16th Dec

CR IP TI ON BS SU

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

Metal object extracted from kidney, a first in Kuwait

2013 is year of the e-cig and ‘selfie’

Currency of future or asset bubble? Bitcoin critics get louder

28

Man United stop rot with victory at Villa

27

20

High-profile meeting called after Audit Bureau ignored

40 PAGES

NO: 16018

150 FILS

2

www.kuwaittimes.net

SAFAR 13, 1435 AH

MP warns finance minister over Zour power plant

Max 14º Min 05º High Tide 12:25 & 22:44 Low Tide 05:55 & 17:23

By B Izzak

Hyundai wins $1.4 billion Kuwait deal SEOUL: South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries said yesterday that its consortium with French firm Sidem has won a $1.4 billion deal to build a power plant and a desalination facility in Kuwait. Under the deal with Kuwait’s energy authorities, Hyundai would build a gas-fired power plant worth $970 million, while Sidem would construct a water desalination plant in a combined complex about 100 km south of Kuwait City. Construction would start this month and be completed towards the end of 2016, Hyundai said in a statement. The power plant would have a production capacity of 1,500 megawatts while the desalination plant would produce up to 486,000 cubic metres of water a day.

In Kuwait, meanwhile, the National Bank of Kuwait said that it heads a consortium that includes Japanese lenders which will arrange a $1.43 billion loan to build the Al-Zour North Power project. That venture has been awarded to Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, France’s GDF SUEZ Energy International and Kuwait’s Abdullah Hamad AlSagar and Brothers for $2.5 billion. — AFP

KUWAIT: Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (left) and National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem attend a meeting of the Assembly’s budgets committee yesterday. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlSabah and National Assembly Speaker Marzouq AlGhanem attended yesterday a rare meeting of the Assembly’s budgets committee to study the ministries’ lack of response to remarks made by the Audit Bureau on the budgets of these ministries. The meeting was attended by head of the Audit Bureau AbdulAziz AlAdasani, Finance Minister Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz AlSabah and a number of senior officials and around 33 MPs. The meeting was called by head of the committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad after observing that government ministries and other agencies do not react to remarks made by the Audit Bureau on serious financial violations or mistakes. Under the law, the Audit Bureau examines all financial deals in addition to budgets of all government ministries and agencies every year and writes remarks about the violations committed. The bureau has no executive powers to follow up with the violations and entrusts this to the National Assembly and the government. But the remarks and reports by the bureau have been largely ignored.

The prime minister praised the idea of the meeting but declined to provide details. He however said that the government has not taken any decision regarding attending Dec 24 and 25 Assembly sessions after reports said that ministers are likely to resign en masse to give the premier the opportunity to undertake an expanded Cabinet reshuffle.

Continued on Page 13

Nelson Mandela laid to rest Qaeda more dangerous than ever

In this image taken by the on-board camera of the lunar probe Chang’e-3 and made off the screen of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, China’s first moon rover ‘Yutu’- or Jade Rabbit - is on the lunar surface in the area known as Sinus Iridum (Bay of Rainbows) yesterday. — AP

China makes ‘giant leap’ with landing BEIJING: China’s Jade Rabbit rover vehicle drove onto the moon’s surface yesterday after the first lunar soft landing in nearly four decades, a huge advance in the country’s ambitious space program. The Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, was deployed at 4:35 am (2035 GMT Saturday), several hours after the Chang’e-3 probe landed on the moon, said the official news agency Xinhua. Ma Xingrui, chief commander of China’s lunar programme, declared the mission a “complete success” after the rover and lander took photos of each other on the moon’s surface late Sunday, Xinhua reported.

Colour images showing the Chinese national flag on the rover, taken at about 11:42 pm, were transmitted live to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center where Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the mission, Xinhua said. “One Giant Leap for China”, read the headline in Hong Kong’s Sunday Morning Post, evoking the words in 1969 of American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon.

The lunar journey “once again lights up the China Dream”, said a Xinhua editorial citing Xi’s slogan for Chinese advancement. — AFP (See Page 28)

WASHINGTON: More than two and a half years after US commandos shot dead Al-Qaeda figurehead Osama bin Laden, the global extremist network is more dangerous than ever, American experts and counterterrorism officials warned this week. Thanks notably to a flood of recruits flowing to join AlQaeda-linked jihadist forces fighting in Syria’s civil war, the group is back on its feet, and securing territory from which it could once more threaten Europe and the United States. Bin Laden’s former lieutenants in Al-Qaeda’s historic leadership have been killed by US Special Forces or in drone strikes, or else are isolated and on the run in the tribal badlands on the Afghan-Pakistan border.

But armed groups in Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Libya and West Africa have flocked to his banner and AlQaeda is rebuilding its influence and recruiting fighters across the region. “Their leadership has been hit very hard, but this brand is still growing. And it’s growing from an increased number of safe havens,” said retired US Marine Corps general James Mattis.

Between 2010 and earlier this year, Mattis led US Central Command, in charge of prosecuting Washington’s long war against extremists in the Middle East, Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa.

Now he has hung up his uniform, but admits the war is far from over, warning: “The congratulations that we heard two years ago on the demise of AlQaeda were premature and are now discredited.”

Continued on Page 13

QUNU, South Africa: Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, was laid to rest yesterday after a state funeral filled with tearful eulogies and strident vows to pursue his ideals of equality and justice. Mandela’s casket was buried at a family plot in his rural boyhood home of Qunu, watched by his widow Graca Machel, ex-wife Winnie MadikizelaMandela, other family members and around 450 selected guests. The interment followed a ceremonial state funeral that ran well over its allotted two hours, as speaker after speaker paid emotional tribute to the man who led South Africa out of the apartheid era. “The person who lies here is South Africa’s greatest son,” said

ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

A 21-gun salute and full military honour guard had escorted Mandela’s coffin to the marquee where 4,500 mourners said their final goodbyes. His flag-draped casket was placed on cowskins, surrounded by 95 candles - one for each year of his extraordinary life. The frail and ageing leaders of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle also attended: George Bizos, Desmond Tutu and Ahmed Kathrada, whose voice broke as he delivered a eulogy for his old friend. “I first met him 67 years ago,” said Kathrada, who along with Mandela was sentenced to life in prison in 1963.

Continued on Page 13

QUNU, South Africa: Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela (left) watches as military soldiers stand at attention over Mandela’s casket before his burial in his home village yesterday. — AP

in the

news

Father of boy targeted over ‘pro-Morsi’ ruler CAIRO: A prosecutor has ordered the arrest of an Egyptian man whose 15-year-old son was detained last month for owning a ruler bearing a symbol associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the family’s lawyer said yesterday.

Mohamed Abdulghani Bakara was accused of “inducing” his son Khaled to take the ruler to school, the lawyer said, the latest sign of a widening crackdown on the organisation since the army ousted President Mohamed Morsi of the Brotherhood in July. Two of the boy’s teachers also faced charges of “spreading chaos among school students” by inducing him to possess the ruler, judicial sources said. Lawyer Amr Abdel Maksoud said there was no legal basis for the charges and arrest warrants issued in the Nile Delta town of Kafr el-Sheikh. “They (the prosecution) are helping the army dominate the country,” he said.

Khaled remained in detention on suspicion of inciting violence, slandering the Egyptian army and membership of a banned group, legal sources said.

Saudi activist handed 300 lashes, prison RIYADH: A Saudi judge sentenced a political activist to 300 lashes and four years in prison for calling for a constitutional monarchy in Saudi Arabia, his rights group said yesterday. Omar Al-Saeed is the fourth member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) to be jailed this year after the group issued statements attacking the ruling family over its human rights record and calling for democracy. Saeed did not have legal representation at the secret hearing when he was sentenced, ACPRA said in a statement on its website. “It’s just another troubling instance of Saudi authorities’ absolute refusal to countenance any activism or criticism of Saudi policies or human rights abuses,” said Adam Coogle, Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch. A spokesman for the Justice Ministry said he could not comment on the report or confirm its accuracy.

Zarif: No trace of missing US agent WASHINGTON: There are no traces in Iran of the former FBI agent who disappeared there six years ago, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on CBS’s “Face The Nation” yesterday. Robert Levinson, who became a private detective after retiring from the FBI in 1998, disappeared during a trip to an Iranian island in 2007. The White House says he was not a government employee at the time. The fate of Levinson is unclear and Zarif told CBS the Iranian government has no idea about his whereabouts. The AP and the Washington Post on Thursday reported that Levinson was not a private citizen on a business trip to Iran, as the US government has said, but was working for a rogue CIA operation when he disappeared.

Asked whether Iran would return Levinson to the United States, Zarif said: “If we can trace him and find him, we will certainly discuss this. ... Everything’s possible but I’m saying that we have no traces of him in Iran.”

‘Lawrence of Arabia’ actor O’Toole dies LONDON: Actor Peter O’Toole, who shot to international fame in blockbuster movie “Lawrence of Arabia”, has died aged 81 in London after a long illness, his agent said yesterday. O’Toole, who had survived a bout of stomach cancer in the 1970s, died in a London hospital on Peter O’Toole Saturday, Steve Kenis, his agent, told Reuters. “Peter O’Toole’s family announced today that very sadly Peter died yesterday, peacefully in hospital. He had been ill for some time,” Kenis added separately in a statement. The hell-raising icon of stage and screen was nominated for eight Oscars before finally being given an honorary award in 2003.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LOCAL

New initiative to help CML patients live a normal life Awareness ‘most important’

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and their family members are invited to attend a “Day of CML” at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday. This event will be held under the sponsorship of the Patients Helping Fund Society, Kuwait CML Group and Kuwait Cancer Control Center, and under the patronage of the Minister of Health Sheikh Mohammed AlAbdullah Al-Sabah. The purpose of the Day of

in order for them to see the success of some of them and how these patients are living normally. “It is very important for them to understand that this disease can be won if patients and their families cooperate with their doctors and the treatments prescribed. We are working on founding a society for these patients to support them and provide them better life quality,” he noted.

Modern medicine and treatment have helped the patients. “Before 2000, the life expectancy of

KUWAIT: Dr Faisal Al-Sayegh, Dr Mohammed Al-Sharhan, and Ajeel Al-Touq during the press conference. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat CML is to help patients accept their disease wholeheartedly and live a normal life just like everyone, under slogan of “We are CiMiLar!” During the press conference held on Saturday to announce this event, Dr Faisal AlSayegh, Consultant Hematologist at Mubarak Kabeer Hospital and Associate Professor, Hematology at the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University, assured that the purpose of the Kuwait CML Day is to create awareness about CML and to put all CML patients under one roof

patients diagnosed with CML was limited and very modest due to poor understanding of the mechanism of the disease and how to control it along with the unavailability of the appropriate treatment. However, today CML can be treated and cured, since there is treatment available and people should know that leukemia patients can live normally like other people, and this is the message we are trying to convey on the Kuwait CML Day, which is, We are CiMiLar,” stressed Sayegh.

“Nowadays, there are drugs that CML patients

have responded positively to and a great majority of CML cases are managed properly thanks to these drugs that are now available in the market.

Since we have medication for CML patients that can prolong their lives, CML patients should live normally and be productive members in the society,” he added. Chairman of the Patients Helping Fund Society Dr Mohammed Al-Sharhan shed light on the importance of creating awareness of leukemia, especially chronic myeloid leukemia, and stressed on the humanitarian role of the Patients Helping Fund Society by providing support to patients who are in need of financial support, medical treatment and treatment assistance.

Kuwaiti patients receive drugs and medical treatment for CML and other serious diseases free, while expats living in Kuwait have to pay for certain medicines. “The Patients Helping Fund Society (PHFS) which was established in 1979 aims to help all patients that are in need - from citizens to expats - by giving them the healthcare needed and providing them with all the medical support from treatment to equipment as well as sending them abroad if needed,” explained Sharhan. “PHFS plays a significant role in spreading health awareness by having ties with many official authorities, and therefore it made sure to be part of spreading awareness about CML and be an effective member and sponsor in organizing the first Day of CML,” he added.

Ajeel Al-Touq, Head of the Medical Committee of PHFS, noted that the society solely depends on donations as its source of income. “The medical treatment of CML is very expensive, as it exceeds KD 1,000 per month, and other cancer diseases also have long and expensive treatments, which are not affordable for many expats. The PHFS covers the expenses of the drugs and other equipments of patients in need without any discrimination based on nationality or religion. And as we take care of over 15,000 cases, we call upon donors to keep helping us to be able to provide aid to these patients,” he stated.

‘Democracy basis for constitutional reforms’ KUWAIT: Minister of Justice and Minister of Awq a f a n d I s l a m i c Af f a i r s S h a re e d a A l Muosherji yesterday emphasized necessity of boosting democracy as a basis for pressing ahead with constitutional reforms.

Kuwaiti Constitution is “rich in provisions that address all of the society requirements,” said the minister, in a statement at opening of the “First scientific-legal conference,” organized by Kuwait International Law School, and patronized by His Highness Prime Minister

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

These constitutional ar ticles stipulate cooperation and solidarity among Kuwaiti citizens, affirm separation of state departments’ jurisdictions, citizens’ rights and freedoms, said the minister.

Minister Al-Muosherji called for cooperation among regional states to face “contemporary legal and economic changes,” also noting need to educate public about challenges facing law men and officials in sectors

such as legislation, economy and development.

Th e f a c u l t y d e a n , D r M o h a m m a d A l Maqate’, said the conference addresses constitutional reforms in Arab countries, judicial issues and legal topics related “financial and economic changes in the Arab world.”

Kuwait International Law School (KILAW ) opened in January 2011 as the first and the only private university specializing in law in Kuwait and the Middle East. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Health supervision department at the Kuwait Municipality conducted several inspection tours on restaurants and sandwich shops in Salmiya resulting in the confiscation of 58 kg of meat and hotdogs unfit for human consumption. 12 citations were issued for working without health certificate, while four restaurants were closed. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun

Metal object extracted from kidney KUWAIT: In an extraordinary surgery and the first of its kind worldwide, a metal object was extracted from a 20 years old patient in Jahra Hospital.

A specialized medical team conducted the surgery, and the metal object was extracted successfully from the patient’s body through a one-centimeter wide opening, Kidney and Urology Consultant Surgeon at Jahra Hospital Dr Hasan Al-Mutairi said yesterday.

A year ago, the patient was admitted to the general surgery department as he suffered severe abdominal pain, after he swallowed a metal object by mistake. After undergoing several tests and x-rays, the patient was discharged and instructed to continue treatment at the outpatient clinics, but the patient did not, Dr AlMutairi said.

He added, recently the patient was admitted to the department of urology at Jahra Hospital, suffering pain in his right side kidney, and blood in his urine. X-rays and medical tests showed

that a metal body existed in the right side kidney. It was a very rare case of a metal body moving from the digestive tract to the urinary tract.

This surgery was carried out for the first time in Kuwait, and will be soon published in international urology specialized magazines, as being the

first surgery of extracting a metal body similar to extracting kidney stones, he said.

The urology department in Jahra Hospital is considered as one of the most developed departments in the treatment of kidney stones, Dr AlMutairi affirmed. —KUNA

Expert calls for tougher IP laws in Gulf ABU DHABI: Intellectual property (IP) laws in the UAE should be amended to include tougher measures and higher fines, said a legal expert.

Speaking to Gulf Business, Nayiri Boghossian, a legal partner at Eversheds, said that while the UAE has enough legal measures to safeguard intellectual property, IP laws require much tougher enforcements. “Courts should impose higher fines and grant compensation to rights-owners if we want to have a truly effective system in place,” said Boghossian.

“Well drafted laws without enforcement or the enforcement of toothless laws that do not have a real legal or monetary determent are not business, consumer or innovation friendly. Having said that, there’s still room for improvement in terms of sanctions.”

With Dubai’s successful Expo 2020 bid, experts are calling on the authorities for better legal measures to protect businesses from counterfeit goods, which could affect the credibility of local manufacturers. Around 11 million counterfeit items were found in the emirate between January and September this year, up from 5.5 million for the whole of last year, according to Dubai Department of Economic Development.

Officials have revealed that goods worth Dhs200 million were seized from raids carried out by Dubai Customs over the past five years.

The UAE is also a thriving export market for fake goods, usually exported from other parts of the world and often shipped to many countries. According to statistics published by the European Commission (EC), the UAE was the third largest source of counterfeit goods with the country accounting for 8.37 per cent of the confiscated goods to the EU. Intellectual property protection has been gaining momentum in the country as it prepares to host Expo 2020.

Federal Law 4 of 1979 on the Suppression of Fraud, Federal Law 18 of 1993, the Commercial Transactions Law, Federal Law 24 of 2006 and the Consumer Protection Law are all legal safeguards against commercial fraud, according to Boghossian.

A new law combating commercial fraud is also currently under review of UAE’s Federal National Council and is rumoured to come into effect soon.

“The draft law is aimed largely at protecting UAE consumers from replicas and counterfeits and substantially increases the

penalties for offenders when compared to older laws,” said Boghossian.

“For example, the crime of fraud in animal and human food is punished by Dhs10,000 under the Suppression of Fraud Law (Article 2); however, the punishment under the draft law is imprisonment for a period of up to two years and by a fine of no less than Dhs 250,000 and no more than Dhs1,000,000 or by either penalties (Article 16).”

Industry sector should be more supportive of youth KUWAIT: Kuwait Industries Union (KIU) encourages the youth to get involved in the industrial and production processes within the private sector, which offers numerous privileges, KIU chairman stressed yesterday.

Hussein Al-Kharafi said in a seminar on the future of Kuwaiti young people, KIU always strives to utilize the youth potentials, since the youth demography at KIU takes 85 percent of its employees.

KIU and Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP) signed an agreement to hire and train 20 male and female graduates to work in the industrial sector, Al-Kharafi added.

He stressed the importance of the Ministry of Commerce and the Industrial Bank of Kuwait’s roles in supporting the young people by paving the way for them to have careers in these sectors. He also added that all hurdles that might be encountered along the way should be eliminated.

On his part, National Industries Company Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Adel Khaled Al Subeih said in the same seminar that the industry and production sectors should provide a nurturing environment for the youth since only a small portion of them get involved in these realms. —KUNA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LOCAL

Cabinet to miss grilling session as reshuffle looms Eight ministers likely to exit

KUWAIT: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari (left) upon his arrival to Kuwait was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. — Kuna

Iraqi FM visits Kuwait for joint committee meeting KUWAIT: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has arrived here to attend a meeting of the joint committee.

He was received at Kuwait International Airport by Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khaled AlJarallah and several other ministry officials.

Several ministries, including interior, defense, oil, communications, finance, and commerce and industry ministries, are to attend the Kuwaiti-Iraqi joint committee meetings. The joint committee will discuss several issues that concern both sides and ways and means of developing and promoting Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations. — KUNA

New refineries could succeed despite fluctuation in markets KUWAIT: In spite of fluctuation in oil markets, establishing new oil refineries are not farfetched, if the keys to their success were made available, the Kuwait Petroleum International Company (Q8) CEO Bakhit Al-Rashidi said yesterday.

There are three key elements for the success of any refinery: it should have a capacity of more than 200,000 barrel a day, it should have complex distillation units and there should be a petrochemical integration, where refineries and chemical plants work together, Al-Rashidi explained.

These remarks where made by AlRashidi on the fringes of opening a commemorative monument marking Kuwait’s latitude and longitude point, named after the Kuwaiti well-known meteorologist Saleh Al-Ujairi.

He noted that launching this landmark falls under Q8’s social responsibility. He further clarified that the company, a subsidiary of a state-owned Kuwaiti company, gives back to the society by holding or organizing events four or five times a year.

Another project the company is working on is the renovation of Al-Shamiya Gate; a gate that holds a historical significance.

Al-Rashidi also added that on a more international level, the company is still working to finishing up with Vietnam project which started in July 2012 and will start operations in the first half of 2017.

Indonesian and Chinese projects, he said, are still under negotiations.

On the matter of transferring the management of gas stations in the country from the Kuwait National Petroleum Company to the Kuwait Petroleum International Company, Al-Rashidi responded by saying that “it was still under consideration.”

Kuwait Petroleum International was established in 1983, to manage the refining and marketing interests of the parent company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, outside Kuwait. It was the first company to introduce unleaded petrol into Europe and today is at the forefront of innovations to protect the environment. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Cabinet is likely to miss the parliament’s session on Dec 24 regardless of the outcome of a constitutional court ruling expected the day before, and which could annul the parliament for the third time in less than two years. According to government insiders quoted yesterday by Al-Rai, the Cabinet is unlikely to attend the session if the court rejects challenges to July’s elections, with the excuse being a reshuffle “that includes 3 to 5 portfolios”. The sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity ruled out the possibility of a full Cabinet resignation, however.

The agenda for Dec 24 session includes voting on a no-confidence motion against Minister of Planning and Development and State Minister for Assembly Affairs Rola Dashti and debating grilling motions filed against Minister of Housing and Minister of Municipality Affairs Salem Al-Othaina, as well as Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rashidi. Government sources quoted by AlQabas daily yesterday suggested that the three ministers could submit their resignation soon after the court announces its ruling, the ‘first step’ of a Cabinet reshuffle. “The Cabinet becomes constitutionally uncommitted to attend if ministers resign before the session,” said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The same sources named Dashti, Othaina and Rashidi among 8 ministers who are likely to exit the Cabinet or be ‘reshuffled’ before Dec 24. The rest are Minister of Oil Mustafa AlShamali, Minister of Justice and Minister of Islamic Affairs Sharida Al-Maousherji, Minister of Electricity and Water and Minister of Public Works Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Education Nayef Al-Hajraf and Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Health Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. They also hinted that a reshuffle will likely force the Cabinet to skip Jan 7 session as well.

On the other hand, Al-Anbaa daily quoted ‘high-level sources’ who insisted that the Cabinet plans to attend Dec 24 session and is prepared to face the grillings on its agenda.

The Cabinet had resorted to unexpected tactics in the past during debates of previous grillings. Last month, the Cabinet used the pro-government majority in the parliament to unprecedentedly pass a request to cancel main parts of a grilling motion filed against Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on the basis that filing them against the premier was unconstitutional.

In the meantime, the sources quoted in AlQabas’ report also revealed that a ‘parliamentary movement’ is ongoing to allocate the Jan

KUWAIT: His Highness Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait (right) with MP Jamal Al-Omar seen during parliament’s Thursday session. The image is used for illustrative purposes only.—- Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh 23 session to pass legislations related to the implement the housing plan.

And in a recent update, several MPs called housing issue, including a law to establish the cities authority and amendments to the hous- for expanding the authority of the Audit Bureau to include referring suspects to the ing welfare law.

Under a plan announced by housing minis- public prosecution. “Kuwait’s low rank in corter Othaina during a special parliamentary ses- ruption indices require more serious efforts to sion last Thursday, the government promises fight thieves of public funds,” MP Khalil Alto build four new cities with a capacity of Saleh told Al-Jarida daily on Saturday. He fur160,000 units, in addition to thousands of oth- ther speculated that repeated violations in er units in projects underway. The minister the bureau’s annual reports “have become gave word that the projects will help the gov- material used for political embezzlement ernment meet around 107,000 pending hous- without serious anticorruption efforts”.

MP Abdullah Al-Tamimi told the same daily ing applications, in addition to the average 8,000 annual increase in applications. The new that taking legal action against violators is cities are Khairan in southern Kuwait (35,000), only one decision that needs to be added to Mutlaa near Jahra (21,000), North Mutlaa the Audit Bureau’s authority. “The State Audit (52,000) and Subbiya (52,000). The plan also Bureaus’ law limits its activity to monitoring calls for building over 7,000 units near Kuwait state departments and send reports to the Airport. The minister gave no estimates for the parliament,” he explained. “After that, the parcost of all the projects, but he said each city liament forms investigation committees to would cost around KD 4 billion while the proj- probe the violations and hold those accountable responsible”. ect near the airport will cost KD 650 million.

Parliamentary outcry over the lack of a Othaina however said that a number of legislations were needed to accelerate the governmental response to the Audit pace of construction. He called for scrapping Bureau’s annual reports led to a high-profile the housing law number 50 and replace it meeting yesterday of the parliament ’s with a new law on housing cities and to abol- budgets committee. The meeting, attended ish prior supervision by the State Audit by Prime M inister HH Sheik h Jaber AlBureau. MPs rejected the minister’s demands, Mubarak Al-Sabah, Parliament Speaker insist that the removal of the State Audit Marzouq Al-Ghanim and State Audit Bureau Bureau supervision will only encourage graft, Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Adasani, was called adding that the present legislations, especial- for to agree on active measures to address ly housing law number 50, are sufficient to repeated violations.

s, macie r a h p ble at res Availa nd fine sto sa co-op

AMMAN: The 33rd session of the council of Arab ministers of social affairs in progress yesterday.

Al-Rashidi stresses Amir’s SMEs initiative AMMAN: Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thikra Al-Rashidi underlined here yesterday the significance of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s initiative for bankrolling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Arab world.

Addressing the 33rd session of the council of Arab ministers of social affairs, which kick-started here today, the minister said His

Highness the Amir’s initiative was mainly intended to provide a decent life to thousands of Arab families.

She reiterated here country’s willingness to launch more effective and influential cooperation with all Arab countries in the field of social development, hailing Jordan’s social role.

In a keynote speech, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said waves of refugees influxes from

neighbor countries to Jordan have created major social pressures and burdens but the Kingdom was able to maintain civil peace, security and social cohesion.

Ensour said Jordan made strides on various social development indicators and distinguished success on the path towards social welfare.

He hoped that the gathering would come up with outcomes that could serve the issues of joint Arab social issues. —- KUNA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LOCAL

in my view

In my view

One step against war

An Arab Mandela Go v pro ernm gra en m t

By Labeed Abdal

entary m a i l r Pa mance r o f r e p

By Adel Monem Said

Y

Al-Anbaa

local@kuwaittimes.net

T

he Geneva agreement between the 5+1 countries (the United States, France, United Kingdom, China, Russia and Germany) and Iran is without a doubt a historic achievement to rule out concerns over Iran’s nuclear program by Tehran’s commitment to limit activity to peaceful uses in exchange of easing international sanctions that already cost it billions. The historic agreement gives an important implication that conferences where all opposing parties in a certain matter gather under the United Nations’ umbrella can end with positive results.

Meanwhile, the initial agreement has seen many objections, in a step that raises many questions considering that a positive solution can lead to similar results regarding other issues such as the Syrian crisis or even the Palestinian issue. Furthermore, the agreement can help end sectarian instigation stemming from the illusion which depicts Iran as having sectarian-motivated ill ambitions in the region, and which provides fuel to sectarian tensions that lead to the loss of innocent lives.

The relative success in restoring order between diverse parties in Iraq gives us high hope that a similar thing can happen in Syria or even Lebanon. In order for that to happen, Iran must return as a peaceful member of the United Nation as long as it honors the international rules of peace and security. Of course, the key to achieve stability is to stop sectarian tensions, bombings and civilian killings.

The world needs to take a serious and unified step against war in all shapes and forms, as well as the factors which lead to wars. A similar step is also needed to support peaceful negotiation to achieve lasting peace and justice in Iran, Syria, and Palestine where a solution is reached through an independent state living side by side with Israel.

kuwait digest

More pressure on bedoons

By Iman Shamseddine

T

he issue of bedoons, or stateless people, as recognized internationally from the legal standpoint, continues to fall victim of endless games of tug-of-war between legal and internal perspectives, especially with regards to the socalled ‘security restrictions’. As the name implies, security restrictions are constraints placed on bedoons, yet there is no clear definition or controls that outline their features. The executive committee for stateless residents used these restrictions as a way to put pressure on bedoons in a bid to force them to produce their original passports, which under certain cases might deprive stateless’ people from their right of naturalization.

How were the restrictions used to put pressure on bedoons? A person with security restrictions automatically loses the right to obtain a birth, marriage or even death certificate, in addition to a driver’s license and other documents. The bases on which a bedoon is slapped with security restrictions are very vague - a person can face these only by their accent or skin color.

While security restrictions started as a way to prevent people with criminal records from obtaining Kuwaiti citizenship, the definition has since expanded to include traffic offenders and those guilty of misdemeanor charges. Furthermore, stateless residents who participated in demonstrations also found security restrictions waiting for them, despite the fact that Kuwaiti courts are yet to release rulings that criminalizes bedoons’ demonstrations. Security restrictions stay even when a bedoon is found not guilty in court.

Security restrictions produce problems, some are constitutional and others are legal, but in general stem from the fact that they are inherited by all members of a person’s family. Holding a stateless resident responsible for a mistake a relative committed violates article 33 of the constitution, in addition to sharia regulations.

Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Sabah said nearly a month ago that the majority of security restrictions were fabricated. Despite that, and even after Saleh Al-Fadhalah (President of the Central Apparatus of I llegal Residents) announced that a committee was formed to review and cancel restrictions put without evidence, nothing has happened. Not only that, but a new obstacle was put in front of stateless residents, which is the so-called ‘nationality indicator’.

A nationality indicator means that the government suspects that a person belongs to a certain country, but does not have evidence to prove it.

The government can use that to claim that a person is not entitled to Kuwaiti citizenship, and when asked for proof, only ‘indicators’ are given.

There is also a constitutional violation in the work of the Central Apparatus of Illegal Residents. The body operates as an executive and legislative authority with regards to stateless residents. It makes its own decisions and implements them independently, whereas bedoons have no opportunity to even challenge their security restrictions in court.

In the meantime, bedoons are lift hanging, putting further pressure on them from the state. —Al-Qabas

in my view

Idea of Gulf Union, two years on

By Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

O

n Dec 10 and 11, Kuwait hosted the 34th summit of GCC heads of state. The occasion raised expectations about the Gulf Union, which was proposed two years ago by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. Observers may recall that on Dec 19, 2011, during a GCC summit in Riyadh, King Abdullah called for the evolution of the GCC from its current “cooperation” phase to a “union” phase, in a “unified body that realizes the common good, does away with the bad, meets expectations of citizens of GCC states, and counters the challenges they face”.

The idea of a “Gulf Union” has been under active discussion in high-level meetings, such as the Kuwait summit, ever since. It has also been subject to frequent and thorough consultations between member states. Although the union has not formally materialized yet, much has been done to pave the way toward that goal. And contrary to what has been mistakenly reported, there is in fact no disagreement on unity of the GCC member states as the ultimate goal of the organization, only profound and healthy debates on how to get there and at what pace.

After all, when the GCC was established in 1981, its charter explicitly stated that unity was its main objective. Article 4 of the charter clearly lists as the first goal, “achieving coordination, integration and connectivity between Member States in all fields, leading to their unity”. Nearly all agreements and other major pronouncements issued by the GCC since its inception have restated that goal in one form or another. For example, when the GCC Economic Agreement was signed in 2001, it made clear that economic unification had become within reach. The words “unity,” “union” and “unification” were used in almost every page either as guiding principles or operational rules.

In GCC language, the word “unity” is the translation of a word in Arabic that means a close federation of states. On the other hand, a “union” refers to a looser grouping. The Gulf Union could be looked at as a step on the way to that eventual goal of unity, the attainment of which could take some time. The statement issued at the conclusion of the 2011 summit recalled Article 4 of the Charter and reemphasized the goal of unity as stated therein, but was clear that what was under discussion was how to form an interim “union”.

As such there is no disagreement that “unity” is the ultimate goal, as in the 1981 Charter. A “union”, then, is a mere step on the way toward that goal. To carry out the idea further, a high-level “Special Commission” was empanelled by the heads of state, composed of 18 members, three from each member state. It included former GCC general secretaries, ministers, parliamentarians, business representatives, and other former and current officials.

The commission concluded its work and submitted its final report in 2012, which was submitted to the GCC leaders. The report was then referred to a committee composed of the GCC Ministerial Council (the foreign ministers of the six states) and the commission’s chairman for further consultations. By previous agreement, the ministerial council and the commission’s chairman are required

to submit their final recommendations to the heads of state in a special summit to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to announce the union.

In addition to the commission’s report, a key subject of consultation is a draft charter of the union, which constitutes a legal translation of the commission’s recommendations. The draft includes the amendments required for the current GCC Charter to evolve into the union. Although the full details of the draft charter and the commission’s report have not been made public, naturally, to maintain the integrity of current high-level discussions, the outlines of the proposed union can be described in general terms.

As in the GCC Charter, the proposed union emphasizes sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. The union maintains all GCC goals, but adds more clarity and precision, informed by the 32-year-long experience of the GCC since 1981. It would tighten the operational workings of the organization, providing a consistent and transparent framework, professionally run with clear lines of responsibility and accountability.

Currently, the GCC is run by a small disparate staff coordinating the work of hundreds of committees. Those committees are populated with representatives from member states. There are scores of ministerial councils and committees, as well as hundreds of subministerial and technical committees, working groups, task forces, specialized teams, etc. Nearly every issue is dealt with by several of those hierarchical bodies. Naturally, reaching a consensus in those chains takes a long time, as committees meet only once or twice a year, for a few hours at a time. What they cannot reach a consensus on gets postponed to subsequent meetings. It is not unusual to have the same issue discussed for years, sometimes decades, without reaching a common position. Not because there are genuine and discernible differences of opinion between member states, but because of the limited time and resources available for those committees to make an informed consensus.

Since the GCC was established in 1981, hundreds of committees, perhaps thousands, have come and go. Literally tens of thousands of meetings have been held in capitals, at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh and abroad. The results have not been always satisfying to citizens who are eager to see satisfying results in their lifetimes.

The proposed union would replace that cumbersome and endless committee-based system with a simpler one, based on permanent staff, overseen directly by permanent representatives of member states, all housed in the same place or places. Member states will remain directly in the driver’s seat through those permanent representatives. In addition, a high-level council of member states will maintain oversight of union structures. To make sure that union decisions are uniformly and quickly implemented, a judicial commission will be established to ensure consistency of implementation of those decisions.

That is the union difference, in a nutshell.

in my view

Syria’s lost generation

By Jamal Doumani

P

eople must be getting tired of reading commentary on the seemingly endless crisis in Syria. Well, consider instead the impact of that war’s spillover into Lebanon and Jordan. One does not necessarily have to be a refugee to feel the pain. More than 2 million Syrians have already fled the carnage in their homeland, seeking sanctuary abroad, with twice as many others becoming internally displaced, people compelled to wander the land or dwell in the open fields in partial return to the manner of beasts.

The plight of those in exile - not just in the neighboring countries but in more distant lands - is gut-wrenching . They do what most impoverished refugees do - seek asylum, shelter, food, work, and they wait, and wait, and then they wait some more, until it’s safe to return home. If ever, in their lifetime.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 52 percent of these Syrians are 17 years old or younger, with many having been out of school for nearly three years. Call them Syria’s lost generation, a generation whose members will for years to come carry a heavy cargo of emotional scars on their back that may not heal. This is apart from the physical hardships.

Last Wednesday was a case in point defining that hardship. On that day, in Arsal, a town in Lebanon just across the border from Syria, thousands of refugees, ensconced in their makeshift camps, had to weather a freak storm that brought with it bitter winds, torrential rains and freezing temperatures, with heavy snow that blanketed the refugees’ flimsy, substandard shelters. Despite the thermal blankets and heaters distributed by relief agencies, the refugees, according to news reports, could barely survive the cold.

But wait. That’s the easy part. Consider how the Lebanese, three years after the start of the Syrian war and the arrival of 800,000 Syrians (no less than 24 percent of Lebanon’s population) to their homeland are becoming weary.

Have the Syrian refugees worn out their welcome in Lebanon? It looks like it. Lebanon, a fragile polity held together by a thread, as it were, is beginning to fear that these Syrians, now fully a quarter of the population, may stay for a decade. Maybe two decades. Or perhaps - oh, the horror, the horror! - six decades, as the Palestinians have done, thus disrupting the delicate balance among Sunnis, Shiites, Maronites, Orthodox Christians and Druze.

In 1948, no one, least of all the Palestinians themselves, thought their presence in Lebanon was going to be anything but temporary. All wars, it was thought, create refugees, who seek refuge in the surrounding countries to escape being caught in the crossfire.

And when those wars are over, everybody goes back to their homes and homeland. The Palestinians not only stayed but in the 1970s also became entangled in the country’s civil war, and a major player in it.

Let us, along with the Lebanese, think the unthinkable. What would happen if the Syrian refugees, now a quarter of Lebanon’s population, were to stay - for any number of reasons - for an appreciably long period of time? Would their presence impact strongly on Lebanon’s culture, economy and social life? Clearly it would. The power of demographics will, even willy-nilly, assert its qualitative tone on society. Consider, as an example, the demographic impact of the Hispanic community - now the largest minority in a nation of minorities - in the United States. And that impact began progressively to assert itself a mere three decades ago. Today politicians, from congressmen to presidents, toady to the “Hispanic vote”.

Jordan, which has received 500,000 refugees from Syria since the outbreak of the conflict there, is mindful of that phenomenon.

It certainly evinced that frame of mind when it chose to withhold the welcoming mat to Syrian-Palestinians, who had ironically already been denizens of refugee camps around Damascus. There was a logic behind Jordanian authorities’ turning them back at the Syrian-Jordan border, or detaining them in holding centers without any options for release - except back to Syria. Syrian and Palestinians have compatriots and relatives in Jordan whom they could join and be helped by to blend into the landscape.

Whichever way you look at it, what we may see in the Mashreq, should the Syria war stretch endlessly, is the emergence of what demographers call the “generational cohorts”, a term that defines a subgroup in society bound together by the sharing of the same historical events, experienced within the same time interval. In the United States, we speak of the “baby boomers” and “Generation X.” In the Arab world, we speak of the “naqba Palestinians”. Today we may be looking at the birth pangs of a new generation of Syrians, the “lost generation” of 2011, whose common sensibility has been honed at the whetstone of the Syrian diaspora. Stay tuned.

esterday, we laid to rest the great African leader Nelson Mandela, who passed away on Dec 5 at the age of 95. Of his long life, he spent 27 years in prison and 23 in freedom as a political activist, a president, a leader, an inspiration to the African continent, a Nobel laureate, and a symbol of the struggle for a better world. In the days since he left this life, newspapers and television stations around the world have discussed the details of Mandela’s life, from his birth and adolescence to his fight for freedom and his leadership after his release from prison. They have assessed the period he spent in power and his relationship with other world leaders, especially American ones, some of whom, such as Ronald Reagan, branded him a terrorist, while others, such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, regarded him as a beacon of freedom and hope.

There is little that one can add to the information about this man’s life that has not already been said. But there still remains the question as to why this type of man is so rare.

With respect to the Arab people, this question is of particular urgency at this time of sweeping change in the region. In fact, it is surprising that not a single Arab nation has produced a leader we can respect the way we respect Nelson Mandela. What we have instead are old leaders who took center stage. There was not much about them that we did not know before, and they had nothing new to offer apart from some repackaging of the Arab Spring and Arab Autumn revolutions in old paper. The revolutionaries themselves had little to offer, save the transition from one revolution to another - or, in cases such as Libya and Syria, the transition to proliferating militias and all-engulfing violence and warfare.

South Africa stood apart from most Third World colonized countries that clamored for liberation in the years following the Second World War. Like many former colonies, South Africa had been the object of a massive settlement drive in which thousands of people of Dutch, French and British origin seized control over large tracts of land and established a settler government. The phenomenon was not all that different to that which occurred in Palestine or elsewhere in Africa, such as Zimbabwe.

Those settlers were not there to colonize on behalf of their countries of origin. They wanted a state of their own, and that state was founded on the vilest of the reactionary ultra-rightwing ideas to emerge from Europe. This gave rise to South Africa’s notorious apartheid system, which was based on total racial segregation and the systematic reduction of the indigenous people to poverty and weakness. The architects of apartheid truly believed there state was appropriate for people they saw as “backwards”, It was an environment that inherently bred resistance and violence, which also occurred in other African and Third World countries. Mandela took part in many revolutionary activities, for which he received a lengthy prison sentence.

His was the story of the creation of a freedom fighter through oppression by a formidable enemy - the powerful, reactionary and colonialist settler government endowed with vast wealth and resources, which enjoyed the support of many major international powers.

But another Mandela was born in prison. This was the Mandela who inspired millions of oppressed and persecuted peoples around the world, and who became part of that small club that includes such figures as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, whose ideas of resistance and liberation were framed in a larger humanitarian concept that envisioned the emancipation not only of the oppressed, but of the oppressors as well. Because of its more tolerant nature, this approach lets people understand the mindsets of both sides of a conflict. Thus, they are able to approach in the spirit of tolerance and inclusiveness, and to search for solutions that promote peaceful coexistence.

This is not to suggest that Mandela was ever prepared to surrender his principles. He remained firm and unyielding on the need for a new South Africa ruled by the majority of its people, which is to say the native African majority. He rejected all “compromises” that would officially eliminate apartheid but keep whites in power or grant them a permanent majority in parliament. But at the same time, he knew that a new South Africa - if it was truly to be a “new” South Africa - had to be able to accommodate all that lived there.

This is the spirit that made the South African national struggle a path for construction rather than revenge, a means to move away from hatred and rancor and toward love and understanding, a way to uproot the fear instilled by the oppressive past and to look forward with hope.

Mandela only served one term as president. But after that one term and the many extraordinary things he accomplished through it, Mandela continued to devote himself to the major issues of concern to his country and the world.

The many details regarding this are being discussed by others. Here, I would like to focus on that urgent question of concern to the Arab world.

This region has produced quite a few national liberation leaders, but none with a vision that extended beyond ending colonial rule. Yes, they had some vague ideas about development, but they lacked any broader understanding of the need to reconcile the existing diversity in their societies. They failed to appreciate that development and progress requires education and the promotion of new and different values.

It is impossible to explain the explosion of ethnic, religious and sectarian violence in the Arab world today without taking into account the fact that the Arab liberation wars and revolutions not only failed to generate mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence between ethnic and religious communities - it actually laid the foundations for conflict between them. The societies that had been shaped by fear of foreign occupiers and colonial rule remained societies based on fear, whether of the ruling authority or of the “other” in society. This has proven more brutal than the colonialists were in the past - and even more brutal than some post-colonialist authorities.

In societies of fear, there is very little room for hope. The little optimism that exists is artificial, confined to public displays or celebrations. In fact, rare is the Arab leader who smiles, especially that genuine type of smile for which Mandela was famous. That smile was one of his most important weapons in his struggle against apartheid and for change. Far and few between are the occasions when Saddam Hussein, Hafez Al-Assad, Muammar Gaddafi, Ali Abdullah Saleh or other Arab dictators were caught in the act of smiling. Apparently, they consciously avoided the smile as if it would betray weakness or a relaxation of their grip of power and authority.

I wonder whether we will ever see the birth of an Arab Mandela, now that the Arab Spring has prematurely segued into an autumnal nightmare. The youth of that spring appear little different from their revolutionary forefathers.

Still, history brings many surprises.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LOCAL

Hospitality industry going in right direction: Aoun JW Marriott hotel celebrates 10th anniversary

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: On the occasion of JW Marriott hotel celebrating its 10th anniversary in Kuwait, Kuwait Times met George Aoun, Cluster General Manager of Kuwait Marriott Hotels to provide some insight into its growth in the market. The hotel has been the flagship of Marriott’s “decade of success” in Kuwait and reflective of the brand’s success all over the world.

The story of JW Marriott, considered as one of the world’s most famous luxury hotel brand, started with the entry of Marriott into the Kuwait market in 2003,which later led to the opening of another hotel (Courtyard by Marriott), followed by the Arraya Ballroom managed by Marriott and the soon-to-open Residence Inn by Marriott.

Kuwait Times: How would you evaluate the hospitality industry in Kuwait?

George Aoun: I think it’s going in the right direction and feel we are in the right competition compared to anywhere else in the Middle East. In Kuwait we are giving better services in comparison to other GCC countries. We have observed that there are last-minute buying trends among customers and booking windows for holidays and hotel stays are very narrow throughout the year. We are concentrating on improving hospitality and personal services.

KT: Is there a saturation of hotels?

GA: Looking at 2014, we do have more number of rooms in Kuwait than what we might need, and we are even expecting an increase of more than 1,000 rooms in the market with the introduction of new hotels. We always believe that competition is healthy when it comes to services and products, and we can safely say that we have emerged as leading experts in Kuwait after all these years of experience. We feel we dominate the sector in terms of number of conferences and diversified offerings for our customers and the government.

KT: Can you share with us the growth of JW Marriott since 2003?

GA: We have grown from strength to strength every year since 2003, constant enhancements in service, the hotel structure, growing clientele both in the corporate and government sectors and a lot of very happy, repeat customers. Since our inception in Kuwait in 2003, we have grown year after year. The growth of Marriott kick-started in 2004 when we opened Courtyard by Marriott, and then proceeded to open Arraya Ballroom, after which in every quarter we have a couple of elements that lead to the overall growth of the brand. We are glad to announce that we will be opening a new residence property in mid-2014 which will be the only extended brand managed by an international company.

Also, we are working very closely on opening new properties in Kuwait in a couple of years namely the Marriott Executive Apartment, which will be part of a huge complex in Sharq.

KT: How many awards have you received since the hotel’s inception?

GA: Innumerable. To date, we have many prestigious international awards that we received since 2004 for our distinctive service. We were the only hotel to have won the Best Business hotel since 2004 as well. Our focus is to ensure

that the customer is well looked after and returns as a satisfied and loyal customer. We won the best luxury hotel in Kuwait in 2013 and many others in the same year, the latest of which was just 3 weeks ago - Best Business Hotel in Kuwait City by Business Traveler Middle East Awards 2013 - an award that we have now won 6 times so far in the last 10 years (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013). We have also won the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Award for 2013, and accolades from industry partners like Booking.com. To add to the string of accomplishments, we won the prestigious Best Luxury Business Hotel in Kuwait award by the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2013 held in Phuket, Thailand recently.

KT: How many staff do you have and do you have any unique features (such as exemplary training programs) to train staff?

GA: At JW Marriott, we have over 350 associ-

George Aoun

ates from 27 nationalities. We also have staff that have worked with us for over 25 years since we took over the Meridian. Marriott is a company that also believes strongly in world class training programs and facilities, and we invest heavily in our employees with core international courses both in Kuwait and globally as well. We have training programs called the ‘Passport to Success’ for all the operational departments, where all the associates have to pass all the levels from the start date, ie from the orientation which has to be completed within the first 90 first days and so on.

This builds our solid hold in the market through the level of training in our staff. We are proud of what our associates have to offer to our customers, owing to which we have attained a certain benchmark in the region for customer satisfaction.

KT: How have you coped during the Arab uprisings and recessions?

GA: We are blessed to be in a country as safe and welcoming as Kuwait. Safety and security of our guests is crucial and non-negotiable. The hotel was largely unaffected by the recent uprisings and business has been steady thanks to our brand name and all of our safety procedures and practices in place.

‘Sewer pond’ threatens Kuwait Bay KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team yesterday warned against ‘dangerous environmental impact’ left from the “continued outpour of sewage water into a pond located in front of the Entertainment City in Doha.

“The negative impact include the easy movement of dirty waters to the Kuwait Bay when the pond is flooded or during rain”, team leader Waleed AlFadhel said in a statement yesterday.

Al-Fadhel further pointed out the environmental woes that the Kuwait Bay suffers as a result of dumping industrial waste through the rainwater drainage network. “The Kuwait Bay cannot tolerate additional environmental problems given the situation it currently is subjected to”, he said.

KT: Like every establishment has its own character, what is JW Marriott’s style of operations among others like choice of interiors, restaurants, cafes, rooms, and staff? What makes it different from the rest?

GA: We believe in Quiet Luxury, an inviting atmosphere, no extra formalities or pretense. This vision sets us apart from the rest. This is a style that all our customers notice across all of our 313 beautifully appointed rooms and suites at our hotel in Kuwait. All of our restaurants and cafes work on the concept of fresh ingredients picked locally, prepared expertly and served graciously.

No two places on earth are the same and neither are any two JW Marriott hotels or our associates.

Every hotel, like ours in Kuwait, has elements of our locale. For instance, our hotel in Kuwait offers traditional Arabic dates, coffee and refreshments to guests on their arrival to the hotel. In addition, at JW Marriott Kuwait, we serve five types of cuisines, and we are known for our Japanese cuisine, our steakhouse and Cafe Royal. We are working on creating a new food concept which will not be available at any hotel in Kuwait. It will include six kinds of cuisines in front of the customers at the same time - this should be available in 2014. With this new cuisine, we will be satisfying all tastes. And we will try it for about six months.

KT: What was your 10 years’ contribution to the success of the hotel as a whole and what would you want to improve in the coming years?

GA: I have been the proud General Manager of this beautiful property for the last 10 years, and I have watched it grow from strength to strength. It has not been an easy ride, but with a combination of all of our experiences and leadership, the results and achievements are there for everyone to see. I have been a veteran of this industry for over 30 years in this region, and I am very excited to add more milestones, new hotels and more feathers in our cap in this country. I strongly believe in a family-oriented leadership style, an “Open Door” system throughout where everyone is welcome to share anything, anytime.

This inclusive style is what makes us so successful. In a day, I spend more time with our associates than I do at home; therefore my associates are literally my family. We have maintained 10 years of great revenue and business for the company as a whole, which through my 40 years of past experience in the Middle East and team effort with the associates has helped drive the brand to where it is today.

KT: What is the hospitality sector in Kuwait moving towards?

GA: New corporate markets and new companies coming into Kuwait are encouraging every hotel to improve the hospitality sector. We have a lot of fantastic attractions and landmarks in Kuwait, and there are constant hopes that the travel and tourism industry in this country will grow to reach its full potential. I have noticed that competition is moving toward the resort hotel concept and focuses not only on corporates and the government, but now has a vision to attract more leisure business to Kuwait. This is a powerful industry in Kuwait that has been established for more than 40 years. We were here before the invasion when we had the Marriott Ship.

KUWAIT: The car accident scene on Tunis street yesterday.

Pornographic sites blocked

By Hanan Al Saadoun KUWAIT: Electronic crimes police have blocked hundreds of Kuwaiti pornographic sites on Twitter.

Informed sources said detectives investigated the pornographic accounts and closed them after finding they were uploading video clips and photos. The sources said police are going after all those who violate the law. They said that anyone who commits such acts will face legal action.

Armed robbery A man robbed a grocery store after threatening the grocer with a hammer. The grocer handed the thief the money and phone recharge cards. The

incident was caught on video and police are investigating.

Asian killed An Asian expat was killed during a fight in Fahaheel Saturday night. A security source said the Asian was stabbed in the chest which led to his death after arriving at Adan hospital.

The source said the suspect is a compatriot of the victim.

Car accident An Egyptian driver was driving on Tunis street and while attempting to avoid traffic by using the bus lane, lost control, jumped to the pavement and hit an Indian expat. The car crossed the second pavement and came to a halt in front of an electronics showroom.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LOCAL

Driver kidnaps girlfriend from employer’s house Child dead in hit-and-run dent involving a car that lost balance and turned over. They pronounced a Kuwaiti woman and her daughter dead at the scene, and rushed five others to the hospital. An investigation was opened to determine the circumstances behind the accident.

KUWAIT: A man faces kidnap charges after he took his girlfriend out of her employer’s house and kept her inside a room located on the top of his own employer’s house. The man’s employer headed to the top of his house in Jahra when he became alarmed by noises coming from the room located there. He opened the door and found an Asian woman staying inside the room.

She told him that his driver forced her out of her employer’s house and kept her in the room temporarily until they got married. The homeowner took the woman to the area’s police station where she explained during questioning that she has been staying in the room for a month, during which the driver used to visit her every night.

Police headed to the house again with a warrant to arrest the driver. The Bangladeshi man told police that he and the woman are romantically involved, and confirmed that he forced her out of her employer’s house when they were outside. Investigations indicate that the woman was taken out of her employer’s house against her consent, but eventually agreed to stay in the room when she found that her boyfriend had prepared it for her as a place to stay until he finishes marriage preparations. The driver was referred to the authorities to face kidnap charges, whereas the woman was taken to the deportation department after investigations revealed that she was reported missing by owners of the house where she was employed as a housemaid.

10-car pileup Three men were injured in a 10-car pileup that happened late Friday night on the Sheikh Zayed Highway (Fifth Ring Road). Ambulances and police vehicles headed to the scene located in front of Jabriya in response to emergency calls and helped the injured people to Mubarak Hospital. The men, two Kuwaitis and one Arab national, were diagnosed with broken bones and other injuries. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accident happened when one car stopped unexpectedly and was followed by collisions of 9 other vehicles.

Salmi Road crash Two people died and five others were injured in an accident on Salmi Road. Police and paramedics headed to the scene Saturday afternoon following an emergency call reporting an acci-

Ammo found Investigations are ongoing of a retired soldier after police found ammunition inside a Shaab house he owns. Hawally detectives entered an abandoned house in the area with a warrant and

Child dead A Kuwaiti child was killed Friday night after he was hit by a driver who fled the scene immediately. Police and paramedics headed to a street between Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Al-Qurain where the accident was reported. They pronounced the 11-year-old boy dead at the scene before crime scene investigators were called.

According to eyewitnesses’ accounts, the kid was crossing the street when a car hit him and drove away immediately. Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the suspect.

found 300 bullets used for shotgun and AK-47 weapons. Police identified the owner, a citizen retired from the Kuwaiti Army, and summoned him for questioning. Meanwhile, Al-Qabas quoted a security source who denied rumors on social media which alleged that ‘missiles’ and ‘heavy armament’ were found during the operation.

Body found A man was found dead inside his Farwaniya apartment, and preliminary investigations indicate that the death was natural. Paramedics and police headed to the scene following an emergency call reporting foul odor coming out of his apartment.

The 48-year-old Indian national was pronounced dead at the scene, and crime scene investigators were called to carry out investigations during which no evidence of foul play was found. A preliminary medical examination pointed out that the man died a few hours before his body was found late Friday night. The body was taken for an autopsy to confirm the time and cause of death.

Harassment case Investigations are ongoing in a case in which a domestic worker accused her employer’s teenage son of sexual harassment. In her statements to Sabah Al-Salem police station officers, the Asian housemaid said that the young man entered her room when the two were left alone inside the house and demanded sexual favors.

She managed to escape from the youngster, get out of the house and go to the police station to report the case, according to her statements.

Police are looking to summon the teenager for questioning.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Center for Autism welcomed a team from the Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs who presented a training course for KCA members and parents of autistic children last week. The visit comes as part of cooperation established between the two organizations in 1997, as well as the activities of the Gulf Autism Union which was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Kuwait.

Moves to overhaul education sector KUWAIT: Education Ministry officials held talks yesterday with a World Bank team, engaged in the ministry future overhauling plan (2014-2018), on new educational realms and proposed priorities in the joint technical cooperation program, scheduled for the coming years.

Emerging from the meeting with the WB officials, Education Undersecretary Mariam Al-Wtaid said the two sides examined projects and programs of the remaining 20132014 period, concerning examinations, schools’ administration and upgrading curricula. The Undersecretary urged the World Bank to send in topnotch experts to organize training and educational workshops, intended to contribute to developing the Kuwaiti educational sector, indicating that such a move would help in minimizing

number of staff and cadres dispatched abroad for enrollment in such courses.

She also indicated that such training courses could be held at schools in Kuwait.

Al-Wtaid urged the visiting WB team to cooperate with Dr. Ridha Al-Khayat, Director of the National Educational Development Center, in assessing the educational sector, on basis of specific standards and criteria.

Undersecretary Al-Wtaid stressed that overhauling the sector must be full and in an integrated manner, covering axes such as teaching methods, updating teacher’s skills, educational environment and assessing high schools.

The World Bank has been giving technical advice to the State of Kuwait on means of developing this field. — KUNA

Industrial Bank marks 40th anniversary

KUWAIT: Fire broke out in an eight-storey building in Salmiya yesterday morning. Firemen found the fire in the basement. A team of firemen evacuated the residents of the building while the other fought the fire. No injuries were reported. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: It was 40 years ago that the Indusial Bank of Kuwait K.S.C was established, December 10, 1973 with the initiative of the Government of the State of Kuwait through signing the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Bank. The bank is marking this anniversary and stressing its identity as an icon of stateprivate sector cooperation.

Upon establishment, the parties that took up a share included the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Kuwait (CB), and the Public Institution of Social Security from the state sector, alongside leading local banks, insurance companies, and other strong private sector entities.

Starting off on KD 10 million, the bank’s capital was doubled to KD 20 million in June 1981. Since starting out, the bank provided 932 loans for industrial projects at a total of KD 972.9 million which accounts for 53.7 percent of the total cost of these projects which stood at KD 1.8 billion.

The bank provides industrial loans, medium and long-term, for new industrial facilities or for expansion of already established industries at an interest rate of 3.5 percent. The loans are extended through successive long-term credit facilities that amounted to KD 300 million provided to IBK by the government

with maturity set for 20 years.

It also provides many banking facilities to the industrial sector at current market interest rate.

Since its debut, the IBK sought to support and encourage industrial activity in Kuwait. The services improved over the past four decades, in part due to the government entrusting the bank with management of several portfolios.

These are “The Handicraft and Small Enterprises Financing Portfolio”, “The Agricultural Financing Portfolio”, and the “Islamic Industrial Finance Portfolio.”

According to bank 2012 figures, overall IBK assets stand at KD 669.1 million, while its credit portfolio stands at KD 311.9 million. Profit for the same year came to KD 8.4 million.

IBK is now set to face many new challenges, especially with the launch of the state’s latest development plan and with the Public Authority for Industry’s launching of rehabilitation of AlShdadiyya industrial zone and a complete block of Sabhan Industrial Area, along with preparations and studies concerning Al-Naayem Industrial Area.

In 2012, Kuwait Industrial Bank approved long-term facilitated loans for 25 projects in five industrial fields. One new project was in the field of chemical products and the remaining 24 projects

were expansions in existent activity in the fields of paper manufacturing, printing and publication, construction material manufacturing, and equipment and electrical gear manufacturing.

This translated into an increase of 13.6 percent over loans provided the year before. The Kuwaiti Government entrusted the bank with managing “The Handicraft and Small Enterprises Financing Portfolio” and “ The Agricultural Financing Portfolio”, at capital of KD 50 million each, and the “Islamic Industrial Finance Portfolio” at capital of KD 100 million.

Great hopes are now pinned on the bank towards implementation of the state’s development plan and the overall objective of diversifying the national economy through increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, most specifically from manufacturing industries and petrochemicals.

The Central Bureau of Statistics’ figures for 2011 indicated that manufacturing industries accounted for 4.6 percent of domestic product and 11. 2 of non-oil domestic product, and that manufacturing industries excluding refining saw growth of 5.1 percent, compared to growth of 11.5 percent the year before. —KUNA

Gulf jobs prove nightmares HYDERABAD: Dream jobs in the Gulf countries are turning into nightmares for thousands of Indian expatriates. In an alarming scenario, two Indians commit suicide every week on an average in the Gulf region. Moreover, several others are dying at a young age due to heart attacks or other ailments. With a chunk of these migrants hailing from south India, especially Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, experts say it is high time the government intervenes and determines the cause of these telling statistics.

Activists associated with the Hyderabad-based NGO, Migrants Rights Council (MRC), revealed that 400 bodies arrived at the Hyderabad airport last year from the Gulf Cooperation Council member countries - UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. The major cause of death was reported to be suicide. Several others had died due to heart attack, respiratory distress and road or work site accidents.

“At the time of leaving India, the workers are healthy, but surprisingly they are dying at an early age there.

We are baffled as to what is leading to heart attacks and forcing them to commit suicides,” said M Bheem Reddy of MRC. According to activists, there is a lot of psychological pressure on these expatriates, most of who happen to be unskilled workers. Distance from home, paltry earnings, difficult work conditions and ignorance of the local language could be some of reasons behind early deaths, say activists. “On an average, they are paid a meagre 600 dirhams a month, which equals to a little over Rs 10,000. It is very difficult to sustain on this in UAE,” said M A R Fareed, a senior journalist who worked in UAE for seven years. Several construction workers also end up as casualties on work sites.

Despite the fact that an estimated 2.8 million Indians, including 600,000 from AP, are in Saudi Arabia and near-

ly a million in UAE, not much efforts are being taken to help them.

Activists have been demanding that the government must probe every death to ascertain the cause and take appropriate preventive measures, but so far, they say, their efforts are in vain.

In most casualties, relatives or friends collect money and send back the bodies to India after completing the due procedure with the help of the Indian consulate. But in the case of illegal workers, even that proves to be difficult and most bodies lie unclaimed in the foreign land.

The most recent case that came into the notice of MRC was that of 31year-old Kummari Lingam, a construction worker who died in Bahrain. The body of the Karimnagar native arrived in Hyderabad on Nov 1. “The AP NRI Cell sponsored an ambulance to transport Lingam’s body to his village as the family could not afford the cost,” said Bheem Reddy.

Bahrain celebrates National Day MANAMA: The Kingdom of Bahrain has adorned public places and landmark sites with the national flag and various colorful decorations in preparation for celebrating its National Day and 42nd Independence Anniversary falling today.

Simultaneously, the Kingdom celebrates King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa’s 14th anniversary of accession to the throne.

Bahrainis, since several days ago, have been holding carnivals, sports contests and musical concerts at the public sites in celebration of the national occasions.

The Gulf country gained independence from Britain in 1971, when the natives started engaging in a marathon process of construction, social and economic development, depending on domestic resources, namely oil which was discovered in 1932 — Bahrain was the first Gulf country that extracted crude oil. At the economic level, strategists have mapped out plans to transform the country into a lucrative hub for

business, and they have succeeded, indeed, to a large extent. Up to 400 banks have established offices and branches in the Kingdom, thus tangibly contributing to the efforts to attract investments. Seeking to diversify income resources, the Kingdom, in the 60s of last century, focused much attention on developing the aluminum industrywhich now secures six percent of Bahrain’s Gross National Product.

Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), one of the major industrial companies in the Middle East, produces more than 500,000 metric tons of aluminum per annum. Alba exports its products to various countries in the Middle East and Europe. The Kingdom has entered in a crucial phase in its modern history since King Hamad acceded to the throne in 1999, when he declared constitutional reforms and proclaimed the national covenant according to which “parliamentary and democratic life” was

restored. Accordingly, the national committee for drafting the national charter was proclaimed in 2000. Later, a public referendum was held on the national charter, which won support of the people majority. On this basis, the first parliamentary elections were held in October, 2002. King Hamad declared, on the first occasion of establishing the national charter, transforming the emirate into a Constitutional Kingdom, becoming the fourth Arab Monarchy after the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Morocco.

Despite reforms, the country witnessed flare-up of public disturbances in February 2011. Violent clashes took place between protestors and security personnel for two months.

However, normal security has been largely restored, and the government is currently seeking to tackle the situation through national dialogue, with emphasis on boosting development. —KUNA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

13 dead in Bangladesh as PM issues warning

Health crisis looms, polio spreads in Syria Page 8

Page 12

NEW DELHI: An Indian girl places candles yesterday to commemorate last year’s gang rape and murder of a young woman. — AP

Year after Delhi gang-rape, women await justice Social stigma attached to sex crimes severe in rural pockets NEW DELHI: As India erupted in protests over the fatal gang-rape of a student, teenager Seema suffered her own horrifying abuse at the hands of a pack of men. Six months later, she poured kerosene on herself and burned to death.

Abducted and raped on New Year’s Day in her village two hours from the capital Delhi, Seema had been determined to bring her six attackers to justice. But she received little support from their neighbours or the police, said her tearful mother.

“She was brave and tried to fight it out. But I think it was all too much for her in the end,” she recalled, clutching a red woollen sweater that had been her daughter ’s favourite. The attack on Seema came amid national outrage over the gang-rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student on December 16 last year. The student, set upon in New Delhi while she was on a bus home from the cinema with a male friend, died two weeks later from her injuries, some of them inflicted with an iron rod.

The savage attack spurred intense debate about the way India treats its women, and led to a stiffening of punishments for sexual abuse. Optimists called it a “turning point” for women’s rights. But the case of Seema, whose name has been changed for legal reasons, shows the bitter struggles that still exist for victims of rape-and the yawning chasm between rural and urban India. “The Delhi case gave us courage. We felt the country cared for its women,” said Seema’s mother, as tears streamed down her face.

“Thousands turned up (on the streets) seeking justice for the Delhi woman. We don’t know why nobody is speaking for us.”

Waiting for justice Although 15-year-old Seema was determined to see her rapists held to account, numerous visits to the police and blame-the-victim taunts from neighbours started “playing havoc” with her mind, her mother said. The police still appear to be dragging their heels on the case, having yet to file a chargesheet or arrest most of the attackers. So far only two accused have been detained, while calls by AFP to the local police station in the state of Harayana and the most senior officer in the district went unanswered.

The contrast could not be starker with the Delhi gangrape case, which was fast-tracked in the courts and saw the guilty convicted within seven months of trial. Four adult attackers have been sentenced to death. While the Delhi rape dominated the headlines and struck a chord with the middle-classes, Seema’s horrors were virtually lost in a deluge of sexual crimes reported across the country after the December 16 case. The statistics for 2013 are not out yet, but a source in the National Crime Record Bureau told AFP that the number of nationwide rape cases would “definitely exceed” the figure of 24,923 registered last year.

Mousumi Kundu, the development head at the KD Singh Foundation charity which has been providing free legal aid to Seema’s family, said there were still some positives to be drawn from her case. “The fact that Seema and her mother showed the courage to come forward and report the crime is in itself a huge step,” Kundu told AFP. “The social stigma attached to sex crimes is very severe in rural pockets. That the family has spoken out despite the social barriers is really something which must be lauded.”

Kundu, who has a long experience of working with rape victims, said the family’s courage reflected a sense of “awakening” after the Delhi gang-rape. Some campaigners say the rise in the number of reported attacks should actually be welcomed as it shows how women feel emboldened to shrug off the shame and humiliation traditionally associated with rape. But others remain more guarded in their optimism.

Rape epidemic “The society is indeed becoming more sensitive to rape

victims now, but there is still a long way to go. You cannot deny there is a rape epidemic in the country,” said Ranjana Kumari, who heads the Delhi-based Centre for Social Research. She believes scores of other rapes have gone unreported in the past year as the victims were often women from the lowest strata of society.

“In the case of the Delhi incident, it was the location of the crime and the fact that the victim was educated and went to watch a movie like so many of us do that moved and shocked people,” she said. “Even as we are speaking, women in rural areas are being raped and there is no one

to speak for them. They are doomed to suffer in silence.”

Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, a member of the National Commission for Women, said bias towards victims meant many rural women were not even aware of their legal rights. “We have to reach out to them and make them count.” Seema’s relatives are determined to keep fighting on her behalf, even if it means endless sessions in courts that can drag on for years. “We don’t know if we will get any justice at all,” said her mother, looking at a framed school portrait of Seema she held in her hands-with the date of her first-born’s death written underneath. — AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

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

Health crisis looms, polio spreads in Syria Syria uses red tape, threats to control UN aid agencies BEIRUT/GENEVA: It is a 15-minute drive from the five-star hotel that houses UN aid staff in Damascus to rebel-held suburbs where freezing children are starving to death. Yet it is months since convoys from the United Nations and other agencies have delivered food or medical care to many such areas prevented by a Syrian government accused of using hunger as a weapon of war against its people. As the United Nations launches an annual appeal on Monday for funds to help more than 9 million Syrians who need aid, divisions among world powers that have crippled peacemaking are also denying UN staff the power to defy President Bashar Al-Assad’s officials and push into neighbourhoods now under siege.

“In government-controlled parts of Syria, what, where and to whom to distribute aid, and even staff recruitment, have to be negotiated and are sometimes dictated,” said Ben Parker, who ran the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Syria for a year until last February.

“According to the Syrian government’s official position, humanitarian agencies and supplies are allowed to go anywhere, even across any frontline,” he wrote last month in the journal Humanitarian Exchange. “But every action requires time-consum-

ing permissions, which effectively provide multiple veto opportunities.” Fighting and rebel groups are also obstacles.

The United Nations estimates about a quarter of a million Syrians are living under siege as winter bites, most of them encircled by government forces, but also including 45,000 in two towns in the north that are besieged by anti-Assad rebels. A binding Security Council resolution could formally oblige the authorities to let aid agencies into areas like the Damascus suburbs and the old city of Homs, where local doctors say children are dying of malnutrition. But divisions between Western powers, backing the rebels, and Russia, have paralysed the world body over Syria since the conflict began in 2011.

As a result, international agencies are legally obliged to work with a government which aid workers say has used threats - say, to deny visas to foreign staff or hinder efforts to help millions of people outside besieged districts - as a way of muting criticism and discouraging attempts to break the sieges. “It is a fundamental flaw in the international system that it is possible for a rogue state to hold its own people hostage,” said a Western diplomat who works on aid issues.

ALEPPO: A Syrian woman carries children following airstrikes on a rebel area of the war-torn northern city yesterday. — AFP

“Syria... can threaten access to its own population and say ‘millions will starve if my instructions are not followed’. “The reality is there is a risk of being thrown out,” he said. “You have to look ultimately at what the moral obligation is to serve as many as you can.”

‘Trojan horse’ As far as Assad’s government is concerned, said former UN Syria staffer Ben Parker, aid operations are “a Trojan horse to delegitimise the state, develop contacts with the opposition and win international support for military intervention”. To criticism that they should complain more loudly, aid workers speaking privately cited the case of a UN agency chief who ended a posting in Damascus last year after clashing with Syrian officials over access for aid distribution. Syria had made clear that the official’s visa would not be renewed. An internal UN document seen by Reuters last month said visa applications for international staff were more likely to be turned down or put on hold in 2013 than to be approved.

It described Syrian bureaucracy hampering operations, as well as difficulties posed by fighting and a lack of cooperation from numerous, often rival, rebel groups across the country. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said this month that both sides have blocked medical aid to the sick and wounded. “Where we haven’t been particularly successful is in increasing our medical activities in Syria, which remain below our expectations,” ICRC President Peter Maurer said.

“On both sides we are struggling with the argument that whatever medical aid is brought to one part or the other is interpreted as an indirect military support to the other side.” Syrians in areas where little or no aid is getting through say they feel abandoned and blame world powers for not only extending a war that has killed over 100,000 by backing warring parties but also failing to ease the impact on civilians.

An opposition activist in Damascus who uses the name Tariq al-Dimashqi and works in a field hospital in the besieged eastern suburbs of the capital says that he has seen no medicine or food from the United Nations for more than a year. “The United Nations should do something to save civilians,” he said. “They have to force the regime to end the siege.” Some medicines are smuggled in to the area, he said, but the hospital is very low on supplies. —Reuters

BETHLEHEM: A Muslim man walks in front of a Christmas tree in Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank biblical town of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, as preparations for Christmas celebrations get underway yesterday. —AFP

Tunisians plan day of ‘rage’ SIDI BOUZID: Tunisians plan a day of “rage” in the birthplace of the Arab Spring on Tuesday to vent their anger at new rulers they say have failed to improve their lives.

Three years ago on December 17, the selfimmolation of 26-year-old street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi in the impoverished central town of Sidi Bouzid unleashed a wave of protest across the North African country. His tragic act, aimed at attracting attention to economic hardship and repression, was the fuse for uprisings across the region that toppled veteran strongmen in Egypt, Libya and Yemen.

But three years on, unemployment in Tunisia remains stuck at 15 percent, with little prospect of improvement as the country remains gripped by political crisis.

“Tuesday will be a day of rage and protests against the policies of the government which did not keep to its word and betrayed the promises of the revolution,” said activist Youssef Jlili. Jlili said it would be a peaceful demonstration organised jointly with other pro-reform groups and the UGTT trade union confederation.

A tribute will also be held for two opposition politicians who were killed earlier this year by suspected jihadists, triggering calls for the resignation of the Islamist-led government. The murders plunged Tunisia into a deep crisis which began to ease in October when the ruling Islamists and the mainly secular opposition struck a hardwon agreement to form an interim government of independents pending fresh elections.

Finding a prime minister acceptable to both sides was an arduous task, and after months of delays, political parties finally named Industry Minister Mehdi Jomaa to form a new government late Saturday.

However the protrac ted crisis and resulting economic malaise led organisers of Tuesday’s events to insist the country’s leaders-President Moncef Marzouki, parliament chief Mustapha Ben Jaafar and Prime Minister Ali Larayedh were not welcome in Sidi Bouzid. “We categorically refuse their presence... because they have done nothing but impoverish our region. They are not credible,” said UGTT

official Lazhar Ghmoudi.

‘Nothing has changed’ Three years after the uprising that forced veteran president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country, there is growing frustration with the failure of Tunisia’s new rulers to improve their lives. The Sidi Bouzid region is home to nearly half a million people and its unemployment rate is the nation’s highest at 24.4 percent. “Three years have gone by and nothing changed.

The social and economic situation is still difficult and the region has plunged into misery,” said activist Mondher Chaibi.

“The only thing that has changed is that they have built high walls around state buildings,” he said. Protests have rocked Sidi Bouzid, like other parts of Tunisia, over the past two years, and demonstrators have attacked government and ruling party buildings, and clashed with police. “Our lives have gone from bad to worse. We are poorer than before and our children are out of work,” said Hasnia Mnasri, who runs a stall selling clothes outside police headquarters.

“The only thing the government gave us is that,” she said, pointing to a commemorative cart-statue erected on the square outside the governor’s office in memory of Bouazizi. In a nearby coffee shop, young job-seekers agreed they have little to live for in Tunisia, and spoke of their dreams of escaping to Europe for a better life. “I was unemployed (before the uprising). I am still unemployed and I am always going to be,” said Safouane Amri, 24.

He joked that the only “magic wand” that might change his life would be to meet a foreigner on the Internet and leave Tunisia to marry her, “even if she is 80.”

Earlier this month, the World Bank warned that it saw no prospect of unemployment easing in the short term, given that “Tunisia needed growth of more than 4.5 percent to reduce the number of people out of work.”

It also predicted that growth in 2013 would not exceed 2.6 percent-despite optimistic predictions from the government of growth of 3.0-3.5 this year and 4.5 percent in 2014. — AFP

Japan diplomat hurt in Yemen stabbing SANAA: Assailants stabbed a Japanese diplomat repeatedly yesterday after dragging him from his car in the Yemeni capital, scene of a spate of attacks on foreigners, the embassy and witnesses said. The consul and second secretary at the embassy suffered five stab wounds in the morning attack in the Hadda neighbourhood, an embassy spokesman said.

“He is in a stable condition,” a diplomat said yesterday afternoon, while a medical source said “he needs to be hospital for few days to recover.”

The embassy spokesman declined to disclose the name of the consul. It was unclear if the attack was an attempted kidnapping. The spokesman said he had been driving ahead of the consul, who was no longer behind him when he arrived at the embassy. The diplomats had been driving without guards, he added. Witnesses said six masked men attacked the diplomat in a small street, about 250 metres (820 feet) away from the Japanese mission.

They pulled him out of his car and one of the assailants hit him on the head with a pis-

tol butt, before pushing him to the ground and driving off in his vehicle. Local residents said they administered first aid in a nearby shop, until an embassy vehicle arrived and took him away. An AFP correspondent found traces of blood in the street. Security forces deployed around the hospital and set up checkpoints.

Foreigners are frequently attacked or kidnapped in Yemen, home to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula which is viewed by the United States as the network’s deadliest franchise. But armed tribesmen also kidnap foreigners to use as bargaining chips to gain government concessions. A Dutch couple was set free last week after spending six months in captivity. In late November, unidentified gunmen killed a Belarussian defence contractor and wounded another in an attack outside their hotel in Sanaa. And a German embassy guard was killed in October as he resisted an attempt to kidnap him. Hitand-run assassinations are frequent in Yemen and are mostly blamed on Al-Qaeda militants, or stem from tribal disputes. — AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

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

Kenya’s 50th independence ’versary marred by attacks Death toll from Nairobi bus blast rises to 6 NAIROBI: Thirteen people have been killed in four attacks in Kenya during week-long celebrations to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of independence, including the first attack on tourists in two years. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks-the most recent of which was an explosion on a Nairobi bus that killed six people and wounded 30 others -and there have been no arrests. Kenya has been the target of sustained attacks since the army sent troops into neighbouring Somalia to fight the country’s AlQaeda-linked Shebab insurgents in October 2011.

Eastern Kenya, along the 700-kilometre (450mile) border with Somalia, has been particularly hard hit. Experts are reluctant to draw any link between the armed conflict with the Shebab and the latest series of attacks. One Western observer told AFP that, as yet, there was “no evidence” to link the attacks. Late Friday, one person was killed and three injured in a double explosion at a market in the town of Wajir, some 100 kilometres from the Somali border.

On Tuesday, eight people were killed, including five policeman, in the Garissa region some 20 kilometres from the Somalian frontier after their vehicle was attacked in an apparent ambush.

Another policeman is missing following the attack. And Saturday’s bus attack blew the vehicle apart, turning it into a mangled metal skeleton and sending shrapnel flying through the air. Four people died and 36 were wounded.

There was also a rare attack on tourists during the week in the popular tourist location of Mombasa, a predominantly Muslim city. A grenade thrown at a minibus transporting British tourists hit a window, but did not explode. It was the first attack on tourists since 2011. The British tourists were en route to the famous Masai Mara safari park. In September 2011, British tourist David Tebbutt was killed as he fought kidnappers in a luxury tourist village on the Kenyan coast, not far from Somalia.

His wife, Judith, was captured and taken to Somalia, where she was freed after six months of

captivity. In the same year, a Frenchwoman living in Kenya, Marie Dedieu, was kidnapped by Somali gunmen from her beachfront home in Lamu, in the south-east of the country, and subsequently died.

“Mombasa has been targeted, but it is true that this attack against tourists is a novelty,” the Western observer noted. He said it was “very different” from the recent Westgate shopping mall terror attack, which left at least 67 dead. That attack, in mid-September, was the second deadliest after the bombing of the US Embassy in Kenya in 1998, which left 213 people dead. Many attacks remain unclaimed, though the finger of suspicion is often pointed at jihadists. However, the authorities in the border regions and several other areas of Kenya know there are sometimes serious conflicts between tribes caused by issues such as access to water or grazing land, which can be fuelled by local politicians. These conflicts, especially in areas where there is deadly weaponry, regularly escalate. —AFP

Ukraine’s oppn holds pro-EU demonstration KIEV: At least 200,000 pro-European demonstrators began a mass rally in the Ukrainian capital yesterday in a fresh show of force against President Viktor Yanukovych after his failure to sign a key EU agreement. Opposition parties have called on “all Ukrainians” to mass on Independence Square, where demonstrators angered by Yanukovych’s failure to sign the EU pact have held rolling protests for over three weeks. As protesters wearing the yellow and

KIEV: A man with a mustache painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag poses yesterday.— AFP blue colours of the Ukrainian flag packed into the iconic square, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said Brussels was suspending work on the Association Agreement

that would have put the country on the path to EU integration. “Work on hold,” Fuele tweeted, saying further discussions required a “clear commitment (to) sign” from the Ukrainian side.

Yanukovych is under intense pressure to decide whether to align his nation with the West by signing a deal with the EU, or to join a Moscow-led Customs Union. He is set to travel to Moscow on Tuesday to meet President Vladimir Putin for talks expected to centre on a proposed free trade deal with Russia fiercely opposed by the demonstrators.

“This is the last chance for Ukraine as an independent country,” said protester Leonid Khusachenko, a 43-year-old history teacher from the western city of Lviv, ahead of yesterday’s rally. Ukraine’s security services were on high alert as around 5,000 Yanukovych supporters bussed in from the provinces began a rival rally in a park near Independence Square, vowing “non-stop protests”. But Khusachenko, sitting by a towering barricade of snow-filled bags, wood scraps and barbed wire, a Ukrainian flag wrapped around his neck, said he did not believe there would be a repeat of last week’s crackdown by riot police given the presence of the world’s media on the square. Opposition leader and heavyweight champion Vitaly Klitschko had said ahead of the rally that “all Ukrainians must go to the Maidan to voice their aspirations to live in a modern European country,” using the Ukrainian name for the square.

“We see the attempts to frighten us, but they

will fail,” he said. The latest mass protest comes days after a failed attempt by riot police to drive the protest camp out of the iconic square, ramping up tensions in the ex-Soviet country’s deepest political crisis in a decade.Protesters have been camped out on the square where the Orange Revolution unfolded in 2004 for more than three weeks since Yanukovych failed to sign the Association Agreement.

‘An incredible show of patriotism’ The party of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko said on its website that yesterday’s rally would feature “leaders of opposition parties, public figures and foreign guests, particularly American senators.” Outspoken Republican Senator John McCain flew into Kiev on Saturday and held meetings with Klitschko, nationalist leader Oleg Tyagnybok and the head of Tymoshenko’s party, Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Posting a picture on Twitter of tens of thousands packing Independence Square for a concert and holding up the lit screens of their mobile phones, he praised the crowd for “an incredible show of patriotism.” Yanukovych moved to appease the protest movement Saturday by suspending Kiev’s mayor and the deputy head of his security council over a brutal crackdown on the protesters’ camp on November 30. Ukraine’s prosecutor general meanwhile said he would press for abuse of power charges against Kiev police chief and his deputy.—AFP

Polls overshadowed by suicide bombing BAMAKO: Malians began voting yesterday in the second round of parliamentary elections intended to cap the nation’s return to democracy, but overshadowed by the deaths of two UN peacekeepers in an Islamist attack. The polls mark the troubled west African nation’s first steps to recovery after it was upended by a military coup in March last year, finalising a process begun with the election of its first post-conflict president in August.

Turnout looked low as polling stations opened in the capital Bamako, sparking fears that voters would be scared away by an upsurge in violence by Al-Qaedalinked rebels against African troops tasked with election security alongside the Malian army. Two Senegalese UN peacekeepers were killed and seven wounded on Saturday when a suicide bomber ploughed his explosives-laden car into a bank they were guarding in the northeastern rebel bastion of Kidal.

Sultan Ould Badi, a Malian jihadist linked to several armed groups, said the attack was in retaliation for African countries’ support of a French-led military operation launched in January against Islamist rebels in northern Mali, which ethnic Tuareg’s call “Azawad”. “We are going to respond all across Azawad and in other lands... with other operations against France’s crusades,” he told AFP by telephone.

Senegalese President Macky Sall said the attack would “in no way undermine the strong commitment of Senegal to Mali” in a statement published by the

state news agency APS. “These two soldiers, killed in battle, had gone into Mali to defend democracy, freedom and peace,” he added. The French army has been carrying out an operation against armed Islamists north of the desert caravan town Timbuktu over the past week.

The offensive targeting Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is a “huge military operation, the largest in the Timbuktu region since the major northern cities were retaken by allied forces”, an African military source in Timbuktu told AFP. Twenty jihadists have been killed so far, according to French and African military sources.

Voting a ‘moral duty’ In the first round of the election on November 24 just 19 of the national assembly’s 147 seats were allocated, with turnout at 38.6 percent, a drop of almost 13 percentage points from the first round of the presidential vote. After the first round of the parliamentary election, Louis Michel, chief of the European Union observation mission, called on “all political actors” to turn out in the second round yesterday.

“In the specific context of Mali, voting is not only a right, it is a moral duty,” he said. But the campaign failed to capture the imagination of the electorate and many analysts in Bamako are expecting feeble participation. An AFP correspondent waited half an hour at a polling station in the Hamdallaye district of Bamako before seeing the first voter arrive. —AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

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

Mandela: Ultimate symbol of dignity, unwavering dedication Speech by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Army General Raul Castro Ruz, at the international tribute paid to Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg President Jacob Zuma, Relatives of Nelson Mandela, distinguished dignitaries, and fraternal people of South Africa. We pay emotional tribute to Nelson Mandela, the ultimate symbol of dignity and unwavering dedication to the revolutionary struggle for freedom and justice; a prophet of unity, peace and reconciliation. Alongside his comrades in the struggle, he led his people

in the battle against apartheid, to open the way to a new South Africa; a nonracial and united South Africa in its quest for happiness, equality and the well-being of all its children, a nation bent on overcoming the consequences of colonialism, slavery and racial segregation.

Setting an example of integrity and perseverance, he later headed the effor t to eradicate pover ty, reduce inequality and create opportunities for all. Mandela offers an insurmountable example to Latin America and the Caribbean, which are currently moving

towards unity and integration for the benefit of their peoples, on the basis of respect for diversity, and convinced that it is through dialogue and cooperation that discrepancies can be resolved and a civilized relationship established between those who think differently.

As Mandela’s life teaches us, only the concerted efforts of all nations will empower humanity to respond to the enormous challenges threatening its very existence. Cuba, a country born in the struggle for independence and for the abolition of slavery, and whose chil-

dren have African blood running in their veins, has had the privilege of fighting and building alongside the African nations.

We shall never forget Mandela’s moving homage to our common struggle when on the occasion of his visit to our country on July 26, 1991 he said that “the Cuban people have a special place in the hearts of the peoples of Africa.” I remember his bond of affection with Fidel Castro, a symbol of the fraternal relations between Africans and Cubans. Fidel has said: “Nelson Mandela will not go down in history for

the 27 consecutive years he spent incarcerated without ever renouncing his ideas. He will go down in history because he was capable of cleaning-up his soul from the poison that such an unfair punishment could have planted there; and for his generosity and wisdom, which at the moment of victory allowed him to lead with great talent his selfless and heroic people, knowing that the new South Africa could not be built on hatred and vengeance.”

Eternal honor and glory to Nelson Mandela and to the heroic people of South Africa! Thank you.

In Chile, two women are president front runners Bachelet set for big win against childhood playmate SANTIAGO: Chileans voted yesterday in a runoff election likely to hand former President Michelle Bachelet a fresh four-year term, with the center-left leader gunning for a landslide triumph to bolster her reform mandate. In Chile’s first presidential showdown between two women, voters are expected to give overwhelming backing to Bachelet, who led the country from 2006 to 2010, impressed by her easy charm and plans to tackle deep income inequality.

Her right-wing rival, the sharptongued Evelyn Matthei, has been

and former labor minister. But Bachelet fell just short of the 50 percent needed to win outright, pushing the vote into a runoff.

The two women were playmates during their childhood on an air force base, though the bloody 1973 military coup later divided their families. “This is not about choosing between ‘two women’, as the press likes to put it,” Bachelet said in a closing campaign speech to hundreds of cheering supporters on Thursday. “There are deep differences here. I think Chile is ready to face the transformations that will

wants to hike corporate taxes to pay for a wide-ranging education reform, shred the dictatorship-era constitution, and legalize abortion under certain circumstances. There have been no major polls ahead of the run-off, mainly because Bachelet’s victory has been taken for granted. While there is little doubt about the overall outcome, analysts say this assumption could result in voter apathy and low turnout that could deny Bachelet the dramatic win she is looking for to pressure a notoriously tricky Congress to approve her reforms.

SANTIAGO: Chilean presidential candidate for the New Majority coalition Michelle Bachelet displays her ballot before casting her vote at a polling station during the run-off presidential election yesterday. —AFP weakened by her family’s ties to the 1973-1990 military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet and by her post in the unpopular government of outgoing President Sebastian Pinera. In the first round of voting on Nov. 17, Bachelet, a 62year-old pediatrician by training, won nearly twice as many votes as Matthei, a 60-year-old economist

allow it to be the country we all want. We can turn Chile into a truly developed country.”

Robust, copper-led economic growth has turned Chile into a Wall Street favorite, but many Chileans feel they have yet to see the fruits of the mining boom as wealth and power remain largely concentrated in the hands of a small elite. Bachelet

“People are tired and disaffected, and that will be obvious in abstention levels,” said Pablo Salvat, professor at the Alberto Hurtado University. “It could be that fewer people vote than in the first round.”

Bachelet’s support is strong among lower and middle-class women, while Matthei’s backing is higher among older and wealthier seg-

ments of the population.

Both candidates voted early on Sunday, likely to encourage their compatriots to do the same amid the Southern Hemisphere’s December heat. Bachelet was greeted by throngs of supporters, who leapt forward to kiss and photograph her. Matthei, on the other hand, had to deal with a small group of protesters, apparently demonstrating against the installation of a factory in their community. “My main call is for participation,” Bachelet said after she cast her ballot. “With skepticism we can’t produce the changes we need.”

Parallel lives Bachelet and Matthei were neighbors during their childhood on a base in northern Chile, where their fathers were air force generals who became close friends. The girls rode bikes and played together in the street, according to a bestselling book about them. But the military coup that ushered in the 17-year long Pinochet dictatorship affected them very differently.

Matthei’s father became a key member of Pinochet’s junta while Bachelet’s father, loyal to deposed socialist President Salvador Allende, was arrested, tortured by Pinochet’s agents and died in prison. Bachelet and her mother were also tortured before fleeing into exile. Matthei backed Pinochet in a 1988 plebiscite about his rule, a decision that has dogged her in this election campaign just as Chile commemorated the 40th anniversary of the coup.

In her closing campaign event on Thursday, Matthei linked Bachelet’s reform drive to the farleft government of Venezuela.

“They want to change the constitution to resemble Venezuela, where every day it’s harder to find food,” Matthei said. “Does that remind you of anything?,” she added, in an apparent reference to shortages of the Allende era. She and Bachelet are not friends nowadays, though their connection was clear during a televised debate on Tuesday, when they referred to each other by their first names and the familiar Spanish form of “you.” —Reuters

Snowstorm brings dangerous travel conditions in the US HARRISBURG: A wide swath of the Northeast got another shot of wintry weather on Saturday, giving a boost to ski resorts but hampering travel and complicating shopping plans less than two weeks before Christmas. Parts of New England could see up to a foot by the time the front pulls out early Sunday and ushers in high winds that could be a hazard of their own. Up to 14 inches could fall in coastal towns in Maine. Multiple accidents were reported on roadways throughout the Midwest and Northeast, while airports reported about 1,000 cancelations as some parts of the Northeast got a third round of snow in a week’s time - and well before the official start of winter.

At resorts and ski towns in Northern New England, the snow was a welcome sight for the slopes.

“We have been watching (the forecast) since people first started talking about it on Monday or Tuesday,” said Ethan Austin, spokesman for the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Carrabassett Valley, Maine.

“We’re pretty psyched.” The snow-dampened shopping weekend in mid-December was not such good news for retailers. Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation, said consumers would likely take their shopping online. She said the weekend before Christmas will give retailers and shoppers another bite at the apple.

“If a big storm hits around the 21st, 22nd, it will be a completely different story,” Grannis said.

Airlines canceled about 1,000 flights because of the storm, including almost 375 flights into and out of Newark, N.J., and 189 at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. “It’s a pretty bad day for Newark,” said Mark Duell, a spokesman for FlightAware, a website that tracks commercial airlines. More than 40 percent of Newark’s 900 flights were cut, he said.

The weather contributed to four deadly crashes on Missouri roads on Friday and Saturday and drivers in states throughout the path of the storm were warned of slick road conditions from snow and ice. The storm dropped more than 6 inches

NEW YORK: Madison Stewart (left) of Austin, Texas, stands with her mother Darla Pate, of Mason, Texas, covered in snow as they visit Times Square, Saturday, Dec 14, 2013. —AP on parts of interior Pennsylvania by sundown, and speed limits were reduced on major interstates. Snow was falling at up to 2 inches per hour in northern Pennsylvania late in the afternoon, while the storm seemed to be skipping other areas entirely.

“It took a little while longer to start sticking down in the Harrisburg area,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Elyse Colbert in State College. “Other parts of the state, though, it’s panning out as expected.” At the Army-Navy

football game in Philadelphia, accountant Kathy Porter shivered under layers of clothing in the stands, trying to keep warm amid low temperatures she doesn’t get much of back home in Charlotte, NC. “We’re just hoping for snow and not rain - I think we can handle the snow,” Porter said. “I think we’ll be OK. A little frozen but OK.” Colbert said snow had reached more than 3 inches in State College by dinnertime Saturday and provided a lovely winter scene. “Unless you have to drive in it,” she said. —Agencies

CENTENNIAL: Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson holds a picture of Claire Davis the 17-year-old student that was shot during a briefing Saturday, Dec 14, 2013, at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo. —AP

Colorado gunman wanted to hurt many more: Sheriff CENTENNIAL: A teenager who wounded a fellow student before killing himself at a suburban Denver high school entered the building with a shotgun, a machete, three Molotov cocktails and ammunition strapped to his body, likely intending to track down a librarian who had disciplined him, authorities said Saturday. After firing a round down a hallway, Karl Pierson, 18, shot a fellow student who just happened to be sitting nearby with a friend as he headed toward the library. Claire Davis, 17, was shot in the head at point-blank range and remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition.

Pierson set off one of the devices, but killed himself just one minute and 20 seconds after entering the building because he knew a sheriff ’s deputy assigned to the school was closing in, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said at a news conference. Pierson’s original target was believed to be a librarian who coached the school’s speech and debate team. The librarian, whose name was not released, had disciplined the teen in September for reasons that haven’t been disclosed.

The librarian was able to escape the school unharmed, Robinson said. The sheriff also said Davis appeared to be a random target. Based on Pierson’s arsenal, Robinson believes the teen intended to hurt many others at the school just 8 miles from Columbine High School. “His evil intent was to harm multiple individuals,” Robinson said.

Pierson legally purchased his shotgun at a local store a week before the shooting and bought the ammunition the day of the shooting. Anyone 18 and older is allowed to buy a shotgun in Colorado; only those over 21 can legally buy a handgun.

According to Robinson, Pierson fired another round down the hallway after wounding Davis. Pierson then entered the library, fired one shot and detonated one Molotov cocktail, which caused three bookshelves to catch fire. After that, he fired a fifth round, ran to a corner and shot himself.

Robinson said investigators believe Pierson made some kind of threat in September, after the librarian disciplined him.

“We are looking into that, to the degree that it was understood, and then what interactions or interventions took place,” the sheriff said. No other details on the threat were released. Students and a teacher described Pierson as a smart and sometimes goofy student who often talked about his beliefs during class, sometimes even debating his teachers. They said he was outspoken about his Communist-leaning political views.

They also said he was an Eagle Scout who finished at the top of speech competitions.

Pierson competed in extemporaneous speaking - in which students prepare short speeches on current events - in the National

Forensic League’s national tournament in June in Birmingham, Ala. He didn’t advance to the elimination rounds, the league said. “I think he (Pierson) really cultivated his speech and argument skills and really thought that was a big part of his identity,” said Steve Miles, an English teacher who taught Pierson as a freshman. Zach Runberg, 18, a fellow senior from Pierson’s English class, said the teen was funny and made intelligent jokes. “He would speak for himself,” Runberg said. “He would not be afraid to tell someone how he feels.”

Pierson, whose parents were divorced, lived at least part of the time with his mother in a higher-end neighborhood in suburban Highlands Ranch. The home and others around it have three-car garages, and a country club is nearby. The front door of the home was covered with plywood Saturday after authorities conducted a search overnight.

Challon Winer, who lives across the street from Pierson’s home, said he often would see the teen mowing the lawn or shoveling snow from the driveway. “I noticed that he didn’t look extremely happy, but he was a teenager,” subject to the normal moods of that age group, Winer said.

In recent days the teen’s schedule appeared to change, and he left the house a little later than usual, Winer said. Winer said Pierson’s mother, Barbara Pierson, has worked with the Neighborhood Watch group and sometimes sent emails reminding residents about safety precautions. “She seemed aware of what was going on,” Winer said. Meanwhile, the family of the wounded student issued a statement Saturday saying she is suffering from severe head trauma, and asking for privacy. People gathered for a vigil for her Saturday night, while some students collected money to help cover her medical expenses.

Senior Chris Davis said he helped organize the fundraiser in hopes of helping his classmates and the larger community heal. “I feel like it’s going to make us a stronger senior class and school as a whole,” Chris Davis said. “Everyone went through it, and we all know people experienced it in their own way, and we just need to be there for everybody.” Chris Davis is not related to Claire Davis, but his locker at school is right next to hers. He described Claire Davis as someone who loves horses, has a lot of friends and always seems happy. The Arapahoe shooting came a day before the one-year anniversary of the Newtown, Conn, attack in which a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. About 200 people, including relatives of the victims of last year’s Aurora theater shooting, gathered in a park in Denver to remember those killed in Newtown. —AP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

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

India’s Modi issues warning ahead of elections NEW DELHI: India’s opposition candidate for premier Narendra Modi predicted yesterday that voters would soon “root out the corrupt” ruling Congress party nationwide, after state poll victories for his party this month. Modi, a popular but divisive figure, struck a triumphant note at his first major public rally since the results of five state polls were released, as his party seeks to gain momentum for a general election due by May. “The people of India have started this (movement) to root out the corrupt

Congress dispensation and it will soon happen across the country,” Modi said at a rally in the northern city of Dehradun.

“The elections in five Indian states concluded only recently and the results show the direction of the winds of change ... the people of this country have made an auspicious start (to a campaign) of voting the Congress party out of power in India,” he told tens of thousands of supporters. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won by a landslide in the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and

secured a narrow victory over Congress in Chhattisgarh.

The BJP also won a majority of seats for the state assembly in Delhi, but was upstaged there by new anti-corruption party Aam Aadmi Party (Common People’s Party) who took the second biggest chunk of votes. Congress retained the remote state of Mizoram.

Modi,leading in opinion polls, is seen as more business-friendly than leaders of the national Congress-led government, which is struggling with low economic

growth and graft scandals after a decade in power.

But Modi remains hugely divisive among voters, particularly religious minorities, over deadly 2002 anti-Muslim riots that broke out in the western state of Gujarat during his first term there as chief minister. Yesterday Modi resumed his jibes at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Gandhi family which has dominated politics for most of the period since India’s independence in 1947. Modi questioned Congress’s anti-

corruption credentials, after Gandhi on Saturday urged all political parties to support the passage of draft anti-graft legislation currently before the national parliament. He said Congress had not supported similar legislation in the state of Uttarakhand when the BJP was in power there. “Someone should really ask that senior leader from the Congress party who addressed the media yesterday why his party hadn’t allowed the implementation of this key anti-corruption legislation,” Modi said. — AFP

13 dead in Bangladesh as PM issues warning ruling party set to win polls even before votes cast

MEKONG DELTA: US Secretary of State John Kerry talks to reporters while riding a boat on the Mekong River Delta yesterday. —AP

In Vietnam, Kerry takes on new enemy KIEN VANG: Along the winding muddy waters of the Mekong Delta where he once patrolled for communist insurgents on a naval gunboat, Secretary of State John Kerry turned his sights Sunday on a new enemy: climate change. In this remote part of southern Vietnam, rising sea waters, erosion and the impact of upstream dam development on the Mekong River are proving a more serious threat than the Viet Cong guerrillas that Kerry battled as a young lieutenant in 1968 and 1969.

“Decades ago on these very waters, I was one of many who witnessed the difficult period in our shared history,” Kerry told a group of young professionals gathered near a dock at the riverfront village of Kien Vang. “Today on these waters I am bearing witness to how far our two nations have come together and we are talking about the future and that’s the way it ought to be,” he said.

That future, especially for the waterdependent economy of the millions who live in the Mekong Delta, is in jeopardy, he said, pledging a $17 million contribution to a program that will help the region’s rice producers, shrimp and crab farmers and fisherman adapt to potential changes caused by higher sea levels that bring salt water into the delicate ecosystem. Kerry also said he would make it a personal priority to ensure that none of the six countries that share the Mekong - China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and depend on it for the livelihoods of an estimated 60 million people exploits the river at the expense of the others.

In a pointed reference to China, which plans several Mekong Dam projects that could seriously affect downstream populations, Kerry said : “No one country has a right to deprive another country of a livelihood, an ecosystem and its capacity for life itself that comes from that river. That river is a global asset, a treasure that belongs to the region.” The Mekong’s resources must “benefit people not just in one country, not just in the country where the waters come first, but in every country that touches this great river.”

Though Kerry was keen to focus on the future, his return to the Mekong Delta, his first since 1969 despite 13 previous postwar trips to Vietnam, was clearly a home-

coming of sorts. As Kerry’s boat eased off a jetty onto the Cai Nuoc River, the secretary of state told his guide: “I’ve been on this river many times.” Asked how he felt about returning to the scene of his wartime military service for the first time, Kerry replied: “Weird, and it’s going to get weirder”.

On this tour, Kerry was clad in drab olive cargo pants, a blue-and-white plaid longsleeved shirt and sunglasses instead of the uniform he wore as a Navy officer. In a new role and new garb, Kerry revisited the delta’s rivers that made a vivid impression on him as a young lieutenant and eventually turned him against the war.

Standing next to the captain and surveying the brown water and muddy banks, Kerry recalled the smell of burning firewood as his boat passed through small fishing villages where the aroma hasn’t changed in 50 years. At one point, a family in a sampan traveling in the opposite direction smiled and waved. Kerry waved back, and noticing the family had a dog on board, remarked with a smile: “I had a dog, too. Its name was VC.” VC was the abbreviation for the Viet Cong, forces fighting the South Vietnamese and their US allies.

Before his remarks in Kien Vang, Kerry visited a general store and bought candy for a group of children, delighting them with a few words in Vietnamese. While the ringing of cell phones may have replaced the thunder of artillery fire, back on the boat Kerry looked out at the jungle canopy that rises just off the riverbank, swept his arm and remarked: “It hasn’t changed all that much. A lot of it is same old, same old.”

“This was what we called a ‘free-fire zone’,” he said. “The Viet Cong were pretty much everywhere.” Kerry first set foot in Vietnam 44 years ago after volunteering for service because, as he has said, “It was the right thing to do.” He was decorated with three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star for fighting in a conflict that he came to despise and call a “colossal mistake,” one that profoundly influenced his political career and strategic view.

“When I came home after two tours of duty, I decided that the same sense of service demanded something more of me,” he wrote in his 2003 book, “A Call to Service,” as he was unsuccessfully campaigning for the presidency in the 2004 election. —AP

Sex, lies and beef: Racy scandal hits Indonesia’s Islamic parties JAKARTA: Clandestine hotel room sex, money laundering and huge bribes to import beef evokes a seedy, criminal underworld rather than conservative politicians in the world’s most populous Muslim nation. But they all feature in a racy scandal that has shattered the clean image of Indonesia’s biggest Islamic party and could further damage already-unpopular Muslim parties at national polls next year.

“The scandal... has given Islamic parties as a whole a bad image,” said Umar S Bakry, from pollster Lembaga Survei Nasional. The controversy that has shocked the country peaked last week when an anti-corruption court sentenced the disgraced former president of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) to 16 years in jail. Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq was found guilty of bribery and money laundering after accepting kickbacks from firm Indoguna Utama in return for pressing the PKS-controlled agriculture ministry to increase the company’s beef import quota.

Two executives from the company had earlier been jailed over the case, dubbed “Beefgate” by local media, which has given blanket coverage to a scandal of enormous proportions even by the standards of graft-ridden Indonesia. Ishaaq, who resigned as president of ruling coalition member PKS when the scandal emerged, has said he will appeal the guilty verdict against him.

During their probe, anti-graft investigators uncovered juicy details that tarnished the clean, pious image the PKS has sought to cultivate. They seized six cars from Ishaaq and pros-

ecutors accused the 52-year-old of trying to hide his marriage to one of his three wives, whom he wed last year when she was still a teenager. But an arguably bigger figure in the scandal is Luthfi’s close aide Ahmad Fathanah, jailed for 14 years in November, who was a key middleman in efforts to get Indoguna’s quota increased. His arrest in January kicked the scandal off in dramatic fashion-anti-corruption agents caught the married man in a raid in a Jakarta hotel with a naked college student.

Fathanah had just collected bribe money and the student later admitted he paid her for sex.

He was found to have laundered his bribe money by giving gifts, including cars and diamonds, to 45 women, including an adult magazine model and several celebrities. The PKS plays down the scandal and insists it is still on track for a strong result at legislative elections in April. But independent polls in recent months show the party is receiving far below the almost eight percent it garnered at elections in 2009, and there is much public anger towards it. “PKS is such an absolute disgrace, anyone who votes for or supports this party must be either totally delusional or incapable of independent thought,” said a recent comment on the website of the Jakarta Globe newspaper. “Beefgate” has scotched the party’s recent efforts to reinvent itself by moving away from a purist Islamic agenda and presenting itself as a clean organisation as others were battered by graft allegations-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party in particular.—AFP

DHAKA: Thirteen more people were killed in Bangladesh yesterday after the execution of a top Islamist leader sparked riots and other protests, as the prime minister warned of a crackdown on the violence. Police said they opened fire after Islamist supporters torched houses and fought street battles with officers during a third day of unrest over the hanging of Abdul Quader Molla for mass murder during the 1971 war of independence. Three people were killed yesterday in the nor thern town of Patgram and another seven died elsewhere overnight, police said, as Islamist supporters enforced a nationwide strike over the execution of Molla, a senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. “Police fired rifles after Jamaat protesters torched at least 20 houses belonging to ruling party supporters,” government administrator Habibur Rahman told AFP of the violence in Patgram.

“We have banned protests and gatherings in the area to prevent further violence,” he added.

Molla’s execution on Thursday night triggered fresh violence in the impoverished country, already reeling from political unrest in the build-up to a deeply divisive national election scheduled for January 5. Twenty-two people are now known to have died and dozens more have been injured in the clashes since Thursday between outraged Jamaat activists and police and between the activists and supporters of the ruling Awami League (AL).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned of strong action against the rioters, saying “We have shown enough patience. We will not tolerate anymore.” “People of the country know how to reply to these atrocities (the latest violence), we (government) also know how to respond to, control you (the rioters),” she told a rally late on Saturday to commemorate those killed in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Molla, 65, became the first person to be executed for his role in that war. Jamaat called the hanging a “political murder” and said it would avenge it.

Convicted of rape, mass murder Molla had been found guilty in February by a much-criticised domestic tribunal of having been a leader of a pro-Pakistan militia that fought against the country’s independence and killed some of Bangladesh’s top professors, doctors, writers and journalists. He was convicted of rape, murder and mass murder, including the killing of more than 350 unarmed civilians.

Prosecutors called him the “Butcher of Mirpur”, a Dhaka suburb where he committed most of the atrocities. Molla was one of five Islamists and other politicians sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal, which the opposition says is aimed at eradicating its leaders. The sentences have triggered riots and plunged the country into its worst violence since independence. Some 250 people have been killed in street protests since January, when the first verdicts were handed down.

DHAKA: Bangladeshi Jamaat-e-Islami party supporters burn tires during a strike organised by the party to protest the execution of Abdul Quader Molla, a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader convicted of war crimes yesterday. — AFP During yesterday’s violence in Patgram, two Jamaat protesters were shot dead while protesters hacked to death a ruling party supporter, Rahman said, adding that the condition of two more AL supporters was “very critical”. Of the seven killed overnight, police said three died in the southern town of Companyganj, two in the northern town of Ramganj and one each in Narayanganj, outside the capital, and in the coastal town of Laxmipur. At Companyganj, an opposition bastion, police fired rifles to disperse at least 8,000 rampaging Jamaat supporters who torched four government offices and attacked officers with crude bombs and guns, a senior police officer said. In Ramganj, activists of Jamaat and its main ally, the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, attacked a convoy of ruling party lawmakers, leaving two people dead, sub-inspector Ershadul Alam told AFP. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s ruling party is set to win most of the seats in an upcoming election even before votes are cast, nomination figures showed yesterday, in a further blow to the credibility of the boycott-hit polls. The government has been under intense international pressure to resolve a standoff over the general election set for January 5 amid a worsening of political violence that has left at least 80 people dead since late October. The ruling Awami League is determined to go ahead with the polls, even though the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its 17 allies have vowed to boycott them unless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quits beforehand.

With poll nominations closing late Friday, the

Election Commission said 154 seats in the 300seat parliament have only one candidate each on the ballot paper, and 127 of the 154 are from the Awami League. Awami League allies were contesting another seven seats alone, meaning the ruling party or its allies need only win 17 of the contested seats to win a majority and stay in power. BNP vice-president Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the uncontested seats have “set a new mark in election fraudulence” in the country. “It’s totally farcical. The government is implementing a blueprint to rob the people of their voting rights,” he told AFP. “Bangladesh is creating new history in election scandal,” the country ’s largest-circulation Bengali daily Prothom Alo said yesterday. The BNP and its allies demand that Hasina step down to make way for a neutral caretaker government to oversee the polls, as in the past.

Some 80 people have been killed since late October when the BNP-led opposition launched protests, strikes and transport blockades to pressure Hasina to resign. The opposition, led

by Hasina’s rival Khaleda Zia, has said it fears the premier will try to rig the vote in a country plagued for decades by coups and political upheaval, and vowed to boycott the poll.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry called Hasina last week to stress the need for talks with the opposition to resolve the election standoff. But Hasina has rejected the demands for her resignation and is determined to hold the poll as scheduled, insisting it is a constitutional requirement. — Agencies

Thai military sees role in ensuring ‘fair’ polls BANGKOK: Thailand’s military offered yesterday to help the politically polarised country hold a “fair and clean” election next year, suggesting the armed forces may play a role in a vote aimed at ending protests seeking to topple the government. The idea was raised at a forum organised by the caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who last week called an election for Feb. 2 to try to defuse protests targeting her brother, ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and his influence on Thailand’s political system.

The protesters, backed by Bangkok’s elite, have rejected the proposed election and want to set up a “people’s council” that would eradicate the influence of the “Thaksin regime” and introduce reforms following a decade of election wins by Thaksin or his allies on broad support from the urban and rural poor. General Nipat Thonglek, the Defence Ministry’s permanent secretary, said at the forum: “The military wants to see the Feb. 2 election. If there are signs that

the election will not be fair, the military is ready to make it fair and clean.”

It’s unclear how the military would do that.

Nipat did not elaborate, but armed forces chief General Tanasak Patimapragorn said on Saturday he wanted to see the general election take place and that there should be “a central panel” to help educate the public about free and fair elections.

Although army leaders have expressed neutrality in the crisis, the military has a long history of intervening in politics in support of the traditional Bangkok elite that includes generals, royal advisers and old-money families who have backed both the protests and the opposition Democrat Party.

The military has staged or attempted 18 coups over the past 80 years, including one in 2006 to remove Thaksin. Military sources say protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is backed by two powerful retired generals, former defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and former army chief General Anupong Paochinda. Both

BANGKOK: An anti-government protester dances near the Democracy Monument, in Thailand yesterday. — AP

have a history of enmity with Thaksin and remain influential in the current military establishment.

Suthep is a former deputy prime minister in the previous Democrat-led government that Yingluck’s party beat by a landslide in a 2011 election. The forum comes a day after Suthep outlined his movement’s aims at an armed forces seminar, urging the military to join his movement and repeating his demands that Yingluck resign to make way for an interim government of appointed leaders whose reforms would clean up a political system he says Thaksin corrupted.

Unassailable at the polls Thailand’s eight-year political conflict centres on Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon popular among the rural poor because of policies pursued when he was in power and carried on by governments allied to him after he was toppled. He gained an unassailable mandate that he used to advance the interests of big companies, including his own. Since 2008, he has chosen to live in exile after being sentenced in absentia to jail for abuse of power, a charge he calls politically motivated.

The chances of the election taking place may become clearer at the start of this week when the opposition Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest, decides whether to take part. Yingluck’s Puea Thai Party seems almost certain to win again. Democrat lawmakers resigned from parliament on Dec 8 and joined the street protests.

Suthep had resigned earlier to lead the movement, which gained impetus in early November after Yingluck’s government tried to push through a political amnesty bill that would have allowed Thaksin to return home a free man. As deputy premier, Suthep authorised a military crackdown to end weeks of anti-government protests by Thaksin supporters in central Bangkok in 2010. Scores of protesters died and Suthep has been charged with murder in connection to the crackdown. — Reuters

NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

High-profile meeting... Nelson Mandela laid to rest

Qaeda more dangerous...

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

The session comes a day after the constitutional court is scheduled to issue a key verdict on whether the July parliamentary polls were in line with the constitution or not. If the court scraps the election, it would mean dissolving the Assembly for the third consecutive time in less than 18 months and the second in less than six months.

Regarding the meeting, Speaker Ghanem said remarks by lawmakers about financial violations in the ministries have been made to the prime minister and “we will hold another meeting in our bid to achieve reforms”. MP Abdulsamad said the prime minister was very responsive to the remarks made during the meeting but some conflicting opinions were expressed and the committee will study all of them. He said the prime minister said that all ministers will attend meetings of the committee in the future when matters related to their ministries come up for debate.

Rapporteur of the committee MP Mohammad AlHuwailah said that the prime minister said officials who do fail to attend the committee’s meetings should “sit at home”. He said that MPs called for reviving a committee in the Cabinet to study reports of the Audit Bureau and those of the closing financial statements of ministries and state agencies.

In another development, MP Yacoub Al-Sane yesterday gave the finance minister two weeks to halt the AlZour North power and water desalination project or he will file to grill him. The contract had been awarded to a consortium of several foreign firms and a local firm amid protests by MPs that the awarding process had violated the law. But the finance and electricity and water ministries last week signed all the final documents and contracts and work on the project is expected to start soon.

He recalled his fellow inmate as a powerful amateur boxer who could cope far better than others with the physical challenge of hard labour. “What I saw in hospital was a man helpless and reduced to a shadow of himself,” he said, struggling not to break down.

“Farewell my dear brother, my mentor, my leader. Now I’ve lost a brother, my life is in a void and I don’t know who to turn to.”

Kathrada’s words left many in tears among the invited guests, whose ranks included foreign dignitaries and celebrities ranging from Britain’s Prince Charles to US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.

The funeral closed the final chapter in the life of a towering public figure whose courage and moral fortitude turned him into a global symbol of freedom and hope. During 10 days of mourning, hundreds of thousands of South Africans had turned out across the country to bid farewell to the founding father of their “Rainbow Nation”. They braved a rain-sodden memorial in Soweto and for three days queued to see his remains lying in state at Pretoria’s Union Buildings. For 50 million compatriots, Mandela was not just a president, but a moral guide who led them away from internecine racial conflict. “Ever since he passed away, I wanted to walk the journey with him,” said Pascal Moloi, 52, who came from Johannesburg to watch with Mandela’s fellow villagers.

While Mandela had been critically ill for months, the announcement of his death on Dec 5 still sent a spasm through a country struggling to carry forward his vision of a harmonious multi-racial democracy of shared

prosperity. During the funeral, President Jacob Zuma told the country to carry on Mandel’s legacy. “One thing we can assure you of today, tata (father), as you take your final steps, is that South Africa will continue to rise. “South Africa will continue to rise because we dare not fail you,” Zuma said.

After the ceremony, Mandela’s coffin was transported to a graveyard sitting on the sprawling family estate that Mandela built in Qunu after his release from prison in 1990. “It was in that village that I spent some of the happiest years of my boyhood and whence I trace my earliest memories,” he wrote in his autobiography. As the coffin was lowered into the ground, six jets flew over the gravesite in a “missing man formation”, usually reserved for tributes to a fallen pilot.

After a life spent in the public spotlight, Mandela’s final rites were a fiercely private affair. A family deprived of their husband and father during his 27 years in apartheid prisons and many more years in public service seized it as an intimate last goodbye to a man who meant much to millions. A live television broadcast followed the coffin to the graveside but was cut after several minutes in line with the family’s wishes. Overseen by male members of his clan in line with traditional Xhosa rites, the burial included the slaughter of an ox - a ritual marking of a life’s milestones.

Mandela was referred to throughout as Dalibhunga, the name given to him at the age of 16 after undergoing the initiation to adulthood. After the ceremony Bizos - who was Mandela’s defence lawyer - echoed the heartbreak of a nation. “We have known each other for 65 years,” Bizos said, “now he is gone. It has been a difficult 10 days.” — AFP

Speaking at the Jamestown Foundation’s annual conference on terrorism in Washington, Mattis said: “Al-Qaeda is resilient, they adapted. We have to think strategically before we act, not only act tactically.” Bin Laden’s death in May 2011 triggered a wave of optimism that the United States and its allies might have broken the back of the jihadist threat, but today officials here are under no illusions.

Since the audacious commando strike that took out Al-Qaeda’s apparently largely symbolic chieftain, the black banner of his movement has been raised more widely than ever. Militants inspired by or linked to Bin Laden’s brand of armed jihad have sacked a US consulate in Libya and stormed a shopping mall in Kenya. Attacks are on the rise once again in Iraq, Al-Qaeda has reportedly begun operating in Egypt’s Sinai desert and violent extremist groups are now the most powerful elements in the rebel coalition fighting in the Syrian civil war.

Bruce Hoffman, director of the Center for Peace and Security Studies at Georgetown University, told the Jamestown conference that collapsing states in the Middle East were opening up space for extremists. “The oxygen that AlQaeda depends on is access to sanctuaries and safe haven. And unfortunately over the past two years it gained greater access to more ungoverned spaces,” he said. “The success of the attack in Nairobi and earlier in Mumbai suggests that this groups have now within their capacity the ability to ful-

fill one of Bin Laden’s last commands or operational desires, which was to stage Mumbai-style attacks in Europe.”

For the experts gathered in Washington, Syria’s civil war - which has attracted Islamist volunteers from Muslim communities in Europe as well as Arab countries has worked greatly to Al-Qaeda’s advantage. “The Al-Qaeda affiliated groups have created an alliance which disposes of 45,000 guerrilla fighters across the country,” said David Kilcullen, a renowned counterinsurgency expert who has advised US forces in the field. “It’s a very significant number, almost twice as many as we see in terms of Taleban fighters in Afghanistan,” he said.

“We’re seeing a recovery on all fronts for AlQaeda.”

For Bruce Riedel, a three-decade CIA veteran who now works for the Brookings Institution, Al-Qaeda’s resurgence is proof that it has managed to ride out and ultimately profit from the revolts that have roiled the Middle East and North Africa. “AlQaeda’s narrative was challenged in 2011 by the Arab Spring. Peaceful demonstrations succeeded in toppling dictators. AlQaeda’s narrative was at risk. Terror had not produced change, Twitter had,” Riedel said.

“But today, everything is different. AlQaeda’s narrative is validated in 2013, most notably in Egypt. The counterrevolution has succeeded, the army has overthrown the elected government. For those who want to join Al-Qaeda’s movement, events in Cairo, in Damascus have validated what they long said: Jihad is the only solution to the problem of change in the Muslim world today.” —AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

ANALYSIS

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

Founder and Publisher

YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief

ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24835619 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait.

E MAIL :info@kuwaittimes.net Website: www.kuwaittimes.net

Issues

Atmosphere at US Capitol remains toxic

By Susan Cornwell and David Lawder

A

nyone expecting a new era of good feeling to break out on Capitol Hill in the wake of last week’s bipartisan budget deal should probably forget about it. That was the clear message from most lawmakers interviewed on Friday as well as from close observers of Congress, after the deal passed through the US House of Representatives on Thursday on its way to the Senate. The budget bill, negotiated by Republican Representative Paul Ryan and Democratic Senator Patty Murray, is vague and non-specific, avoiding tough, divisive issues. But Congress’ agenda for the next year is full of specifics, including raising the debt ceiling, funding individual government programs, immigration reform and passing a farm bill.

“I think next year is tougher,” said Nebraska Republican Senator Mike Johanns. “It’s an election year. Tens of millions of dollars will be spent trashing people, and it’s hard to forget that.” The deal was a “one-off,” said Norm Ornstein, a scholar of Congress at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. It may avoid government shutdowns, assuming it passes the Senate next week as expected, he said. But “I don’t see any signs that the fundamentals have changed.” That was also the message from the floor of the US Senate, where Republicans, some red-faced with rage, kept berating Democrats on Friday for stripping away their right to block President Barack Obama’s judicial nominations using the filibuster, a procedural hurdle. “The whole atmosphere here is totally poisoned, OK,” said Senator John McCain when asked as he left the floor if the budget deal changed anything. “There’s no cooperation, there’s no comity. And it is what it is,” notwithstanding the fact that Democrats and Republicans came together to approve the budget bill. “It can’t get much worse,” he said.

Election Year ‘Trashing’ That does not bode well for the issues facing Congress as it enters its second half, with all seats in the Republican-led House and a third of those in the Democratic-led Senate up for election next November. The political advantage of the budget agreement was its vagueness. It set overall spending levels for two years, a significant break from the recent pattern of short-term funding bills that required extension every few months, always under the threat of a government shutdown like the 16-day closure in October. But it did not tackle the most volatile issues, such as Democratic demands for tax increases and Republican efforts to control spending on “entitlements,” such as the healthcare program for seniors, Medicare, or Social Security retirement.

While it set as a goal $1.012 trillion in spending, it did not specify how the sum would be divided up among individual programs, each of which has a constituency. Indeed, once the budget bill is approved by the Senate, as expected next week, a more challenging and potentially acrimonious appropriations process will begin that could set off a scramble among advocates for particular interests. “We have a heavy lift ahead of us,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, “drafting, negotiating, and passing these bills in just over one month.” In an interview on PBS, Murray acknowledged that she and Ryan avoided the divisive questions. “You set aside the hot issues,” she noted in describing the formula for success in the negotiations. In the immigration fight, for example, setting aside the “hot issues” might not be possible, as Democrats, including Obama, insist that any legislation contain a “pathway to citizenship” for the 11 million undocumented people living in the United States. That presents a problem for many conservative Republicans, who see those people as having broken the law by either entering the United States illegally or overstaying their visas.

Debt Ceiling Unresolved Nor did the budget deal address the bill expected in the spring to increase the nation’s borrowing limit. Conservatives, particularly those associated with the Tea Party movement, have regularly opposed the debt ceiling measure, twice bringing the government to the brink of a potential default. Since Republican House Speaker John Boehner enraged conservatives this week by pushing through the budget deal they equated with surrender, Ornstein believes he may feel a need to mollify them by again demanding big spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.

“If you do something” that angers “the radical wing, does that give you more ability and incentive to do it again or does it require you to do something to make it clear that you really love them?” said Ornstein. The debt ceiling “will come up,” said Johanns. “We are going to struggle with that issue.” “The fact that the debt ceiling fight will come right before the Republican primaries means that the fiscal battles haven’t gone away, but instead will likely heat up,” said Ron Bonjean, a former Republican leadership aide in the House. “Republican members of Congress will want to show how conservative they are to voters back home,” he said. “This deal looks like a peaceful retreat made by both parties in order to rest up for the major battle over the debt ceiling.” —Reuters

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.

Abe to push security agenda with urgency

By Linda Sieg

P

rime Minister Shinzo Abe will likely push with fresh urgency next year a bid to ease legal limits on the Japanese military’s ability to fight shoulder to shoulder with allies overseas, a goal that eluded him in his first troubled term. Lifting Japan’s self-imposed ban on exercising the right of collective selfdefence would mark a major turning point for Japan’s post-war security policy and could increase tensions in the region, where a row over tiny uninhabited islands in the East China Sea encapsulates growing Sino-Japanese mistrust.

Since its World War Two defeat in 1945, Japan’s military has not engaged in combat. However, successive governments have stretched the limits of the US-drafted, pacifist constitution to allow non-combat missions abroad. Abe whose first term as premier ended when he abruptly quit in 2007 due to parliamentary deadlock and ill health returned in triumph a year ago this month, pledging to revive Japan’s stagnant economy and bolster its global security clout. “Although there is no national election scheduled until 2016, if he doesn’t resolve various issues in parliament next year, momentum will falter and he will run out of time,” said Hokkaido University professor Jiro Yamaguchi. “Abe probably feels strongly that next year will be the last chance to implement his long-held goals.”

Until last month, Abe’s popularity ratings were above 60 percent, rare for a Japanese leader after a year in office,

thanks to an economic recovery and buoyant stock prices which were in turn fuelled by hyper-easy monetary policy, a pillar of his “Abenomics” growth agenda.

Last month he achieved one cherished goal in his conservative agenda when parliament enacted a law to create a National Security Council, which will concentrate control over security and diplomatic policies in the prime minister’s hands.

A first-ever National Security Strategy to be approved next Tuesday will underscore Abe’s push to bolster the military and raise Japan’s security profile in the face of a rising China. Public concerns in Japan about China’s growing military assertiveness have so far provided support for Abe’s stance. Abe’s support, however, slid to about 50 percent this month after his ruling bloc steamrolled through parliament a strict state secrets act that the government says is vital to persuade allies to share intelligence. Critics, however, say it echoes Japan’s wartime authoritarian regime and will muzzle the media.

Ironically, the drop in opinion polls plus fears of an economic relapse after the national 5 percent sales tax rises to 8 percent in April - may encourage the Japanese leader to push for the change rather than wait and risk further declines that would undercut his clout in his own party, some experts said. “You should not forget that the strength of Abe comes not from his conservative agenda but from his management of the economy,” said a former government official. “An economic downturn could change that

picture.” Another sales tax hike to 10 percent, to rein in Japan’s huge public debt, is slated for 2015 and would be especially controversial if the economy sags, sapping political energy.

Wary Domestic Ally “If he pushes it (lifting the ban) through, it will be disastrous but it is quite likely that he will,” said lawmaker Seiichiro Murakami. A rare outspoken critic of Abe in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Murakami predicts that steamrolling controversial security policies risks sparking a voter backlash, especially if the economy stumbles. “The state secrets act, the National Security Council, collective self-defense and a revision of US-Japan defence co-operation guidelines are a package,” he added.

Tokyo and Washington have agreed to update guidelines on how their militaries interact by the end of next year.

Still, a continued fall in support ratings would complicate Abe’s efforts but would not deter him. “There will be no change in his stance, but the problems have increased,” said former defense official Kyouji Yanagisawa. “If he rushes, criticism will emerge from inside the ruling parties,” added Yanagisawa, who handled security matters at the prime minister’s office during Abe’s first term. Abe’s high popularity rates have been a key factor silencing potential critics in the ruling bloc. Critics have said lifting the ban is more likely to mean Japan gets involved in armed conflicts overseas that put Japanese lives at risk.

A panel of Abe advisers is set to urge

Japan to lift the ban in a report next year, a change the United States would welcome as a way for Tokyo to take on more of the burden for the alliance but that China would likely see as a disturbing sign Japan wants to flex its military muscle. Tensions between the two Asian rivals spiked last month after China announced a new air defence zone that overlapped with air space above disputed isles in the East China Sea. The report

by Abe’s advisers, however, has been delayed until after the passage of the budget for the year from April because his junior coalition partner, the more dovish New Komeito, is wary.

The party, which gets most of its votes from a lay Buddhist group, has a track record of compromising to stay in power, but how far it is prepared to bend this time is unclear. “For the New Komeito, its stance as a peace party is fundamental.

They cannot reject that,” Yanagisawa said.

“The question is, to what extent can the New Komeito make its views felt.”

If Abe can persuade the New Komeito to sign off and thus gain cabinet approval, the government would need to submit to parliament bills to provide a legal basis for the change. Liberal media and intellectuals would probably try to rally public opinion against the change, but many in the opposition Democratic Party and smaller parties support lifting the ban. “It is important to have a more effective framework for Japan-US (military) operations, including collective selfdefence,” said Democratic Party lawmaker Seiji Maehara, a former foreign minister. —Reuters

Not sci-fi, but robots readied for big tests

By Geoff Mulvihill

T

he real world has not caught up yet with “Star Wars” and its talking, thinking robots, but some of the most sophisticated units that exist are heading to Florida this week for a Defense Department competition. Seventeen humanoid robots will be evaluated Friday and Saturday at Homestead Miami Speedway for how well they can complete tasks including getting into an all-terrain vehicle and driving it and opening doors. It’s all stuff people can do. But the mission for the teams in the competition is to make robots that could function in disaster zones where the conditions could be threatening to humans.

It’s advanced but not sci-fi.

The robots, which move far slower than humans, are controlled by people telling them what action to take. The top bots will move into the finals next year. The winning team gets $2 million as part of a project of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The entry by defense contractor Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Laboratories, made with help from students at the University of Pennsylvania and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, has been tested in an industrial park in Pennsauken.

The labs did well enough in the virtual version of the competition this year to be supplied a prebuilt robot and allowed to

continue to this month’s round of the DARPA challenge. With the machine already built, Lockheed’s team was responsi-

In this Dec 11, 2013 photo, engineer Nick Letwin watches as the CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform robot, known as CHIMP, is put through some paces as it pulls a fire hose during a preparation run at the National Robotics Engineering Center in Pittsburgh. —AP

ble for the software. “We want the system to be intuitive to untrained operators,” said Bill Borgia, the director of Lockheed’s intelligent robotics laboratory. During a practice session last week, an engineer used a joystick and a computer mouse to tell the 6-foot tall, 300pound robot where - and how to move as it picked up pieces of rubble.

In a real-life rubble removing situation, the controller might not be close to the robot. That’s why the operators did their work from behind a black curtain. They had monitors to show the view from a camera on the robot, but they could not see the whole action from the outside. The robot designed at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University is called CHIMP - for CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform. It is just over 5 feet tall and is one of 10 robots that were designed and built from scratch over the last 14 months for the DARPA challenge. Other teams are using their software on robots supplied by DARPA. Anthony Stentz is the director of the National Robotics Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon and the lead researcher on CHIMP. “ We wanted to design a robot that had roughly human form, so that it fits in the environment that humans operate in. But we didn’t want to

take on the difficult task of building a machine that it too humanlike,” Stentz said. For example, walking on two legs presents a major engineering challenge, so CHIMP rolls on treads, like a small tank. It has treads on its arms, too, and gets down on all fours to go over rough terrain.

Like other robots in the competition, CHIMP gets some commands from humans but also has the ability to make limited decisions. “So we are telling it what to do, and it’s deciding how to do it,” Stentz said. Stentz said many people don’t really understand how difficult it is to get a machine to do even simple tasks. Robots excel in doing particular things such as welding a car part on an assembly line. But search and rescue missions take place in vastly different and constantly changing environments.

During practice runs at CMU, it took CHIMP several minutes to open a door or attach a fire hose to a water faucet. While less exciting than fictional robots’ capabilities, those tasks are more complicated and varied than robots usually do, such as vacuuming a room. “We think that the public ends up with a sense that robots are far more capable than they are,” Stentz said of how Hollywood portrays the machines. —AP

S P ORTS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

Players shocked by Clarke sacking: Reid

Thornton slapped with 15-game ban

Braehmer captures WBA light heavyweight belt

LONDON: West Bromwich Albion full-back Steven Reid said yesterday that the club’s players had been left in “complete shock” by the abrupt dismissal of head coach Steve Clarke. Clarke was sacked late on Saturday, following a run of four consecutive defeats that left the Midlands club two points above the Premier League relegation zone.

The 50-year-old Scot led West Brom to an eighth-place finish last seasontheir highest in the Premier League era-and Reid says that the players had no inkling that he was about to be shown the door. “There is a shock.

Sometimes in a dressing room you get a sense a change is coming, but this has come as a complete shock,” he told BBC television programme Match of the Day Extra.

“In recent weeks we can only put the results down to a drop in confidence. In the Premier League, when you go on a run of three or four games without a victory it can affect the confidence of the lads and then you are looking at ways you can get back on track.” West Brom are yet to appoint a successor to Clarke, with assistant coach Keith Downing due to take control of first-team affairs on a temporary basis. Reid backed the West Brom board to pick the right man to succeed Clarke.—AFP

BOSTON: Boston Bruins enforcer Shawn Thornton was slapped with a 15game ban Saturday for a vicious attack on Pittsburgh’s Brooks Orpik during a December 7 game at TD Garden arena.

The 42-year-old Thornton kicked the skates out from under Orpik, knocking him to the ice then punched him twice in the head.

Penguins defenceman Orpik was stretchered off the ice and taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. He was treated and released that same night.

“This was an act of retribution for an incident that occurred earlier in the game,” said the National Hockey League’s disciplinary chief Brendan Shanahan. “The result of this action by Thornton was serious injury to Orpik.” Orpik, a US citizen, has not played since the incident which took place halfway through the first period of the game. Canadian Thornton was given a major penalty and a game misconduct.

Earlier in the contest, Orpik delivered a hard hit to Boston forward Loui Eriksson, knocking the Swede out of the game. Eriksson was also diagnosed with a concussion. After that hit on Eriksson, Thornton tried unsuccessfully to get Orpik to fight and was given a two minute penalty by the officials.—AFP

NEUBRANDENBURG: Germany’s Juergen Braehmer defeated Marcus Oliveira by unanimous decision to take the vacant WBA world light heavyweight title on Saturday night. The judges scored it 115-112, 117-110, 117110 in favor of the 35-year-old Braehmer, a former WBO champion, who withstood a late barrage from the previously undefeated American in the last round to claim his second world title. The title had been vacant since Kazakhstan’s Beibut Shumenov was declared the WBA’s “super” world light heavyweight champion.

Braehmer improved to 42-2 (31 KOs), while the 34-year-old Oliveira dropped to 25-1-1, (20 KOs). The fight had a late start following a disagreement over which boxer should enter the ring first. Oliveira promoter Don King insisted his fighter went second as he had a higher ranking than Braehmer.

The German’s promoter, Nisse Sauerland, called the unforeseen delay “a joke.” Braehmer eventually went first and Oliveira subsequently emerged to a chorus of boos and whistles from the aggrieved crowd. The bout finally got under way after midnight local time.—AP

National Guard excel at Mustafa Karam tourney

Officials and winners pose for a photo.

Group picture with female winners.

Mohammad Karam receives a memento from Eng Al-Otaibi.

By Abdellatif Sharaa KUWAIT: As the shooting sport season is at full swing, Mustafa Karam tournament came to an end on Saturday with the club’s shooters proving themselves hard to beat despite the tough competition they faced from National Guard shooters.

Mustafa Karam and Sons Contracting Company annual tournament attracted a large number of shooters over three days. The closing ceremony was attended by President of the Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations, Director General of Mustafa Karam Company (MK Co) Mohammad Mustafa Karam, Secretary General of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Obaid Al-Osaimi, KSSF Treasurer Essa Butaiban and Assistant Secretary Engr Mohammad Al-Ghurba.

Engineer Duaij Al-Otaibi lauded competition during the tournament and thanked the junior shooters for their efforts which enabled them to make good results that placed them high on the winning list.

He said the National Guard shooters are making good advances in every tournament which promises to form a national team to represent Kuwait shooting soon.

Meanwhile, Engr Mohammad AlGhurba thanked MK and Sons Company for supporting shooting at all local, regional Arab and international levels, when organized at Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Olympic Shooting Complex.

Results of the tournament are as follows: In the air pistol for men, National

Guard shooters Hamad Saad, Suhail Jassem and Hassan Abdelmajeed took the first three places. In air rifle for men, the club shooters Abdallah Al-Harby, Ali Al-Mutairi and Mohammad Abdelrahman were winners.

In women’s air pisol, Huthama AlBaghli, Iman Bouland and Sheikha AlObaidli, and in the air rifle Mariam Irzouqi, Zahra Al-Saffar and Heba Irzouqi.

In the 50m free rifle three positions for men Muffareh Al-Subaie was first followed by Abdallah Al-Harby and Ali AlMutairi.

In the 50 meter pistol for men Hamad Saad was first, Hassan Abdelmajeed second and Sami Wasmi third.

In the juniors 50 meter pistol Sami Wasmi, Sultan Al-Thafiri and Khalifa AlThafiri.

In the junior’s air rifle Ali Al-Mutairi was first followed by Bandar Al-Mutairi and Mohammad Abdelrahman.

In the women’s juniors air rifle Heba Irzouqi was first followed by Zahra AlSaffar and Kinda Al-Zayed.

In the air pistol junior men Khalifa AlThafiri, Sultan Al-Thafiri and Sami Wasmi, meanwhile Sheikha Al-Obaidli, Dana AlRuwaie and Rawan Al-Qatan were winners in the women air pistol event.

In the 50m free rifle juniors for men Turki Al-Shimmari was first, followed by Bandar Al-Mutairi and Mohammad Abdelrahman.

In archery, men compound Musallam Faisal was first, meanwhile in the Olympic event Fahad Al-Rashidi was first while Asman Ashoor won the women event.

Kuwait’s freestyle driving competition concludes KUWAIT: The freestyle driving competition concluded here late Saturday with Ayeth Al-Otaibi and Ayeq Al-Fahdli winning the “freestyle” and “free-steel pro” competitions respectively. The competition, which witnessed the participation of 30 drivers, was organized by the Kuwaiti quarter mile motorsports club.

The club’s Board Chairman Sheikh Ali Al-Fawaz Al-Sabah lauded all the drivers who took part in the first ever freestyle driving competition. He hoped that more drivers would participte in future installments of the competition, affirming that such involvement would further develop freestyle driving in Kuwait. —KUNA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

S P ORTS

Injured Broad not ruling anything out, awaits results of scan PERTH: Stuart Broad will not bowl again in the third Ashes test after injuring his right foot yesterday but he said he might bat in England’s second innings and had not given up hope of rescuing the match.

The 27-year-old paceman also hopes that “ice and elevation” over the next 10 days will enable him to play in the fourth test, which starts in Melbourne on Dec. 26.

Australia might well have secured the return of the Ashes by then, having taken a 369-run lead on Sunday with two full days to bolster their advantage and

bowl England out for a 3-0 series lead.

Broad suffered the injury when he was dismissed lbw by a full Mitchell Johnson delivery that struck him on the right boot during an England collapse that all but ended their chance of winning the match.

“It immediately hur t,” Broad told reporters. “So I came into the changing room and got some ice on it. “Obviously, I was desperate to get out there and bowl so I had to try it out in the nets.

Normally with a bruise you get a bit of blood but when you get going the pain decreases. It actually increased quite a

bit in the nets.

“I wanted to go out and have a spell, but the doctor said I had to go for an xray. “Something showed up on the x-ray but it was a bit inconclusive so had to have an MRI. We’re just waiting on those results back from England now.

“I’m desperate to play a part in the rest of the Ashes series. I won’t be bowling tomorrow, but there’s a bit of a break in between this test and the next and I’m desperate to be there.” England’s best bowler in the ongoing series with 14 wickets at an average of 25 runs apiece, Broad missed the last three matches of

the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia through injury.

“As a fast bowler injuries are part and parcel of it (but) it’s a bit more frustrating when you get hurt batting,” he added.

“At the end of the day even if there’s a small crack there and my symptoms are not painful, there’s no reason why I can’t continue to play.

“I’ve got 10 days until Boxing Day. Even if there is a crack, I see no reason I can’t get myself back in the frame.”

Broad, who came into the news conference on crutches wearing a protective boot, said whether he batted or not in

England’s second innings would be dependent on the match situation.

“It will depend how many overs left and how many runs we’ve made,” he said. “Hopefully the decision will be made not tomorrow but the next day.”

Broad said his team mates had not yet given up on saving the match.

“No, no, that’s certainly not the way we think,” he added. “We’ve had numerous tests over the past four years that we’ve managed to save when we’ve had no right to save them. “There’s a lot of belief in that changing room, we’re certainly due a score.” — Reuters

England trail Australia by 369 runs after day three

KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia poses with the trophy on the podium after winning against Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia during their men’s single final at the BWF badminton World Super series Finals in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — AFP

Lee wins record fourth Superseries Finals title KUALA LUMPUR: World number one Lee Chong Wei yesterday became the first player to win four titles in the season-ending BWF World Superseries Finals when he crushed Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto.

It is the Malaysian ace’s seventh Superseries title this year - the most he has ever won in a calendar year - following victories in South Korea, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Japan and Hong Kong. The Olympic silver medallist, who won this tournament in 2008-2010, easily beat Sugiarto 21-10, 21-12 on home turf.

Lee used the full length of the court to move his opponent throughout the match with the fourth seed still feeling the strain of beating Japan’s Kenichi Tago in three games Saturday. “I sensed he was not 100 percent (fit) and attacked him from the start,” Lee said.

Lee took a quick 4-0 lead before Sugiarto earned his first point and later went on a run of eight straight points for a 13-2 lead. After extending this to a 18-4 lead, Lee slowed down towards the end.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with Lee winning points at will. The 31-year-old said he believed he could maintain his form into the next year. “To me, age is just a number. I don’t see why I can’t continue as I still have the desire to win titles,” he said.

“I still love training as hard, and 2014 is going to be a big year with several team events as well.” Lee’s rival Lin Dan, who did not participate in this Superseries Finals, won in 2011, while last year Chen Long,

also from China, triumphed.

Earlier Sunday, third seeds Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark became the first European winners of the women’s doubles when they defeated fourth seeded Chinese pair Ma Jin and Tang Jinhua 21-19, 21-12.

On a roll, Pedersen teamed up with Joachim Fischer Nielsen in the mixed doubles to defeat world champions Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China 12-21, 21-19, 2110. With this, the Dane became the first player in history to win two titles in the same Superseries Finals.

“It’s unbelievable to have played 10 matches (in this tournament) and won them all. It’s also very tiring,”Pedersen joked. “We were the underdogs today, but I’m delighted to have created a little bit of history.” “It’s never easy beating the Chinese, and we had to be at our best to claim the win.” In the women’s singles, Olympic and defending champion Li Xuerui of China crushed Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying. In men’s doubles, world champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia defeated South Korea’s Kim KiJung and Kim Sa-Rang.

The $500,000 Superseries Finals bring together the top eight performers in each of the five categories based on points earned from 12 Superseries tournaments.

The men’s and women’s singles champions pocket $40,000 each with the runners-up collecting $20,000. The doubles champions earn $42,000 while the losing finalists receive $20,000. — AFP

PERTH: Australian opener Chris Rogers said yesterday England’s faint Ashes hopes were set to disappear down widening cracks at the WACA Ground after the home team took a stranglehold on the third Perth Test.

England were left bruised and all but beaten after what Rogers described as Australia’s best day of the series, and potentially their most important as they close in on claiming the Ashes for the first time since 2007.

Australia led by 134 runs on the first innings after the England tail folded meekly again before lunch on the third day and the tourists were dismissed for 251. The Australians were 235 for three in their second innings at the end of play for an overall lead of 369, with Shane Watson on 29 and Steve Smith on five and two days left to play.

“I don’t think we could be in a better position,” Rogers told reporters after the day’s play.

“To finish day three 370 in front, that’s position A. “Today was an amazing day, probably as good a day as we’ve had in the Ashes so far.”

Rogers, who was hit on the body by a ball from Ben Stokes that jagged back off one of the cracks that have opened up in the extreme heat, said it would make the pitch tougher to bat on over the final two days.

“All in all it’s a good surface, but these cracks are going to come more into play,” he said. “If these cracks keep widening, then it’s going to be very hard to bat on, and a little bit scary.” Rogers’ fellow opener David Warner (112) capitalised on the shoddy wicketkeeping of Matt Prior, who missed two stumping opportunities from the left-hander, to post his second century of the series and take his tally for the series to 457 runs at 91.40.

Australia lead series Australia lead the five-Test series 2-0 after comprehensive victories in Brisbane and Adelaide and can regain the Ashes with victory in Perth.

As if England’s predicament wasn’t already dire enough, the tourists returned to the field for the Australian second innings without their best fast bowler Stuart Broad, who is awaiting the result of scans to determine the extent of a foot injury.

Broad injured his right foot when struck by a swinging yorker by Johnson, who may have delivered the final blow to England’s hope of hanging on to the Ashes.

Broad was trapped lbw by the delivery for five, and limped to a fitness test in the nets between innings before being taken from the ground for scans. Broad was on crutches at the post-match press conference and said he would not be able to bowl again in the match, but would bat if required.

He said he was unsure of the extent of the injury, and was still hopeful of playing in the remaining two Tests. “Something showed up on the X-ray, but it was a bit inconclusive, so I had to have an MRI,” he said. “We are just waiting on those results.”

Broad conceded it was a disastrous day for the tourists. “It was a bad one, there is no hiding from that,” he said. To add insult to injury, the

PERTH: Australian batsman David Warner (L) leaps after scoring a century against England on the third day of the third Ashes cricket Test match in Perth yesterday. —AFP embattled Prior-who again failed with the bat earlier in the day-gifted Warner a life when he missed the easiest of stumpings in spinner Graeme Swann’s first over of the innings.

Missed opportunity Warner was on just 13 and was beaten in flight by Swann but Prior failed to take the ball.

Prior’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he then failed to react to a thin edge from Rogers, on 26, from the bowling of Jimmy Anderson.

Prior missed a second opportunity to stump Warner off Swann when the Australian was on 89. Warner’s 140-ball knock finally came to an

end when he holed out to Stokes at deep midon from the bowling of Swann, having hit 17 fours and two sixes.

He and Rogers put on 157, the first century opening partnership of the series, before Rogers fell to Tim Bresnan for 54. Earlier in the day, England resumed on 180 for four, but offered little resistance to the Australian pace trio of Ryan Harris (3-48), Johnson (2-62) and Peter Siddle (336).

The last six English wickets fell for just 61 runs, the rot starting when overnight batsman Ian Bell was given out lbw to Harris on a third umpire review for 15, after he was initially given the benefit of the doubt. —AFP

SCOREBOARD PERTH: Scoreboard at close on the third day of the third Ashes test between England and Australia at the WACA yesterday.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat Australia first innings 385 England first innings (overnight 180-4) A. Cook c Warner b Lyon 72 M. Carberry b Harris 43 J. Root c Haddin b Watson 4 K. Pietersen c Johnson b Siddle 19 I. Bell lbw b Harris 15 B. Stokes c Haddin b Johnson 18 M. Prior c Haddin b Siddle 8 T. Bresnan c Haddin b Harris 21 S. Broad lbw b Johnson 5 G. Swann not out 19 J. Anderson c Bailey b Siddle 2 Extras (b-11, lb-7, w-5, nb-2) 25 Total (all out, 88 overs) 251 Fall of wickets: 1-85 2-90 3-136 4-146 5-190 6198 7-207 8-229 9-233 Bowling: Harris 22-10-48-3 (nb-1), Johnson 22-

7-62-2 (nb-1), Watson 12-3-48-1, Siddle 16-536-3 (w-5), Lyon 16-6-39-1.

Australia second innings C. Rogers c Carberry b Bresnan 54 D. Warner c Stokes b Swann 112 S. Watson not out 29 M. Clarke c Stokes 23 S. Smith not out 5 Extras (b-8, lb-4) 12 Total (for three wickets, 70 overs) 235 Still to bat: G. Bailey, B. Haddin, M. Johnson, P. Siddle, R. Harris, N. Lyon Fall of wickets: 1-157 2-183 3-223 Bowling (to date): Anderson 13-5-38-0, Bresnan 12-3-49-1, Stokes 14-1-65-1, Swann 23-7-51-1, Root 8-1-20-0.

Australia lead the five-match series 2-0.

Kuwait Cricket conducts coaching workshop KUWAIT: The coaches panel of Kuwait Cricket conducted a coaching workshop for its coaches to formulate the 2013-14 season coaching plan. Entitled “Coaching Strategy for Player Development” the workshop was held recently at the KC Sulaibiya Cricket Pavilion where 30 member coaches collaborated to build the strategy and way forward under the guidance of KC Director Coaching and ACC Level 3 coach Sameer Desai and the supervision of KC Director General Asad Baig.

The workshop was the immediate follow up action set up by Sameer Desai after successfully conducting elections last October

for the formation of the new 6 member strong Coaches Panel Management Committee. Kuwait Cricket Coaches Panel boasts a membership of 50 odd active members with ACC accreditation received 3 Level 3 Coaches, 9 Level 2 Coaches, 20 Level 1 coaches, and remaining Level 0 coaches.

There are 5 women coaches with two having Level 2 accreditation as well as two ACC certified Sports Medicine and Fitness Physios, along with number of Level coaches.

The new Management committee of the Coaches Panel was created to focus on player development and overall growth of cricket in

Kuwait headed by Director Coaching. The new positions itself describe the roles each elected member will play towards Kuwait Cricket goals. These new Management Committee positions and elected members are: General Secretary and Treasurer-Tariq Rasool Shah, ACC Level 2 Coach Secretary Elite Player Development-Kaleem Ul Hasan, ACC Level 3 Coach Secretary Junior Coaching-Shaikh Ayub, ACC Level 2 Coach Secretary Women Player Development-Nida Mirza, ACC Level 2 Coach Officer Kuwait Nationality Player Development-Arshad Shams, ACC Level 1 Coach.

During the workshop the program heads presented the respective goals and challenges. This was followed by a breakout session where all coaches were divided into 5 groups for putting together a strategy for each of the development program considering the challenges and resources. There were active and lively discussions in each group involving many aspects of coaching ranging from player interest, talent identification, availability of coaches and players, transportation, coaching equipment and related resources such as nets, grounds, etc., to funding and sponsorships, advertising to build popularity and attract more, school involvement and roles, customized tours and tournaments.

Each group put together their recommen-

dations and presented their development strategy to rest of the members for feedback and comments. A spirited discussion ensued which enabled a larger perspective of the problems and possible solutions. A more inclusive approach was realized for the way forward in each of the development programs.

Immediately afterwards the Management committee members sat down to put together the way forward action plan as follows: Each Program Secretary will 1) Develop the action plan and way forward ready for implementation.

2) Form respective sub-teams of coaches to participate in the development plan.

3) Arrange respective team meeting to build a coaching calendar and outline for implementing coaching & player development plan.

4) Put together a budget and resource requirements for coaching needs.

5) Kickoff implementation within a month.

Stage 1.

6) Review Stage 1 after one month. Assess strengths and weaknesses. Modify as applicable and kickoff stage 2.

7) Review Stage 2 after two months.

The Coaches Panel meets regularly every quarter and the management committee meetings are scheduled every month along with Ad Hoc meetings. Coaches Panel welcomes new members who are willing to participate in Coaching and give required amount of time for the Panel activities. The Coaches Panel will soon offer an Advanced Local Level 1 Coaching Course using its inhouse resources for Level 0 members and for refreshing Level 1 coaches. For further information and enrolment one may contact: coaches@cricketkuwait.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

S P ORTS

Winston wins Heisman Trophy NEW YORK: Jameis Winston left voters no choice but to give him the Heisman Trophy. The Florida State quarterback became the second straight freshman to win the Heisman on Saturday night, earning college football’s most prestigious individual award with a performance so spectacular and dominant that even a criminal investigation couldn’t derail his candidacy.

Winston received 668 first-place votes and 2,205 points.

He finished 1,501 points ahead of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron for the seventh-largest margin of victory in Heisman history, despite being left off 115 of the 900 ballots that were returned.

Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch was third, followed by Boston College’s Andre Williams, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and Auburn’s Tre Mason. Manziel was the first freshman to win the Heisman, and was trying to join Ohio State’s Archie Griffin as a two-time Heisman winner. Instead, Winston made it two freshman winners in the 79-year history of the Heisman. He also became the youngest winner at 23 days short of 20. The 19-year-old also was investigated last month for a year-old sexual assault, but no charges were filed and the case was closed four days before Heisman votes were due.

Winston is the nation’s top-rated passer and has led the top-ranked Seminoles to a spot in the BCS championship game against No. 2 Auburn on Jan. 6, his birthday. The former five-star recruit from Bessemer, Ala., made college football look easy from his very first game. On Labor Day night, on national television, Winston went 25 for 27 for 356 yards and four touchdowns in a victory at Pittsburgh.

It was a brilliant debut that lived up to the offseason hype, when Winston wowed Florida State fans in the Seminoles’ spring football game and on the baseball diamond as a hard-throwing reliever and clutch-hitting outfielder. He had already earned the nickname Famous Jameis before he ever played a college football game. And he quickly became one of the most beloved Seminoles since Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman winner.

Winston is the third Seminoles quarterback to win the award, along with Chris Weinke in 2000. Winston and Florida State were cruising toward an undefeated season when news broke of an unresolved sexual assault complaint against him made to the Tallahassee Police Department last December.

The dormant case was handed over to the state attorney’s office for a full investigation. A female student at

Florida State accused Winston of rape. Winston’s attorney said the sex was consensual.

During three weeks of uncertainty, Winston continued to play sensationally, especially in Florida State’s big games against Clemson and Miami, while other contenders stumbled or failed to distinguish themselves. If voters were looking to Manziel or McCarron or Lynch or Williams or even Marcus Mariota of Oregon to give them a good alternative to Winston, it didn’t happen. Mason made a late surge and ended up in New York because of the lack of serious challengers to Winston.

The Heisman Trust mission statement says: “ The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.”

It’s a statement that has put the Heisman in awkward situations before. In 2010, Cam Newton played the season under the cloud of an NCAA investigation. He had also had legal troubles while in college. But like Winston, there was no doubt he was the best player and he won the award.

Before last season, Manziel was arrested after being involved in a fight and providing police fake ID. It didn’t stop Johnny Football from winning the Heisman. Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 winner from Nebraska, pleaded guilty to a felony after helping to hold up a gas station as a freshman in 1970. He was pardoned earlier this year. Reggie Bush had his 2005 Heisman stripped after the NCAA determined he had violated its rules during that season. But the Heisman trust did not ask Billy Cannon and O.J. Simpson to return their Heismans after serving jail time. The accusations against Winston were serious and documents released by the police with the accuser’s allegations were not flattering to him. It probably explains why so many voters left him out of their top three. Last year Manziel appeared on 92 percent of the ballots. Winston appeared on 87 percent this year.

There was no doubting his on-the-field credentials.

Winston is on pace (190.1) to break Russell Wilson’s record for best passer efficiency rating in a season and set FBS freshman records for yards passing (3,820) and touchdown passes (38). Florida State’s average margin of victory is 42 points, and Winston has spent most of the Seminoles’ fourth quarters resting.

The investigation has taken some of the shine off Winston’s Heisman coronation, at least for some. But if the question is simply who was college football’s best player in 2013, Famous Jameis was the clear answer. — AP

TAIPEI: This handout photo taken and released by Fubon Financial Group, the organisers of the 2013 Taipei Marathon, yesterday shows Josphat Kamzee Jepkopol of Kenya crossing the line in two hours, 14 minutes and 10 seconds to win the men’s title. Kenyan runners outshone competitors from elsewhere in the world yesterday in both the men’s and women’s categories of the marathon in Taipei, the sponsor said. — AFP

Kenyans dominate at Taipei marathon TAIPEI: Kenyan runners outshone their global competitors in both the men’s and women’s categories of the Taipei marathon yesterday.

Josphat Kamzee Jepkopol, who won the men’s race last year, defended the title after crossing the line in two hours, 14 minutes and 10 seconds. He was followed by Yemane Tsegay Adhane of Ethiopia in 2:14:17 and Julius Ndiritu Karinga of Kenya in 2:15:19.

The women’s race was controlled by the Kenyan runners, with Rebecca Kangogo Chesire winning in 2:33:20, while

Racheal Jemutai Mutgaa came in second with 2:34:38 and Helena Loshanyang Kirop ranked third with 2:37:07.

Both Jepkopol and Chesire walked home with a cash prize of Tw$1.2 million ($40,430). More than 70,000 runners participated in the event, with about 7,000 competing in the full 42kilometre (26.2-mile) marathon and others running shorter distances, compared with 120,000 who took part a year ago.

Cold wind and drizzle had kept tens of thousands of amateur runners away from this year’s event, Taiwan’s biggest annual marathon, sponsor Fubon Financial Holdings said. — AFP

Maidana dominates Broner for WBA crown SAN ANTONIO: Argentine Marcos Maidana dethroned Adrien Broner by flooring the American twice en route to a 12-round unanimous decision in their WBA welterweight title fight Saturday.

The hard-hitting Maidana finished the fight at the Alamodome arena in dominating style as he handed Broner the first loss of his career.

The three judges all scored the fight in favor of Maidana, 117-109, 116-109, 115-110. This was the first loss for the 24-year-old Broner who dropped to 271, with 22 knockouts. Broner was also making his first defense of the title he won by stepping up two weight classes to beat Paul Malignaggi by split decision in June.

SAN ANTONIO: (L-R) Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana during their WBA Welterweight Title bout at Alamodome on Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. — AFP

Maidana floored Broner for the first time in his career only 20 seconds into round two with a devastating left hook.

Maidana improved to 35-3, with 31 KOs. Broner was sent to the canvas by a left hook in round eight. Later in that round, Maidana was penalized a point by referee Laurence Cole for a headbutt to Broner’s face.

Broner hurt Maidana with a punch late in the 11th round, but the Argentine came back in the final round to finish strong. He landed more than 100 more power punches than Broner.

On the undercard, Kazakhstan’s Beibut Shumenov kept his WBA super light heavyweight title with a third-round technical knockout of Slovakian Tamas Kovacs.

Shumenov, who improved to 14-1 with nine KOs, pounded Kovacs in the third round. Referee Rafael Ramos stopped the fight with five seconds left in the round. Kovacs, who was fighting in the United States for the first time, got off to a rocky star t as he was floored in the first round with a left hook. Separately, Leo Santa Cruz successfully defended his WBC super bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Cesar Seda. Santa Cruz floored Seda in round five and went on to win by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. — AFP

Photo of the day

Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN), Miikka Anttilla (FIN) race during the FIA World Rally Championship in Salou, Spain on October 27, 2013. —www.redbullcontentpool.com

James scores 25 as Heat hold off Cavs, 114-107 MIAMI: LeBron James scored 25 points against his former team, leading the Miami Heat to a 114-107 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA on Saturday. Dwyane Wade added 24 points and Chris Bosh had 22 for the Heat, who squandered a 19-point thirdquarter lead and rallied from a twopoint deficit with eight unanswered points late in the fourth quarter.

Ray Allen’s two free throws with 2:16 remaining capped the run and put the Heat ahead 106-100. Mario Chalmers’ corner 3-pointer with 1:36 left increased the lead to 109-101. Kyrie Irving scored 19 points for the Cavaliers, who played the second half without coach Mike Brown. He was ejected late in the second quarter after he stormed onto the court looking for a foul on Shane Battier’s block of Alonzo Gee’s layup. Bosh had a season-high 12 rebounds and James was one rebound and assist short of a triple-double.

Trail Blazers 139, 76ers 105 PHILADELPHIA: LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 16 rebounds, Nicolas Batum added 17 points and Portland set a franchise record for 3-pointers with 21 against skidding Philadelphia.

Damian Lillard scored 16 and Dorell Wright had 15 on 5-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Wesley Matthews added 14 points for the Northwest Division leaders, who won their third in a row and improved to 20-4. They became the second NBA team to reach 20 wins, joining the Indiana Pacers (20 3). Mo Williams also had 14 points for Portland, which put eight players in double figures and moved to 10-2 on the road. Tony Wroten led the reeling Sixers with 18 points. The 76ers have dropped six straight and 10 of the last 11 games.

Clippers 113, Wizards 97 WASHINGTON: Chris Paul had 38 points and 12 assists as Los Angeles shared the ball impeccably in a win over Washington.

The Clippers shot 56 percent to finish 43 on a road trip that included six Eastern Conference teams, leaving them 6-6 on the season against the pedestrian East and 10-3 against the mighty West.

Paul went 11 for 14 from the field, including 5 for 7 from 3-point range, and made all 11 of his free throws.

Jamal Crawford, making his first start since April 2012, finished with 17 points. Blake Griffin added 16 points and nine rebounds. Jared Dudley also had 16 points.

John Wall had 24 points and 12 assists for the Wizards, who have lost four straight since reaching .500 for the first time since 2009. They have lost seven in a row when Nene (foot) doesn’t play and are 3-24 without the Brazilian forward since the beginning of last season.

PHILADELPHIA: Portland Trail Blazers’ Robin Lopez, center, blocks the rebound away from Philadelphia 76ers’ Tony Wroten, center left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, in Philadelphia. The Trail Blazers won 139-105. — AP finished strong one night after a fourthquarter flop cost them in Boston.

Lou Williams scored a season-high 27 points in his best game since returning from knee surgery, but the Hawks committed 27 turnovers - most in the NBA this season - that led to 36 points and negated their 60.6 percent shooting.

Paul Millsap scored 18 but fouled out, and Al Horford finished with 17.

Lakers 88, Bobcats 85 CHARLOTTE: Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 21 points as Los Angeles defeated Charlotte for its first win since Bryant returned from a torn Achilles tendon four games ago. Bryant was 8 of 15 from the field and hit two free throws with 37 seconds left to put the Lakers ahead for good after they trailed most of the game. Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill had 15 points apiece for Los Angeles.

Nick Young scored 13 off the bench.

Kemba Walker had 24 points and eight assists for the slumping Bobcats, who have lost three straight and five of seven.

Ben Gordon’s 3-pointer fell short as time expired.

Mavericks 106, Bucks 93 DALLAS: Brandan Wright scored 19 points in his season debut and Jose Calderon had 18 as Dallas shrugged off the absence of Dirk Nowitzki and coach Rick Carlisle to beat Milwaukee. Nowitzki and Carlisle missed the game with an undisclosed illness. Carlisle has been fighting an upper respiratory problem since before a four-game road trip that started last week.Wright, who missed the first 23 games with a shoulder injury, scored seven straight points in a 19-5 run that put Dallas in control early in the second quarter. John Henson led the Bucks with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Spurs 100, Jazz 84 SALT LAKE CITY: Tim Duncan had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead San Antonio to its fourth straight victory.

Tony Parker scored 15 points and Kawhi Leonard added 13 to help the Spurs coast comfortably past the Jazz after a big first-half run.

Sparked by his 23-point, 21-rebound performance against Atlanta on Dec. 2, Duncan has returned to vintage form after a slow start to the season. The 37year-old forward is averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds over his last six games.

Trey Burke had 20 points and Gordon Hayward scored 18 for the Jazz, who shot 39 percent from the field.

Raptors 99, Bulls 77 CHICAGO: Kyle Lowry scored 16 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and 11 rebounds in Toronto’s victory over Chicago. DeMar DeRozan scored 15 and Amir Johnson added 14 points and eight rebounds to help the Raptors earn their second win in two nights after dropping six of seven. They led by 16 early in the third and pulled away in the fourth after the gap dwindled to four, sending the Bulls to their 10th loss in 13 games. Luol Deng led Chicago with 17 points and Mike Dunleavy Jr. scored 14.

The Bulls shot just 36 percent and were 6 of 18 on 3-pointers. — AP

Knicks 111, Hawks 106 NEW YORK: Carmelo Anthony scored 35 points, Andrea Bargnani added 23 and New York pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Atlanta. Pablo Prigioni had a season-high 11 points and was a spark in the decisive 11-0 run midway through the final period as the Knicks

NBA results/standings LA Lakers 88, Charlotte 85; La Clippers 113, Washington 97; Miami 114, Cleveland 107; NY Knicks 111, Atlanta 106; Toronto 99, Chicago 77; Portland 139, Philadelphia 105; Dallas 106, Milwaukee 93; San Antonio 100, Utah 84.

Boston Toronto Brooklyn NY Knicks Philadelphia Indiana Detroit Chicago Cleveland Milwaukee Miami Atlanta Charlotte Washington Orlando

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT 11 14 .440 9 13 .409 8 15 .348 7 16 .304 7 18 .280 Central Division 20 3 .870 11 13 .458 9 13 .409 9 14 .391 5 19 .208 Southeast Division 17 6 .739 12 12 .500 10 14 .417 9 13 .409 7 16 .304

GB 0.5 2 3 4

Portland Oklahoma City Denver Minnesota Utah

9.5 10.5 11 15.5

LA Clippers Phoenix Golden State LA Lakers Sacramento

5.5 7.5 7.5 10

San Antonio Houston Dallas New Orleans Memphis

Western Conference Northwest Division 20 4 .833 18 4 .818 13 9 .591 11 12 .478 6 20 .231 Pacific Division 16 9 .640 13 9 .591 13 11 .542 11 12 .478 6 15 .286 Southwest Division 19 4 .826 16 8 .667 14 10 .583 11 10 .524 10 12 .455

1 6 8.5 15 1.5 2.5 4 8 3.5 5.5 7 8.5

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

S P ORTS

Brazil hit by fourth fatal World Cup stadium accident MANAUS: Brazil was rocked Saturday by a fourth fatal World Cup stadium accident as a young construction worker fell to his death, heightening safety worries barely six months from kick-off. The latest fatality, at the Manaus Arena in the northern Amazonia region, will add scrutiny to the host nation’s preparations, with some stadiums behind schedule and extra shifts being worked in a push to be ready for the football extravaganza.

Marcleudo de Melo Ferreira plunged 35 meters (115 feet) in the early hours while working on the roof of the $200 million, 42,000-seat capacity arena. He was taken to hospital but died before dawn.

Brazilian media reported that the 22-yearold fell after a cable broke as he prepared to finish a night shift. The venue is currently 93 percent complete and has around 1,900 people working around the clock to finish its construction.

The accident brought to five the number of deaths at event sites, and comes two weeks after two people died at the Sao Paulo stadium scheduled to host the June 12 opening match between Brazil and Croatia. In an unrelated incident, a construction worker died of a heart attack while working on a new convention centre near to the stadium amid allegations from his family that he was overworked.

Saturday’s stadium death was the second fatality at the Manaus Arena, which will host England’s opening match on June 15 against Italy, plus three other World Cup matches. After the first death in the tropical city’s stadium, the state public prosecutor demanded dozens of upgraded security measures, but there has been no word on any progress.

A January report found working conditions were unsatisfactory amid claims workers had not been issued with suffi-

cient safety equipment. FIFA, which has played down concerns over stadium delays, expressed its sadness at the latest construction death. “We would like to send our most sincere condolences to his family, relatives, colleagues and friends,” football’s governing body said in a statement. In addition to the two Manaus accidents and the double fatality in Sao Paulo-a venue that organizers say will only be completed in mid-April-a further death occurred at a new stadium in Brasilia last year.

Stadium of many controversies Manaus was a controversial choice for a new multimillion-dollar stadium, not least because there is no top club in the area to attract fans after the 2014 event.

In September, one local official suggested the venue might even be turned into a processing center for prisoners for fear it could otherwise become an expensive

relic. Further controversy came following last week’s World Cup draw when the mayor of Manaus criticized England coach Roy Hodgson for saying he wanted to “avoid” the venue.

Hodgson indicated he in fact wanted his team to be spared the strength-sapping humidity of the region, particularly given the game has been brought forward from an evening start to late afternoon to suit European television schedules.

Construction firm Andrade Gutierrez promised to immediately open an investigation into the latest accident. “We reiterate our commitment to (ensuring the) security of everyone working at the site,” the company said in a statement, noting that work had been halted as a mark of respect to the dead man.

“We deeply regret the accident.” A spokesman added that the dead man had been working for a company subcontracted to build the venue’s over-

head covering. Local construction union leader Cicero Custodio told the G1 news portal that workers were ready to strike if conditions did not improve.

“Workers at the Amazonia Arena are being ill-treated,” said Custodio. “We are being ignored by the authorities. I have been talking about conditions at the arena and the risks of night work for some time. “Ideally, there would be a general strike to show how things really are,” said Custodio. Manaus coordinator Miguel Capobiango Neto has promised that the venue would be ready by December 20 in time for an inauguration on January 15. In addition to hosting England’s game with Italy, Manaus will welcome Cameroon’s pool match with Croatia on June 18, Germany versus the United States on June 22 and Honduras’s match against Switzerland on June 25. —AFP

Canucks’ win streak at 7 after 6-2 rout of Bruins VANCOUVER: Henrik Sedin had a goal and an assist and Roberto Luongo made 39 saves and the Vancouver Canucks routed the Boston Bruins 6-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight victory.

Jannik Hansen, David Booth, Chris Higgins, Yannik Weber and Christopher Tanev also scored for Vancouver, which finished its fivegame homestand with a perfect record and is 8-1-1 in its past 10. Daniel Sedin, Mike Santorelli and Brad Richardson each added two assists.

The game marked the Bruins’ first visit to Rogers Arena since their victory over the Canucks in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final. Reilly Smith had both goals for Boston, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.

Tuukka Rask allowed four goals on 23 shots for the Bruins, who have been hit hard by

assists before hurting his left leg early in the third period of Pittsburgh’s win over Detroit.

NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby also scored two goals to help the Penguins win.

Malkin got tangled up with Detroit’s Luke Glendening, lost his balance and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburgh’s net. The Russian forward slowly got up and kept his left skate in the air as he was helped off the ice.

Malkin moved past the 600-point mark for his career and ranks among NHL leaders with 41 points this season.

Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland put himself in danger of being suspended by the NHL for an illegal hit to the head.

Engelland landed his right shoulder high on Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader late in the first period and was ejected with a match

Canadiens 1, Islanders 0, OT UNIONDALE: Max Pacioretty scored 1:51 into overtime and Carey Price made 21 saves for his 21st NHL shutout and Montreal beat New York.

Pacioretty took a short feed in front from David Desharnais and shoved a shot past Evgeni Nabokov for his 12th goal. Nabokov stopped 24 shots in his return from injury.

It was Price’s second shutout this season for the Canadiens, who ended a two-game skid and improved to 10-2-1 in their last 13.

They have scored only two goals in the past three games.

Montreal spoiled the NHL debut of prized Islanders prospect Ryan Strome, the No. 5 pick in the 2011 draft.

Devils 3, Lightning 0 NEWARK: Dainius Zubrus scored two goals in the third period and Martin Brodeur made 33 saves, leading New Jersey past Tampa Bay. Brodeur earned his third shutout of the season and 124th of his career.

Jaromir Jagr assisted on both goals to raise his assist total to 1,024.

Damien Brunner’s seventh goal had broken the scoreless tie in the second period.

Stars 6, Jets 4 WINNIPEG: Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn each scored two goals and Sergei Gonchar had four assists and Dallas beat Winnipeg.

The victory halted a two-game losing skid for the Stars, who only have four wins in their past 10 games.

Dallas rookie Valeri Nichushkin also scored a goal and center Colton Sceviour scored his first NHL goal. Kari Lehtonen, playing his 200th game for the Stars and 404th career NHL game, stopped 34 of the 38 shots he faced.

VANCOUVER: Mike Santorelli No 25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes an attempt on Tuukka Rask No 40 of the Boston Bruins during an NHL game at Rogers Arena on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Canucks defeated the Bruins 6-2. —AFP injuries and had a flu bug go through their locker room this week. Chad Johnson replaced Rask after the Canucks’ fourth goal.

Kings 5, Senators 2 OTTAWA: Anze Kopitar scored twice to lead Los Angeles to its sixth straight victory. Jeff Carter, Dwight King and Jarret Stoll also scored to help the Kings improve to 22-7-4.

Rookie Martin Jones extended his winning streak to five games, stopping 37 shots. Joe Corvo and Erik Karlsson scored for the Senators.

Craig Anderson was pulled after allowing two goals on four shots in 4:18. Robin Lehner finished the game, allowing three goals on 22 shots.

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1 DETROIT: Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two

penalty. Abdelkader struggled to get up, had to be helped off the ice and didn’t return.

Maple Leafs 7, Blackhawks 3 TORONTO: Joffrey Lupul and Peter Holland each scored twice to help Toronto end a three-game losing streak with a win over Chicago.

Mason Raymond added four assists for the Leafs. Tied 1-1 after the first period, Toronto outscored Chicago 4-1 in the second to pull ahead for its first win in regulation time since Nov. 19, a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders.

The victory also ended an eight-game losing streak to Chicago going back to Februar y 2003. Jerr y D’Amigo, N ikolai Kulemin and Phil Kessel also scored for Toronto.

NHL results/standings Calgary 2, Buffalo 1 (OT); Los Angeles 5, Ottawa 2; Dallas 6, Winnipeg 4; Toronto 7, Chicago 3; Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 1; New Jersey 3, Tampa Bay 0; Montreal 1, NY Islanders 0 (OT); St. Louis 4, Columbus 3 (OT); Nashville 3, San Jose 2; Carolina 3, Phoenix 1; Minnesota 2, Colorado 1 (SO); Vancouver 6, Boston 2.

Eastern Conference Western Conference Atlantic Division Pacific Division Boston 22 9 2 92 70 46 W L OTL GF GA PTS Montreal 20 11 3 87 73 43 Anaheim 22 7 5 108 87 49 Tampa Bay 18 11 3 87 80 39 Los Angeles 22 7 4 93 65 48 Detroit 15 10 9 89 91 39 San Jose 20 7 6 108 82 46 Toronto 17 14 3 97 99 37 Ottawa 13 15 6 96 111 32 Vancouver 20 10 5 98 83 45 Florida 11 17 5 76 108 27 Phoenix 18 9 5 104 100 41 Buffalo 7 23 3 55 96 17 Calgary 13 15 4 83 102 30 Edmonton 11 20 3 91 117 25 Metropolitan Division

Chicago St. Louis Colorado Minnesota Dallas Nashville Winnipeg

Central Division 23 7 5 132 22 6 3 110 21 9 1 88 19 11 5 81 15 11 5 90 16 14 3 77 14 15 5 90

100 73 73 81 93 92 100

51 47 43 43 35 35 33

Pittsburgh 23 10 1 105 74 47 Washington 17 12 3 100 93 37 Carolina 14 13 7 79 94 35 Columbus 14 15 4 85 92 32 New Jersey 13 15 6 78 85 32 Philadelphia 14 15 3 72 86 31 NY Rangers 15 17 1 72 88 31 NY Islanders 9 19 6 83 118 24 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

Wild 2, Avalanche 1, SO DENVER: Mikko Koivu scored the winner in the shootout and Josh Harding made two glove saves, helping Minnesota rally for a win over Colorado.

Koivu beat Semyon Varlamov with a shot just under the crossbar. Zach Parise also scored for the Wild in the shootout.

Matt Duchene had a shootout goal for the Avs, but Harding then stopped P.A. Parenteau and Ryan O’Reilly to preserve the win.

Harding finished with 26 saves. He entered the game with a league -best 1.52 goals against average.

BANGKOK: This handout photo taken and released by the Asian Tour yesterday shows Sergio Garcia of Spain posing with the winner’s trophy after the final round of the Thai Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chon Buri, outside Bangkok. —AFP

Peerless Garcia takes Thai championship BANGKOK: Spain’s Sergio Garcia cruised to his first title of the year with a four-shot win at the Thailand Golf Championship yesterday. Looking relaxed, the Spaniard fired a four-under 68 on the final day of the $1 million Asian Tour event, giving him a dazzling 22-under par finish of 266 for the tournament. It was his 21st career victory and his fourth Asian Tour title.

Starting the day four shots behind, runner-up Henrik Stenson came within two shots of Garcia mid-way through the round. But that was as close as it got for the Swedish star, who matched Garcia’s 68 for the round to end on an overall 270.

France’s Alexander Levy clinched third place with a final-round 69, to end four strokes behind Stenson at the Amata Spring Country Club. Defending champion Charl Schwartzel was among a quartet of players who shared fourth place. He hit his second consecutive 67, but was unable to recreate his 2012 masterclass.

Joining the South African on a tournament 275 were England’s Justin Rose who also could not dent Garcia’s lead, Yuki Kono of Japan and India’s Anirban Lahiri. Chapchai Nirat was Thailand’s best finisher in joint eighth place with America’s Rickie Fowler.

“It was great to win in my last tournament of the year,” said Garcia, who sank six birdies and dropped two shots in his final round. The win is expected to move him up

into a top-10 world ranking. With the inform Stenson his main challenger on the final day, Garcia said he knew he could not afford too many slip-ups.

“Henrik has been playing so well lately, I could not afford to slip up,” Garcia said, admitting he stuttered briefly on the last three holes of the front nine before recovering with a hat-trick of quick birdies on the back leg. With just two holes to go he knew all he had to do was keep the ball out of the water to ensure victory.

“I hope I can carry this form into next season,” he said. The Spaniard said his girlfriend, who was his caddie for the event, played a big part in his success, but he confirmed he would return to his regular caddie next season. Runner-up Stenson praised Garcia’s performance.

“Sergio just played so well,” he said.

“Being four shots back I needed something really good to happen, but I missed a couple of good birdie opportunities.” The Swede said that when Garcia notched three straight birdies on the back nine he knew it was “done and dusted”.

US Open Champion Justin Rose said he struggled to recover from a bad start. While he failed to win in Thailand, Rose said he had enjoyed the “fun tournament” in the Thai sun. “But I will be happy to put down my clubs for a few weeks. I’ve had an amazing year.” —AFP

Hurricanes 3, Coyotes 1 GLENDALE: Eric Staal had a goal and two assists and Justin Peters stopped 37 shots as Carolina ended a four-game road trip with a win over Phoenix.

Nathan Gerbe tied the game for Carolina midway through the second and Jeff Skinner put the Hurricanes ahead early in the second with his eighth goal in six games.Paul Bissonette scored his first goal in two years and Mike Smith stopped 30 shots for Phoenix.

Predators 3, Sharks 2 NASHVILLE: Carter Hutton made 36 saves to lead Nashville over San Jose.

Eric Nystrom, Roman Josi, and Viktor Stalberg scored for Nashville, which has won three straight.

Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau scored for San Jose, losers of five of their past six.

Flames 2, Sabres 1, OT BUFFALO: Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored and Calgary started a five-game road trip with an overtime win over Buffalo.

Karri Ramo made 26 saves for the Flames, who have won their past three road games.

Stajan’s overtime winner came just 42 seconds into the period, as his wrist shot beat Enroth to the goalie’s left.

Blues 4, Blue Jackets 3, OT COLUMBUS: David Backes scored 22 seconds into overtime on a breakaway and St. Louis rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Columbus.

Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and Chris Stewart tied it with 6:27 remaining in regulation for St. Louis, which entered tied for the fewest regulation losses in the league with six. Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves for the Blues. —AP

VAL THORENS: (L-R) Norway’s Marie Hoeie Gjefsen, Keisey Serwa, Katrin Mueller and France’s Marie Berger Sabbatel compete during the FIS World Cup Women’s Ski Cross event yesteray at the Val Thorens ski resort, French Alps. —AFP

Veteran Mario Matt wins World Cup slalom race VAL D’ISERE: Veteran Mario Matt of Austria safely protected his first-run lead to win a World Cup slalom race yesterday on a day when other contenders struggled on the notoriously tough Stade Olympique de Bellevarde course.

A two-time former slalom world champion, the 34-year-old Matt beat Sweden’s Mattias Hargin by 0.53 seconds and Italian veteran Patrick Thaler - second after the first run - by 0.78. Matt, who was second last month in the slalom at Levi, Finland, has 15 World Cup wins - 14 in slalom and one in supercombined.

His most recent win was at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in March 2011, while his first was nearly 14 years ago at Kitzbuehel, Austria. It was another

disappointing day for the United States. Neither Ted Ligety, who finished the first run in 39th, nor Bode Miller, who went off course, qualified for the second run.

Austrian Marcel Hirscher also failed to qualify.

He won Saturday’s GS but struggled on the tricky top section and finished way down in 41st as those who started their runs later profited from better conditions.

Matt, the slalom world champion in 2001 and ‘07, is coming into form at just the right time for February’s Winter Olympics in Sochi. Hargin was fifth at Levi and it was his first podium since finishing third at Schladming, Austria, in January 2011. —AP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

S P ORTS

Bayern head to Club World Cup with more records BERLIN: Bayern Munich flew to Morocco to begin their assault on the Club World Cup title with coach Pep Guardiola demanding improvements from the European champions. And that despite the Bavarian giants adding still more Bundesliga records to their already impressive tally.

The 3-1 win over Hamburg at Munich’s Allianz Arena left Guardiola’s side with a new record of 93 points for the calendar year and they remain unbeaten in the league in 2013.

Bayern bounced back from the 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Manchester City with goals by Mario

Mandzukic and Mario Goetze before Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri added the third deep into added time.

But Guardiola said the European champions have weaknesses to work on. “Perhaps the players already had their holidays and Morocco in their heads,” said Guardiola. “We had problems in the second half, just like against Manchester, we lost the ball too easily. “We have good players, but we have to cut those actions out.

“2013 was an unbelievable year for FC Bayern. “Now we’re flying to Morocco to try and win our next title.”

Four hours after the final whistle

“We want to get the last title we’re lacking this season,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after the club broke or equalled 25 Bundesliga records last season. “We want to win the title, but it’s not automatic that we will.

“It’s a title which certainly doesn’t have such a high priority in Germany.

“On the other continents, this title is of high value, so our team will certainly throw everything into winning it.” As well as the treble, Bayern lifted the UEFA Super Cup title in August in Prague when the Champions League winners beat Europa League title-win-

against Hamburg, Bayern jetted out of Munich with Guardiola looking to win the Club World Cup for the third time, having already lifted the title with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.

China’s Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande set up a semi-final against Bayern on Tuesday in Agadir after seeing off Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0 in Saturday’s quarter-final.

No German side has ever won the trophy, but having become the first Bundesliga side to win the treble of league, cup and European titles last season, Bayern want to add another piece of silverware to their 2013 haul.

ners Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out.

Brazil’s Corinthians and global giants Barcelona have both won the title twice, while Brazilian teams have won four of the Club World Cup’s nine editions. Guardiola has taken a total of 23 players to Morocco with only injured stars Arjen Robben, Holger Badstuber and Bastian Schweinsteiger left behind.

Local side Raja Casablanca will face Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro in Wednesday’s other semi-final after a 2-1 extra-time win over Mexico’s CF Monterrey in their quarter-final, with the final in Marrakech next Saturday. —AFP

Klose relaunches Lazio, Fiorentina up to fourth

ABU DHABI: FIFA representative former Argentinian footballer and international coach Gabriel Calderon Gabriel Calderon (C), President of the Emirati Football Federation Yussef al-Serkal (R), and Abu Dhabi Airport chairman Ali Al Mansuri (L) pose next to the FIFA World Cup 2014 trophy following its arrival in Abu Dhabi yesterday as part of trophy’s world tour through 89 countries over a period of 267 days. —AFP

Real Sociedad routs Real Betis 5-1 in Spanish league BARCELONA: Real Sociedad’s promising playmaker Ruben Pardo set up three goals to lead a 5-1 rout of bottom side Real Betis in the Spanish league yesterday.

Sociedad may have flopped out of the Champions League, but has found its form in the domestic competition where it has won six of its last eight games and climbed into sixth place and the Europa League positions.

The hosts overwhelmed Betis on the league debut of coach Juan Carlos Garrido, who replaced the fired Pepe Mel. The Seville-based side is now winless in the last nine rounds. Sociedad’s Imanol Agirretxe scored his first of two goals six minutes in at Anoeta Stadium by chipping the ball over Betis goalkeeper Stephan Andersen after Pardo had played him clear.

Jorge Molina, who would later hit the woodwork twice, leveled for Betis in the 16th. Sociedad created several chances before defender Jon Ansotegi headed home Pardo’s outswinging corner kick in the 55th. Carlos Vela then found Antoine Griezmann to finish off a counter attack seven minutes later to put the result beyond doubt.

Griezmann’s goal gave him 10 for the

season, third in the league only behind Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (17) and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa (15). The 21-year-old Pardo passed back to meet Agirretxe’s move in the box in the 68th, and the striker unleashed a fine left-footed shot for his second goal. Xabi Prieto capped the victory five minutes from time.

Also, Almeria settled for a 0-0 draw at home against Espanyol after its coach was ejected from the dugouts and Jose “Verza” Garcia missed a penalty he had to repeat in the first half. The result kept Almeria near the bottom of the Spanish league while Espanyol stayed in the middle of the table.

Striker Jhon Cordoba’s sixth-minute shot deflected off the goalkeeper and onto the crossbar in Espanyol’s best chance of the match. Verza missed a 23rd-minute penalty he had to repeat after teammate Oscar Diaz had entered the area during his first attempt, which he converted.

Almeria coach Francisco Rodriguez was ejected during a scuffle between both teams near the dugouts in the 32nd. Later, Atletico hosts Valencia needing a victory to retain its share of the league lead with Barcelona, while Sevilla welcomes Athletic Bilbao. —AP

MILAN: A brace from Miroslav Klose in a 2-0 win over Livorno helped relaunch Lazio’s stuttering season as Fiorentina moved up to fourth in Serie A with a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to Bologna yesterday.

Italian Cup champions Lazio had won only four times this season, their last victory, a 2-0 defeat of Cagliari at the end of October, heaping the pressure on coach Vladimir Petkovic.

Petkovic on Saturday had admitted that this could be his last game in charge of the Biancocelesti in the event of defeat against league new boys Livorno.

However the 50-year-old Bosnian’s nerves were settled before the half-hour of a one-sided affair with German veteran striker Klose hitting the net twice in the space of seven minutes.

German international Klose, who made his return to the fray in the Europa League in midweek following a shoulder injury, hit the target at the second time of asking on 19 minutes after Bardi had run out and initially got a hand to his effort.

Klose grabbed his second seven minutes later when he picked up the rebound from a Hernanes shot on the edge of the area and was given time to stride in unchallenged to drill past Bardi. Lazio’s fifth win of the campaign moved them up to provisional ninth place, albeit 20 points adrift of leaders Juventus ahead of the Old Lady’s later match at home to Sassuolo.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, capitalised on Bologna’s poor form of late to move up to fourth at the expense of Inter, who travel to Napoli in Sunday’s late game. Fiorentina had won their home fixture against Bologna in the past two seasons and raced to a 13th minute lead when Josep Ilicic silenced the critics of his recent goal drought with a fine individual effort.

The Slovenian had not scored since April but after collecting the ball in midfield he dribbled his way through the Bologna defence before leaving ‘keeper Gianluca Curci rooted to the spot. Before claiming his 13th goal of the season, Rossi first turned provider.

Sighting Borja Valero running through unmarked, Rossi delivered a perfect square ball allowing the Spaniard a clear run on goal to beat Curci with a curling shot inside the keeper’s far post.

Bologna had little in response and Fiorentina virtually sealed the points in the 64th minute when Rossi added a third. This time, Valero returned the favour with a chipped pass into the path of the Italy striker, who coolly lobbed the advancing

ROME: Lazio’s Andre Dias, right, Lazio’s Lucas Biglia, center, and Livorno’s Leandro Greco fight for the ball during their Serie A soccer match at Rome’s Olympic stadium, yesterday. —AP ‘keeper from the edge of the area to take his his league-leading tally to 13 in 16 games.

Fiorentina almost grabbed their fourth when Juan Vargas ran through on goal but the Peruvian’s effort was blocked by Cesare Natali.

Elsewhere Udinese dropped several places down the table, to 15th, after being stunned 2-0 at home with the goals coming from Alexander Farnerud and Ciro Immobile. Sampdoria secured a

precious fourth win of the campaign, the second in succession under new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, with a 1-0 win away to Chievo which moved the Genoese side up to 14th.

Parma and Cagliari played out a scoreless draw while Genoa, who scored a 72nd minute opener through Andrea Bertolacci, were stunned in the fourth minute of injury time by a Giuseppe De Luca leveller. —AFP

Ronaldo museum opens with space for another ‘Ballon d’Or’ English Premier League results/standings Arsenal Liverpool Chelsea Man City Everton Newcastle Tottenham Man United Southampton Swansea

P 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

W 11 10 10 10 8 8 8 7 6 5

D 2 3 3 2 7 3 3 4 6 5

L 3 3 3 4 1 5 5 5 4 6

F 33 39 32 47 27 21 15 25 20 22

A 17 18 18 18 15 22 21 19 15 21

Pts 35 33 33 32 31 27 27 25 24 20

Aston Villa Hull City Stoke City Norwich Cardiff West Brom West Ham Crys Palace Fulham Sunderland

16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

5 5 4 5 4 3 3 4 4 2

4 4 6 3 5 6 5 1 1 3

7 7 6 8 7 7 8 11 11 11

16 13 15 15 12 17 13 11 15 12

21 19 20 29 22 22 19 24 30 30

19 19 18 18 17 15 14 13 13 9

Mourinho plays down Chelsea trophy chances

FUNCHAL: Cristiano Ronaldo looks at one of his trophies during a tour of his museum in Funchal, Portugal, yesterday. The museum opening yesterday displays 150 of the soccer player’s trophies and awards. —AP FUNCHAL: Real Madrid and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo opened a museum in his honour in his birthplace yesterday, which he said had extra room for the Ballon d’Or and many other trophies to come.

Standing next to his 2008 Ballon d’Or and 125 other individual and team awards dating back to his Madeira childhood, the 28-year-old told reporters the CR7 Museum was a gift to his fans. “Of course it’s a special day, it’s the opening of my museum and I am proud,” the Portugal forward, who has scored 33 goals this season, said. “I have room for more trophies. I don’t really want to mention specific ones. All I want is to win more awards and if the Ballon d’Or comes, there is extra room here.”

Soccer’s world governing body named him, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of Argentina and Bayern Munich’s French winger Franck Ribery as the three finalists for the 2013 Ballon d’Or award, formerly known as FIFA World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo, this year’s World Soccer magazine’s player of the year, said he was not desperate to win the most prestigious individual award in the sport.

“The World Soccer magazine’s player of the year award was another important trophy but it does not mean I will win the Ballon d’Or. I hope that happens but I am not obsessed about it.” The Ballon d’Or results will be announced on Jan. 13.

LONDON: Jose Mourinho has played down Chelsea’s chances of winning silverware this season, because they lack a killer “selfish” striker. The London side missed a series of scoring chances in their 21 win over strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday but still moved within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, whom they meet on December 23.

“I don’t think we are the big contenders of any competition,” Mourinho told BBC radio. “We don’t have the striker who is going to score 30 goals in the league.”

Chelsea’s 50 million pound ($81.39

Despite the frenzy of reporters and fans at the opening, the space is more humble than your average museum. It occupies the ground floor of a discreet five-storey building, a few hundred metres from the Funchal city centre and with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. With an idyllic sunny day greeting him back, it is easy to understand why Ronaldo took the chance to remember that leaving this place remains his hardest moment as a footballer.

“You can’t win anything without sacrifice. Mine was to leave Madeira when I was 11 and try it out at Sporting.

To move out to the mainland was the hardest thing in my career”. Curious neighbours stood on their balconies

million) striker Fernando Torres scored his second league goal of the season on Saturday. He and fellow strikers Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o have contributed only five of Chelsea’s 32 Premier League goals so far.

Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard is top league scorer with six. “We don’t have that striker we used to call the killer, the selfish one, the one that gives the last touch,” Mourinho said. On Friday Mourinho said his strikers’ hard work helped the attacking midfielders to get on the scoresheet but he and they were frustrated by

to witness the ruckus, unusual on the quiet island with 260,000 inhabitants, famous for its luxuriant biodiversity, strong-flavoured bananas and fortified wine.

Chipped Trophy It is not any 28-year-old that has the chance to cut the ribbons to a museum in their name but Ronaldo said his treasure cove deserved it. “Here is the evidence of what I have won, no one will take it away from here and these were things I wanted to share with my fans, show them what I have already achieved,” Ronaldo said.

The first piece on display, probably the smallest, dates back to when Ronaldo was eight and top-scored in a

their lack of finish.

“The number of goals is quite frustrating not just for me but also for them,” he had said after training.

“Do I expect a little bit more? Yes. Do we want them to do a little more? Yes.” Mourinho repeated after Saturday’s game that he did not expect to buy a striker in the January transfer window as there were unlikely to be any good ones available.

“They are in the big clubs, they are in the clubs with big ambitions and big clubs with big ambitions don’t sell their top selfish ones,” he said. —Reuters

tournament with his first club Andorinha, Portuguese for swallow. The next youth trophy misspelled his first name, attributing it to ‘Christiano’, and was half broken, contrasting sharply with the two shiny Golden Boots - won as Europe’s top marksman - and a lifesize wax figure of him in a Portugal shirt dominating the main room. “Does the statue look the same or what?” he asked reporters. “No, I think it looks more handsome (than me),” Ronaldo joked.

Ronaldo paid tribute to Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson, who oversaw his rise to stardom over a six-year spell at the English Premier League club, his family and agent Jorge Mendes as some of those who helped him succeed. —Reuters

Lee wins record fourth Superseries Finals title

16

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

James scores 25 as Heat hold off Cavs, 114-107

17

Ronaldo museum opens with space for another ‘Ballon d’Or’

Page 19

BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa’s English defender Nathan Baker (R) tackles Manchester United’s English striker Danny Welbeck (L) during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park in Birmingham yesterday. — AFP

Welbeck double lifts United’s spirits Man Utd 3

Aston Villa 0

BIRMINGHAM: Danny Welbeck’s double steered Manchester United to a 3-0 victory at Aston Villa yesterday to halt a four-game winless run in the Premier League. The pressure eased on manager David Moyes as Welbeck sidefooted in the opener in the 15th minute and the striker found the target again inside three minutes.

“It was a good all-round team performance

and everyone got together and played good football and got the goals,” Welbeck told broadcaster Sky Sports. “Good strikers finish and that’s where I want to play - up top, but I’m happy to play in the team whether on the left or right.”

In a vibrant United display, Tom Cleverley netted his first goal of the season seven minutes into the second half as the champions avoided a third straight league loss. The victory pushed United up to eighth place, 10 points behind leader Arsenal.

It was lapped up by a vocal away support, who chanted: “We are staying up.” Villa Park is one of the most accommodating grounds for United, which is unbeaten there since 1995.

The visitors helped themselves with their speed and intensity, a sharp improvement on grim recent performances. Villa was unable to

Swansea draw with Norwich Swansea 1

Norwich 1 NORWICH: Swansea City’s Nathan Dyer scored but was then stretchered off with a serious ankle injury as his side drew 1-1 at Norwich City in the Premier League yesterSunday.

The 26-year-old winger put Swansea ahead with a 12th-minute lob, but after he was carried off later in the first half, Gary Hooper struck with a glorious volley to earn the home side a share of the points.

Swansea subsequently published a statement on Twitter revealing that Dyer had been taken to hospital with a “suspected fractured ankle”.

The draw meant that Swansea remained in 10th place, while Norwich, who would have leapfrogged their opponents with victory, climbed one position to 14th. Norwich were unchanged from the team that won 2-0 at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, while Swansea manager Michael Laudrup made eight changes to the team that had lost to St Gallen in the Europa League on Thursday.

Michu was among the players who came into the visitors’ starting XI, in place of Wilfried Bony, and after Pablo Hernandez had shot wide in the early stages, Swansea took the lead.

Dyer belied his diminutive stature by beating Sebastien Bassong to a high ball from Swansea skipper Ashley Williams and

then beat exposed Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy with a measured lob.

Michu could have made it 2-0 when he fired over from a Ben Davies cut-back, but Norwich showed notice of their intent when Hooper picked Williams’s pocket, only to shoot off-target.

There followed the injury to Dyer that seemed to rob Swansea of their momentum, with the winger stretchered off and given oxygen after his ankle buckled in a duel with Bassong.

Norwich were quick to exploit the visitors’ vulnerability, with Williams heading a shot off the line before Hooper equalised in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.

Johan Elmander brought down a long ball from Steven Whittaker and teed up the former Celtic striker, who sent a glorious 25-yard volley dipping beneath the crossbar to register his fourth goal in six league games.

Norwich sought to press home their advantage in the second period, with Bassong heading wide from a corner and Whittaker grazing the post with a low drive.

Alejandro Pozuelo, Dyer’s replacement, shot high after a one-two with Hernandez, but Norwich soon resumed their assault and saw centre-back Michael Turner hit the bar with a header from a corner.

Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm saved smartly from Hooper and Nathan Redmond shot narrowly wide, but the visitors survived and might even have snatched victory at the death.

Bony, on as a substitute, went close with a curler, before Jonjo Shelvey drew a fine save from Ruddy. — AFP

match the tempo and left far too many open spaces for United players to flood into. Antonio Valencia gave defender Antonio Luna a miserable time, and Rafael was able to surge to the byline and send over a superb cross that was met perfectly by Adnan Januzaj.

The teenager’s header flashed past goalkeeper Brad Guzan, and when it came bouncing back off a post, Welbeck was racing in to apply a first-time finish to the rebound to put United in front.

Within three minutes, the visitors had struck again. This time Valencia provided the opportunity, with Welbeck sliding between defenders to touch home. It was the perfect way for United to answer their critics, and Welbeck to silence a few of his. The England striker reveled in the responsibility of leading the attacking line as Robin van Persie starts his month on

the sidelines, with Wayne Rooney dropping deep. Rooney did skim the outside of a post after Valencia had opted to pass rather than shoot after driving deep into the area.Welbeck spurned a glorious chance to claim his first hattrick from a very similar position after Valencia had once again proved too hot to handle.

It was an all-too-familiar story for Villa, for whom Christian Benteke was a shadow of the striker who terrorized defenses throughout last season. Early in the second half, Rooney powered forward and slipped a pass to Cleverley, who drove home his first Premier League goal in almost a year.

“It plays on your mind when you’re a midfielder that you have to score a few goals,” Cleverley told Sky Sports. “We played as a three, which gave us more license. A year of not scoring came out in my celebration.”I think

I played quite well and kept the ball and kept us ticking at a high tempo. I want to kick on from here now and so does the team.”

After the goal, Cleverley was throwing himself in front of Andreas Weimann’s shot as United attempted to preserve their healthy advantage, a sign in itself of the determination in the away ranks to right the wrongs of a dreadful few weeks.

The return of United midfielder Darren Fletcher from the bench after almost 12 months out due to a chronic bowel condition merely added to the party atmosphere among the away support. United goalkeeper David De Gea denied Karim El Ahmadi after Welbeck had earlier floated a chip onto the roof of Guzan’s goal but by then, thousands of Villa fans had already started to head for the exits. — AP

Five-star Liverpool swamp sorry Spurs Tottenham 0

Liverpool 5

LONDON: Luis Suarez scored twice as Liverpool moved back into second place in the Premier League with a crushing 5-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane yesterday.

Jordan Henderson, Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling were also on target, with the victory taking Brendan Rodgers’s side above Chelsea on goal difference and to within two points of leaders Arsenal.

Suarez’s double continued his outstanding scoring run and the striker has now scored 17 Premier League goals this season, while Liverpool took their tally to 14 goals in the last three games.

The impressive one-sided win confirmed Liverpool’s credentials as title contenders, while defeat brought an end to Tottenham’s recent recovery after they had fallen to successive defeats against Newcastle United and Manchester City.

Now five points adrift of the top four and eight points off first place, the focus will again be trained on manager Andre Villas-Boas, who also saw midfielder Paulinho sent off for a high challenge on Suarez.

The fact that Suarez has now scored two more Premier League goals than Tottenham have managed altogether highlights Spurs’ weaknesses up front, but this defeat exposed frailties in all departments.

Spurs actually succeeded in keeping Suarez quiet for the opening 15 minutes of the game but once he caught sight of the home goal, VillasBoas’s side found the Uruguay forward impossible to handle.

Installed as captain in the absence of Steven Gerrard, who is expected to be out for around six weeks with a hamstring problem, Suarez almost wrong-footed Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with an improvised shot that drifted narrowly wide.

LONDON: Liverpool’s English defender Jon Flanagan (L) scores a goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in London, England, yesterday. Liverpool won 5-0. — AFP But that proved to be a temporary let-off for the home side, with Suarez making no mistake after Henderson’s reactions proved to be quicker than those of Michael Dawson, the Spurs centre-back.

Dawson appeared to have cut out Suarez’s threaded pass but he was dispossessed by Henderson, who picked out Suarez as the striker burst into the Spurs area. A neat side-step took the Reds skipper around Kyle Walker, before he slotted home a side-foot finish.

The goal highlighted the difference between the two teams, while Liverpool’s greater pace and incisive passing exposed the gaps in the Tottenham defence. Liverpool were unaffected by Gerrard’s absence in central midfield, while Sterling was giving Spurs left-back Kyle Naughton a torrid time. The visitors’ failure to convert a number of chances meant Tottenham retained hope of recovery. But with the Spurs defence in disarray, more chances were always likely to come Liverpool’s way and they finally made it 2-0 in the 40th minute.

Lloris produced two fine saves to deny first Henderson and then Suarez, before Henderson

again reacted well and drilled home the second rebound. Villas-Boas clearly needed to make changes and he responded by replacing Naughton with Zeki Fryers at half-time, and no doubt instructed his players to match Liverpool’s greater industry and movement. The response was positive, with Roberto Soldado firing over immediately after the restart.

That, though, proved to be a brief moment of promise for the home side and the woodwork denied Liverpool four minutes later when Mamadou Sakho headed against the post.

Any hope of a Tottenham recovery disappeared in the 63rd minute when Paulinho challenged Suarez for a bouncing ball, planting his studs in the Uruguayan’s ribs and earning a straight red card.

Flanagan compounded the home side’s misery with a first-time shot from Suarez’s cross before the Liverpool captain scored his second in the 84th minute when he chipped Lloris from outside the area after being played through by Luis Alberto.

Sterling completed the rout in the 89th minute after being sent clear by Suarez. — AFP

Business

Japan, Southeast Asia to boost economic ties Page 22

‘Taper’ again on table at Fed’s final 2013 meeting

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

Page 25 Ireland exits bailout but celebrations on hold

Cadillac ATS named ‘The Best Executive Sedan’ Page 26

Page 23

GAZA STRIP: Trucks carrying fuel for the Gaza Strip enter Rafah town through the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. Israel began transferring fuel to Gaza’s sole power plant, a Palestinian official said, as the Hamas-ruled enclave struggled to deal with massive flooding caused by winter downpours. — AFP

Gaza power plant stirs to life Diesel delivery resumes as violent storm passes GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Gaza’s lone power station rumbled to life yesterday for the first time in more than seven weeks after receiving a long-awaited delivery of diesel, the electricity company said.

The Hamas-ruled enclave has struggled with massive flooding caused by winter downpours that began Wednesday when a huge storm struck the Middle East, pummelling Israel and the Palestinian territories. “The power station started reworking gradually after stopping for 50 days,” said Jamal Dirsawi, spokesman for the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO).

The plant, which supplies some 30 percent

of Gaza’s electricity needs, fell silent on November 1 as stocks of diesel to power it ran out. “The first generator has started working, the second one will follow, and by this evening, the company should be able to generate around 60 megawatts of electricity,” Dirsawi told AFP. Gaza has been suffering the most serious fuel crisis in its history, causing daily power outages of up to 16 hours, which hit homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, and water and sanitation plants. The power station returned to life after receiving a delivery of fuel purchased from Israel by the West Bank-based

Palestinian Authority using funds donated by Qatar.

The PA helped facilitate the delivery via Israel, which the militant Hamas does not recognize. Following a request from the United Nations, Israel on Friday allowed the transfer of gas for domestic heating and fuel pumps for draining floodwater.

And in addition to the fuel for the power plant, Gaza would also receive “800,000 litres of diesel fuel for transportation... and another 200 tons of household gas,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

Raed Fatuh, the PA official in charge of the

Dubai continues climb on Expo, Kuwait index sinks MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS DUBAI: Most major Arab stock markets rose yesterday as bets related to the Expo 2020 world’s fair boosted Dubai to a fresh five-year high, while Egypt rose after the government announced a date for a referendum on the country’s new constitution.

Mubasher Financial Services said in a report that Arab markets were benefiting from “a rerating against the backdrop of strong economic growth and abundant liquidity”. It predicted further gains next year, particularly in Egypt provided that political stability is restored - and in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; those two countries will be upgraded

by MSCI to emerging market status next May. Dubai has continued to climb since it won the right two weeks ago to host the Expo; real estate and constructionrelated shares that could benefit from Expo contracts rose once more yesterday. Arabtec jumped 3.3 percent.

Many fund managers think the benefits from the Expo are now largely priced into stocks, but there is massive interest some among foreign investors - in buying on dips, so the market has not entered any lasting correction. This was seen in the performance of Emaar Properties yesterday. The company said it would discuss on Tuesday whether to convert bonds into shares, after bond holders asked for the conversion; Emaar issued a $500 million convertible bond in 2010.

The initial conversion price was set at the equivalent of 4.75 dirhams per share, according to the original issue prospectus.

But the stock largely ignored the prospect of dilution.

After opening slightly lower, it rose 0.3 percent in active trade to 7.38 dirhams.

Kuwait’s market continued to underperform the region, dropping 0.8 percent to 7,641 points as regional money focused on more dynamic economies. The drop left the index testing major support on its 200-day average; any clean break would suggest a deterioration in the market’s long-

term prospects.

Egypt continued its uptrend, gaining 1.1 percent to 6,679 points, its highest level since January 2011, when the political turmoil surrounding the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak was just beginning. It is being buoyed by expectations for improving political and economic stability; the index broke last week above 6,500 points, seen as a major resistance level.

The government announced yesterday that Egyptians would vote on a new constitution on Jan 14 and 15. It is not clear how the Muslim Brotherhood, outlawed by a court in September and under pressure from a wide-ranging security crackdown, will react, but the announcement suggested the army-backed government’s transition to democracy was on track.

Capital Economics cited a growing number of signs that the Egyptian economy was turning around after slumping this year, though it added that many risks remained. “Political tensions appear to have calmed in recent months, while an influx of aid from the Gulf has alleviated strains in Egypt’s balance of payments. The government has also launched a Gulffunded stimulus package, the effects of which may be starting to filter through to the wider economy.”

In an otherwise sluggish Saudi Arabian market, PetroRabigh was the standout, jumping its daily limit of 10 percent after the petrochemical maker said it expected its revenues to rise by almost 1 billion riyals ($267 million) this year because its parent companies had agreed to cut international marketing fees by a third.

PetroRabigh’s earnings have been hit hard this year by maintenance at some of its facilities, pressure on profit margins, power cuts and an outage of its ethane cracker due to a water leak. The action by parents Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical appeared to be a concerted attempt to reapair its fortunes. — Reuters

transfer of goods into Gaza, said deliveries of diesel and gas would continue today and tomorrow.

Residents stranded Torrential rains that began on Wednesday caused heavy flooding in Gaza, with thousands of residents evacuated from their homes and seeking refuge in schools.

A UN statement that “approximately 10,000 persons had been evacuated from their homes as a result of flooding”. Israel and the Palestinian territories have been pummelled by the fiercest storm in decades, with many areas

cut off by heavy snowfall, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Although the snowstorm had ended by yesterday, streets remained icy, causing schools to stay shut in Jerusalem and surrounding area.

Major roads to the Holy City reopened in the afternoon, and public transport resumed, albeit on a limited basis. The army used special vehicles to access communities that remained cut-off to provide food and water, and even used helicopters to evacuate some West Bank settlers who were suffering from hypothermia.

The Israeli Electric Company said 14,000 homes were still without power. — AFP

Ryan’s US budget plan: A bridge over the divide?

WASHINGTON: Rep Paul Ryan likened his two-year budget agreement with Democrats to taking a few steps in the right direction.

But the bipartisan deal also carries potential value for Republicans and Ryan himself at a time when the party lacks a clear leader ahead of the 2014 election. If the agreement eventually comes to represent the badly needed bridge between Republican factions, Ryan was its builder.

In winning House passage of the bill last week, Mitt Romney’s 2012 running mate pushed fellow conservatives to recognize the realities of divided government and take a more measured approach after a party-crippling government shutdown in October.

The compromise Ryan negotiated with Sen Patty Murray, represents a new, pronounced effort by Republicans to avoid more self-inflicted wounds and begin assembling a governing agenda as an alternative to Democrats.

“To really do what we think needs to be done, we are going to have to win some elections and in the meantime let’s try and make this divided government work,” Ryan said.

“I think our constituents are expecting a little more from us.

They’re expecting us to not keep shutting the government down, they’re expecting us to pay the bills.”

Ryan’s stature among Republicans as a policy leader was established by writing blueprints on overhauling entitlement programs and curbing federal spending, well before he joined Romney’s presidential ticket.

The 43-year-old aficionado of economist Ayn Rand could jump into the 2016 White House race after next year’s elections or eventually try to succeed House Speaker John Boehner.

But there also could be negative political consequences for Ryan in the budget mini-bargain. The deal puts him on the wrong side of several outside conservative groups, including Heritage Action and the Club for Growth, which rallied opposition to the bill and keep tabs on how lawmakers hew to their views.

Two potential presidential rivals, GOP Sens. Rand Paul of

Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida, were quick to oppose the bill, saying its immediate effect is to increase government spending. “There is a recurring theme in Washington budget negotiations. It’s ‘I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today,’” Paul said, quoting the character Wimpy in the Popeye comic strip. “I think it’s a huge mistake to trade sequester cuts now, for the promise of cuts later.”

The measure, which sailed through the House on Thursday, aims to avoid future shutdowns. It replaces $65 billion in across-the-board spending cuts, known as sequestration, that were set for this year and next, with about $85 billion in savings during the next decade. Some longerterm savings will come in the form of higher government fees that many conservatives equate with tax increases, such as increased security charges on airline tickets and pension insurance premiums on employers.

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this coming week. Some conservatives complained the approach boosts deficits for two years before it starts cutting them, with no guarantee that future Congresses and administrations would stick to the plan.

Referring to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who’s considered a possible contender for the Democratic nomination in 2016, Rep. Tim Huelskamp, said, “It could be Hillary’s second term before we actually achieve what was noted as a real deficit reduction.”

He opposed the bill and noted that the biggest deficit cuts won’t take place until 2021 and 2022.

“I don’t think the deal flies outside of Washington,” said Dan Holler of Heritage Action. Despite the opposition, the plan still won support from more than half of the House Republican caucus. Some of the 62 House Republicans who opposed the bill still gave Ryan credit for forging it.

“Mr. Ryan is chairman of the Budget Committee and has done the best job you can do given the overwhelming liberal nature of the Senate,” said Rep Andy Harris, who opposed the plan. “We have to realize the environment in which Mr. Ryan functions.” — AP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

BUSINESS

Japan, Southeast Asia to boost economic ties ASEAN meets under cloud of China air zone move TOKYO: Japan and Southeast Asian countries yesterday pledged to boost economic and security ties, a day after they agreed on the importance of ensuring freedom of the skies after China declared a controversial air defense zone.

The leaders were discussing increasing exchanges of top diplomats and defense officials and closer coastguard cooperation, finalizing a three-day special summit between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), officials said. Tokyo Saturday pledged $20 billion in aid and loans to Southeast Asia at the summit with leaders of the ASEAN regional bloc, the latest step in its bid to woo global public opinion in its territorial dispute with China. In bilateral talks yesterday, Japan and Myanmar also agreed on an investment accord to accelerate Japanese investment in the former junta-ruled country, while Tokyo and Laos agreed to kick-start talks on a civil aviation agreement, officials said.

The talks came a day after Japan and ASEAN agreed on the importance of the “freedom of overflight and civil aviation safety”, seen as a mild regional rebuke to China for its unilateral declaration of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Beijing said all aircraft entering the zone have to submit flight plans and obey orders issued by Chinese authorities, in an announcement last

month that was widely criticised as increasing regional tensions.

Some analysts fear the ADIZ in the East China Sea is a forerunner to a similar zone in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. China has sovereignty disputes with four members of ASEAN-the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei-and has been repeatedly accused of intimidation and coercion.

“We will continue to provide support, both at the public and private level, for infrastructure building initiatives and work toward Myanmar’s development,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said after meeting with Myanmar’s President Thein Sein.

In addition to Tokyo’s development aid in loans, the investment accord signed yesterday would likely boost Japan Corp.’s investment in the quickly developing former pariah country, a trade ministry spokesman said. The deal would give Japanese companies so-called national treatment, or rights that local businesses receive in Myanmar when making investment decisions, helping Japanese companies avoid political risks in investing in the country.

The move comes as Myanmar prepares for an economic resurgence following the end of decades of military rule, which in turn is attract-

ing attention from firms all over Asia and the West.

Meanwhile, Abe and Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong agreed to start negotiations for a civil aviation agreement that would pave the way for direct flights between Laos and Japan, officials said.

They also agreed to continue their talks to launch a bilateral security dialogue framework involving foreign and defense officials, according to Japanese officials. With Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Abe was expected to discuss strengthening cooperation between the coastguards of the two countries which both face territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea or in the East China Sea. With Cambodia, whose economy is heavily reliant on China, Japan is also expected to discuss an aviation treaty and further exchanges of defense officials, officials have said.

The Japan-ASEAN summit commemorating 40 years of ties with the bloc comes at a time Tokyo is keen to garner support in its fractious spat with Beijing over the sovereignty of a small chain of islands in the East China Sea. The case has taken on a greater urgency since China’s declaration of the air zone which covers the contested archipelago. —AFP

An Afghan cook washes dishes as children collect water from a roadside pump in Mazar-i-sharif on Saturday. Over a third of Afghans are living in abject poverty, as those in power are more concerned about addressing their vested interests rather than the basic needs of the population, a UN report said. —AFP

Egypt to repay debt to oil firms in pounds CAIRO: Egypt will pay $300 million of the money it owes to foreign oil companies in Egyptian pounds, a Finance Ministry statement said, as part of a $1.5-billion repayment scheme designed to revive confidence in its economy battered by years of turmoil.

Egypt has announced it would repay a further $3 billion of the $6.3 billion it says it owes to foreign oil companies operating in the country in monthly instalments until 2017, hoping this will encourage investment in the energy sector. Egypt’s foreign currency reserves, which stood at $36 billion before autocrat Hosni Mubarak was ousted in 2011, have been under pressure ever since and fell to $17.8 billion in November from $18.6 billion in October.

Repayment will occur “in phases”, starting on Dec. 1, a statement on the Finance Ministry website said.

Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi said on Dec. 4 the repayment of $1.5 billion had been approved.

This amount will be paid in three tranches, according to the Finance Ministry. It added the agreement between the Finance and Oil Ministries had been reached with the “full coordination and cooperation” of the Central Bank which helped provide the foreign currency needed for the payments.

The first tranche of $1 billion will be provided by the Central Bank which will deduct the amount in Egyptian pounds from its Finance Ministry accounts, according to the statement.

The second tranche of $300 million will be paid for by the Finance Ministry in Egyptian pounds. The state-run Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation will pay the remaining $200 million, the ministry said.

Financial disclosures by firms including BP, BG Group , Edison SpA and TransGlobe Energy show Egypt owed them more than $5.2 billion at the end of 2012.

In the week after the army removed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July following mass protests against his rule, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates promised Egypt a total of $12 billion in grants, interest-free loans and oil products. —Reuters

Al-Tijari announces winners of Najma Account draw KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al-Najma Account daily draw yesterday. The draw was held under the super vision of the Ministr y of Commerce & Industry represented by Saquer Al-Manaie.

The winners of the Najma daily draw are: l Shahat Moris Najeeb Jad — KD 7000 l Ahmad Mohammed Hasan — KD 7000 l Mohammed Zaeef Sharif — KD 7000 l Ahmed AbdulQader Al-Alti — KD 7000 l Aiman Saad Taudrous — 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 KD7,000 daily prize which is the highest in the country and

another 4 mega prizes during the year worth KD100,000 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 KD500, 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 KD25 a customer can get one chance for winning instead of KD50.

Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministr y of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

PetroRabigh marketing fee deal to boost revenue KHOBAR: Saudi Arabia’s PetroRabigh expects its revenues to rise by almost 1 billion riyals ($267 million) this year after its parent companies agreed to cut international marketing fees by a third, it said yesterday. The petrochemical company is a joint venture between oil giant Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical, which market PetroRabigh’s production.

“Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical...are committed to reducing the marketing commission of all petrochemicals products of PetroRabigh by around a third of current levels and commissions to market petroleum products of PetroRabigh in the domestic market have been cancelled,” PetroRabigh said. The start of the five-year agreement will be backdated to April 1, 2013 and the deal will have a positive impact on the company’s revenues by

around 1 billion riyals this year, increasing to 1.3 billion riyals annually in subsequent years based on current price expectations and production levels, the company said. PetroRabigh’s earnings have been hit hard this year by maintenance at some of its facilities, pressure on profit margins, power cuts and an outage of its ethane cracker due to a water leak. For the first nine months of this year, it reported a net loss of 880.7 million riyals against a net profit of 420.8 million riyals a year earlier.

In the second quarter of 2013, its sales totalled 14.20 billion riyals, according to its website. Under the new deal, the two parent companies will market PetroRabigh’s products equally, the company said. Previously, Saudi Aramco marketed refined products for PetroRabigh while Sumitomo Chemical handled chemicals. —Reuters

Commodity focus fixed on Syria after strong August performance

By Hayder Tawfik Most forecasts are pointing to 2014 as being a year of economic growth that will be moderate and not fast enough to prompt central banks to change their easy monetary policies. That means rates will be kept low for much longer. If this forecast is correct then equities keep going up but more slowly and will be sector specific rather than the overall indices. Low interest rates, much reduced global macro risk and less geopolitical tensions can only be good for global equities.

How much are discounted in the markets?

In normal times with valuations as they are now, one would say yes a lot of good news is discounted, but are we really experiencing normal times! I very much doubt it. The forecast for global economic growth is around 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent. Most of this growth will be coming from the US economy.

The euro-zone is forecasted to grow by less than 1 percent and as for economic growth in Asia and China that very much depends on the US and the euro-zone economies. One big problem I see facing the global economies is the very high rate of the unemployed and in specific among the young population. If the central banks and governments fail to come up with drastic and fundamental measures to solve this problem then I am afraid the economic growth not only will be slow but also indeed will falter very quickly. Financial markets have a very good habit of discounting bad and good news at the same time. At the start of 2013 there were a lot of uncertainties. Some of them were quite serious. One example was the survival of the Euro another was the talk of how the US will finance its mushrooming budget deficit and finally the continuous talk of early tapering by the US Federal Reserve. In normal times these uncertainties would have scared investors from investing in the markets. But as I said earlier we are not in historical normal times. We will need to adjust to this new normal time i.e. at least we need to get used to living with very low interest environments and sometimes even zero rates.

Uncertainty Smart investors have been reward handsomely over the past few years. Those who invested in selective equities or indices and those who invested in government bonds. Some Investors who looked for steady income found safety in the commercial and residential real estate investments. The only losers were the ones who invested in commodities including gold. US equity markets have been one of the best performers this year with gains of more than 25 percent. This is on the back of great uncertainty for the US economy and big budget deficits. The troubled euro-zone equity markets have delivered excellent performances after having delivered good performance in 2012. German equities are one of the best performers so far this year. As for the big sur-

prise of this year, Japan has caught most investors by a big surprise. The Japanese stock markets have rocketed by over 50 percent in local currency and by about 26 percent in US dollar terms.

How do we see 2014?

We at Dimah Capital are still positive for global equities in 2014.We see economic growth accelerating with some moderation. We see the Federal Reserve delaying tapering till unemployment falls below the magic 7 percent and it will keep an eye on the potential risk of falling inflation. The Japanese government will continue with its massive stimulus policy till growth picks up and be supported by domestic demand. The very low level of inflation is still a problem and I can’t see how the government can engineer a sustainable inflation target of 2 percent. We see the Japanese yen weakening furthest towards the level of 120 against the US dollar and more weakening against the euro. We forest strong Euro against the US dollar and the Japanese yen.

This strength is a reflection of German competiveness rather than the outlook of pan Euro block. At some point next year we see some relaxing of fiscal policies to tackle the high unemployment in the euro-zone.

Outlook for stocks For 2014, we advise investors to overweight global equities and underweight bonds. Investors should continue having most of their investments in the developed economies i.e. US, Japan, UK and the euro-zone. Some small allocation to the emerging markets is warranted after the big underperformance over the last few years. Most of our investment strategy reflects our global macro outlook for 2014. For example, we invest in Japanese export orientated companies on the belief that the Japanese Yen will continue weakening against most currencies. In the euro-zone, we think some of the cyclical stocks either industrials or capital goods are undervalued and should benefit from any relaxation of the austerity measures introduced over the past few years. We believe, US companies have become more competitive and have returned to their high productivity era. This has been seen throughout this year. We think they will continue to deliver good earnings and with it good returns for investors. The high technology sector is very promising. Also, the housing sector will continue growing for the next few years. Some housing related companies such as Home Depot and Lowe’s are very promising investments. Because we see moderate global economic growth so we cannot rely on regions or sectors for growth but we have identified companies that are growing way above the average and have strong revenue and earnings growth. This means that investors have to be very selective in choosing the right stocks.

Overall, we see continued and coordinated policy support among the developed economies lead by the Federal Reserve and expect a rebound in global economic growth even if it is small but will have a very positive impact on global equities. We believe that global equities offer the best risk-adjusted returns compared to government and corporate bonds and most other asset classes.

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal transfer Irani Riyal cash Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.732 4.564 2.639 2.159 2.902 227.350 36.508 3.635 6.416 8.844 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.510 77.804 735.580 752.580 77.115

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.648 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.321 Tunisian Dinar 171.130 Jordanian Dinar 399.870 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.900 Syrian Lira 2.018 Morocco Dirham 35.381 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.050 Euro 392.020 Sterling Pound 465.620 Canadian dollar 270.090 Turkish lira 138.550 Swiss Franc 321.650 Australian Dollar 258.710 US Dollar Buying 281.850 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 233.000 118.000 61.000

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

SELL DRAFT 262.45 270.72 323.46 392.54 282.25 468.20 2.81 3.631 4.610 2.161 2.885 2.640 76.91 751.23 40.97 401.71 734.03 77.94 75.40

SELL CASH 262.000 271.000 323.000 395.000 285.000 471.000 2.800 3.800 4.850 2.600 3.400 2.760 77.200 752.100 41.100 406.800 740.100 78.300 75.600

Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi

3.015 3.884 88.925 46.975

Selling Rate 282.600 269.670 466.480 390.235 318.860 746.200 76.920 78.470 76.230 398.365 40.977 2.160 4.613 2.634 3.630 6.393 694.120 3.745 09.800

0.222370 0.021330 0.001870 0.009429 0.008513

0.228370 0.029830 0.002450 0.009609 0.009063

Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar Turkish Lira UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

Arab 0.743544 0.037631 0.000078 0.000186 0.394580 1.0000000 0.000138 0.022607 0.001195 0.728383 0.076954 0.074763 0.002166 0.165939 0.139234 0.076001 0.001284

0.751544 0.040731 0.000079 0.000246 0.402080 1.0000000 0.000238 0.046607 0.001830 0.734063 0.078167 0.075463 0.002386 0.173939 0.146234 0.077150 0.001364

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

SELL CASH 0.007349 0.455913 0.006614 0.048231 0.384652 0.042011 0.081586 0.008094 0.039127 0.312701 0.139234

SELLDRAFT 0.008349 0.464913 0.018614 0.053231 0.392152 0.047211 0.81586 0.018094 0.044127 0.322901 0.146234

Australasia 0.246691 0.227678

0.258191 0.237178

Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

America 0.261588 0.278650 0.279150

0.270088 0.283000 0.283000

Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone

Asia 0.003463 0.045043 0.034382 0.004396 0.000020 0.002673 0.003347 0.000258 0.084417 0.002972 0.002442 0.006414 0.000069

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd 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

Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

0.004063 0.048543 0.037132 0.004797 0.000026 0.002853 0.003347 0.000273 0.090417 0.003142 0.002722 0.006694 0.000075

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar 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) 282.500 390.550 462.350 269.300 4.547 40.995 2.155 3.630 6.383 2.635 752.200 76.950 75.450

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

BUSINESS

Euro-zone may share costs of bank closures BRUSSELS: The cost of closing down a euro-zone bank will initially be borne almost fully by its home country, but the obligations of euro-zone partners will gradually rise to be shared equitably after 10 years, under the terms of

an EU proposal.

The proposal, prepared by Lithuania which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, will be discussed at an extraordinary meeting of senior EU officials in Brussels today.

MADRID: Protestors march during a demonstration against the government’s austerity measures in Madrid yesterday. Anti-austerity protesters and trade unions also took to the streets of Madrid Saturday to express their anger at government cuts they say are making the financial crisis worse by stifling growth and increasing unemployment. —AP

Separately, several European finance ministers and senior EU officials will meet again in Berlin today to try to make further headway on a compromise for rules to wind down stricken banks, senior euro-zone sources told Reuters yesterday. The meeting will, in essence, include the same group of finance ministers and senior officials who met in Berlin on December 6, the sources said.

After a financial storm that toppled banks and dragged down states from Ireland to Spain, countries are considering a fresh blueprint outlining what to do when a bank fails, a critical second pillar of a wider reform dubbed “banking union”. Sealing a deal ahead of an EU summit in Brussels Dec. 19-20 will allow Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and her peers to trumpet an important overhaul of banking, although their readiness to share the costs of failed lenders, a central tenet of banking union, may fall short of what had been hoped.

Under the proposal, the costs of closing down a bank in the first year of operation would be fully covered by a fund set up by the home country where the bank resides. Such funds would be set up in every euro-zone country and each would be filled from fees paid in by banks in the respective countries, amounting each year to 0.1 percent of all covered deposits they hold.

Such funds would reach their full size of 1 percent of all covered deposits after 10 years, but in the first year each would have only 0.1 percent of all covered deposits in a euro-zone country, then 0.2 percent in the second, and so on. If the accumulated money from bank fees in a home country in the first year is insufficient to finance the closure of a bank, other funds in euro-zone countries would be expected to contribute up to 10 percent of their accumulated money to help.

In the second year, the home fund would only be obliged to use up 90 percent of its accumulated funds to finance the cost of closing down a bank before it could call on its euro-zone partners, who would be required to chip in with up to 20 percent of what they hold to help. The obligation for the home country before it could call on partners would decrease by 10 percent each year and the potential obligation for other euro zone countries would rise by 10 percent.

In this way, by the tenth year, the home country fund would only have to contribute 10 percent of their funds before calling on its euro-zone partners who, like the home country, would be obliged to contribute whatever was required - up to 100 pct of their total funds - to pay for the bank closure.

If the cost of closing down a bank in

any of the 10 transition years turns out to be bigger than the combined home country contribution and the proportionate percentage help of other funds, the home country fund could impose an additional levy on its own banking sector.

If that were still insufficient, the government of the country in which the bank is located could provide bridge financing, to be repaid from bank fees later, or if it does not have the cash, it could ask for a program from the euro-zone bailout fund ESM, like Spain did in 2012.

All the national funds for closing down banks would be merged into one Single Resolution Fund for the euro zone after 10 years and from that moment the Single Resolution Fund would finance all bank closures, fully mutualizing risk.

Setting up the Single Resolution Fund and the complex risk and cost sharing arrangement over the 10 transition years is to be enshrined in an intergovernmental treaty, which is to be negotiated by euro-zone countries by March 1, 2014, the Lithuanian proposal said.

The use of Single Resolution Fund would be decided by the Board of the Single Resolution Authority, made of up representatives of euro-zone countries and institutions. The Board would vote by qualified majority, rather than unanimity, the Lithuanian proposal said. —Reuters

Ireland exits bailout but celebrations on hold ‘Return to full health will take some time’ DUBLIN: Ireland yesterday formally left its three-year bailout program, becoming the first euro-zone nation to do so, but there has been little celebration as the country faces further austerity measures.

Dublin turned to the International Monetary Fund and European Union in November 2010 for an 85-billion-euro ($115-billion) rescue package following a banking crash and one of history’s worst housing bubbles. After painful belttightening, Ireland is now returning unaided to the international lending markets-while eurozone strugglers Greece, Portugal and Cyprus

was not over. “It would be a mistake on the Taoiseach’s (prime minister’s) part to suggest that leaving the bailout program is the end of our problems,” the Irish Sunday Times said in its editorial.

“Like a patient discharged from the intensive care unit, the return to full health will take some time.”

Apart from Kenny’s address to the nation, there is little planned to mark the occasion.

Ireland did not face the same large -scale protests that hit Greece during the bailout years. A poll on popular news website The

DUBLIN: A general view of the customs house building and the River Liffey in the centre of Dublin, Ireland. —AP remain locked into the bailout process.

“It’s an important moment for Ireland and for our people,” Prime Minister Enda Kenny told the Irish Times newspaper in an interview published on Friday. “Our credibility is being restored internationally and our name is in good standing.” Kenny will deliver a state of the nation-type address on Irish television later, just the sixth time a Taoiseach has done so in Irish history, other than during elections.

Irish newspapers said the economic struggle

Journal.ie on Sunday shows the level of apathy towards the bailout exit despite Dublin’s desire to frame the development in a positive light. Of the almost 2,000 votes since the poll went live, over half selected “hearing about it makes me feel worse” while only five percent said they felt happier.

The end of the bailout means Dublin will now have greater control over economic decision-making after three years of stringent oversight by the EU, IMF and the European Central

Bank-the so-called troika of lenders. The troika insisted on tax rises, structural reforms and the sale of state assets in exchange for the bailout, and assessed Ireland’s progress every three months.

Ireland has returned to growth, unemployment is falling and the banking sector has been reduced to a more appropriate scale to match the size of the economy but analysts agree the banks remain a risk.

The IMF approved the 12th and last review of Ireland’s progress on Friday, allowing a final $890 million payout.

To mark the end of the bailout program, the IMF’s managing director Christine Lagarde praised Ireland’s “steadfast policy implementation”. But Lagarde warned of “significant economic challenges” ahead.

“Unemployment is too high, public debt sustainability remains fragile, and heavy private sector debts and banks’ slow progress in resolving nonperforming loans weigh on domestic demand,” she said in a statement. Later this week, Dublin will publish a medium-term economic strategy outlining its post-bailout policies.

“This isn’t the end of the road. We must continue with the same types of policies as the deficit is too high,” finance minister Michael Noonan warned. Much of the focus in the Irish Sunday newspapers is on the strategy and the possibility that austerity will ease after another tough annual budget next year.

The Sunday Independent reported that Dublin will promise to end austerity by 2016, in time for the next general election. The Sunday Times suggests the plan will target a 4.2 percent unemployment rate by 2020, far from the current level of 12.8 percent and last year’s peak of 14.7 percent.

Advocacy groups warn that the most vulnerable in society will still suffer. “There is a need for sensitivity. The suffering isn’t over,” John Dolan, chief executive of the Disability Federation of Ireland, told AFP. Anna Doyle, 42, and her husband Ambrose from Ashford in County Wicklow, south of Dublin, both lost their jobs in June 2011 and have been searching for work ever since. “It’s been really stressful and totally demoralizing,” Anna said. —AFP

Gulf Bank announces winners of Al-Danah daily draws KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its AlDanah daily draws on December 8, 2013, announcing the names of its winners for the week of December 1t to December 5. The Al-Danah daily draws include draws each working day for two prizes of KD1000 per winner.

Winners (Sunday 1/12): Hashem Sayed Anbar Al-Refai, Awatif Mansour Ali Al-Qattan (Monday 2/12): Jassem Khaled Saud Al-Zaid, Pallari Radhakrishnan (Tuesday 3/12): Hassan Ibraheem Hassan Al-Bloushy, Hatem Heremees

EU suspends work with Ukraine on trade deal BRUSSELS: The European Union said yesterday it was suspending further work with Ukraine on an ambitious trade and cooperation agreement because the government in Kiev had failed to give a clear commitment to signing the deal. EU enlargement chief Stefan Fuele said on Twitter that the words and deeds of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and his government on the proposed trade pact with the EU were “further and further apart. Their arguments have no grounds in reality.”

Fuele said he had told Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister Serhiy Arbuzov in Brussels last Thursday that further discussion on the trade

agreement was conditional on a clear commitment by Kiev to sign it, but he had received no response.

As a result, work on the agreement was “on hold”, he said. Kiev had been expected to sign the agreement at a summit last month, but Yanukovich turned his back on the accord at the last minute in favor of closer ties with Moscow, leading to mass protests in Kiev.

The EU kept its offer on the table and Arbuzov said in Brussels last Thursday that Ukraine would sign the pact soon, but Brussels disputes Kiev’s assertions that it needs 20 billion euros ($27 billion) of EU aid to offset the cost of adapting to the agreement. —Reuters

Mohammed Al-Otaibi (Wednesday 4/12): Jassem Abbas Ali Naqi, Salem Dhedan Sameer AlShammeri ( Thursday 5/12): Ahmad Ali Kader, Ali Mohammed Bader Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2013 draw lineup includes daily draws (2 winners per working day each receive KD1000), as well as three draw prizes per quarter. The final draw will be held on Januar y 9, 2014 announcing winners of KD50,000, KD250,000 and the Al-Danah Millionaire.

Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and simultaneously encourages them to save money. Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the AlDanah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al-Danah winner.

To be part of the Al-Danah draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance.

An Indian woman harvests plant leaves eaten as vegetables at a field in Lachmoli village in Tehri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand State. India’s economic growth rose to a higher-than-expected 4.8 percent in the quarter that ended in September. —AP

Sudan appoints new central bank chief CAIRO: Sudan appointed a prominent banker to head its central bank yesterday, state news agency SUNA said, in the latest sign of an overhaul of senior posts in the Arab-African state hit by a shortage of hard currency.

Sudan’s economy has been in turmoil since South Sudan seceded in 2011, taking with it about three-quarters of the country’s oil production. Oil is the main source of government revenues and dollars, needed for food and other imports.“President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir issued a decree to appoint Abdel Rahman Hassan, head of (Khartoum’s state-run) Omdurman National Bank since 2006, as new central bank governor,” SUNA said in a statement.

The central bank devalued the Sudanese pound by 22.6 percent against the dollar in November, the second such move in just over a year. The scarcity of dollars had become so bad that the central bank had started using up the general reserves of commercial banks, which are meant to be kept as deposits with the

central bank, a financial source has told Reuters.

Hassan is a board member of Sudan’s Bank Deposit Security Fund (BDSF) and a representative of the union of Sudanese banks. In September the government lifted most fuel subsidies to help overcome a budget crisis. The move doubled pump prices overnight and triggered violent protests in which dozens of people were killed and more than 700 people arrested.

In a government shake-up earlier this month, Bashir named Lieutenant General Bakri Hassan Saleh - a close ally who helped him stage his 1989 coup and crush many rebellions - as first vice president, replacing veteran Islamist Ali Osman Taha. Analysts said the change showed Bashir’s desire to turn to more trusted allies to his power base in the military.

The finance, oil and interior ministers we re a l s o c h a n g e d i n t h e re s h u f f l e, along with other ministers and top officials. —Reuters

TLA closes settlement in The Investment Dar transaction KUWAIT: Tribonian Law Advisors (TLA) acted as lead counsel to The Investment Dar KSC ( TID or the Company) in a transaction that involved a $1.2 billion settlement in kind with just under a third of its creditors by value (the “ Transaction”).

Creditors who elected not to take part in the Transaction retained their claims under the judgment issued by the Kuwait Special Circuit Court of Appeal on 2 June 2011 pursuant to the Financial Stability Law (FSL).

The Transaction sought to balance various stakeholder objectives.

Participating creditors settled existing FSL claims at a significant discount in exchange for cash, debt and equity participation in a newly formed Jersey entity, to which various assets of TID were transferred. The debt in the Jersey entity was structured on a loanto-value basis and provided enhanced security and information rights. All lenders were equally invited to participate in this voluntary Transaction on the same terms. Approximately 29 percent of TID’s creditors (based on face amount of claims) elected to participate in the Transaction. Non-participating lenders benefited from the Transaction by seeing a 2.1x multiple reduction in the liabilities settled versus the realizable asset value which was contributed to the Jersey entity -

thus improving non-participating creditors’ pro-rata recovery on any future asset sales. The assets which were contributed to the Transaction had been valued by Baker Tilly.

TID is a Kuwaiti based investment company with diversified investment holdings, which include project management, asset management, banking, real estate, construction, transportation and manufacturing.

Tribonian Law Advisors is a corporate law firm with offices in Dubai (in association with Rindala Beydoun

Legal Consultancy), Riyadh (in association with Mothanna El-Gasseer Law Firm) and Beirut. The TLA team was led by the firm’s managing partner, Rindala Beydoun, who was assisted by partners Carlo Pianese and Mothanna El-Gasseer and firm members Jihad Harfouche, Magda Farhat and Maria Mourad. TLA was assisted by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Ogier Legal Jersey, Al Markaz Law Firm (Kuwait) and Zu’bi & Partners (Bahrain). Houlihan Lokey acted as financial advisor to TID.

Sompo Japan Insurance to buy Britain’s Canopius TOKYO: Major Japanese insurer Sompo Japan Insurance will acquire privately-owned British firm Canopius for 100 billion yen ($970 million) in a bid to expand its overseas business, a report said yesterday. The two insurers will announce the agreement on the purchase in the coming week, the business daily Nikkei reported, without citing sources.

The Japanese non-life insurer will complete the purchase of all shares in Canopius from investment funds and the British firm’s management by the end of next year, it said. Sompo Japan also plans to keep Canopius’s 560 managers and employees to absorb expertise for Western markets, it said.

Canopius, which operates in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, also has operations in Europe, the United States, Bermuda, Singapore and Australia. The move comes as the domestic market for car insurance and casualty insurance is saturated while foreign insurers have been working on consolidation of their businesses after the 2008 US-led global financial crisis, the report said. —AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

BUSINESS

Concern over trickledown effect of Nigeria growth LAGOS: Nigeria could soon become Africa’s biggest economy but there is growing recognition that the landmark will be largely symbolic and do little to change lives in the continent’s most populous nation.

On paper, the future looks bright for Nigeria: the International Monetary Fund has forecast 7.4 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014, up from an estimated 6.2 percent this year.

That comes despite the effects of a four-year Islamist insurgency in the north and rampant oil theft, which have dragged down the economy. GDP growth in Africa’s largest crude oil producer averaged 6.8 percent between 2005 and 2013, according to the Central Bank

of Nigeria (CBN). That compares to a little over five percent between 2005 and 2008-9 in Africa’s largest economy, South Africa, which has struggled to go beyond 3.5 percent since. Nigeria is currently in the process of rebasing its economy for the first time since 1990, adjusting GDP calculations to take into account changes in the economy, including new sectors and industries.

The results are expected in the coming weeks and are set to reinforce the view that the country of nearly 170 million is a huge potential market and investment destination. But the healthy figures belie the reality that most Nigerians remain poor and live on less than two dollars a day, while the country lags behind in key

development indicators such as health.

Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recognized the challenge of closing the gap and ensuring that the benefits of growth are not captured by the elite but trickle down to all levels of society.

“We are growing but not creating enough jobs. That is a very big challenge,” she told business leaders in Lagos this week. “The rate of growth that we have is good but could be better. We need to grow faster. “It is clear that the top five to 10 percent is capturing most of whatever growth there is and people at the bottom are being left behind.” The former World Bank managing director said an estimated 1.6 million jobs were cre-

ated over the last 12 months but growth needed to be “at least nine to 10 percent” per year to bring down unemployment.

‘Poor in the midst of plenty’ Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy at the Lagos Business School, said the emphasis now should be on improving living conditions for most Nigerians.

“We have a situation where the growth has not translated into a better quality of life for the vast majority of the people,” he said. “People are poor in the midst of plenty because corrupt and inept leaders are in the helms of affairs. —AFP

PYONGYANG: Yun Yong Sok, a senior official in North Korea’s State Economic Development Committee, speaks inside a conference room in Pyongyang, North Korea yesterday. —AP

Purge won’t hurt economic policy: North Korean official PYONGYANG, North Korea: A senior North Korean official said yesterday that the execution of leader Kim Jong Un’s once-powerful uncle will not lead to changes in economic policies and vowed that the nation would push ahead with an ambitious plan to develop new economic zones to attract foreign investment.

Jang Song Thaek’s wife, meanwhile, has been named to an ad-hoc state committee, the countr y ’s official media reported, an indication that Jang’s execution has not immediately diminished her influence.

The execution Friday of Jang, considered to be North Korea’s second most powerful man and a key architect of the country’s economic policies, should not be taken as a sign that the North will change its economic course or its efforts to lure foreign investment, Yun Yong Sok, a senior official in the State Economic Development Committee, said in an interview with The AP in Pyongyang.

Luring foreign investment is critical to garnering badly needed foreign currency and funding for infrastructure projects so the Kim regime can live up to its promise of raising the impoverished nation’s standard of living. “Even though Jang Song Thaek’s group caused great harm to our economy, there will be no change at all in the economic policy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” Yun said.

“It’s just the same as before.”

Jang’s sudden purge and execution for allegedly trying to overthrow the government has raised questions about how solid the North Korean regime is and whether it will be able to stay the course on policies aimed at raising the country’s standard of living.

Last month, Nor th Korea announced plans to create in each province special economic zones, which are like incubators for introducing capitalist methods into the North’s tightly controlled, command economy. The North also recently laid out new laws to facilitate foreign tourism and investment. The laws provide foreign investors with special incentives and guarantees, while giving local leaders greater autonomy to promote themselves and handle business decisions.

But even before Jang’s execution, it was unclear how far Pyongyang was willing to go. The Nor th has shown no willingness to abandon its nuclear weapons program to get out from under international trade sanctions. That makes investment or financing from major international organizations difficult if not impossible. It also means the success of the zones hinges on China, North Korea’s only major ally, and Jang was seen as a crucial conduit between Pyongyang and Beijing, along with being a suppor ter of China-backed reforms, such as the zones, to revive the North’s moribund economy.

Jang met with top Chinese officials during their visits to Pyongyang, and in 2012 traveled to China as the head of one of the largest North Korean delegations ever to visit the Chinese capital to discuss construction of the special economic zones, which Beijing hopes will ensure North Korea’s stability.

Yun, however, downplayed Jang’s

importance in policymaking and said his removal would instead speed progress on the economic front because he was a threat to the unity of the nation. He said Jang’s execution should not scare away Chinese investment, which is crucial to the success of the zones. “By eliminating the Jang Song Thaek group, the unity and solidarity of our party and people with our respected marshal at the center has become much stronger, our party has become more determined and the will of our soldiers and people to build a prosperous socialist country has been strengthened,” Yun said. “Our State Economic Development Committee welcomes investment and business from any country to take part in the work of developing our new economic zones.”

Yun said local officials have been tasked with drawing up the plans for the zones in their jurisdictions and are likely to formally submit them for approval to his commission within the next few months.

Jang was considered the second most powerful man in North Korea before his fall, which was announced last week and followed days later by his execution for a long list of antistate crimes, including building a power base of his own to rival and possibly overthrow Kim and the ruling Workers’ Party.

His removal leaves no clear No. 2 under Kim, whose inner circle now includes Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, Premier Pak Pong Ju and the ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong Nam. What will happen next in Pyongyang remains unclear, but North Korea watchers will be closely following the second anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death on Tuesday for clues. Of particular interest is whether Jang’s wife, Kim Kyong Hui, the younger sister of Kim Jong Il, will be present in official ceremonies.

Her name appeared in a state media dispatch late Saturday alongside top officials on a funeral committee for fellow senior Workers’ Party official Kim Kuk Thae, who died Friday.

Kim Kyong Hui, 67, has risen through the ranks in recent years and holds a slew of top posts. Analysts said the dispatch suggested that her political standing hasn’t been immediately affected by her husband’s execution and that she may have even given her nephew the green light to fire Jang but not to have him executed.

“She may have opposed Jang’s death sentence, but she could have agreed on Jang being dismissed,” said analyst Hong Hyun-ik from the private Sejong Institute in South Korea. Kim and Jang, who married in 1972, had a dysfunctional marriage in recent years, and their only daughter committed suicide in 2006 while studying in Paris, according to South Korean media reports.

Hong said that if her health condition allows it, Kim Kyong Hui is expected to join other top officials at Tuesday’s ceremonies marking the second anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death.

Kim Kyong Hui’s public activities have been sharply reduced in recent months amid media reports that she suffers liver, hear t and other ailments. —AP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

BUSINESS

Warba Bank widens base of its financing services Agreement with Aayan Kuwait concludes

Cofran summer promotion grand draw sends 2 to Paris KUWAIT: Al-Sayer Company held the raffle draw of Cofran Summer promotion mega prize. The promotion campaign had successfully ended the 3 months lubricant promotion on Nov 17, 2013. The grand draw of the 2013 Toyota Corolla, A trip for 2 to Paris, Gold Coins and many other fabulous prizes took place on Nov 20, 2013 at 6:00pm, in the presence of Ministry of Commerce at the Cofran center - Canada Dry Street. The draw was also attended by the GM, Krishna Kumar, Oil and Paint Manager, Vivek Kohli, and his support staff, Marketing Manager After Sales Nasimi. The draw was witnessed by many participants, who were enthusiastically hoping to win these fabulous prizes.

Cofran Oil - has been in Kuwait with AlSayer for many years, and this promotion was supported by over 70 puncture and

Co-operatives shops all over Kuwait. AlSayer Group would like to thank each and every participant for their outstanding support and making this campaign a huge success.

“We thank you very much for your support for the past many years and we look forward to the same support in future as well,” he said The promotion had officially started on August 18, 2013 and ended on Nov 17, 2013. The campaign offered for every 4 lifters or more purchase of Cofran 10W-40 or 20W50 oil, every customer got 1 coupon which entitled them for the draw on these fabulous gifts - Toyota Corolla 2013 and other valuable gift such as a trip for two to Paris, five gold coins, four iPhone5, four Galaxy S4 and two Galaxy Note II.

ABK’s unique daily interest account KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait’s daily interest account is the first account where the customer earns interest on a daily basis, thus enabling consistent growth and savings.

With regards to the account Stewart Lockie, General Manager, Retail Banking mentioned, “At ABK we design products that will encourage our customers to save and invest their money well. Our Daily Interest Account is the first of its kind in Kuwait, where interest is earned every day, and it simply adds on to the present amount in the account. Besides, the customer enjoys flexibility, as he can withdraw from and deposit into the

account freely without any restrictions.

The great news is that the percentage you earn as interest increases, as your savings grow.” Mr. Lockie further stated, “Our customers can open an account with KD 100 or with the equivalent amount using the US Dollar, Sterling Pound or Euro, provided you are minimum 21 years old.”

For more details on this account you are welcome to visit any ABK branch, speak to the call center, Ahlan Ahli at 1899899 or you can access www.eahli.com, if you wish to speak to one of our account managers via the Ahli Chat Service.

Burgan Bank announces winners of Yawmi account KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday the names of the five lucky winners of its Yawmi account draw, each taking home a prize of KD5,000.

The lucky winners for the daily draws took home a cash-prize of KD 5000 each, and they are: 1. ABDULAZIZ JAMAL MARZOUQ ALRASHEEDI 2. SANAA ABDULAZIZ MUBARAK BIN NASER 3. MANSOUR AHMED TAHER BOKHAMSEEN 4. JASSIM RASHIM MANSOUR AL- ABOUDI 5. FATMA JAFAR MOHAMMED HUSSAIN MARAFI With its new and enhanced features, the Yawmi Account has become more convenient, easier, and faster for customers to benefit from. Now, customers will be eligible to enter the draw after 48 hours only from opening the account. Customers are also required to deposit KD 100 or equivalent only to enter the daily draw, and the coupon value to enter the draw stands at

KD 10. The newly designed Yawmi account has been launched to provide a highly innovative offering along with a higher frequency and incentive of winning for everyone. Today, the Yawmi account is a well understood product, where its popularity can be seen from the number of increasing account holders.

Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit to maximize their chances to becoming a daily winner. The more customers deposit, the higher the chances they receive of winning the draw.

Opening a Yawmi account is simple, customers are urged to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch and receive all the details, or simply call the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 where customer service representatives will be delighted to assist with any questions on the Yawmi account or any of the bank’s products and services.

BARCELONA: French Junior Minister for Transports and Maritime Economy Frederic Cuvillier (left) shakes hands with Spanish Transport Minister Ana Pastor (second left) as Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz (center), President of Spain’s state railway company RENFE Julio Gomez-Pomar Rodriguez (second right) and President of French railway company SNCF Guillaume Pepy stand next to a high speed TGV train connecting France to Spain, jointly operated by SNCF and RENFE, during the new rail line’s inauguration in Barcelona yesterday.— AFP

KUWAIT: Warba Bank yesterday announced concluding an agreement with Aayan Kuwait Auto Company, whereby Warba will provide its distinguished financing services to Aayan’s national and resident costumers. The agreement will cover various types of used cars showed at the company’s headquarters and branches.

Commenting on this, Waleed Al-Mosallam, Personal Financing Manager - Retail Banking Group at Warba Bank said: “The agreement is a testament to the excellent and quick financing services offered by Warba to its customers.

The banks offers Murabaha at competitive prices and discount rates, as well as other numerous added services for various segments of society.”

Dedicated representative Al-Mosallam indicated that: “According to the agreement, a Warba dedicated representative will be available daily at Aayan’s premises in Al-Rai to provide Warba’s financing services to customers. Indeed, Warba seeks to offer diversified financing services through car agencies, relevant companies, promotional exhibitions of consumer and construction products, participation in different events and sponsoring various key events, besides launching advertising campaigns throughout the year on retail consumers finance.”

Competitive features Al-Mosallam reiterated that: “Warba offers competitive financing services with unique features including no advance payment required, fast processing, competitive profit rate and an insurance policy covering travel, road assistance and life insurance over a limited period, as well as other services offered to customers. Warba offers various competitive retail services, through which Warba seeks to enter into qualitative agreements that enhance the credit facilities offered to retail customers. Such services include, the agreements concluded with other car agencies, as well as diverse promotions and exhibitions.”

Financing products Al-Mosallam said: “Warba is always keen to build solid business relations with its customers, so as to familiarize them with Warba’s financing products, i.e., the Qardh Hasan of up to KD 1500; the financing facilities of up to KD 15,000 for cars, boats, marine equipment, furniture, electronics, and consumer goods; and the financing facilities of up to KD 70,000 for construction materials, with flexible repayment period of up to 15 years.”

Financing features Al-Mosallam explained: “Warba’s financing services mark Sharia compliance, quality service, fast processing, and competitive profit

Waleed Al-Mosallam, Personal Financing Manager ñ Retail Banking Group

rate. In addition, such features do not require salary transfer to Warba, and fulfill the needs of the society segments of both nationals and residents.”

In conclusion, Al-Mosallam said: “Warba’s professionals and efficient staff members are capable of providing the bank’s financing services related to its various agreements through Warba’s branches located in Kuwait governorates, or branches of companies with which Warba has concluded financing agreements.”

‘Taper’ again on table at Fed’s final 2013 meeting First anniversary of $85bn a month QE WASHINGTON: Steady economic gains, including a sharp fall in the unemployment rate, should stir the US Federal Reserve to begin trimming its stimulus program at its policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. But economists say there is a chance the Fed will still hold off the long-awaited taper of its huge bond purchase program, which aims at holding down interest rates to spur investment and hiring.

With inflationary pressure absent, outgoing Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his successordesignate, Vice Chair Janet Yellen, could very well wait another month to be sure the economic data holds up.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) holds its final meeting of the year on December 17-18, marking the first anniversary of the $85 billion a month QE3, the latest edition of the crisis-era “quantitative easing” operations.

Since Bernanke began talking about reducing the program in May, markets have expected the start of the taper, with bond yields and lending rates, especially mortgage rates, jumping more than one percentage point in anticipation. Since then, FOMC meeting minutes show a reticence to take the first step, amid concern over Washington policy battles and mixed indicators on the economy’s health.

Tapering QE3 would signal the beginning of the end of the Fed’s five-year crisis stance, a major step toward the normalization of monetary policy, including, eventually, higher base interest rates.

But analysts think that move could be held

off for Yellen to put her stamp on policy. The US Senate will almost certainly approve her nomination next week, after which she will take over on February 1. The Fed’s next two reviews will come on January 29-30 and then March 19-20.

“Policymakers will probably wait a little while longer in order to feel secure that these improvements are sustainable,” said IHS Global Insight in a report. One reason for QE3 last year was the need to offset the drag on economic growth of looming tax increases and steep cuts in government spending that were to come into place from the beginning of 2013.

In addition, there was the turmoil of constant fights over raising the debt ceiling, including the 16-day government shutdown in October. This time, however, the budget and debt brinksmanship appears to be out of the way. A RepublicanDemocrat deal on the budget over the next two years passed the House of Representatives Thursday, and will likely pass the Senate next week. The economic numbers are increasingly supportive of ending QE3. In November the unemployment rate sank unexpectedly sharply to 7.0 percent, a five-year low. While some of the drop could be explained by reconciliation of distorted figures the previous two months, the bottom line is that the rate has steadily fallen: It was 8.5 percent at the end of 2011 and 7.8 percent at the end of last year.

Other data is also fairly good on industrial production, consumer spending, exports and investment. The Fed’s most recent regional survey found few weak points. Growth overall

remains “modest to moderate.”

On the other hand, inflation remains so weak that some policy makers have fretted about deflation. The official consumer price index was rising 1.0 percent annually in last month’s read, well below the Fed’s target level of 2.0 percent.

And on Friday the producer price report for November suggested more of the same: it was up a bare 0.7 percent year-on-year and core prices-excluding energy and food-were up just 1.3 percent.

“There remain no signs of price pressures anywhere in the system,” said Michael Montgomery, US economist at IHS Global Insight. “ The downward shove from malaise in Europe may be ending, but there is no upwards shove from their recovery yet.” John Silvia, chief economist at Wells Fargo, said that Yellen, more worried about employment, is more likely to take advantage of soft prices and keep QE3 spending in place to further boost the jobs market. And when it comes, he added, the taper would be modest. James Bullard, the head of the St. Louis branch of the Fed, gave a plausible argument recently for FOMC action without too much commitment.

“A small taper might recognize labor market improvement, while still providing the committee the opportunity to carefully monitor inflation during the first half of 2014,” he said.

“Should inflation not return toward target, the committee could pause tapering at subsequent meetings.” — AFP

Gabriel, Merkel’s new leftist deputy and energy tsar BERLIN: Germany’s Social Democrats leader Sigmar Gabriel, Angela Merkel’s next vice chancellor, is a canny political operator whose aim will be to shift government policy to the left. As head of a new economy and energy “super ministry”, he will also be tasked with steering Germany’s ambitious transition from nuclear to renewable power while containing its cost.

Gabriel, 54, led tough negotiations with Merkel’s conservatives on forging their left-right coalition and used a high-stakes gamble to win key concessions, including a national minimum wage.

As they haggled over their power pact, Gabriel allowed his skeptical party members to vote on whether to govern with Merkel or stay in opposition, an all-or-nothing gambit that paid off. As a result, the former teacher from the left wing of his Social Democratic Party (SPD) has snatched a personal victory from the jaws of the party’s devastating defeat in September elections. While the SPD candidate in that vote, Peer Steinbrueck, has all but vanished from view, Gabriel will now play a key role in Merkel’s third-term government for Europe’s biggest economy.

Many expect the unlikely partners are headed for a bumpy ride. Gabriel, a good orator known to often shoot from the hip, has harshly criticized Merkel in the past and is expected to do so again as the next elections near, expected in 2017.

Blasting her drive for fiscal belt-tightening in crisishit euro-zone countries, Gabriel compared Merkel to “a skinflint aunt clutching her handbag” who was refusing to help out neighbors.

The stocky father of two has first-hand experience of a Merkel cabinet. He served as environment minister in the 2005-2009 grand coalition between her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the SPD, in what proved a loveless forerunner to the latest tie-up. From within Merkel’s cabinet, Gabriel faces the challenge of breathing new life into his 150-year-old party after it suffered its second worst trouncing at the polls since the war.

It is a difficult balancing act as many members of the party, which traditionally stands for the values of Germany’s working class, had been reluctant

to again govern in the shadow of Merkel.

Under the previous grand coalition, the SPD was overshadowed by her conservatives who took credit for government successes. When Gabriel was elected head of the party in 2009, he sought to rally the troops after morale plummeted following its worst-ever showing of 23 percent at the ballot box.

“Our SPD is in a catastrophic situation,” Gabriel said at the time and embarked on a plan to better integrate the party base into decision-making while attempting to be closer to voters. On his watch, the SPD has pushed to soften the impact of its own Agenda 2010 raft of tough labor and welfare reforms, instigated by former SPD chancellor Gerhard Schroeder from 2003. He imposed a marked left-ofcentre program during the last elections and successfully pushed for a national minimum

wage which had been the SPD’s deal-breaker in the negotiations. Nevertheless Gabriel did not succeed in raising the party’s fortunes at the national level and it scored 25.7 percent in September.

But the party’s debacle was laid squarely at the door of ex-finance minister Steinbrueck, who ran a gaffe-prone campaign. Gabriel, at times, appears to spontaneously pull new ideas out of his hat, such as a call for a 120-kilometre (75-mile) per hour motorway speed limit in a country passionate about its cars. Born September 12, 1959 in the northern town of Goslar, he had a complicated childhood, which he revealed in a 2012 book that detailed his difficult relationship with his father who remained a convinced Nazi even after the war.

Gabriel, who is a bicycle fan and likes sailing, has two daughters, one grown-up and the other aged one, from his second marriage. —AFP

Decision on Greek debt reduction in spring: PM ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras urged the euro-zone to confirm early next year it would again write-down part of his country’s huge debt, in a Sunday interview to liberal daily Kathimerini. “We insist that a decision for another reduction of our debt should be taken in the spring, as soon as our amount of primar y surplus has been announced,” Samaras said. In November last year, euro-zone finance ministers agreed that a new write-down of Greece’s huge debt would be possible if the heavily indebted country fulfilled the terms of its bailout deal and achieved primary surplus.

Greece has been relying on EU-IMF rescue loans for its economic survival since 2010.

After six years of continuous recession, the indebted country has predicted a slight primary surplus-not including debt servicing costs-for 2014. A tough 2014 budget

approved last week by the parliament foresees a 0.6 percent GDP growth. But Greece is still negotiating with its troika of EU, IMF and European Central Bank creditors, and the two sides disagree on the level of a forecasted financing gap for 2014 and the measures that need to be taken to cover it.

An agreement with the troika is necessary to unblock a vital one-billion-euro slice of financial aid.

Other thorny issues include seized property auctions, a new property tax, state jobs layoffs and the slow pace of privatization. In the interview, Samaras talked about possible disagreements between the creditors. “We are negotiating with three different entities....

They all agree on helping us, but they have not yet reached an agreement, between them, on how to help us. We want no involvement in this disagreement,” he said. —AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

BUSINESS

Bridgestone introducing Turanza AR-20, Dueler H/L 850 in Kuwait KUWAIT: Bridgestone Middle East & Africa and Bridgestone Tire Distribution Co WLL, sole distributor of Bridgestone Tires in Kuwait, announced the introduction of Turanza AR-20 premier touring tires for passenger cars and Dueler H/L 850 Luxury tires for SUVs. The two new patterns come as the ideal choice for all motorists seeking enhanced performance, comfort and safety of everyday driving.

These new tires will further add to the existing array of Bridgestone’s tire range and will be available in all Bridgestone Tire Distribution Co centers, located at Shuwaikh, Canada Dry street, Fahaheel and Jahra tire retail outlets and with its family dealer’s retail outlets located across Kuwait. Bridgestone confirms that these new models have a unique design to create peace in driving due to added silence and comfort, optimizing the safety and

mileage better and more responsive control without sacrificing performance.

Turanza AR-20 is the next generation model in Turanza line tire which has been developed and equipped with far more sophisticated technologies than its predecessor, Turanza AR-10. Kenji Kano, Vice-President, BSMEA says “This tire is very appropriate for all types of cars. It is a cutting edge technology to deliver an excellent balance of comfort and safety in addition to delivering the sure handling worthy of high- performance automobiles for the highest level of driving comfort on every road surface.”

Building on the advancements in the AR-10, the new AR-20 delivers a quieter ride. To achieve a driving experience to match the luxurious feel of premi-

um cars, Bridgestone applied computer-optimizing the pitch of tread blocks and grooves to achieve a new level of silent comfort.

Bridgestone’s silica tread compound introduces a breakthrough in molecular design that harnesses special characteristics of rubber by controlling the microstructure of materials. The advanced rubber polymers used in the AR-20 efficiently disperse energy to prevent heat buildup. As a result, it delivers reduced rolling resistance without sacrificing superior wet performance. Bridgestone has spent years studying road conditions, driving styles and other aspects of automotive usage.

Bridgestone revealed that the Turanza AR-20 produces refined comfort driving. This is proven when the Turanza AR-20 was tested with other competitor tires, adds Barrak Al-Asfour, MD,

Bridgestone Tire Distribution Co.” This tire is appropriate for medium vehicles, premium sedan, and even hatchback, we are certain that this product will be able to give more comfort as well as safety.

Another Bridgestone innovation, the Flat Contact Patch (FCP) tire profile, improves the way the tread meets the road for longer tread life”.

Dueler H/L 850 - The essence of Bridgestone’s tire design technology which receives worldwide recognition has been channeled into DUELER tire brand. The latest premium tire, the stylish DUELER H/L 850 is an on road city and highway luxury tire that provides SUV & CUV drivers with on-road driving experience like never before. This tire ensures quiet, comfortable performances so you can savor the sound of silence however loud the world is

around you.

Dueler combines the high-level traction and toughness that is required for full-fledged 4WD vehicles. At the same time, it provides superior driving performance, comfort, and reliability to a wide variety of vehicles including SUVs (sport-utility vehicles), CUVs (cross-utility vehicles), and premium SUVs/CUVs. It provides even greater driving pleasure for various high-performance 4WD vehicles. Using 3D tread grooves to absorb the bumps and vibrations from the road before they reach the vehicle interior.

Road noise is greatly reduced for a ride that is serene and calm. Short, narrow tread slots cut down pattern noise caused by the tire contacting the pavement, resulting in a much quieter experience for drivers and passengers. Optimally distributed edges for better wear. By controlling materials at the molecular level. Bridgestone’s exclusive technology achieves lower rolling resistance, with less surface drag, DUELER H/L 850 tires maximize fuel economy and deliver approximately 2.8% better fuel efficiency.

Adds Barrak Al-Asfour, MD, Bridgestone Tire Distribution Co; “There’s now a huge variety of 4x4 and all-wheel drive vehicles on our roads. Our Dueler range of premium 4x4 tires offers a huge

choice of tire sizes and performance characteristics.

Dueler represents Bridgestone’s commitment to develop premium quality tires for all types of drivers. These tires deliver superior grip and handling combined with low noise. With its rugged features our range delivers the ultimate in off-road strength and durability while our popular All Terrain Tire (A/T) range gives you the best of both worlds”.

The needs of the people behind the wheels of these vehicles are also varied. Some will want to know they can take their car onto a rugged outback track without a second thought. Others will want comfort and quiet performance from their tires as they cruise the highways. And there are plenty who will demand a tire that can do both. The good news is that, whatever your requirements, Bridgestone has you covered.

Bridgestone Tire Distribution Co WLL is the sole distributor of Bridgestone tires in Kuwait over the last four decades. As a single brand Bridgestone is the market leader in Kuwait with active presence in all segments such as government institutions, major transport and construction companies and public transport segments. Customers can choose from an extensive range of tires and avail the best in terms of service, quality care and expertise from well trained professionals and service engineers.

Ford pilots new Siemens software using Google Earth technology

Cadillac ATS named ‘The Best Executive Sedan’ at Middle East Motor Awards

DUBAI: Ford Motor Company is piloting new software from Siemens that facilitates virtual navigation within its assembly plants, helping the company improve global collaboration and better share best practices.

The new IntoSite application in the Tecnomatix portfolio is a cloud-based web application developed using the Google Earth infrastructure.

IntoSite holds a 3D version of assembly plants and allows users to navigate virtually through the plants - down to the workstations - obtaining a better understanding of global processes. IntoSite was developed by Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software business unit.

“Under the Ford production system, we are constantly looking for ways to improve standardization around the globe,” said John Fleming, Ford executive vice president of global manufacturing. “The Siemens IntoSite software pilot is helping us explore the realm of possibility for future crossregional workplace communication.”

At any virtual location, engineers or other team members can add pins - just as they would in Google Maps - and upload content such as videos, documents and images to these pins. This creates a private virtual space where users can easily save and share materials, helping to better communicate within plants and around the world.

“Using a platform that most of the world already is familiar with, Google Earth, we will be able to increase the speed of adoption and implementation for our manufacturing teams around the world,” said Janice Goral, manager, Ford vehicle operations manufacturing engineering. “The information then harnessed and transferred would build on our existing efforts to enhance alignment around the globe, and cater to a world where visual communication now can be more effective than email.”

The IntoSite pilot program, which is initially being studied at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, is expected to generate additional benefits across Ford and its global manufacturing team: Efficiency: IntoSite provides an opportunity to store and access documents pertaining to specific issues in a common place rather than have to access multiple internal systems. It also stream-

lines the process for sharing large media files, which often require access to a third-party file sharing program or the use of global shared drives with file size and storage duration limits.

Globalization: Offering the ability to travel virtually to plants around the world, IntoSite helps to link together locations with real-world views in a shared online space.

Standardization: A key part of the Ford production system, standardization is expected to improve as a result of IntoSite application’s filesharing capabilities, which will help to resolve manufacturing issues, establish and share global common processes and resolve inconsistencies.

Siemens developed IntoSite as a way to help manufacturing professionals virtually fly into any factory location around the globe, and explore, align, collaborate and share knowledge. IntoSite provides manufacturers virtual access to plants for manufacturing planning, issue resolution and sharing best practices globally without the need for costly plant visits. “Ford takes a very innovative

approach to manufacturing, so it’s no coincidence that they are the first to leverage IntoSite,” said, ZviFeuer, senior vice president, manufacturing engineering software, Siemens PLM software.

“Siemens and Ford have been working together for many years to close the knowledge gap between engineering and manufacturing. The IntoSite implementation is the latest step in this effort and is another example of how Siemens’ PLM solutions enable manufactures to make smarter decisions which result in better products.”

IntoSite provides easier access to knowledge that exists in PLM and other IT systems, without having to perform the cumbersome task of accessing multiple sources of data to get a comprehensive view of the plant. It improves collaboration by enabling the sharing of best practices, tips and tricks via a non-structured crowd-sourced capability. And the software fosters the sharing of local factory best practices with central engineering and other factories, turning local insight into enterprise efficiencies.

Citadel Capital reports Q3 13 results KUWAIT: Yusuf Ahamd Al-Ghanim is proud to announce that Cadillac ATS - the brand’s entry into the world’s most significant luxury car segment - was named the Best Executive Sedan at the Middle East Motor Awards.

The pioneering vehicle was nominated in the Best Executive Sedan category based on a host of qualification requirements ranging from driver satisfaction to design, handling, safety features, emotional appeal, value for money, comfort level, performance and technical innovation. In effect, Cadillac ATS was selected by a highly acclaimed judging panel - featuring the Middle East’s top automotive journalists following a comprehensive seven-month assessment period. “ We are incredibly proud to have received such stellar recognition at the Middle East Motor Awards 2013 - an annual event which brings together the automotive industry’s leading players,” said Maurice Williams, President and Managing Director of General Motors. “We would like to thank

the judging panel for recognizing the Cadillac ATS’ ability to challenge the world’s best compact luxury cars. This accolade is, without a doubt, further testament to the vehicle’s incredible roster of revolutionary features.” Indeed, ATS -with its 3.6-liter V6 engine & 321 horsepower -boasts a sophisticated driving experience, enhanced with Cadillac CUE - a comprehensive, in-vehicle user experience that merges intuitive design with industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

Developed on all-new, lightweight rear-drive architecture, the ATS reflects a new expression of Cadillac’s Art & Science execution philosophy, centered on a foundation of driving dynamics and mass efficiency. It is the most agile and lightweight Cadillac, with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment - 1,504 kg on the 2.5L I4. It’s worth mentioning that Cadillac ATS, is also 2013 North American Car of the Year, Esquire Car of the Year, Popular Mechanics’s Automotive Excellence Award, and the Motor Press Guild’s Car of the Year.

CAIRO: Citadel Capital reports a more than tenfold rise in aggregate EBITDA at operational core and non-core platform companies as it seeks majority stakes in most of its investments in five core industries via ongoing EGP 3.64 billion share issuance Citadel Capital (CCAP.CA on the Egyptian Exchange), the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East with $9.5 billion in investments under control, has disclosed its Business Review for the third quarter of 2013, reporting a continued narrowing of its consolidated net loss to EGP 82.7 million, a 38.3 percent contraction from the same period last year.

The sharp reduction in the firm’s consolidated net loss was primarily the result of the firm’s continuing emphasis on cost control and operational improvements at its core and non-core investments.

“We are broadly pleased with our consolidated performance in the third quarter and look forward to closing early in the new year our ongoing EGP 3.64 billion share issuance, which we will use to obtain majority control of most of our core platform companies as we transform into an investment company,” said Citadel Capital Chairman and Founder Ahmed Heikal. “The quarter’s results clearly indicate that our emphasis this on delivering operational improvements is

bearing fruit.” The narrowing of the firm’s consolidated net loss was counter-balanced by EGP 30.7 million of net impairments taken in the quarter primarily related to previously written-down upstream oil and gas investments. Also impacting the quar ter ’s results was the economic impact of events following the 30 June Revolution, including challenges to production, logistics and retail operations as a result of the curfew in effect during August and September.

Citadel Capital’s Business Review focuses primarily on the performance of its eight operational platforms in the core industries of energy, transportation, agrifoods, mining and cement.

Total aggregate revenues at operational core and non-core companies was EGP 1.5 billion in 3Q13, a 15.5 percent increase over 3Q12. Total EBITDA at operational core and non-core companies, meanwhile, was EGP 127.4 million, a more than ten-fold increase from the same period last year. This performance was primarily driven by standout performers TAQA Arabia (energy), Africa Railways (transport), and Gozour (agrifoods).

Non-core company GlassWorks also performed well in the quarter as its contribution to aggregate EBITDA more than doubled.

As consolidated results do not present a complete picture of the performance of core platform companies that will remain par t of Citadel

Capital’s investments following the winding down of a three-plus year divestment program for non-core assets as part of the ongoing transformation process, Management has focused its quarterly reporting on aggregate revenue and EBITDA figures for the firm’s eight core operational platform companies since its FY12 Business Review. These aggregate figures give a more accurate picture of financial and operational performance than do consolidated results.

Consolidated results will become better indicators of the firm’s performance as the transformation process moves forward.

As part of that transformation process, the firm’s shareholders gathered for an extraordinary general meeting on 23 October 2013 at which they approved the launch of an EGP 3.64 billion share issuance at par (EGP 5) that would see the firm’s paid-in capital rise to EGP 8.09 billion from EGP 4.36 billion. The share issuance is part of the firm’s transformation from the largest private equity firm in Africa into the leading investment company in the region. Citadel Capital will use the share issuance to reach majority ownership in most of its platform companies, in particular the firm’s subsidiaries in its five core industries. Highlights of the 3Q13 performance of the firm’s investments in each of the five core industries follow.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

technology

Xerox Kuwait launches new color multifunction printers KUWAIT: As the leading provider of printing solutions in Kuwait, Xerox Kuwait has raised the bar by expanding its wide range to include the all-new Xerox WorkCentre 7200/7225 and 7800 color multifunction printers that are enabled with the new Xerox ConnectKey, a software system and a set of solutions to simplify all working processes.

The WorkCentre 7200 series ConnectKey MFPs include the industry’s first embedded security protection from McAfee, giving IT managers more control as the “bring your own device” (BYOD) trend continues to grow in global workplaces.

ConnectKey MFPs have an extra layer of security with Cisco’s which protects data paths to and from the devices. Ideal for small workgroups, the WorkCentre 7220/7225 adds new options for mobile printing and scanning. It also integrates with cloud-based technologies and takes up less space with its compact design. The devices print color and black-and-white jobs at 20 or 25 pages per minute respectively, with a first-page-out time of 11 seconds. The MFPs also offer exceptional image quality with 2400 x 600 dpi. The color touch screen provides easy access to several time-saving capabilities, including scanning files directly to a mobile device or email account and creating searchable and secure PDFs. The remote control panel feature lets users operate the devices’ user interface from any office workstation. For business-

es concerned with being sensitive to the environment, the WorkCentre 7200 series scanner uses LED lighting which consumes a third of the power of traditional scanners that use fluorescent lamps.

Additionally, two-sided printing is set as the default setting and the Earth Smart feature allows users to select other settings to lessen the environmental impact such as no printing banner pages.

Apart from having the same embedded security protection from McAfee, the new WorkCentre 7800 ConnectKey MFP printers have proven to be most suitable for businesses that need to produce fullcolor documents with high impact. Xerox WorkCentre 7800 MFPs offer 1200 x 2400 dpi while advanced print heads with Digital Image Registration Control Technology ensure precise control over color matching. The WorkCentre 7830/7835/7845/7855 MFPS produce print speeds up to 55 ppm and include a high-capacity feeder that holds 2,000 sheets of paper. The devices also handle a wide range of media types and weight, helping users create a larger variety of documents from marketing materials to sales presentations.

The WorkCentre 7800 series also allows users to create more energy-efficient print jobs using the Earth Smart setting, and helps businesses cut energy consumption with Xerox’s EA Toner which produces high quality images using less toner per page and lower temperatures during printing.

Gulftainer unveils new vision and global expansion goals Global portfolio aims for 35 terminals by 2020

Gulfnet participates in Kuwait Airport development forum KUWAIT: Gulfnet Communications, the first internet service provider in the Gulf region that provides cutting-edge internet and data services, announced yesterday that its participation in the Kuwait International Airport Development Forum 2013, which was held December 8 and 9, 2013 at the Kuwait International Fair Ground, was successful.

Mustafa Murad, COO of Gulfnet Communication said, “Being part of the Kuwait International Airport Development Forum 2013 was a great opportunity to meet all representatives, decision makers and parties seeking to participate in Kuwait’s airport, aviation and logistics industries’ progress and to take part in Kuwait’s reconstruction program. This forum is essential to us and all those involved in the project delivery supply chain. During the forum we were able to successfully feature our integrated communications solutions and technologies that contribute in the development of the airport.”

He further added: “Gulfnet Communications holds a prominent status across the technology sector in the region, earned by excellent achievements and striving to offer the latest and best services to individuals and corporations in the GCC, Middle East and South Africa.

We strongly believe that Gulfnet Communications could play a major role in supporting the development of the Kuwait International Airport.”

Murad also mentioned, “The participation of Gulfnet Communications in this forum gives us the chance to showcase our latest and cuttingedge integrated communications technologies that will effectively play a major role in rebuilding and developing the overall infrastructure of the airport, an initiative that enables the country to compete with regional counterparts, and in line with the vision of His Highness the Amir’s vision of transforming Kuwait into a financial and commercial center.

The President of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Fawaz Al-Farah launched the first annual forum that aimed to develop Kuwait International Airport which kicked off on the 8th of December, 2013.During the launch, AlFarah visited the stand of Gulfnet Communications where he was welcomed by Gary Shaw, Assistant General Manager in Gulfnet, and got the opportunity to explore the latest technologies and services offered by Gulfnet Communications.

Moreover, a comprehensive presentation was delivered to Al-Farah that shed light on the importance of the company’s participation at the forum, as Gulfnet Communications has continuously strived to position itself at the forefront of the internet and data communications industry through introducing a broad range of innovative and effective solutions for corporate and residential segments. Mr. Murad added: “Our vision is to be admired as the leading telecommunication and information technology solutions provider based on world-class practices.”

Gulfnet Communications participation was supported by its partners that complement its business and fully integrated solutions. These include Aruba Networks, a leading provider of enterprise mobility including Enterprise Wireless LAN, Access Points, and BYOD solutions;Arecont Vision, a leading manufacturer of network cameras and megapixel surveillance cameras;Nedap, a manufacturer of intelligent technological solutions for relevant themes;Dzine, digital signage specialist, a world leader in LED display solutionsoffering of digital visualization products with the addition of advanced software tools for content creation and management; andLG Electronics, Inc. a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances.

The Kuwait International Airport Development Forum 2013 is considered one of the largest forums and exhibitions, with the participation of over 200 international and local companies, 8 exhibitors and an average of 1500 visitors. The forum featured the master plan and the development of the Kuwait International Airport (KIA) by various department heads from regulatory authority, projects, construction, consultants, facilities, operations, safety & security, maintenance, IT, management. The private sector and foreign investors are likely to play a major role in implementation of the projects, as the private firms have been encouraged participation with a range of schemes.

Today, Gulfnet communications continues to be the market leader in Kuwait, with a wide array of basic and advanced services that help you take your business one step ahead, offering a complete integrated communications technologies and solutions that cater to all residential and corporate sectors.

SHARJAH: Gulftainer, one of the world’s largest privately owned port management and logistics companies based in Sharjah in the UAE, unveiled yesterday a new vision and identity as one of the most competitive and recognizable terminal operators in the World.

At the launch event, held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce in the presence of Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, and Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports Authority, the company also revealed a new brand identity, which reflects its expanding footprint into new international markets and a design that focuses on a spirit of partnership, strength, and reliability, three of Gulftainer’s core business pillars.

“From our humble roots nearly 40 years ago in Sharjah, we learnt that strong business values and operational efficiency were what the industry thrived on, and following this ethos we have successfully been able to export our expertise and professionalism from the UAE to numerous global key operational hubs since,” said Badr Jafar, CEO of Gulftainer ’s parent company Crescent Enterprises and Vice-Chairman of Gulftainer.

“Our successes both at home and internationally have been achieved through the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, who’s leadership

enabled Sharjah to pioneer the ports industry in the whole of the Gulf with the first ever container terminal in the Arab World in 1972, and with the Emirate becoming one of the leading logistics hubs in the whole region ever since,” Badr Jafar added.

Having recently become the largest terminal operator in the Middle East in terms of the number of terminals operated, as a result of its majority acquisition of Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which saw it take full management of the ports of the terminals of North Container Terminal Jeddah, Jubail Container Terminal and Jubail Industrial Port, Gulftainer senior management pointed out that its success of recent years has been a collaborative effort.

“The name ‘Gulftainer’ is already seen as a credible and reliable partner, and we wish to expand this partnership with our customers to new ports and terminals around the world,” said Gulftainer’s Managing Director, Peter Richards.

Gulftainer has seen consistent growth over the past decade, averaging more than 12 per cent compared to global market growth of 8.6 per cent in the same period. In 2012, Gulftainer’s terminal at Khorfakkan was the fastest growing transhipment hub in the world with 28% growth. This year, Gulftainer expects to surpass 6 million TEUs and current projections anticipate up to 18 million TEUs by 2020, handling more

than 10,000 vessel calls each year.

Today, the company’s portfolio covers four UAE operations in Khor fakkan, Sharjah, Hamriyah and Ruwais, as well as activities in Iraq at Umm Qasr, Recife in Brazil, Tripoli Port in Lebanon, and its recent acquisition in Saudi Arabia, managing container terminals in Jeddah and Jubail.

Gulftainer has a vibrant and comprehensive portfolio of new terminal projects spread across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North and South America. With further global partnerships in the pipeline, Gulftainer estimates its global footprint will target 35 terminals and a place in the top six Global Container Terminal Operators.

“We have grown close to our customers over recent decades and they have developed a trust in our performance as the most productive port operator in the world; our growth in the future will rely on their support and continued partnership as we work to retain and prove our capabilities on a wider stage,” Richards added.

“Our new identity is a logical step that communicates to both current and potential customers that we will continue to provide products and services that consistently outpace our competitors. The future looks extremely exciting for Gulftainer, and we look forward to maintaining the Gulftainer track record established over the past 37 years of delivering best in class service and record breaking productivity.”

Currency of future or asset bubble?

Bitcoin’s critics get louder PARIS: Once the preserve of cyber geeks or of dodgy traders, the virtual currency bitcoin can now not only be used to buy goods online but also pay for a degree at the University of Nicosia.

Yet the newfound popularity of the currency, which was worth almost nothing until April 2011 and which now trades at around $1,000, may well prove its undoing. Market watchers and regulators are at odds over how the bitcoin should be handled, but as the currency gains prominence, voices warning against its use are getting louder.

France’s central bank has slapped it down as “highly speculative” while China’s said it should not be used as a currency and banned its banks from providing services and products related to bitcoin. The European Union’s banking watchdog also issued a warning to the digital currency’s users, telling them: “You should be fully aware and understand their specific characteristics”.

Although Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke said such virtual currencies “hold long-term promise”, his predecessor Alan Greenspan was unable to give an intrinsic value to the currency. Launched in 2009 as the invention of a mysterious computer guru who goes by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, bitcoins are created through a complex mathematical formula. Unlike hard currencies, it is neither backed up by a country’s economic activity nor issued by a national authority. Bitcoin’s official website said “all that is required for a form of money to hold value is trust and adoption”.

“In the case of Bitcoin, this can be measured by its growing base of users, merchants, and startups. As with all currency, bitcoin’s value comes only and directly from people willing to accept them as pay-

ment,” it said.

With about 12 million bitcoins in circulation at the moment, total market capitalisation stands at about $10.57 billion. The formula used to create it limits its circulation at 21 million bitcoins.

Germany decided to legalise it as a currency, so as to be able to tax it, while the Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch unit touted it as a significant tool for e-commerce.

After all, the digital currency can be transferred directly between smartphones or any other type of computers. However, this also raises concerns that it would be used for criminal or terrorist activities.

‘Highly speculative’ currency poses ‘certain financial risk’ In September, the currency came under the spotlight after US authorities shut down a website called Silk Road where illegal drugs and other illicit goods were being traded using bitcoins. Some $3.6 million worth of bitcoins were seized then.

But the negative publicity also brought the currency to the attention of the real world. Individual investors got interested, hooked by examples such as that of a Norwegian young man, who purchased $24 worth of bitcoins four years ago only to realise that they are now worth the equivalent of $690,000. China became the biggest market for the currency as investors are attracted to it over the soaring value.

But the Chinese central bank has moved to clamp down on it, issuing a stark warning and imposing restrictions on how they are traded in the country.

“Bitcoin is a certain virtual commodity, does not possess the same legal status as currency and cannot and should not be circulated and used in the market as such,” the People’s Bank of China (central bank) said in a statement issued jointly with other

financial regulators.

Chinese banks and other financial organizations are banned from providing bitcoin-related services and products, it said. It called for enhanced control of online trading platforms for bitcoins to defend against the possibility of money-laundering, and pointed out investment risks faced by the public.

The Bank of France also underlined the same risks, cautioning that the “highly speculative” currency poses a “certain financial risk” to users. “Even if the high volatility of the bitcoin is of possible interest for individual or professional speculators, they should be aware of the risks they are taking,” the bank said.

Further, the convertibility of bitcoin is not ensured and an investor could be unable to regain his investment, it warned.

The central bank noted that if a currency is to be used as a mode of payment, it should meet rules against money laundering, and the its security platform should be monitored by the Bank of France.

Nevertheless, the bank has no oversight of bitcoin, and urged instead for action to prevent the virtual currency from being used in illegal transactions.

It also pointed out that the security of the virtual treasuries for the currency was not guaranteed by any authority. Last Wednesday, a Danish company specializing in bitcoin payments acknowledged that hackers had made away with 1,295 bitcoins worth about a million dollars. And Chinese clients of a Hong Kong-based electronic platform lost the equivalent of 2.43 million euros in bitcoins, when the firm suddenly ceased trading. Nevertheless, the head of BTCChina, the country’s biggest Bitcoin trading platform, said the e-money offers a new investment option for the Chinese-a nation of savers. — AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Mining the moon is ‘pie in the sky’ for China BEIJING: China’s moon rover will survey for minerals on a dusty, barren crater named the Bay of Rainbows, but experts say there may be no pot of gold on the Earth’s natural satellite.

The potential to extract the moon’s resources has been touted as a key reason behind China’s space programme, which made its latest breakthrough on Saturday with the landing of its first lunar rover. State media said early yesterday that the rover vehicle had been deployed on the moon’s surface.

It is the first such mission for 40 years, after the United States and former Soviet Union did so, and the first soft landing on the lunar surface of any kind since 1976. It marks the latest step in an ambitious space programme which Beijing sees as a symbol of China’s rising global stature and technological advancement, as well as the Communist Party’s success in reversing the fortunes of the once impoverished nation.

China’s space exploits are covered

widely by the country’s media, and have become a huge source of pride for ordinary Chinese. The Chang’e-3 mission is named after the goddess of the moon in Chinese mythology, and the rover vehicle is called Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, after her pet.

Luan Enjie, a senior adviser to China’s lunar programme, told state media that the ultimate aim was to use the moon as a “springboard” for deep space exploration. Commentators believe doing so would require a base on the lunar surface. The Earth’s natural satellite is also believed to hold uranium, titanium, and other mineral resources, as well as offering the possibility of solar power generation. Even the seemingly far-fetched prospect of using the moon as a military facility from which missiles could be launched against “hostile military targets on earth” was raised by the Beijing Times newspaper, citing “relevant experts” at a state body.

As various scenarios are discussed on

China’s hugely popular Internet message boards, the Yutu Rover is analysing minerals while crawling across an ancient 400 km plain known in Latin as Sinus Iridum, or the Bay of Rainbows.

It is equipped with belly-mounted ground-penetrating radar, which observers say will be used to detect the minable quality of the moon’s crust.

One substance thought to be far more abundant on the moon than Earth is helium-3, an isotope of the element that official news agency Xinhua called the “perfect fusion energy source to replace oil and gas”.

Officials claim it could be used to generate power for more than “10,000 years”, reports say - but the fusion reactors it could theoretically fuel do not yet exist in reality.

“Everyone knows fossil fuels such as gas and coal will be used up one day, but there are at least one million metric tons of helium-3 on the moon,” Ouyang Ziyuan, a senior adviser to China’s lunar

programme, told Xinhua. Nonetheless the cost of such exploitation would be phenomenal.

China has already poured tens of billions of dollars into its space programme.

The current Chang’e-3 mission comes ahead of a second rover landing, Chang’e-4, and China is expected to bring samples back to Earth for closer analysis within five years from now.

“The next stage is to do something that the Americans haven’t done-to do a bit of mining,” said Richard Holdaway, director of Britain’s RAL Space laboratory. “They have the technology to do it, they have the buying power to do it, they are strategically interested in doing it, so the bottom line is if they want to do it, they will,” he said.

The scientist compared China’s interest in the moon to that of many other countries in exploiting resources in Antarctica, saying such scenarios depend “entirely on the business case”.

But Karl Bergquist, international relations administrator at the European Space Agency (ESA), who has worked with Chinese space officials on various missions including Chang’e-3, said that mining the moon remained “many, many years” away.

“Here in Europe we believe the cost of carrying out such a thing makes the cost of extraction not commercially viable,” he said. Successfully obtaining helium-3 would need a vehicle with a cargo bay the size of the space shuttle to land on the moon, said Joan JohnsonFreese, professor of national security affairs at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. “Even with the space capabilities, the fusion reactor is a long way off,” added the exper t on Chinese space activities. “ The idea of mining the moon is raised when politicians want an economic justification for space activities. It was used by the US and now is being used by China.” — AFP

China’s moon rover leaves deep traces on lunar soil Ambitious space program

PYONGYANG: In this Dec 14, 2013 photo, North Korean dentists care for a patient inside the newly-opened Ryugyong Dental Hospital in Pyongyang. Building new recreational and health facilities has been a cornerstone of leader Kim Job Un’s efforts to fulfill a promise made to raise living standards in North Korea. —AP

Time is money in the dental collections business NEW YORK: Dentists face a very high likelihood of being stiffed by patients as compared to other medical professionals. It’s a sad but true statement. So it is imperative that as a business owner you understand that insufficient collections efforts are the beginning of cash flow constraints for a dental practice. And, since many dentists are willing to give their patients the benefit of the doubt, they often find themselves in the precarious position of spending additional resources trying to collect what they’re rightfully entitled to. A membership survey recently conducted by the Commercial Collection Agency Section of the Commercial Law League of America showed that after just three months, the likelihood is that you’ll collect only about 70 cents of each dollar owed. After six months, that figure drops to 50 cents, and after a year it shrinks to 23 cents. This proves that time is money. Money earned today is more valuable that money earned in the future because it is available sooner to be invested.

How do you embark on effective collections management? First, know your patient.

Prior to providing service, gather all demographic information you can on a patient. Key identifiers include their social security number, date of birth, and driver’s license number.

Other demographic information includes their contact information (home and work), emergency contact information (which can also be good for contacting a patient if they “disappear” during a collections process), and all relevant phone numbers.

For good measure, get a photocopy of a picture identification so there can be no doubt that the person you provided services to is the one who owes you. And, in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape, it’s helpful to get the patient’s signature on a consent form authorizing you or your agents to contact the person at any phone number, email address, or cell phone number provided. At this stage in the process, patients are very willing to provide their information (if they aren’t, that should be a warning sign).

Once bills become delinquent, you will no longer have the leverage to gather this information, so complete this step at the outset of any new relationship.

While many business owners downplay the repercussions, poor accounts receivable management can actually drive a company into bankruptcy. In a dental practice, where

financing options are limited, the need for cash flow is even more acute. When you allow a patient not to pay you on time and in accordance with your contract, you are depleting your cash flow, and worse yet, spending more money trying to collect what is owed to you, further eroding your margin and negatively impacting your cash flow. If you make $500 in profit on your services and you have to spend five hours collecting on that debt, depending on the value of your time it may cost you more than your profit to recover the debt. If you don’t pay attention to your accounts receivable, you may wake up one day and find that you simply don’t have the resources to continue to run your practice.

Once services are provided, look for ways to accelerate your collections process. If you currently send multiple statements, assess whether you can shorten the intervals between statements, such as 30 days instead of 90, or eliminate some statements altogether. Statistically, second and third statements rarely justify the cost associated with production, much less mailing. Mail has become a less effective collection tool. Don’t be bashful about making calls, leaving voice mails, or sending text messages. While many patients can actively ignore mail, fewer are willing to disregard communication on their mobile device. Be polite and professional, but focus on making your obligation their priority.

Don’t become casual in your mobile communication - remember, they’re not your friend, but your patient.

Once you have exercised reasonable effort and been unable to create the desire result, you should consider your options and act decisively. Depending on the balance and your willingness to engage in the collections process, the next steps may include a letter from your attorney, a small claims action, or outsourcing the account to a third party collection agency. If a patient breaks promises, becomes unresponsive, or is otherwise unreachable, escalate the account quickly.

Collections are a very personal matter. To many, it may not feel right to ask a patient because of the fear it might jeopardize the relationship. But remember that you are in a business, and effective accounts receivable management is a key component to running a successful dental practice. Generating bills is important, but receiving the revenue is the most critical step.

15,000 Obamacare sign-ups didn’t transmit WASHINGTON: Around 15,000 enrollment forms filled out by people applying for health insurance under President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law were not transmitted properly to insurers, but the error rate plunged in recent weeks, the administration said on Saturday.

At the same time, in a sign that problems remain despite intensive efforts to repair the malfunctioning Affordable Care Act website, the Department of Health and Human Services said the Healthcare.gov site would be down for “extended maintenance” for 12 hours. It will not be accessible between midnight and noon on Sunday, the agency said in a statement.

The closing of the site for maintenance comes before what is expected to be a very busy week for enrollments for the program known as Obamacare. Consumers must sign up before Dec. 23 if they want their new plans to kick in at the beginning of next year.

The botched rollout of the website badly

marred the launch of a program that is aimed at expanding access to healthcare and will be, for better or worse, a central part of Obama’s legacy. The administration sought earlier in the day to emphasize improvements in what is known as the back end of the website, the part that transmits information provided by customers to insurers.

The website relays information about new customers in “834” transaction forms to the private insurance companies that provide the health plans. In the early stages of the plan, one in 10 transactions failed to transmit properly, Health and Human Services said last week. HHS said in a blogpost on Saturday that the error rate dropped to 0.38 percent of total enrollment during the period from Nov 24 to Dec. 5. The error rate had been as high as a shade over 15 percent during the period of Oct 13-26.

“These significant improvements are due to the technical fixes put in place by the end of November,” the department said.—Reuters

BEIJING: China’s first moon rover has touched the lunar surface and left deep traces on its loose soil, state media reported yesterday, several hours after the country successfully carried out the world’s first soft landing of a space probe on the moon in nearly four decades. The 140kg “Jade Rabbit” rover separated from the much larger landing vehicle early yesterday, around seven hours after the unmanned Chang’e 3 space probe touched down on a fairly flat, Earthfacing part of the moon.

State broadcaster China Central Television showed images taken from the lander’s camera of the rover and its shadow moving down a sloping ladder and touching the surface, setting off applause in the Beijing control center. It said the lander and rover, both bearing Chinese flags, will take photos of each other Sunday evening.

Later, the six-wheeled rover will survey the moon’s geological structure and surface and look for natural resources for three months, while the lander will carry out scientific explorations at the landing site for one year.

The mission marks the next stage in an ambitious space program that aims to eventually put a Chinese astronaut on the moon. China’s space program is an enormous source of pride for the country, the third to carry out a lunar soft landing - which does not damage the craft and the equipment it carries — after the United States and the former Soviet Union. The last one was by the Soviet Union in 1976.

“It’s still a significant technological challenge to land on another world,” said Peter Bond, consultant editor for Jane’s Space Systems and Industry. “Especially somewhere like the moon, which doesn’t have an atmosphere so you can’t use parachutes or anything like that. You have to use rocket motors for the descent and you have to make sure you go down at the right angle and the right rate of descent and you don’t end up in a crater on top of a large rock.”

SHANGHAI: Photo taken on Nov 5, 2013 shows a model of a lunar rover known as The Yutu, or Jade Rabbit on display at the China International Industry Fair 2013 in Shanghai. — AFP On Saturday evening, CCTV showed a computer-generated image of the Chang’e 3 lander’s path as it approached the surface of the moon, saying that during the landing period it needed to have no contact with Earth. As it was just hundreds of meters away, the lander’s camera broadcast images of the moon’s surface.

The Chang’e 3’s solar panels, which are used to absorb sunlight to generate power, opened soon after the landing.

The mission blasted off from southwest China on Dec. 2 on a Long March-3B carrier rocket. It is named after a mythical Chinese goddess of the moon and the “Yutu” rover, or “Jade Rabbit” in English, is the goddess’ pet.

China’s military-backed space program has made methodical progress in a relatively short

time, although it lags far behind the United States and Russia in technology and experience.

China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003, becoming the third nation after Russia and the United States to achieve manned space travel independently. In 2006, it sent its first probe to the moon.

China plans to open a space station around 2020 and send an astronaut to the moon after that. “They are taking their time with getting to know about how to fly humans into space, how to build space stations ... how to explore the solar system, especially the moon and Mars,” Bond said. “They are making good strides, and I think over the next 10-20 years they’ll certainly be rivaling Russia and America in this area and maybe overtaking them in some areas.” —AP

2013 is year of the e-cig and ‘selfie’ PARIS: E-cigarettes replaced nicotine patches, grunge returned to the catwalk, Daft Punk swept dance floors and the “selfie” made it into the dictionary. Here are some of the lifestyle trends of 2013: The scene at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service served as confirmation-if any were needed-of the selfie’s newfound place in the English language. As the ceremony for the anti-apartheid hero who died earlier this month dragged on, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt were captured posing for a self portrait like a group of excited teenagers.

Another of the year’s most memorable selfies was by Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano who photographed himself in space outside the International Space Station capturing the Earth’s reflection in his visor.

Originally a social media buzzword, “selfie” was named word of the year in November and admitted to the online version of the Oxford English dictionary. It is defined as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website”. Its evolution into the mainstream combined with a “phenomenal upward trend” in its use warranted its

inclusion in the dictionary, Oxford Dictionaries said. Touted as “the real thing minus the tar, ash, smoke and most toxins”, e-cigarettes took off as an alternative to tobacco. The batterypowered devices come with tips that light up and glow with the aid of an LED. Smoke appears to waft from them but it is in fact water vapour.

Singer Robbie Williams and Twilight actor Robert Pattinson are among the famous names reported to have tried them out.

Like traditional cigarettes, they deliver nicotine but experts say there are only trace amounts of the other toxic chemicals to which smokers are habitually exposed. The jury is still out on whether they pose other yet-toemerge hazards to health. But their popularity is not in doubt. Sales have doubled in the US each year since 2008 and were predicted to reach $1 billion (750,000 euros) in 2013.

Grunge is back On the catwalk, Saint Laurent’s cult designer Hedi Slimane served up helpings of grunge, prompting a mixture of consternation and rave reviews.

Dismissed as nothing new by some critics, his creations, however, have a habit of taking off. The designer, who helped give the world skinny jeans

and was at the helm of Christian Dior menswear until 2007, is considered among the most influential of his generation.

His babydoll dresses teamed with sloppy cardigans, biker boots and heavy khol-lined eyes divided fashion watchers, many of whom feel Slimane’s designs are “just not Yves Saint Laurent”. Betty Catroux, a muse of the late designer and founder of the fashion house, however, jumped to his defence. “He has completely understood the spirit of Saint Laurent,” she said after what she conceded was a “very young” womenswear collection in March. Others were not so sure, with industry journal Women’s Wear Daily calling the collection “interesting to the point of odd”.

“Twerking”, another new entry into the Oxford Dictionary online, exploded into the mainstream when former Disney child star Miley Cyrus did the dance at the MTV video music awards in August.

Cyrus’s sexually suggestive performance at an event with a family audience outraged middle America.

Restricted to teenagers and performers for now, it was defined by Oxford Dictionaries as to “dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance”. It is believed to have originated in US hiphop music culture via the New Orleans bounce music scene.

‘Electronic music in its comfort zone’

PARIS: This file photo taken on March 5, 2013, shows a person smoking an electronic cigarette in Paris. E-cigarettes replaced nicotine patches, grunge returned to the catwalk, Daft Punk swept dance floors and the “selfie” made it into the dictionary. —AFP

• In music, French electronic duo Daft Punk, made up of musicians GuyManuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, made a triumphant return to the music charts. “Random Access Memories”, the duo’s fourth album since 1997 in May went into the US Billboard 200 album chart at number one.

The first single from the album, “Get Lucky”, co-written by Chic’s Nile Rodgers and featuring vocals from US rapper Pharrell Williams, was a top 10 hit in over 30 countries. Daft Punk fever even made it to the remote Australian town of Wee Waa, popula-

tion just 1,653, which was chosen for the album launch. Thousands of people, many in the duo’s trademark robot helmets, descended on the far-flung town where the local butchery entered into the spirit by crafting Daft Pork sausages and Random Access rissoles. “Electronic music right now is in its comfort zone and it’s not moving one inch,” Bangalter told Rolling Stone magazine.

Move over Facebook

• The moreish, absorbing Candy Crush Saga became an online gaming sensation with its brightly coloured exploding sweets.

Players attempt to line up three or more sweets such as yellow lemon drops, orange lozenges and red jelly beans before progressing to higher levels. Each day, with some 700 million games of Candy Crush played, the game has been racking up sales of $850,000. As online games grew in popularity, offline games were expected to record an irreversible decline in 2013.

• Asian social networks emerged as rivals to American giants Facebook and Skype.

China’s WeChat and Japan’s Line, which let users make free calls, send instant messages, photos and short videos, roll together attributes from Facebook, Skype and messaging applications WhatsApp. Line which has 230 million users including 47 million in Japan and 15 million already in Spain signalled its determination to conquer Europe with a public relations offensive in France and Italy. Line has hooked many users with its “stickers”funny, cartoon-like figures that express emotions in a way deemed far more original and fun than traditional emoticons. WeChat, meanwhile allows users to post figures that move about dancing, blowing kisses or punching the air.

Both networks supply a selection of “stickers” that users have to pay for, representing 30 percent of Line’s overall turnover. WeChat is already translated into 19 languages and has 500 million users including 100 million outside China. — AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Dreaded ‘flu’ comes along with winter season “We are physicians from different specialties with a specific interest in public health advocacy and promotion. We, also, aim to increase awareness among the Kuwaiti public regarding a variety of diseases and conditions and to rectify the misconceptions they may have. Since our group consists of multiple physicians we decided to write under the pen name of L’homme en Blanc.”

W

arm drinks, cozy clothing, and a refreshing breeze are a few of the many blessings of the colder weather; nonetheless, we have to anticipate the downside of winter too: the dreaded “flu”. To be able to prevent and appropriately treat a disease, we must first understand it.

Influenza or “the flu” is a self-limiting infection, primarily affecting the respiratory system, which is caused by the influenza virus.

Outbreaks are expected yearly during the winter season, and in preparation, immunization against the influenza virus is highly encouraged. Any person

aged 6 months or older should get vaccinated at the start of the expected outbreaks, ideally during October. The highest priority goes to those at high risk for complications, for example: the elderly, persons with chronic illnesses (especially chronic lung disease), and pregnant women.

Additionally, avoiding contact with sick individuals, coughing into your elbow and not your hand, and frequent hand washing are all habits that will aid in preventing the spread of influenza.

As stated previously, we are dealing with a virus and hence, if afflicted, antibiotics (which work

against bacteria) have no role in treatment of this bothersome condition. In most individuals, no medication is needed, except to relieve pain and/or subside the fever. When treating affected children under the age of eighteen, aspirin should be avoided. Instead paracetamol (for example Panadol) may be taken.Rest and plenty of fluid intake is the best treatment plan. However, in high risk individuals, or individuals with influenza that was complicated by pneumonia (lung infection), medical treatment, i.e. antiviral drugs, must be commenced.

While we all enjoy the cooler weather, we must

be aware of all the precautionsto take to keep us as healthy as possible,in order to enjoy the limited good weather time. Annual influenza vaccinations, especially for highly susceptible individuals is recommended. While rest, fluid intake, and fever relief medication would be enough to combat influenza for some individuals affected, others may need more aggressive treatment.If the condition becomes complicated by pneumonia, antiviral medication is prescribed within the first 48 hours of presentation of the illness. Stay healthy, Kuwait!.

—L’homme en Blanc

Light exercise might reduce risk of kidney stones WASHINGTON: Just a little exercise each week-jogging for an hour or walking for about three hourscan reduce the risk of developing kidney stones by up to 31 percent, according to a new study.

Researchers looking at data on more than 84,000 postmenopausal women found that engaging in any type of light physical activity can help prevent the formation of these pebbles in the kidneys. Even light gardening might curb their development, according to the study, which was published recently in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

“Even small amounts of exercise may decrease the risk of kidney stones,” said study author Dr Mathew Sorensen, of the University of Washington

School of Medicine. “It does not need to be marathons, as the intensity of the exercise does not seem to matter.”

Kidney stones, which have become increasingly common, are more prevalent among women.

During the past 15 years, research has shown that kidney stones might actually be a systemic problem, involving more than just the kidneys. Recent research has linked the stones to obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease.

In conducting the study, the researchers analyzed information compiled since the 1990s on the women’s eating habits and level of physical activity.

After taking into account the women’s body-mass index (a measurement of body fat based on a ratio

of height and weight), the researchers found that obesity was a risk factor for the development of kidney stones. Eating more than 2,200 calories a day could increase the risk for kidney stones by up to 42 percent, they found. “Being aware of calorie intake, watching their weight and making efforts to exercise are important factors for improving the health of our patients overall, and as it relates to kidney stones,” Sorensen said. Dr. John Lieske, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said the study, which included only postmenopausal women, must be replicated in a larger, more diverse population.

Women who engage in regular physical activity also likely have other healthy habits that help lower their risk for kidney stones, he added.—AFP

ESPENHAIN: An employee holds a Sturgeon at Wermsdorfer Fisch GmbH fishing company in Espenhain, Germany, recently. Around a ton of caviar is produced every year at the facility located south of Leipzig. —- AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Indian Embassy visa structure

KOC Career Fair held at Australian College of Kuwait

I

ndia and Kuwait have enjoyed historically close, warm and friendly ties. The visit of His Highness Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait to India in November 2013 has imparted a new thrust to the strengthening further of the bilateral ties. To facilitate travel of Kuwaiti nationals to India for business, tourism, medical and study purposes, the embassy has adopted the following visa structure for Kuwaiti nationals with immediate effect:

Please apply Indian visa online at www.blsinternational.com and deposit visa application, with applicable visa fee and service charge, at either M/s. BLS International Services, Emad Commercial Centre, Basement floor Ahmed AlJaber Street, Sharq, Kuwait city (Telephone: 22986607 - Fax: 22470006) or M/s. BLS International Services, Mujamma Unood, 4th floor, Office No.25-26 Makka Street, Entrance 5, Fahaheel, Kuwait (Telephone: 22986607 - Fax: 22470006). For additional information, please contact Second Secretary (Consular) in the Embassy at sscons@indembkwt.org.

In addition, a service charge of KD 5 will also apply for each visa service provided.

A

Enjoy the taste of true Espresso at Vergnano Cafe at Olympia Complex

T

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

he superior quality of the blends comes from the meticulous selection of the best raw materials available, and from an extraordinary production process. Cafe Vergnano is the first to introduce an innovation that brings all the passion and pleasure of the perfect

espresso to everyday life at home.

Espresso is now available in Kuwait, through Al-Sanabel Al-Thahabiya Est. Tel: 22413795/98. Espresso Vergnano can be ordered through www.taw9eel.com Espresso Vergnano capsules are compatible with other espresso machines.

ustralian College organized an exhibition of career opportunities for the Kuwait oil company, on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. arenaThe Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) was proud to consecutively host the Kuwait Oil Company’s (KOC) Career Fair. The 2day event was initiated with KOC’s Team Leader - Kuwaitization Mohammad Jaafar and the Chairman of ACK, Abdullah Al-Sharhan, who both spoke passionately to the students on the importance of seizing such opportunities provided by the long-lasting partnership between the

two organizations.

The main objective of this event was to familiarize ACK students with KOC’s various divisions and their respective operations, in addition to facilitating access to employment opportunities for the students.

Throughout the two days, undergraduate students had the opportunity to meet with numerous KOC departments such as export operation, planning and gas, development drilling and more, whereby official representatives from each respective department were available to answer all student queries.

Fawzia Sultan Educational Company launches new Al-Bayan Nursery campus in Jabriya

U

nder the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rashidi, Fawzia Sultan Educational Company (FAWSEC) launched the entirely refurbished Al-Bayan Nursery, which is the first nursery in Kuwait to have incorporated the Reggio Emilia Approach.

About 36 years since its launch, the new campus adds a pre-nursery curriculum for two-year-old children.

Located in the Jabriya area of Kuwait, the opening ceremony of the Al-Bayan Nursery was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Dr Fatma Al-Mulla, Lieutenant General Abdallah Al-Faris, Governor of Hawalli, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy, Valerio

Giomini, top officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Chairman and Managing Director of Fawzia Sultan Educational Company, Tariq Alsamerraie, Director of Al Bayan Bilingual School (BBS), Dr Paul Sheppard, school management, and members of the BBS community.

Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Dr Fatma Al-Mulla, said, “We all recognize the value of learning and education as an essential part of our lives, and understand that the development and advancement of societies is largely dependent on the quality of education which people receive. If you want to know how developed a country or a nation is, evaluate its

educational system and it will tell you everything.”

Al-Mulla added, “I am particularly pleased to see a private entity taking on the responsibility to provide students at an early age with a unique learning experience, especially one that focuses on fostering skills such as independence, selfregulation, curiosity, creativity and critical thinking among children.”

The ceremony started with a keynote speech by the Chairman and Managing Director of Fawzia Sultan Educational Company, Tariq Alsamerraie, followed by the unveiling of the new campus inaugurated by Dr Al-Mulla and Giomini, and a tour of the campus. Tariq Al-Samerraie, said, “Al-Bayan Nursery continues to raise

the bar of education in Kuwait and the newly refurbished campus will provide children with an enhanced premises in which we apply the Reggio Emilia Approach to our educational and prenursery programs, to arm our children with the ability to explore their surroundings and challenge their capacities, and in turn, pave the road for children who have a passion for learning.”Founded in Italy, the Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational and learning approach which focuses on teaching in a central ‘piazza’ or open space, where children can explore and investigate, think, reflect and express themselves. Al-Samerraie added, “As a not-for-profit entity, FAWSEC’s core responsibility is to provide our students

with exceptional educational experiences, by continuously adopting and implementing innovative teaching and learning methods in all our schools, whilst keeping up-to-date with the ever-changing development in technology. This is the message that we wanted to convey by launching the new pre-nursery program for our two-year-old students. I’d like to applaud the efforts of all our staff and campus crew who worked hard over the summer to get the work done just in time for the opening.”

Al-Bayan Bilingual School Director, Dr Paul Shepperd, “The Al-Bayan Nursery, the first nursery in Kuwait to have incorporated the Reggio Emilia Approach, which is designed for 2 year olds, is unique to

Kuwait as it is centered around the philosophy and belief that children lead their own learning by exploring and investigating with teachers serving as guides.”

During the tour, Head of Nursery, Taryn Pereira, illustrated the campus’ overall transition from traditional classrooms to new state of the art spaces to allow students to investigate and explore. The AlBayan Nursery has over 30 open spaces dedicated to two and three-year-olds, including a science and discovery room, a light reflection room, an atelier, and an indoor gym as well as a cafeteria on each floor and an outdoor playground. The Nursery currently has over 190 students on campus, with the hopes to welcome an additional 66 students next year.

Celebrate a warm Christmas and cheerful New Year’s Eve with Marriott

W

ith the festive holiday season approaching, Kuwait Marriott Hotels is set to spare no effort in offering its guests a refined selection of tailor-made menus and culinary delights accompanied in an inviting atmosphere at its various properties.

On Christmas, diners visiting the famous Terrace Grill Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Hotel can enjoy a five course Christmas lunch experience and a luxurious a la carte dinner experience with a live jazz band. Meanwhile, guests visiting the La Brasserie Restaurant at the hotel can feast on an ongoing Christmas Day with an international lunch and dinner buffet in the delightful French-inspired setting, all for KD 15 per person.

Fur thermore, diners visiting the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel’s renowned Soul and Spice restaurant on Christmas could enjoy an exceptional lunch and dinner filled with the Christmas cheer. At the Atrium restaurant set in the heart of the hotel’s eight story high lobby, guests could

also celebrate a cozy Christmas with a festive international buffet together with the family.

The hotels have also set up exciting menus for New Years’ Eve. The JW Marriott Kuwait City is set to be transformed into the trendiest place in town with an upgraded dinner buffet for Kuwait’s finest at the La Brasserie restaurant complete with a live DJ and a fascinating ambience with custom-made party poppers, hats and horns, all for KD 23 per person. The Terrace Grill Steakhousewill have live entertainment with a mesmerizing ambience and delicious five course menu.

Diners and guests at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel can greet 2013 with elegance and style at the Soul and Spice restaurant witha four course set menu including beverages awhile a special upgraded dinner buffet will be served at the panoramic Atrium restaurant for those wishing to have an intimate dinner, for KD 15 per person.

Furthermore, JW Marriot’s CafÈ Royal is

offering its customers delicious Yule-log cakes, mince pies and puddings to feast on or take home to family and friends.

Custom-made goodies will also be available at Cour tyard by Marriott Hotel’s Tiramisu CafÈ and Atrium Lounge. On behalf of our team, we wish everyone a fabulous Christmas holiday and New Year.

It is always our utmost pleasure to serve our customers, especially during this memorable annual holiday season,” said George Aoun, General Manager of Kuwait Marriott Hotels.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information

International Women’s Committee celebrates New Year

T

he International Women’s Committee celebrated New Year with a dinner hosted recently at the Hashemi Ballroom in Radisson Blu Hotel. The event featured performance from 10year-old Haiwei Li of China, who per formed International and Arabic pieces on the violin, as well as traditional Chinese arts and a Palestinian ‘dabka’ dance per formance. IWC member Narjes Al-Shatti presented guests with gifts from Sheikha Shua’a AlSabah.

Al-Mulla Exchange announces winners of second draw

A

l-Mulla International Exchange, the leading money remittance company in Kuwait, announced results of the second draw in their ongoing promotion labeled ‘Will you be one of the Lucky 7’. The promotion, which began on November 7, 2013 and is spread across four months, is open to customers remitting money through any of the 49 branches of Al-Mulla Exchange. There will be a total of nine draws, conducted every two weeks, which will pick seven lucky winners in each draw.

The winners of the second lucky draw, held on December 9, 2013 at the Fahaheel branch of Al Mulla Exchange, with the prizes they won in brackets, are: Mohammed Rashid Ali Reda (KD 400); Adel Wajeh Sadeq (Samsung Note 3); Nasyam Jameel Basha (Samsung Fridge); Moa zam Ali Mohammed Salim (Samsung Digital Camera); Mohammed Rafiq Mohammed Ghouse (iPad mini 16 Gb); Ischelle Delos Santos MAgbanua (Samsung 32” LED TV) and Kizir Ahmed (Braun Food Processor) Winners were picked by lucky draw from all transactions done at any of the 49 branches of Al-Mulla Exchange, during the previous two weeks, including remittances made through Western Union, cash currency transactions and online transactions. The ‘Will you be one of the Lucky 7’ promotion is yet another reason for customers to remit their money through AlMulla Exchange, which, since its inception in 2001, has revolutionized the exchange industry in Kuwait by continuously offer-

J

nnnnnnn

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: abdbiim-enquiry@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. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GREECE The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce that visa applications must be submitted to Schengen Visa Application Centre (VFS office) located at 12th floor, Al-Naser Tower, Fahad Al-Salem Street, Al-Qibla area, Kuwait City, (Parking at Souk Watia). For information please call 22281046 from 08:30 to 17:00 (Sunday to Thursday).

Working hours: Submission from 08:30 to 15:30. Passport collection from 16:00 to 17:00. For visa applications please visit the following website www.mfa.gr/kuwait. nnnnnnn

ing innovative, customer-centric remittance solutions. Besides making money transfer a rapid, safe and relaxed experience for customers, Al-Mulla Exchange

offers free insurance and loyalty points on every transaction. And, in addition to the assurance of SMS confirmation on delivery of remittances, Kuwait’s leading

exchange company provides the facility to send money from the comfort of one’s home or office through their online service at www.amxremit.com.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa opens ‘Olio’ for a taste of Italy in Kuwait umeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait ’s Idyllic Resor t, has launched Olio, bringing authentic Italian flavors to the stunning beachfront restaurant. With beautiful views overlooking the Arabian Sea and the hotel pools, Olio brings guests ‘A Taste of Italy,’ offering a trendy and casual dining ambience, ideal for a romantic occasion or family dinner. Headed by Executive Chef Chris Curtis, who has extensive experience from luxury hotels around the world, the restaurant has been creat-

EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy of Australia has announced that Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas in 10 working days through www.immi.gov.au.

All other processing of visas and Immigration matters are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B, 1st Floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Kuwait City. Visit. www.vfs-au-gcc.com for more info. The Embassy of Australia does not have a visa or immigration department.

All processing of visas and immigration matters is conducted by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: Info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com ( VIS), immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au ( Visa Office), Tel: +971 4 205 5900 ( VFS), Fax: + 971 4 355 0708 ( Visa Office). Notary and passport services are available by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy on 22322422.

ed with a genuine Italian feel.

Traditional and hearty dishes are offered such as Tortellini all’Astice stuffed pasta with slipper lobster, shrimps and crabmeat bisque sauce and Pollo alla Cacciatora - Tuscan style chicken with tomato and olives. Diners can also choose from a selection of pizzas cooked in the wood-burning oven and a feast of mouth-watering daily specials.

Hakan Petek, Executive Assistant Manager, said: “We are proud to officially open the doors of Olio and provide

guests with authentic Italian dishes and family friendly service. Through the sounds and aromas coming from cooking in our open kitchen, guests will immediately get the feeling of being transported to Italy.”

Executive Chef Chris Curtis, originally from Australia, has worked in five-star brands all over the world. From the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra, Australia, the Intercontinental Hotel, Shenzhen, China, the Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel and Mina A’Salam in Dubai, Amanpulo in the Philippines and the Intercontinental in Danang, Vietnam.

With an impressive international career, Chef Chris joined Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in 2012 to share his outstanding experience.

EMBASSY OF US The US Embassy in Kuwait has new procedures for obtaining appointments and picking up passports after visa issuance. Beginning August 9, 2013, we now provide an online visa appointment system, live call center, and in-person pick-up facilities in Kuwait.

Please monitor our website and social media for additional information. This new system offers more flexibility for travelers to the US and to meet the increase in demand for visa appointments.

The general application steps on the new visa appointment system are: 1. Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/kw (if this is the first time on ustraveldocs.com, you will need to create a profile to login).

2. Please complete your DS-160 Online Visa Application which is available at ceac.state.gov/genNIV. 3. Please print and take your deposit slip to any Burgan Bank location to pay your visa application fee.

4. Schedule an appointment for your visa interview online at www.ustraveldocs.com/kw or by phone through the Call Center (at +965-2227-1673).

5. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please do so 24 hours beforehand, as a courtesy to other applicants. For more information, please visit the US Embassy website - kuwait.usembassy.gov - as it is the best source of information regarding these changes. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF CHINA he office of the Defence Attache of the Embassy of People’s Republic of China has moved to its new location. Qortuba, Block 4, Street 4, House71.

T

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 00:15 Paradox 01:05 Hebburn 01:35 Absolutely Fabulous 02:05 Spooks 03:00 The Night Watch 04:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 05:00 Boogie Beebies 05:15 Poetry Pie 05:20 Balamory 05:40 Spot’s Musical Adventures 05:45 Show Me Show Me 06:10 Buzz & Tell 06:15 Boogie Beebies 06:30 Poetry Pie 06:35 Balamory 06:55 Spot’s Musical Adventures 07:00 Show Me Show Me 07:25 Buzz & Tell 07:30 The Impressions Show With Culshaw...

08:00 Hebburn 08:30 Elephant Diaries 09:20 The Weakest Link 10:05 Doctors 10:35 Casualty 11:25 Famous, Rich And Jobless 12:20 The Impressions Show With Culshaw...

12:50 Elephant Diaries 13:40 Hebburn 14:10 Doctors 14:40 Casualty 15:30 Famous, Rich And Jobless 16:25 The Weakest Link 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 Hustle 19:00 My Family: Christmas 2004 19:30 Blackadder II 20:00 Spooks 20:50 Spooks 21:45 Jekyll 22:35 David Copperfield 23:25 Famous, Rich And Jobless

00:00 Marbella Mansions 00:45 The Restaurant Inspector 01:30 Cash In The Attic 02:15 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 04:15 Antiques Roadshow 05:10 The Little Paris Kitchen 05:35 Antiques Roadshow 06:25 Come Dine With Me: Supersized 08:00 Bargain Hunt 08:45 Marbella Mansions 09:30 New Scandinavian Cooking 10:00 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 10:25 Come Dine With Me: Supersized 12:00 Masterchef: The Professionals 12:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 13:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 14:15 Antiques Roadshow 15:05 Homes Under The Hammer 15:55 Homes Under The Hammer 16:45 Bargain Hunt 17:30 Cash In The Attic 18:20 Antiques Roadshow 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 20:10 The Little Paris Kitchen 20:35 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking: Xmas 2011 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt

0:05 05:05 06:00 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 09:55

Jungle Gold Jungle Gold: Wild Ride Mythbusters Mythbusters Extreme Fishing Fast N’ Loud Border Security Storage Hunters

10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:25 13:15 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 20:45 21:10 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:40

Flip Men How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Kings Of Crash World’s Top 5 Wheeler Dealers Border Security Storage Hunters Flip Men Flying Wild Alaska Fast N’ Loud Ultimate Survival Dirty Jobs Mythbusters American Guns Storage Hunters Flip Men How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Man, Cheetah, Wild Bush Pilots Battleground: Rhino Wars

00:40 Dark Matters: Twisted But True 01:30 Stunt Junkies 02:00 Nextworld 06:15 Gadget Show - World Tour 06:40 Tech Toys 360 07:05 Stunt Junkies 07:30 Stunt Junkies 08:00 Bang Goes The Theory 08:25 Bang Goes The Theory 08:50 Game Changers 09:15 Game Changers 09:40 Gadget Show - World Tour 10:05 Tech Toys 360 10:30 Nextworld 11:25 Mega Builders 12:20 Smash Lab 13:10 How Techies Changed The World 14:00 Future Firepower 14:50 Stunt Junkies 15:20 Gadget Show - World Tour 15:45 Tech Toys 360 16:10 Brave New World 17:00 Nextworld 17:55 Mega Builders 18:45 Smash Lab 19:35 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 20:30 Mighty Ships 21:20 Mighty Planes 22:10 Gadget Show - World Tour 22:35 Tech Toys 360 23:00 Mighty Ships 23:50 Mighty Planes

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 02:15 02:35 03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 11:15 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Jonas Los Angeles Jonas Los Angeles Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Jonas Los Angeles Jonas Los Angeles Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Gravity Falls My Babysitter’s A Vampire Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog High School Musical 2 Prank Stars Wolfblood Suite Life On Deck A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Shake It Up That’s So Raven Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Wolfblood

15:25 15:50 16:10 17:00 18:30 18:55 19:20 20:05 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:10 23:35

Gravity Falls Jessie Violetta Hercules Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Violetta Jessie My Babysitter’s A Vampire Wolfblood Gravity Falls Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

03:30 04:00 04:30 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 Rides 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00

Treasure Trader Magic Man Magic Man Globe Trekker Globe Trekker Globe Trekker Globe Trekker Descending Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami World’s Greatest Motorcycle Xtreme Waterparks Trip Flip The Food Truck The Food Truck Bizarre Foods America

15:00 International House Hunters 15:30 International House Hunters 16:00 International House Hunters 16:30 International House Hunters 17:00 Hotel Impossible 18:00 Trip Flip 18:30 Trip Flip 19:00 The Food Truck 19:30 The Food Truck 20:00 Bizarre Foods America 21:00 International House Hunters 21:30 International House Hunters 22:00 Hotel Impossible 23:00 Rock My RV With Bret Michaels 23:30 Rock My RV With Bret Michaels

Daytime TV ratings resurgence: 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:30 Food Wars 01:55 Food Wars 02:20 Unwrapped 02:45 Charly’s Cake Angels 03:10 Charly’s Cake Angels 03:35 Amazing Wedding Cakes 04:25 Unique Eats 04:50 Food Crafters 05:15 United Tastes Of America 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Iron Chef America 07:10 Unwrapped 07:35 Unwrapped 08:00 Unwrapped 08:50 United Tastes Of America 09:15 Unique Sweets 09:40 Kid In A Candy Store 10:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 10:30 Food Network Challenge 11:20 Andy Bates Street Feasts 11:45 Unwrapped 12:35 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:00 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:50 Siba’s Table 14:15 Barefoot Contessa 14:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 15:05 Guy Off The Hook - Special 15:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:20 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 16:45 Chopped 17:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:00 Unwrapped 18:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:40 Siba’s Table 20:05 Charly’s Cake Angels 20:30 Chopped 21:20 Unwrapped 22:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 23:00 Siba’s Table 23:25 Siba’s Table 23:50 Charly’s Cake Angels

00:30 01:00 01:30 02:30 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 Leno 05:30 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:30 11:00 Leno 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30

2 Broke Girls 2 Broke Girls New Girl Brickleberry How I Met Your Mother Go On The Simpsons The Tonight Show With Jay 1600 Penn Last Man Standing Friends Late Night With Jimmy Fallon The Simpsons 1600 Penn How I Met Your Mother Two And A Half Men Friends The Tonight Show With Jay Last Man Standing The Simpsons 1600 Penn Friends Go On Two And A Half Men The Daily Show With Jon

If soaps are ‘Dead,’ why are their audiences growing?

I

AMERICAN REUNION ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Last Man Standing 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 How I Met Your Mother 18:30 Go On 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Mindy Project 20:00 The Cleveland Show 20:30 Web Therapy 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:30 The Colbert Report Global Edition 22:00 South Park 22:30 Louie 23:00 Brickleberry

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:30 14:00 15:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Burn Notice Zero Hour The Newsroom Rescue Me Top Gear (US) Red Widow Burn Notice Drop Dead Diva Criminal Minds Zero Hour Red Widow Top Gear (US) Coronation Street Criminal Minds Burn Notice Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Criminal Minds Bunheads Revenge The Blacklist The Newsroom Rescue Me

00:00 03:00 04:00 07:30 09:00 10:30 12:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Switched At Birth Scandal House Of Cards Coronation Street C.S.I. Coronation Street C.S.I. Switched At Birth Live Good Morning America C.S.I. Switched At Birth Castle C.S.I. Switched At Birth House Of Cards Scandal

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD

00:00 02:00 04:00 PG15 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Boogeyman Creature The Blood Bond True Justice: Blood Alley Alien Tornado Soldiers Of Fortune Deadly Hope Metal Shifters Soldiers Of Fortune The Fog Metal Shifters Sultanes Del Sur

Creature-18 The Blood Bond-PG15 True Justice: Blood AlleyAlien Tornado-PG15 Soldiers Of Fortune-PG15 Deadly Hope-PG15 Metal Shifters-PG15 Soldiers Of Fortune-PG15 The Fog-PG15 Metal Shifters-PG15 Sultanes Del Sur-PG15 The Big I Am-18

00:00 PG15 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 PG15

01:30 03:00 05:00 PG15 07:00 09:00 11:00 12:30 14:45 16:15 19:15 20:45 23:00

Under New ManagementAmerican Reunion-18 Lying To Be Perfect-PG15 Surf’s Up-PG Coneheads-PG Snowmen-PG Lying To Be Perfect-PG15 Falling Star-PG15 Snowmen-PG The First Wives Club-PG The Dukes Of Hazzard-PG15 Under New Management-

Dirty Teacher-PG15 The First Grader-PG15 Taken Back: Finding HaleyWould Be Kings-PG15 Dirty Teacher-PG15 Ring Of Deceit-PG15 Catch Me If You Can-PG15 Tricks Of A Woman-PG15 Quiet Flows The Don-PG15 Smashed-PG15 Savages-18 Buried-PG15

01:15 Marley-PG15 03:45 Anonymous-18 06:00 Flesh And Bone-PG15 08:15 Bird On A Wire-PG15 10:15 Dog Day Afternoon-PG15 12:30 Offline-PG15 14:15 Kathmandu Lullaby-PG15 16:00 Snow Flower And The Secret Fan-PG15 17:45 Offline-PG15 19:15 Dreaming Of Joseph LeesPG15 21:00 Murder On The Home FrontPG15 23:15 Arc-18

01:45 Age Of Heroes-PG15 03:30 StreetDance 2-PG15 05:00 Drew Peterson: Untouchable-PG15 07:00 The Iron Lady-PG15 09:00 American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars-PG 11:00 Dark Shadows-PG15 13:00 Christmas Comes Home To Canaan-PG15 15:00 My Own Love Song-PG15 17:00 American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars-PG 18:45 We Bought A Zoo-PG 21:00 Jeff, Who Lives At HomePG15 23:00 Killing Them Softly-18

01:00 The Happy Cricket 2 02:30 Back To The Sea 04:15 Snowflake , The White Gorilla 06:00 Scooby-Doo! Mask Of The Blue Falcon 08:00 The Ugly Duckling And Me 10:00 Super Buddies 11:30 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 13:15 Snowflake , The White Gorilla 15:00 Emperor’s Secret 16:30 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 18:00 Super Buddies 20:00 Quest For A Heart 22:00 Emperor’s Secret 23:30 The Ugly Duckling And Me

00:15 True Justice: Vengeance Is Mine-PG15 02:00 Moonrise Kingdom-PG15 04:00 Perfect Plan-PG15 06:00 A Heartbeat Away-PG15 08:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 10:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green-PG 12:00 Moonrise Kingdom-PG15 14:00 The Wild Girl-PG15 16:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 18:00 The Big Year-PG 20:00 The Expendables 2-PG15 22:00 The Grey-18

01:00 Futbol Mundial 01:30 Trans World Sport 02:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:00 Live Cricket Ashes 11:00 Trans World Sport 12:00 Live Champions Tour 16:00 ICC Cricket 360 16:30 Rugby Union 18:30 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 19:00 PGA Tour Highlights 20:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 21:00 Trans World Sport 22:00 NHL

00:00 03:00 03:30 06:30 07:00 11:30 12:00 14:00 19:00 19:30 22:00

Live NFL WWE This Week Live NHL Futbol Mundial PGA Tour Futbol Mundial NHL Darts Futbol Mundial NFL Live Darts

03:00 PGA European Tour 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 PDC Worlds Darts Championship 13:00 Golfing World 14:00 Amlin Challenge Cup 16:00 Trans World Sport 17:00 Rugby League World Cup 19:30 ICC Cricket 360 20:00 Futbol Mundial 20:30 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 21:00 Golfing World 22:00 Amlin Challenge Cup

01:00 UFC 03:00 UFC Unleashed 04:00 Prizefighter 07:00 WWE Bottom Line 08:00 WWE Experience 09:00 Ping Pong World 10:00 US Bass Fishing 11:00 NHL 13:00 F1 H2O World Championship Highlights 13:30 F1 H2O World Championship Highlights 14:00 European Le Mans Series 15:00 Mass Participation 16:00 WWE SmackDown 18:00 WWE Experience 19:00 NHL 21:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter 22:00 UFC

00:00 01:00 02:00 02:30 03:00

Man vs World Monumental Mysteries Baggage Battles Baggage Battles Treasure Trader

t appears that reports of the death of the soap opera have been greatly exaggerated. At least, if this season’s numbers are any indication. Two years ago, the prognosis for the genre wasn’t looking good.

Longtime soap operas “All My Children” and “One Life to Life” were yanked from the air by ABC. And a slew of new talk shows seemed poised to take their place. But a curious thing is happening this season. Like a soapopera character who suddenly re-appears, wide awake and ready for scandal after being in a coma for years, the soaps are back.

The 2013-2014 season has seen a daytime ratings boost compared to last year, with soap operas in particular benefiting. Across the board, the networks’ soaps have increased their viewers. CBS’s “The Young and the Restless” and ABC’s “General Hospital,” especially, have hit milestones. “The Young and the Restless” - up 10 percent in total viewers this season compared to last year with an average 5.1 million - is celebrating its 25th consecutive season as the top daytime drama, while “General Hospital” hit a near sixyear high in viewers - 3.45 million - with its Dec. 6 telecast, and is pacing for its best season in total viewers since the 2006/2007 season.

CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” and NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” are also enjoying boosted numbers this season. The former is up 14 percent in total viewers with an average 3.83 million, and up 7 percent and 10 percent in the women 25-54 and women 18-49 demographics, respectively. Season to date, “Days” has climbed 13 percent in the demos, and has ticked up 9 percent in total viewers.

Meanwhile, the list of talk shows that once promised to dominate the daytime landscape but have since fallen by the wayside is considerable. Daytime efforts from Anderson Cooper, Ricki Lake, Jeff Probst and others have come and gone like, um, sands through the hourglass.

What’s behind the modest but encouraging growth spurt for soaps? It’s difficult to say, but DVR viewing could play a factor. Recent research has indicated that there’s a fairly substantial shift in same-day, time-shifted viewing for the daypart, indicating that more viewers could be watching the soaps via DVR. Particularly strong storylines this year could also play a factor. There’s another possible explanation as well, one that will likely be less gratifying to soaps fans.

With “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” off of the air, the remaining soaps could simply be picking up viewers who previously tuned in to those programs.

“I think it comes down to supply and demand there is now a limited amount of soap operas (four) and fans of the genre have little choice but to watch them, since there is a limit to the number of programs left,” Brad Adgate, senior vice president, research for Horizon Media told TheWrap. Either way, soap fans can rest assured - their genre hasn’t staged its last dramatic shocker yet. — Reuters

‘Fruitvale Station’ to receive producers Guild’s Kramer award “Fruitvale Station,” which was passed over in the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globes nominations, has been named the recipient of the Stanley Kramer Award by the Producers Guild of America. The award goes to films or individuals that raise awareness of social issues. Ryan Coogler’s low-budget film deals with the 2008 shooting death of Oscar Grant, a young AfricanAmerican man from Oakland who was shot and killed by transit officers in a subway station on New Year’s Eve. The film stars Michael B Jordan and Octavia Spencer, and is produced by Forest Whitaker. After winning the Grand Jury Prize and the audience award at Sundance, it was acquired for distribution by the Weinstein Company, winning rave reviews after its summer release. “Fruitvale Station” will receive the award at the Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, Jan 19, almost exactly a year after its Sundance debut.

‘X Factor’ semifinals results: Final three revealed

A

fter Wednesday’s semifinal performances on Fox’s “The X Factor,” it was pretty clear that two of the four acts were definitely moving on to next week’s finals. (Spoiler alert! Don’t read if you don’t want to know Season 3 finalists) The two clear finalists are Kelly Rowland’s rocker Jeff Gutt from the Over 25s and Simon Cowell’s duo Alex and Sierra from the groups category.

For me, that left a toss-up for the third position. There’s Paulina Rubio’s Carlito Olivero, the last standing from the Boys category and Cowell’s country group, Restless Road made up of previously eliminated soloists.

In my opinion, it was the perfect timing for an Enrique Iglesias performance on the show. It was almost a nod to why America would pick its third finalist. You can probably guess by now that Olivero made it through.

The ambitious singer doesn’t have the strongest voice, but he’s an all around performer with a personality, good looks and the ability to cross over into Spanish music. It doesn’t hurt that Cowell has been complimenting Olivero for weeks on his fighting spirit. On the other hand, Restless Road has the looks and the talent but very little dynamics to them as a group. They’re stiff and still look uncomfortable on stage with one another. Their one dynamic member, Colton Pack, only serves to highlight the lack of stage presence in the group. It was clear to me that America would reward Olivero for his passion and stage presence. So, America, your Season 3 finalists are Carlito Olivero, Jeff Gutt and Alex and Sierra. Finals air next Wednesday and Thursday at 8/7c on Fox with performances from Mary J. Blige and “X Factor UK” alums One Direction and Leona Lewis. — Reuters

Classifieds MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 CARRIE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL HATOULY RAGEL THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG)

THE FROZEN GROUND (DIG) 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

1:00 AM

FANAR-4 TARZAN (DIG-3D) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM

FANAR-5 SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG)

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:30 PM 9:15 PM 12:15 AM

360ยบ- 2 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CARRIE (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CARRIE (DIG) CARRIE (DIG) CARRIE (DIG)

1:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:15 PM 1:15 AM

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

360ยบ- 3 SAVING SANTA (DIG-3D) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) R... RAJKUMAR (DIG) (Hindi) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:05 AM

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 5:00 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-1 THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG)

MUHALAB-1 THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

MARINA-2 SAVING SANTA (DIG) 1:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 3:30 PM SAVING SANTA (DIG) 6:30 PM HAUNTER (DIG) 8:30 PM HAUNTER (DIG) 10:30 PM HAUNTER (DIG) 12:30 AM

MUHALAB-2 SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

2:00 PM 3:45 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM

FANAR-1 HAUNTER (DIG) DELIVERY MAN (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

9:15 PM

1:00 PM

8:45 PM

MARINA-3 TARZAN (DIG-3D) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

12:15 AM

AVENUES-1 HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-2 SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) DELIVERY MAN (DIG) PARKLAND (DIG) DELIVERY MAN (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-3 OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

AVENUES-4 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION

12:45 PM

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:15 PM

3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-2 OLDBOY (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG)

7:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-3 THE FROZEN GROUND (DIG) THE FROZEN GROUND (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 5:30 PM

10:30 PM

11:45 PM

SHARQIA-3 OLDBOY (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

6:15 PM

7:15 PM

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

5:45 PM

12:15 AM

1:00 PM 4:15 PM

OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 360ยบ- 1 HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

SHARQIA-2 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

MUHALAB-3 TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D)

FOR SALE

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (12/12/2013 TO 18/12/2013)

4:00 PM

AL-KOUT.1 TARZAN (DIG-3D) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.2 SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

AL-KOUT.3 THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 9:15 PM

AL-KOUT.4 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

Ford Lincoln, 2009 model, excellent condition, full options, top price.

99081888. (C 4599) BMW white, model 2009, X5 leather inside, full options, 6 cylinder, 7850 mileage 66, good condition. 99081888. (C 4598) Offering Mazda 6 (model 2004- white shine) in very good condition. Total mileage: 124,000 kms only, body, chassis, engine, gear, AC, exteriors etc are all in good condition. I am selling car as I am leaving Kuwait.

Contact: 66596645.

(C 4597) 12-12-2013 LOST I, Nita Kishore Bhatkar, holder of Indian Passport No. Z1171971 have lost my Bachelors in Business Administration degree certificate issued by the Madurai Kamraj University.

If you find it please contact 66095560.

16-12-2013

Prayer timings Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

05:10 06:35 11:43 14:34 16:52 18:14

No: 16018

2:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-1 TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) CARRIE (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 11:00 PM 11:00 PM

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines BBC JAI THY QTR JZR JZR ETH GFA THY AFG UAE ETD JAI MSR QTR FDB THY DHX JZR FDB BAW KAC KAC KAC FDB KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD FDB KAC KAC GFA MSC MSC JZR IRC MEA SYR UAE MSR KAC MSR KNE FDB QTR KAC

Arrival Flights on Monday 16/12/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 574 MUMBAI 772 ISTANBUL 1084 DOHA 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 416 JEDDAH 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 576 COCHIN 612 CAIRO 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 503 LUXOR 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 302 MUMBAI 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 1070 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 352 COCHIN 344 CHENNAI 213 BAHRAIN 401 ALEXANDRIA 403 ASYUT 165 DUBAI 6521 LAMERD 404 BEIRUT 341 DAMASCUS 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 382 DELHI 579 SOHAG 480 TAIF 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA 546 ALEXANDRIA

Time 00:05 00:10 00:45 00:55 00:40 00:40 01:45 02:10 02:15 02:20 02:35 02:45 02:50 03:10 03:45 04:00 05:35 05:40 05:50 05:50 06:40 06:45 07:55 07:40 07:50 08:45 08:40 09:00 09:10 09:20 09:40 09:50 10:40 10:40 10:50 11:15 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:30 12:50 13:00 13:05 13:05 13:15 13:50 13:55 14:05

SVA KNE GFA NIA OMA KAC QTR UAE ETD RJA SVA ABY GFA MPH KAC JZR KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC RBG MSC QTR FDB KAC KAC KAC GFA OMA FDB JAI ABY AXB DLH ALK MEA ETD UAE GFA QTR FDB JZR JZR JAI AIC PIA TAR JZR

500 472 221 251 645 118 1072 857 303 640 510 127 215 93 284 777 542 177 786 774 742 553 405 1080 63 104 674 618 217 647 61 572 129 489 636 229 402 307 859 219 1074 59 135 239 576 975 205 327 185

JEDDAH JEDDAH BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT NEW YORK DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM DHAKA JEDDAH CAIRO DUBAI JEDDAH RIYADH DAMMAM ALEXANDRIA SOHAG DOHA DUBAI LONDON DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN MUSCAT DUBAI MUMBAI SHARJAH COCHIN FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA COCHIN CHENNAI LAHORE TUNIS DUBAI

14:30 14:35 15:00 15:50 15:55 16:35 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:50 17:45 17:55 18:05 18:20 18:45 18:45 18:20 18:15 18:30 18:40 18:45 19:35 19:25 19:00 19:30 19:55 20:05 20:10 20:20 20:35 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:15 22:30 23:05 23:15 23:20

Airlines AIC UAL PIA JAI BBC DLH ETH THY AFG UAE KAC ETD MSR QTR FDB QTR KAC FDB JAI JZR THY KAC GFA THY FDB BAW ABY UAE ETD QTR FDB GFA KAC KAC MSC MSC JZR IRC MEA KAC SYR JZR MSR MSR KNE UAE FDB QTR

Departure Flights on Monday 16/12/2013 Flt Route Time 982 AHMEDABAD 00:05 981 WASHINGTON 00:55 206 LAHORE 01:05 573 MUMBAI 01:10 44 CHITTAGONG 01:45 635 FRANKFURT 02:10 621 ADDIS ABABA 02:45 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 02:55 416 KABUL 03:30 854 DUBAI 03:50 381 DELHI 03:50 306 ABU DHABI 04:00 613 CAIRO 04:10 1085 DOHA 04:15 68 DUBAI 04:40 1077 DOHA 05:15 283 DHAKA 05:15 70 DUBAI 06:30 575 ABU DHABI 06:35 164 DUBAI 06:55 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 07:05 545 ALEXANDRIA 07:15 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 07:30 54 DUBAI 08:30 156 LONDON 08:45 126 SHARJAH 09:40 856 DUBAI 09:55 302 ABU DHABI 10:05 1071 DOHA 10:10 56 DUBAI 10:20 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 541 CAIRO 11:30 165 ROME 11:50 406 SOHAG 11:50 404 ASYUT 12:15 776 JEDDAH 12:25 6522 LAMERD 12:45 405 BEIRUT 12:55 785 JEDDAH 13:00 342 DAMASCUS 13:30 176 DUBAI 13:45 580 SOHAG 13:50 611 CAIRO 14:00 481 TAIF 14:10 872 DUBAI 14:15 58 DUBAI 14:30 1079 DOHA 14:55

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KNE GFA SVA NIA OMA JZR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR JZR RBG JZR MPH FDB MSC QTR GFA FDB OMA KAC KAC ABY JAI KAC DLH DHX ALK MEA ETD GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC QTR JAI JZR KAC

673 774 741 773 617 473 222 501 252 646 238 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 266 554 134 93 64 402 1081 218 62 648 331 361 120 571 351 636 171 230 403 308 220 301 60 860 205 1075 575 502 411

DUBAI RIYADH DAMMAM RIYADH DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT AMMAN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL DUBAI ALEXANDRIA DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI MUSCAT TRIVANDRUM COLOMBO SHARJAH MUMBAI KOCHI DAMMAM BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA ABU DHABI LUXOR BANGKOK

15:05 15:20 15:20 15:20 15:30 15:30 15:45 15:45 16:50 16:55 16:55 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:40 20:15 20:45 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:10 21:35 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 400

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES Today should find you with the ability to take charge and tackle tasks that require real discipline and organization. You may, however, have some serious or contemplative moments. Family members or friends may have to call out your name, if they want to get you to respond to their words. By this afternoon, you will have completed all your tasks. There is a lot of motivation to help the younger members with their errands.

Someone passing by your house may get the feeling of a party instead of work. You have an opportunity to join up with others this afternoon. You enjoy meeting a variety of people. There could be a museum, art gallery or very large flea market or charity drive today.

Laughter and music is easy to find.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Follow through now on a promise that you made earlier last week. This could be a great day for thinking and ideas. You have plenty of mentors and can also provide the same comfort to others that just want to talk. It could be you have volunteered to visit people that are handicapped or not able to get out without some help. A grand party gathering may place you around the unmarried people your age. This time the conversation is in a better sharing mode. You have a loving spirit. Marry for money and then learn to love ‘em: that’s what your heart tells you now, as a new cycle gets underway in your life.

Does that sound cynicalmaybe so—but it does reflect the yearning you feel for security now, and it suggests the kind of compromises you are willing to make.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms.

4. Hours or days of work in a calendar week.

12. An honorary degree in science.

15. A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement.

16. Of or relating to the peoples who speak the language of the Arawak.

17. (Irish) The sea personified.

18. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium.

19. Remove the fangs from (canines, snakes, etc.).

20. A short composition for a solo instrument.

22. Type genus of the Clupeidae.

24. Not out.

26. Acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales.

28. With rapid movements.

30. The time period between dawn and noon.

33. Elder brother of Krishna.

37. An inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there.

40. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

41. Large dark brown North American arboreal carnivorous mammal.

42. Remaining after all deductions.

43. The French-speaking capital of the province of Quebec.

45. The taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth.

46. Wife of Siva and a benevolent aspect of Devi.

48. Tropical American herbs sometimes included in genus Episcia.

51. Sideboard with compartments for holding bottles.

52. Take in solid food.

53. An associate degree in applied science.

54. A member of an Iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania and western New York.

55. A soft silver-white ductile metallic element (liquid at normal temperatures).

57. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

59. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group.

60. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh.

63. The basic unit of money in Nigeria.

67. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

69. A doctor's degree in religion.

71. A resident of Arizona.

72. A small piece of cloth.

74. Relating to the condition of immunity.

77. Capital of Nigeria in the center of the country.

78. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet.

79. The father of your father or mother.

81. By bad luck.

82. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

83. Of or relating to the Sinhalese languages.

84. A small cake leavened with yeast.

DOWN 1. An organization of countries formed in 1961

to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

2. The face of a timepiece.

3. A very light brown.

4. Any of many long-legged birds that wade in water in search of food.

5. (Greek mythology) One of the mountain nymphs.

6. The airforce of Great Britain.

7. The basic unit of money in China.

8. An ambitious and aspiring young person.

9. A graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph.

10. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

11. A small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint.

12. (music) A curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato.

13. The basic unit of money in Ghana.

14. A small amount of residue.

21. To that.

23. The noise made by a short puff of steam (as from an engine).

25. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters.

27. A unit of force equal to 1000 newtons.

29. The 3 goddesses of fate or destiny.

31. The first event in a series.

32. Central nervous system stimulant (trade name Ritalin) used in the treatment of narcolepsy in adults and attention deficit disorder in children.

34. Jordan's port.

35. An irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action.

36. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria and closely related to Hausa.

38. A shade of blue tinged with green.

39. A low vibrating sound typical of a contented cat v 1.

44. All the loaves of bread baked at the same time.

47. Appeal or request earnestly.

49. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

50. A fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem.

56. God of war.

58. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

61. The capital and largest city of Jordan.

62. Of or relating to or involving an area.

64. Any plant of the genus Inula.

65. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

66. Squash bugs.

68. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

70. Temporary living quarters.

73. Primitive predaceous North American fish covered with hard scales and having long jaws with needle-like teeth.

75. The use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images.

76. A transuranic element.

80. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

You will benefit from taking an inward direction, turning away from the outward world a bit and allowing new ideas and information to filter through.

Accepting compliments from someone is usually a nice experience—this time is no exception. Someone you do not know flatters you on your preferences or possessions.

Keeping an eye on your money, you shop to fill the refrigerator with some of your family’s favorite foods today. You may find it very easy to enjoy and value your own life circumstances or to feel especially kind towards a friend or loved one. This evening is a good time to think and study—you have a liking for new ideas. This evening you may find yourself engrossed in writing a letter or making a special phone call.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) This is a great day with lots of energy. This is the day to start new projects or push forward with those projects already begun. You may enjoy a sense of creating your own opportunities. You may decide to do volunteer work in a children’s clinic. You could answer phones, file, log in medicines and donations, run errands or prepare information packets on those important immunizations. Diet and exercise somehow mean more now, as you just want to feel good about yourself and the way that you do things. A sense of belonging to something bigger than the merely personal becomes a greater focus in your life. You attach a lot of importance to friendships and you enjoy taking part in a group celebration this evening.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Some frustrations could exist at home but they disappear quickly. There are many things for your family to experience today and it might be a good idea to write the choices of activities down on separate pieces of paper and have them draw or choose.

Divide them into two jars: one marked responsibilities and the other jar marked wishes.

Divide the responsibilities evenly, even if it is not a thing you or someone else usually does, and then pull out a number of wishes. Now, a fun day has been created. Mysteries and arguments and difficult endless tasks have come to an end. Now you have cooperation and laughter throughout the whole day. Learning and passing on to others what you have learned or experienced will keep the doors of communication open.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Family, home and the other connections in your life give you a sense of mission now. There is growth and gain through these things. This is generally a fruitful period for real-estate investments. Seeking advice with this subject would be good.

Knowledge and communicating take care of a natural need to learn. You should benefit appreciably from allowing your unique qualities to grow. Some new solutions to problems that may have confounded you before now may become evident at this time. A new idea or invention comes to your attention that will make the life of someone in your family much easier; some sort of easy-open can opener would be convenient for those that do not see well. Your dreams can become your next reality.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) You will flourish by pursuing your dreams of how life could be. Don’t be afraid to create a plan and see the completed project—make those dreams real. An increased need to be nurtured is a larger than usual element in your life. You could be feeling the need to care for others or to have them care for you, possibly on a public as opposed to private level. This may be the beginning of some volunteer opportunity. You enjoy viewing and showing off the older parts of your city and may decide to join a heritage guild. You enjoy teaching about the historic buildings, music, food, crafts and exhibits. These things reflect the process of growth to today’s lifestyle in your city. You might enjoy being a tour guide for your city after you retire or on weekends.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Your days at home have been quiet lately and this is another good day to relax and prepare for the week ahead. This morning you enjoy friends and a gathering at religious services. Lunch could be served after the services or a group of you may decide to go to a restaurant for the noon meal. Work, achievement and ambition are all things that mean a great deal to you. This time of relaxation gives you renewed energy and refreshed enthusiasm to return to your work next week. A bookstore with lots of used books is a great place to spend the afternoon. Quiet time this evening may consist of soaking in a hot tub of water with special care to the feet. Share a massage with a loved one and embrace this time together.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A friend or associate may come to you for help in working through some issues that are very personal. Being in a position to understand allows you to help resolve some potentially explosive subject matter. You are able to cut to the chase and get at what lies beneath and behind the problem. The secret to successfully helping this person is to step away from the approval mode and help with the facts instead.

Decisions are easily made when we know the facts. Your friendship is valued. You might consider volunteer work that would serve as a court-appointed advocate for a child in protective placement or in a disputed custody case. You would be very good at investigation and recommendations surrounding the best interest of young people.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) This would be an ideal time for surrounding yourself with friends and young people and for having a good time. You are comfortable with your particular situation and enjoy support from those around you. It may be that time of the year, when you and your friends visit each other just to see the decorations at each other’s homes and enjoy the afternoon. Perhaps the visits will begin in one home and progress to others for what is called a progressive dinner party. The end would be for dessert and a hot drink and opening gift packages, if appropriate. You should be feeling very healthy and ready for most any activity. It is difficult to connect with peers when one is not focused. This current activity is perfect for nurturing friendships.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Fondness and appreciation for the past and for your roots in life take on a greater meaning and importance for you now. Distant family members may be visiting from a distant land. Research goes into finding a family crest or in finding a gift that will help keep the memories of this time fresh. Making your home situation most pleasant and attractive plays a part in this. Of course, the sale or purchase of real estate could bring you much gain before this cycle is through, if you are looking to sell your home. You may find it easy to enjoy or value your own life situation today or you could find yourself feeling especially kindhearted toward a friend or loved one. A visitor in your home pays you a nice compliment on your preferences.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) You are revered for your ability to make commonsense decisions that affect others. You just somehow know what the community wants and needs. Being adopted or knowing someone that is adopted, or just enjoying the company of young people, creates the desire to volunteer your sunday afternoons to a pregnancy and adoption center in or near your town. You could be helpful in the outreach and intervention program for adolescents. You might also help to sort and tag clothing items, organize the shop, design window arrangements and perform cashier duties for the thrift shop. You are good at getting your message over to others and may be called upon to do just that. Your timing is perfect when it comes to being helpful for others.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Sabhan

24742838

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Al-Helaly

22434853

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Al-Faiha

22545051

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

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

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Hawally

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

r a w e St

n e t Kris

ew n t

l e n a h C f o f ac e

T

he ‘Twilight’ actress has already shot an ad campaign with creative director Karl Lagerfeld, which is set for release in 2014, Vogue magazine has confirmed. The star also showed her support for Karl by flying out to Dallas by private jet at his glamorous Coco Chanel MÈtiers d’Art Fashion Show. A source told HollywoodLife.com: “Kristen is a huge fan of Mr Lagerfeld and was honored to be invited to such an extraordinary fashion event. She loves his style and quirky sense of humor. He gets her and she loves him for that.” This will mark the second modeling job for the 23-year-old actress, who is already the face of Balenciaga fragrances. Kristen was joined by the likes of ‘War of the Worlds’ actress Dakota Fanning and It-girl Alexa Chung at the high profile event, where Karl screened his short film ‘The Return’ and showcased art deco architecture. The designer’s film, starring Geraldine Chaplin, is set in 1950s France and is based on the life of Chanel founder Coco Chanel. Karl - who shoots all his adverts himself - has got the seal of approval from Kristen, who previously said she would front a make-up brand and was only interested in luxury campaigns. She said: “I would never work with people who aren’t really creative and aren’t committed to what they do.”

Galliano confirmed to design

Packham thinks

costumes for Stephen Fry

women are more c‘ onsiderate’ designers

J

ohn Galliano has been confirmed to design the costumes for Stephen Fry’s new play. The disgraced fashion icon who was fired from Christian Dior after a racist slur in a Parisian bar in 2010 - has been tasked with creating the stage costumes for the British actor’s latest theatre project, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’.

Rumors of the collaboration swirled this summer when it was revealed Fry supposedly wanted a big name to create looks for the production so the play would receive critical acclaim. Roland Mouret and Sarah Burton were also thought to be in the running for the role, which has now officially been given to Galliano, British Vogue magazine are reporting. The Italian designer is familiar with the play, having designed costumes for Dame Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell during the early years of his career. Fry will also be taking on the role of Lady Bracknell in the play, which is being produced by ‘The Full Monty’ team David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers and is expected to launch at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London next year.

J

enny Packham thinks women make more “considerate” designers. The British star believes female designers are more conscious of making clothes that flatter the female body, whereas their male counterparts are more focused on the drama of creating show-stopping pieces. She said: “Though the guys add a lot of excitement to fashion, creatively they often see it in a more sculptural way. When I’m designing I’m thinking about what it would be like to wear that piece. “There are wonderful male designers but it can sometimes become more about the dress than the person wearing it.” The designer - who has dressed the likes of Beyonce, Adele and Taylor Swift believes her clothes are so popular with A-list stars because they are built to enhance the female form. Jenny explained: “Our silhouettes are quite classic and the fit is very flattering. I just try to create something beautiful that complements the wearer.” The couture queen says dressing celebrities for highprofile events has given her some vital tips about how to look your best on camera. She added in an interview with Britain’s InStyle magazine: “I have learned a lot from just watching celebrities I’ve dressed on the red carpet. When I go to any sort of big event I’ll rush in as quickly as possible, but these women look so confident. “They’re knowledgeable about how they look from every angle.”

Adams

Kerr’s Qantas uniforms criticized by staff

M

iranda Kerr’s Qantas uniforms have been criticized by the airline’s staff. The leggy supermodel - who became an ambassador for the Australian company in January - unveiled the slim line dresses designed by Martin Grant at a launch event in April, but the airline’s air hostesses have revealed they aren’t happy because the sexy new uniforms don’t suit the average woman. One Qantas flight attendant told News.com.au: “The uniform looks fantastic on Miranda Kerr, but unfortunately we don’t all look like her. Hosties range in age from their twenties to their sixties and a lot of the older ones don’t want to wear tight-fitting uniforms. We like the current Peter Morrissey-designed uniforms. They are really comfortable.” Another added: “The uniforms are really tight and they are simply not practical for the very physical job we have to do.” Airline bosses have reportedly been contacted about the issues with the uniforms, which are supposed to be worn by staff from January. A source said: “We have asked the airline to tweak the uniform a little to accommodate some concerns. Once it comes in and the crew are wearing it, we will be having more discussions. “If there are more issues, obviously we would expect the company to iron them out.”

disliked ‘American Hustle’ clothes

A

my Adams isn’t a fan of the outfits she wore in ‘American Hustle’. The 39-year-old actress used double-sided tape to help maintain her modesty in a number of revealing outfits for her role as a former stripper in the 70s crime drama, and claims the sexy ensembles wouldn’t be practical to wear in real life.

Amy - who has three-year-old daughter Aviana with husband Darren Le Gallo - told E News: “I would not wear most of those clothes in real life. “There’s just not enough double-sided tape to take me through my life as a mom with those V-necks.” The red-headed beauty insists she still had fun wearing her cleavage-bearing outfits as she the experience was liberating. She explained: “It was really fun to wear and get to play a character who was empowered in those clothes. You have to have a laissez-faire attitude about it.” Amy also revealed an added benefit of the role was being able to sport a healthy glow as she had to apply plenty of fake tan. She added: “The tan skin was fun because I have really, really pale skin. That made me feel a lot more confident.”

launches BaubleBar jewelry line

Madekwe

‘R

evenge’ star Ashley Madekwe has launched a jewelry collection.

The British actress - best known for playing social climber Ashley Davenport on the hit TV drama - has created a line of affordable bling for online US jewelry retailer BaubleBar. Writing on her fashion blog, Ring My Bell, she said: “I’ve teamed up with BaubleBar to curate a collection of gorgeous jewelry pieces. I worked closely with the BaubleBar team to design a collection that encompasses my style and all of my go to pieces.”

Ashley was asked to become a “guest bartender” for BaubleBar and created a 22-piece capsule collection of statement rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets for the site, which ooze “edgy, chic, British cool”. She explained: “There’s jeweled earrings, midi rings and lots of studs and sparkle. I’m really proud of the collection and I couldn’t wait to style these earrings and pile on the rings to show you guys.” With prices ranging from between $22 and $46, Ashley’s line is refreshingly affordable for celebrity jewelry collaboration.

Kimberley Walsh new face of Very.co.uk

T

he Girls Aloud singer, who is known for flaunting her enviable hourglass figure, has teamed up with the online clothing retailer and selected a line of 23 “glamorous” pieces for spring and summer.

She said: “It has been so much fun selecting my favourite pieces for the edit.”I wanted to choose glamorous and easy-to-wear pieces and include something for everyone and I think I’ve achieved that.” The brunette beauty has also picked a number of maxi dresses for the collection as she thinks women can wear them for any occasion. She explained: “I just love the maxi dress - the floral print, the cut-out detailing, all of it. Maxi dresses make you feel instantly glamorous.”

Kimberley’s collection is available in UK sizes 8-20 because the singer thinks it’s important to give women of all sizes the opportunity to buy well-fitting glamorous clothes. She said: “It was so important to me that my edit incorporated pieces for all women, so I really considered what works for different body shapes when pulling the collection together.” Kimberley is following in the footsteps of a number of other celebrities who have worked with Very.co.uk including presenters Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton and ‘Made In Chelsea’ star Millie Mackintosh.

—Bangshowiz

37

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

LIFESTYLE F E A T U R E S

Ceramics Metamorphic Exhibition

Pictures of a pre-Columbian pottery pieces from the Tumaco culture (300 BC - 300 AD) at the Ceramics Metamorphic exhibition at the Archaeological Museum La Merced, in Cali, department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on December 11, 2013. The collection emphasizes the vision of indigenous preColumbian times, the relationship between man and animals. —AFP photos

Lack of preciousss vitamin made Gollum a loser

The old Colombian sport of disc throwing

hink kindly of the dragon Smaug.

Shed a tear for Gollum. And give an orc a hug. If only they had tucked into the occasional quiche and salad or a touch of smoked salmon, or had a few sessions on a sunbed. How much kinder history would have been to them. So suggests an offbeat study, released yesterday, which concludes that the evil characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” lost their battle against men, elves and dwarves because they suffered from vitamin deficiency. Shunning sunlight, surviving on a sketchy or unbalanced diet based on rotten meat or (in Gollum’s case) the occasional blind fish, they lacked vitamin D, a key component for healthy bones and muscle strength.

The idea is proposed by Nicholas Hopkinson, a doctor at Imperial College London and his son Joseph, in the Christmas edition of the Medical Journal of Australia. They scoured “The Hobbit” for ref-

T

Oscar Diaz and Oscar Perez play ‘tejo’ a popular disc-throwing game that every weekend gathers thousands of fans in the Andean region of Colombia in Bogota. — AFP photos

A

s sports go, it is rather old and a tad explosive. It involves trying to hurl a disc into a tube surrounded by small bags of gunpowder. Tejo was first made popular by an indigenous people in Colombia called the Muisca, but is still played by thousands of enthusiasts in the South American country’s Andean region. The atmosphere is festive, as drinking during the competition is common, and players and spectators alike enjoy local delicacies like beef tripe stuffed with rice.

The disc, or tejo, is thrown from a distance of about 16 to 18 meters (yards) at a metal tube sticking out of a claycovered board angled at about 45 degrees. Around the hole are four triangular pouches of gunpowder. The highest score is given for getting the disc in the hole and exploding a pouch along the way. Lower scores come from just scoring a detonation or getting the thing in the hole, or at least getting it close. The game ends when a player or his or her team-the game can be played one-onone or by teams of two players each-reaches 27 points.

“I play every weekend with my friends,” said Javier Borda. He celebrates every gunpowder pop joyfully, as if it were a goal in football. Borda, of medium stature, has a hefty build but is nonetheless agile as he aims and throws the disc. “It is a sport that was played by the indigenous peoples that lived in what are today the departments of Cundinamarca and Boyaca” in central Colombia, said historian Luis Moreno, a tejo buff. Both men and women play. As in a discus throw, there is a rule as to how much of a running start players can get-no more than 2.5 meters (eight feet).

Fun, friends, food and drinks The game is just half the fun. A carnival atmosphere fueled by drinks and food surrounds all the play, watched by boisterous crowds. “Here, you make friends, drink and eat enjoy the afternoon, get dirty with the clay and forget your problems for a day,” said Roberto Alayon, who takes pride in his aim. Inviting spectators to join him, he says he has had runs of 15 straight good shots in which he either got the disc in the hole, hit an explosive pouch, or both. If none of those feats is achieved, a point goes to the player who hits closest to the hole. —AFP

Oscar Diaz inspects the ‘tejo’ whilst playing the disc-throwing game.

erences to characters’ living conditions, habits and diet. They used these clues to

rate each character for levels of vitamin D, produced when the skin is exposed to

ultraviolet light or derived from foods such as oily fish, egg yolks and cheese. Bilbo Baggins, the hero of “The Hobbit,” had a vitamin D-enriched life, they found.

True, Bilbo lived in a hole, but it had windows and he enjoyed sitting in the sun in his garden. “The hobbit diet is clearly varied, as he is able to offer cake, tea, seed cake, ale, porter, raspberry jam, mince pies, cheese, pie, salad, cold chicken, pickles and apple tart to the dwarves who visit to engage him on the business of burglary,” Imperial College said in a press release. In contrast, the villains spend most of their time in darkness, and their diet is poor or single-sourced. “Systematic textual analysis of ‘The Hobbit’ supports our initial hypothesis that the triumph of good over evil may be assisted to some extent by the poor diet and lack of sunlight experienced by the evil characters,” the researchers conclude. —AFP

Why Steve Coogan told ‘Philomena’ director Frears to keep an eye on him articularly in England, Steve Coogan has become known for the comedy of ineptitude (including his iconic character of Alan Partridge) and for testifying against tabloid reporters who tapped his phone and lovingly detailed his indiscretions in that country’s hacking scandal. But with “Philomena,” Coogan is co-starring with Judi Dench in a drama - and he’s playing his occasional foe, a reporter. Coogan got into this situation himself, co-producing and cowriting the screenplay. The film is based on the true story of reporter Martin Sixsmith, who helped an elderly woman track down the out-of- wedlock son that was taken from her by Catholic nuns in the home for wayward girls where she lived in the 1960s.

P

ry, in which case it’s a comedy. [Ed. note: The movie was nominated Thursday in the drama category; Coogan and co-writer Jeff Pope were nominated in the best screenplay motion picture category.]

Did you have to suppress your instinct

How much of writing “Philomena” had to do with giving yourself the kind of part you might not otherwise be offered?

It was borne out of several motivations.

One was wanting to tell the story and communicate the outrage and anger and sadness I felt when I read an article about this.

But also, if you want to change things, you’ve got to do it yourself. People would not ordinarily offer me this kind of role, even though I wanted it, because they thought, with some justification, that I had too much comedy baggage and would somehow undermine the part.

“Philomena” is one of a number of films this year that could be submitted to the Golden Globes as either a comedy or drama. Do the categories even matter?

I don’t know. It is constricting to have to say you’re one or the other. I wanted to make it a funny film, but the intention was never to make a comedy. The intention was to use comedy to lighten the heaviness of the story. I would describe it as a drama that’s funny - unless of course they think it’s got a chance to win in the comedy catego-

Steve Coogan

to be funny?

When you’re writing it, certainly you have to decide when to back off and let the poignancy speak for itself. Comedy can help take the curse off something that might otherwise be too melodramatic. And as a performer, I said to Stephen Frears, “Look, I

might have a tendency to veer toward the comic when it’s not appropriate. So keep an eye on me.” And he did.

Obviously, you’ve had an adversarial relationship with some members of the British press. Was it odd to play a journalist?

It’s funny, because people have picked up on this and I’ve had to think about it. But I didn’t think about it when I wrote the script. I wanted to tell a story, Martin was a journalist, and it never occurred to me that there would be any contradiction. I got involved in the debate about the press in England to give some balance to it and to push for more effective self-governance, instead of the window dressing that existed before the whole hacking thing broke.

Certain aspects of the press say that they just want to tell the truth, but really they just want to satisfy a cartel of very wealthy proprietors and shareholders who want to sell as many newspapers as possible by doing whatever the hell they like.

“The Trip,” in which you play a version of yourself, includes priceless scenes of you and Rob Brydon driving around England doing Michael Caine impersonations. Ever do that with Judi Dench?

I did, actually. I went through the whole repertoire. I spent God knows how many hours in cars with her in England, in Ireland, in Washington, in Maryland. And in between takes we didn’t have heavy discussions about the subtext or motivations or any of that.

I did funny voices and made her laugh.

Strangely, because she’s such a good actor, she disappeared into the character, and I felt like I was making a little old Irish lady laugh. I’m glad she didn’t look like Judi Dench most of the time, because I would have been too starstruck. — Reuters

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

lifestyle

One Direction, Perry take top honors at Nrj Music Awards P

op stars One Direction and Katy Perry emerged victorious at France’s 15th annual Nrj Music Awards on Saturday after each winning two top honors. The ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ hitmak-

ers earned prizes for Video of The Year for their hit track Best Song Ever and also took home the award for the International Duo/Group of The Year.

Bandmate Harry Styles later took to Twitter.com to share the happy news with fans, writing, “Thank you so much to Nrj for having us. Thank you everyone who voted! You, me, oui (yes).”

Perry was another double winner at the ceremony, which was held at the Cannes Festival Palace in the south of France, as she scooped the International Female Artist of the Year title and landed International Song of the Year for her hit single, Roar.

Meanwhile, Bruno Mars was named International Male Artist of the Year and British singer James Arthur claimed International Breakthrough of the Year. Other winners at the 15th annual Nrj Music Awards included Louis Delort (Francophone Breakthrough of the Year), Tal (Francophone Female Artist of the Year), Stromae (Francophone Male Artist of the

French comedian Berengere Krief poses upon arrival next to people wearing Darth Vader and Stormtrooper costumes.

Year) and Christophe Mae, who was presented with the Nrj Award of Honor.-www.contactmusic.com

Belgian singer Stromae arrives at the Palais des Festivals.

French Canadian dancer Jean-Marc Genereux

British boys band ‘One Direction’ members arrive at the Palais des Festivals to attend the 15th Annual NRJ Music Awards in Cannes, southeastern France. —AFP

In collaboration with Jet Airways, Rotana Hotels organizes trip to Abu Dhabi

V

isiting Abu Dhabi, one can but marvel at the gigantic leaps forward this promising city is going through nor can one ignore the fact that these leaps are comprehensive and different from others as they are detected in all fields - be them human resources, development, arts, architecture, science, technology, environment, roads, universities, museums or major hospitals.A visitor cannot miss the due care given to heritage, families, society and youth.

Such development was not haphazardly achieved, of course. It rather came as a result of the golden insight of President of the UAE and Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, known as ‘Abu Dhabi Insight 2030’ that comprises of a number of mega projects in transport, labor, residency and environment about which one can find detailed information at the Saadiyyat Island exhibition.

There is a story going around amongst Abu Dhabi residents about the late Sheikh Zayed noticing that a group of beautiful green oases full of palm trees were surrounded by fences in Al-Ain city. He felt sad that people could not enjoy such beauty because it was private property. Consequently, he bought those spots, removed the walls and opened the area to the public. “Everybody must enjoy such beauty in the middle of the desert!” he said. This wonderful spirit is passed down to his successor and thanks to efforts of his generous sons, the UAE is now a touristic attraction for millions of tourists and commercial hub of the world’s most prestigious companies, banks and governmental investments.

Among the most significant touristic attractions and landmarks in the UAE in general and in Abu Dhabi in particular are Rotana hotels that jointly with Jet Airways - that recently launched their Kuwait-Abu Dhabi route - organized a trip to Abu Dhabi for a Kuwaiti delegation including a number of media figures and managers of travel agencies.

The first thing one notices on arriving at a Rotana hotel is that tourism can be an alternative source of income in our countries that have mainly relied on oil as the sole source of income.A tourist staying in these hotels can easily notice that they are one of the world’s most beautiful and luxurious hotels, according to tourists and guests staying there, especially European ones who seemed overwhelmed by the hospitality they received. Visiting Rotana hotels emphasizes that it is high time we started investing in tourism which has high economic potentials and would surely provide new havens for work, creativity and utilizing youth’s wasted potentials in addition to making the best use of our resources.

The visiting delegation toured a number of Rotana hotels starting with Yas island Rotana Hotel which is conveniently located on the spectacular Yas Island, a breathtaking destination that will take you beyond your wildest dreams. A few minutes away from the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Marina, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Yas Beach. The delegation also visited the Al-Maha Arjaan Rotana, Park Rotana, Rotana Beach and Hala Arjaan Rotana hotels.

Hosted by Rotana, Jet Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the delegation went sightseeing at many of the city’s cultural and touristic landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Saadiyyat Island, Ferrari World and Al-Khaldiya Palace.

Manager of Jet Airways Jaleel Khaled said that his company recently launched its Kuwait-Abu Dhabi route with a daily flight. “Kuwait is a promising market with great investment opportunities,” he underlined, noting that with its 113-plane fleet, Jet Airways looks forward to launch routes to Dammam, Jeddah, Bahrain and Doha in addition to current destinations such as Bangkok, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Europe and New York.

US musician Will I Am

French singer Shy’m

US singer Katy Perry arrives at the Palais des Festivals.

For Dion, new single, special, ‘Voice’ appearance

V

irtually every entertainer has a misfire. But it’s news when an album by one of the best-selling recording artists in history quickly tumbles down the charts. Celine Dion’s first all-new English-language album in six years, “Loved Me Back to Life,” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2. But just five weeks later, it’s plummeted to No. 35. “Of course, the record company wants to be the No. 1,” said Dion. “ They want to sell records. They want to make money.

And don’t get me wrong, I want to.

But I’m proud about what I have done with this record.”

According to the Metacritic website, the majority of the album’s reviews have been positive. And even some of the negative critiques have paused to praise Dion’s emerging vocal maturity. Over the next few days, millions will hear a sample

when she performs her new ballad “Incredible” with Ne -Yo on “ The Voice.” The pair will perform the midtempo ballad live on the Tuesday (9 pm ET/PT ) season finale of NBC’s singing-competition show.

Then on Wednesday, Dion is the principal performer and host of the CBS special “A Home For the Holidays,” which underscores the need for children to be adopted from foster care. “As a mom, I could not refuse (the gig),” explained Dion on Saturday night after the “Holidays” taping. The singer and her husband RenÈ AngÈlil have three biological sons, all through in-vitro fertilization. “But adoption (had) always been taken into consideration,” she added.

The 45-year-old Dion said motherhood is the cornerstone of her life, as well as what propels her career,

which also includes a recent return to residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. She said she’d like to try acting, but she isn’t interested in following Carrie Underwood into the live-TV musical arena. Underwood’s “The Sound of Music Live!” was a recent ratings smash for NBC, and the network has announced it ’s seeking another musical for the small screen. “I’m not crazy about musicals, to be honest with you,” Dion explained.

“I don’t know why. I prefer to rock on stage.” For Christmas, she’ll take a break from rocking at Caesars, instead spending the day in Vegas with “my four boys,” she joked, including her 71-year-old husband in the mix. “When we have an opportunity to stay home for the holidays, it’s pajamas, home food, simplicity of life.” —AP

Singer Celine Dion poses for a portrait on Saturday in Los Angeles.— AP

‘Some Velvet Morning’ review: LaBute’s latest battle of the sexes leaves bruises I f you’re going to dedicate your movie to August Strindberg, and your name is not Ingmar Bergman, you are likely writing a check that your screenplay cannot possibly cash. But even though writerdirector Neil LaBute commits this namedropping hubris in his latest, “Some Velvet Morning,” you’re likely to find the film intriguing - so long as you’re willing to think of it as a whirl through Harold Pinter and David Mamet territory rather than as a 21st century “Miss Julie.”

Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve are the only performers in this real-time confrontation, and they’re both in prime fighting fettle.

Fred (Tucci) shows up unannounced on the Manhattan doorstep of Velvet (Eve) with luggage in hand; he’s just packed up and snuck out on his wife of 24 years, ready to make a new life with his mistress.

Velvet, however, seems less than thrilled by this turn of events. Awkwardly, she keeps mentioning that she has to leave soon for a lunch date with none other than Fred’s married son, whom she used to date. (She once slipped a note in Fred’s pocket after a family dinner, thus beginning their affair.) Over the next 82 minutes, the two engage in verbal battle, drawing out what the other one wants and deciding whether or not to offer it up.

Fred leaps on Velvet’s every word, calling her out for what he perceives as hypocrisy or prevarication. As for Velvet, she seems torn between staying and leaving, between inviting Fred to stay and kicking him to the curb.

With his early films “In the Company of Men” and “Your Friends & Neighbors,” LaBute garnered a reputation, earned or not, as a misogynist. With “Some Velvet Morning,” the balance between genders

seems to be in check; Tucci may be both physically and verbally overwhelming, but Eve almost always matches his power. And just when we’re prepared to think that one of these people is a monster and the other a victim, LaBute lets the audience - and, occasionally, the characters themselves in on a new piece of information that completely reverses the roles.

Tucci is in his wheelhouse here, and while it’s been entertaining to watch his lighter side in movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Hunger Games,” this film allows him to deliver huge amounts of bluster and wounded machismo.

As for Eve, a beautiful and gifted actress too often relegated to cinematic windowdressing (her most memorable moment in “Star Trek Into Darkness” involved stripping down to her skivvies), she takes full advantage of this opportunity to play a complicated woman whose motivations may or may not be admirable ones. She keeps us (and Fred) guessing from start to finish, and it’s an electrifying performance that will, if there’s any justice in the world, bring more rich parts her way.

LaBute takes this two-hander into some very dark places before springing a last-minute switcheroo that is bound to

generate audience debate. I’m still mulling over whether or not I think it’s a brilliant bit of commentary that caps off the storyline or a gimmicky trick, but either way, it doesn’t diminish the impact of everything that’s come before. “Some Velvet Morning” doesn’t reinvent man-vs.woman theater (it’s an original screenplay), and there are moments when you can feel LaBute being a little too impressed with his own wordplay, given what we come to learn about the characters. But it’s a twisty and vitriolic barb-fest that should please audiences in the mood for respite from holiday cheer. —Reuters

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

lifestyle

The Dying Gaul, an ancient Roman sculpture created during the first or second century AD, is unveiled at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. —AP photos

US National Gallery hosts ancient Roman sculpture A

n ancient Roman sculpture portraying a warrior just before his death is visiting Washington on its first trip outside of Italy in more than 200 years. “The Dying Gaul” went on display Thursday at the National Gallery of Art and will be there through March 16. The sculpture

dates to the first or second centuries AD. Gallery Director Earl A Powell III says it is a masterpiece in art history.

He says it’s an image of a conquered enemy, representing courage in defeat. “ The Dying Gaul” was found in a Roman garden, unear thed

between 1621 and 1623. It became famous, and monarchs in Spain and France commissioned copies. The sculpture is on loan from Rome’s Capitoline Museum as par t of the Italian Embassy ’s “ Year of Italian Culture” in the US. — AP

Works from Spain make only US stop in New Mexico

Interior view of the basement of the new Viktor and Rolf shop of Netherlands’ fashion designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren.

Viktor&Rolf open Paris pied-a-terre V

Interior view of the presentation of glasses in the new Viktor and Rolf shop of Netherlands’ fashion designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, in Paris, Wednesday. — AP photos

Rolf Snoeren’s dog, named Little Swan, looks on in the new Viktor and Rolf shop.

iktor&Rolf can finally boast a pied-a-terre in Paris.

Though their playful creations have graced Paris Fashion Week’s catwalks for years, surprisingly enough, the Dutch design duo have never had a boutique in their home from home, the City of Light. That is, until now.

“Paris is our fashion home, it’s our spiritual home,” said Viktor Horsting from the sprawling basement floors of the all-gray space that opened this week.

“That’s why this is so great. It’s our 20th anniversary this year.

And opening this store is our way to mark this in a way to look forward, not back.” The store is certainly an impressive birthday present - about 7,000 square feet (650 square meters) of shop space over two floors on the prestigious rue Saint-Honore.

“Such a visible spot was for us the most important for our

Exterior view of the new Viktor and Rolf shop. touch. “We said to the architects brand, especially in Paris,” added we want a shop that’s invisible,” Horsting. The interior, described said Horsting. “When you enter as “ghost architecture,” is made you don’t expect the huge space up of curved architectural steel that opens up suddenly. It’s a surcovered in a tactile, effacing soft prise.” gray felt. In a nice contradiction, The color gray was chosen to it looks squishy, but is hard to the celebrate their history and symbolizes two decades since the designers founded their Amsterdam-based fashion house.

Their first collection back in 1993 was also all-gray. Looking back and taking creative stock might be a good idea for the designers, Horsting and his partner Rolf Snoeren, whose year was marked by a couple of ready-to-wear collections that had a rather lukewarm reception and were criticized by some for being unwilling to take creative risks.

The return to the couture stage, in July, after a 13-year hiatus, with a minimalist and meditative all-black collection was seen a welcome move that restored some of the artistic credibility the once-avant-garde designers have recently somewhat lost. — AP

This image provided by the New Mexico Museum of Art shows Francisco de Goya’s “The Spanish Entertainment.” — AP photos

A

collection of drawings by Spanish artist Francisco de Goya is part of an international exhibition that’s making only one stop in the US. That stop is in New Mexico.

“Renaissance to Goya: Prints and Drawings from Spain” opened Saturday at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. It will run through March 9.

Museum officials say the exhibition is helping to rewrite the book on Spanish art since it was long assumed that Spanish artists didn’t draw much and produced little in terms of prints. The exhibition is the result of Mark McDonald’s work as the curator of the British Museum, which has one of the world’s premiere print and drawing collections. McDonald gathered more than 130 sketches and prints from Goya and other artists to provide insight into four centuries of Spain’s culture and history. “When I saw this exhibition, I thought this is a perfect exhibition for New Mexico,” said Mary Kershaw, who used to work in England and is now director of the New Mexico Museum of Art. “The Spanish heritage, the prints and drawings, the quality of the work - it speaks to New Mexico, and I knew we had to have it here.”

Aside from Goya, the exhibition includes

works from Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Francisco de Zurbaran, Juan Ribalta and Jose de Ribera. A number of them have never been on display before. The stained, torn and folded condition of many of the surviving examples provides evidence they were used and reused by the artists as tools in developing compositions for paintings or for recording finished work before it left the studio, according to McDonald.

McDonald contends Spanish drawings are rare because they were not considered collectable works of art in their time. The framed works were carefully unpacked and placed on the museum’s walls earlier this week. Kershaw said it was wonderful to see them in person.

She thought the drawings resonated most.

“Looking at a drawing, it’s so immediate. You can picture the artist taking the pencil and making the mark,” she said. “It’s sort of like a little insight into an artist’s working practice from 300, 400 years ago. To me, that’s so exciting.”

The exhibition moves through the centuries ending with Goya and his contemporaries, including the Tiepolo family who arrived in Madrid in the 1760s and whose etchings revolutionized printmaking in Madrid. — AP

Francisco de Goya’s drawing “The blind guitarist,” 1788.

Works from Spain make only US stop in New Mexico

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013

39

Childrengreet a diver dressed as Santa Claus at the Creta Aquarium in the city of Iraklio, on the Greek island of Crete, yesterday. — AP

Decorator of wild tree remains Christmas mystery

I

t’s part Christmas miracle, part holiday mystery. About this time every year, for at least the last half-dozen or so, someone has been decorating a small evergreen tree in the foothills above Ogden - carefully placing ornaments on the branches, draping it in garland and, this year, topping it with a large red snowflake. The miracle part is that this tradition has survived year-to-year, and that the tree has remained largely unmolested out there in the open. The mystery part is that no one seems to know who does it, or why.

The festive fir tree is on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

It’s a mystery that has stumped even long-time users of the hiking trails in the area. “The annual Christmas tree?” said Mark Benigni, executive director of Weber Pathways. “Yeah, we’ve heard about it.” Rod Kramer, outreach coordinator for Weber Pathways, remembers the first time he saw it, a year or two ago.” The first day I walked up there and saw it, I was equally astounded,” Kramer said. “It’s just this perfect little tree right beside the trail.”

So perfect is that little tree, Kramer says, that last year they used it for their Christmas photo on the Weber Pathways Facebook page. “I don’t know its origin, I don’t know who decorates it,” Kramer said. “But somebody hikes up there, very carefully, taking ornaments to decorate the tree.” Ironically, Kramer says he had a group of Weber State University students who approached him about decorating trees for another holiday.

“They wanted to decorate a trail for Halloween, and conduct a Halloween hike,” he said. “I told them I’d discourage it. I don’t think decorating public lands is a good idea.

But this tree is so quaint ... it’s hard to discourage it.”

Pete Buttschardt, of Ogden, is a frequent trail user, and spends plenty of time on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

He’s noticed the decorated tree for about six years now. “I enjoy the tree when I go by it,” he said. “It’s especially fun when it’s snowy.” Buttschardt says he’s never seen a note or sign on the tree that would hint at its creator. And in past years, the tree started out with just a few ornaments, then seemed to gather more later in the month. He doesn’t know if this was the work of the original decorators, or of copycats.

The decorated tree is on private land - it’s just beyond a sign for the TR Guest Ranch - and that’s probably a good thing, according to Kathy Jo Pollock, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service. If it were on Forest Service land, Pollock says, “We probably would’ve asked them to take it down. It would be considered littering.”

Chris Peterson, owner of the land in question, did not respond to requests for an interview. However, Buttschardt said he’s inclined to believe Peterson is not a fan of the tree, based on past experiences with him.

“He didn’t like it, and the reason I know is that four or five years ago I sent him an email regarding some trail work we were going to be doing up there,” Buttschardt said. “He gave permission for the work, and then said, ‘Do you happen to know who decorates that tree up there?

That’s not “Leave no trace,” and if you find out, ask them not to decorate it.’ “ Buttschardt says the tree always gets cleaned up at the end of the season, and he hasn’t seen any broken or stray

Photo shows an evergreen tree that is decorated beside the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the foothills above Ogden, Utah. — AP photos ornaments lying around. He also thinks, thus far, the decorating has been tasteful. “I also think the tree hasn’t necessarily been overdone,” Buttschardt said. “It’s not like they added a blow-up Santa. It doesn’t look like the holiday aisle at Walmart. But little kids up hiking the trail, if it’s their first time seeing it, it’s a nice little surprise.”-www.gillettenewsrecord.com Photo shows close-up of an evergreen tree that is decorated beside the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

Playmobil’s smiling little toy people turn 40 D eep in the Bavarian countryside lies the home of German toymaker Playmobil, the centre of a universe of little plastic people who turn 40 next year but haven’t aged a bit. The nondescript building in Zirndorf is the birthplace of Playmobil’s 7.5-

centimetre (three-inch) figurines with their signature round heads and smiling faces as simple as a child’s drawing. Since the first trio of them-a Native American warrior, a Medieval knight and a hard-hat construction worker-hit store shelves in 1974, they have enthralled

A plastic toy figure is pictured at the production hall of the German toy manufacturer Playmobil in Dietenhofen, southern Germany.

Workers walk by automatic plastic toy assembly lines at the production hall of German toy manufacturer Playmobil.

children with scores of themes, from police to pirates.

“To create a new Playmobil universe takes about two years,” said Bernhard Hane, the company’s head of development, as he led AFP backstage into the birthplace of the little fellows. Inside, corridors are lined with rows of drawers that contain 35,000 tiny accessoriesfrom swords and armor to magnifying glasses to mini-toothbrushes-all designed to clip into the hands of the colorful characters. In a workshop, employees use machine tools to create moulds for new toy sets, the treasures of the company, which can cost up to 180,000 euros ($250,000) and are a bulwark against counterfeiting. The focus is on accuracy. All Playmobil figures, of which 2.6 billion units have been made so far, must be compatible with all accessories and scenery sets, from Wild West towns and castles to zoos and space stations.

A European product Unlike most toy brands, Playmobil produces not in Asia but in Europe. The figures are manufactured in Malta, while animals and larger pieces, such as the ever-popular pirate ship, are made in a factory in Dietenhofen, Bavaria. The products are assembled in the Czech Republic, then shipped back to Dietenhofen where they are packaged and stored in a warehouse as high as a 12-storey building.

Nearby, in the southwestern city of Speyer, a local museum has devoted an exhibition to

Playmobil, which after four decades is going strong. Sales in 2012 hit a new record of 531 million euros and are expected to rise five percent this year. Two-thirds of the sales are in Germany and France and, while the figures’ success in Asia has been limited so far, the company sees further growth prospects in Europe and the United States. The toys target children aged four to 12, while some lines have been made for toddlers. There have been spin-off video games and animation DVDs, and a TV mini-series starring the little characters is to launch next year.

‘Key to a child’s imagination’ For the family company Geobra Brandstaetter, which makes the Playmobil line and now employs about 3,700 staff, the little plastic people brought salvation in the 1970s, when the oil crisis drove up the cost of manufacturing plastic products.

The figurines were the brainchild of mould designer Hans Beck, who used minimal amounts of plastic for a big idea. “Playmobil found the key to a child’s imagination in 1974 and it still holds it today,” said chief executive Andrea Schauer, explaining its enduring success in a faddish and competitive sector. In a world filled with high-tech sounds and screens, the brand continues to build on the simplicity of its characters to leave room for the imagination. “The heart of Playmobil is role-playing,” she said. “Children bring to life the stories they have in their minds.” — AFP