. An online petition was being circulated by friends and supporters, showing a picture of the elderly man, his face framed by a grey beard.

Salt seller Mohamed Ould Dahama was at home with his brother, when the soldiers came and asked for him, said his son Boubacar Sadigh. “The soldiers came in a car on which they had installed a tarp cover. It stopped in front of our door. One of the soldiers said, ‘Mohamed, we have a question that we want to ask you.’ Once he went outside, the soldiers threw themselves on him to make him get in the car,” said the son.

They then forced the brother, Dana Ould Dahama, to come out. “I was repairing shoes in my shop when I saw the soldiers who forced

Dana out of his house. I could see them through the door of my boutique. His hands had been tied with his turban and two soldiers picked him up and threw him in the back of the car,” said Ibrahim Ag Mahmoud, a cobbler in the Abaradjou neighborhood.

Mohamed Ould Mohamed Lamine, a merchant, was grabbed while walking in the street, said his wife, Mariam Mint Elbakaye.

Finally four truck drivers were also grabbed from the Abaradjou neighborhood the same day, said a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety. An Associated Press reporter saw their idle trucks.

Col. Keiba Sangare, in charge of operations for the region of Timbuktu, refused to confirm or deny that the eight had been arrested, and said only: “The gendarmerie is carrying out an investigation.”

Earlier this month, reporters from the AP discovered the bodies of two Arab men, buried in a shallow grave in a dune outside Timbuktu.

Witnesses identified the dead as two Arab men who were last seen on Jan. 28 being arrested by the military. For 10 months last year, most of northern Mali, including Timbuktu, was ruled by rebel groups with ties to al-Qaida.

They imposed harsh Shariah rule, whipping uncovered women, destroying the city’s ancient shrines and amputating the hands of accused thieves. In their attempt to rule the region, they allied themselves with the north’s Arab and Tuareg populations, many of whom entered the ranks of the city’s Islamic police.

Last month, France led a military intervention to take back the north, opening the way for Mali’s military to return to the cities they had been forced to abandon last April. —AP

AMMAN: A Syrian opposition leader’s call for dialogue is a test for the intentions of President Bashar Assad, the international envoy to Syria said yesterday, as fighting raged between rebels and government forces in at least three Syrian provinces. Lakhdar Brahimi, the joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, said the proposal by Mouaz Al-Khatib, the president of the opposition coalition, “has opened the door and challenges the Syrian government to fulfill its often-repeated assertion that it is ready for dialogue and a peaceful settlement.” “This initiative is on the table and will be on the table,” Brahimi told reporters in Cairo following talks with Arab league chief Nabil Elaraby.

“We believe that if a dialogue begins in one of the UN headquarters, at least initially, between the opposition and an acceptable delegation from the Syrian government, it will be a start for getting out of the dark tunnel in which Syria is placed,” Brahimi added. But in a statement Friday, the opposition’s main umbrella group, the Syrian National Coalition, said it would not allow President Bashar Assad or members of his security services to participate in talks to end the crisis.

It did not rule out, however, dialogue with some members of his ruling Baath party, saying it welcomed talks with “honorable people” from all parts of society who “have not been embroiled in the crimes against the Syrian people.” Still, neither side has proposed a concrete plan for the talks. Technically, al-Khatib’s offer no longer stands. Although he did not rescind it officially, he warned he would revoke it by last Sunday, if the regime didn’t release tens of prisoners - which it didn’t.

Meanwhile, Syrian Parliament Speaker Jihad Laham told fellow lawmakers in a session yesterday that dialogue is the path that must be pursued under a political agenda Assad proposed in January to end the nation’s 23month-old conflict. “All Syrians must work within the framework of this program to resolve the crisis in the country,” Laham said, pleading to “all Syrians, from all sects and orientation, to confront terrorism facing us.”

Addressing the same session, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Al-Halqi admitted that sanctions and rebel attacks “are beyond the capacity and the ability of any country to bear.” He said the economic blockade imposed by the European Union, the United States and some Arab states has had a “negative impact” on the health sector, although he did not elaborate. Rebel attacks, he added, have damaged 2,500 high schools and caused serious power outages,

reducing electricity distribution by up to 60 percent nationwide. He also blamed a shrinking oil supply - which he said now meets around 40 percent of the country’s needs - on rebel attacks on oil refineries.

Earlier yesterday, Syrian Electricity Minister Imad Khamis told the state news agency, SANA, that electricity has been restored in

yesterday, an explosion in traffic circle northwest of downtown Damascus killed one person and wounded another, a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. It was unclear what caused the blast in Abbasid Square, which sits on the western side of the neighborhood of Jobar, where rebels

CAIRO: Arab League general secretary Nabil Al-Arabi (right) talks with Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on Syria Lakhdar Brahimi during a meeting yesterday. —AFP most parts of the Syrian capital and that power will gradually reach the south as technical teams were trying to restore power completely.

He blamed the blackout on an unspecified fault in high-voltage lines. The power outage plunged Damascus into darkness late Saturday and affected much of southern Syria, mainly the provinces of Daraa and Sweida along the Jordanian border. The Syrian capital’s 2.5 million residents have grown used to frequent power cuts as the country’s nearly 2-year-old conflict has damaged infrastructure and sapped government revenue. A fuel shortage makes it hard for residents to run backup generators. A similar blackout struck the same areas on Jan 20. The government blamed that outage on a rebel attack, and power was restored to most areas the following day. Also

from the suburbs have been trying to push in the capital and clashing with government troops for more than a week.

A Britain-based rights group reported that at least six rebel field fighters were killed yesterday in clashes with Assad’s army in the suburbs of the capital, the northern province of Hama and the southern restive town of Daraa.

The UN says nearly 70,000 people have been killed in Syria’s conflict since the revolt began in March 2011. In a related development, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay pressed for international action to help stem the bloodshed, but acknowledged that achieving that won’t be easy. She alleged that Assad’s regime had committed crimes against humanity and should be referred to the International Criminal Court.— AP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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

Pope calls for Church to ‘renew’ Tourists, Romans seek piece of history

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during the Angelus noon prayer.

Rightwinger wins Cyprus presidency NICOSIA: Rightwing leader Nicos Anastasiades won yesterday’s presidential election with 51 percent of the vote, taking the helm in efforts to secure a bailout for recession-hit EU member Cyprus, exit polls said. Eliminating the

Nicos Anastasiades need for a second round, according to the polls on state television, 66-year-old Disy party head Anastasiades won 51.1 percent, fending off Stavros Malas, 45, backed by the AKEL communist party, who won 27.3. Setting off chanting and honking of car horns by Disy supporters, the exit polls, with a margin of error of 1.5 percent, showed former foreign minister George Lillikas coming in third with 18 percent.

“The Cypriot people have decided to turn the page - that message is clear.

We will wait for the results,” the Disy leader’s spokesman, Tassos Mitsopoulos, told reporters following the exit polls.

The election was seen as one of the most crucial since independence, with Greek Cypriots voting for a new president to rescue the recession-hit EU member state from bankruptcy.

Anastasiades also had the backing of centre-right Diko party in the race for the presidency, which unlike in previous polls on the normally affluent but divided island focused on the economy

rather than reunification efforts.

Anastasiades is seen as someone the Europe Union can do business with, while his stance on ending the fourdecade division between Greek and Turkish Cypriots Cyprus is more flexible than his rivals. The most pressing task facing the next president as he starts a five-year term will be to agree terms with a troika of lenders on a bailout to save the island’s Greek-exposed banks and failing economy. President Demetris Christofias sought a bailout in June, and talks dragged on as the outgoing leader, who did not stand for reelection, resisted measures including privatisation and reopened talks with Russia on a top-up loan. After voting in the southern coastal resort of Limassol, Anastasiades said the stakes were no less than the “survival of the country and nothing else”.

“I am trying to choose the best out of the worst,” accountant Christodoulos Kyriakides said as he voted in the capital on a crisp and sunny spring day in the eastern Mediterranean. “I want someone who will do the best for the economy without being a sellout” to foreign powers. The European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are awaiting the election result before offering the terms for a €17-billion ($23-billion) lifeline. On the political front, the international community will also expect the next Cypriot president to pick up the pieces of a deadlocked UN push for peace. Anastasiades supported a failed “Yes” vote for a UN reunification blueprint in 2004, even though it was overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots, resulting in a divided island joining the EU. Cyprus, which gained independence from Britain in 1960, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and seized its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup aimed at uniting the island and Greece. Lillikas was the only one of the three main candidates who rejects a bailout, saying it would plunge the holiday island into spiralling recession.

Instead, he wants to sell untapped offshore gas reserves in advance. A total of 11 candidates stood in the polls, including two women. — AFP

VATICAN CITY: Foreign tourists and Romans packed into St Peter’s Square yesterday for one of the last chances in histor y to see Pope Benedict, whose resignation caused more surprise than sadness. “I was just excited that we were going to get to see him before he resigned, and thought it would be cool to be in Rome with something like that happening,” said Shea Wild, an American student who had planned the trip before Benedict’s shock decision to step down. “If he thought he wasn’t able to continue his duties as pope then, good for him for making the decision to resign,” said the 21year-old Catholic as the cobblestoned square began filling up.

Not everyone was so understanding of the 85-year-old’s decision that the effects of age meant he was unable to go on, and several compared Benedict unfavourably with his predecessor, John Paul II, who suffered a long, incapacitating illness before his death at 84 in 2005. “It was a big disappointment because usually the pope is someone who carries out his role until the end,” said Hugo Barone, 60, a retired engineer from central Italy.

“Maybe John Paul was made of tougher stuff, he saw it through to the end. Ratzinger can’t do it and prefers a better life,” he said, referring to Benedict by his family name. “It’s completely wrong to leave his mission,” said Emanuele Vitali, a 22-year-old Sicilian studying economics in Rome who also said John Paul had done right in sticking to tradition and dying in office. “Right to the last he managed to do his work, and even did it very well.

“It’s absolutely the wrong decision (to resign) because we are in a moment of social, ideological and cultural crisis and in a moment like that it is completely wrong for him to leave.” With speculation that the

706 and 1,059 people and raped more than 35 women, prosecutors say. In one instance, some 80 people were massacred when perceived Ouattara supporters were attacked in the northwestern Abidjan suburb of Yopougon a day after Gbagbo’s arrest. “The perpetrators were armed with Kalashnikovs and machetes.

They attacked people in the street, sometimes stopping them at illegal roadblocks,” prosecutors said, adding “victims were summarily executed or burnt alive, under the eyes of police officers who did not intervene.”

In a reminder of tensions still simmering after the deadly presidential standoff, the same neighbourhood of Yopougon on Saturday saw riot police fire tear gas to disperse a group of around 50 proGbagbo supporters. Ouattara’s Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko had banned the demonstration but youths nevertheless gathered, shouting “Free Gbagbo” and charging a police barrier. Gbagbo’s supporters have accused Ouattara’s camp of practising “victor’s justice” as many of the former president’s supporters are now behind bars-including his wife Simone Gbagbo, who is also wanted for prosecution by the ICC while none of those close to the Ouattara regime has been arrested despite accusations of rights abuses.

Gbagbo, a former historian-turnedpolitician, was finally arrested on April 11,

industry beset by scandal, and even the Vatican’s own bank under investigation for money laundering, few Romans seemed keen on the next pope being Italian. “An Italian might just personify the Italian situation,” said Liborio Truncali, 50. For Italians, Benedict’s resignation has added to a sense of uncertainty as they face elections next week to replace an unelected ‘technocrat’ government appointed to stop the country spiralling into economic chaos.

“It ’s unsettling,” said retiree Mingrone. “At a time when there are all these political scuffles and an economic crisis, it is one more thing weighing on our minds.” But

even with the sudden uncertainty about who will lead a Church of 1.2 billion people, reeling from child sex abuse scandals and challenged by secularism and by other religions, Italians expressed more faith in the Vatican’s ability to overcome its problems than in their country.

“Governments form and fall and then there’s a battle between the parties. It’s an on-going crisis,” said Barone, convinced that the Church would survive the leadership question unscathed.

Most Romans seemed to agree, several quoting a common Roman saying that means ‘things will turn out ok’: “A pope dies, they make another one.” —- Reuters

VATICAN CITY: A priest displays a placard in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican as he follows Pope Benedict XVI reciting the Angelus prayer from the window of his apartment yesterday. — AP photos

Kosovo marks ‘irrefutable’ independence PRISTINA: Kosovo’s president insisted that its independence was an “irrefutable reality” as the impoverished territory yesterday marked five years since it broke away from Serbia. Relations have thawed with longtime foe Serbia under EU-sponsored reconciliation talks which are key to Belgrade’s bid to join the bloc, but tensions remain and daily life in Kosovo is still a struggle for many. “The republic of Kosovo is an irrefutable reality and its independence is irreversible,” president Atifete Jahjaga said in a televised address.

Kosovo’s star-studded flags fluttered along the

main streets of Pristina alongside the US Stars and Stripes ahead of a military parade by the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), trained by NATO as an emergency force. Almost 100 countries-including the United States-have recognised Kosovo since ethnic Albanians proclaimed independence on February 17, 2008, almost a decade after the 1998-1999 conflict that ended with a NATO bombing campaign against late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic’s forces. Belgrade still considers the region its southern province, but the EU-led talks which began in March 2011 have led to a recent thaw in

PRISTINA: A Kosovo Albanian youth poses for a picture near the “NEWBORN” monument painted with flags of the countries that have recognized Kosovo’s independence marking the 5th anniversary since Kosovo seceded from Serbia in capital Pristina yesterday. — AP

Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo to face ICC judges THE HAGUE: Ivory Coast ex-president Laurent Gbagbo tomorrow faces International Criminal Court judges who will decide if there is enough evidence to try him for masterminding a bloody election standoff two years ago. Gbagbo, 67, the first-ever former head of state to appear before the Hague-based court, faces four counts of crimes against humanity including murder and rape for fomenting a wave of violence which swept the west African nation after he refused to concede defeat in November 2010 presidential polls. Four months of fighting followed, ravaging the world’s largest cocoa producer and leaving some 3,000 people dead, according to the UN. Prosecutors will put their arguments to Argentinian judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, who will then decide whether there are “substantial grounds to believe that Gbagbo committed the crimes” and should be charged. The prosecution says Gbagbo spearheaded a plan to “stay in power by all means... through carefully planned, sustained and deadly attacks” against supporters of election winner and current Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. “Hundreds of civilian opponents were attacked, killed, wounded or victims of rape as a result of this policy,” the prosecution said.

Between November 28, 2010 and May 8, 2011 Gbagbo’s forces killed between

new pope might come from the developing world, rather than Europe as in the past, many people in the crowd wondered if the cardinals - the “princes” of the Church might elect a pontiff from Africa.

“In the United States they never thought they could have a nonwhite president and now they have one. Who knows what the cardinals are thinking?” said Antonio Mingrone, 68, a former employee of the railways. The Biazzi’s, a family of Brazilians, who flew in from their holiday in Por tugal after they heard of the pope’s resignation, said they hoped Benedict ’s replacement would be from Brazil.

But with Italian politics and

2011, when Ouattara’s forces with French and UN backing overran his heavily fortified compound in the southern economic capital after days of heavy fighting. He was taken to the northern Ivorian town of Korhogo, where he spent almost eight months under house arrest before being transferred to the ICC’s detention unit in November 2011.

During his first and only public appearance before ICC judges a few days later, Gbagbo accused France of orchestrating his arrest, while his supporters at the time branded his incarceration as a “political kidnapping.” “I was arrested under French bombs,” Gbagbo told judges at his initial appearance on December 5, 2011, denying the charges against him.Since then, the scheduled hearing to confirm the charges against him has twice been delayed-once to give his lawyers more time to prepare and again to assess his health to see if he was fit to stand trial.

ICC judges ruled in November last year he could take part, but have instituted shorter court sessions and are allowing him, if need be, to appear via video link because of his health. Tomorrow’s session is scheduled to start at 1330 GMT with the prosecutors expected to make an opening statement later in the afternoon. The hearings are to last just over a week, with Gbagbo expected to speak on the final day, February 28. — AFP

relations, and the two presidents held their first talks in Brussels on February 6. With Serbia’s EU membership dependent on improving ties with Pristina, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic hinted last month Belgrade may give up its opposition to Kosovo’s long-held goal of joining the United Nations. But Dacic has said the “most difficult part of this dialogue is ahead of us” in order to reach agreement with Pristina on the integration of the Serb minority.

Kosovo Prime Minister Ivica Thaci said Saturday that Pristina hoped the EU-sponsored talks-which were upgraded to top-level negotiations in October would lead to the “independence of Kosovo being recognised soon” by Serbia. Stumbling blocks remain, including Belgrade’s hope for some autonomy for the 120,000 Serbs who refuse to recognise the ethnic Albanian authorities. Kosovo foreign minister Enver Hoxhaj said he hoped the next round of talks starting tomorrow in Brussels would open the door to elections that would help integrate ethnic Serbs and would eventually end parallel institutions in minority areas in the north of Kosovo, such as ethnic Serb police.

“Once they are removed, we will be able in the following months to organise democratic elections at the local level and integrate these communities into the rest of Kosovo,” Hoxhaj told German radio on Saturday. Serbian media have widely ignored the anniversary, focusing instead on the topics to be discussed in Brussels, with the populist daily Vecernje Novosti insisting: “Only Serbian laws can save the Serbs in Kosovo.” The political progress has been overshadowed by the daily struggles of Kosovans, who say the euphoria of independence has worn off as they deal with the practical realities of living in disputed territory in one of Europe’s poorest regions. More than a third of Kosovo’s 1.8 million people live on less than a dollar a day and gross domestic product per capita is one of the lowest in Europe at 2,600 euros ($3,500) a year, according to the World Bank— AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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

Correa seen winning new term in Ecuador election Fractured opposition fielding seven candidates QUITO: Ecuadoreans vote for president yesterday in a ballot expected to hand incumbent Rafael Correa a new term to advance his socialist agenda of heavy government spending and expansion of state power that critics slam as creeping authoritarianism. Generous state outlays to expand access to healthcare, pave decrepit roads and build schools have given the combative economist a strong base among the South American nation’s poor.

Victory for Correa would cheer the

Correa a comfortable lead. Former banker Guillermo Lasso is Correa’s nearest rival in the polls, but surveys show him with only between 9 percent and 15 percent of the vote.

Correa has built an image of nationalist man-of-the-people through theatrical confrontation with oil companies and Wall Street investors.

The only Ecuadorean president in the past 20 years to complete a full term in office, he is admired for bringing political stability to a

firm recently showed Correa with 62 percent support. To avoid a second round, he needs to win at least 50 percent of the vote or 40 percent with a lead of 10 percentage points over the second-placed candidate.

Correa, 49, has ruled since 2007. In a new four-year term, he would face the challenge of securing financing after a 2008 debt default and wooing investors to boost oil output and kick-start the mining industry.

Opposition leaders call Correa a dictator in the making who is quashing

QUITO: President Rafael Correa waves to supporters as he leaves a polling station after voting yesterday.— AP leftist ALBA bloc of Latin American and Caribbean nations at a time when the group’s indisputable leader, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, is struggling to recover from cancer.

Polls show Correa leading his closest rival by more than 35 percentage points. “The beauty of an electoral democracy is that citizens have their future in their hands. So it’s time to vote,” he said after voting in northern Quito soon after polls opened at 7 am (1200 GMT). Critics say Correa is a despot who tolerates no dissent and is intent on amassing power. But the opposition’s inability to unite behind a single candidate - seven opposition candidates are running - has helped give

nation where leaders had been frequently toppled by violent street protests or military coups. “We’re done with the opportunists. They would take power and snatch up all the money and forget about their promises,” Jorge Pazmino, 65, who upholsters vehicles, said on Thursday at Correa’s final campaign rally in a working-class southern Quito neighborhood. “Now we finally have a president who is getting things done. There’s just nobody else to vote for,” he said.

Pazmino said it was easier to get medical attention thanks to an overhaul of the social security system and credits the president with forcing employers to respect labor laws. The Perfiles de Opinion polling

free speech through hostile confrontation with media and squelching free enterprise through heavy taxation and constant regulatory changes.

Lasso has called Correa’s “Citizens’ Revolution” a fast-food menu of unsuccessful economic policies copied from Ecuador’s era of military rulers and leftist governments like Venezuela’s Chavez. “He’ll have to explain how this development model is revolutionary if it’s a copy of the dictatorship of the 1970s and depends on high prices for oil that is mortgaged to China in exchange for loans,” Lasso said on Thursday at his final rally.

Correa has spent weeks on the campaign trail, from indigenous vil-

lages of the Andean highlands to urban slums in the bustling port city of Guayaquil, singing and dancing to play up an image of youthful energy. An avid cyclist, Correa filmed one campaign spot showing him changing out of a sharp suit into biking clothes and then riding his bike over mountain peaks and past tropical fishing villages to show the improvement of roads under his leadership. Even some Correa supporters acknowledge they find him brash and domineering. Sharp-tempered and quick to pick fights, he has remained in almost constant conflict with opposition media and on several occasions sued critical reporters and newspapers.

He also put himself on a collision course with the United States last year by letting WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange take refuge at Ecuador’s embassy in London and later offering him asylum.

Opposition leaders say the key to Correa’s longevity has been revamping state institutions to suit his needs and placing allies in key posts. In 2011, he called a referendum on a justice system overhaul, bypassing a hostile Congress in a move critics say boosted his control over the courts.

Correa has relied heavily on financing from China after a 2008 default on $3.2 billion in bonds left the country locked out of foreign credit markets. Lasso promises to cut taxes and spur entrepreneurship if he wins. Other opposition candidates include banana magnate and five-time presidential candidate Alvaro Noboa, and former President Lucio Gutierrez, who was ousted in a 2005 coup. Ecuadoreans also voted for a new legislature yesterday, through the results are not expected to be in for several days.

The Alianza Pais party also hopes to win more than 50 percent of the seats, up from about 42 percent now.

Investors will be watching Correa’s new term for signs he is willing to compromise to bring in investment needed to raise stagnant oil production, boost the promising but still nascent mining sector, and expand power generation. A major test will come this year in negotiations with Canada’s Kinross to develop a large gold deposit. — Reuters

Obama immigration aide seeks to finish journey WASHINGTON: Cecilia Munoz, President Barack Obama’s chief domestic policy adviser, keeps a framed letter from the late Democratic senator and immigration advocate Ted Kennedy in her West Wing office. “We didn’t complete the journey, but we’ll get there,” Kennedy wrote in 2007 following the collapse of bipartisan efforts to overhaul the nation’s fractured immigration system. For Munoz, a veteran of that fight and many earlier ones, completing the journey has never felt more possible. As head of the White House Domestic Policy Council, it’s Munoz leading Obama’s effort to break through years of partisan gridlock and provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of people living illegally in the United States.

“There is a definite lift in her step,” said Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s senior adviser. “But she’s not taking anything for granted.” Sharp shifts in the political landscape have put an immigration overhaul tantalizingly close for Munoz and the president.

Hispanics made up 10 percent of the electorate in the November election, and Obama won twothirds of their votes, in part because of the conservative immigration positions staked out by Republicans during their nominating contest.

The general election forced some GOP lawmakers to reconsider their opposition to comprehensive immigration changes, clearing the way for the swift consensus that has emerged between the White House and bipartisan lawmakers in recent weeks. The areas of agreement include a road to citizenship for most of the 11 million illegal immigrants already in the US, strengthening border security, making the legal immigration system more effective, and cracking down on businesses that employ illegal immigrants.

But filling in the details is expected to be contentious and emotional, with plenty of roadblocks.

USA Today reported Saturday that the White House is circulating a plan to create a visa for illegal immigrants living in the US. The proposal would allow them to become legal permanent residents within eight years. Many conservatives oppose a citizenship path for illegal immigrations, calling it “amnesty.”

Few people know the obstacles ahead in the immigration debate better than Munoz, who spent two decades as an immigration rights activist at the National Council of La Raza, the nation’s largest Hispanic advocacy organization. She earned a reputation as a fierce advocate with a wealth of knowledge of immigration policy, testifying frequently on Capitol Hill and providing guidance to several lawmakers, including Kennedy, D-Mass.

At times, Munoz has broken with her own party in order to fight for immigrants’ rights. In 1996, she led opposition to a provision in President Bill Clinton’s welfare law that made legal immigrants who were not citizens ineligible for food stamps and other public assistance. The lobbying by Munoz and others forced Congress to soften some of the restrictions. Janet Murguia worked in Clinton’s legislative affairs office then and found

WASHINGTON: In this photo, President Barack Obama (center) meets with Democratic Governors in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, as Cecilia Munoz, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, sits at the front table (far right). — AP herself at odds with Munoz.

“I’ve been on both sides of Cecilia, and I want to make sure I don’t have to be on that side again,” said Murguia, who later worked with Munoz at La Raza and now serves as the organization’s president. Some of the same obstacles Munoz faced as an immigration advocate have followed her to the White House. Obama’s pledge to tackle immigration during the first year of his presidency ran into stiff opposition from congressional Republicans.

Despite having a Democratic-controlled Congress at the time, the White House was unable to win passage in 2010 for the DREAM Act, which would have granted legal status to young people brought to the country illegally by their family.

Melody Barnes, who preceded Munoz as White House domestic policy adviser, said Munoz “felt the disappointment to the bone.” “It would feel as though the finish line was moving, moving, moving,” said Barnes, who left the White House in 2011.

While overhaul efforts stalled, deportations of illegal immigrants skyrocketed under Obama’s watch.

Munoz was sometimes put out to defend the administration’s policies and asserted that the president had to enforce the laws even if they are broken. A small but vocal group of immigration rights advocates turned their ire over the deportations at Munoz, accusing their one-time compatriot of turning her back on immigrants. Some went as far as to call for her resignation. Munoz declined to be interviewed for this story. But current and former colleagues say the criticism hurt Munoz deeply and she felt betrayed by people she had considered friends.

“She’s a forceful champion for her point of view, but is also a loyal team player to the president and her fellow staff members,” Murguia said. “That is a very difficult balancing act and I think sometimes that has opened her up to criticism from others.”

Born in Detroit to Bolivian immigrants, Munoz spent her teenage years working a drive-thru window at a McDonald’s before attending the

University of Michigan and graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley. Munoz, 50, is a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant for her work on immigration policy and civil rights.

Munoz, the mother of two daughters, joined Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign as an adviser on Hispanic issues. Despite her deep Washington connections, she had never worked directly in government before the newly elected Obama asked her to join the White House and lead the office of intergovernmental affairs. That job focused on outreach to state and local officials.

Last year, Munoz was promoted to head of the Domestic Policy Council, becoming the highestranking Hispanic in the White House and taking charge of a wide swath of policies, including education and gay rights. The move thrust Munoz into the senior ranks of the White House, though she continues to maintain a lower profile than many of the president’s top advisers. Despite her reputation as a forceful advocate, colleagues say the petite, soft-spoken Munoz sometimes can be underestimated in a White House inner circle largely dominated by men. Those close to her say she is sensitive, a quick crier, and collegial, sometimes inviting co-workers having a rough day into her office, where she pulls out enormous bags of pretzels and chocolate to snack on.

As congressional lawmakers debate Obama’s immigration proposals, Munoz is providing technical assistance to lawmakers, seeking to rally support from her old activist friends, and readying for the possibility that the White House will send its own bill to Congress if negotiations stall. While coworkers say Munoz is realistic about the challenges to come, she’s already thought about standing in the White House as Obama signs comprehensive immigration legislation into law. She plans to be there clutching Kennedy’s letter, a reminder of those who paved the way for the long journey she is on the cusp of completing. — AP

Could the next pope come from the US? NEW YORK: Conventional wisdom holds that no one from the United States could be elected pope, that the superpower has more than enough worldly influence without an American in the seat of St Peter. But after Pope Benedict XVI’s extraordinary abdication, church analysts are wondering whether old assumptions still apply, including whether the idea of a US pontiff remains off the table.

Benedict himself has set a tone for change with his dramatic personal example. He is the first pontiff in six centuries to step down. Church leaders and canon lawyers are scrambling to resolve a litany of dilemmas they had never anticipated, such as scheduling a conclave without a funeral first and choosing a title for a former pope. The conclaves that created the last two pontificates had already upended one tradition: Polish-born Pope John Paul II ended 455 years of Italian papacies with his surprise selection in 1978. Benedict, born in Bavaria, was the first German pope since the 11th century.

“With the election of John Paul, with the election of Benedict, one wonders if the former boundaries seem not to have any more credibility,” New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said, discussing Benedict’s decision this week on SiriusXM’s “The Catholic Channel.” The election also follows a pontificate that featured Americans in unusually prominent roles. Cardinal William Levada, the former San Francisco archbishop, was the first US prelate to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s powerful guardian of doctrine. Cardinal Raymond Burke, the former St Louis archbishop, is the first American to lead the Vatican supreme court. And Benedict appointed others from the US to handle some of his most pressing concerns, including rebuilding ties with breakaway Catholic traditionalists and overseeing the church’s response to clergy abuse cases worldwide. But as Christopher Bellitto, a historian at Kean University in New Jersey who studies the papacy, said, “There’s a big difference between letting somebody borrow the car and handing them the keys.” “The American church,” he said, “comes with a lot of baggage.” Among the negatives is the clergy sex abuse scandal, which has affected every US diocese and bishop.

The 11 US cardinals expected to vote in the conclave will include Cardinal Roger Mahony, the former Los Angeles archbishop who was recently stripped of public duties by his successor over his record on handling abuse cases. Also attending will be Cardinal Justin Rigali, who stepped down as Philadelphia archbishop after a landmark indictment of priests revealed he had kept several clergy on assignment despite claims they had molested children. The cardinals are also struggling against the perception, held particularly by Europeans, that most Americans aren’t sophisticated enough to handle the papacy. In a faith 2,000 years old, the United States is considered relatively new ground. Europe was still sending missionaries to the US to create the church through the early 1900s.

Popes are also expected to be multilingual, or to at minimum speak Italian fluently. Dolan, considered to have one

Archbishop Piero Marini of the highest profiles in the US church, speaks only halting Italian and a little Spanish, but no French or Latin. He led the North American Seminary in Rome, a kind of West Point for American priests, but has never worked in a Vatican office. “ There really never has been any American who rises above his Americanness and holds the esteem of the international group of cardinals because of his service, because of what he’s done for the church,” said Brother Charles Hilken, a historian at Saint Mar y ’s College of California, who has studied the papacy. Beyond the qualities of individual candidates, the cardinals take church history into account.

The church has tried to keep the papacy separate from a reigning superpower for centuries, whether the Holy Roman Empire, France or Spain, according to the Rev. Thomas Reese, author of “Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church.”

When France captured the papacy, the nation moved the seat to Avignon in 1309 and kept it there for seven decades.

But the role of the United States in the world today is what weighs most heavily against a American pope. The Vatican navigates complex diplomatic relations within the Muslim world, in China over the state-backed church, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and beyond. An American pope could be perceived as acting in the interests of the United States instead of Catholics.

“That would be enough of a concern for enough cardinals to make them leery about voting for an otherwise good American candidate,” Hilken said. “These men come from places. They’re citizens of other countries of the world.” Despite all these factors, Dolan is being mentioned in some church circles as a potential - albeit longshot - choice.

Round and quick to joke about his size, he is an ebullient and approachable representative of the church who is a strong speaker and is known in Rome. “He’s the bear-hug bishop,” Bellitto said.

Dolan already was part of one upset election: In a surprise 2010 vote, his fellow church leaders chose him over the expected victor as president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was the first time in the history of the conference that the man serving as sitting vice president was on the ballot for president and lost. — AP

How life on run ended for police killer BIG BEAR LAKE: As soon as he heard officers were chasing the suspected cop killer in a stolen truck, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Roger Loftis was certain: His buddy Jeremiah MacKay would be there. In 15 years with the department, “Jer” had earned about a dozen and a half awards for 10851s - the California penal code for grand theft auto.

Once, while heading to a bar to celebrate another award, MacKay noticed there were no keys in the ignition of the car next to him at a traffic light, and he veered off.

He waltzed into the bar two hours later, a grin stretched across that fair, freckled face, a copy of an auto recovery record in his hand.

Last week, Loftis called his fishing, drinking and golfing buddy to see how he was doing.

He knew the 35-year-old detective had been working around the clock, scouring the San Bernardino Mountains in the search for former Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner.

“If that guy’s still on this mountain,” MacKay told him, “I’m going to find him.” When the announcer reported that two deputies had exchanged fire with the suspect, Loftis got a sick feeling in his stomach. The 54-year-old corrections officer sent his friend a text. “I know you’re busy,” he typed. “But let me know you’re OK. ASAP.” There was no answer.

About an hour later, a colleague called with the news: MacKay, husband and father of two, was dead. Soon, so would be his killer. Like the Unabomber and other mass killers, the 33year-old former cop wrote a “manifesto.” And, like so many others, Dorner’s perceptions of the world and its supposed injustices against him seem out of sync with reality. Why now?

Was it the supposed institutional racism that cost him his LAPD badge? That was four years ago. Was it, as he once suggested, residual trauma from his military service in the Middle East?

Records show a relatively benign tour of duty, well outside the war zone. One marriage fell apart; a second went no further than the license application. This, too, he seemed to blame on others - anyone but himself. “I never had the opportunity to have a family of my own,” he wrote to his targets. “I’m terminating yours.”

Even his boasts of paramilitary prowess and promise to “bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare” to southern California evaporated in a cavalcade of broken-down vehicles, failed hijackings and a botched hog-tying. His weeklong stint as America’s most wanted fugitive ended in a shootout with police, and then what officials said was a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

At 6 feet and 270 pounds, Christopher Jordan Dorner looked every inch the college football player he once was. Melinda Yates befriended Dorner when they attended Southern Utah University together in Cedar City, a small town northeast of Las Vegas. She remembers him as “kind of like a big teddy bear,” always smiling. Apparently, behind that sweet smile there was rage. Dorner claimed his earliest experience with racism was in first grade at a Christian school, when he punched and kicked a fellow student who’d called him a “nigger” on the playground. The principal “swatted” the other boy for the slur, then struck Dorner for failing to “turn the other cheek as Jesus did.” “That day,” he would write in the now infamous manifesto, “I made a life decision that i will not tolerate racial derogatory terms spoken to me.”

Dorner joined the Navy in July 2002. He told a reporter that he wanted to fly SH60/MH-60 Seahawk helicopters on special operations and search-and-rescue missions but later told an acquaintance that a problem with vertigo killed those dreams.— AP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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

Bangladesh amends war crimes law Bangladesh shuts Islamist website after blogger murder DHAKA: Bangladesh’s parliament, meeting the demands of protesters thronging the capital, amended a law yesterday allowing the state to appeal any verdict in war crimes trials it deems inadequate and out of step with public opinion. Tens of thousands of demonstrators jamming central Shahbag Square for the 13th day burst into cheers amid driving rain as the assembly approved the changes. The protesters have been demanding the death penalty for war crimes after a tribunal this month sen-

tenced a prominent Islamist to life in prison in connection with Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. The life sentence pronounced on Abdul Quader Mollah, assistant Secretary General of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, for murder, rape and torture had stunned many Bangaldeshis.

The amendment will “empower the tribunals to try and punish any organisations, including Jamaat-e-Islami, for commiting crimes during country’s liberation war in 1971”, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said

after the change was approved. Lawyers said the amendment sets a timetable for the government to appeal against Mollah’s sentence and secure a retrial. The previous law did not allow state prosecutors to call for a retrial except in the case of acquittals.

Adoption was quick-less than a week after the amendment was approved by the cabinet in the overwhelmingly Muslim country of 150 million. Opposition benches were empty as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (the BNP) of former premier Begum

DHAKA: Bangladeshi activist shouts slogans during the funeral procession of blogger Rajib Haider, 30, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. —AP

Khaleda Zia and its allies have been boycotting sessions almost since her arch rival, Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, took office in 2009. The BNP accuses the prime minister of using the war crimes tribunal as a weapon against its opponents.

Hasina denies the allegation.

In its first verdict last month, the tribunal sentenced a former Jamaat leader, Abul Kamal Azad, also an Islamic preacher, to death in absentia for similar offences. Eight other Jamaat leaders, including its current and former chiefs, are being tried by the war crimes court that Hasina set up in 2010 to investigate abuses during the 1971 conflict. Three million people were killed and thousands of women were raped. The government is facing growing pressure from the protesters to ban Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, and groups linked to it.Students and teachers throughout the country hoisted the national flag and sang the national anthem simultaneously to support the demonstrators’ call to put war criminals to death. Law minister Shafique Ahmed told reporters the government was considering such a ban. Jamaat activists have called a country-wide strike today, but demonstrators and many shopkeepers have pledged to resist any attempt to enforce such a stoppage.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has shut down a blog site after it was linked to the murder of an anti-Islamist blogger who helped organise protests against the leaders of the largest Islamic party, officials said yesterday.

Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, 35, was hacked to death near his home in the capital Dhaka Friday night after he joined a huge protest demanding the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami party leaders who are on trials for war crimes. Police have yet to comment on a possible motive, but his brother said Haider was targeted by Jamaat’s student wing for his online activities. Fellow blogger Shakil Ahmed said a pro-Jamaat

website had last week named Haider as a target. Jamaat issued a statement yesterday condemning the murder and said neither it nor its student wing had anything to do with the crime.

Officials of the telecoms regulator told AFP that the Sonar Bangla blogsite had been shut down since Saturday for spreading “hate speech and causing communal tension”. “It’s been closed down,” vice president of the regulator Giasuddin Ahmed told AFP. Demonstrations championed by online activists have seen thousands take to the streets for the last two weeks demanding the execution of Jamaat leaders accused of genocide, murder and rape during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.

Family and friends said Haider played a key role in organising the protests and had an argument with Jamaat supporters just days before the murder. At least 50,000 people joined Haider’s funeral late Saturday at the Shahbag intersection in central Dhaka, where protests have been staged against the Islamist leaders since February 5.

The protesters have vowed they will not leave unless Jamaat and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, are banned and Haider’s killers are found. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Haider’s home and indicated that she would back a ban on Jamaat as it had “no right to be in politics in free Bangladesh”. Rival protests by Islamists demanding a halt to what they say are “politically motivated” trials of Jamaat leaders including its chief and deputy chief have turned violent across the country, leaving 13 people dead. The killing on Friday was the second attack in Dhaka against a blogger critical of Islam and Islamist groups in less than a month, after the stabbing of a self-styled online “militant atheist” by three unidentified men. —Reuters

Australia wants Israel to explain prison death Critics say Israeli govt covering up the affair CANBERRA: Australia has asked Israel to explain the mysterious death of an Australian-Israeli citizen and alleged Israeli spy in an Israeli prison two years ago, the foreign minister said yesterday.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr last week ordered his department to report on its handling of the case of the man dubbed Prisoner-X in the media, who died in an Israeli prison in December 2010. Carr had initially said his Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had been unaware that the prisoner who was born Ben Zygier, had an Australian passport in the name of Ben Allen and was also known as Ben Alon, had been in custody until his Australian family asked for his body to be repatriated.

But Carr corrected the record and ordered the departmental internal investigation on Wednesday after discovering that Australian intelligence officers had alerted some department officials 10 months earlier that the Australia-born Israel resident has been arrested on serious national security charges. Carr said yesterday that Israel had been asked to contribute to his department’s investigation report.

“We have asked the Israeli government for a contribution to that report,” Carr told reporters.

“We want to give them an opportunity to submit to us an explanation of how this tragic death came about,” he said. The Australian Broadcasting Corp. has reported that Zygier was a Mossad intelligence service agent who hanged himself in a supposedly suicide-proof solitary confinement cell.

The Australian foreign minister at the time of Zygier’s death, government lawmaker and former prime minister Kevin Rudd, has refused to say when he became aware of Zygier’s arrest and death.

But Rudd urged the government to consider taking action against Israel as it did in 2010 when an Australian investigation concluded that Israel had counterfeited four Australian passports used by a suspected hit squad that murdered a Hamas official in Dubai in January that year. In May 2010, Australia expelled a member of Israeli’s embassy in retaliation.

“The tradition of this government has to be robust on these matters, even with a country with whom we’ve had the friendliest of relationships going back to the foundation of Israel in 1947,” Rudd told Sky News television. Australia’s Fairfax Media reported last week that Zygier was one of at least three dual Australian-Israeli citizens being

investigated by the main Australian spy agency ASIO in early 2010 over suspicions that they were spying for Israel.

Critics have accused the Israeli government of trying to cover up the affair and are demanding a full investigation, fueling a debate about balancing national security and freedom of information in a country that prides itself as a vibrant democracy. The sensational saga has dominated public discourse in Israel since it was first reported by ABC on Tuesday last week.

Despite a whirlwind of foreign media reports easily accessible on the Internet, Israel maintained a gag order on the case for 24 hours. Late Wednesday, Israel acknowledged parts of the story, saying it had held a dual Israeli citizen under a false name for security reasons, and that he died in prison in 2010 from an apparent suicide. The Israeli announcement did not identify the man and left key questions unanswered: What crime was Zygier accused of? Why was he confined to severe isolation? How did he commit suicide when he was under 24-hour surveillance? And why was the case hidden from the public for more than two years, even after it was reported in Australia? —AP

Singapore ruling party faces increasingly vocal electorate SINGAPORE: Singapore’s biggest protest in decades shows that the ruling party for over half a century is facing a more vocal electorate and must change or watch its popularity slide further, analysts say. At least 2,000 Singaporeans chanted “we want change” and endured heavy downpours on Saturday to reject government

will build and spread unless there’s a very fundamental change in the way the PAP deals with the people, which I don’t see happening,” political analyst Seah Chiang Nee told AFP. “I think there’s going to be a further decline in the popularity of the PAP between now and 2016,” added Seah, who runs the political website www.littlespeck.com, refer-

SINGAPORE: People gather at an open field at the speakers corner to listen to people talk about immigration issues in Singapore. —AFP immigration proposals, in a rare demonstration in the tightly controlled city-state of 5.3 million people. Although low by global standards the turnout was the largest in some years in Singapore, where the People’s Action Party (PAP) has traditionally responded to any dissent with a firm hand, and provides the government with much to consider.

“I think that gradually the anti-PAP sentiment

ring to the next general elections. For most people at the rally, held at a designated free-speech corner after a Facebook campaign, it was their first time waving placards and chanting slogans against the PAP, which has ruled Singapore for almost 54 years.

Eugene Tan, an assistant law professor at the Singapore Management University, said the high turnout showed “we now have a more contested political landscape and the PAP will have to deal

with a more vocal electorate”. The PAP, long used to winning districts uncontested, has seen its support slide since a general election in May 2011 when it recorded is lowest ever share of the vote at 60 percent and the opposition won an unprecedented six parliamentary seats.

Since then, the PAP has lost two by-elections, although it still controls 80 of the 87 seats in parliament. “PAP leaders seem to have lost their feel of the ground. Their technocratic decision-making style is no longer accepted, yet they persist in ‘we know best’ policies,” said Reuben Wong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. Saturday’s protesters were rallying against government projections that the population could rise by a third to almost seven million in less than 20 years, with much of the increase resulting from immigration.

For years, the affluent but worker-starved citystate, built by mainly Chinese immigrants, had rolled out the welcome mat for foreigners, whose numbers rose drastically during the economic boom from 2004-2007. Businesses hired construction workers from Bangladesh, hotel staff from the Philippines, waitresses from China, shipyard welders from Myanmar, technology professionals from India and bankers from the west.

Foreigners currently make up 38 percent of the population and the low Singapore birth rate means immigrants and guest workers will need to fill the manpower gap, raising that figure to 45 percent. However, anger over the projections is causing Singaporeans to engage in something new-speaking out against the PAP in public and not just in social medi. “I’m thinking about my children, who are going to have a big problem studying in a competitive society next time,” tax consultant Kevin Foo, 42, told AFP at the rally.”Foreigners are going to create a lot of problems here, especially the rich ones who buy up all our property. Where are Singaporeans going to live?” —AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim addresses a corner meeting on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. —AFP

Australian MP questions deportation from Malaysia SYDNEY: An Australian lawmaker deported from Kuala Lumpur said yesterday his expulsion was ordered by the “highest levels” of the Malaysian government over his push to promote free elections in the Southeast Asian nation. Outspoken independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who was detained and barred from entering Malaysia upon landing in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, said he was whisked away to an interrogation area and told he was a security risk. “It is clear that I was deported because of my advocacy for the pro-democracy movement in Malaysia, in particular the (electoral reform) group Bersih,” Xenophon told reporters after arriving at Melbourne airport yesterday morning.

“It was unexpected, I was quite gobsmacked... It seems the only risk I am is to embarrassing the Malaysian government because of my advocacy for free elections in Malaysia,” he added. Xenophon said lawyers had informed him that “this order was made at the highest levels of the Malaysian government”, with the prime minister’s office as its probable source. “But that’s just speculation, that’s for Malaysia’s prime minister’s office to confirm or deny.” The senator said he was put on an indefinite “do not enter” list by Malaysian officials, which he described as “ominous”.

Xenophon has previously travelled to the country several times, including to study the polling system at the invitation of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. On this trip he was part of an Australian parliamentary delegation and was due to meet members of Bersih as well as

senior government officials, including some from the Election Commission. The other lawmakers cancelled their trip after he was detained. Xenophon questioned why, if he was seen as a security risk, had he been able to schedule meetings with senior officials including parliamentary affairs minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she was “surprised and disappointed” by the Malaysian response, adding that Canberra had made “immediate and strenuous representations on behalf ” of Xenophon.

“Clearly we didn’t succeed in getting the agreement of the Malaysian government for him to remain in Malaysia,” said Gillard. “We will continue to pursue this issue with the Malaysian government.” Foreign Minister Bob Carr said he had spoken directly with his Malaysian counterpart who told him “they did not want foreign interference in their election process”.

He stressed Xenophon and the other parliamentarians had been travelling as private citizens, not Australian government representatives. Malaysia’s opposition and rights groups have also condemned the deportation. Prominent human rights group Suaram said it was “totally arbitrary and politically motivated”. National elections, due by June, are expected to be the toughest ever test for Prime Minister Najib Razak’s coalition, which has ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957 but has lost support in recent years. —AFP

US general can work with airstrike ban KABUL: The top American commander in Afghanistan said yesterday that he believes the US-led NATO coalition can operate effectively despite the Afghan president’s decision to ban Afghan security forces from requesting airstrikes in residential areas. President Hamid Karzai on Saturday said he decided on the ban after Afghan security services asked the US military for an airstrike during a joint AfghanNATO operation last week. Afghan officials said the airstrike killed 10 civilians, including women and children, in northeast Kunar province along with four insurgents. The death of civilians during military operations, particularly in airstrikes, has been among the most divisive issues of the 11-year-old war. The USled coalition has implemented measures to

mitigate them, but the Afghan military also relies heavily on air support to gain an upper hand in the fight against Taleban militants and other insurgents.

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford told reporters during a briefing that he was working out the details of the ban with Afghanistan’s defense minister and military chief. “This is a sovereign nation and the president is exercising sovereignty,” Dunford said, adding that NATO had “made extraordinary progress in mitigating risks to civilians and we will continue to do so.”

Dunford said coalition forces believe they can conduct “effective operations within the president’s guidance” because it falls within a tactical directive issued last year by his predecessor, Marine Gen. John Allen. —AP

NEWS Bloodied bat found...

Scientists find...

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toilet... He fired three more shots,” a police source told City Press.

Authorities have rejected suggestions that Pistorius mistook Steenkamp for an intruder and yesterday police spokesman Neville Malila refused to comment on the reports of the cricket bat. “I dont know where they got it from, but they didn’t get it from any official source in the police,” Malila told AFP. “We want to give the investigators an opportunity to investigate and we will make an official statement after the bail application.” The newspaper described the case against Pistorius as “rock-solid”.

Other reports suggested there had been a fight between the two lovers that had spilled over from Wednesday night, when neighbours called security guards complaining about a “commotion” inside the Pistorius home. The British Sunday People said a sobbing Pistorius had phoned his friend, Justin Divaris around 4:00 am (0200 GMT) on Thursday telling him “My baba, I’ve killed my baba (baby in Afrikaans). God take me away.”

Pistorius was a national icon who inspired people around the world when he became the first double amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes in the Olympic Games last year. He bail hearing tomorrow will come the same day a funeral will be held for his slain girlfriend. He faces a life sentence if convicted of premeditated murder.

His father Henke Pistorius, 59, was quoted by Britain’s Sunday Telegraph as saying the family had “zero doubt” his son shot Steenkamp on instinct after mistaking her for an intruder. “When you are a sportsman, you act even more on instinct,” he said. “It’s instinct - things happen and that’s what you do.” When contacted by AFP, the father denied speaking to the Sunday Telegraph and refused to provide any further details. The newspaper’s reporter Aislinn Laing confirmed to AFP she had spoken to the father on Saturday. Echoing the family’s line, Pistorius’s 89-year-old grandmother also indicated the shooting had been accidental. “I know it was a mistake anybody can make” Gertie Pistorius told AFP. — AFP

Carrington said water traveling 10 m per second would be equivalent to winds blowing 965 km per hour. “A couple of them clinging to a rock can support the weight of a fully grown person” said Herbert Waite, a molecular biologist from the University of California. They spoke on the sidelines of the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Boston.

The “glue” comes from the mussel’s foot, called the byssus, which can cling to almost any surface - wet, dry, organic or inorganic. Phillip Messersmith, professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, is one of the researchers looking to reproduce the sticking power in a synthetic substance. He and his team have developed a version that is equally water resistant, and could help close internal wounds, among other medical applications.

“The repair or reconstruction of tissues in the human body, where water is ubiquitous and its presence represents a challenge for achieving desired outcomes,” is an especially compelling potential use for the adhesive, Messersmith said in a statement. For instance, the substance could prove useful in repairing fetal membranes that have prematurely ruptured, a condition that is difficult to treat and can lead to miscarriage, premature births and other serious complications.

Messersmith and his team are collaborating with researchers in Europe on clinical trials. Another team is working to develop synthetic versions of the mussel’s adhesive that could help repair broken bones or teeth.

“These glues are tolerated by the body and are water-resistant and that is perfect for making repairs inside the body,” he said. In addition to the medical applications, Carrington’s team uses the mussel “glue” as an indicator of changes in the environment - especially of warming.

Laboratory experiments showed that mussels are significantly less able hold on when the temperature rises. The resistance of these fibers, strongest in waters 10 to 18 Celsius, diminishes by 60 percent when the water reaches 15 degrees Celsius above typical summer temperatures in the mussels’ place of origin. — AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Rise of Islamists frays UAE-Egypt relations Continued from Page 1 investor in Egypt, pledged $3 billion of aid to Cairo in 2011. But the funds have not yet been transferred, an Egyptian source familiar with the matter told Reuters, mainly due to the political instability in post-revolution Egypt. A break in relations between the Arab political heavyweight and the Gulf financial powerhouse would be unthinkable.

But the unfamiliar chill in their dealings reflects an increasingly complicated relationship between these two groups of countries.

Gulf states historically have sent aid and investment to less moneyed fellow Arabs, and in return have received diplomatic support and sometimes military protection. The UAE-Egypt spat “does have a huge bearing on the success of the Arab transitions”, said Jane Kinninmont of the British think tank Chatham House. “Here you have a number of countries which are going through transitions but which have huge economic needs. The obvious place for them to look is the wealthy Gulf Arab countries.” Arab countries received 62 percent of all Gulf aid from 1970 to 2008, according to a study by researchers Bessma Momani and Crystal Ennis in the Cambridge Review of International Affairs.

For its part, the UAE needs to tread a careful line, analysts say. Aggravating Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood could also affect UAE relations with other countries, like Syria, where Islamists are playing a major role in the revolt against President Bashar Al-Assad. And irking Egypt’s new rulers could also push Cairo closer to Shiite Iran, arch-adversary of the Gulf Arabs. Gulf Sunni Muslim rulers fear that, despite being a Sunni group itself, the Brotherhood is soft on Iran, unlike Mubarak.

“The Emirates recognise that Egypt’s centrality in Arab affairs is an important counter to Iran,” said Frederic Wehrey, Middle East program senior associate at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think-tank. Gulf Arab states need a prosperous Egypt for a host of reasons, not least to protect their own investments. But history shows

that financial help from the region sometimes reflects shifts in the diplomatic climate - even if governments insist their assistance is not political. For example Jordan’s ties with Gulf were hurt in 1990 when it refused to join an alliance against Iraq after it invaded Kuwait. Many Palestinians and Jordanians lost jobs in the Gulf where they enjoyed welfare state benefits as expatriate workers.

There are implications, too, for Gulf Arab states. Most saw Mubarak’s fall as the result of a US decision to cast adrift an erstwhile ally and common adversary of Iran, rather than as an acceptance of an unstoppable revolution.

Crucially, Gulf Arab rulers alarmed by Mubarak’s ouster were further disconcerted by the subsequent ascent to power of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mubarak’s sworn foe and a group once cited in a US diplomatic cable as the UAE’s “mortal enemy”. If Washington was ready to deal with the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo, could it do the same in the Gulf, if a new democratic dispensation swept away the region’s tradition of princely rule?

There is no shortage of evidence of UAE worries about the reach of Islamists. On Jan 27 the UAE announced 94 of its citizens would go on trial on charges of seeking to seize power, accusing them of being in communication with the Brotherhood. Many are believed to be members of Al-Islah, an Islamist group suspected of links to the Brotherhood, a movement founded in Egypt in 1928 and which is banned in the Gulf Arab state. Islah says it has no connection to the global Brotherhood.

Some analysts say the arrests are meant to send a message that Islamist activities will not be tolerated, rather than reflecting a belief they pose a significant security threat.

“The UAE has a rule: zero tolerance for political organisations of any sort whether Islamists or non-Islamists, and these guys (Emiratis and Egyptians) broke the law. Pure and simple,” UAE political scientist Abdelkhaleq Abdullah said.

But the UAE has continued to strike a firm tone in public. In October, Sheikh Abdullah, the foreign minister, said: “The Muslim Brotherhood does not believe in the nation state. It does not believe in the sovereignty of the state.” — Reuters

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

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Issues

China, tech and US middle class

By Chrystia Freeland resident Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech last week confirmed it: The pre-eminent political and economic challenge in the industrialized democracies is how to make capitalism work for the middle class.

There is nothing mysterious about that. The most important fact about the United States in this century is that middle-class incomes are stagnating. The financial crisis has revealed an equally stark structural problem in much of Europe. Even in a relatively prosperous age - for all of today’s woes, we have left behind the dark, satanic mills and workhouses of the 19th century - this decline of the middle class is more than an economic issue. It is also a political one. The main point of democracy is to deliver positive results for the majority.

All of which is why understanding what is happening to the middle class is urgently important. There is no better place to start than by talking to David Autor, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Autor is one of the leading students of the most striking trend bedeviling the middle class: the polarization of the job market. That is a nice way of saying the economy is being cleaved into high-paying jobs at the top and low-paying jobs at the bottom, while the middle-skill and middle-wage jobs that used to form society’s backbone are being hollowed out.

But when I asked him this week what had gone wrong for the US middle class, he gave a different answer: “The main problem is we’ve just had a decade of incredibly anemic employment growth. All of a sudden, around 2000 and 2001, things just slowed down.” Academics can usually be counted on to have a confident explanation for everything. That is why I was surprised and impressed by Autor’s answer when I asked him where the jobs had gone. “No one really understands why that is the case,” he said.

It was a winningly modest reply. But work by Autor and two colleagues - David Dorn, a visiting professor at Harvard, and Gordon Hanson of the University of California, San Diego - is starting to untangle the two forces that both the conventional wisdom and the academy agree are probably responsible for a lot of what is happening to the middle class. Those forces are technological change and trade. The easy assumption is that the two go together. After all, trade needs technology - it is hard to imagine outsourcing without the Internet, sophisticated logistics systems and jet travel. Technology is dependent on trade, too: The opportunity for global scale is one reason technological innovation has yielded such outsize rewards.

But in a careful study of local labor markets in the United States, Autor, Dorn and Hanson have found that trade and technology had very different consequences for jobs. “We were surprised at how distinct the two were,” Autor said. “We found that the trade shock had a very measurable impact on the employment rate. Technology led to job polarization, but its employment effect was minimal.” Trade, at least in the short term, really did ship jobs overseas. Technology did not kill jobs per se, but it did hollow out those essential jobs in the middle.

The big surprise, at least for believers (like me) in the classic liberal economic view that trade benefits both parties, is the strong and negative impact of globalization on US workers - Autor estimates it accounts for 15 to 20 percent of jobs lost. “The rise of China was such a huge change. It really did matter,” Autor said. “First, China is such a huge country. Two, China was 40 or 50 years behind in technology, so it had a lot of catching up to do. Third, it happened so fast.”

What is striking, and frightening, is the extent to which, at least in the US-China trade relationship, the knee-jerk, populist fears intellectuals tend to deride actually turned out to be true. “US-China trade is almost a one-way street.

This trade relationship doesn’t clearly give you the benefit that you can sell a lot of stuff to your trade partner,” Dorn said. “If you talk to someone who is somehow involved in the promotion of free trade, they may say that maybe the headquarters of Apple benefits. That may be true. But the first-order effect is of job loss.”

The impact of technology is more familiar. Autor, Dorn and Hanson found that it did not create fewer jobs overall, but it did hollow out the jobs in the middle. “Technology has really changed the distribution of occupation. That doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with reduced unemployment, but it creates a more bimodal set of opportunities,” Autor said.

“There is an abundance of work to do in food service and there is an abundance of work in finance, but there are fewer middle-wage, middle-income jobs.” —Reuters

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

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

Britain’s strength is its weakness

By Anatole Kaletsky irror, mirror on the wall, who’s the weakest of them all? As G20 finance ministers warned of the threat of a “global currency war” at their meeting in Moscow last weekend, two odd features of this looming financial conflict tend to be overlooked. The first is that every country’s objective in this war is to “lose” by making its currency weaker. This is because a weak currency tends to support exports, employment and economic growth (if all other things are equal, which they never quite are). The second oddity is that the clear winner in this global currency war has not been Japan, Switzerland, China or any of the other usual suspects, but a country rarely accused of financial aggression: Britain.

Since the global financial crisis started in mid-2007, the pound sterling has been, by a wide margin, the weakest major currency. The Bank of England’s tradeweighted sterling index fell by a record 30 percent in early 2009 and, despite a modest rebound in 2010-12, it remains 24 percent below its level of mid-2007. Japan, by contrast, has endured a rise in its trade-weighted exchange rate of 60 percent from July 2007 to late last year, when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe committed his new government to a more competitive rate. Japan is therefore fully entitled to resent other countries’ accusations of currency warfare, when it has in fact been a long-suffering pacifist, exposing its export companies to the full burden of other countries’ post-crisis currency adjustments.

But let us return to the biggest “winner” in the postcrisis currency wars, Britain. Sterling’s devaluation has clearly been no panacea. Britain has done worse on most measures of economic performance since 2008 than any G7 country apart from Italy. That, however, may have been inevitable. London’s dominant role in international finance made Britain more vulnerable than any other major economy to the greatest banking crisis in

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history. And once that was over, Prime Minister David Cameron imposed on his country the toughest budgetary austerity in the G7. Whether this policy was wise is an interesting question, discussed in several previous columns. A more important issue today is what may happen next to Britain.

Recent events in the foreign exchange market suggest a possible answer. Since the end of last year the pound has weakened dramatically against all other major currencies, apart from the yen. The British and Japanese currencies seem to be falling for similar reasons. Those countries’ economies have experienced almost no growth since 2009, and their governments are becoming increasingly desperate to end this long-term stagnation.

As a result, both the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan are undergoing radical management changes.

Previously unthinkable concepts in monetary and fiscal policy are suddenly open for debate, as demonstrated

by Shinzo Abe’s suggestions that the Bank of Japan’s monetary expansion should directly finance recordbreaking new public investment programs, and by the speech on “helicopter money” delivered by Adair Turner, chairman of Britain’s Financial Services Authority last week. All these political and monetary upheavals are occurring in Britain and Japan just when political uncertainties are subsiding in the US, China and the euro zone.

Japan, of course, is used to policy uncertainty and political upheavals, having dealt with six prime ministers in the past five years. But for investors and businesses in Britain, the new unpredictability of politics and economic policy may come as a rude shock. Starting with monetary policy, there are three reasons to expect Mark Carney, the next governor of the Bank of England, to experiment with new and potentially more aggressive versions of monetary policy when he takes over in July.

First, Carney, currently head of the Bank of Canada, has repeatedly said that monetary policy could do more

for growth in Britain, in sharp contrast to Mervyn King, the present governor, who believes the effectiveness of monetar y stimulus has been exhausted. S econd, Cameron presumably took the unprecedented decision to appoint a foreign citizen to the BoE for a reason, most likely to have the option of blaming the BoE’s ancient regime for the economy’s disappointing performance.

For such a charge to stick, the new BoE management would have to adopt a discernibly different monetary policy. Finally, Carney himself is known to be interested in a political career in Canada. His chances of success would be greatly enhanced if he could return to Ottawa as the British economy ’s radical savior, not just an anonymous central banker.

Regarding fiscal policy, it is now almost impossible for the British government to hit its budgetary targets, and the political risks of imposing any further tax hikes or spending cuts are overwhelming as the election approaches. The path of fiscal policy is now more uncertain in Britain than in the US or most of the euro zone and most market analysts expect Britain to lose its triple-A credit rating sometime this year.

Finally, political uncertainty is bound to intensify in Britain, even as it subsides in the rest of Europe and the US. In the three years since Cameron’s election in May 2010, Britain has had the most stable and predictable government in Europe. This will change as the election approaches, the present Conservative-Liberal coalition splinters and the many permutations of Conservative, Labour or coalition governments with their myriad of policy agendas come into view.

In short, Britain is in the process of transformation from a haven of political and economic stability into one of the world’s most unpredictable economies. Small wonder, then, that the pound has again started falling after its modest rebound since 2010. That points to at least one consolation from all the new uncertainties: Britain could again become a quiet winner in the global weak-currency war. — Reuters

Searching for serenity in Israel, Palestine

By John Lloyd fter Asher Susser, an Israeli scholar and one of his country’s foremost experts on Middle Eastern affairs, gave a talk in Oslo a few years ago, an audience member asked him a question: How soon, once a Palestinian state is created, will Israel and Palestine unite to form one country? “Twenty-four hours!”

Susser said he replied. “ Twenty-four hours after Norway and Sweden unite into one Scandinavian state!”

Susser, with whom I spoke recently in London, told the story to illustrate the fact that, as he said, “people value their ethnic and national identities much more than many wish to believe. Norway and Sweden are similar and friendly societies, but a merger would be unthinkable. Why assume it would be different with us?” (Norway, once united with Sweden under a Swedish king, achieved full independence in 1905.)

His central thesis, which he says will be revealed once more in all its dreary inevitability when President Barack Obama meets Israeli and Palestinian leaders next month, is that there is no hope of a successful negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians.

Structurally, psychologically, culturally, politically, they cannot agree. So better not to try.

This is not, he insists, a message of despair. Nor is it a reformulation of the view on the right - of politicians like Naftali Bennett of HaBayit HaYehudi (“Jewish Home”), who didn’t achieve an expected breakthrough in the elections late last month; nor Avigdor Lieberman, the former foreign minister and leader of

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Yisrael Beiteinu (“Israel, Our Home”), who had to stand down from his office because of an impending trial for fraud and breach of trust. They don’t believe Israel should allow a Palestinian state to emerge. Susser believes such an emergence is imperative for Israel’s survival.

Israelis know that optimistic projects have come to naught and always will.

There are two fundamental issues that bedevil everything: the right of return and the status of the Palestinians who remain in Israel and are Israeli citizens.

Both stem from 1948, when Israel defeated a coalition of Arab armies and annexed large parts of Palestine that had been allotted, under a United Nations plan, to the Palestinians. The Israeli victory was followed by the expulsion of many of the Palestinians in the area, mainly to Jordan, but many others stayed. The right of return for the majority who left and who are mainly in Jordan would destroy Israel’s status as a Jewish state. Palestinians would become a majority, the Jewishness of the state would be gone - and, most Israelis believe, so would its democracy. “Who would protect the Jews then? Look at the fate of the Christians in the Middle East”, says Susser.

The Israeli Arabs, some 20 percent of the population of 7.7 million, are - polls show - increasingly disaffected. A 2009 survey showed that only 41 percent of Israeli Arabs believe Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish, democratic state down from almost 66 percent six years before. The 2010 Arab Jewish Relations Survey showed 62 percent believed that the Jews are a foreign element in the Middle East, destined to be replaced by

Palestinians. Arab Israelis vote less, care less about Parliament and more often take part in the commemoration of the Nakba (“The Disaster”), the 1948 expulsions. Almost 40 percent don’t believe the Holocaust happened. On the Jewish side, attitudes have also hardened. There is more distrust, less concern for good relations, a recoil from contact or hospitality, more anger at the disloyalty of those they believe live a much better life than their ethnic kin elsewhere. Itzchak Weisman, who heads the Jewish-Arab Center at Haifa University, blames the Likud-dominated governments of recent years and the rise of radical religious figures on both sides.

So be it, says Susser. The Jewish obsession with Arab-Israeli loyalty is futile.

“You think the Arabs are going to sing Hatikvah? Give me a break!” Hatikvah (“ The Hope”) is the Israeli national anthem, full of Zionist yearning. The refrain runs, “Our hope is not yet lost/The ancient hope/To return to the land of our fathers/The city where David encamped.”

Truly, it would be an exceptional Arab who sang that with conviction.

Reconciliation, accord, peace settlement: All these large concepts should be set aside. Instead, there should be a recognition of, and more support for, the work of U.S.-educated Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in building up the economy of the West Bank as a prelude to full statehood. Statehood for the Palestinians must become a central Israeli aim - Susser believes Israel should have supported Palestine’s bid for statehood recognition at the UN. But statehood should come incrementally, and unilaterally - each side pursuing their

own ends, with a largely tacit recognition that two states would, bit by bit, emerge.

The three main settlement blocs on the West Bank would be integrated into Israel with corresponding concessions of Israeli territory to the Palestinians state.

The greatest danger is the growth of belief in a one-state solution, which would, like the right of return, destroy the entire Zionist project. But if the Israeli government offers only aggression, and elevates those who believe in aggression to power, belief in a one-state solution will grow.

Will something like this happen?

Negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and various parties to form a new cabinet after the decline of the right and the growth of the center - especially of the T V presenter Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid (“There is a Future”) Party - continue as this is written. Lapid, whose program is largely a domestic one, believes in two states, though it has been last on his list of priorities. The Arab Spring is slowly turning into another this time self-administered - Arab disaster, with wholly unpredictable effects on relations with Israel. This will tend to harden Israeli attitudes. The temptation of an activist U.S. administration, newly energized and eager for success, is to knock Israeli and Palestinian heads together, to force a deal. The response of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the announcement of the Obama visit was tepid, his electorate’s apparently more so. The Jewish reaction is similarly indifferent. Yet perhaps indifference to grand schemes, and offerings to the gods of small things, should get an outing? —Reuters

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

S P ORTS

US footballer Robbie Rogers says he is gay

Dortmund boss expects to lose Lewandowski

NEW YORK: Robbie Rogers, a former US international playing in England this season, says he is gay and “could not be happier” about his decision to go public with his disclosure. In a post on his personal website, Rogers writes: “Life is only complete when your loved ones know you. ... Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay.” Rogers’ agent, Shaun Higgins, confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the post was from his client. Rogers, who linked his Friday post from his Twitter account, said he was retiring. “It’s time discover myself away from football,” he said. “It’s 1 a.m. in London as I write this and I could not be happier with my decision. Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest.” The midfielder has been receiving an outpouring of support from American teammates, players in England’s professional leagues, football officials and others around the world. Among those tweeting support to Rogers were many US teammates and US women’s players, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, NBA star Steve Nash, NFL punter Chris Kluwe and former England star and broadcaster Gary Lineker.— AP

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke yesterday admitted he expects to lose Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich favourites to sign him. “We have tried everything and even made an exceptional offer by our standards. But when it is not accepted, you develop a feeling for these things and I don’t currently believe it will be,” Watzke told German television Liga Total! Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp also admitted Lewandowski will not be easy to replace. “If he goes, which is not yet certain, I think we are well prepared for it,” he told German broadcaster ZDF. “But a guy like Lewandowski is not easy to replace, otherwise not so many clubs would be taking such a huge interest in him.”

Both Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and Hanover 96’s Senegal forward Mame Diouf have been linked as possible replacements at Dortmund. Lewandowski, 24, has scored 14 goals in 20 league games this season, while his 30-goal haul last season was a major factor in Borussia winning the league and cup double and he is contracted until June 2014.

It looks increasingly likely he will join Bundesliga leaders Bayern, amidst growing reports of that nature. —AFP

Lillard outshines Parker, Lin to win Skills Challenge HOUSTON: Portland Trail Blazers rookie Damian Lillard captured the NBA Skills Challenge on Saturday, outclassing Houston’s Jeremy Lin and 2012 winner Tony Parker of San Antonio. The obstacle course event-which makes players dribble, shoot and pass-was part of the All-Star festivities on the eve of Sunday’s NBA AllStar Game. They also included the Three-Point Contest won by Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving. Irving made 17 of his first 18 three-point attempts in the final round on his way to scoring 23 points and defeating San Antonio’s Matt Bonner, who finished with 20. In the Skills Challenge opening round, Lillard completed the course in 28.8 seconds to oust Lin, the NBA’s first AsianAmerican player, and Frenchman Parker. Lin, whose parents are from Taiwan, completed the course in 35.8, while Parker struggled to finish in 48.7. Parker failed to match Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash as multiple winners in the decade-old event. Lillard advanced to the final against Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday, whose preliminary run of 29.3 ousted Detroit’s Brandon Knight and Atlanta’s Jeff Teague.

Holiday opened at 35.6, but Lillard followed with a winning effort of 29.8 that was punctuated with a finishing slam dunk. —AFP

UFC, AVC, Kerala Challengers in last four Don Bosco Oratory, KGA, Santos United make exit

AVC Sports & Cultural Association.

Wrestling president quits after Olympic omission BANGKOK: The president of the international wrestling federation quit Saturday in the wake of the IOC’s decision to remove the sport from the 2020 Olympics.

Raphael Martinetti’s resignation was announced at the FILA executive committee meeting in Phuket. The Swiss had been in the position since 2002. On Tuesday, the executive board of the IOC dumped wrestling from the list of 25 sports guaranteed a berth in future Summer Olympics, meaning it must compete with other fringe sports for a spot on the 2020 program.

FILA member Nenad Lalovic, who has assumed an interim presidency role, confirmed at a news conference that Martinetti’s resignation was because of the International Olympic Council’s decision.

“It was difficult for a president who was in power for 11 years when the IOC decided to eliminate his sport from the Olympic Games,” said Lalovic, adding the new president will soon be elected at an extraordinary congress.

Lalovic said the bid to restore wrestling to the Olympic program would begin immediately. “Everyone of us will have a duty. We have only one goal that is to be back on the Olympics. Lobbying is very important but it’s not something that you can’t determine in advance,” Lalovic said.

“We have to prepare a serious presentation that must be prepared by professionals to present the real picture of our sport. This sport has been practiced by millions of people. We will use this fact in order to promote our sport.”

Now wrestling is no longer a core Olympic sport, it must compete with seven other contenders - baseball and softball, squash, wakeboarding, sport climbing, roller sports and the martial arts of karate and wushu - in lobbying to earn the last spot on the program for the 2020 Olympics, which have yet to be awarded to a host city.

The IOC executive board will meet in May in St. Petersburg, Russia, to choose which sports to propose for inclusion in 2020. The final vote will be made at the IOC general assembly in September in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

USA Wrestling executive director Rich Bender paid tribute to Martinetti but said his departure could boost wrestling’s chances of getting back on the Olympic program.

“This decision provides international wrestling with an opportunity to change and improve,” Bender said in a statement on USA Wrestling’s website.

“The sport will now be able to create a fresh new relationship with the International Olympic Committee and

address some of the pressing challenges and opportunities facing wrestling.”

Alexander Mamiashvili, the head of the Russian wrestling federation, wants the FILA extraordinary congress to be held in Moscow in May and said President Vladimir Putin had ordered a committee be formed to contest the IOC decision.

“The group will coordinate and analyze the situation to prove wrestling is worthy of staying in the Olympic movement,” Mamiashvili told the Itar-TASS news agency of a committee that will include the sports minister and all three Russian IOC

PHUKET: International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) Interim President Nenad Lalovic of Serbia takes part in a FILA executive committee meeting in Phuket, Thailand, yesterday. FILA President Raphael Martinetti quit Saturday in the wake of the IOC’s decision to remove the sport from the 2020 Olympics.— AP

members. “ The leadership of the country, and personally the president of Russia, has expressed to us their support.”

FILA vice president Stan Dziedzic said he knows what wrestling needs to do to win back its place. “We need to hire a public-relations firm, we need to have a better relationship with the IOC, obviously. Those are right on top of the table,” he said. “We have to tell the world that there is no other sport that is more of a meritocracy than wrestling. No bats, no balls, no gloves; it’s not how fast, how far, how high but how much better. “Two equal size wrestlers ground on the mat to determine who the best is, with the wits and the will to win. Nothing could be more fundamental.” — AP

KUWAIT: United Friends Club (UFC) came one step closer to finally grabbing the prestigious GOA Rolling Trophy when they subdued a strong Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) 2-0, while AVC Cultural & Sports Association, and Kerala Challengers also joined them in the semi finals of the 19th edition of the ongoing G.O.A Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association (Goa Maroons) and played at the MOH Grounds in Shuwaikh on 15th February 2013 under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation.

Although it was KGA who started well with a couple of good moves initiated by Vitorin Mendes and Agnelo Martins, it was once again goalkeeper Martin Dias who kept UFC in the game with a penalty save in the 25th minute of the first half. Mathew Fernandes made it 1-0 for UFC in the 40th minute when he scored from a cross and Remedio put the game beyond KGA when the referee awarded a penalty in the 57th minute. The match was officiated by David of IFRA and assisted by Mubarak Yousuf and Nikush.

In the second quarter final, although Santos United put up a spirited fight, they were no match for title favourites AVC and went down fighting 0-3. Anthony Rodrigues of AVC scored the first goal in the very 5th minute of the first half and was on the score sheet again in the 17th minute of the second half. The very talented Savio Fernandes added a third in the dying minutes of the game to set up a mouth watering semi-final clash with Kerala Challengers next week. The match was officiated by Mubarak Yousuf and he was assisted by Pascoal and David in the lines.

Stamina and strength was the backbone of Kerala Challengers 1-0 victory over a youthful Don Bosco Oratory in the last match of the day. In some rousing end to end action, Kerala Challengers scored in the 8th minute of the first half when Jinesh latched on to a pass from Fajilu to put his team in the front. Don Bosco Oratory came back strongly with Ashton, Loyed, Alexandro and Michael playing some delightful soccer, but the equalizer eluded them.

A penalty in the 18th minute when a Kerala Challengers defender handled the ball was shot wide by the usually dependable Loyed drawing groans by the DBO supporters.

Both teams missed a number of chances in the second half, with Michael of Don Bosco coming closest to scoring, and the game ended 1-0 in favour of Kerala Challengers. The match was officiated by Philip and assisted by Pascoal and Julio Cardoso.

The Semi Finals on 22/2/2013 will feature AVC & Cultural Association taking on high flying Kerala Challengers at 6:45am followed by Real Betalbatim versus United Friends Club at 8:30am.

United Friends Club.

Kerala Challengers.

Giambi getting in final swings with Indians GOODYEAR: Jason Giambi’s days as a masher are mainly behind him. His muscular, tattooed arms are as carved as ever, but the hair around his temples is dusted gray. In the late innings of his career, he’s a mentor.

The stately slugger. And at 42, Giambi knows he’s down to his final swings as a major leaguer.

He’ll try to make them count with Cleveland.

After contemplating retirement and interviewing to be Colorado’s manager, Giambi signed a minor league contract this month with the Indians, who are confident the 18-year veteran can not only bring them some power as a parttime designated hitter but also help teach their younger players.

“He’s not just a veteran guy. He’s like THE veteran,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “I truly feel like it’s an honor that he’s in our camp.

That’s how strongly I feel about him.” The feeling’s mutual. Giambi has known Francona since he played in the minors, which some days feels like a lifetime ago to the five-time All-Star, who may have lost some bat speed but not an ounce of his love for the game. He always wanted to play for Francona, who said the only time he didn’t like Giambi was “when he was in the batter’s box on the other side of the field.”

Giambi took an unexpected route to the Indians. Limited to just 89 at-bats during his fourth season with Colorado, Giambi entered the offseason facing an uncertain future, possibly one that didn’t include baseball. With few options, Giambi considered calling it quits after hitting 429 homers and driving in 1,405 runs in 17 seasons for Oakland, the Yankees and Rockies. “I have a 15-month-old girl. I finally grew up,” he said, laughing. “I thought if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I had some offers for a hitting-coach job and I thought maybe I would take a year and enjoy my family. But when I got the phone call from the Indians, I jumped right on it because it was Tito (Francona).”

Before the Indians contacted him, he nearly wound up as Colorado’s manager. The Rockies were so impressed with how Giambi naturally interacted and affected many of their youngsters that they interviewed him for the job before hiring Walt Weiss. Giambi didn’t have any managerial aspirations, and he was shocked when the club approached him. He came away humbled by the experience. “I thought I would

probably get in the game as a hitting coach because I work really well with the young kids,” he said. “I was very lucky when I came into the big leagues because I had Mark McGwire and Terry Steinbach and Dennis Eckersley. Those guys took me under their wing and taught me the game. I always felt that’s how you pass it on to the next generation, that’s your gift back.

“I always enjoyed that, so it was definitely an honor to be thought of that quickly that, ‘Oh, he can handle this.’” Giambi’s deal with the Indians will pay him $750,000 if he’s added to the 40man roster. He can make an additional $200,000 if he stays on it. As far as Francona is concerned, the payoff of Giambi in camp is immeasurable.

During the Indians’ first full-squad workout on Friday, Giambi took grounders at first base with 23-year-old Mike McDade, claimed off waivers in November from Toronto. As McDade worked near the bag, Giambi stood to the side offering advice. “I could hear Jason quietly telling him, ‘Slow down, move your feet,’” Francona said. “It was a very calming influence, very friendly. He wasn’t talking down to him. Jason just has that way about him. He has a track record, but he has a way of communicating that’s natural and easy and you could see Mike relax.”

For McDade, being with Giambi is a chance to work with one of his idols. While he was in high school, McDade often hit at batting cages in Las Vegas owned by Giambi. Now he’s taking batting practice with a player he has long admired.

“It’s just special,” McDade said. “Anything he can offer is amazing. He doesn’t have to do that, but he’s taking the time and explaining things to me. It’s huge. Just being able to talk to him is great. He’s just a regular guy.” Without bragging, Giambi feels he can offer a lot to Cleveland’s kids. He’s done it all in baseball, from playing in countless pressure-packed games with New York to being fingered by the FBI as one of the players who received steroids in the BALCO scandal.

“I’ve been on top of the world in this game and I’ve been in the gutter,” he said. The climb has brought him to Cleveland, a city he’s always been fond of. When he broke in with Oakland in 1995, the Indians ruled the AL, winning 100 regular-season games in a strike-shortened season with a terrifying lineup that featured Albert Belle, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez. The Indians don’t have that type of firepower any

longer, but Giambi is thrilled to be part of a team replenished this winter by the hiring of Francona, a two-time World Series winner with Boston, and the signings of free agents Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

“This is a dream come true,” Giambi said. “I always wanted to play for Tito and I’ve always been a huge fan of Cleveland. When I think of Cleveland, I think of the ‘90s when they were a powerhouse. I’ve always loved playing there and hitting there and when they called and said, ‘We really want you to come out and give it a shot,’ I was more than happy.”

NOTES: Francona came away pleased after watching RHP Ubaldo Jimenez throw his second bullpen session this spring. The Indians need a big season from Jimenez, who lost an AL-leading 17 games last season and has been a major disappointment since Cleveland traded for him in 2011. ... Francona noted RHP Carlos Carrasco’s “live arm” and said the 26-year-old has been impressive as he tries to lock down a starting job. Carrasco missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery. — AP

Jason Giambi

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

S P ORTS

Oilers use team-record 56 shots to beat Avs 6-4 Ducks beat Predators to close on NHL lead Beljan turns fan after outshining Mickelson, Els PACIFIC PALISADES: American Charlie Beljan had the time of his life at the Northern Trust Open on Saturday, outscoring his playing partners Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els before getting both men to sign his cap.

Just three months after winning his maiden PGA Tour title despite suffering a panic attack midway through the tournament, Beljan enjoyed an adrenalinefilled day in dazzling sunshine at Riviera Country Club in the company of two Hall of Famers.

“When I got the text last night, my heart started pounding,” Beljan told reporters about his high-profile grouping for the third round. “Two years ago I was playing the Gateway Tour, then lucky enough last year to get on the PGA Tour and get a victory. “ To tee it up with Mr. Els and Mr. Mickelson and to have a day like I did is something that I’ll never forget. I had them both sign my visor and I’ll put it in a nice frame at home so I’ll always have something to remember.”

Beljan, who won the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in November after suffering heart palpitations and shortness of breath during the second round, fired a sparkling three-under-par 68 in tricky scoring conditions on Saturday. He covered the difficult back nine in a blistering four-under 32 and

ended the day in a tie for seventh at seven under, having outshone four-times major winners Mickelson (72) and Els (73) in front of huge galleries at Riviera.

A smiling Beljan agreed when a reporter suggested to him that the two heavyweight players had, in all likelihood, very rarely been asked for an autograph by a fellow player.

“They probably aren’t, but hey, I’ll ask,” the 28-year-od grinned. “What’s the worst they are going to tell me? No? But it was very kind for them both to do that. I appreciated it and they didn’t have any issue.”

Beljan, who had missed the cut in his previous four starts on the 2013 PGA Tour, was delighted to rebound from two bogeys on his front nine with a strong four-birdie run after the turn.

“I could have birdied every hole on the back nine realistically without making more than a 15 or 20-footer,” he said.

“These greens are tough. I wish I could have had a few more putts drop but I’ve got a great chance tomorrow and I look forward to it,” added Beljan, who trails pacesetting American Bill Haas by five strokes.

“If you told me I was going to shoot three under par today, or if I was going to shoot even par, I would have been thrilled to death. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy.

Life’s good.” — Reuters

PACIFIC PALISADES: Bill Haas watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club on Saturday in Pacific Palisades, California. — AFP

Pacesetting Haas sticks to successful Riviera recipe PACIFIC PALISADES: It took Bill Haas a long time to work out how to play Riviera Country Club effectively at the Northern Trust Open, but for the past two years he has certainly come up with the right formula. Twelve months ago, he edged out fellow Americans Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley to win the prestigious title at the second extra hole and this week he will take a commanding three-shot lead into Sunday’s final round.

Haas has always loved the challenge of Riviera, one of the classic layouts on the PGA Tour, but had finished no better than joint 22nd in his first five starts at the event, including missed cuts in 2009 and 2010.

“Even before last year when I did not have the best of records here, it was certainly a week that I penciled in on the schedule if I could get in and play here,” Haas told reporters after firing a sevenunder-par 64 in Saturday’s third round.

“It’s fun to play. I like everything about Riviera ... the golf course, the grass, just how it’s an old-school style golf course.

“Walking in the locker room, seeing the pictures of all those champions on the wall, it’s just got a great feel of it about it.”

Conditions were extremely tough on Saturday with the course running fast and firm under a dazzling sun but Haas stayed patient and made the most of his opportunities when they came to post a 12-under total of 201.

“Temperature-wise, it was fabulous but with that some of the fairways are really running out, the greens are difficult to hit and it’s getting firmer and firmer,” the 2011 FedExCup champion said after mixing five birdies with an eagle at the 10th.

“Just because it’s playing shorter doesn’t mean it’s necessarily playing easier. Today I was able to save a shot here and there, make a couple of nice par saves. I hit some really nice chips from around the greens.”

Haas, a four-times winner on the PGA Tour, has several big names in hot pursuit with U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson and 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel three strokes adrift, and world number three Luke Donald a further shot back.

“It’s very difficult in this game to just pull away from the rest of the field,” Haas said of the task facing him in the final round.

“You’ve only seen a few guys ever really do that ... guys like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson.

“I’ve just got to try to stay in the moment, don’t let my emotions get the best of me, try to get off to a good start.

“The guys behind me are going to make birdies and will certainly get closer at the top, so I’ve just got to try to hang in there and give myself a chance on the back nine.”

The 30-year-old American is experienced enough to know that good form can never be taken for granted. “Every day is a new day and you’re always working,” said Haas, whose distinguished golfing lineage includes his father Jay, a multiple winner on the PGA and Champions tours, and his great uncle Bob Goalby, best known for winning the 1968 Masters.

“My dad always said, ‘When you’re playing well, you’re not far off from playing poorly; and when you’re playing poorly, you’re not far off from playing well.’ “There’s just such a fine detail in your swing that can change daily, so you just always keep working on it.” —Reuters

EDMONTON: Magnus Paajar vi scored the go-ahead goal in the closing minutes as the Edmonton Oilers used a team-record 56 shots to rally from a three-goal deficit and beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-4 on Saturday night.

Jordan Eberle and Ales Hemsky each had two goals, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also scored for the Oilers, who trailed 3-0 and 4-1 before storming back. Edmonton had 23 shots in the opening period, 15 in the second and 18 in the third when they scored three times. The Oilers topped the previous team record of 55 shots against the Minnesota North Stars in 1986.

Cody McLeod, Matt Duchene, Jamie McGinn and John Mitchell had goals for the Avalanche, who have lost four of their last five.

The Oilers completed their comeback with 1:34 remaining in the third period as Ryan Smyth chipped a pass to a hard-charging Paajarvi, who had a wide-open net to put the puck into. Eberle capped off the game with an empty-net goal, giving the Oilers their second win in three games.

Colorado scored just 1:22 into the game as the Oilers did a poor job clearing traffic in front of Devan Dubnyk, allowing McLeod to scoop up a loose puck inches in front of the Edmonton goalie and hook it into the net.

Edmonton’s best opportunity to that point came with five minutes to play in the first period after a flurry of activity in the Colorado zone when Eberle slid a puck through the crease behind Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov.

Edmonton looked very much as if it was taking over the game, and then the Avs turned the momentum around in a big way with two goals in 25 seconds. Colorado made it 2-0 on a poor goal allowed

by Dubnyk as Duchene lost control of the puck while trying to do a deke on the way to the net, only to see it slide between the goalie’s legs and in with 1:14 left in the first.

With 49 seconds left, the Avalanche made it 3-0 as Duchene got it across to a wide -open McGinn on a 2-on-1. Edmonton got one of those goals back with just 3.1 seconds left as Hemsky picked up a bouncing puck at the side of the net to score his sixth of the season on a power play.

The Oilers outshot Colorado 2312 in the first period and Nikolai Khabibulin came in to start the second in the Edmonton net. Colorado made it 4-1 six minutes into the second on a power play as a deflection on shot by Mitchell had Khabibulin going the other way.

Edmonton got back into the game in a hurry with two goals in just under a minute to make it 43.

With four minutes left in the period, Taylor Hall was able to feed it to Nugent-Hopkins in the slot and he scored his first goal of the season to break a 24-game drought dating to last season.

EDMONTON: Nail Yakupov #64 of the Edmonton Oilers skates past David Jones #54 of the Colorado Avalanche during the NHL game at Rexall Place on Saturday in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. — AFP Just 59 seconds later, Hemsky scored his second of the game with a highlight-reel move to fake defensemen Shane O’Brien and then another to do the same to Varlamov.

Edmonton tied it 4-4 nine minutes into the third period as Eberle was able to pick up a rebound and jam home the puck from behind the goal-line on a power play.

The Anaheim Ducks moved within two points of the NHL lead by beating the Nashville Predators 3-2 after a shootout on Saturday, notching their eighth win in nine games.

Nick Bonino and Corey Perry scored in the shootout for Anaheim, which shot six points clear atop the Pacific Division.

Elswhere, Toronto goalie Ben Scrivens recorded his first career shutout as the Maple Leafs beat Ottawa, John Tavares had a hat trick as the New York Islanders cruised

past New Jersey, and Montreal notched a third straight win by downing Philadelphia.

Anaheim goaltender Viktor Fasth was strong in the shootout, allowing only one of three Nashville shooters to score. He improved to 8-0-0 this season, with four of those victories coming in shootouts.

Matt Beleskey and Patrick Maroon had goals for the Ducks in regulation. David Legwand and Shea Weber scored for Nashville.

Toronto’s Scrivens stopped 34 shots as the Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 3-0. Scrivens was making his second straight start since incumbent James Reimer injured a knee on Monday. The 26year-old Scrivens has been solid as Reimer’s replacement, stopping 96 of the 100 shots he has faced.

Frazer McLaren, Tyler Bozak and John-Michael Liles scored for Toronto, which earned its fifth win in six games. New York’s Tavares

scored three times and set up another as the Islanders trounced the New Jersey Devils 5-1.

Matt Moulson had a goal and three assists and Michael Grabner scored with 35 seconds left for the Islanders.

The Devils’ lone goal was Marek Zidlicky’s power play slap shot 8:47 into the third. Montreal rookie Brendan Gallagher had a goal and assist before leaving the game with an injury as the Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1.

David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec and Rene Bourque also scored for the Canadiens, who outshot the tired-looking Flyers 29-19.

Gallagher left four minutes into the third period after being hit into the boards. Daniel Briere scored for Philadelphia. Tampa Bay Lightning ended a six-game losing skid by edging their state rivals, the Florida Panthers, 6-5 after overtime, with Benoit Pouliot scoring twice. — AP

NHL results/standings Tampa Bay 6, Florida 5 (OT); Toronto 3, Ottawa 0; Montreal 4, Philadelphia 1; NY Islanders 5, New Jersey 1; Anaheim 3, Nashville 2 (SO); Phoenix 5, Columbus 3; Edmonton 6, Colorado 4.

New Jersey Pittsburgh NY Rangers NY Islanders Philadelphia Montreal Boston Toronto Ottawa Buffalo Carolina Tampa Bay Florida Winnipeg Washington

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF 9 3 3 41 10 5 0 48 7 5 1 36 6 7 1 45 6 9 1 38 Northeast Division 9 4 1 40 8 2 2 34 9 6 0 43 7 6 2 35 6 8 1 43 Southeast Division 8 4 1 41 7 6 1 55 4 6 4 35 5 7 1 33 5 8 1 40

GA 36 35 34 47 49

PTS 21 20 15 13 13

34 29 36 30 50

19 18 18 16 13

37 45 53 43 49

17 15 12 11 11

Western Conference Central Division Chicago 11 0 3 48 29 25 Nashville 7 3 5 30 29 19 St. Louis 8 5 1 48 45 17 Detroit 7 5 2 38 41 16 Columbus 4 9 2 34 48 10 Northwest Division Vancouver 8 3 2 38 29 18 Edmonton 6 5 3 35 38 15 Minnesota 6 6 2 30 36 14 Calgary 4 5 3 35 44 11 Colorado 5 7 1 31 38 11 Pacific Division Anaheim 11 2 1 50 37 23 San Jose 7 4 3 37 33 17 Dallas 8 6 1 38 39 17 Phoenix 7 6 2 40 41 16 Los Angeles 5 5 2 28 33 12 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L)

South Korea Jiyai Shin wins Australian Women’s Open CANBERRA: South Korea’s Jiyai Shin won the Australian Women’s Golf Open by two shots yesterday, finishing with a 1-under 72 to break out of an overnight tie for the lead with teenage star Lydia Ko. Shin mixed three birdies with two bogeys in a final round dogfight with Ko and world No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan, and added the Australian title to her two British Opens among 37 professional victories.

Ko’s share of the lead evaporated quickly on the final day with a double bogey, bogey start. However the 15year-old amateur fought back to reclaim the joint lead after 13 holes before Shin calmly dismissed her challenge.Shin effectively clinched her victory on the 14th hole when, tied with Ko at 16-under she holed an incredible pitch from deep rough behind an advertising hoarding to make birdie. “I’m really surprised,” Shin said. “There are so many good players here so I’m really happy to play well.

“I can’t explain at the moment. I just feel excited.” Ko finished 3-over

for the day and 14-under for the tournament, in outright third place. The teenager was hunting back-to-back wins in professional tournaments after winning last week’s New Zealand Women’s Open.

Ko has won three professional tournaments in the last 13 months, taking out the New South Wales Open to become the youngest winner of a professional event, then winning the Canadian Open, to become the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour.

She struggled yesterday to overcome her poor start and was never able to comfortably settle into her final round. “I had a few struggles with my drives but...I can’t play good every single round,” Ko said.

“Third in a professional event is a pretty good results and I can’t say I’m not fully pleased.” Meanwhile, Tseng shot the best round of the last day - a 7-under 66 - to dash past Ko into outright second place, two shots behind Shin.

“I was always feeling good here and I tried my best today,” Tseng said.

CANBERRA: Jiyai Shin of South Korea holds up the winner’s trophy after the final round of the Women’s Australian Open golf tournament in Canberra yesterday. — AFP “I got some pretty good lucky bounces too. “I didn’t drive as well as the last few days but I got some good

bounces, some good kicks on the fairway; hit a tree, bounced on the fairway so it’s kind of really lucky.” — AP

Fichardt wins Africa Open despite nervous finish EAST LONDON: Darren Fichardt survived three bogeys over the closing holes to win the Africa Open by two shots from compatriot Jaco van Zyl and Gregory Bourdy of France yesterday.

The 37-year-old from Pretoria closed with a one-under-par 71 — including four birdies and three bogeys-for a fourround total of 272 over the East London Golf Club course.

It was the fourth European Tour triumph for Fichardt after the Sao Paulo Open in 2001, the Qatar Masters two

years later and the Saint-Omer Open in France last season.

His latest triumph came despite a back-nine slump that he survived because of a four-stroke advantage over his closest rivals over a short course, whose biggest defences were strong winds and thick brush bordering the fairways.

“I started losing focus because I was four shots ahead and began taking things for granted. I was putting unbelievably and then missed a short one at

14 and thought ‘what is going on here?’,” admitted Fichardt.

Van Zyl, seeking a maiden European Tour victory and level with Fichardt going into the final round, finished with a one-over 73 while Bourdy carded a two-under 70 and both ended on 274 for four rounds over the 6,066-metre layout.

South African Garth Mulroy closed with a 67 to finish fourth on 275 and compatriots Desvonde Botes (70) and Tjaart van der Walt (71) were on 277 with Andy Sullivan (68) of England and Mark

Tullo (71) of Chile.

Success for Fichardt meant the South African dominantion of the Africa Open continued, with a sixth consecutive champion from the host country. Major winners Louis Oosthuizen (twice), Charl Schwartzel and Retief Goosen and Shaun Norris won the previous editions, with the last three part of the European circuit.

Fichardt picked up three birdies on the outward nine and another coming back before dropping shots at the 14th,

16th and 17th, but Van Zyl and Bourdy were unable to take advantage.

After making a perfect start with birdies on the first and second, Van Zyl had six pars, dropped a shot at the ninth and had two more bogeys on the inward journey for a disappointing climax having started with a first-round 66.

Bourdy, a three-time European Tour champion, eagled the third, but a bogey meant he turned only one-under for the day and an erratic second nine produced three birdies and two bogeys. — AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

S P ORTS

Kaneria’s appeal against life ban to resume in April KARACHI: Banned leg-spinner Danish Kaneria’s appeal against a life ban will resume on April 22 after it was adjourned by an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) disciplinary panel in December, the Pakistani player’s brother said yesterday.

The hearing on Dec. 10 had to be

adjourned after chief witness and Kaneria’s former Essex county team mate, Mervyn Westfield, failed to show up. Kaneria was banned for life from playing in Britain after the ECB’s disciplinary panel ruled last June that he had been involved in spot-fixing. The 32-year-old, who played 61 tests, was

branded a “grave danger” to the game by the ECB who found him guilty of encouraging or attempting to encourage Westfield to underperform in a match in 2009.

“Danish is still in London and he will now decide whether to return to Pakistan or stay there till his appeal is

heard,” Vicky Kaneria told Reuters.

“Danish wants the appeal hearing to be heard so that he can prove he is innocent.” The ECB could not be reached for comment.

The leg-spinner, who has been suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pending the outcome of the

appeal hearing, said he wanted Westfield to appear before the fiveman ECB panel.

Westfield was handed a four-month prison sentence last February after pleading guilty in court to spot fixing in a match between his Essex side and Durham in September 2009.— Reuters

McCullum, injured Guptill, steer New Zealand to win H A M ILTO N: Ca pt ain Brendo n McCullum led New Zealand to a dramatic three-wicket win over England with heroic support from an injured Martin Guptill in the one-day international in Hamilton yesterday.

Th e g a m e s e e m ed b eyo nd New Zeal a n d ’s gra s p wh en t hey were redu ce d to 2 1 8 for seven as t hey chased England’s 258 all out. With two players injured, they needed 41 runs off the last 25 balls with effectively one wicket in hand.

But Guptill, who had earlier retired with a hamstring strain when he had three runs to his name, hobbled out of the tunnel to provide a vital boost.

With limited mobility, he stood his ground and clouted four fours and a six while McCullum continued to blaze away at the other end to get New Zealand home with seven balls to spare. Guptill finished on 27 with 24 of his runs coming from the 10 deliveries he faced on his return to the crease.

McCullum, who pulled New Zealand into contention after they slipped well behind the required run rate in the ear l y s t a ge s of t h e ir inning s, w as unbeaten on 69 from 61 deliveries. But he played down his performance and directed praise to Guptill. “He was obviously incredibly disappointed to pull up lame with that injury, and we’ll assess him tomorrow to see where he’s at. “But his striking ability at the end certainly helped us and he showed some real fighting characteristics as well, and I was reallly pleased for him that he was able to hit the winning runs.”

England captain Alastair Cook said his side needed a score of 280-290 to be competitive. “I think we lost eight wickets in the last 15 or 16 overs and you can’t really do that if you’re going to build a real big score,” he said.

“But credit to the way Brendon (McCullum) played at the end. It was even stevens until the last six or seven overs and he took the game away from us.” The win was New Zealand’s fifth consecutive ODI victory over England and put them 1-0 up in the three match series.

England, sent into bat first, produced a carefully crafted start to their

innings and were poised for a final onslaught when they reached 220 for four in the 44th over.

But when the big hitting was required, England lost their last six wickets for 38 runs in the space of 37 deliveries. Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root, who all missed the recently concluded Twenty20 series won by England 2-1, were the chief architects of the solid start to the innings.

After the early departure of Cook, Bell and Trott put on 84 for the second wicket in their first innings of the tour before Bell was out for 64 when he edged James Franklin to wicketkeeper McCullum.

Trott recovered from a slow start to reach 68 before he was bowled by Kyle Mills after adding 89 with Root for the third wicket. Root went on to make 56.

As the England tail folded the only other players to reach double figures were Jos Buttler (21), Chris Woakes (17) and Graeme Swann (16).

In the process of mopping up the inning s, l ef t-ar m seamer M itch ell McClenaghan, who took four for 56, lef t the ground with a side strain before completing his final over and is unlikely to play again in the series.

Franklin was the second best of the New Zealand bowlers with three for 38 while Kyle Mills took two for 32. New Zealand’s response started shakily with BJ Watling out for two on the last ball of the first over and Guptill hobbling from the field soon after.

Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott both made 22 and New Zealand’s cause l o o ked de cidedly difficult wh en M cCullum came to the crease and K ane Williamson was run out after scoring an impressive 74.

New Zealand were then 132 for four and required 126 off the final 96 balls.

Frank lin, Nathan M cCullum and Andrew Ellis all played brief cameos before Guptill re-entered the fray to help Brendon McCullum seal the outcome.

Woakes was the most successful of the England bowlers taking two for 52 and combined with Ian Bell to run out Williamson. The second match in the series will be played in Napier on Wednesday.—AFP

MUMBAI: The victorious Australian cricket team poses with their Champion’s trophy after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 between Australia and West Indies at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne stadium in Mumbai yesterday. Australia won the match by 114 runs. — AFP

Aussie women clinch World Cup MUMBAI: Ellyse Perry took three wickets and Jess Cameron scored a half-century to help Australia clinch the women’s World Cup for the sixth time with a 114-run win over the West Indies in the final yesterday.

Cameron smashed two sixes and eight fours in her 76-ball 75 as Australia posted 259-7, the highest total in the final, before dismissing the West Indies for 145 in the day-night match in Mumbai.

Merissa Aguilleira (23), Deandra Dottin (22) and Kyshona Knight (21 not out) were the main scorers in a below-par batting performance by the West Indies, making their maiden appearance in the final.

Seamer Perry, who also represented her country in the women’s World Cup football, got three wickets in her opening three overs, including that of prolific run-getter

Stafanie Taylor, to reduce the West Indies to 41-3. The 22-year-old Perry, returning to the side after missing the Super Sixes round due to an injury, finished with 3-19 off 10 overs.

O ff-spinners Lisa Sthalek ar and Erin Osborne, and seamer Megan Schutt took two wickets each for Australia, who had lost to the West Indies in the Super Sixes round.

Cameron and Rachael Haynes (52) scored half-centuries before Australia slipped from 181-3 to 209-7, but skipper Jodie Fields (36 not out) and Perry (25 not out) added a brisk 50 to help their team cross the 250mark. West Indies leg-spinner Shaquana Quintyne, 17, was the most impressive bowler with 3-27 off 10 overs. Cameron cracked the first six of the innings when she pulled seamer Tremayne Smartt and then

completed her half-century with a second six in the same over.

Australia made a solid start after electing to bat as Haynes and Meg Lanning (31) put on 52 for the opening wicket. Haynes also added 64 for the second wicket with Cameron.

Brief scores: Au s t r a l i a 2 5 9 - 7 i n 5 0 o ve r s ( J e s s Cameron 75, R achael Haynes 52, Jodie Fields 36 not out, Meg Lanning 31, Ellyse Perry 25 not out; Shaquana Quintyne 3-27) We s t I n d i e s 1 4 5 a l l o u t i n 4 3 . 1 o v e r s (Merissa Aguilleira 23, Deandra Dottin 22, Kyshona Knight 21 not out; Ellyse Perry 319, Lisa Sthalekar 2-20, Erin Osborne 2-26, Megan Schutt 2-38) Result: Australia win by 114 runs. — AFP

Clinical S Africa seal series win Robin Peterson is man of the match

SEDDON PARK: New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, right, salutes the crowd as he walks off with Martin Guptill after defeating England by three wickets in the first one day international cricket match at Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand, yesterday. — AP

SCOREBOARD HAMILTON, New Zealand: Collated scoreboards in the opening one-day international between New Zealand and England at Seddon Park yesterday.

England A. Cook b McClenaghan 4 I. Bell c B. McCullum b Franklin 64 J. Trott b Mills 68 J. Root b Franklin 56 E. Morgan c Guptill b Mills 1 J. Buttler c Elliott b McClenaghan 21 C. Woakes c B. McCullum b Ellis 17 S. Broad c B. McCullum b McClenaghan 1 G. Swann c Taylor b Franklin 16 S. Finn c Guptill b McClenaghan 0 J. Anderson not out 0 Extras (lb 4, w 5, nb 1) 10 Total (all out; 49.3 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Cook), 2-95 (Bell), 3-184 (Trott), 4-190 (Morgan), 5-220 (Buttler), 6-222 (Root), 7-229 (Broad), 8-247 (Woakes), 9-248 (Finn), 10-258 (Swann) Bowling: Mills 10-2-322, McClenaghan 9.4-0-56-4 (2w), Ellis 10-0-671 (1nb, 2w), N. McCullum 10-0-42-0, Franklin 6.3-0-38-3, Williamson 2.2-0-12-0, Elliott 1-0-70 (1w).

New Zealand B. Watling b Anderson 2

M. Guptill not out 27 K. Williamson run out (Woakes/Bell) 74 R. Taylor c Finn b Woakes 22 G. Elliott c Morgan b Woakes 22 B. McCullum not out 69 J. Franklin c Buttler b Finn 3 N. McCullum lbw Swann 14 A. Ellis c Finn b Broad 13 Extras (lb 7, w 6) 13 Total ( 7 wickets; 48.5 overs) 259 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Watling), 2-75 (Taylor), 3124 (Elliott), 4-142 ( Williamson), 5-155 (Franklin), 6-186 (N. McCullum), 7-218 (Ellis) Bowling: Anderson 9-1-36-1 (1w), Finn 10-054-1 (3w), Broad 9.5-0-56-1 (2w), Woakes 10-0-52-2, Swann 10-0-54-1 Did not bat: K. Mills, M. McClenaghan Toss: New Zealand New Zealand won by three wickets New Zealand lead series 1-0 Umpires: Gary Baxter (NZL), S Ravi (IND) TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS) Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI). —AFP

CAPE TOWN: South Africa showed why they are the number one test team in the world with a clinical performance on day four of the second Test against Pakistan to clinch the series with a four-wicket victory yesterday. Excellent bowling in the morning session was backed up with steady batting under the hot sun as they chased down a victory target of 182. South Africa now lead the threematch series 2-0 with one match remaining in Centurion starting on Feb. 22. Hashim Amla anchored their chase with an enterprising 58 from 96 balls that drained the belief from the Pakistan bowlers.

The tourists picked up some late wickets to allow spinner Saeed Ajmal to record match figures of 10 for 147, but by then the game was lost.

Starting their innings 30 minutes after lunch having bowled Pakistan out for 169 in their second innings, the home side lost the early wicket of Alviro Petersen lbw to Umar Gul for one. Graeme Smith (29) then became Ajmal’s first victim of the innings when he was also trapped in front going on the sweep, the second time in the test he has been out in that fashion.

Jacques Kallis hit a brisk 21 before being dismissed lbw by Ajmal. Amla was magnificent as he steered the ball all round the ground, but was bowled as he had an uncharacteristic wild swing at an Ajmal delivery, bringing an end to his fine knock.

AB de Villiers (36) also played a reckless flashing cut that was caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed off Tanvir Ahmed to give the bowler his only wicket of the Test. Faf du Plessis (15) was lbw to Ajmal with two runs needed, but Dean Elgar (11 not out) smashed the winning runs. Perhaps fittingly, he was at the crease at the time with man of the match Robin Peterson (1 not out), who had changed the course of the match with his 84 on Saturday and fine bowling on the fourth morning.

The victory was set up by South Africa taking seven Pakistan wickets for the addition of 69 runs. The tourists resumed on 100 for three, but it was not long before the hosts had their first breakthrough.

Misbah-ul-Haq attempted a poorly executed sweep off Peterson and

CAPE TOWN: South African cricketer Hashim Amla plays a shot on day four of the second test between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town at Newlands yesterday. — AFP Sarfraz Ahmed (five) left a keeper AB de Villiers for 65, and Gul sent a top-edge flying to Graeme Smith at leg slip, the batsman depart- Peterson delivery that turned out of lasted one delivery as he was briling for a patient 44. Asad Shafiq (19) the leg-side rough and cannoned liantly caught by a diving Petersen at third slip. Ajmal (four) was bowled was next to go, unlucky to see the into his stumps.

It was the last ball of the spinner’s around his legs by Peterson and ball bounce onto the stumps after it looped up following his back-foot over, with Philander taking up the Mohammad Irfan (two) was the last defensive shot off Vernon Philander. attack from the other end and get- wicket down as he fended a Dale Then came a collapse that rocked ting wickets with his first two balls. Steyn bouncer to Petersen in the Pakistan as they lost three wickets in Ali had reached his 14th test half- slips. Philander ended with match century when he edged to wicket- figures of nine for 99. — Reuters as many balls.

SCOREBOARD CAPE TOWN: Final scoreboard after South Africa won the second Test with Pakistan on the fourth day at Newlands here yesterday: Pakistan, first innings, 338 South Africa, first innings, 326 Pakistan, second innings (overnight 100-3) Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Steyn 0 Nasir Jamshed lbw b Philander 0 Azhar Ali c De Villiers b Philander 65 Younis Khan b Steyn 14 Misbah-ul-Haq c Smith b Peterson 44 Asad Shafiq b Philander 19 Sarfraz Ahmed b Peterson 5 Tanvir Ahmed not out 10 Umar Gul c Petersen b Philander 0 Saeed Ajmal b Peterson 4 Mohammad Irfan c Petersen b Steyn 2 Extras (lb2, w4) 6 Total (75.3 overs) 169 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Hafeez), 2-7 (Jamshed), 3-45 (Younis), 4114 (Misbah), 5-147 (Shafiq), 6-152 (Sarfraz), 7-152 (Azhar), 8-152 (Gul), 9-158 (Ajmal) Bowling: Steyn 18.3-5-38-3 (3w), Philander 19-6-40-4, Morkel 3.1-0-8-0, Peterson 29-8-73-3 (1w), Kallis 5.5-2-8-0.

South Africa, second innings A. Petersen lbw b Umar Gul 1 G. Smith lbw b Saeed Ajmal 29 H. Amla b Saeed Ajmal 58 J. Kallis lbw b Saeed Ajmal 21 A. de Villiers c Sarfraz Ahmed b Tanvir Ahmed 36 F du Plessis lbw b Saeed Ajmal 15 D. Elgar not out 11 R. Peterson not out 1 Extras (b5, nb5) 10 Total (6 wkts, 43.1 overs) 182 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Petersen), 2-63 (Smith), 3-88 (Kallis), 4150 (Amla), 5-168 (De Villiers), 6-180 (Du Plessis) Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 10-1-35-0 (3nb), Umar Gul 8-046-1, Saeed Ajmal 18.1-2-51-4, Mohammad Hafeez 2-1-110, Tanvir Ahmed 5-0-34-1 (2nb) Result: South Africa won by four wickets Series: South Africa lead the three-match series 2-0

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

S P ORTS

Chelsea rout Brentford to reach fifth round

HOUSTON: Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors holds up the trophy after winning at the slam dunk contest during NBA All-Star Saturday Night basketball Saturday, in Houston. — AP

Ross beat Evans in dunk contest HOUSTON: Terrence Ross had to settle his nerves at the start of the All-Star dunk contest. By the end, he was calming down a ball boy he needed as a prop for his winning slam.

The 6-foot-6 Toronto rookie leapfrogged Michael Costolo, the son of Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, whipped the ball between his legs and hammered home a one-handed dunk to beat defending champion Jeremy Evans in the climax to All-Star Saturday.

“I told him the day before that I was going to jump over him, but I never told him I was going to go through the legs,” Ross said. “He was kind of nervous. When I first grabbed him, he said, ‘You’re not going to hit me, right?’ I said, ‘No, I’m not going to hit you.’”

Ross seemed to be unsure of himself in the beginning, botching his first three dunk attempts in the first round. The crowd exploded when he finally pulled it off flicking the ball behind his back on the way up and hammering home a one-handed dunk.

He earned a perfect 50 and immediately relaxed. “This is honestly my first really big dunk contest, so I was nervous,” said Ross, the eighth overall pick in last year’s draft out of Washington. “And not making a dunk didn’t make it easy. I had to get myself together.”

Ross earned 58 percent of the fan vote in the championship round, outdoing Evans’ prop-filled display. Evans leaped over a painted portrait of himself and former Jazz giant Mark Eaton, who sat on a box and held up the ball for Evans to swipe on his way to the rim.

Kenneth Faried, James White, 2007 dunk champion Gerald Green and Eric Bledsoe also were in the field, while Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade were among the All-Stars taking in the show.

Green started if off by taking a lob from Indiana teammate Lance Stephenson off the side of the backboard and soaring in for a reverse slam. White played off his “Flight White” nickname when he split two columns of cheerleaders dressed as flight attendants for a powerful two-handed dunk.

Hall of Famers Bill Russell and Julius Erving, singer Alicia Keys, rapper Drake, director Spike Lee and comedian Chris Tucker were among those sitting courtside.

Keys is performing at halftime of yesterday’s All-Star game.

Earlier, Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving beat San Antonio’s Matt Bonner to win the 3point contest. Irving, who will play in his first All-Star game on Sunday, hit his first seven attempts and 20 of 25 overall in the final round to finish with 23 points, two shy of the record held by Craig Hodges and Jason Kapono.

Irving also played in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night, scoring 32 points. He came into the weekend with the goal of making a big splash.

“Yeah, this weekend was just basically about earning everybody’s respect, and getting a chance for people to see me that don’t usually see me,” Irving said. “We’re not nationally televised. This weekend is to show my face to the fans and get everybody acclimated to my face in the league.”

Portland rookie Damian Lillard beat Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday to win the Skills Competition. Players navigated through a dribbling circuit, had to make a jumper from the top of the key and hit passing targets. Lillard finished the course in 29.8 seconds. Holiday’s time was 35.6 seconds.

“I think the biggest thing for me was to try not to be too cool and speed through it,” Lillard said, “but take my time with the passes and shots.” Houston point guard Jeremy Lin and defending champion Tony Parker also were in the field, but didn’t come close to qualifying for the championship round.

In the first competition of the night, the trio of Miami’s Chris Bosh, WNBA star Swin Cash and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins won the Shooting Stars competition, beating a team of Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook, WNBA star Maya Moore and former Houston Rocket Robert Horry.

Each team had two minutes to make shots from six locations on the floor, including one from half-court. Wilkins sank a halfcourt shot for a team time of 1 minute, 29 seconds. Westbrook rimmed out several half-court tries and time ran out before he and his teammates could make one.

The NBA tweaked the scoring format for this year’s All-Star skills exhibitions, with teams representing the East and West competing for charities. The Western Conference defeated the East 140-125. The West earned $350,000 for charity and the East earned $150,000. — AP

Schalke head to Galatasaray BERLIN: With one win in their last 11 games, Schalke 04 fly to Turkey for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16, first-leg in defiant mood despite low selfbelief and with coach Jens Keller unsure of his future. Having dropped from second to 10th in the Bundesliga, Brazil midfielder Michel Bastos saved Schalke’s blushes on Saturday with two goals as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Mainz and the precious point lifted them to eighth. Schalke avoided travelling to Istanbul on the back of a third straight defeat, having been thumped 4-0 by Bayern Munich the previous week, with goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand admitting: “At least we know we’re still alive”.

The Royal Blues face runaway Turkish league leaders Galatasaray, who have been boosted by the signings of Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba, in the cauldron of Istanbul with USA midfielder Jermaine Jones insisting they must show belief.

“We have to go there with aggression and without fear”, said defensive midfielder Jones. “We know that we have quality and it was good that we also showed some morale against Mainz.” But Schalke’s impressive 2-0 win at Arsenal in the group stage last October is now a distant memory

and they will have to substantially improve upon recent performances to reach the quarter-finals.

Keller is in a precarious position and has made little impact in terms of results since taking charge in December: his team’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Hanover 96 at the end of January is his only win in five games.

“Jens will be on the bench in Istanbul,” said Schalke’s general manager Horst Heldt, who has said Keller is safe until the end of the season. “We want to stick with what we have decided upon.”

The Royal Blues have become the butt of a much-publicised joke here in Germany after a supporters website schalkefan.de produced the game “Schalke’s Crisis Bullshit Bingo” in response to hearing too many excuses for poor performances.

With typical phrases such as “we didn’t carry out what was planned” and “we have to pull together” in a five-by-five grid, fans can tick off each stock phase when they hear them from Keller or Heldt in postmatch interviews.

“Of course, we’ll make no bones about it, we have to work out the poor performances,” said Heldt, before adding with a touch of humour: “I think I just filled in another bingo row”. — AFP

LONDON: Chelsea avoided becoming the latest victims of the FA Cup’s spate of giant-killings as the holders eased into the fifth round with a 4-0 win over League One minnows Brentford yesterday.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are among a host of Premier League clubs to have been embarrassed by lower league opposition this season, but Chelsea overcame a slow start to their fourth round replay to eventually cruise through thanks to second half goals from Juan Mata, Oscar, Frank Lampard and John Terry at Stamford Bridge.

It is still too soon to declare Rafael Benitez’s team back on track after an inconsistent campaign, but at least there was no humiliation here. Chelsea, who have won the Cup four times in the last six seasons, will travel to Championship side Middlesbrough for their delayed fifth round tie on February 27.

“We knew Brentford would be working hard but it was difficult for them to sustain that intensity against a team like Chelsea,” Benitez said. “The first goal made the difference because the game was more open. It was a matter of time. We could have scored in the first half, but I’m pleased to score four goals and create chances.”

Blues captain Terry, fit after a knee injury, was part of a strong Chelsea line -up that reflected Benitez ’s respect for Brentford after the underdogs came within seven minutes of a stunning victory over their west London neighbours in the first meeting last month.

Just as in the 2-2 draw at Griffin Park, Uwe Rosler’s team showed no signs of being overawed by their more illustrious opponents and midfielder Adam Forshaw fizzed an early shot just wide of Petr Cech’s far post.

The Blues were struggling to out of first gear and Branislav

LONDON: Chelsea’s English midfielder Frank Lampard (2-R) scores their third goal during the fourth round replay English FA Cup football match between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. Chelsea won 4-0. — AFP Ivanovic was off-target with a looping header from Mata’s corner, then Lampard miscued a good opportunity and when the loose ball ran to Oscar, the Brazilian’s close-range shot was well blocked

by Bees defender Harlee Dean.

Chelsea’s struggles under Benitez have made it impossible for the former Liverpool boss to win over his new club’s supporters and they once again showed their disdain for the Spaniard with prolonged chants in suppor t of sacked predecessor Roberto Di Matteo. Oscar should have lifted the mood when Mata’s pass left him one on one with Brentford goalkeeper Simon Moore, but the midfielder didn’t make a clean connection and held his head in frustration as the shot cannoned

away off a post.

Forshaw was threatening again when David Luiz sent him crashing to the tur f on the edge of the penalty area, winning a free-kick that infuriated Brentford as Marcello Trotta had rifled his shot past Cech just as the whistle blew.

But there was more urgency about the Blues in the second half and, after Ivanovic’s header forced a good save from Moore, they finally ended Brentford’s resistance in the 54th minute.

For all Chelsea’s desire to play a move expansive style this season, this was a route one goal more reminiscent of Stoke than Barcelona. Cech lumped a clearance towards Demba Ba and the Senegal striker’s flick fell for Mata, who advanced to the edge of the

penalty area before driving a fine strike past Moore.

With the pressure lifted at last, Chelsea were able to play with more freedom and they killed off Brentford in the 68th minute.

Substitute Eden Hazard worked his way into the penalty area and slipped a pass to Ivanovic, whose low cross was met with a backflick from Oscar that deflected into the net off a Brentford defender.

Lampard made it three when he volleyed home from Mata’s cross in the 72nd minute.

It was the England midfielder’s 199th Chelsea goal and made him the club’s all-time leading scorer in the FA Cup. There was still time for Terry, heading home Oscar’s cross, to complete the rout in the 81st minute. — AFP

Hirscher wins worlds’ slalom at home in Austria SCHLADMING: Overall World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher won the men’s slalom title yesterday on the last day of the skiing world championships for his first individual gold medal at a major event.

Cheered loudly by a home crowd of 35,000, the Austrian overcame the pressure of expectation to earn the host nation its second gold of the worlds, after the mixed team event.

Hirscher held onto his first-run lead to finish in a combined time of 1 minute, 51.03 seconds. Felix Neureuther of Germany was 0.41 seconds back in second. Hirscher and Neureuther are also 1-2 in the World Cup discipline standings.

Two-time former champion Mario Matt of Austria took third, 0.65 behind. “It’s awesome,” Hirscher said. “I forced myself to think, ‘There’s nothing at stake, it’s just ski racing, it’s just a game.’ That helped me to handle the pressure. The atmosphere was sensational, super. I had to be careful not to blow it all for them.”

Hirscher missed the 2011 worlds because of a broken foot. On Thursday, he injured his back and neck during training but finished second to Ted Ligety in GS the next day and followed it up with Sunday’s win. It was the 14th gold in slalom for Austria.

His father and coach, Ferdinand Hirscher, called it “a wonderful day.” “It was very tense as we had to change something on the setup of his boots this morning,” Ferdinand said. “But Marcel always stays cool. He tries not to think about titles and championships. He just concentrates on the information the coaches are giving him before a run.”

Italian great Alberto Tomba said the Austrian’s achievement was “super, super.” “I said three days ago, Marcel is going to win,” said Tomba, the 1996 world slalom champion. “It’s super he’s done it. Felix and Mario were also great.”

Ligety, a three-time champion, failed to finish when the American lost his balance and his left boot clicked out of the bindings 15 seconds into his run. Olympic winner Giuliano Razzoli of Italy skied out on the bottom part in his first run, and defending world champion Jean-Baptiste Grange of France finished 2.43 off the lead in 12th place.

Neureuther, who trailed Hirscher by 0.28 after the first run, won his first individual medal at a major competition. “It’s fantastic,” Neureuther said. “I usually try to hide my emotions but I can’t do that now. I’ve finally done what I’ve tried to do many times before at big events. I am really happy and proud.”

Neureuther helped Germany win bronze in the team event. Maria Hoefl-Riesch, who won the women’s supercombined title, added two more medals for Germany.

“Everybody was talking about this duel: Marcel vs. Felix and that’s what it was,” Neureuther said. “I just tried to avoid the mistakes I made at other championships.”

Matt won the world slalom title in 2001 at home and again in 2007. He led the race briefly after a strong second run but was overtaken by both Neureuther and Hirscher. “You have to fully attack but avoid making it a useless run,” Matt said. “I lost a bit of time with a small mistake on the bottom, but I have to be satisfied with bronze.” The course caused many racers problems as mild temperatures softened the top layer of snow.

“The snow felt weird,” Hirscher said, and Neureuther added it was “extremely difficult to gain speed on this course. You just don’t get the right feeling on it.” Ligety’s attempt to win a fourth medal failed shortly after starting his first run.

“I just kind of made a mistake,” Ligety said. “I wanted to go really hard forward on the ski and I just peeled it right out of the back of the binding.” Ligety, who also captured the super-G and super-combined titles, could have equaled the 45-year record held by French great Jean-Claude Killy, who won four golds in 1968.—AP

NAPLES: Napoli’s Colombian forward Pablo Armero controls the ball during the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs UC Sampdoria in San Paolo Stadium yesterday in Naples. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. — AFP

Stubborn Samp cool Napoli’s title hopes MILAN: A coach-less but stubborn Sampdoria put the brakes on Napoli’s Serie A title ambitions by holding the Neapolitans to a scoreless draw at the San Paolo yesterday.

Napoli had hoped to close the gap on Juventus to just two points after the championship leaders were stunned 1-0 by Francesco Totti’s rocket strike for Roma on Saturday.

But three days after a shock 3-0 defeat at home to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, Walter Mazzarri’s side failed to conjure a goal for the second match in succession. “ This is not good enough,” said Mazzarri. “If we want to be up there challenging we need more. We need consistency, it makes me angry when he show up and have these unexplainable performances.” Despite Juve’s slip-up the champions are still four points ahead of Napoli on 51 points, with Lazio a distant third (44) ahead of their trip to Siena tomorrow.

AC Milan, 2-1 winners over Parma on Friday, are fourth also on 44 points but face being overtaken by city rivals Inter, who travel to Fiorentina for Sunday’s late match.

Sampdoria had beaten Napoli only once in their last five outings, but despite missing head coach Delio Rossi, handed a twomatch ban for making a rude gesture last week, the visitors went in feeling buoyed at the break.

Early on striker Gianluca Sansone worked his way through the defence to see his prodded shot smothered by Napoli keeper Morgan De Sanctis from close in.

Napoli, wearing black armbands in honour of former player Carmelo Imbriani, who died this week at the age of 37, came closest when Lorenzo Insigne unleashed a drive that forced Sergio Romero to parry.

Striker Edinson Cavani also tested Romero while at the other end Lorenzo De Silvestri forced De Sanctis down low to smother as the visitors dominated on the

half hour. Sansone was unlucky to see his low strike tipped around the post by an outstretched De Sanctis, who then had defender Valon Behrami to thank for clearing after he misjudged the resulting corner.

Napoli struggled after the restart and had Behrami to thank for a timely clearance from Emanuele Icardi’s effort only five minutes in. It prompted Mazzarri to replace defender Miguel Britos and midfielder Pablo Armero with Goran Pandev and Juan Zuniga respectively on the hour mark.

Pandev’s arrival proved almost decisive when his short pass to Marek Hamsik allowed the Slovakian to unleash a dangerous low shot but it came off the post and Romero scrambled to smother. Napoli were starting to find openings, but when Hamsik put Paolo Cannavaro through with the simplest of passes the defender sent his firsttime effort over the bar.

Cannavaro was one of several players who later hit out at the state of the pitch, which is so bad it is to be relaid next week.

“We missed a chance today but the fight for the title isn’t over,” said Cannavaro. “But the real pity is we can’t play on a pitch that is worthy of Napoli.” Napoli were to rue those missed chances as Sampdoria increased the pressure in the dying minutes with a series of counter-attacks which had the hosts on the ropes before they were forced to settle for a morale-sapping draw.

Meanwhile, Catania’s fairytale campaign continued with a 1-0 home win over Bologna and a move up to seventh and within sight of the European places. Valter Birsa’s 87th-minute winner handed Torino a 2-1 victory over Atalanta, while Juraj Kucka’s 33rd-minute goal was enough to see Genoa move further away from the drop zone with a 1-0 win over Udinese.

A Marco Sau double for Cagliari assured a 2-0 win away to new boys Pescara and moved the Sardinians up to 14th. — AFP

19

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

SPORTS

Man City swamp Leeds in Cup romp MANCHESTER: A Sergio Aguero brace was the highlight of Manchester City’s comfortable 4-0 FA Cup fifth round victory over Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium, a win that will lift, at least temporarily, speculation about the future of manager Roberto Mancini.

With City 12 points behind league leaders Manchester United, the FA Cup remains Mancini’s most realistic hope of winning silverware this season and Aguero’s efforts, together with goals from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez, carried his team through to the last eight with the minimum of fuss. City wasted no time in taking out recent league frustrations on their Championship visitors and, even before their fifth minute opening goal, Leeds ‘keeper Jamie Ashdown had been forced to race from his area to beat Aguero to an under-hit back-pass.

Neil Warnock’s players were still struggling to come to terms with the task in hand when Yaya Toure left them with a mountain to climb. The Ivory Coast international exchanged the ball with both David Silva and Tevez in a flurry of passes before advancing into the area and comfortably beating Ashdown and an attempt by Lee Peltier to clear off his line.

It was the start of a half of almost unrelenting City dominance with Tom Lees’ timely tackle stopping Aguero, Silva flashing a shot wide and Tevez shooting into the side netting from an Aguero pull-back, all in quick succession.

Finally, after 14 minutes, Leeds succumbed to the inevitable after Lees was harshly judged to have pulled back Aguero on one of his trademark snaking runs into the area. The Argentinian international took the spot kick himself, calmly converting past Ashdown.

Leeds finally launched a meaningful attack of their own as El Hadji Diouf headed just over from Sam Byram’s 15th minute cross. But, apart from City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon being forced to punch away a 45th minute free-kick from Ross McCormack, the remainder of the tie quickly degenerated into a question of how many City would score.

An Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick was turned into his own side netting by Byram, a superb 20-yard volley from Yaya Toure was tipped over by Ashdown, who then needed two attempts to smother a low shot from Kolarov, and Javi Garcia glanced just wide from a Kolarov corner.

It took until the sixth minute of the second half for City to finally find the third goal that rendered any prospect of a Leeds fightback out of the question.

Aguero played a one-two with Silva before continuing a sprint towards the left-hand by-line from where his cross was met on the goal line by Tevez, who forced the ball into the open net.

James Milner’s long run ended with a shot that passed just wide of the net from 18 yards and Tevez might have added his second and City’s fourth but he just failed to make clean contact on Aguero’s centre just before the hour. As City pressed on Yaya Toure might also have extended the lead when he met Silva’s cross with a powerful shot which Ashdown parried directly to substitute Jack Rodwell who could only head against the cross-bar with an open goal at his mercy.

As Leeds supporters expressed their growing unrest with manager Warnock, the afternoon might have turned even uglier for the mid-table Championship side had Aguero made decent connection with an eight-yard shot which dribbled through to the goalkeeper.

And when Leeds winger Aidan White finally set up a chance for his side after 71 minutes his cross was headed meekly over the City goal by Luke Varney.

It had long since been irrelevant to the outcome of the game, but Aguero finally added the fourth goal that City’s superiority merited after 73 minutes, following Silva’s welltimed pass picking out the Argentinian’s run beyond the Leeds defence. — AFP

MANCHESTER: Leeds United’s English defender Aidy White (L) vies with Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (R) during the fifth round English FA Cup football match between Manchester City and Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday. — AFP

Campbell can be key to promotion, says Mackay LONDON: Cardiff manager Malky Mackay claims Fraizer Campbell’s double in the 2-1 win over Bristol City shows the former Sunderland striker is the final piece in his club’s promotion jigsaw.

Mackay’s side are now eight points clear at the top of the Championship after Campbell, an ex-Manchester United trainee, marked his full debut by killing off struggling City on Saturday.

Campbell, signed from Sunderland during the January transfer window, opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when he ran onto Tommy Smith’s clever through ball and slotted past goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

And 12 minutes into the second half, Campbell scored his third goal for the club, more than he managed in the whole of last season for Sunderland, after a long throw from Aron Gunnarsson.

A bizarre own goal from Ben Nugent reduced the deficit in stoppage-time but Cardiff remain on course to reach the Premier League and Mackay believes Campbell’s quality is start-

ing to shine after a spell in the wilderness at Sunderland.

“I am delighted for him, you could see the quality there,” Mackay said. “You could see the intelligence, the strength and the link-up play. And for him to get the two goals is really pleasing. “More than anything I am delighted about the lack of ego about the boy and the way he has thrown himself in to everything that we do here. He has not played a lot of football in the last few months but I felt it was time to start him.”

Hull manager Steve Bruce believes his side can continue to defy the pundits after Egypt forward Gedo kept the Tigers’ promotion bid on track in a 1-0 win over Charlton. Bruce’s men are second in the table and he acknowledges such a lofty position was not anticipated at the start of the campaign.

“We were 40-1 outsiders at the start of the season. People didn’t give us a hope in hell but we’re there or thereabouts,” Bruce said. “I can’t see a reason why we can’t go up. We’ve got 14 games to go and we probably have to win seven of them.”

Troy Deeney bagged a brace as Gianfranco Zola’s Watford

thrashed Birmingham 4-0 at St Andrew’s to maintain their promotion charge. “It was a very good result,” former Chelsea star Zola said. “I rate it one of the best performances considering the injury difficulties we had.”

Glenn Murray took his goal tally to 27 for the season in Crystal Palace’s 4-1 win against promotion rivals Middlesbrough.

Billy Davies was delighted with the response after his second spell as Nottingham Forest manager started with a 1-1 draw against Bolton at the City Ground.

Andy Reid struck first for Forest in the 59th minute, but Craig Davies got the equaliser in the 77th minute.

“For a new manager to step in and get that kind of reaction is superb,” said Davies, who replaced Alex McLeish to become Forest’s third manager of the season. “The team were great, the fans were great but we just could not get the result that would have topped it off. The fact that we had 23 shots to their five says it all.” Elsewhere, Ipswich defeated Blackpool 1-0 and Derby were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Wolves. — AFP

Martinez fit for Arsenal, says Bayern’s Heynckes BERLIN: Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez is set to face Arsenal in tomorrow’s Champions League clash, coach Jupp Heynckes said on Sunday, after the Spain star recovered from a foot injury.

The 24-year-old sat out Bayern’s 2-0 Bundesliga win at VfL Wolfsburg on Friday with a heavily bruised big toe, but having trained over the weekend, is expected to play in the last 16, first-leg clash at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

“As things stand at the moment, it looks really good. He is available again,” said Heynckes ahead of Monday morning’s flight to London.

“We have to see how the injury reacts, but I think it’ll be ok.” Martinez has forged a strong defensive midfield partnership alongside Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger this season and his influence was missing against Wolfsburg.

Only a stoppage time goal by Bayern replacement Arjen Robben put the victory beyond doubt as

Munich picked up their fifth-straight victory and have yet to concede a goal in 2013.

Against Arsenal, Bayern will be without reserve striker Claudio Pizarro (throat infection), defender Jerome Boateng (suspended) and centre-back Holger Badstuber, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Although Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday after their 1-0 defeat at home to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, Heynckes said he expects a tough match against the Gunners in London. “Despite the result, Arsenal have found their rhythm again in the last few weeks, they are very good going forwards and are an excellent team,” said the 67-year-old.

“They have wonderful players in their ranks and I’m wary of underestimating them.

“They have found their way again and they can pose a great danger to us.” — AFP

Didier nets as Hanover held at Nuremberg BERLIN: Ivory Coast striker Didier Ya Konan hit his first Bundesliga goal since September as Hanover 96 were held to a 2-2 draw at Nuremberg yesterday.

Having reached the recent Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals, where the Ivory Coast lost to eventual winners Nigeria, Ya Konan, 28, put Hanover ahead with his 68thminute strike before Nuremberg grabbed an equaliser at the death.

With time almost up, midfielder Sebastian Polter met US defender Timothy Chandler’s pin-point cross from the right flank to poach a point as Hanover moved up to 8th, while

Today’s matches on TV (Local Timings) England FA Cup Man United v Reading 23:00 Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport +3 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Italian League Siena v Lazio 22:45 Aljazeera Sport +1 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD

Nuremberg drop to 14th.

Hanover had taken a first-half lead through Hungary midfielder Szabolcs Huszti before Nuremberg equalised when Japan midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake’s freekick was headed home by Swiss defender Timm Klose on 53 minutes.

Hanover coach Mirko Slomka was sent to the stands for what referee Thorsten Kinhoefer deemed an inappropriate comment to the fourth official on 65 minutes.

Hoffenheim stay 10 points from safety and third from bottom, with just four points from their last 11 matches, as they lost 1-0 at home to VfB Stuttgart as Austria striker Martin Harnik hit the guests’ third-minute winner.

After five-straight defeats, this was Stuttgart’s first win of 2013 and lifts them up to 12th in the table.

League leaders Bayern Munich finished the weekend with their 15-point lead intact after Friday’s 2-0 win at VfL Wolfsburg. Mario Mandzukic netted his sixth goal in four games before Arjen Robben added the second in stoppage time. It was Bayern’s 18th win in 22 matches, their fifth straight victory, and they have yet to concede a goal in 2013 as they head to London for Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, first-leg clash against Arsenal.

Defending champions Borussia Dortmund remain second after Germany midfielder Marco Reus netted a hat-trick in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, but Borussia had a striker sent off for the second time in the space of a week. After Dortmund’s Poland star Robert Lewandowski had earned a three-game ban for being sent off against Hamburg last Saturday, his replacement Julian Schieber was dismissed for a second yellow against Frankfurt. — AFP

ANFIELD: Swansea City’s English defender Garry Monk (R) clashes with his own goalkeeper Dutchman Michel Vorm (2nd R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield in Liverpool yesterday. Liverpool won the game 5-0. — AFP

Liverpool rout Swansea LIVERPOOL: Liverpool cruised to a 5-0 victory in the Premier League Liverpool 5 yesterday against an understrength Swansea side preparing for the League Cup Swansea 0 final, halting a fivegame winless run in all competitions.

Philippe Coutinho marked his first start by scoring the second goal at Anfield after the break following captain Steven Gerrard’s first-half penalty kick.

In a lopsided second half, Jose Enrique and Luis Suarez followed Coutinho with goals before Daniel Sturridge completed the rout by scoring Liverpool’s second spot kick. It was Liverpool’s first win over a top-10 side all season, lifting the team above Swansea into seventh place and giving manager Brendan Rodgers a resounding victory against his former team. With his thoughts on next Sunday’s final against Bradford, Swansea manager Michael Laudrup did his predecessor a huge favor by naming a weakened side. Only four players who beat Queens Park Rangers 4-1 last weekend started, with top-scorer Michu among those on the bench.

Victory at Wembley would qualify Swansea for the Europa League. Liverpool’s hopes of success in Europe’s second-tier knockout competition were put in jeopardy on Thursday by a 2-0 loss at Zenit St. Petersburg in the first leg of the last-32.

The failure to put away their chances proved costly for the Reds in Russia, and it initially looked like being a similar story in the only Premier League match of the weekend.

Defender Glen Johnson planted a free header well wide, Gerrard drilled a free kick into the wall and Suarez

fired the rebound over before he whipped a 25-yard free kick just over the bar. The chances continued to be created and not converted as Sturridge missed the target with a close-range header, and Coutinho, who joined from Inter Milan last month, stabbed the loose ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

Referee Howard Webb was also unconvinced by Kemy Agustien’s challenge on Suarez close to the touchline, but fortunately for Liverpool assistant Mike Mularkey saw it differently and immediately flagged for a penalty.

Gerrard, having failed from the spot in a 2-0 loss against West Bromwich Albion on Monday, went for the opposite corner and succeeded in beating Michel Vorm for Liverpool’s first goal in the 34th minute.

Sturridge had one more chance before the break but having been put through by Suarez his left-footed toe poke was blocked by the head of Kyle Bartley. Swansea had shown little threat in the opening 45 minutes and any ideas the visitors may have had about staging a comeback were snuffed out within 10 minutes of the restart.

In truth, the 16 seconds it took the 20-year-old Coutinho to skip through the visitors’ defense and beat Vorm was all that was required. However, a well-worked goal enabled Enrique to poke home Sturridge’s pass in the 50th minute, before Suarez went past both Swansea’s center backs to fire home the fourth goal six minutes later. AP Sturridge scored courtesy of the generosity of Gerrard, who relinquished penalty duties in the 71st when substitute Wayne Routledge handled the ball. There was a blow, though, for Liverpool, which finished with 10 men after the third and final substitute, Fabio Borini, went off with a painful-looking shoulder injury. The Italian forward was later ruled out for the rest of the season. — AP

Chelsea rout Brentford to reach fifth round

Aussie women clinch World Cup, Perry excels

18

17

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Liverpool rout Swansea 5-0 in Premier League

Page 19

DOHA: Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka poses with the trophy after beating Serena Williams of the US in their Qatar WTA Open final tennis match in Doha yesterday. Azarenka won the match 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3 to retain her Qatar Open title, only her second win in 13 meetings with the American. — AFP

Azarenka retain Qatar title DOHA: Victoria Azarenka avenged the loss of her world number one ranking to Serena Williams by beating the American for only the second time in 13 attempts to successfully defend her Qatar Open title yesterday.

The Belarusian’s 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3 win over the legendary American also completed back-to-back title defences, as last month she also defended the Australian Open title in Melbourne.

“I just wanted to fight and give it my best, and give myself every opportunity,” said Azarenka, when asked how she recovered from the one-sided loss of the second set. “I started at love-30 down and it was ‘you have to keep it together and pull it around’. Serena was on a roll. I knew she would bring her A game, and I was really glad I could stay tough and focussed.”

Williams, 31, insisted she will take comfort from becom-

ing the oldest woman to take the world number one spot today. “I can’t say that I’m depressed like I am whenever I lose. I’m definitely not happy, but I’m number one,” she said. “It was such a long journey, and after winning Wimbledon and the US Open and the (season-ending) Championships, I thought, I just don’t think I can win anymore. I don’t know what it takes to be number one.

“So it was awesome to come here and achieve that goal.” Azarenka was helped by Williams making the worst of starts. She was twice break point down in her opening service game, but held on. She followed it with two double faults and two unforced errors to drop serve in her second service game.

Unforced errors continued to spray from Williams’ racket, especially on the forehand, and by the fourth game she was showing signs of fretting, looking repeatedly at her

Del Potro bloodied but unbowed in title win ROTTERDAM: Juan Martin del Potro underlined his indoor credentials as he overcame a bleeding nose to beat Frenchman Julien Benneteau 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in the Rotterdam Open final yesterday.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open winner, claimed his fourth trophy indoors but had to play the last game with a nostril packed with cotton wool after suffering another of his occasional nosebleeds.

In the previous game, Benneteau had saved four match points as he held on in a desperate attempt to pick up his first title in eight ATP finals.

Del Potro, the Argentina second seed, could barely contain his joy after winning in Rotterdam a year after losing the final to Roger Federer. But this time the Swiss star had fallen in the quarter-finals to an inspired per formance from Benneteau, leaving the way clear for del Potro. “It feels amazing, it was a big goal for me to win this title after losing the final last year,” said Del Potro. “I’m so happy to be the champion. “I’m feeling very confident with my serve, hopefully for the rest of the season. Today I did lose serve for the first time this week, but finals are tough to play.

“I played perhaps my worst tennis of the week at the start of the match, I came out very nervous, but I fought back. Later on I started feeling very con-

fident and in control all the time.

“I will try to keep on winning, I’m looking forward to my next event. It’s a big challenge for me this season to try and move closer to the number one position.” Del Potro becomes the second Argentine to win in Rotterdam, more than 30 years after Guillermo Vilas, who lifted the trophy in 1982 and finished runner-up a year later.

Benneteau missed a chance to become the fifth French player to win a Rotterdam title. “I can only congratulate Juan Martin,” he said. “I did my best but he was just too good for me today. He was too strong. I will still fight to finally try and win a trophy.”

Del Potro had to make a quick recovery after losing his opening serve in the one-hour, 37-minute match, breaking straight back and lifting the set after nearly an hour, despite dropping serve again.

But in the second set his confidence mounted as did some frustration for Benneteau, with Del Potro taking a 3-0 lead and seeing out the match after overcoming some late resistance from his French opponent.

Del Potro’s victory marked his 14th ATP title from 19 finals and he has now won 67 matches and lost 32 indoors.

Until the final, he had held his serve in his 40 previous games this week. — AFP

camp and grimacing. At that stage Azarenka had won 12 straight points and was hitting the ball well, with a clear game plan to strike as early and as far up the court as possible, often targeting the Williams forehand. Williams responded by ditching her racket. The new one soon brought improvements but Azarenka had advanced to 4-2 before Williams broke back. She also complained to the umpire about Azarenka repeatedly putting her hand up before receiving serve, affecting her rhythm.

Williams’ aura of frustration continued into the tie-break even though by then she was bombarding Azarenka far more heavily. She came from 2-5 down to earn a set point at 6-5, only for Azarenka to save it with an excellent combination of a solid return and a heavy backhand drive.

When Azarenka immediately bettered it with a spectacular inside-out return of serve winner to reach 7-6, she

converted her set point at once. But the second set was very different. Azarenka’s level dropped just a little, and Williams’ forehand drives were rapidly improving.

Williams gave Azarenka several looks at second serves in her first service game of the final set and was immediately punished by the defending champion hitting some forcing returns and trenchant winners.

Azarenka advanced to 3-0 before Williams responded to another threat to her service game-one which might have taken the match away from her-with four aces.

But Williams was unable to repeat the escape act that she had against Petra Kvitova from 1-4 down in the final set of their quarter-final on Friday. “It’s been great,” Williams neverthless commented, having achieved her main aim of the week. “ It was a good match overall.

Victoria played really well, and did a great job.” — AFP

Nadal casts off injury woes to win in Brazil SAO PAULO: Rafael Nadal showed he is back in business by clinching his first tournament title since ending a seven-month knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open here yesterday.

The Spanish former world number one, who has been complaining of nagging knee pain, beat Argentine David Nalbandian in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes.

Currently the world number five, Nadal went on the attack from the start, breaking his opponent’s service before racing to take the first set. The 31-year-old Nalbandian, a former world number three who now languishes in 93rd place in the ATP rankings, fought back early in the second set but Nadal came from behind to win the match, sparking wild cheers from the crowd.

The Spaniard pocketed a cheque of $82,300 for his win and thanked the public for “the great support” he received throughout the tournament.

Nadal was the top seed in this $455,775 tournament, his second comeback event following his long absence. He competed in the Vina del Mar Open in Chile earlier this month, losing the singles and doubles finals last Sunday.

Considered by many to be the best ever clay-court player, Nadal was back on the court in Chile for the first time since suffering a surprise secondround exit at Wimbledon in June.

Since then he has been sidelined by a torn tendon and inflammation in his left knee, with his return this year further delayed by a stomach virus.

The world number five, who has 11 Grand Slam titles under his belt, also won the Brazil Open in 2005, when it was held in Costa do Sauipe in eastern Bahia state. Last year, the tournament, Brazil’s premier tennis event, was moved to Sao Paulo.

It is part of the Latin American clay court swing, along with the Vina del Mar event and the Mexico Open, in Acapulco, where Nadal plans to compete later this month.

The three low-profile Latin American events are routinely ignored by the world’s top three playersNovak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Earlier Sunday, Brazilian Bruno Soares teamed up with Austrian Alexander Peya to win the Sao Paulo doubles final against Czech pair Frantisek Cermak and Slovak Michal Mertinak in three sets 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10-7.— AFP

SAO PAULO: Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy of the Brazil Open after defeating Argentinian David Nalbandian in the single final, at the Ibirapuera gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. — AFP

Business

Etihad needs to revise Jet Airways deal: Head Page 22 Pakistan port integral to China maritime plan

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

JD Power 2013: Lexus leads all luxury brands

Page 23 Warba Bank appoints Al-Terkait as CTO Page 26 Page 25

Abu Dhabi to spend $45bn in Karachi project UAE group lays foundations for huge Pakistan property ABU DHABI: A member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family says he plans to spend $45 billion over up to 15 years on a real estate project in Karachi, touted in Pakistan as the country’s biggest ever foreign investment.

Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al-Nahayan said the investment plans - which his business partner in Pakistan said on Friday included the tallest building in the world - were at a very early stage.

Sheikh Nahayan, chairman of conglomerate Abu Dhabi Group, said his privately-owned construction firm, Dhabi Contracting, had signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistani real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain to build residential properties on an island in Karachi. “We have signed an MOU but a lot of studies will still have to be done,” he told Reuters yesterday on the sidelines of a defense industry exhibition in the United Arab Emirates capital.

Nahayan, who is also the UAE’s minister for higher education, gave no details of how he would finance such huge developments, beyond saying it could be done through loans or cash.

“It will be in phases. Every phase will be studied by itself... It depends on the situation when we decide to go ahead with the projects.”

Abu Dhabi Group, which invests in emerging markets, already has large investments in Pakistan including Bank Alfalah , Warid Telecom, Al Razi Healthcare and Wateen Telecom.

A statement issued in Pakistan on Friday said the deal had the potential to transform the south of the country. Karachi, the country’s commercial hub, is known for its violent crime, which claims about a dozen lives a day, the risk of being kidnapped and crumbling infrastructure.

The deal included plans to construct a miniature seven wonders of the world, the tallest building in the world, a sports city, an education and medical city, an international city and a media city, according to the press release.

Sheikh Nahayan said yesterday that a final decision to build the world’s tallest tower had not been made, adding that developments would be mainly residential.

The tallest tower currently is the Burj Khalifa, built in Dubai at a cost of $1.5 billion. —Reuters

BARCELONA: Protesters take part in a demonstration against plans to cut medical spending and privatise hospital services in Barcelona yesterday. Thousands of Spanish doctors, nurses and other health care workers, many wearing white lab coats, demonstrated in 16 cities against budget cuts and plans to partly privatise medical services. —AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Etihad needs to revise Jet Airways deal: Head

Goldilocks era of M&A begins with a big surge

By Hayder Tawfik

T

UAE officials to meet Indian minister ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways needs to revise its deal to buy a stake in India’s Jet Airways and it is too soon to say when a final agreement will be struck, the Abu Dhabi airline’s chairman told Reuters yesterday. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, speaking on the sidelines of a defense exhibition in the UAE capital, said officials would meet Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma to discuss the deal.

Asked if a Jet deal would be signed by March or April, Sheikh Hamed said: “I don’t know ... we need to revise it.” The terms of the possible deal have not been disclosed, but a government source said earlier this month Etihad was in talks to pick up a 24 percent stake in Jet for up to $330 million.

Asked if a Jet deal would be finalized soon, Sheikh Hamed said: “It’s too early to decide.” Sheikh Hamed, who is also managing director of sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, did not specify why the deal needs to be revised.

“We need to talk with the Indians about other issues ... including this,” he said.

Unlisted Etihad’s chief executive said this month the Abu Dhabi carrier was conducting due diligence on making an investment and would present the findings to its board. The Jet Airways deal would be the first foreign investment in India’s aviation industry since the government relaxed ownership rules last September. This allows foreign airlines to buy up to 49 percent in the country’s domestic carriers, many of which are facing stiff competition and high operating costs.

Sheikh Hamed also dismissed talk of the carrier’s interest in India’s grounded Kingfisher Airlines as “rumors”. Kingfisher said in December it was in talks with several investors, including Etihad, for a stake sale but those hopes have faded as the indebted airline remains grounded. — Reuters

Slovakia woos US Steel amid Europe meltdown KOSICE: As meltdown menaces Europe’s steel sector, Slovakia is scrambling to keep US Steel-the country’s largest single employer-from selling off a mammoth factory in Kosice, a gritty eastern industrial hub.

Across the EU, the steel sector accounts for some 360,000 jobs at about 500 factories, but production on the continent has slumped from 22 percent of total world output in 2001 to 12 percent in 2011 on weak demand for cars in Europe and cutbacks at auto plants.

US Steel Kosice provides more than 11,000 direct and thousands of other indirect jobs in Slovakia, a small eurozone economy of 5.4 million people. Late last year, the steel company admitted it was considering several buyers. The admission sent chills down spines in Slovakia especially in the wake of decision by global steel titan ArcelorMittal to shut similar plants in Belgium, Luxembourg and France.

But the demand for steel remains healthy in Slovakia.

Three car plants-run by giants Volkswagen, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Kia-gobble up Kosice’s steel.

Despite economic gloom in the European Union-its key export market — business for Slovakia’s auto sector held up last year, making the possible pullout of the Pittsburg-headquartered company a puzzling move to observers.

While US Steel has kept mum about its reasons for a possible exit, Slovakia’s outspoken Prime Minister Robert Fico has hinted strict EU environmental rules, high commodity prices and the end of a 10-year tax holiday were to blame. Steel runs in the veins of Kosice’s 240,000 residents. Bartolomej Deak started working at the factory 28 years ago. His two brothers also work there, and his two young sons hope to.

“The mood among employees is bad, there’s fear and unease,” he told AFP recently. Sberbank analyst Vladimir Vano warns that “a new owner might want to shift the focus to the production of higher value-added products, which could mean downsizing of the iron-ore processing part of the factory.”

ArcelorMittal is making such a move in Belgium,

prompting job cuts. “It could be a major blow to the overall employment in the Kosice factory,” Vano said.

Tatra bank analyst Juraj Valachy believes the possible exit by US Steel could be “a strategic decision after it closed a plant in Serbia last year”.

Opened in the 1960s, the communist state-owned giant Eastern Slovakia Steel Works (VSZ) was sold in 2000, a decade after the regime collapsed.

Left-of-centre Fico had attacked the previous right-wing government

of Mikulas Dzurinda for selling off the factory for $475 million (348 million euros) and giving US Steel a 10-year tax holiday.

But the drive by the now Prime Minister Fico to woo the company comes as joblessness sits at an eightyear high near 15 percent and with economic growth set to slide to 1.2 percent this year, down from 2.3 percent in 2012. “There is interest on both sides to continue negotiations and find a solution for this investor to stay in Slovakia,” Fico said recently.

EU environmental laws “handicap local firms compared to companies in Ukraine or China, that don’t have to abide by these rules,” he added. Fico has offered US Steel energy incentives to offset the 500 million dollars the company needs to invest into green technologies by 2016 to comply with EU rules. Meanwhile an attempt this week by Brussels to convince ArcelorMittal to suspend closures in Europe pending the summer launch of an EU-wide plan to save the steel industry fell flat. — AFP

Al-Tijari announces winners of daily draw KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al Najma Account Daily draw on 17th February 2013.

The draw was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry represented by Abdulaziz Ashkanani.

The winners of the Najma daily draw are:Hamad Faisal Mutar Mohammed Al Suleli — KD 7000, Bahgat Kamal Khleel Moharam — KD 7000, Mohammed Ibrahim Fahmi Saleh — KD 7000, Abrar Humoud Abdullah Dughaim — KD 7000, Mohammed Khalil Mohammed Amein — KD 7000.

The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announces the biggest daily draw in Kuwait with the launch of the new Najma account. Customers of the bank can now enjoy a KD 7,000 daily prize which is the highest in the country

and another 4 mega prizes during the year worth KD 100,000 each on different occasions: The National Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha and on the 19th of June which is the date of the bank’s establishment.

With a minimum balance of KD 500, customers will be eligible for the daily draw provided that the money is in the account one week prior to the daily draw or 2 months prior to the mega draw. In addition, for each KD 25 a customer can get one chance for winning instead of KD 50.

Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

he financial environment has been set for a surge in Merger & Acquisition on a global scale never seen before. As at last year corporate US and Europe had a staggering $3 trillion in cash and as we talked about it before if they don’t do something about these mountain of cash, they would be exposed to angry shareholders as at the case with Apple now or they would be venerable to be taken over. Record corporate profits, cheap valuation and very cheap cost of borrowing attracting genuine buyers and opportunistic ones too. I expect the deal sizes will be in the range of $10billion to US$20billion. This means that small to mid capitalization companies will be targeted aggressively. This could be the investment theme for the rest of the year.

Almost $40 billion in deals were announced in a single day lead by Warren Buffet acquisition of Heinz famous for its Ketchup tomatoes sauce. I am sure Warren Buffet is after Heinz free cash flow generation and steady defensive income growth. Other big multinationals that are sitting on huge cash pile will not be targeted for a takeover but I think they will be the acquirers, as their growth potentials are getting weaker in a tough global economic environment. Most of these companies are in the hard and software technology and the oil sector.

Their only way to grow their earning is to acquire those smaller companies that have a niche market. After the slump in the merger and acquisition last year, transaction volume surged by 30% since the start of the year, this indicate that buyers are willing to make a move on those targeted companies more than before.

Most of the deals announced this year made lot of economic sense. Comcast, Virgin Media, Dell and Heinz all made with the strategic decision of uncloaking potential earnings enhancement and expanding growth potential with free cash returning to shareholders. With costs of borrowing so cheap I expect other acquires will climb on the bandwagon and make their move shortly.

There is the potential that the M&A mania will return to the financial market once again. Although last year saw a slump in the M&A transactions but the size of the deals were a staggering $2trillion. However, the numbers of the deals were much smaller and the value was concentrated in only few big size deals. I think sectors that might see big transactions deals this year will be technology, oil & gas and the media.

The global financial headlines are still indicating some kind of uncertainties but confidence among investors has returned and this has been a major factor. The strong economic growth prospects in China and the stabilization of the turmoil in the euro-zone have helped too.

Also, the entry of Warren Buffet into the acquisition theme should give more confidence. These should be extremely positive for the equity market and should lead too much higher price to earnings multiples. It is not easy for individual investors to target those potential companies that will be taken over but if investors target those sectors I mentioned above and look for those companies with big potential growth and free cash flow generation then they might be into some winning bets. In the technology sector it is those companies that are involved in the software and contents rather than hardware or maturing business. As for the oil and gas sector it is those that are involved in the downstream and serving the booming Shale oil and gas. Some big investment bankers will be winners too. Companies such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Deutsche bank will benefit the most from fees generation.

The size and numbers of deals announced this year may be an indication of much bigger deals on the way. If Merger & Acquisition continues the way it started the year then 2013 could be another strong year that for sure will propel the stock market to new highs. — Hayder Tawfik - Executive Vice President of Asset Management, at Dimah Capital.

EXCHANGE RATES Irani Riyal - cash

Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Egyptian pounds

.2740000 .4350000 .3740000 .3040000 .2780000 .2880000 .0040000 .0020000 .0764740 .7450620 .3900000 .0720000 .7304010 .0420000

CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2817000 GB Pound/KD .4371560 Euro .3764220 Swiss francs .3057300 Canadian dollars .2799220 Danish Kroner .0504610 Swedish Kroner .0445570 Australian dlr .2903200 Hong Kong dlr .0363270 Singapore dlr .2276730 Japanese yen .0030130 Indian Rs/KD .0000000 Sri Lanka rupee .0000000 Pakistan rupee .0000000 Bangladesh taka .0000000 UAE dirhams .0767260 Bahraini dinars .7475120 Jordanian dinar .0000000 Saudi Riyal/KD .0751400 Omani riyals .7319730 Philippine Peso .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - transfer

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.025 5.214 2.880 2.229 3.284 230.480 36.471 3.567 6.958 9.477 0.271

.2840000 .4450000 .3830000 .3150000 .2890000 .3000000 .0067500 .0035000 .0772420 .7525500 .4050000 .0760000 .7377420 .0470000 .2838000 .4404150 .3792280 .3080100 .2820090 .0508370 .0448890 .2924840 .0365980 .2293700 .0030350 .0052550 .0022460 .0029040 .0036100 .0772980 .7530850 .4014140 .0757000 .7374300 .0070440

0.273

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

GCC COUNTRIES 75.444 77.735 734.830 751.430 77.036

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 42.100 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 41.929 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 Tunisian Dinar 182.330 Jordanian Dinar 399.520 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.898 Syrian Lier 3.073 Morocco Dirham 34.320 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 282.800 Euro 380.650 Sterling Pound 441.880 Canadian dollar 283.940 Swiss Franc 310.430 US Dollar Buying 281.600 GOLD 311.000 157.000 81.500

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

SELL DRAFT 296.76 286.29 310.97 379.77 282.20 440.66 3.12 3.584 5.221 2.228 3.279 2.879 76.90 751.40 41.92 402.04 734.45 77.93 75.46

Selling Rate 282.850 284.485 439.850 378.645 307.204 748.840 76.985 77.640 75.390 398.720 41.975 2.229 5.218 2.875 3.566 6.954 693.835 4.020 9.560 3.980 3.395 91.345

Bahrain Exchange Company CURRENCY

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 UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling 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

SELL CASH 296.000 286.000 313.000 385.800 282.000 445.000 3.750 3.800 5.350 2.520 3.450 2.933 77.000 747.000 46.750 398.000 733.000 78.500 75.400

British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Scottish Pound Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar Uganda Shilling Canadian Dollar Colombian Peso US Dollars Bangladesh Taka Cape Vrde Escudo Chinese Yuan Eritrea-Nakfa

BUY Europe 0.431906 0.006050 0.046609 0.373218 0.046975 0.431308 0.040754 0.302123

SELL 0.440906 0.018050 0.051609 0.380718 0.052175 0.438808 0.045754 0.309123

Australasia 0.281578 0.231334 0.000110

0.293578 0.241334 0.000110

America 0.274696 0.000147 0.280750

0.283696 0.000165 0.282900

Asia 0.003535 0.003137 0.044548 0.016327

0.033590 0.003367 0.049548 0.019427

Guinea Franc Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Jamaican Dollars Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar Sri Lankan Rupee Thai Baht

0.000044 0.033927 0.005165 0.000024 0.002822 0.002944 0.003175 0.087590 0.003131 0.002853 0.006511 0.000072 0.224664 0.001932 0.009068

0.000050 0.037027 0.005235 0.000029 0.003822 0.003124 0.003405 0.094590 0.003331 0.002893 0.006981 0.000075 0.230664 0.002237 0.009677

Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Ethiopeanbirr Ghanaian Cedi Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Sudanese Pounds Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

Arab 0.743972 0.039961 0.012934 0.147251 0.000079 0.000184 0.393434 1.000000 0.000 173 0.022264 0.001198 0.723192 0.077050 0.074907 0.049682 0.003156 0.181575 0.075596 0.001276

0.752472 0.041991 0.019434 0.149041 0.000079 0.000244 0.400934 1.000000 0.000193 0.046264 0.001833 0.734792 0.077833 O.075547 0.050232 0.003376 0.187575 0.077046 0.001376

Al Mulla Exchange 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) 282.400 380.800 444.300 283.100 3.025 5.239 42.015 2.235 3.568 6.939 2.885 752.000 76.950 75.450

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Volatility dominates as Europe disappoints NBK WEEKLY MONEY MARKETS REPORT KUWAIT: Last week, the currency market was thrown into turmoil after the Group of Seven issued a joint statement stating that domestic economic policy must not be used to target currencies, which must remain to be determined by the market. Meanwhile, disappointing economic figures from the euro-zone, the UK and Japan prompted large swings in the market. The US dollar Index started the week at the 80.20 level and dropped to a low of 79.84 at mid-week. The greenback gained at the end of the week as cautious investors unwound positions ahead of the G20 meeting.

The Index closed the week at 80.48 after reaching a high of 80.62.

The euro opened the week at the 1.3370.

The currency edged higher against the greenback to reach 1.3520 following statements from the ECB President, who said that talks about a currency war is way overdone. The currency dropped dramatically amid data that showed that growth in Germany and France contracted. The euro reached a low of 1.3305 and closed the week at 1.3362.

The Japanese yen traded in a volatile manner at mid-week as complains from the G7 regarding the currency’s movement caused a major market confusion. The currency initially weakened to a week’s high of 94.42 after Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said a G7 statement recognized that Japan’s reflationary policies are not aimed at affecting foreign exchange markets. However, a G7 official later stated that the statement was meant to signal concerns about excessive moves in the Yen, which prompted a vicious reversal in the currency. Additionally, Japan’s gross domestic product unexpectedly shrank in the fourth quarter, reinforcing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s case for more monetary stimulus to end deflation. The USDJPY drifted lower as investors squared their positions ahead of the G20 meetings combined with speculation that the next Bank of Japan governor may be less inclined to pursue aggressive monetary eas-

ing. The pair reached a low of 92.21 and closed the week at 93.48.

The sterling pound reached a high of 1.5802 at the beginning of the week. The currency weakened dramatically as data showed that inflation, which is stubbornly above the Bank of England’s target, is weighing on consumer spending. The Pound fell to a 61/2month low against the greenback as retails sales disappointed the markets. Cable closed the week at 1.5516.

Retail sales Retail sales in the US rose in January for a third consecutive month, showing household spending is holding up despite an increase in the payroll tax that is weighing on wages.

Sales climbed 0.1%, matching economists’ expectations. The gain was smaller than the 0.5% increases in December and November.

Department stores and online merchants were among those showing growing demand as improving job prospects and a strengthening housing market helped companies such as Gap Inc., and Target Corp.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, offering hope the sluggish labor market recovery may have picked up a step. Initial claims for state jobless aid dropped 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 341,000. The prior week’s claims were revised to show 2,000 more applications were received than previously reported. Last week’s drop in claims exceeded economists’ expectations for only a 6,000 decline and pushed first-time filings down to the lower end of their range for this year. US consumer sentiment improved in February, lifted by signs of increased hiring, despite heightened worries about a decline in future income.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan’s preliminary reading on the overall index of consumer sentiment rose to 76.3 from 73.8 in January, topping economists’ forecasts of 74.8.

Euro-zone recession The euro-zone slipped deeper than expected into recession in the last three months of 2012 after its largest economies, Germany and France, shrank at the end of the worst year for

Trade balance The euro-zone posted an increase in its trade surplus in December, lower than expected, as imports fell steeper than exports. Trade surplus of the 17 countries was 11.7 billion

the region. It marked the bloc’s first full year in which no quarter produced growth, extending back to 1995. For the year as a whole, growth fell by 0.5%. Economic output in the 17-nation region fell by 0.6% in the fourth quarter following a 0.1% drop previously.

The quarter-on-quarter drop was the steepest since 2009, and worse than the expected 0.4% drop. Germany, the largest economy in the region, contracted by 0.6% quarterly, marking its worst performance since the height of the crisis in 2009 as exports declined significantly more than imports.

Similarly, France declined by 0.3% in the fourth quarter, slightly worse than market expectations.

euro in December. This was higher than 8.0 billion Euros a year earlier, but was below the 13.1 billion Euros expected in the market.

Inflation in the UK unexpectedly remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive month in January, holding at its highest level since May. The Office for National Statistics said that annual consumer price inflation held at 2.7%, slightly below the median forecast in a Reuters poll of economists for a slight uptick to 2.8%.

This was the first time inflation remained unchanged for four months in a row since records began in 1996. In the BOE inflation report, Governor Mervyn King stated that the UK’s economic recovery will prove slow, high inflation will take longer to fall, and the central

bank can do little on its own to improve matters. In particular, worsening inflation indicates a further fall in real wages, which have just hit their lowest since 2003. In the conference, he added, “This hasn’t been a normal recession, and it won’t be a normal recovery.” “There are limits to what can be achieved via general monetary stimulus - in any form - on its own.”

Finally, he stated that high inflation was due to a weaker currency and government-ordered price hikes, not overly loose monetary policy, and that the central bank should look through the effect of those factors on prices. British retail sales posted a surprise fall in January as unusually snowy weather hurt food stores in particular. Sales including automotive fuel fell 0.6% on the month and on the year - confounding economists’ forecasts for higher sales.

Economists state that the main reason behind the falls was bad weather during the month, which led to shutdowns of some smaller grocers and drove the biggest monthly fall in food sales since May 2011. Sales excluding fuel fell 0.5% weaker than expectations of a rise by 0.4% on the month. Besides the temporary hit from poor weather, Britons’ spending power has been eroded by sticky inflation in recent years.

Japan GDP falls Japan’s economy unexpectedly shrank last quarter as falling exports and a business investment slump outweighed improved consumption, bolstering Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s case for more monetary stimulus to end deflation. Gross domestic product contracted an annualized 0.1%, following a revised 3.8% fall in the previous quarter. The prolonging of Japan’s recession into a third quarter shows that benefits from a weaker Yen and rising stocks have yet to be felt.

Kuwait Kuwaiti dinar at 0.28225 The USDKWD opened at 0.28225 yesterday morning.

Pakistan’s port integral to China maritime plan Strategic move unsettles India

JALALABAD: A ‘zamburdar’ or beekeeper inspects a rack of honey-bees on the outskirts of Jalalabad on Saturday. The economy of Afghanistan can be categorized as poor and unstable as it lacks proper industrialization, there is a lack of well-developed manufacturing and infrastructure facilities, and it is dependent on foreign aid and assistance. — AFP

Hollande in symbolic visit of ‘support’ to Greece PARIS: President Francois Hollande will tomorrow visit debt-riven Greece to show France’s support for a country that appears to have averted a chaotic eurozone exit despite a ruinous six-year recession.

Hollande’s trip is a “message of confidence and backing,” his office said, adding that since he took power nine months ago the Socialist leader has championed the idea that Athens remain within the euro common currency zone.

European Union leaders agreed in December to give Greece 49.1 billion euros ($66 billion) in return for additional austerity measures, breaking a six-month stalemate.

Senior auditors from the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank are returning to Greece later this month to gauge the progress of reforms. Their report will determine whether Athens will have access to a scheduled slice of 2.8 billion euros from its international creditors due in February.

Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said the visit was a “strong gesture of understanding, solidarity and support for the Greek people. “This visit encourages the pro-European forces in Greece who are struggling against the fierce opposition of certain interest groups representing the dysfunctions of the past and proposing the country’s entrenchment and isolation from the European process,” he told France’s Le Figaro newspaper.

Greece’s uneasy ruling coalition rests on the support of Socialist and moderate leftist parties who do not always see eye to eye with the conservatives of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

“Greece can be rescued only through a drastic improvement in its economic competitiveness,” Avramopoulos said.

“We need to bear in mind that Greece lost 31 percent in terms of cost competitiveness between 2001 and 2009. This loss led to the problems that we are facing today. “We have already been able to recover 75 percent of this loss through structural reforms. And we are just at the beginning,” he said.

A French diplomat said Hollande’s visit would be of a completely different nature than the October trip of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, when 30,000 protestors gathered in downtown Athens with banners such as “Out with the Fourth Reich.”

While Germany has contributed the most money to the Greek bailout, many Greeks hold Merkel responsible for demanding that Greece make swingeing cuts in exchange for the financing it has received. Hollande meanwhile is seen to be more favourable toward the country for emphasising that austerity must be accompanied by measures that fuel sustained growth.

The French presidency said Greece “remained an important outlet for French companies,” stressing that the majority of firms with units there had not closed operations since the crisis unfolded. The visit aims at “concrete ideas to spur job creation, display our confidence and seek economic partnerships,” it said.

A number of French countries have a significant presence in Greece, including Bic, which had one of its main shaver factories in the country as well as its main research and development centre.

Cement maker Lafarge and transport infrastructure and power company Alstom also have a significant presence.

During his visit, Hollande will meet Samaras, President Karolos Papoulias and the heads of about 40 leading companies. —AFP

ISLAMABAD: China’s acquisition of a strategic port in Pakistan is the latest addition to its drive to secure energy and maritime routes and gives it a potential naval base in the Arabian Sea, unsettling India. The Pakistani cabinet on January 30 approved the transfer of Gwadar port, a commercial failure cut off from the national road network, from Singapore’s PSA International to the state-owned China Overseas Port Holdings Limited.

The Pakistanis pitched the deal as an energy and trade corridor that would connect China to the Arabian Sea and Strait of Hormuz, a gateway for a third of the world’s traded oil, overland through an expanded Karakoram Highway.

Experts say it would slash thousands of kilometres (miles) off the distance oil and gas imports from Africa and the Middle East have to be transported to reach China, making Gwadar a potentially vital link in its supply chain. China paid about 75 percent of the initial $250 million used to build the port, but in 2007 PSA International won a 40-year lease with then-ruler Pervez Musharraf who was reportedly unwilling to upset Washington by giving it to the Chinese.

Although it may take up to a year for the deal to be signed, Gwadar would be the most westerly in a string of Chinese-funded ports encircling its big regional rival, India, which was quick to express concern over the impending transfer.

In Nepal, China is building a $14 million “dry port” at Larcha, near the Tibet border, along with five other ports and and is upgrading transport links with an eye to the huge Indian market.

In Bangladesh, China is one of four countries, including India, Japan and the United States, interested in building a $5-billion deep-sea port at Sonadia island in the Bay of Bengal, according to the shipping ministry. Sri Lanka in June 2012 opened a new $450 million deep-sea port at Hambantota, close to the vital east-west sea route used by around 300 ships a day, built with Chinese loans and construction expertise.

Although China has no equity stake in Hambantota, they have taken up an 85 percent slice of Colombo International Container Terminals Limited, which is building a new container port adjoining the existing Colombo harbour. Beijing is also a key backer of a port and energy pipeline in Myanmar that will transport gas pumped offshore and oil shipped from Africa and the Middle East to China’s Yunnan province, due to be finished by the end of May. The ports were dubbed China’s “string of pearls”-or potential naval bases similar to those of the United States-in a 2004 report for the Pentagon. But some analysts now pour cold water on suggestions that Beijing is scouting for

naval bases in the Indian Ocean.

Andrew Small, an expert on China-Pakistan relations, believes that most of Beijing’s concerns can be resolved through cooperation, as seen in anti-piracy exercises in the Gulf of Aden that last year included drills with the US. “In the near-to-medium term, it appears that China’s interests in this part of the world lean far more towards developing capacities to deal with threats to sea lanes of communication, Chinese citizens overseas and so on,” he told AFP. “Plenty of Indian naval strategists are highly skeptical of the likelihood of many of the locations... actually being used as military facilities

by China.” But Small does believe that Gwadar is the most mostly likely port to be developed by China for use by the Pakistan Navy, and potentially their own. “Pakistan is probably the only government where the level of trust between the two militaries is high enough to make that a completely reliable prospect,” he said.

When asked about Gwadar, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing supports “jointly undertaken matters which are conducive to Chinese-Pakistani friendship and to the development and prosperity of Pakistan”. Other Pakistani experts suggest that

Islamabad is more likely to give the Chinese navy access to its existing naval bases of Karachi or Qasim.

“China can always use those. So they do not have to build another naval base at this stage,” said Hamayoun Khan, who teaches at the National Defence University in Islamabad. FazulUl-Rehman, former director of the China Studies Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, dismisses the prospect of China going to war in the Indian Ocean and calls Indian concern “propaganda”.

But he says China has become more cautious about big investment projects in Pakistan due to security concerns. Taleban, sectarian and separatist violence blight Baluchistan, the southwestern province around Gwadar. In 2004, three Chinese engineers helping to build Gwadar were killed in a car bombing. The same year, two Chinese engineers working on a hydroelectric dam project in South Waziristan were kidnapped, and one of them died. As a result, Rehman says there is a long way to go on ChinaPakistan economic cooperation and emphasizes that Gwadar will be a long-term project with Beijing looking for future alternatives to shipping routes for its oil and gas imports. — AFP

GWADAR: The construction site at Gwadar port in the Arabian Sea China’s acquisition of a strategic port in Pakistan is the latest addition to its drive to secure energy and maritime routes and gives it a potential naval base in the Arabian Sea, unsettling India. — AFP

Spanish medical workers protest cost-control moves MADRID: Thousands of Spanish doctors, nurses and other health care workers, many wearing white lab coats, demonstrated yesterday in 16 cities against budget cuts and plans to partly privatise medical services. Several thousand people marched to Madrid’s central Plaza de Cibeles from 27 hospitals in the region, waving signs that read “Your health is being sold” and “Cutting back on health care is a crime”.

They chanted, blew whistles and

beat drums as they made their way through the streets of the Spanish capital, blocking traffic. “There is no study that shows that privatising the management of hospitals leads to lower costs.

This privatisation hurts patients’ health care to benefit other interests,” said Emilia Becares, a 46-yearold nurse who went to the protest with her three sons, aged seven, eight and nine.

The Madrid regional government plans to outsource the man-

agement of six of 20 large public hospitals and 27 health centres of the 270 in the region.

Spanish health care workers and many patients, who are fiercely protective of the public health system, say private providers will put profits before quality and fire thousands of support staff in favour of cheaper replacements.

“Many medications are no longer provided for free. I am here to defend the public health care system which we have built up over

the years,” said Carlos Moreno, a 52year-old doctor who came to the protest decked out in his lab coat.

Smaller protests were held in other Spanish cities including Albacete, Cuenca and Segovia.

N a t i o n a l l y, Pr i m e M i n i s te r Mariano Rajoy’s government has slashed health spending by seven billion euros ($9.1 billion) a year as par t of a campaign to squeeze 150 billion euros out of the crisis-racked country’s budget by 2014. — AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BUSINESS

American consumers coming back But they may not run up credit cards WASHINGTON: After several years in the wilderness, the American consumer is back. Well, sort of. A number of economic indicators point to an increase in consumption suggesting that the consumer, who drives much of the US economy, is willing to loosen the purse strings. Banks report more requests for credit. Car sales are surging. The fortunes of many retailers are improving.

Less clear, however, is to what degree Americans are going to be willing to take on more debt and spend more freely. The psychological scars left by the devastating financial crisis of 2008 and the Great Recession remain. “Part of this story, beyond this month or this quarter, is the new austerity within the consumer market _ both paying off debt and building up savings.

That’s not going to go away,” said Ken Goldstein,

an economist with the Conference Board, a New York-based research group. “It may ease up a bit, but we’re not going back to pre-Great Recession.

That world is done.”

In that pre-recession world, consumption accounted for about two-thirds of US economic activity. Almost a decade of easy lending led consumers to buy more home than they thought possible, borrow heavily against their

homes, rack up huge credit card debt and, many economists say, live beyond their means.

The financial crisis and deep recession brought that to a halt. It forced consumers and businesses alike to pay down their debts, sometimes referred to as deleveraging. That’s a fancy way of saying consumers worked to lower their debt-service ratios, essentially the percentage of their disposable income that’s gobbled up by repaying outstanding loans. Here’s where that stands. Federal Reserve data show that in the third quarter of 2007, the peak of their

grew by a slim 0.1 percent in January, according to data the Census Bureau released Wednesday. Compared with January 2012, however, retail sales were up 4.4 percent, and total sales from November 2012 through the end of January 2013 were up 4.5 percent from the same period a year earlier.

It points to a slow, modest rebound that mirrors the monthly average increase in employment of 180,000 new jobs per month.

Steady, but hardly stellar. The retailers’ group expects sales growth of about 3.4

indebtedness, consumers had a debt-service ratio of 14.08 percent. Think of it as $14.08 out of every $100 going to pay off debt.

In the same quarter of 2012, that ratio had fallen to 10.61 percent. Consumers have been shedding debt like a bad habit.

That’s good for personal finances, but not so good for an economy driven by consumption. “The wounds of 2008 and 2009 may be four or five years ago, but they’re still fresh. There are still many people unemployed or underemployed,” said Susan Reda, the editor of STORES, a trade magazine for retailers. “We’ve turned a corner, but they don’t think they’re on Easy Street.”

Another Fed statistical release, covering a 12-month period through last December, shows that consumer credit grew by an annual rate of 6.5 percent. But within that overall number, revolving consumer credit — which is credit cards and other loans that don’t have fixed payment schedules — grew by an annual rate of just 0.1 percent.

That razor-thin improvement beats 2009, when revolving credit plunged for the year by 8.8 percent, followed by a decline of 7.4 percent in 2010 before creeping back up slowly in subsequent years.

“The consumer seems to stay in the game. We never expected them to fall off the beam,” said Jack Kleinhenz, the chief economist for the National Retail Federation, which represents national retail chain stores.

But it’s unlikely that retail sales will return to the go-go days of 2003 or 2004 because consumers still face job insecurity and general angst about the nation’s direction. The expiration on Dec. 31 of the payroll-tax holiday means that all workers are giving Uncle Sam a greater share of their earnings. The ongoing tax and spending battle also dampens consumer sentiment.

This is seen in sluggish retail sales, which

percent this year, up but a slower pace than the 5.2 percent in 2012.

On the plus side, there’s been a bull market for stocks and rising home prices in much of the nation. Both make some parts of the population feel wealthier, at least on paper, and boost consumer confidence.

That psychological benefit runs up against changes in lending, however. Banks require bigger down payments for home purchases, and homeowners no longer can freely borrow against the equity they’ve built up in their homes.

“I definitely think the results of the recession will change the habits of consumers, because they won’t be able to borrow as freely as they did 10 years ago,” Kleinhenz said. “We know that consumer credit has been increasing, but they are very guarded in not keeping too many balances.” Auto loans make up much of the borrowing, inflating the overall retail sales numbers. January light-vehicle sales were on a pace for a 2013 annual volume of 15.29 million cars and trucks, according to MotorIntelligence.com, an industr y research group. In 2009, 10.4 million light vehicles were sold, a 30-year low.

“The happiest people at a bank right now are in the auto financing section,” said Richard Hunt, the head of the Consumer Bankers Association, said Thursday in a conference call with reporters.

Banks are sitting on $10 trillion in deposits and are eager to lend, Hunt said.

But since the Great Recession, consumer demand for loans has been weak, improving slightly in recent months.

“There was a crisis, people were severely impacted by it and course they’re going to be more cautious going forward,” said Tim Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota who’s the head of the Financial Services Roundtable, the lobby for big banks. —MCT

Canada, Cuba look to more economic tie-up HAVANA: Canada and Cuba have plenty of room for growth in the areas of bilateral trade and cooperation, their top diplomats agreed yesterday, according to Cuban state media.

Foreign Ministers Bruno Rodriguez and John Baird ‘reviewed the state of bilateral ties and reaffirmed the desire to maintain and expand ties in trade, investment and tourism,’ the official state news broadcaster said. ‘ The (Canadian) foreign minister also recognized the potential there is to diversify current economic and trade ties, and cooperation ties between the two countries,’ it added.

It said Rodriguez thanked Baird ‘for

Canada’s support in Cuba’s fight against the blockade (embargo) imposed by the United States,’ which has been in effect since 1962 against the Americas’ lone Communist-ruled state.

Baird arrived in Cuba Friday from Mexico on a regional tour that also will also take him to Venezuela, Peru, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Tourism is one of Cuba’s economic mainstays. And in 2012, Canada was the source of more than one million of the 2.7 million tourists who visited Cuba. Canadadian mining company Sherritt also is a big investor in nickel here. — AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BUSINESS

JD Power 2013: Lexus leads all luxury brands Toyota is the leader of all other brands The long-term dependability of threeyear-old models has improved year-overyear, according to the JD Power and Associates 2013 US Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released recently.

The study, now in its 25th year, measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles (those that were introduced for the 2010 model year).

Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

In 2013, the dependability of models that were new or substantially redesigned for the 2010 model year averages 116 PP100, compared with 133 PP100 for models that were unchanged from the 2009 model-year-also referred to as carryover models. This is the first year that there are fewer reported problems for all-new or redesigned models than for carryover models since the study was redesigned in 2009. Models that were refreshed in 2010—those with generally minor changes to the interior or exterior-average 111 PP100 in the 2013 VDS. “There is a perception that all-new models, or models that undergo a major redesign, are more problematic than carryover models,” said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. “Data from the 2013 VDS suggests that this is not the case. The rapid improvement in fundamental vehicle dependability each year is more than offsetting any initial glitches that all-new or redesigned models may have.”

Overall Dependability Improves In 2013, overall vehicle dependability averages 126 PP100—a five percent

improvement from the 2012 average of 132 PP100—and is the lowest problem count since the inception of the study in 1989. Among brands measured in the study, 21 of the 31 improve in dependability from 2012. Domestic nameplates have improved in 2013 at a slightly greater rate than have imports, narrowing the dependability gap to 10 PP100

the manufacturer’s warranty period are able to have greater peace of mind that vehicles are becoming increasingly more dependable. That said, it is virtually certain that new vehicles being sold today will be even more reliable in three years.”

Dependability Equals Higher Loyalty The study finds that the fewer prob-

more loyal than owners of non-premium models, on average, the loyalty of premium model owners is more impacted by an increase in the number of problems experienced. For example, 55 percent of owners of premium models remain loyal to the brand when they report zero problems with their vehicle, compared with 53 percent of owners of non-premium

from 13 PP100 in 2012 and 18 PP100 in 2011. Overall, domestic nameplates average 133 PP100, while import nameplates average 123 PP100. “ The continuous improvement in long-term dependability means consumers should have more confidence in three-year-old vehicles, whether they are keeping their current vehicle or shopping for a used car, truck, crossover or SUV,” said Sargent. “This means there are a lot of dependable off-lease vehicles in the used-vehicle market. It also means that owners who keep their vehicle beyond

lems owners experience with their vehicle, the greater their loyalty to the brand.

Combining previous-year VDS results with actual vehicle trade-in data from the J.D. Power and Associates Power Information Network (PIN), J D Power finds that 54 percent of owners who do not experience any problems with their vehicle stay with the same brand when they purchase their next new vehicle.

Brand loyalty slips to just 41 percent, on average, when owners experience three or more problems with their vehicle.

While owners of premium models are

models who report zero problems.

Loyalty begins to decline as soon as the owner experiences any problems with their vehicle. When experiencing three or more problems with their vehicle, loyalty among owners of premium models declines to 39 percent and 41 percent among owners of non-premium models.

“It’s one thing to ask consumers if they intend to buy another vehicle from the same brand, but it is much more impactful to know what happens when they actually buy their next vehicle,” said Sargent. “By combining our consumer

research with trade-in data, we see a clear correlation between dependability and loyalty.”

Highest-Ranked Nameplates and Models Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability among all nameplates for a second consecutive year. Among models, the Lexus RX has the fewest reported problems in the industry at just 57 PP100.

This is the first time in the history of the VDS that a crossover or SUV has achieved this distinction. Rounding out the five highest-ranked nameplates are Porsche, Lincoln, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz.

Chrysler Group LLC’s Ram brand posts the greatest year-over-year improvement from 2012—by 52 PP100.

Toyota Motor Corporation continues to perform well in long-term dependability and earns seven segment awardsmore than any other automaker in 2013—for the Lexus ES 350; Lexus RX; Scion xB; Scion xD; Toyota Prius; Toyota Sienna; and Toyota RAV4.

J D Power and Associates offers the following tips for consumers regarding vehicle dependability: The perception that all-new or redesigned models can’t be as dependable as those that have been on the market for a year or more is not accurate. Just because a model is new to the market or has been recently redesigned doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be as reliable.

In fact, dependability of all-new and redesigned models is at a record high, according to 2013 VDS data. The 2013 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 37,000 original owners of 2010 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded between October and December 2012.

US mortgage bill faces tough road in Congress Proposal to help home owners: Obama

Simon G Shaya and Edmond Moutran

GROHE appoints OgilvyAction to handle marketing activities BEIRUT: GROHE Middle East and AfricaEurope’s largest and the world’s leading single-brand manufacturer of sanitary fittings- has appointed OgilvyAction to manage its regional marketing, handling all branding, retail and communication activities across the Middle East, Africa and East Mediterranean. With this appointment, Memac Ogilvy & Mather becomes the soul agency for GROHE, handling all communication requirements.

“GROHE is keen to integrate its marketing more effectively, apply brand and communication strategies consistently to maximise synergies and cost-effectiveness across the Group” explained Simon G. Shaya, President of GROHE Middle East and Africa. “Throughout our working experience with Memac Ogilvy Public relations in the past years, we were impressed with the in-depth understanding of our business and commitment to client business; after the review, OgilvyAction demonstrated world class knowledge in shopper & retail marketing as well as an impressive creative approach how to tailor the messaging

towards our specific needs. This formula proved decisive to our category.” He added.

Edmond Moutran, Chairman and CEO of Memac Ogilvy & Mather Holding, Middle East & North Africa, comments: “We are extremely proud of this partnership and to become the consolidated agency handling all marketing activities for GROHE. It’s a challenging category especially when it comes to purchase behavior and message communication. Supporting GROHE across different countries and channels is an exciting opportunity for us as an agency and represents a new landmark in our business record.”

In 2011, GROHE partnered with Memac Ogilvy Public Relations and successfully launched several initiatives across the region including The Green Mosque, GROHE Design Series and GROHE Spa. Memac Ogilvy will work with GROHE Middle East and Africa as part of a regional account win for OgilvyAction. The team will be led by OgilvyAction Business Directors in each country and overseen by Regional Director, Claus Adams.

WASHINGTON: A sharply divided Congress isn’t likely to jump at President Barack Obama’s challenge for quick passage of a mortgage refinancing bill that supporters say could help millions of homeowners save big each year and boost the economy. Obama praised the legislation in his State of the Union speech last week, saying the proposal would help more homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac take advantage of low interest rates and refinance their loans.

Even with mortgage rates near a 50-year low, Obama said, too many families that have never missed a payment and want to refinance are being turned down. “That’s holding our entire economy back, and we need to fix it,” the president said. “Right now, there’s a bill in this Congress that would give every responsible homeowner in America the chance to save $3,000 a year by refinancing at today’s rates.

Democrats and Republicans have supported it before.”

The economy’s slow recovery from the recession gives the idea urgency, Obama said. “Send me that bill,” he told members of Congress listening to his speech in the House chamber. The proposal is part of a push by Democrats and the White House to help homeowners take advantage of low interest rates as a way to help the housing market recover and to give the economy a shot in the arm.

While the bill could gain traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate, it faces a rough road in the GOP-run House, where many Republicans favor scaling back the government’s role in the housing market as a way of aiding the economy. Similar versions of the measure died in the House and Senate’s lame duck sessions last year.

“At the moment, it’s an uphill battle,” said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., who plans to file the House version of the bill. Welch said he will reach out to Republicans this year in hopes of building more support, but the bill’s association with the government-controlled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the federal housing agencies partly blamed for the collapse of the housing market, hurts its support base among GOP lawmakers. “ The American taxpayers have already sunk $190 billion dollars into the operations of Fannie and Freddie,” said Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, a member of the House Financial Services Committee. “It’s time that we wind their operations down instead of using them as a piggy bank for failed programs that further delay the housing recovery. “ In the Senate, Democrats Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Barbara Boxer of California have legislation to aid borrowers who are current on their loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but who are not able to refinance because their home values have declined too much.

Nearly 12 million homeowners have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans and stand to benefit refinancing, the two senators said. Many can’t refinance at a lower rate because of red tape and high fees. The red tape has reduced competition among banks, so borrowers pay higher interest rates than they would if they were able to shop around more, according to the senators.

The bill also would reduce up-front fees that borrowers pay on refinances and eliminate appraisal costs for all borrowers. The measure seeks to expand the Obama administration’s Home Affordable Refinancing Program, which saves an average homeowner about $2,500 per year, they said.

“Homeowners will have more money in their

Aviation industry dons shark skins to cut fuel consumption

GROHE and Memac Ogilvy Teams

Bulgarians clash with police at energy bill protest SOFIA: Wielding rocks and tomatoes, protesters clashed with police yesterday at one of a dozen demonstrations across Bulgaria against sky-high January electricity bills in the EU’s poorest country.

The protests were the latest show of anger among Bulgarians as the government has been slow to liberalise the energy market, drawing a rebuke from the European Commission last month.

Demonstrators in the capital Sofia threw rocks, firecrackers, bottles, eggs and tomatoes at police manning the headquarters of Czech power producer CEZ and the president’s office, while officers responded with batons and shields. Around 3,000

people chanted “mafia” and “resign” outside the economics and energy ministry and the parliament and blocked a main road for half an hour, carrying banners declaring “electricity + unemployment = genocide”.

Local media reported demonstrations in around a dozen other cities, including the seaside resort of Varna, where more than 5,000 people marched behind a coffin for electricity, heating and water monopolies, according to state BNR radio. It said two protesters were arrested in the northern town of Lovetch for breaking windows. —AFP

FRANKFURT: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a flying shark skin. In its never-ending quest to develop more aerodynamic, more fuelefficient aircraft, the aviation industry believes the ocean’s oldest predator, the shark, could hold the key to cutting energy consumption. Germany’s biggest airline Lufthansa announced earlier this month that two of its Airbus A340-300 jets would take part in trials starting this summer to test the properties of shark skin in flight. For the two-year trials, eight 10 by 10 centimetre (4 by 4 inch) patches of a new type of coating are being painted on to the fuselage and wing edges of the aircraft.

A new state-of-the-art varnish, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (FAM) in Bremen, attempts to mimic the skins of fast-swimming sharks. The sharks’ skin is covered in tiny riblets that reduce turbulent vortices and the drag they cause, thereby diminishing surface resistance when moving at speed.

The phenomenon of the streamlined shark skin has been known for about 30 years and has fascinated research scientists in a wide range of fields, from military applications to aerospace and aeronautics and from naval construction to wind technology. More recently, its use in sports such as swimming and athletics has brought the special properties of shark skin to much wider attention.

High-tech swimsuits were developed that enabled athletes to move ever faster through water, breaking one swimming record after the next until the suits were eventually banned as unfair in competition. In the past, says Volkmar Stenzel, the project’s head at the Fraunhofer Institute, sheets of plastic imitation shark skin were glued to the aircraft’s exterior. “But the foil had major disadvantages: it was rather heavy and the added weight cancelled out the amount of fuel that could be saved,” Stenzel said. “Also, it was difficult to stick the foil to curved surfaces without creasing and wrinkling,” he said. —AFP

pockets, Fannie and Freddie will see fewer foreclosures, and the housing market and economy will continue building momentum,” Boxer said.

Among the bill’s supporters are the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Home Builders.

“It is another tool that can be out there to help stabilize the housing market and kick start the economy if consumers can, in fact, put another $100 bucks in their pockets every month,” said John Hudson, government affairs chairman of the Association of Mortgage Professionals.

Similar proposals by Boxer and Menendez last year got bogged down in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

Republican attempts to add amendments on other housing issues beyond refinancing led to a stalemate. Twenty Senate Democrats are cosponsors of this year’s bill, but no Republicans have signed on.”I support finding ways to smartly streamline the refinance process, but I’m not sure that eliminating all documentation requirements makes sense,” said GOP Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, a committee member. “I also think we need to quickly move beyond short-term stimulus and start focusing on the structural issues in our housing finance system.”

Sen. Mike Crapo, the committee’s top Republican, declined through a spokeswoman to comment on the bill. Welch’s House bill also died during the last Congress. Welch accused Republicans of not wanting to give Obama an election-year boost by passing the mortgage refinance measure.

“Last year was even tougher because it was an election year,” said Welch. “The Republican leadership wanted Obama to fail.” —AP

Canon Middle East opens subsidiary arm in Kenya DUBAI: Canon Middle East, a leader in imaging solutions, has announced that it has established a subsidiary company in the Republic of Kenya, in a bid to strengthen Canon’s position across the rapidly growing markets of East Africa. The dedicated entity in Kenya has been set up to further reinforce the company’s ‘closer to customer’ strategy in the region. Canon Kenya Limited will function as a Canon Middle East rep office focused on providing marketing and channel development services to both new and existing partners and clients across Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Eritrea, Rwanda and Burundi, under the directives of the Canon Middle East office.

The move comes after Canon strategic decision in 2011 to move the company’s operations in East Africa to Canon Middle East that were previously handled by Canon South Africa, to further enhance the delivery of support services to channel partners in the region.

The newly set up subsidiary will include two Channel Account Managers who will oversee the provision of on the ground support to tier 2 distributors across specific markets in East Africa. This is in addition to a dedicated Area Manager, based out of the Canon Middle East office in Dubai, who will be responsible for all Tier 1 operations across the East African markets.

Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East said: “The establishment of Canon Kenya Limited will broaden our ability to invest in the African markets. The new office in Kenya is strategically positioned to bring us closer to our customers and partners across the key markets in East Africa, giving us the opportunity to offer them greater support. The move is in line with our vision for 2013, as Canon Middle East ventures into a new phase of innovation that is underpinned by our strength to drive growth through diversification. Canon Middle East and Canon Kenya will work together to provide customers with future technologies that can help transform business through enabling connectivity in addition to offering cross media imaging and value added services, bringing us closer to our goal of achieving a with our expanded presence in the region, we will also contribute to the development of local talent in East Africa and together help boost business for partners and customers throughout the region.”

In 2013, Canon Middle East together with the newly launched Canon Kenya Limited will provide partners and customers in the emerging markets of Africa with on-the-ground marketing support. It will also render an opportunity to help the company gather more in depth reach into Africa to and better understand its changing market dynamics and customer demands.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Air Arabia full year net profit soars 55% Turnover rises 21% to AED 2.9bn

VIVA announces winners of ‘win a car every week’ campaign KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing telecom operator, announced yesterday the winners of the ‘Win a car every week’ campaign. The lucky draw winners were Huda Mahtouk Hashemi and Sarah Abdulhussain Ahmad who each won a Dodge Challenger SE and Mohammad Merri and Abdulhameed Mohammad who each won KD 10,000.

The winners drawn on 21 January 2013 will have until 20 February 2013 to claim their prize, and winners drawn on 4 February 2013 will have until 3 March 2013 to claim their prize, otherwise the prize will be given to the alternate winner.

VIVA congratulated the lucky winners and invited its customers to participate in the longest on-going campaign of its kind.

With the continuous success this campaign is witnessing, VIVA is keen to further engage its customers and therefore developed further means to facilitate the process of entering the draw. Entering the draw can be done through one of the following options. The first option is to subscribe with 500 fils per day giving customers infinite minutes and SMS to any VIVA line. This option entitles the customer to one chance to enter the draw each week.

The second option is to subscribe to the BlackBerry KD3.9 service, which gives customers full and unlimited BlackBerr y Services. This option provides customers with 7 automatic chances to enter the draw each week.

The third option is to purchase the KD 2

prepaid line. Upon activating the line, customers should simply send ‘GO’ to 535, and will be presented with four chances to enter the draw each week.

The fourth option is to recharge for 500 fils or more, and this entitles the customer to one chance to enter the draw for every 500 fils. In addition, customers can also enter the draw by subscribing to the 500 fils local bundle which presents customers with 60 local minutes per day. This can be done by sending ‘3’ to ‘232’, and entitles the customer to one chance, or by subscribing to the 500 fils international SMS bundle, which presents customers with 100 international SMS to any country for the duration of seven days. This also entitles the customer to one chance.

Last but not least, customers who choose to enjoy the prepaid internet service will receive either one chance upon subscribing to the 500 fils ‘Surf On’ service, which offers 500 MB for a day, or two chances upon subscribing to the 1 KD ‘Surf On’ service, which offers 500 MB for five days, automatically upon activation.

Customers can also subscribe to more than one of the eight options, increasing their chances each week to win the valuable prizes. In the case a customer does not win, the points will be accumulated and carried on to the next draw. Prepaid customers interested in the full, unlimited, local KD 3.9 BlackBerry offer, can send an SMS with the number ‘2’ to ‘535’. For the full menu of the prepaid offers, send an SMS with the word “GO” to number ‘535’.

Alghanim Aluminum, Alghanim Kitchens join Hala Feb festivities KUWAIT: In celebration of Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days and on the occasion of the exciting Hala February festivities, Alghanim Engineering Group from Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons was keen on partaking in this annual event that showcases the company’s national spirit and its commitment to provide value added services and products in an effort to increase every individual’s quality of life in Kuwait as well as enhancing the economic development in the country.

Under the slogan, “Our Hala February Offers Make All the Difference,” Alghanim’s Engineering Group has exerted a considerable amount of effort in developing two of its departments, Alghanim Kitchens and Alghanim Aluminum, ever since their recent

Abdul Aziz Al-Awadi

launch by providing a bouquet of special products for homeowners in Kuwait that will be offered during the monthly festivity in an effort to present high quality and aesthetically pleasing solutions that come at an affordable price.

From all the rooms in a family’s home, women place the kitchen above everything else as they dwell on improving and enhancing every nook and cranny of the family’s most visited place where love comes in the form of homemade food. Due to that, Alghanim Kitchens has provided a wide variety of offers during the Hala February festivities with its promotions on elegant Italian kitchens including the exclusive and sought after AXIS kitchens that are the epitome of exquisite Italian design.

All the kitchens offered by Alghanim Kitchens possess a rare sense of beauty, ingenuity and originality, all of which are complemented by the highest quality of materials and a convenient palette of colors that give individuals the power

to choose whatever hues best suits their taste and style. Alghanim Kitchens further diversifies one’s options by providing a wide array of quality wood and aluminum kitchens, an element that offers every family the opportunity to take home the kitchen of their dreams.

Alghanim Aluminum, on the other hand, has set its sights on maintaining its European, high quality products’ flexibility and diversity that are seen today in many homes as doors, windows, shutters and other household items.

Alghanim Aluminum is committed to providing the best designs and a wide range of colors in order to harmoniously blend into every person’s home regardless of the design, dÈcor and furniture and interior and outdoor accessories.

Alghanim Aluminum also offers a variety of products that can be perfectly incorporated in every space, be it an office, apartment or seaside home.

With a substanial presence in Kuwait, Alghanim Group is one of the most trusted companies in the country. That is what Abdul Aziz Al-Awadi, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Alghanim Engineering Group, said before adding, “We are extremely proud of our customers’ trust in us. The confidence and trust we receive is a direct result of the company’s seamless strategy that has been adopted ever since its establishment in the 1960’s.

We focus on the personal and unique needs of our customers as well as their individual taste, offering a comprehensive service that starts from designs and ideas to delivery and installation services that are handled by a professional team of skilled technicians and experienced engineers. In the end, our customer’s satisfied smile is the prized cherry on top of our hard work, commitment to excellence and success. Every day, we go to work with this philosophy in our minds and in our hearts. We are also dedicated to providing everyone with valuable offers that benefit customers with the variety of choice and high quality of products and services.”

A specialized company in Kuwait, Alghanim Engineering has several entities under its wing including central air conditioning, elevators, smart home systems, kitchens, aluminum and maintenance of integrated services.

You can benefit from this new and limited time offer during the national Hala February shopping festivities by visiting the showroom at Safat Home in Shuwaikh where you can get a firsthand feel and closer look at the promoted products and services, both of which are available at a high quality and reasonable prices.

SHARJAH: Air Arabia (PJSC), the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, announced yesterday its financial results for the full year 2012, demonstrating steady growth and solid financial performance.

For the full year ending December 31, 2012; Air Arabia reported a solid net profit of AED 425 million, beating analysts forecast and registering an increase of 55 per cent compared to AED 274 million reported for the same period in 2011. The airline’s turnover for the full year 2012 stood at AED 2.9 billion, an increase of 21 per cent as compared to AED 2.4 billion registered in 2011.

Air Arabia carried over 5.3 million passengers in 2012, registering a 13 per cent increase compared to 4.7 million passengers in 2011. The carrier’s seat load factor - or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats - stood at impressive 82 per cent for the full year ending December 31, 2012.

These results were announced following a meeting of the Board of Directors of Air Arabia, who have proposed a dividend distribution of 7 per cent of capital, which is equivalent to 7 fils per share. This proposal is subject to ratification by the shareholders of Air Arabia at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al-Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, attributed the strong financial results to airline’s rapid expansion plans in 2012 and the efficiency of its operations. He said: “As these results signify, Air Arabia continued to demonstrate its concerted efforts to enter into new markets and launch new ven-

tures, while enabling more people to fly efficiently and affordably. The year 2012 saw Air Arabia expand its global network by entering new markets, taking more aircraft deliveries as well as offering its customers wider product offerings and services”.

On the back of strong passenger numbers, the airline’s fourth quarter net profit stood at AED 83 million, increase of 6 per cent compared to AED 78 million in 2011. The fourth quarter turnover reached AED 755 million, representing an increase of 18 per cent compared to AED 638 million reported for the same period in 2011.

Sheikh Al-Thani continued: “With market conditions rebounding, the airline is fully confident in its ability to unlock opportunities for the low-cost model, which is pioneered by Air Arabia. As we continue to focus on expansion plans, we remain committed to making air travel accessible to millions of customers in the wider Arab region.”

Air Arabia, which now operates flights to 82 destinations from three regional hubs; introduced nine new destination in 2012 from its primary hub in Sharjah - Kazan, Taif, Salalah, Ufa, Odessa, Erbil, Astana, Basra and Rostov. In addition, the airline has continued its expansion from its hubs in Morocco and Egypt, reaching a global network of 82 destinations.

Air Arabia took delivery of six new A320 aircraft from Airbus in 2012 as part of an order for 44 aircraft placed in 2007. Air Arabia is expected to take delivery of another six new aircraft in 2012.

Over the past 12 months, Air Arabia contin-

Air Arabia Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al-Thani ued to be recognised for its LCC market leadership, winning the ‘ World’s Second Best Performing Airline’ at Aviation Week’s annual top-performing Airlines.

The airline has also been recognised for its sustainable CSR program ‘Charity Cloud’ winning the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ at the 2012 Aviation Business Awards.

Meanwhile, Air Arabia’s Group Chief Executive Officer has been named ‘CEO of the year Aviation’ at the elite CEO Middle East Awards.

Gulf Express Co, Total Marketing launch series of Rapid oil Change in Kuwait

T

o strengthen Total Lubricants’ retail presence, Gulf Express Co (an Al-Babtain Group of Co) and Total marketing Middle East, have launched the Rapid Oil Change concept at strategic locations with reputed partners in Kuwait in the presence of Ghazi Saleh Al-Babtain-General Manager, Shakilur Rahman- Vice President GCC Sales. -Total Marketing Middle East, & Management teams of Al Babtain Group & Total Marketing Middle East.

Ghazi Saleh Al-Babtain emphasized that “being close to our end customers has been a core principal to our operations and we take pride in being

one of fastest growing lubricant brands in Kuwait in a very short time. These strategically located service centers provide the customers an ideal solution for their automobile service requirements”.

Moreover Al-Babtain added that Total ROC stands for a warm welcoming team, professional Services, trust and a selection of high quality Total lubricants. Al-Babtain Group is committed to improve service center standards in Kuwait over the next few years and by partnering with reputed and like-minded partners, Total ROC should become the preferred destination for customers

seeking professional solutions for their service requirements. “Total Rapid Oil Change (ROC) is a highly professional concept developed by TOTAL globally and with its highly popular concept of 16Point Check Up we try to serve the customers in the best possible manner,” stated Shakilur Rahman- Vice President GCC Sales. Safety checks like Total Lubricant change, tires, exhaust pipe, shock absorbers, coolant level, windshield washer fluid level and top-ups that we carry out on your vehicle, checks that are vital for your safety and that of your passengers, said Adnan Al-Obaid the owner of I wash Ardia.

Time to celebrate low prices at Volkswagen Behbehani KUWAIT: It’s time for Kuwait to celebrate, with Volkswagen Behbehani offering astonishingly low prices on select vehicles from their fleet of quality German vehicles. For a limited time, Volkswagen lovers can purchase a new Touareg starting from KD 13,999, a new Passat from KD 5,999, and the brand new redesigned Polo Sedan from KD 3,999. These great offers are inclusive of all the benefits customers have come to expect and love from Volkswagen Behbehani, including 5 years’ free manufacturers warranty with unlimited mileage; 3 years’ free service, or up to 45,000 kilometers; 3 years’ free third-party insurance and free car registration; and a free replacement vehicle during vehicle servicing with VIP service.

The highly celebrated Volkswagen line-up of vehicles features unmatched design, quality German engineering, dynamic engine power and efficiency, top-level safety enhancements and numerous standard features not found in many other vehicles. With vehicles suitable for both families and individuals, Volkswagen’s self-assured design and respected repu-

tation for quality engineering, it’s time to celebrate with Volkswagen Behbehani!

Behbehani Motors Company (BMC) was established by late Morad Yousef Behbehani in 1956 and has been the sole distributor for Volkswagen cars in Kuwait for over half a century. The mission was, and

still is, to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction. That is why BMC invested in excellent infrastructure in Volkswagen showrooms and service center as well as in highly trained professional staff who will not only meet, but exceed the company customer’s expectations.

Warba Bank appoints Al-Terkait as CTO KUWAIT: Warba Bank yesterday announced the appointment of Haitham AbdulAziz Husain Al- Terkait as Chief Technology Officer. AlTerkait’s brings significant experience of the IT sector, and his appointment will play key role in developing the Bank’s business in line with its targets and strategic direction Al-Terkait will play a key role as the bank continues to build its share of the Islamic Banking market. With a clear ambitious vision, the bank is confident that Al-Terkait will effectively contribute in implementing the strategy and enhance the banks direction and continuous development.

Al-Terkait’s joins the bank following a long and distinguished career within the IT banking sector, alongside experience of working in other sectors.

In a career spanning 22 years, Al-Terkait has held senior positions at Kuwait Finance House (KFH) and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), including the role of IT Infrastructure Services Manager and IT Quality and Control Unit Manager. He was also an executive member of numerous committees related to Information Technology.

Given his significant expertise, he was also a project leader in the banking as well as the petroleum sectors through KISR which included projects like systems automation Projects, Information security systems projects and advanced control projects.

Al-Terkait experience will effectively contribute towards the growth and development of the bank’s expansion plans of its future projects to become one of the leading financial Islamic institutes in the area of information technology. The appointment will contribute effectively towards the use of latest technology available in the banking sector to be employed to serve Warba Bank’s customers.

Warba Bank has announced earlier that Kuwaitization at the management level of the bank has crossed the 75%. This demonstrates the commitment of Warba Bank to utilize the leadership qualities of Kuwaitis. Despite the number of challenges, Warba Bank has been able to achieve this figure. Due to a lack of Kuwaiti recruits in some sectors, the bank provided training to young Nationals with high qualifications, enabling it to achieve Kuwaitization in some departments, including

Haitham AbdulAziz Husain Al- Terkait Corporate, Retail and HR, of 98%.

Reflecting Warba’s commitment to employ local expertise and talent the bank has achieved Kuwaitization over 60%, across its operations. As it enters its next phase of growth, the bank will now look to build on these foundations.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

technology

Employers show commitment to wellness DUBAI: Wellness programs are no longer a “soft” issue for organizations around the globe as employers increasingly recognize the value of employees’ health and overall well-being to their organizations’ bottom line. According to the latest report from Buck Consultants, A Xerox Company, employers cite their commitment to promoting health and wellness as a business strategy and show continued desire to expand health promotion initiatives.

“Working Well: A Global Survey of Health Promotion and Workplace Wellness Strategies” found that employers, regardless of location, identified improving worker productivity and reducing presenteeism as one of their top wellness program objectives.

“With productivity having a direct tie to bottom-line revenue, organizations now consider health promotion as a core business value that positively impacts their ability to compete,” said Dave Ratcliffe, principal, Buck Consultants.

“With signs of job market improvement

emerging in the US, employers will be challenged to maintain productivity gains earned during the recession as employees have increased job mobility.”

As health promotion takes its place as a top consideration among drivers of profitability and per formance, an increasing number of organizations recognize their role in managing employee health - 87 percent in 2012 vs. 75 percent in 2010. Overall, still only 36 percent of respondents currently measure specific outcomes of their health promotion programs, citing lack of resources (68 percent) and not knowing how to measure (34 percent) as the top reasons for not measuring. The likelihood of measurement increases with employer size, although even among the largest employers (20,000+ employees), only 47 percent report having measured specific outcomes.

Buck’s fifth annual global wellness survey analyzed responses from more than 1,300 organizations in 45 countries representing more than 17 million

employees.

Another key finding to emerge in this year’s survey is employers’ reaction to the recent economic downturn between employers who measure program results and those who do not. Thirty percent of employers who measured health promotion program outcomes indicated that they increased their emphasis on wellness programs during tough economic outlook vs. 21 percent of employers who do not measure outcomes.

“Employers who measure program outcomes do so with a greater focus on driving business results,” said Ratcliffe. “A healthier workforce is a more productive workforce, which produces greater revenue that is sustainable over the long term. So these employers understand the value of continuing their wellness initiatives even during hard economic times.”

Further emphasizing the impact on the bottom line, the survey found that 23 percent of US employers indicated their wellness program helped reduce

the cost of providing health care benefits to their employees. Of those: l 62 percent reported health care cost trend rate reductions of 2 percentage points or more. l 13 percent reported trend rate reductions of 6 percentage points or more.

Other key findings of Buck’s global wellness study include: l Increase in globalization - Among participating multinational organizations, 49 percent have a global health promotion strategy, up from 34 percent in 2008. l Program focus: move more, relax and eat better - Though different by specific geographic region, the majority of employers cite physical activity, stress, and workplace safety as the top three issues driving wellness program design. l Incentives impact on program participation depends on type of activity The survey shows that incentives have a direct correlation to program participation levels, but initiatives that require

long-term lifestyle changes (such as physical exercise and nutrition) are not as greatly influenced by incentives as are more immediate programs (such as health assessment and biometric screenings). l Wellness initiatives continue to add value over time - While significant results from a wellness program can take years to realize, the survey shows how the impact of wellness programs differs by short-term and long-term payoff.

Additional issues covered by Buck’s global survey include program design, incentives, organizational ownership of wellness programs and communication strategies.

The global survey results will be further examined at the first Global Healthy Workplace Awards & Summit in London on April 10-12. The summit will bring together leaders in global health and well-being from diverse fields, and finalists for the prestigious Global Healthy Workplace Award will present their solutions.

Silicon Valley talent dream tied to immigrant hopes High skilled immigration held hostage?

Employees packing parcels at the logistics centre of US online retail giant Amazon in Bad Hersfeld, central Germany. German labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen called yesterday for a thorough probe into allegations that foreign seasonal workers hired in Germany by US online retail giant Amazon were harassed and intimidated. —AFP

Famed US hacker helps Ecuador secure its vote QUITO: Kevin Mitnick, who once gained notoriety as America’s most wanted computer hacker, now heads a thriving Internet consultancy tasked with helping keep Sunday’s presidential elections in Ecuador secure. “Eighteen years ago I was busted for hacking. I do the same thing today but with full authorization. How cool is that?”

Mitnick wrote on his @kevinmitnick Twitter account on the eve of the vote.

Mitnick, 49, was behind a spree of break-ins of hundreds of corporate, university and personal computers on the Internet during the 1990s, with blue chip targets that included the Apple Computer, Motorola and the FBI. After being caught and convicted for 15 years of cybercrimes, he was imprisoned between 1995 and 2000.

Today his company, Mitnick Security Consulting, helps to reinforce the very same security vulnerabilities that he once used his considerable hacking skills to exploit. His company will focus on protecting the Net Lock computer system tasked with tabulating Ecuador’s elections.

The incumbent president, Rafael Correa, is the prohibitive favorite to win re-election-assuming no foul play from exactly the sort of malicious actors that Mitnick has been hired to guard against.

Mitnick is rueful about his youthful days as a cyber outlaw. He says his hobby of hacking had its roots in his childhood.

“When I was a young kid I was really fascinated with magic, which I found, was similar to hacking. And I was a prankster as

well, so I combined both,” he said. Mitnick started with simple gags: breaking into the phone lines of friends, hacking the self-service line at the local fast food restaurant so that automated voice would chide overweight customers to steer clear of the fattier menu items.

Later, as Mitnick graduated to more sophisticated hacking activities, he came to love the thrill of the chase, as he managed time and again to elude the authorities who tried to track his online exploits.

Eventually he targeted the biggest fish of all-the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“It became kind of cat and mouse with the FBI. I was a fugitive from the FBI for a long time, when they were trying to get me I would track them through the cellular system and outsmart them,” he told AFP. His targeting of America’s federal cops proved his undoing, however. FBI agents, angered by his taunting of them, were able to track and eventually arrest Mitnick in 1995, with the help of a Japanese computer expert. Mitnick said he has gone straight since his release from prison, and now uses his talents to track down other cyber miscreants. He told AFP that-like the magic tricks he loved as a child-the hacking trade works through a kind of sleight of hand.

“It’s using manipulation, deception and influence to get a person to do some sort of action or reveal information,” he said. But while it was intoxicating to figure out how to tap into the world’s most secure computer networks, Mitnick said he never did so for financial gain. — AFP

Men more gabby than women on cellphones SEATTLE: Men talk longer and faster than women when using their cellphone to buy stuff from retailers, according to results of a study released today by Marchex, a mobile advertising company.

This bit of intel, no doubt, will be pored over by retailers and tech companies hustling to promote so-called mobile commerce, or m-commerce-the fledging retailing sector that’s being hotly pursued by Apple, Amazon.com, Microsoft, Google and others.

ABI Research says the m-commerce market could account for 24.4% of overall ecommerce revenue by the end of 2017, a big leap forward from 2011, when the mobile online commerce market doubled in size to $65.6 billion. That growth is being fueled by the rapid adoption of smartphones globally and by a push from brickand-mortar retailers to reach mobile device users with sales campaigns and systems, according to ABI. Marchex aggregated data points from more than 200,000 phone calls placed to US business-the majority of which came from mobile phones-and found that men speak 13% longer on the phone and that they’re more talkative. On average, male callers stayed on the phone for 7 minutes, 23 seconds and women for just 6 minutes, 30 seconds. The study also found that men spoke more and faster than women did.

The average male caller spoke 236 words per call at 32 words per minute and

the average female spoke 227 words per call at a rate of 24 words per minute. The data also showed that men tend to make more calls at the beginning of the day, whereas women prefer to make more calls after lunch.

“When more purchasing decisions than ever are taking place through mobile channels, knowing what’s true and what isn’t can profoundly affect how businesses interact with men and women,” says Eric Taylor, senior analyst at the Marchex Institute.

“Madison Avenue has long produced ad campaigns to target men and women,” Taylor says. “But gender-based assumptions-such as women spend more time on the phone than men-must be looked a t d e a d i n t h e e ye a n d p rove n w i t h data.” — MCT

SAN FRANCISCO: Silicon Valley’s long crusade to break open doors to America for foreigners with key technology skills hinges on a political battle in Washington over broader immigration reform. For more than a decade, the tech sector has been struggling to get more visas and green cards for immigrants with engineering, math or science skills.

While Silicon Valley has been largely backing reform-minded Democratic candidates including President Barack Obama, Republicans have begun paying attention to broader immigration reform, an issue dear to US Latinos. “The election happened and the Republicans took a shellacking from Hispanics,” said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation think-tank in Washington.

“It was a wake-up call,” he continued. “A comprehensive approach to immigration reform became viable.” The new political landscape hobbled efforts to push through stand-alone legislation focused just on high-skilled workers.

“High-skill immigration is definitely being held hostage to broader reform,” Atkinson said.

Stanford University fellow and Singularity University vice president Vivek Wadhwa champions STEM immigration. “Who is behind the US tech boom right now?

Immigrants,” Wadhwa said. “Just as the US is reinventing itself with a whole range of technologies we are cutting off the circulation in Silicon Valley.”

A Republican-backed House bill to expand visas for foreigners graduating from US universities with advanced degrees in science and technology was killed in the Senate by Democrats in the name of broader immigration reform. “We need visas and a new-and-improved immigration arrangement for Silicon Valley and the hightech sector, but the only way we will win reform is to fight for top-to-bottom overhaul of our immigration system,” Democratic congressman Luis Gutierrez said in an editorial on technology news website TechCrunch.

Gutierrez is chairman of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and was responding to comments by Wadhwa, who testified in Washington this month.

Wadhwa claims the two issues are separate.

“Providing citizenship to people who jumped

over the border is contentious; it’s toxic,” Wadhwa maintained.

“In the meantime you are holding hostage the legal, skilled immigrants-scientists, engineers, doctors-who the whole world wants.”

Reforming the immigration process for the tech industries would mean ramping up the number of H-1B visas, for immigrants with spe-

Now, analysts say Republicans and Democrats appear to be looking at a comprehensive measure that deals with high-skilled workers and the millions of undocumented aliens. “Because our immigration system needs fixing top to bottom, fixing it all at once is the right way to approach things,” Gutierrez said.

The strategy could succeed with the help of

Silicon Valley Research Center cial skills. Wadhwa said the reform should also change the system which ties those with H-1B visas to specific companies, to allow them to seek better compensation or new jobs, or start their own firms.

“We are basically choking off immigrant entrepreneurship,” Wadhwa said. Microsoft has cited a lack of visas for engineers as the reason it opened a development studio in the Canadian city of Vancouver. Atkinson said this moves production offshore, and “that is not good for this country.” A stand-alone reform bill by Republican Senator Orrin Hatch would raise the annual cap on H-1B visas to 115,000 from 65,000 and pump the money into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in the United States. “There is no down side to supporting a good high-skill immigration bill,” Atkinson said.

Silicon Valley companies that believe the only way to get the immigration changes dear to them is to back an overhaul of the system.

“This is critical to America’s future,” Yahoo! chief Marissa Mayer said in a statement released early this month after meeting with Obama to discuss immigration reform. “I urge Congress and the president to work together in a bipartisan effort to reform policies on immigration, including meaningful reforms to hiring and retaining highly-skilled talent.” The fact that this is not an election year lends hope for support from legislators who might view immigration reform as politically risky.

“You are always playing the roulette wheel when you predict legislation in Washington,” Atkinson said. “But, I think the odds aren’t bad for something this year.” — AFP

Minorities rush to Twitter, Instagram, smartphones

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he popularity of Twitter and Instagram among blacks in America is surging, while white women under 50 continue to pin away on Pinterest, according to a demographic survey released this week.

The survey, by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, also confirmed what parents of college students already know _ 83 percent Internet users ages 18 to 29 use social media.

But in revealing the demographics of users by race and ethnicity, on other emerging social-media platforms — Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr — the survey also attests to social media’s accessibility, ubiquity and influence, regardless of cost and reach of broadband Internet. Pew compiled the survey after phone interviews with 1,800 respondents Nov 14 to Dec 9. AsianAmericans weren’t included in the Pew study because there were not enough respondents to draw statistically reliable conclusions.

Among the Pew findings: —Twitter, Instagram are popular among blacks. Among black Internet users, 26 percent use Twitter, far outpacing whites (14 percent) and Hispanics (19 percent). In August 2011, 18 percent of black Internet users were using Twitter.

Across all groups, younger and urban Twitter users outnumber their older and rural counterparts. But the usage rate generally held steady — around 14 percent to 17 percent — regardless of gender, education and income levels.

Wayne Sutton, a social-media consultant and blogger at SocialWayne.com, said Twitter enables “a level playing field in getting (black Americans’) voices heard.”

“With the history of our culture, we now have an equal channel like anyone else,” he said. “We are also some of the largest consumers of entertainment and sports.

And that’s a lot of what is said on social media by us.”

Blacks’ usage of Instagram (23 percent) also outnumbered Hispanics’ (18 percent) and whites’ (11 percent). “African-Americans and Hispanics are leading the way in terms of buying smartphones or tablets,” Sutton said. He pointed to a March 2012 Nielsen study that says 54.4 percent of black phone owners and 57.3 percent of Hispanic phone owners own smartphones vs.

44.7 percent for whites.

Cyberbullying extends to workplace, bedroom SEATTLE: Cyberbullying is no longer restricted to children. Adults routinely use content from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social-media services to intimidate and harass subordinates and rivals at work. When romantic relationships go sour, aggrieved lovers often turn to social-media services to stalk or embarrass an estranged partner.

“Adults are now finding themselves in uncharted territory when it comes to social media,” says Jenny Ungless, a life coach and workplace consultant. In a recent global survey of 4,000 adults, 82 percent of respondents agreed that posting or messaging defamatory remarks about a colleague amounts to cyberbullying. And 9 percent disclosed incidents in which information gleaned from a social-media service was used to their detriment by a manager.

What’s more, results of a survey of 1,000 adults by security firm McAfee show one in 10 Americans have received cyberthreats from an estranged romantic partner. Nearly 60 percent of those threatened have had personal photos or sensitive e-mails and text messages exposed online. The top motivations for such disclosures: alleged lying, cheating or simply breaking up.

“Technology definitely fuels the best of a relationship and the worst of a breakup,” says Robert Siciliano, McAfee security analyst. “Airing dirty laundry often leads to exposing deep secrets and intimate photos never meant for public consumption.”

In workplace settings, companies are just beginning to consider policies to effectively govern social-media etiquette among employees, says Tony Anscombe, senior security analyst at AVG. One in 10 respondents to AVG’s survey discovered secret discussions about them online were initiated by colleagues using social media, and 11 percent reported embarrassing photos or videos uploaded onto social-media sites.

Awareness about the potential invasiveness that can stem from use of social media has not kept pace with its pervasive use.

“Until everyone is clear about exactly what is and isn’t acceptable online behavior, trying to enforce policies will just fail, leaving the door open to cyberbullying and invasion of privacy,” Anscombe says. “If organizations take the time to first educate before establishing and enforcing policies, privacy can be protected in the workplace without having to sacrifice any of the social activity we all enjoy.”

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Airport experiments with therapy dogs to ease passengers’ anxiety SAN JOSE: Henry James weaves between legs and roller bags at Mineta San Jose International Airport, but he’s in no rush.

Around him, people scurry to their gates, but for the 4 year-old golden retriever, being calm is his job. “Do you want to see him?” his owner Kyra Hubis asked two passengers waiting to board a plane home to Atlanta. “This is Henry James, he’s a therapy dog.”

Elliot Willard was at the airport with his sister-in-law, Ashley Willard, because his grandfather, who lived in San Jose, recently passed away. As they tousled Henry James’ long, shaggy fur, smiles spread across their faces. It was exactly the result hoped for. Every Monday, Henry James and Hubis walk the terminals to comfort passengers who may be stressed, grieving or feeling the jitters of flying.

Hubis, a retired critical care nurse for 30 years, runs the therapy dog program as a volunteer. She finds that many passengers are in need of a dog’s wagging tail, wet nose and unconditional love. “Traveling is a stressful experience,” said Rosemary Barnes, the airport’s public information manager. “You may be going to a job interview. You may have lost a loved one.

There are so many reasons that people come to airports.”

The program began after 9/11, when an airport pastor brought in her own dog to help soothe stressed and frightened passengers. The effort has since grown to include 11 volunteers who walk their therapy dogs-including a German shepherd, miniature schnauzer and bordeaux mastiff-up and down the terminals, a few hours a week. The program runs on donations, which pay for the uniforms of the furry counselors: red vests covered in patches embroidered with slogans like

CALIFORNIA: Kyra Hubis and her “therapy dog” Henry James stop to visit Nelson and Charlotte Hill and their 15-month-old daughter at Mineta San Jose International Airport in San Jose. —MCT photos “Pet me I’m friendly.”

“We know from a whole body of research that blood rate, heart rate and respiratory rate decrease when a person interacts with an animal,” said Rebecca Johnson, researcher at the University of Missouri. For people who like dogs and are not extremely allergic, these animals have a proven calming effect, said Johnson. Just as people soften with the smile of a stranger, dogs can lighten a heavy mood. “These dogs are going to be perpetually smiling and engaging people and making eye contact. That’s a positive force,” Johnson said.

Back in Terminal B, Joe Truckey of California’s Orange County reached down to pet Henry James. Truckey, whose leg was injured by a forklift when he was 18, has mingled with therapy dogs in the past. At age 45, he had an operation on his leg that left him bed ridden in the hospital. Bored and anxious, the hospital’s therapy dogs helped to calm him. “They looked just like him,” said Truckey, as Henry James panted and wagged his long, fluffy tail.

Each dog must be tested and certified to be part of the program. The dogs must remain calm amid frenzied crowds, rolling

CALIFORNIA: Kyra Hubis and her “therapy dog” Henry James stop to visit Len Berkowitz at Mineta San Jose International Airport. wheelchairs and screaming children.

“They have to handle people touching them and people crying into them,” said Hubis, who has visited with grieving family members and nervous flyers.

Hubis only approaches people who are interested in visiting with a 90-pound energetic hound. She never asks people their names or where they are going, but often when passengers begin to pet Henry James, they open up about their lives.

After a half-hour of walking the gates and greeting at least two dozen people, including waddling toddlers, Hubis leads

Henry James into the airport meditation room for a drink of water and a quick snack. By the time they leave two hours later, they might visit with more than a hundred passengers.

Los Angeles International Airport plans to start a similar program, modeled after the program run in San Jose, to make their passengers more comfortable. Miami International Airport has also implemented a therapy dog program. “I’m a dog person, and I know if I were upset, I’d want a dog,” said Hubis, who is hoping to grow the program with more dogs walking the San Jose’s terminals more often. —MCT

Morning-after pill used by 1 in 9 younger women

GERMANY: A sand tiger shark swims in an aquarium at the aqua zoo in Stralsund. Sand tiger sharks live close to the shorelines and sandy beaches of North America and in the waters of Japan, Australia, and South Africa.—AFP

WHO urges vigilance over SARS-like virus GENEVA: The World Health Organisation on Saturday urged countries to be vigilant over the spread of a potentially fatal SARS-like virus after a new case in Britain brought the global number to 12. “Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns,” the United Nations health agency said in a statement. On Friday, British health authorities said that a third member of a family had been diagnosed with socalled novel coronavirus, but was not in danger.

“Although this new case offers further indications of person-to-person transmission, no sustained person-to-person transmission has been identified,” said the WHO. “Testing for the new coronavirus should be considered in patients with unexplained pneumonias, or in patients with unexplained severe, progressive or complicated respiratory illness not responding to treatment,” it added. Clusters of cases, and cases among health workers, should be thoroughly investigated wherever they occur, it underlined.

Britain’s Health Protection Agency said the latest person to contract the virus was a relative

of two other cases announced earlier this week.

The first member of the family, who was confirmed on Monday as having the virus, had recently travelled to the Middle East and Pakistan. The two relatives had no recent travel history. A total of 12 cases have been reported to the WHO, with five of them fatal three in Saudi Arabia and two in Jordan. Coronaviruses are to blame for most common colds but can also cause SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

A SARS epidemic killed more than 800 people when it swept out of China in 2003, sparking a major international health scare. —AFP

(From left) Dr Hasan Khajah, Dr Waleed Al Tunaib and Dr Hozaifa Bin Nakhi.

Dar Al Shifa Hospital successfully implants medical battery in patient’s spinal cord KUWAIT: Dar Al Shifa Hospital’s Neurosurgical and Spinal Cord team has successfully completed a one-of-a kind surgical procedure, in which a medical battery was implanted in a patient’s spinal cord. The patient in his 30s, suffered from chronic muscle cramps as well as severe pain due to multiple sclerosis.

During the initial procedure, Dr Hasan Khajah, Consultant Neurosurgery, Dr Hozaifah E. Ben Nakhi - Consultant Orthopaedic, Traumato & Spine Surgeon as well as Dr Waleed S AlTunaib - Specialist Orthopaedic and Traumato Surgeon said: “We have injected Lioresal in the patient’s spinal cord, and accordingly has responded by removing the muscle cramps.

Moreover, with the surgery underway, the patient’s abdomen, along with the back side was examined, following which a tube was inserted in the spinal cord and was extended and tied to the implanted device within the stomach.”

Dr Hasan Khaja pointed out that “the surgical operation, which took around an estimated one hour, is a notable achievement in the medical field and one which accommodates patients

suffering from multiple sclerosis, especially that there isn’t any identified medical treatments that ease the impact of muscle cramps.”

“We are proud to have successfully conducted this procedure. Dar Al Shifa Hospital continues to demonstrate its leadership across the local community by providing exceptional healthcare services along with a top qualified team of medical surgeons,” added Dr Khaja.

Dr Khajah is famous in the field of developing and implanting medical batteries in Kuwait through the use of the world’s latest technological advances to relief patients suffering from chronic muscle strains resulting of either the deterioration of the spinal cord, major strokes, lack of oxygen in the brain during birth, traffic accidents, and other common diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Dr Hozaifah E. Ben Nakhi is also considered one of Kuwait’s most renowned orthopaedic and spine surgeons, and has a wide range of notable achievements in neck procedures as well as the spine. Together with Dr Waleed S. AlTunaib, they form a strong team across all of the orthopaedic and spine surgeries.

NEW YORK: About 1 in 9 younger women have used the morning-after pill after sex, according to the first government report to focus on emergency contraception since its approval 15 years ago. The results come from a survey of females ages 15 to 44.

Eleven percent of those who’d had sex reported using a morning-after pill. That’s up from 4 percent in 2002, only a few years after the pills went on the market and adults still needed a prescription.

The increased popularity is probably because it is easier to get now and because of media coverage of controversial efforts to lift the age limit for over-the-counter sales, experts said. A prescription is still required for those younger than 17 so it is still sold from behind pharmacy counters.

In the study, half the women who used the pills said they did it because they’d had unprotected sex. Most of the rest cited a broken condom or worries that the birth control method they used had failed.

White women and more educated women use it the most, the research showed. That’s not surprising, said James Trussell, a Princeton University researcher who’s studied the subject. “I don’t think you can go to college in the United States and not know about emergency contraception,” said Trussell, who has promoted its use and started a hot line.

One Pennsylvania College even has a vending machine dispensing the pills. The morning-after pill is basically a high-dose version of birth control pills. It prevents ovulation and needs to be taken within a few days after sex. The morning-after pill is different from the so-called abortion pill, which is designed to terminate a pregnancy.

At least five versions of the morningafter pills are sold in the United States. They cost around $35 to $60 a dose at a pharmacy, depending on the brand. Since it is sold over-the-counter, insurers generally only pay for it with a doctor’s prescription. The new Affordable Care Act promises to cover morning-after pills, meaning no co-pays,

but again only with a prescription.

The results of the study were released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s based on inperson interviews of more than 12,000 women in 2006 through 2010. It was the agency’s first in-depth report on that issue, said Kimberly Daniels, the study’s lead author.

The study also found: Among different age groups, women in their early 20s were more likely to have taken a morning-after pill. About 1 in 4 did.

About 1 in 5 never-married women had taken a morning-after pill, compared to just

1 in 20 married women.

Of the women who used the pill, 59 percent said they had done it only once, 24 percent said twice, and 17 percent said three or more times.

A woman who uses emergency contraception multiple times “needs to be thinking about a more regular form” of birth control, noted Lawrence Finer, director of domestic research for the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit group that does research on reproductive health.

Also on Thursday, the CDC released a report on overall contraception use.

Among its many findings, 99 percent of women who’ve had sex used some sort of birth control. That includes 82 percent who used birth control pills and 93 percent whose partner had used a condom. —AP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Major study shows steep decline in figure for diagnosed epilepsy A collaborative study led by researchers at the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) shows a significant reduction in the number of children diagnosed with epilepsy in the UK. The study, published in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood, used data collated over more than a decade from primary care providers. The decline in positive diagnoses, which shows a cumulative drop of 47%, is largely attributed to the introduction of specialist services, such as the one at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

The cause of the decline is thought to be due to a combination of factors: better diagnosis, more rigorous decisions about who to treat, and possibly, a decline in brain injury due to the decline in infections following vaccination programmes. Data collated from 344,718 children aged 0-14 years showed that the annual incidence of epilepsy has fallen by 4-9% year on year from 1994 to 2008. Overall, the number of children diagnosed with epilepsy between 2003 and 2005 was 33% lower than those diagnosed between 1994-1996.

Study author Professor Ruth Gilbert, Director of the Centre for Evidence-based Child Health at the ICH, comments: “Our findings are consistent with those of other European countries and it is very reassuring to see evidence that misdiagnosis rates are down across the board.” “However, epilepsy remains one of the most common and life-limiting neurological conditions to affect children in the UK. It’s important to emphasize that we are not seeing fewer children presenting with epilepsy in our clinics.”

“Now we are seeing a much more rigorous approach to diagnosis and this is due in part to guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). It is very troubling for a child and their family to be given an inaccurate diagnosis.”

GOSH is one of only four centres in the country to provide specialist assessment and surgery for children with uncontrolled epilepsy and one of the largest epilepsy surgery centres in Europe.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 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

Congratulations

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ncle Sharif Ismail, Aunt Salwa and Loay congratulate Aya Ashraf on graduating from Dentistry College. We wish her success in her career.

Team Kuwait participates in 25th World Schools Debating Championships

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ive talented debaters from Kuwait recently joined their contemporaries from across the globe in the World Schools Debating Championships 2013 (WSDC) in Antalya, Turkey. The team was comprised of Captain, Ishita Handa (The British School of Kuwait), Imran Saleh (New English School), Emma Abdullah (New English School) and Leena Al-Bader (The British School of Kuwait). They were coached by Grainne McCreevy of New English School and Obada Al-Halabi, a former student of New English School and WSDC alumni. The team was managed

by Bethan Evans of The British School of Kuwait.

The debaters were selected after taking part in a series of selection debates held at BSK. Once selected, they underwent a rigorous round of training and preparation in the months leading up to the tournament. During these intensive preparations they focused upon, amongst other things, honing their skills in research, public speaking and case preparation.

In Turkey, Team Kuwait faced a diverse range of prepared motions which required them to research and tackle challenging issues such as ceasing the exploitation of resources in the

Arctic region and whether or not important decisions about children’s health should be made by medical professionals and not by their parents. They also participated in debates on whether the US should have greater military presence in East Asia and the use of sovereign debt default as a legitimate strategy for debt ridden countries. In addition to this, Team Kuwait rose to the chal-

lenge of impromptu motions on topics such as whether the media should be prevented by law from intruding in the lives of public figures, allowing prisoners to choose death over the life sentence, requiring government schools to teach religious studies and requiring university students to work in their country of origin for a number of years after graduation. The tournament was

eventually won by Team Australia who triumphed over Team Swaziland in a hotly contested final in which they proposed that Turkey would be better off outside the EU. Team Kuwait improved their debate skills immeasurably during the course of the tournament and thoroughly enjoyed going head to head with teams from Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Turkey, Malaysia, Montenegro, Canada, The Netherlands and Sweden. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to experience a culture very different to their own and to mix with students from around the world. The students debated in a diverse range of schools in Antalya, as well as prestigious venues such as the International University of Antalya.

When they were not debating they enjoyed a fantastic tour of the historic Lycian coast of Turkey, visiting the site of the mythical Chimera natural gas fires and the historic ruins of the Roman town of Olympos.

All in all it was a once in a lifetime experience. The team is proud to acknowledge the support and sponsorship of New English School and The British School of Kuwait. The next WSDC will take place in Bangkok, Thailand in August 2014.

Greetings

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appy first birthday to Anisa Akhtar Lubna.

Duwa and lots of love from Taj uncle.

McDonald’s Kuwait celebrates annual party

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ear Abhinav, we still remember the smile on your face when you were born. At the very moment, we knew that you had come into the world to spread smiles and cheer to everybody.

Happy Birthday son.

Wishing you success and happiness always.

Announcements

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n celebration of yet another year of smooth and profitable business growth, McDonald’s Kuwait recently organized a five-day gathering for all employees from the restaurants to the head office.

The affair, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Farwaniya, featured competitive events that provided opportunities for employees to showcase their talents beyond the restaurants’ kitchens and counters. Valuable prizes courtesy of the event’s sponsors were also raffled off.

As part of the annual tradition, McDonald’s Kuwait, through its country leadership, also handed out plaques of recognition to top achievers in 2012 during the event. On hand to distribute the plaques with Ghosn was Fadi Rezek, Operations Director, and his team of dedicated Operations Managers and

Consultants.

To honor the brand’s frontliners, awards were handed out to 2012’s best Restaurant Managers, Crew Trainers and Crewmembers. Several outlets were also recognized as Outstanding Restaurants in 2012 for their consistency in delivering topnotch Quality, Service and Cleanliness to their guests. Elie Ghosn, Human Resources and Administration Director, in a speech delivered before handing out the awards, stressed that continuous success and sustained growth is ensured only through making rewards and recognition as a part of the Company’s tradition and culture. The evening’s ceremonies were capped with a dinner and picture taking sessions that saw the company’s bigwigs and their employees sharing the same fun-filled, memorable moments.

ECC organizes Omra trip for Egyptians ecretary general of the Egyptian Community Council (ECC), Dr Azmi Abdul Fattah congratulated all Egyptians on the second anniversary of the January 25 revolution urging everybody to consolidate and unite for the best of Egypt as a whole. On this occasion, Abdul Fattah announced that the council would organize its annual Omra trip pointing out that it would last eight days in the period of February 21 till 28.

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Goan Culinary Club Anil P Alex

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he Goan Culinary Club - Goa encourages you to log on to their website where you can find a video of Odette and Joe Mascarenhas sharing their thoughts on Goan cuisine. These videos were recorded at the launch of the Goan Culinary Club in Goa on March 3, 2012. Thanks to support from all at the Goan Culinary Club, we have made great progress in six months.

MMF, Kuwait elects new office-bearers

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Basketball Academy he new Premier Basketball Academy offers coaching and games every Friday and Saturday from 10 am onwards for 6 to 18 year olds, boys and girls. Located in Bayan Block 7, Masjed Al-Aqsa Street by Abdullah Al-Rujaib High School. Free Basketball and Tee Shirts for all participants, with certificates and special awards on completion of each 6 week course. Qualified and experienced British and American Coaches,

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Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

Gafoor

Embassy of India participates in Hala February Festival

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he opening ceremony of the 14th Hala February Festival (HFF) 2013 was organized with much pageantry and enthusiasm on February 15, 2012 at 2 pm at Salmiya’s Salem Al-Mubarak street.

HFF is being organized by the State of Kuwait since February 1999 mainly to promote tourism. HFF organizing committee organizes art, sports,

live shows and entertainment events during the month. This year the festivities will continue till March 9.

Embassy of India, Kuwait also joined in the celebrations by participating in the opening ceremony on February 15, 2012. The Indian pavilion was exquisitely decorated with Indian artifacts, handicraft items,

imitated jewellery, handcrafted Indian sarees, Incredible India posters and tourism material and other items. A large number of visitors came to the India pavilion and showed keen interest in the exhibits. Many of them, especially children, took the opportunity to take photographs posing with the exhibits.

alayali Media Forum (MMF), Kuwait, the forum for media persons from Kerala in Kuwait elected its new office-bearers for the year 2013 at the annual general meeting on Friday at HiDine auditorium, Abbassiya. Anil P Alex has been elected as General Convener while Gafoor Moodadi has been elected as Cultural Committee Convener and Regi Bhaskar as Finance Committee Regi Convener. The outgoing committee presented the annual reports for the year 2012 at the AGM. Siddique Valiyakath conducted the election as the election officer.

Salsa & Jive classes

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alsa & Jive classes in Salmiya: Take the Dive, with Salsa & Jive, Two left feet wont’ stop the beat. Join now as an individual or a Couple. Unleash your potential. Individual attention to all students guaranteed. For details contact: 97979816 / 94445711

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information

IDAK General Secretary Dr Anil Philip, Dr Ahmad Asad, IDAK President Dr John Joy Manappallil, Indian Ambassador Satish Mehta, MoH Assistant Under Secretary Dental Affairs Dr Yousef Al-Duwairy, Chief Guest Dr SK Ojha, Dean Faculty of Denstistry, Kuwait University Dr Jawad Behbehani, Chairman, Kuwait Medical Association Dr Mohammed Al-Mutairy, receiving flowers from organising committee.

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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EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of 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, UAE Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-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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Dr Yousef Al-Duwairy presenting The Oral Health Guide to Indian Ambassador.

IDAK hosts mini cultural show, releases books

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n Friday, February 15, 2013 Indian Dentists’ Alliance in Kuwait (IDAK) under the patronage of the Indian Embassy, Kuwait Dental Association (KDA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) released two books at a gala function at the Crown Plaza Hotel. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr SK Ojha, Officiating Secretary, Dental Council of India (DCI).

The other dignitaries who actively participated in the occasion were Satish Mehta, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Yousef Al-Duwairy, Assistant Undersecretary, Dental Affairs of the Ministry of Health, Dr Jawad Behbehani, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Dr Ibrahim Ismael, Secretary, Kuwait Dental Association and Dr Mohammed Al-Muthairy, Chairman, Kuwait Medical Association and the Ambassador of Nepal to Kuwait Madhuban Prasad Paudel.

The General Secretary Dr Anil George Phillip introduced and welcomed all the dignitaries on the dias and thanked them for gracing the function. In his message, the President Dr John Joy Manappallil highlighted all the achievements of IDAK and encouraged IDAK members to go beyond the call of duty and engage in providing service to the community. In a surprise announce-

ment, he announced that the Kuwait Dental Association (KDA) has granted an affiliation to IDAK. The Indian Dentists’ Alliance is henceforward formally affiliated to the KDA. He praised Dr Yousef Al-Duwairy, Assistant Undersecretary,

Ambassador Satish C Mehta. The theme of the book was ‘Cosmetic Dentistry’, and it was written in Arabic and English in simple, non-technical language to enable the common man to easily understand the cosmetic aspects of

Dental Affairs for his tireless efforts in raising the standard of dental care in Kuwait.

The first book “The Oral Health Guide” Volume 3 was released by Dr Yousef AlDuwairy, Asst Undersecretary, MOH and the first copy handed to the Indian

dentistry. The second book titled “The Foreign Dentists’ Handbook for Kuwait” was released by Dr Ibrahim Ismael, Chairman, Kuwait Dental Association and the first copy handed over to Dr Jawad Behbehani, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University. The book

will help new, Non-Arabic speaking dentists’ to communicate with their patients and introduce them to the rich culture and heritage of Kuwait.

An oration lecture titled “Current Status of Dental Education in India” was given by the chief guest Col Retd Dr S K Ojha. The highlight of the Evening was a spectacular and colorful mini cultural show showing the rich culture and heritage of India. IDAK ladies performed semi-classical and Rajasthani folk dances to enchanting music. The IDAK children wearing Kuwaiti costumes danced to a popular Kuwaiti song and enthralled the guests. The last dance saw all the participants waving Kuwait and Indian Flags signifying the IndoKuwait friendship. The function ended with a grand dinner at the “Al Baraka Hall,” of Crown Plaza Hotel.

IDAK thanked all its members, its volunteers, office bearers and participants for making the program a grand success. IDAK also thanked all its sponsors and well-wishers for making the event a success; especially its premium sponsors YIACO, Zayani, ATC, Quality Source, AlMulla Exchange, Al-Badr Scientific, Taiba Hospital and Ashraf and Company.

Special thanks to Saji, Banquet Manager of Crown Plaza, Drishya Videos and My Tour Compass for their support.

EMBASSY OF CYPRUS In its capacity as EU Local Presidency in the State of Kuwait, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the Member States of the EU and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, would like to announce that as from 2nd October 2012 all Schengen States’ Consulates in Kuwait will use the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS is a central database for the exchange of data on short-stay (up to three months) visas between Schengen States. The main objectives of the VIS are to facilitate visa application procedures and checks at external border as well as to enhance security. The VIS will contain all the Schengen visa applications lodged by an applicant over five years and the decisions taken by any Schengen State’s consulate. This will allow applicants to establish more easily the lawful use of previous visas and their bona fide status. For the purpose of the VIS, applicants will be required to provide their biometric data (fingerprints and digital photos) when applying for a Schengen visa. It is a simple and discreet procedure that only takes a few minutes. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database. Therefore, as from 2nd October 2012, first-time applicants will have to appear in person when lodging the application, in order to provide their fingerprints. For subsequent applications within 5 years the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS. The Cypriot Presidency would like to assure the people of Kuwait and all its permanent citizens that the Member States and associated States participating in the Schengen cooperation, have taken all necessary technical measures to facilitate the rapid examination and the efficient processing of visa applications and to ensure a quick and discreet procedure for the implementation of the new VIS. ■■■■■■■

EMBASSY OF 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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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.

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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.

Performers during the mini cultural show.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

00:50 Untamed & Uncut 01:45 Into The Dragon’s Lair 02:35 Animal Cops Houston 03:25 Wildest India 04:15 Amba The Russian Tiger 05:05 Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan 05:55 Animal Cops Houston 06:45 Wildest India 07:35 Wildlife SOS 08:00 The Really Wild Show 08:25 Bad Dog 09:15 Dogs 101 10:10 Baby Planet 11:05 Wildest Africa 12:00 Animal Cops Phoenix 12:55 Call Of The Wildman 13:20 Wildlife SOS 13:50 Vet On The Loose 14:15 Vet On The Loose 14:45 Animal Precinct 15:40 Wildest Africa 16:35 Escape To Chimp Eden 17:00 The Really Wild Show 17:30 Dogs 101 18:25 Crocodile Hunter 19:20 Too Cute!

20:15 Bondi Vet 20:40 Safari Vet School 21:10 Call Of The Wildman 21:35 Escape To Chimp Eden 22:05 Wildest Africa 23:00 Ned Bruha: Skunk Whisperer 23:55 My Cat From Hell

00:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 01:20 Gok’s Fashion Fix 02:05 Design Rules 02:50 MasterChef 05:25 Design Rules 06:40 Gok’s Fashion Fix 07:30 Antiques Roadshow 08:20 Homes Under The Hammer 09:10 Bargain Hunt 09:55 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 10:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 12:00 Come Dine With Me: Supersize 13:30 Come Dine With Me: South Africa 14:25 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 15:10 Bargain Hunt 15:55 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 16:40 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 18:00 Homes Under The Hammer 18:50 The Hairy Bikers USA 19:15 Rick Stein’s Spain 20:10 New Scandinavian Cooking 20:35 Come Dine With Me: South Africa

00:00 00:30 00:45 01:00 01:30 01:45 02:00 02:30 02:45 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 04:45 05:30 05:45 06:30 06:45 07:30 07:45 08:30 09:00 09:30 09:45 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 13:30 14:00 15:30

Newsday Asia Business Report Sport Today BBC World News Asia Business Report Sport Today BBC World News Asia Business Report Sport Today BBC World News Hardtalk BBC World News World Business Report BBC World News World Business Report BBC World News World Business Report BBC World News World Business Report BBC World News Hardtalk BBC World News World Business Report Sport Today BBC World News BBC World News GMT With George Alagiah Impact With Mishal Husain Hardtalk BBC World News World Business Report

15:45 Sport Today 16:00 BBC World News 16:30 BBC Focus On Africa 17:00 BBC World News 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 World News Today With Zeinab Badawi 19:30 World Business Report 19:45 Sport Today 20:00 Business Edition With Tanya Beckett 20:30 Hardtalk 21:00 BBC World News America 22:00 Newsday 22:30 Asia Business Report 22:45 Sport Today 23:00 Newsday 23:30 Asia Business Report 23:45 Sport Today

00:20 Yogi’s Treasure Hunt 00:45 Duck Dodgers 01:10 Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries 01:35 Dastardly And Muttley 02:00 Popeye 02:25 Wacky Races 02:50 Scooby Doo Where Are You! 03:15 The Flintstones 03:40 The Jetsons 04:00 What’s New Scooby Doo? 04:20 Taz-Mania 04:45 The Looney Tunes Show 05:10 Tom & Jerry Tales 05:35 Dexter’s Laboratory 06:00 Bananas In Pyjamas 06:25 Jelly Jamm 07:00 Ha Ha Hairies 07:25 Baby Looney Tunes 07:50 Lazy Town 08:15 Krypto The Superdog 08:40 Jelly Jamm 09:05 Gerald McBoing Boing 09:30 Cartoonito Tales 09:55 Bananas In Pyjamas 10:20 Ha Ha Hairies 10:45 Lazy Town 11:10 Krypto The Superdog 11:35 Baby Looney Tunes 12:00 Jelly Jamm 12:25 Gerald McBoing Boing 12:50 Cartoonito Tales 13:15 Krypto The Superdog 13:40 Lazy Town 14:00 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 14:25 Tom And Jerry Tales 14:50 Sylvester And Tweety Mysteries 15:20 Johnny Bravo 15:45 Tom & Jerry 16:10 Pink Panther And Pals 16:35 The Garfield Show 17:00 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 17:25 Sylvester And Tweety Mysteries

00:40 Chowder 01:30 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 02:20 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 06:30 Ben 10 06:55 Angelo Rules 07:00 Casper’s Scare School 08:00 Mucha Lucha 08:25 Johnny Test 08:45 Adventure Time 09:05 Total Drama World Tour 09:55 Ben 10: Omniverse 10:20 Young Justice 10:45 Thundercats 11:10 Regular Show 12:00 The Amazing World Of Gumball 12:50 Foster’s Home For...

13:15 Foster’s Home For...

13:40 Courage The Cowardly Dog 14:30 Powerpuff Girls 15:20 Angelo Rules 16:10 Batman: The Brave And The

Bold 16:35 Young Justice 17:00 Ben 10: Omniverse 17:20 Transformers Prime 17:40 Johnny Test 18:00 Level Up 18:25 The Amazing World Of Gumball 18:50 Adventure Time 19:15 Regular Show 19:40 Mucha Lucha 20:05 Total Drama World Tour 20:30 Total Drama World Tour 20:55 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 21:20 Hero 108 21:45 Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge 22:10 Grim Adventures Of...

23:00 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 23:25 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 23:50 The Powerpuff Girls

00:40 Mythbusters 07:00 Mythbusters Dirty Dozen 07:50 The Will: Family Secrets Revealed 08:45 Masters Of Survival 09:40 Border Security 10:05 Auction Kings 10:30 Auction Kings 10:55 How Do They Do It? 11:25 How It’s Made 11:50 Fast N’ Loud 12:45 Jesse James Outlaw Garage 13:40 American Chopper 14:35 Border Security 15:05 Auction Kings 15:30 Auction Kings 16:00 Life On A Wire 16:55 Outback Truckers 17:50 Mythbusters Dirty Dozen 18:45 American Guns 19:40 How Do They Do It? 20:05 How It’s Made 20:35 Auction Kings 21:00 Auction Kings 21:30 Gold Rush 22:25 Gold Divers 23:20 Around The World In 80 Ways

00:10 00:35 01:25 02:15 03:05 03:55 04:45 05:35 06:00 06:15 06:40 07:05 07:30 07:40 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:00 09:25 09:35 09:45 10:00 10:25 10:50 11:15 11:40 12:05 12:30 12:55 13:20 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:15 16:40 17:00 17:30 17:55 18:20 18:45 18:55 19:10 19:35

Stitch A Kind Of Magic Replacements Emperor’s New School A Kind Of Magic Replacements Emperor’s New School A Kind Of Magic Phineas And Ferb Suite Life On Deck My Babysitter’s A Vampire A.N.T. Farm Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Jessie Good Luck Charlie Doc McStuffins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates The Hive Mouk Jonas So Random Hannah Montana Sonny With A Chance Kim Possible Shake It Up Wizards Of Waverly Place Phineas And Ferb Austin And Ally Art Attack A.N.T. Farm Suite Life On Deck My Babysitter’s A Vampire Shake It Up Austin And Ally Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Gravity Falls Suite Life On Deck Austin And Ally Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie

20:00 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:05 22:30 22:55 23:20 23:45

Jessie That’s So Raven Cory In The House Phil Of The Future Hannah Montana Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Hannah Montana

00:20 Little Einsteins 00:50 Special Agent Oso 01:15 Lazytown 01:40 Jungle Junction 02:10 Handy Manny 02:20 Handy Manny 02:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 03:00 Lazytown 03:25 Special Agent Oso 03:50 Imagination Movers 04:20 Handy Manny 04:40 Special Agent Oso 05:00 Timmy Time 05:10 Lazytown 05:35 Little Einsteins 06:00 Jungle Junction 06:30 Little Einsteins 06:50 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Jungle Junction 07:30 Jungle Junction 07:45 Handy Manny 08:00 Special Agent Oso 08:15 Imagination Movers 08:40 Cars Toons 08:45 Handy Manny 09:00 The Hive 09:10 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 09:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 09:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 10:05 Doc McStuffins 10:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:00 Lilo And Stitch 11:30 Cars Toons 11:35 Mouk 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 Doc McStuffins 13:25 Handy Manny 13:40 Jungle Junction 13:55 Timmy Time 14:05 The Hive 14:15 Mouk 14:30 Little Einsteins 14:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 15:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:00 The Little Mermaid 16:25 Lilo And Stitch 16:55 Imagination Movers 17:20 Handy Manny 17:35 The Hive 17:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:10 Doc McStuffins 18:25 Doc McStuffins 18:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 19:10 The Adventures Of Disney Fairies 19:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 20:05 Timmy Time 20:15 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 20:25 Doc McStuffins 20:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 21:10 The Hive 21:20 Timmy Time 21:30 Mouk 21:45 Handy Manny 22:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:25 The Hive 22:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 23:00 Timmy Time 23:10 Animated Stories 23:20 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 23:30 Jungle Junction 23:45 Handy Manny 23:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

00:00 Programmes Start At 7:00am KSA 07:00 Kickin It 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 07:50 Almost Naked Animals 08:15 Pokemon: BW Rival Destinies 08:40 Slugterra 09:05 Scaredy Squirrel 09:30 Ultimate Spider-Man 09:55 Zeke & Luther 10:20 Kick Buttowski 10:45 I’m In The Band 11:10 Rekkit Rabbit 11:35 Rated A For Awesome 12:00 Iron Man Armored Adventures 12:25 American Dragon 12:50 Kick Buttowski 13:15 Cars Toons 13:20 Pair Of Kings 13:45 Zeke & Luther 14:10 Rekkit Rabbit 14:35 I’m In The Band 15:00 Phineas And Ferb 15:25 Kickin It 15:50 Rekkit Rabbit 16:15 Pair Of Kings 16:40 Almost Naked Animals 17:05 Crash & Bernstein 17:30 Slugterra 18:00 Kickin It 18:25 Scaredy Squirrel 18:50 Phineas And Ferb 19:15 Phineas And Ferb 19:40 Mr. Young 20:05 Slugterra 20:30 Zeke & Luther 20:55 I’m In The Band 21:20 Rated A For Awesome 21:45 Rekkit Rabbit 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Ultimate Spider-Man

SEASON OF THE WITCH ON OSN ACTION HD

00:30 01:25 03:15 04:10 05:05 05:30 06:00 07:50 08:20 09:15 09:45 10:15

Dirty Soap Too Young To Kill E! Investigates THS Extreme Close-Up Extreme Close-Up THS Behind The Scenes E! News Married To Jonas Married To Jonas THS

12:05 Ice Loves Coco 13:05 Giuliana & Bill 14:05 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 15:00 Style Star 15:30 E!es 16:30 Behind The Scenes 17:00 Fashion Police 18:00 E! News 19:00 THS 20:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 21:00 Opening Act 22:00 Ice Loves Coco 23:00 THS

00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:30 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 02:20 Unwrapped 02:45 Iron Chef America 04:20 Kid In A Candy Store 04:50 Unique Sweets 05:15 Charly’s Cake Angels 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Iron Chef America 07:10 Unwrapped 07:35 Unwrapped 08:00 Food Network Challenge 08:50 Kid In A Candy Store 09:15 Unwrapped 09:40 Food Crafters 10:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 10:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 10:55 Cooking For Real 11:20 Easy Chinese 11:45 Easy Chinese 12:10 Mexican Made Easy 13:00 Iron Chef America 13:50 Symon’s Suppers 14:15 Unique Sweets 15:05 World Cafe Asia 15:30 Easy Chinese 15:55 Easy Chinese 16:20 Food Crafters 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:15 Symon’s Suppers 19:40 Charly’s Cake Angels 20:05 Guy’s Big Bite 20:30 Chopped 21:20 Chopped 22:10 Iron Chef America 23:00 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 23:25 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 23:50 World Cafe Asia

00:40 Most Evil 01:30 Ghost Lab 02:20 Dr G: Medical Examiner 03:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

03:30 Who On Earth Did I Marry?

03:55 Fatal Encounters 04:45 Most Evil 05:30 Ghost Lab 06:20 Dr G: Medical Examiner 07:10 Disappeared 08:00 Mystery Diagnosis 08:50 Street Patrol 09:15 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 Murder Shift 12:10 Disappeared 13:00 Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries 13:50 Street Patrol 14:15 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 Disappeared 18:00 Murder Shift 18:50 Forensic Detectives 19:40 On The Case With Paula Zahn 20:30 Disappeared 21:20 Nightmare Next Door 22:10 Couples Who Kill 23:00 Deadly Sins

00:15 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 00:45 Ultimate Traveller 01:40 Walking The World 02:35 Roam 03:00 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia 03:30 The Green Way Up 03:55 Graham’s World 04:25 The Frankincense Trail 05:20 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 06:15 David Rocco‚Äôs Dolce Vita 3 06:40 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 07:10 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 08:05 Ultimate Traveller 09:00 Walking The World 09:55 Roam 10:20 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia 10:50 The Green Way Up 11:15 Graham’s World 11:45 The Frankincense Trail 12:40 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 13:35 David Rocco‚Äôs Dolce Vita 3 14:00 Food School 14:30 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 1 14:55 David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway 15:25 Ultimate Traveller 16:20 Walking The World 17:15 Roam 17:40 The Ride: Alaska To Patagonia

00:00 Quest 01:00 01:55 02:50 Quest 03:45 04:40 05:35 06:30 07:25 Quest 08:20 09:15 10:10 11:05 12:00 13:00

Kenny And Zoltan’s Venom Asia’s Deadliest Snakes Journey Into Amazonia Kenny And Zoltan’s Venom Secrets Of The King Cobra Outback Wrangler The Megafalls Of Iguacu Journey Into Amazonia Kenny And Zoltan’s Venom Secrets Of The King Cobra Crocodile King Hippo Hell Crimes Against Nature Planet Carnivore Journey Into Amazonia

THIS MEANS WAR ON OSN CINEMA 14:00 Quest 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 PG15 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Kenny And Zoltan’s Venom Asia’s Deadliest Snakes Big Cat Odyssey Snow Leopard of Afghanistan Crimes Against Nature Fish Warrior

Army Of Darkness-18 AVP: Alien vs Predator-PG15 True Justice: Lethal Justice Metro-PG15 Burden Of Evil-PG15 Season Of The Witch-PG15 True Justice: BrotherhoodDeadly Hope-PG15 Season Of The Witch-PG15 The Speak-18 The Shining-R

01:00 Kung Fu Dunk-PG15 03:00 Muhammad And Larry-PG15 04:00 Once Brothers-PG15 05:30 Golden Christmas 3-PG15 07:00 Win Win-PG15 09:00 Kung Fu Dunk-PG15 11:00 Happiness Is A Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown-PG 12:00 Marion Jones: Press PausePG15 13:00 Little Big Soldier-PG15 15:00 Stolen Lives-PG15 17:00 A Fall From Grace-PG15 18:45 John Carter-PG15 21:00 Paranormal Activity 3-18 23:00 This Means War-PG15

00:00 Breaking In 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:30 Veep 03:00 The Simpsons 03:30 Baby Daddy 04:00 Less Than Perfect 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Less Than Perfect 06:00 Seinfeld 06:30 Hope & Faith 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Less Than Perfect 09:00 The Simpsons 09:30 Two And A Half Men 10:00 Modern Family 10:30 Hope & Faith 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Seinfeld 12:30 Less Than Perfect 13:00 Less Than Perfect 13:30 Hope & Faith 14:00 Baby Daddy 14:30 Modern Family 15:00 Two And A Half Men 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 The Simpsons 18:30 Malibu Country 19:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:30 Modern Family 20:00 The Cleveland Show 20:30 Wilfred

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 05:00 06:00 08:00 08:30 10:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 21:00 22:00

Eureka Grimm Scandal Top Gear (UK) Jane By Design Good Morning America Emmerdale Coronation Street Jane By Design Eureka Top Gear (UK) Jane By Design Live Good Morning America The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Private Practice Once Upon A Time Banshee

00:00 02:00 04:00 PG15 06:00 08:00 PG15 10:00 12:00 14:00 PG15 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Army Of Darkness-18 AVP: Alien vs Predator-PG15 True Justice: Lethal JusticeMetro-PG15 True Justice: BrotherhoodBurden Of Evil-PG15 Season Of The Witch-PG15 True Justice: BrotherhoodDeadly Hope-PG15 Season Of The Witch-PG15 The Speak-18 The Shining-R

00:00 Zero Effect-PG15 02:00 Tamara Drewe-18 04:00 Good Boy!-PG 06:00 Baby Geniuses-PG 08:00 Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate-PG 10:00 The Winning Season-PG15 12:00 Good Boy!-PG 14:00 Scooby-Doo-PG 16:00 The Winning Season-PG15 18:00 Mrs. Miracle-PG15 20:00 Take Me Home Tonight-18 22:00 High Fidelity-PG15

01:00 Ironclad-18 03:00 The Fighter-PG15 05:00 Resolution 819-PG15 07:00 The Game Of Their Lives-PG15 09:00 Elizabethtown-PG15 11:00 Page Eight-PG15 13:00 Elevator Girl-PG15 14:30 Elizabethtown-PG15 16:30 Bobby Jones: Stroke Of Genius-PG 18:45 The Terminal-PG15 21:00 The Muppets-PG 23:00 Yelling To The Sky-PG15

01:15 A Mother’s Choice-PG15 03:00 Every Jack Has A Jill-PG15 05:00 The Dragon Chronicles: Fire & Ice-PG15 07:00 Kung Fu Panda 2-PG 09:00 Honey 2-PG15 11:00 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol-PG15 13:30 Kings Ransom-PG15 14:30 Take Shelter-PG15 16:30 Honey 2-PG15 18:30 War Horse-PG15 21:00 My Week With Marilyn-PG15 23:00 Underworld: Awakening-18

01:00 A Very Fairy Christmas-FAM 02:30 The Search For Santa Paws-PG 04:30 Emilie Jolie-PG 06:00 Despicable Me-FAM 08:00 The Fairy Tale Tree-FAM 10:00 Cars 2-FAM 11:45 Ploddy Police Car-FAM 13:15 The Happy Cricket-FAM 14:45 The Search For Santa Paws-PG 16:30 Tom And Jerry & The Wizard Of Oz-FAM 18:00 Cars 2-FAM 20:00 Mia And The Migoo-PG 22:00 The Happy Cricket-FAM 23:30 The Fairy Tale Tree-FAM

01:00 Trans World Sport 02:00 European PGA Tour 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Snooker The Welsh Open 10:00 Super Rugby 12:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 12:30 Super Rugby 14:30 Trans World Sport 15:30 ICC Cricket 360 16:00 Snooker The Welsh Open 19:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 20:00 Super Rugby 21:00 Trans World Sport 22:00 Super League

00:30 02:30 05:00 05:30 06:00 07:00 11:30 12:30 16:00 20:30

Super League Top 14 ICC Cricket 360 Inside The PGA Tour Trans World Sport PGA European Tour Adventure Challenge Premier League Darts Dubai World Cup Carnival UFC Countdown

00:30 02:30 03:30 04:00 04:30 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00

Super Rugby Trans World Sport Futbol Mundial ICC Cricket 360 Total Rugby Pro 12 Golfing World Top 14 Highlight ICC Cricket 360 World Pool Masters World Cup of Pool Pro 12 Trans World Sport Golfing World World Pool Masters World Cup of Pool Trans World Sport Golfing World pro 12 Top 14 Highlight Futbol Mundial World Pool Masters World Cup of Pool

00:30 NHL 03:00 UFC On Fuel 06:00 UFC TUF 07:00 WWE Bottom Line 08:00 WWE Experience 09:00 Ping Pong World Championships 10:00 US Bass Fishing 11:00 NHL 13:00 UAE National Race Day Series 14:00 WWE NXT 15:00 WWE SmackDown 17:00 Ping Pong World Championships 18:00 US Bass Fishing 19:00 UFC TUF 20:00 UFC 23:00 UFC 157 Countdown

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 23:30

The Real Face Of Jesus?

Miracle Rising: South Africa The Real Face Of Jesus?

Nazi Britain Pawn Stars Storage Wars Mud Men Pawn Stars American Restoration Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ancient Aliens Miracle Rising: South Africa Pawn Stars American Restoration Mud Men Miracle Rising: South Africa Pawn Stars American Restoration Mud Men Pawn Stars Storage Wars Ancient Aliens Pawn Stars Cajun Pawn Stars

00:05 01:00 02:00 02:55 03:50 04:20 05:15 06:10 07:05 08:00 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00

Chicagolicious Jerseylicious Videofashion Specials Videofashion Daily Big Boutique In The City Jerseylicious Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Married Away Open House Videofashion News Videofashion Daily Open House Big Boutique In The City Top 10

Classifieds MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

MUHALAB-1 BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-2 MAMA (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) SAVE YOUR LEGS! (DIG) MAMA (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) MAMA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-1 GAMBIT (DIG) THE GUILT TRIP (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-2 MAMA (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) MAMA (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) MAMA (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-1 MAMA (DIG) THE GUILT TRIP (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) SAVE YOUR LEGS! (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) MAMA (DIG) MAMA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

MARINA-2 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-1 BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) THE GUILT TRIP (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) THE GUILT TRIP (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (14/02/2013 TO 20/02/2013)

BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

9:45 PM 12:05 AM

AVENUES-2 GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:15 PM 1:15 AM

360ยบ- 1 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:15 PM 6:45 PM 9:15 PM 11:45 PM

360ยบ- 2 GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

360ยบ- 3 SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA 1:00 PM SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA 3:00 PM SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA (DIG) 5:00 PM SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA 7:00 PM HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS 9:00 PM HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS 11:00 PM AL-KOUT.1 THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) MAMA (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) MAMA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.2 A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) THE GUILT TRIP (DIG) SAVE YOUR LEGS! (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.3 GAMBIT (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

AL-KOUT.4 SAFE HAVEN (DIG) SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA SAFE HAVEN (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) BULLET TO THE HEAD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED BAIRAQ-1 THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

12:30 PM

THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) THE SNOW QUEEN (DIG-3D) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:00 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

BAIRAQ-2 A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) SAFE HAVEN (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-3 GAMBIT (DIG) SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA GAMBIT (DIG) MAMA (DIG) GAMBIT (DIG) MAMA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

PLAZA 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) THU+FRI+MON 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) NO THU+FRI+MON LAILA A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) BROKEN CITY (DIG) A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (DIG)

3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:45 PM 9:45 PM

SITUATION WANTED

Mitsubishi Lancer - 2010, silver color, 4 cylinder, engine, gear, chasis very good condition, interior & exterior neat and clean, original paint, no accident, 1,05,000 km run, price KD 2,300. Contact: 99072651.

(C 4311)

Indian male MBA Finance having 7 years experience in Finance/Accounting in Kuwait is seeking a suitable placement. Proficient on Excel, Word, Powerpoint.

Fluent in English, Arabic and Hindi. Visa #18, transferable. Call: 66765077.

(C 4316)

Toyota Corolla 2003, red color, excellent condition, passing one year. KD 1,100.

Tel: 99792546. (C 4312) 16-2-2013 Nissan Altima Sept 2009, V4 2.5cc, silver 43,000 kms full options and spoiler, executive single owner, price KD 4,000. Contact: 97786118.

(C 4307) Toyota Camry GLX, model 2012 white metalic color, 6000km done, alloy rim, wooden interior, screen dish Lang R. sensor + camera fog lamb, cruise control etc. Price KD 5,400/-.

Contact: 66507741.

(C 4310) 14-2-2013

4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM

AJIAL.1 MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU)

3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM

AJIAL.2 SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA SNOWFLAKE, THE WHITE GORILLA 3ALA GOSETY (DIG) 3ALA GOSETY (DIG)

4:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM

AJIAL.3 SPECIAL 26 (DIG) (Hindi) SPECIAL 26 (DIG) (Hindi) SPECIAL 26 (DIG) (Hindi)

4:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 PM

AJIAL.4 LOKPAL (DIG) (MALAYALAM) LOKPAL (DIG) (MALAYALAM) LOKPAL (DIG) (MALAYALAM)

3:45 PM 6:45 PM 9:45 PM

METRO-1 LOKPAL (DIG) (MALAYALAM) LOKPAL (DIG) (MALAYALAM) LOKPAL (DIG) (MALAYALAM)

3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM

METRO-2 MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) NO SUN+TUE+WED MIRCHI (DIG) (TELUGU) SUN+TUE+WED

FOR SALE

3:45 PM 6:45 PM 10:00 PM 9:45 PM

MATRIMONIAL Proposals invited for an Orthodox Syrina Christian boy (29 years, 155cm, Btech) from Central Travancore, working as Engineer in Kuwait. gheevarhese@gmail.com (C 4314)

India based experienced female accountant seeking job in Kuwait as accountant or secretary, interested please contact: +91 7798292363. Email: amalaprem@yahoo.com (C 4315) 17-2-2013 CHANGE OF NAME I, Shabbir Moizbhai Dahodwala, holder of Indian Passport No. J4441363, son of Moizbhai F. Bhatia, change my name to Shabbir Moizbhai Bhatia.

(C 4319) 18-2-2013 I, Rachaveeti Prameela holder Indian Passport No: E6134736 hereby change my name to Rayachoty Prameela. (C 4317) 17-2-2013

Prayer timings Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

Abdul Kader Buhari, s/o, Ahamed Abdul Kader, holder of Indian Passport No. K3651873 hereby change my name to Seyed Muhammad Buhari.

(C 4309)

05:05 06:25 12:02 15:14 17:39 18:57

Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988

No: 15723

Arab national, residing in Kuwait well established seeking matrimonial with a woman of any nationality who value family life, age between 20 - 30y. Email: noor99969@yahoo.com (C 4318) 17-2-2013 Alliance invited for a M.Sc nurse, Marthomite boy born and brought up in Kuwait, currently in Kuwait, invites proposals from God fearing well educated/employed girls.

Email: dnte121@hotmail.com (C 4313) 16-2-2013

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Monday 18/2/2013 Route

Airlines

Flt

JAI PIA THY JZR JZR QTR ETH QTR GFA UAE ETD AFG FDB MSR QTR DHX THY JZR BAW KAC KAC FDB KAC UAE ABY QTR FDB ETD KAC GFA FDB KAC JZR MSC IRC MEA KNE MSR UAE KAC FDB KAC KNE KAC SVA QTR FDB JZR

574 205 772 267 539 148 620 6130 211 853 305 416 67 612 138 170 770 503 157 412 206 53 302 855 121 132 55 301 352 213 8055 344 165 403 6521 404 482 610 871 284 57 672 472 546 500 140 8055 561

MUMBAI LAHORE ISTANBUL BEIRUT CAIRO DOHA ADDIS ABABA DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI ABU DHABI JEDDAH DUBAI CAIRO DOHA BAHRAIN ISTANBUL LUXOR LONDON MANILA ISLAMABAD DUBAI MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI COCHIN BAHRAIN DUBAI CHENNAI DUBAI ASSIUT LAMERD BEIRUT TAIF CAIRO DUBAI DHAKA DUBAI DUBAI JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH DOHA DUBAI SOHAG

Time 0:05 0:15 0:35 0:45 0:50 1:00 1:45 1:45 1:50 2:35 2:45 2:55 3:05 3:10 3:45 5:15 5:30 5:55 6:40 6:45 7:40 7:45 7:55 8:40 9:05 9:10 9:15 9:20 9:50 9:55 10:15 10:40 11:20 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:00 12:45 12:50 12:55 13:50 14:10 14:15 14:30 14:30 14:35 14:50 14:50

KAC JZR QTR OMA JZR KAC UAE FDB ETD RJA GFA SVA JZR QTR ABY UAL KAC JZR KAC FDB MSC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC OMA FDB JAI AXB MSR ABY MSC QTR ALK MEA QTR GFA ETD UAE JZR DHX FDB AIC JZR TAR GFA PIA JZR UAL BBC DLH

788 257 134 645 535 118 857 8063 303 640 215 510 777 144 127 982 542 177 786 63 405 618 742 104 674 774 647 61 572 389 618 129 401 146 229 402 136 221 307 859 135 372 59 975 239 327 217 205 185 981 43 636

JEDDAH BEIRUT DOHA MUSCAT CAIRO NEW YORK DUBAI DUBAI ABU DHABI AMMAN BAHRAIN RIYADH JEDDAH DOHA SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES CAIRO DUBAI JEDDAH DUBAI SOHAG DOHA DAMMAM LONDON DUBAI RIYADH MUSCAT DUBAI MUMBAI MANGALORE ALEXANDRIA SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA DOHA COLOMBO BEIRUT DOHA BAHRAIN ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI CHENNAI AMMAN TUNIS BAHRAIN LAHORE DUBAI BAHRAIN DHAKA FRANKFURT

14:55 15:05 15:30 15:40 16:25 16:35 16:40 16:50 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:20 17:45 17:50 17:55 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:30 18:45 19:15 19:20 19:30 19:35 19:35 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:20 20:25 20:35 20:50 20:55 20:55 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:35 21:40 21:50 22:00 22:00 22:30 22:45 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:05 23:25 23:45 23:55

Airlines UNO AIC KAC JAI UAL DLH PIA ETH THY QTR FDB UAE ETD AFG MSR QTR QTR JZR GFA THY KAC KAC JZR FDB BAW JZR JZR KAC KAC KAC ABY UAE FDB ETD QTR GFA FDB KAC KAC JZR KAC MSC IRC MEA KAC KNE MSR JZR UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Monday 18/2/2013 Flt Route XXX BASRAH 982 AHMEDABAD 283 DHAKA 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON 637 FRANKFURT 206 PESHAWAR 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL 6131 DOHA 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 306 ABU DHABI 416 JEDDAH 613 CAIRO 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 164 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL 545 ALEXANDRIA 545 ALEXANDRIA 560 SOHAG 54 DUBAI 156 LONDON 256 BEIRUT 534 CAIRO 787 JEDDAH 787 JEDDAH 671 DUBAI 122 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 133 DOHA 214 BAHRAIN 8056 DUBAI 541 CAIRO 165 ROME 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 406 SOHAG 6522 LAMERD 405 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 483 TAIF 611 CAIRO 176 DUBAI 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI

Time 0:00 0:05 0:10 1:05 1:10 1:20 1:35 2:45 2:55 3:15 3:45 3:50 4:00 4:00 4:10 4:50 6:05 6:55 7:00 7:35 7:45 7:45 8:15 8:25 8:45 9:05 9:15 9:25 9:25 9:35 9:45 9:55 10:00 10:05 10:10 10:40 11:00 11:30 11:50 12:15 12:20 12:30 12:35 12:55 13:00 13:40 13:45 13:50 14:15 14:30

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

KAC KNE FDB KAC SVA QTR KAC KAC OMA JZR FDB ETD JZR QTR UAE RJA GFA JZR SVA ABY JZR QTR JZR UAL FDB MSC FDB OMA KAC KAC KAC JAI ABY MSR MSC DHX ALK MEA ETD QTR GFA KAC FDB UAE DHX KAC QTR JZR TAR GFA KAC

673 473 8058 617 501 141 773 741 646 238 8064 304 538 135 858 641 216 184 511 128 266 145 134 982 64 404 62 648 331 361 351 571 120 619 402 171 230 403 308 137 222 301 60 860 373 205 147 502 328 218 411

DUBAI JEDDAH DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH DOHA RIYADH DAMMAM MUSCAT AMMAN DUBAI ABU DHABI CAIRO DOHA DUBAI AMMAN BAHRAIN DUBAI RIYADH SHARJAH BEIRUT DOHA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI ASSIUT DUBAI MUSCAT TRIVANDRUM COLOMBO KOCHI MUMBAI SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI DOHA BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN ISLAMABAD DOHA LUXOR DUBAI BAHRAIN BANGKOK

15:05 15:10 15:30 15:45 15:45 16:15 16:25 16:30 16:40 17:15 17:30 17:35 17:40 17:45 17:50 17:55 18:15 18:30 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:50 19:05 19:10 19:25 20:15 20:40 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:10 21:10 21:15 21:25 21:50 21:50 21:55 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 23:00 23:00 23:10 23:35 23:45 23:50 23:55

34

stars CROSSWORD 104

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19)

Your heart may be especially sensitive today, Aries.

You may feel a bit vulnerable. Your romantic nature is particularly strong, so treat yourself to a pampered evening, including a good meal with someone you love. All relationships with women will go smoothly now. You might want to give your mother a call if you haven’t spoken with her in a while. She would love to hear from you.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

All aspects of love and romance will go especially well today, Taurus. You might take this opportunity to make a bold move toward the object of your affection. Go with an unconventional approach and move fearlessly. Your relationships will go well. Nurture your romantic side and communicate your feelings. Love will act suddenly and unexpectedly. Go with the flow.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS

1. A potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry.

4. Genus of herbs and subshrubs with milky juice and showy bluish flowers.

11. A beckoning gesture.

15. Automatic data processing by electronic means without the use of tabulating cards or punched tapes.

16. The act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes.

17. A shade of blue tinged with green.

18. Swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue.

20. Wife of Balder.

21. (law) Lacking any legal or binding force.

22. A formal expression of praise.

23. Cheese containing a blue mold.

25. An Indian tree of the family Combretaceae that is a source of timber and gum.

27. As much as a teacup will hold.

29. One thousand periods per second.

31. Advanced in years.

32. A brief stanza concluding certain forms of poetry.

35. German composer and inventor of the music drama (1813-1883).

37. (Judaism) The ceremonial dinner on the first night (or both nights) of Passover.

39. Used of a single unit or thing.

40. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

42. Plunge nose first.

44. Round gourd of the calabash tree.

48. Large highly venomous snake of northeastern Australia.

49. Long and slender with a very small internal diameter.

51. Not widely known.

52. Relating to the Andes and their inhabitants.

53. A federal agency that supervises carriers that transport goods and people between states.

56. A public promotion of some product or service.

57. (informal) Of the highest quality.

58. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group.

60. A soft whitish calcite.

68. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

69. Superior Bordeaux type of red wine from California.

72. A proportion multiplied by 100.

73. An undergarment worn by women to support their breasts.

74. One who anoints as a religious ceremony.

75. 10 hao equal 1 dong.

76. God of the earth.

77. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows generally northward to the Atlantic Ocean.

78. Someone who engages in arbitrage (who purchases securities in one market for immediate resale in another in the hope of profiting from the price differential).

DOWN 1. Relatively deep or strong.

2. Tropical starchy tuberous root.

3. Distance travelled per unit time.

4. Any customary and rightful perquisite appropriate to your station in life.

5. Informal terms for a mother.

6. In the Arabian Nights a hero who tells of the fantastic adventures he had in his voyages.

7. Using speech rather than writing.

8. Being one more than eighteen.

9. An indirect (and usually malicious) implication.

10. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

11. The capital and largest city of the Central Africa Republic.

12. Provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose.

13. The person or thing rejected or set aside as inferior in quality.

14. Informal terms for money.

19. United States naval officer and historian (1840-1914).

24. Absence of the pupil in an eye.

26. French symbolist poet (1844-1896).

28. Sacred text of Zoroastrianism.

30. An ancient country is southwestern Asia on the east coast of the Mediterranean.

33. A member of the Dravidian people living in southern India.

34. Used of mouth or eyes.

36. Extremely cold.

38. Monotypic genus of palms of Australasia.

41. Inquire about.

43. A full skirt with a gathered waistband.

45. Of or relating to or involving an area.

46. Raspberry native to eastern North America having black thimble-shaped fruit.

47. United States writer of science fiction (1907-1988).

50. Date used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born.

54. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light.

55. (Hinduism or Buddhism) A sacred word or syllable repeated in prayer or meditation.

59. A person of unquestioning obedience.

61. Swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs.

62. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

63. Little known Kamarupan languages.

64. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neutralizing.

65. An ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure equal to about a bushel.

66. A mark left by the healing of injured tissue.

67. (dialect) A short straight stick of wood.

70. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

71. A nucleic acid that transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Your connection with others is especially strong today, Gemini. You will enjoy an important nurturing role.

Reconnect with your mother and let her know how you’re feeling. Curl up with loved ones tonight and surprise someone with a romantic gesture. Try something unconventional. Your feelings may be strong and erratic. You may be feel like pulling back into your protective shell. If so, do it.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You might feel especially playful today, Cancer. You can expect to feel a great deal of love and affection from others.

Be aware that you will have a strong tendency to indulge in food and drink, so try to keep things in moderation. You may have an aversion to work and lack self-discipline. Overcome this by looking forward to intimate plans with someone tonight.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

The bizarre nature of the day may leave you feeling a bit bewildered, Leo. Don’t sweat it. Focus on your romantic nature and incredibly nurturing heart. Use your instinctive healing abilities to care for a close friend in need. Today is an especially good day to connect with others and openly share your feelings. Confide in people you trust. Consider calling your mom.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

You will be in an especially affectionate and loving mood today, Virgo. Your romantic nature is heightened and your nurturing qualities are strong. You’re extra sensitive and receptive. You might find that you have no problem communicating your truest feelings to others. Connect with those you feel especially close to, and enjoy an intimate evening.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Annoyances of daily life may rub you the wrong way today, Libra. Other people’s strong opinions and odd quirks may be difficult to swallow and your fuse may be a bit shorter than usual. Emotions could also run high, and you may do battle with the feelings in your own heart. Perhaps someone you care about deeply is creating unnecessary friction in your relationship.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Be open and honest about your feelings toward others today, Scorpio. Your receptive nature should be ready.

Take a break and let others come to you. Unexpected events may pop out of nowhere. Opportunities for new growth in love and romance are definitely at your fingertips as long as you’re ready to receive them. Don’t try to force the issue if the time and place aren’t right. Let it flow.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Your heart beats extra strong today, Sagittarius, but it may not seem like anyone knows it but you. You may feel like you aren’t really fitting in with the energy of the day. Don’t get down on yourself for it. Realize that not everything is going to go according to your plans. Let things come to you. The unexpected is bound to happen, so don’t try to resist the impending change.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

This is a fantastic day for you, Capricorn. Join close friends and share a night on the town and fine meal. This is a chance to begin a new cycle of romance. Reflect on past relationship problems, examine their causes, and toss them away so you can invite in a new, uplifting energy for the next cycle of romance.

Start a new relationship or strengthen the one you’re in.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Your warm, sensitive nature is perfectly suited to today’s aspects, Aquarius. Your emotional energy is strongly tied to your heart, and you will find that there’s a longing to be close to others. Indulge in conversation with close friends and let your imagination run wild. Your creativity is especially piqued today, so start an art project or write a song that inspires or perhaps changes the world.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

You will enjoy a great deal of affection from others today, Pisces. You radiate an air of love and beauty. Love will come in strong, erratic bursts and you should be on the alert to expect the unexpected. New people will pop out of the woodwork to share their feelings. All group activities are favored, and you’re sure to be the life of any party.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

Al-Madeena Al-Shuhada 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

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 WA AIT

Te el.: 161

DIRECTORA AT TE GEN GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIA V ATION T METEOROLOGICAL DEP PA ARTMENT

Ext.: 26 2627 - 2630

BY Y NIGHT:

Cool with light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 12 - 35 km/h and some scattered clouds will appear

BY Y DA AY:

Sunny with light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 12 - 35 km/h and some scattered clouds will appear

WA ARNING

No Current Warnings arnin a

ST TATION T

MAX. REC.

MIN. N. EXP P.

23 °C

14 °C 12 °C

Mirqab

22456536

NUW WA AISEEB

22 °C

13 °C

WA AFRA

23 °C

12 °C

SALMI

20 °C

09 °C

ABDAL LY

24 °C

09 °C

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

JAL ALIY YAH A

22 °C

09 °C

Maidan Hawally

25623444

FA AILAKA

22 °C

13 °C

Bayan

25388462

AHMADI POR RT

21 °C

14 °C

Mishref

25381200

QARUH ISLAND

19 °C

16 °C

W Hawally

22630786

UMM AL-MA-

19 °C

16 °C

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

SFC. CHART

17/02/2013 1200 UTC

4 DA AY YS FORECAST Temperatures DA AY

DA AT TE

WEA AT THER

Monday

18/02

Tuesday

19/02

Wind Speed

Wind Direction

MAX.

MIN.

sunny + scattered clouds

24 °C

12 °C

NW

12 - 35 km/h

sunny + high clouds

25 °C

13 °C

N-NE

08 - 28 km/h

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

Weednesday

20/02

sunny

24 °C

14 °C

NW

15 - 35 km/h

North Jahra

24775992

Thursday

21/02

sunny

23 °C

13 °C

NW

15 - 40 km/h

North Jleeb

24311795

24710044

Fintas

23900322

PRA AYER Y TIMES

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

lifestyle G O S S I P

Hugh Grant announces birth of second child H

ugh Grant announced on Saturday that he had become a father for the second time after Tinglan Hong gave birth to a baby boy. “In answer to some journos (journalists),” the British actor posted on the social media website Twitter, “am thrilled my daughter now has a brother. Adore them both to an uncool degree. They have a fab mum.” “And to be crystal clear. I am the Daddy,” he added in a second tweet. Grant, 52, who is best known for such films as “Notting Hill” and “About a Boy,” did not reveal the child’s name on Twitter. The actor and Hong had their first child in 2011, when his spokeswoman said in a statement that the baby girl was the result of a “fleeting affair” but Grant “could not be happier or more supportive.” Days later, Hong won a court injunction in Britain “prohibiting harassment” of her and the child after she said paparazzi had made her life unbearable. Grant is a strident critic of Britain’s tabloid newspaper culture.

On his Twitter message on Saturday, Grant mentioned that the press had obtained his baby boy’s birth certificate and were making inquiries. “Now I’ve confirmed ... hoping my family will be left in peace,” he wrote.

Horan split from girlfriend because he’s too busy

N

iall Horan has reportedly split from his girlfriend because he’s too busy for love. The One Direction star ended his relationship with Amy Green - which began in October because of his hectic schedule with the band which didn’t leave him enough time to do “everything he has to do.” A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “Sadly, it is over between Niall and Amy. He finished it because he didn’t have enough time with everything he has to do. “Understandably she was disappointed because she had been in a relationship before she started seeing Niall and chose him over her boyfriend. “But there are no real hard feelings and they’re still close.” However, an insider has claimed the 20-year-old aspiring actress-and-model threatened to break up with the ‘Little Things’ hitmaker earlier this month because Niall, 19, was too immature. The source said: “It was like [his] first relationship, whereas Amy had been in a relationship before. They had a few silly arguments and it was really the beginning of the end.” While Niall is said to have never felt happier, his now ex-girlfriend has refused to comment on the split, although a close friend has said she hopes they’ll stay friends.

Speaking outside her family’s north London home, Amy said: “I don’t know what I should or shouldn’t say. Sorry.”

Dougie Pointer plans to get married soon

T

he McFly bassist believes he and girlfriend Lara Carew-Jones will be the next to walk down the aisle after his band mates Tom Fletcher and Harry Judd’s recent weddings because the lovebirds share two parts of the same soul. Quizzed as to whether they would be tying the knot, Dougie replied: “Yeah.

We’re twin flames, a step up from soulmates. My girlfriend is obsessed with the idea. “You can find a soulmate, but that’s the east part. Soulmates are there to help you find your twin flame.” Harry - who introduced Dougie to Lara after he lusted after her on Facebook - believes their love is meant to be and their connection is so strong that a wedding is imminent.

He said: “I’ve known her way longer than Dougie has. He was in love with Lara before he even met her, just from seeing pictures and the way I described her. I played Cupid - and they’re the perfect match. “ Their story makes me think things like that are fate, that it’s meant to be.” Dougie enjoyed both his bandmates’ nuptials and joked he is planning the “worst” wedding ever as he won’t be able to better theirs. He joked to new! magazine: “I’ve got an idea but it’s not what everybody is expecting... What can I

Rihanna sfather wil

R

ihanna’s father thinks Chris Brown deserves a second chance. The 24year-old star was violently attacked by the singer in 2009, but father Ronald Fenty has given his blessing after they recently got back together. He said: “Chris made a mistake ... a terrible one. But I’m a great believer that everybody deserves a second chance and Chris is no different.”

The on/off couple have recently been getting close again after much speculation and they look to have reconciled.

According to the Sunday Mirror newspaper, Ronald has said if Rihanna’s happy, he is too, and even suggested Chris, 23, has “always been very polite” to him. He added: “Everybody goes wrong in life. I certainly have. But it is about how you

come back and live your life which is important. “And as long as she is happy then so am I. Everybody has had their say about her and Chris but it is up to her to find her own way. “Chris has always been very polite and kind to me, and treated me with respect. That’s all you can ask for from your daughter’s boyfriend.” Rihanna recently confirmed the reunion and said she can “handle” the backlash for taking him back. She said: “I decided it was more important for me to be happy, and I wasn’t going to let anybody’s opinion get in the way of that. Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake. After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I’d rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it.”

reveal without giving away too much?

There will be a petting zoo, for sure. But nowhere to wash your hands... “Basically, everyone else’s wedding day has been the best day of their lives and guests had an amazing time. I can’t top that, so I’ll do the opposite and create the worst.”

Jada Pinkett Smith:

Charity work is important

Rossum in awe of Watts

E

mmy Rossum was star-struck when she met Naomi Watts. The ‘Beautiful Creatures’ actress is a huge fan of the ‘Impossible’ star - who is nominated for the Best Actress Oscar - and when she finally got a chance to come face-to-face with her idol she could barely speak because of her excitement. She said: “A couple of weeks ago I saw Naomi Watts. I’ve met her before but she’s so beautiful that I’m always a little in awe. I sort of nodded in her direction, ‘You’re so pretty and so insanely talented.’”

When it comes to other actresses there is nobody Emmy admires more than Naomi.

But when it comes to guys, the 26-year-old starlet has a big crush on Prince Harry and admits she always dreamt of marrying a “fairytale” prince when she grew up. Emily previously said: “I’ve always had a bit of a thing for Prince Harry. Growing up I used to pretend I was married to him in an alternate universe. Like any other seven year old I had a fairytale notion of growing up and marrying a prince. I still think he’s pretty cute. He’s also very boisterous, which is a good thing in a man. I’m not saying I want to marry him, but he’s more than welcome to invite me out on a date.”

J

ada Pinkett Smith keeps her children grounded with charity work. The ‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’ star’s kids Jaden, 14, and Willow, 12, have forged showbiz careers in their own right but she and their father, ‘Men in Black’ actor Will Smith, always keep their feet on the ground by making them help those in need. Jada explained: “One of the things we do is a lot of charity work. Willow and I are very involved with an organization that takes care of victims of human trafficking. When you expose your kids to that it gives them a sense of reality and a sense of purpose outside of themselves. Put them in circumstances where their efforts are needed to make things better. “My grandmother was a community activist. I kept that particular idea alive with my family. It takes my kids out of the Hollywood bubble.

And I really like that.” Jada - who voices the character of Gloria the hippo in ‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’ which is out now on Blu-ray and DVD - also spoke of her passion for helping other women do better and creating career opportunities for them.

She said: “I come from a very creative family. We like to create opportunities for everybody. I make sure I create for women with women, very often. It’s very important for me. I have seen an evolution for women. A lot of high executives today are women.

But I feel there is still a lot of work to do.”

Styles serenades fan at birthday party

H

arry Styles gives fan a birthday she won’t forget as he serenades her.

The One Direction heart-throb surprised Olivia McKee on her 18th birthday when he appeared on stage and kissed her on the cheek in front of all her friends and family. It was organised by her millionaire father Noel who arranged for the star to be at the party at the Great John Street Hotel in Manchester. A spokesman for the ‘Little Things’ hitmaker said Olivia was a family friend, and he was not paid for his appear-

ance. Olivia later tweeted: “Oh my god he kissed me. I love Harry. Best night of my life.” Her friends also took to Twitter to show their appreciation for the birthday treat. Beth Moore wrote: “Hugged Harry Styles and my bestest friend kissed him!!! (sic)” It isn’t the first time this week the star has been seen with fans. On Thursday Harry started his Valentine’s Day with a meal for one in Nando’s chicken joint and was happy to pose for pictures with shocked diners.

Jeremy Irons is a rule breaker T

he ‘Words’ star is constantly being chastised by his wife, actress Sinead Cusack, because he has a compulsion to ignore rules and do the exact opposite of what he is told. He said: “At school, I would play the rules very close to the edge. I still do it. My wife always says, ‘Why do you break the rules?’ And I

say, ‘Because the rules make no sense.’ “ However, his penchant for bad behaviour has got him in trouble with the law more than once and the 64-year-old star admitted he recently got himself in a sticky situation with a policewoman. Jeremy recalled: “I was stopped by a policewoman the other day driving the wrong

way. She said, ‘It’s one way. I said, ‘I know, but this way is much shorter.’ She said, ‘You could have an accident on the corner.’ I said, ‘No, because I’m always very careful.’ “ The Hollywood star believes his contrary nature has helped his career, because he enjoys disproving people’s perceptions of him.

37

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

LIFESTYLE M U S I C

&

M O V I E S

Kuwait resident wins trip of a Lifetime KUWAIT: Kuwait resident and OSN subscriber, Mario John Fernandes, a sound technician and part time DJ has won the OSN Privileges grand prize, an all expenses VIP trip to be a part of Hollywood’s most glamorous night, The 85th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Picked from an overwhelming number of entries, Mario was chosen as the lucky subscriber winning one of the biggest and most exciting OSN Privileges prizes to date.

Commenting on the phenomenal prize Mario said: “Even now it feels like a dream. I can’t believe I won a trip to the Oscars! Never did I ever think or imagine that one day I would be attending the Oscars and be among the stars.”

Being a part of Hollywood’s biggest and highly anticipated event, rubbing shoulders with the

stars and walking the red carpet Mario will enjoy a VIP experience including business class flights to Los Angeles, luxurious stay for 5 nights and exclusive VIP access to Elton John’s Celebrity Black Tie Dinner Viewing Party. As part of the prize Mario will also have exclusive access to the Oscar’s After Party - all courtesy of OSN Privileges.

“I would like to say thank you to OSN for giving me the experience of a lifetime. It’s crazy how this happened. I saw the promo on OSN and since my laptop was switched on, I logged on and entered the competition never thinking I would win. I can’t believe I actually won and now I am going to the Oscars!” adds Mario.

Launched in September last year, OSN’s rewards program is available to existing and new

Director Calin Peter Netzer, producer Ada Solomon and festival director Dieter Kosslick pose backstage with the Golden Bear award for the Best Film for ‘Pozitia Copilului’ (Child’s Pose).

customers. All subscribers need to do is log on to OSN Privileges at www.osn.com/privileges. Once registered, customers receive regular updates, news and information on the latest prize draws and partner offers and benefits every month.

OSN’s unique rewards program is absolutely free and aims to offer subscribers money-cant-buy experiences. Upcoming prizes include front row seats to attend television’s biggest night, The Emmy’s; tickets, flights and VIP hospitality to watch WrestleMania 29 in New York; the chance to experience American Idol Live in person in Los Angeles; a Bahrain F1 Grand Prix experience and much more.

(From left) Actors Paul Hamy, Catherine Deneuve, Nemo Schiffman and director Emmanuelle Bercot arrive for the screening of the film On My Way at the 63rd edition of the Berlinale, International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.

Romanian drama ‘Child’s Pose’ wins Berlin fest’s top prize hild’s Pose”, a mother-son psychodrama set among post-communist Romania’s new ruling class, won the Golden Bear top prize at the 63rd Berlin film festival Saturday. Director Calin Peter Netzer, a member of Romania’s renowned new wave in cinema, tells the story of a wealthy and controlling mother who fights to get her son acquitted after he kills a poor teenager with his car. “I want to thank the jury for this amazing prize, this wonderful prize,” Netzer told the

“C

Director Calin Peter Netzer holds the Golden Bear for his film Child’s Pose as he attends a press conference after the closing ceremony at the 63rd edition of the Berlinale, International Film Festival in Berlin. — AP photos

Actress Paulina Garcia holds her Silver Bear Best Actress award for her role in Gloria.

Director Kambuzia Partovi holds the Silver Bear for Best Script for the film Closed Curtain.

Director Denis Cote holds the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for his film Vic and Flo Saw a Bear.

panel led by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai, adding later at a press conference he was “shell shocked” by the honor.

The Berlinale, the first major European film festival of the year and typically its most politically minded, handed two prizes to the Bosnian docu-drama “An Episode in the Life of

Actor Nazif Mujic with his Silver Bear Best Actor award for his role in An Episode In the Life of an Iron Picker.

an Iron Picker”. Nazif Mujic, the real-life protagonist of the picture about a Roma couple denied life-saving medical treatment, was the surprise winner of the Silver Bear best actor prize. The ultra-low-budget film also took the runner-up jury prize. Its director Danis Tanovic, who won an Oscar for his 2001 wartime black comedy “No Man’s Land”, said his anger after reading news reports about the couple led him to seek them out.

“I’m so happy for Nazif and his family because the whole point of this film was to try and change their lives and I hope it changes their lives,” he told reporters. David Gordon Green picked up the Silver Bear best director award for his quirky US buddy picture “Prince Avalanche”, a remake of the 2011 Icelandic film “Either Way”.

The movie, the only comedy among the 19 contenders at the festival, stars Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch as highway maintenance workers in Texas at crossroads in their lives. Best actress went to Chile’s Paulina Garcia for “Gloria”, a feel-good movie about a middle -aged divorcee who refuses to give up on a shot at happiness.

Actor Tim Robbins, left, presents director Danis Tanovic with his Silver Bear Jury Grand Prix for his film in An Episode In the Life of an Iron Picker.

Director Danis Tanovic holds his Silver Bear Jury Grand Prix for his film in An Episode In the Life of an Iron Picker.

A thinker and a poet Best screenplay went to “Closed Curtain” by Iranian dissident director Jafar Panahi and his longtime collaborator Kambuzia Partovi, a film made in secret in defiance of a ban by the authorities in Tehran. “It is impossible to stop a thinker and a poet. Their thoughts bear fruit everywhere,” Partovi said, accepting the award because Panahi was not granted permission to travel. A debut feature from Kazakhstan, the bullying drama “Harmony Lessons”, grabbed a Silver Bear for extraordinary artistic achievement for its cinematographer Aziz Zhambakiyev.

And a Canadian thriller about a lesbian couple trying to put their prison past behind them, Denis Cote’s “Vic and Flo Saw a Bear”, clinched a prize for “a work of particular innovation”. “Child’s Pose” figured in an especially strong year for films exposing new fissures and rampant corruption in the former communist bloc. Lead actress Luminita Gheorghiu, best known for her 2005 dark comedy “The Death of Mr Lazarescu”, dazzled movie-goers as a manipulative mother who sees the fatal accident as a chance to reconnect with her

Director David Gordon Green holds his Silver Bear Best Director Award for his film Prince Avalanche.

estranged son. Netzer said the story of generational conflict was “universal”. “I think basically this is about a relationship, a kind of pathological relationship between mother and son,” he told reporters.

“This is a kind of Oedipus complex. Clearly we are referring to Freud.” Producer Ada Solomon said the Golden Bear would give the film a much-needed boost. “I think that Romanian politicians should pay much more attention to the ambassador that our cinema is around the world,” she said, slamming subsidy cuts.

“I want to thank those people who didn’t help us and didn’t support us and that made us more determined.” Critics noted a stand-out year for seasoned actresses at the festival including well-received performances by Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche and Garcia, who before “Gloria” was known mainly for her work in telenovelas. “Directors seem to have discovered the value of maturity and been anxious to explore the female face and psyche as they age, gracefully or otherwise,” the trade magazine Hollywood Reporter wrote. — AFP

Cameraman Aziz Zhambakiyev with his Silver Bear Best Camera award for his work in the film Harmony.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

lifestyle F E A T U R E

Moneyed buyers snap up mega-mansions in

P

The house formerly owned by the Miami Heat’s Pat Riley. The 12,856square-foot Mediterranean-style dream house has a theater, library, and a sprawling pool with waterfalls and an aqua bar. — MCT photos

coastal Florida

at Riley, president of basketball’s Miami Heat, sold his spectacular bayfront mansion in gated Gables Estates for $16.8 million last March. The 12,856square-foot Mediterranean-style dream house has a theater, library, and a sprawling pool with waterfalls and an aqua bar. But that’s all coming down. Turns out the lure was the lot: a rare fingertip of prime land, nearly two acres, jutting into the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay. In December, the buyer-listed as an LLC represented by Miami attorney Mark Hasner-presented the City of Coral Gables, Fla, with plans to tear down the home, built in 1991, and erect an even grander estate along the 900 linear feet of bayfront. “Most people would move in and be perfectly happy, but clients are looking for perfection-really good stuff,” said Jorge Uribe, a senior vice president at One Sotheby’s International Realty, who wasn’t involved but sold an even bigger trophy property last year: a $39.4 million estate on Indian Creek Island in Miami Beach, dubbed “Miami’s Billionaire Bunker” by Forbes magazine.

“The trend in the last several years is a demand for very high-quality product. People are looking for really good locations, really good materials, and they’re willing to pay for it,” Uribe said. Miami’s ultra-luxury market is on fire.

Prices for the fanciest single-family homes and condominiums have soared to levels never before seen in the area, fueled by strong foreign demand and renewed interest from New Yorkers and others in the Northeast.

With Miami’s global image burnished by Art Basel Miami Beach and the debut of other cultural and entertainment venues, the city is emerging as an even greater magnet for the world’s super-rich. In January, a penthouse at the Setai Resort & Residences on Miami Beach fetched $27 million, a new high for a Miami-Dade condominium.

“Every building we do business in is at its highest price of all time,” said Mark Zilbert, president of Zilbert

International Realty, which represented the buyer in the Setai deal.

Last August, a sleek, new home built on spec sold for $47 million, a record high for a Miami-Dade residence. The buyer, whose identity has not been revealed, is Russian.

“People are realizing how valuable the bay waterfront is,” said Oren Alexander, co-founder of the Alexander Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, who co-listed the 3 Indian Creek property with The Jills team at Coldwell Banker and represented the buyer for the home. His father, Shlomy Alexander, developed the property with partner Felix Cohen.

Shlomy Alexander is working on two more extravagant spec homes, his son said. Plans envision a tropical modernstyle project that fuses the indoors and outdoors-a concept popular in Brazil. The elder Alexander recently traveled to Italy to shop for exclusive stone for the projects, said the son. “It’s really trending to the ultra-luxury. All sorts of exotic materials-exotic woods, exotic marbles, exotic stones,” said Sean Murphy, an executive vice president at Coastal Construction, a major builder of luxury hotels and condominiums that also has erected some of the most extravagant mansions in the region. “Everything is so exotic.”

Some rich folks building their dream castles “are buying a stone quarry, harvesting the stone, and shutting it down, so that no one else can have it again,” Murphy said. “It’s happened multiple times.” Details are crucial: It’s not

enough for a wall to be fine marble; it has to be bookmatched, so the lines flow naturally. “It’s expensive and time-consuming,” Murphy said. Onyx and mother of pearl are in vogue.

The bigger the better. One custom house Coastal is building in Hillsboro Beach, Fla, is set to be 60,000 square feet. That’s about the size of 50 two-bedroom apartments.

“A beautiful big home,” Murphy said. A huge issue: South Florida-especially Miami-is running out of prime oceanfront and bayfront sites. “Land has been scarce. A majority of the projects we’re touching are all knock-downs. Or it’s been knocked down by the time we get there,” Murphy said. “You’re seeing more people buying not one lot, but one, two, three.”

Coldwell Banker luxury super broker Jill Eber-who works with Jill Hertzberg as The Jills in marketing many of South Florida’s most exclusive homes-said tear-downs are increasingly common. “We just closed at the end of the year on a property at the tip of Sunset Island for $20 million,” said Eber, whose team had the listing for the record $47 million Indian Creek sale and closed on some $480 million in residential deals in 2012. “Somebody bought it for $20 million and is tearing it down. It’s only about 46,000 square feet (of lot), but it’s got 200 feet on the open bay

looking directly downtown.” “At the highest end, a luxury home is of the moment, right now,” Hertzberg said. “It’s current, with all the bells and whistles and amenities.”

Many buyers at the top of the Miami market are snubbing the long-popular Mediterranean-style architecture of barrel-tiled roofs and stucco walls in favor of sleek, contemporary, mostly glass houses. “People are asking more and more for contemporary, clean lines,” said Audrey Ross, senior vice president of Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell and a top-selling luxury Realtor who has sold many of Miami’s prime estates several times.

Wayne Boich Jr, the 37-year-old CEO of the Boich Group of Companies, a Columbus, Ohio-based coal business, bought three adjoining bayfront properties in Miami Beach for $17.7 million last July and knocked down the homes to make way for a sleek, contemporary home big-

ger than all three. Boich, known on the party circuit for throwing lavish gatherings, sold his penthouse on Miami’s South Beach for $21 million last year.

He and fiancee Cynthia Marin, who plan to marry in March, are building a 17,975-square-foot crystalline glass palace designed in a series of horizontal rectangles perched on a wide swath of Biscayne Bay. “Finding the right lot took a significant amount of time. We were really happy to gather this together. It’s been really exciting,” said Boich, who hopes to move in early next year. “It’s a modern feel, a sleek feel.”

Miami architect Kobi Karp, who also is doing some of Miami’s most upscale condominiums, said effort was focused on taking advantage of the spectacular view of Miami and downtown. The building, which he describes as “floating rectangles” will have “huge verandas and terraces to create shade” on the mostly glass facade, he said.

Karp said the project is all about superlatives: “Anything that’s been done before in Miami we had to meet, greet and beat it.” Keeping up with the Joneses requires as much.

A few blocks south of Boich is the jaw-dropping home of New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod recently had the spacious contemporary mansion listed with One Sotheby’s International Realty for $38 million but took it off the market and rented it out. To the north is a lavish home formerly owned by Jennifer Lopez, now owned by health care executive Mark Gainor, who has listed it for sale for $40 million.

Boich took some heat from locals for his extravagant plans. While two of the houses he bulldozed were in poor condition, the third, built in 1964 by architect J. Arango, was a Miami Modern-style structure that some thought should be preserved. Some of the more fanatical fans of the Miami Heat, which clinched the NBA championship in 2012, might argue a former home of Pat Riley deserves to be preserved and turned into some sort of monument. —MCT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

lifestyle F A S H I O N

Giordano celebrates Kuwait National Day

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he limited editions available in stores starting from today across Kuwait. Showing the national colours with pride, Giordano, one of the world’s leading international apparel retailers, is launching special limited edition t-shirts to commemorate and celebrate Kuwait National Day. After a fantastic reception from Kuwait residents for last year’s National Day range of merchandise, this year’s col-

lection makes a triumphant return and are already available now in store. New to this year is the collection of “I love Kuwait” crew neck t-shirts that will give customers an additional outfit option to celebrate their National Day. The Kuwait polo shirts, available for both men and women, is embroidered with the national flag and comes in the Kuwait colours of red, white, green and black and in trendy fuchsia and yellow.

Simple but bold in statement, the cotton crew neck t-shirt varieties are available in four solid colours of white, red, black and green with graphic design “I love KW”. “Proving its popularity from last year, Giordano is proud to roll out a wider collection this 2013.

Our customers can wear these shirts with pride in celebration of the Kuwait’s independence,” said Ishwar Chugani, Managing Director Giordano

Middle East FZE.

Plus-sized models carve out corner of London Fashion

MAVADERMA for better growing nails

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mins that penetrate through the pores of the skin to help feed the roots of the nail and enhance the nail growth.

The upswing has arrived to Kuwait

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re you looking for having the most beautiful eyes? Have you thought one day that your natural lashes would look perfect and your eyebrows would look stunning every single day?

Now you can give your eyes a glowing beauty that last for long without headache.

The use of normal hair dyes in eyebrow tinting can cause severe damage to the eye due to its chemical ingredients such as coal, tar, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. These substances can cause allergic reactions on the skin and chemical burns in the eye thus the use of products which are specially designed for eyebrow tinting and eyelashes perming would prevent such side effects.

Al- Jothen Company, a member of

Models present creations by Issa during the 2013 Autumn / Winter London Fashion Week in London. — AFP photos

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t’s a skinny girl’s world, particularly in fashion where the thin, androgynous look always wins out. But this weekend, an alternative to London Fashion Week celebrated the larger lady and all her curves.

“Thank you all for being who you are”, declared one of the organizers at the first Official British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend in Shoreditch, an edgy district in the east of the capital beloved of young hipsters and music fans. Here, elegantly-dressed women browse racks of clothes designed for European size 40 (UK size 12, US size 8

or 10) and upwards, snacking intermittently from plates of crisps and cupcakes spread around the venue-food here is not taboo.

The two-day event featured discussions, tutorials by bloggers and a final catwalk show featuring established and first-time models.

Wearing skirts, shorts or bikinis, the women were greeted with enthusiastic applause as they

walked out on the runway, with the audience encouraging every display of confidence.

While many of the models could only be described as voluptuous, some of the clothes on offer were not what many people think of as plus-sized.

Hayley, a 24-year-old model who wears European size 42, berated the industry for the way it categorized women. “I think even some agencies these days call girls that are UK size 10 plus size. That’s just crazy.

“I think that plus size is the wrong word. I think a curvy model would be a better word to describe me and plus size is not necessarily

Madi International Company, is proud to launch RefectoCil, world leader in professional eyelash perming and eyebrow tinting for over sixty years. Guided by AlJothen’s professional trainers, 20 leading salons in Kuwait witnessed the quality and effectiveness of Refectocil product services.

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the nicest expression.” Thirteen designers attended the fashion weekend, but the number was dwarfed by the almost 80 labels showing across town at the official London Fashion Week, where skinny girls still reign supreme. “At the end, I hope there won’t be two segregated shows. But for now, we want to give curvy women an option,” said Rianne Ward, one of the organizers of the event and the creator of online magazine Evolve. She plans to run the plus-sized event again next year, hoping to emulate the success of New York’s Full-Figured Fashion Week which is in its fifth year. — AFP

Romanian drama ‘Child’s Pose’ wins Berlin fest’s top prize

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Rows of newly-wedded brides and grooms stand and mingle at the Unification Church’s mass wedding held at its headquarters in Gapyeong, east of Seoul, yesterday that saw some 3,500 couples matched by the church tie the knot. — AFP

Thousands marry in first ‘post-Moon’ mass wedding

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housands of Unification Church members got married in a mass wedding in South Korea yesterday-the first since the death of their “messiah” and controversial church founder Sun Myung Moon. Some 3,500 identicallydressed couples-many of mixed nationality who had met just days before-took part in the ceremony at the church’s global headquarters in Gapyeong, east of the capital Seoul. Mass weddings, some held in giant sports stadia with tens of thousands of couples, have long been a signature feature of the church and one that “Moonie” critics have pointed to as evidence of cult under-

life,” Lisa said. “Language isn’t such an issue. We’re connected by the church.”

The ceremony was held in the same vast, covered stadium where Moon’s elaborate funeral was held on September 15. The musical warm up acts were an eclectic mix, including a rousing version of “Libiamo..,” the drinking song from La Traviata, some Buddhist chanting and a children’s choir singing “Oh Happy Day”. Hak Ja Han entered to the strains of Handel’s Hallelujah chorus and led the couples in their vows. Another 12,000 couples around the world took part via a live Internet feed. —AFP

pinnings.

Yesterday’s event carried a special resonance, with Moon’s 70-year-old widow Hak Ja Han presiding for the first time without her husband who died five months ago, aged 92, of complications from pneumonia. The church’s mass weddings began in the early 1960s. At first, they involved just a few dozen couples but the numbers mushroomed over the years. In 1997, 30,000 couples tied the knot in Washington, and two years later around 21,000 filled the Olympic Stadium in Seoul.

Nearly all were personally matched by Moon,

A couple has their photograph taken during a mass wedding organized by the Unification Church in Gapyeong.

Hak Ja Han Moon, the widow of the late Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, sprinkles the church’s holy water onto newly-married couples.

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who taught that romantic love led to sexual promiscuity, mismatched couples and dysfunctional societies. Many were married just hours after meeting for the first time, and Moon’s preference for cross-cultural, international marriages meant that they often shared no common language. In recent years, matchmaking responsibilities have shifted towards parents, but 400 of the church members married yesterday had chosen to be paired off a few days before at an “engagement ceremony” presided over by Moon’s widow.

“Yeah, I was pretty nervous,” admitted Jin Davidson, a 21-year-old student from the United States, whose Australian father and Japanese mother were matched by Moon. “Then all of a sudden she popped up in front of me, and I said okay,” Davidson said of his Japanese bride-to-be,

Kotona Shimizu, also 21. “We struggle a little to communicate right now, as I speak no Japanese at all, and she only speaks a little English, but we see it as an exciting challenge and proof of our faith,” he said. Those who choose to be matched by the church must confirm under oath that they are virgins, and after their wedding the couple must refrain from sexual relations for a minimum of 40 days.

In a sign of the church moving with the times, Lisa, from Trinidad and Tobago, first met her bridegroom, Hubert from Poland, on Skype after being put in contact by family and church friends. Hubert visited her family in December and the couple decided to attend yesterday’s event in South Korea to receive the blessing of “mother Moon”. “I’ve been waiting for him all my

Newly-married couples hold hands to pray during a mass wedding.

French chef Bocuse gets rock star treatment in US

conic French chef Paul Bocuse got a rapturous welcome this weekend in the United States for the inauguration of a new restaurant bringing his culinary prowess to American palate.

Despite a bout of ill health last month, the 87-year-old chef, among the most accomplished in history, did not hesitate to cross the Atlantic for the launch of The Bocuse Restaurant. The Culinary Institute of America last year closed its Escoffier Restaurant, named after “the king of chefs and the chef of kings” Auguste Escoffier.

After renovations, the menu was revamped to feature contemporary French fare after some of Bocuse’s best recipes at CIA’s first new restaurant in 40 years. Escoffier had helped make haute cuisine available to family kitchens thanks to cookbooks and restaurants at the Ritz in Paris, London’s Savoy and other distinguished institutions. At the CIA’s campus on the banks of the frozen Hudson River, hundreds of students attended Bocuse’s lecture on Friday to hear him speak about his

life and dole out both advice and encouragement.

“Cook the way you like, with local, quality products,” Bocuse told the students. “This is very important.” Donning as always his chef’s hat and apron, he was surrounded by several of the biggest names in French cuisine in New York-Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller-and his son Jerome. They paid tribute before a packed audience to the storied chef during a talk on the future of French cuisine. “All cuisines are created equal-be they French, Italian, Chinese or American,” said Bocuse, while also highlighting France’s unique assets: “a huge aquarium, a huge orchard and a huge vineyard.”

In honor of his birthday today, the students had prepared a gigantic cake of five layers with a big “B” on top as a surprise. Nearly a thousand people then launched into a happy birthday song, in both French and English.

Bocuse, a three-star Michelin chief since 1965 who the CIA named Chef of

the Century in 2011, then autographed cookbooks and posters celebrating his restaurant’s opening. In the evening, he officially inaugurated the restaurant by breaking a replica of a very large soup tureen like that used for his

famous black truffle soup VGE created in 1975 in honor of former president Valery Giscard d’Estaing.

“Paul Bocuse is simply stated, the most important chef in history,” said CIA president Tim Ryan. About a hun-

Chef Paul Bocuse poses next to a birthday cake with students at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. — AFP

dred guests-many of whom had earlier posed to snap up photographs with Bocuse-savored a dinner that mobilized the efforts of about 50 students in the kitchen and two dozen in the dining room. The menu included a peach of foie gras, lobster and caviar and filet mignon of beef with marrow custard.

And for dessert, the guests were treated to grapefruit sorbet, a plate of three chocolates by pastr y chef Gaston Lenotre and mini-pastries.

“Mr Paul,” who arrived on Thursday from Europe, could not stay until ser vers cracked open the 1926 Armagnac drink. He had to travel to Florida with his son, who now heads up the Chefs de France restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park.

But the French chef said he was delighted by his new restaurant and the honors he had received. “It’s wonderful,” he told AFP. “These 3,000 students who will introduce Bocuse cuisine to guests each year” and work on a menu “adapted from Bocuse and other French dishes.” —AFP