17th Dec

CR IP TI ON BS SU

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

New ICM chief Olaim calls for reforms, fighting graft

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SAFAR 14, 1435 AH

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Bachelet promises reforms after landslide win

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Spurs sack Villas-Boas after home humiliation

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Kuwait, Iraq ink deals on investments, navigation Arrest warrants issued for those who fired mortars: Iraqi FM

Max 14º Min 05º High Tide 13:07 & 23:14 Low Tide 06:37 & 18:05

The terror of taxation

By Velina Nacheva KUWAIT: No other subject matter bedevils the expatriate population more in Kuwait, and in the Gulf at large, than taxation. There have been a flood of proposals and debates about the introduction of income or remittance tax. So far, despite a plethora of proposals, nothing has been agreed upon or implemented.

Efforts to diversify government income - or at least create a bargaining chip with local corporates continues apace, however. The latest taxation news is tied to plans to impose an income tax on “national firms”, a proposal the Finance Ministry is now preparing, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

Kuwait wants to extend the current corporate income tax to include Kuwaiti firms.

Currently, the government taxes all foreign firms doing business in Kuwait at 15 percent of the net annual profit. Income tax is levied under Law No. 2 of 2008 and is applied to foreign companies that are conducting trade or business within Kuwait directly or through a local agent. According to the law, companies that are fully owned by Kuwaitis or Gulf nationals are exempt from taxation.

Taxation has been on the government’s wish list in Kuwait since 2006. Almost all proposals are met with local opposition though international agencies including the IMF have warned of excessive public spending and over-dependency on a single revenue source.

Continued on Page 13

2 Gitmo Saudis sent home WASHINGTON: Two inmates from the US prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba have been sent home to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said yesterday, bringing the total number remaining there to 160. President Barack Obama is trying to accelerate repatriations in order to close the prison, nearly 12 years after it was opened at a US naval base on the southeastern tip of the island. The prison was opened in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States to house suspects captured

by US forces and spies in anti-terror operations around the world.

Its use has been controversial and hurt the United States’ global standing. Detainees have complained of mistreatment, and many were held for years without trial while others faced military tribunals. Lawmakers are working on measures to ease restrictions on sending detainees home or to third countries, but plans to close the facility have been thwarted by a ban on transferring them to US soil. In the meantime, Obama’s special envoys on closing the prison are working within the current regulations to send inmates home.

Saad Muhammad Husayn Qahtani and Hamood Abdulla Hamood were designated for transfer after a “comprehensive review” of their cases by an interagency task force, Pentagon spokesman Todd Breasseale said. The Defense Department’s special envoy for Guantanamo, Paul Lewis, said the US and Saudi Arabia worked together to ensure “these transfers took place with appropriate security assurances and in a way that is consistent with our humane treatment policy”. “The US has made real progress in responsibly transferring Continued on Page 13

Bahrain ready for Gulf union MANAMA: Bahrain’s king said yesterday he is strongly in favour of a Saudi proposal to upgrade the Gulf Cooperation Council into a union. “Bahrain is ready from this day for the declaration of the union, to assert our firm will and our solid determination,” King Hamad said in an address on the occasion of the kingdom’s national day. “We look forward to the call for a special Summit in Riyadh to announce the establishment of this union,” he added.

The six conservative Arab members of the GCC which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman - sit on 40 percent of the world’s oil and a quarter of its natural gas. The proposal to upgrade the bloc from a coordination council to a union was put forward by Saudi King Abdullah in 2011. Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy, which at the time was grappling with Arab Spring-inspired protests by its Shiite majority, strongly supported the proposal.

But other Gulf states have shown less enthusiasm, with Oman threatening last week to quit the loose alliance if the union proposal is pursued. Divisions have surfaced within the bloc -established in 1981 to put up a united front against Iran - just as Tehran has managed to break its isolation, reaching a preliminary deal with world powers on its controversial nuclear program. — AFP

KUWAIT: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari (left) and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah sit side-by-side during a joint high committee meeting between Kuwait and Iraq at the Foreign Ministry yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

By B Izzak KUWAIT: Kuwait and Iraq yesterday signed three agreements to encourage and protect investments in both countries and to regulate navigation in Khor Abdullah, where Kuwait’s key Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is being constructed. Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah said the agreements come to culminate improving relations between the two countries which have seen important developments in the

past few years that included exiting Iraq from Chapter 7 of the United Nations Security Council.

Two agreements were signed to encourage and protect investments between the two countries, while the third agreement was for regulating maritime navigation in Khor (estuary) Abdullah where Kuwait is building a state-of-the-art container harbour to which Baghdad had expressed some opposition. No details were provided Continued on Page 13

Israeli soldier killed on Lebanon border

RAS AL-NAQOURA: Israeli soldiers stand guard near the border between northern Israel and Lebanon yesterday. — AP

TYRE, Lebanon: The UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon said yesterday that a border shooting that killed an Israeli soldier appeared to be “an individual action”, as officers of the two armies met. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) statement came after a meeting it convened at its post near the Ras alNaqoura border crossing, bringing together senior Lebanese and Israeli army officers. Israel accused a Lebanese army soldier of opening fire across the sensitive border separating the two countries and killing one of its troops on Sunday.

“All the circumstances of this incident are not clear at this time, but preliminary findings indicate that it was an individual action by a soldier in contravention of the existing operational rules and procedures,” said the UNIFIL commander, Major General Paolo Serra. He said he was “encouraged by the full cooperation... received from them (the two sides) in restoring calm in the area”.

“I stressed at the meeting that this must remain an isolated incident.”

The shooting was the first time an Israeli soldier had been killed along the border with Lebanon in more than three years, sparking calls for calm from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. But commentators said it was unlikely to spark a confrontation. The Israeli army said the soldier was shot by Lebanese troops as he was driving a civilian vehicle along a section of the border Continued on Page 13

Harvard evacuates, cancels exams

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: SWAT team officers arrive at a building at Harvard University yesterday. — AP

NEW YORK: A bomb scare forced Harvard University yesterday to evacuate four buildings, call in police and cancel final exams underway at the elite US university in the northeastern town of Cambridge. The university ordered the evacuations at 9:02 am at the Science Center, the Thayer dormitory, the Sever classroom and lecture hall and the Emerson building, home to the philosophy department. Harvard tweeted that there had been “NO reports of explosions” but police were immediately scrambled to the sprawling, snowy campus where witnesses tweeted of helicopters circling overhead.

But four hours after the original alert, the university said two of the buildings had been cleared and students could return. Sever and the Science Center, which is home to the mathematics, statistics and history of science departments, were still closed, it announced on its website. Federal and state officials have also been drafted in to assist with the investigation

although none of the reports of explosives have yet been confirmed. Harvard University police have “no reason to believe there is a threat to any other site on campus”, the university said.

The Ivy League school is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It has around 21,000 students and dominates the Massachusetts town of Cambridge near Boston.

Sam Weinstock, incoming president of student newspaper the Harvard Crimson, told CNN that final exams scheduled yesterday in three of the affected buildings had been canceled. “Students were removed from those exams, taken to the freshman dining hall where they were told that exams would be canceled,” he said. Asked about growing media speculation on whether the call could have been a hoax, Weinstock refused to speculate. “We have no idea what the nature of the call was or what the nature of the threat is now,” he told CNN. University of Massachusetts Boston also

announced a brief evacuation of one building yesterday over reports of a possible gunman.

The alert was declared false within minutes.

Yesterday’s scares came three days after an American schoolboy armed with a shotgun opened fire and wounded two fellow students before killing himself at a high school in Colorado. They also came less than a month after Harvard’s great rival Yale went on a fourhour lockdown after a hoax caller claimed his roommate was planning to shoot people on the campus.

Teams of police scoured the sprawling Yale campus in New Haven, Connecticut but there were never any reports of shots fired nor of any injuries. Nor was the presumed gunman found.

Harvard was founded in 1636 and has educated current and former leaders from all over the world, including a long list of American presidents such as Barack Obama and John F Kennedy. — AFP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LOCAL

Report sounds alarm on Kuwait traffic situation 10 accidents occur every hour KUWAIT: Kuwait’s roads witness 10 accidents every hour even though a staggering 40 million fines were issued in the last 11 years, a report said, drawing a grim picture of the traffic situation in the country. Figures indicate that 4,581 people died and 22,000 were injured in traffic accidents in the country in the period between 2002 and 2012, the report, prepared by the Kuwaiti traffic safety society said. Kuwaitis represent about 40 per cent of the casualties, it added. The highest rate was recorded last year with more than 86,000 accidents in which 454 people were killed and around 10,000 were injured, the report said, local Arabic daily Al Qabas reported on Monday.

The constant traffic problems cost the state around 2 per cent of its budget, almost the equivalent of what is being spent on the health or education sector. The existence of 1.7 million vehicles in the small country, among which many do not meet the required road standards and should not be circulating, has compounded the situation, it said. Speeding and the failure to wear seatbelts have been the major causes of the accidents in which a high number of young people were involved.

According to the report, the traffic authorities issued 39,682,052 fines in the 11 years covered by the study, generating KD333,574,923 (Dh4.3 million) in revenues for the state. Exceeding speed limits was again the major cause of the heavy toll.

Better traffic culture The report said that there was an urgent need for the country to promote a better traffic culture in which the rules and regulations are invariably respected.

The relaxed approach to applying the law was among the major factors that compounded the crisis on the roads, the report said, citing specifically the existence of “wasta”, an Arabic language word for “whom you know” and referring to a person’s clout or nepotism in any business dealing.

In August, Major General Abdul Fattah Al Ali, the interior ministry assistant undersecretary for traffic affairs tasked with addressing traffic problems plaguing the country, pledged to “change the traffic map within six months and wipe out the word wasta from the traffic dictionary”.

Former oil minister elected new ICM secretary KUWAIT: The Islamic Constitutional Movement named former oil minister Mohammad Al-Olaim as the new secretary general to replace the outgoing Dr Nasser Al-Sanea who resigned this past summer.

Al-Olaim, who was also a former parliament member, was elected by default during a meeting held Sunday.

Al-Jarida daily described Al-Olaim as ‘the first tribal member to assume the ICM Secretary General post’, and said that he represents the ‘moderate approach’ in the movement.

“Al-Olaim can play a role from his position to bridge the gap between political parties and the government”, Al-Jarida reported yesterday.

Though never officially announced, the ICM is widely considered the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm in Kuwait. In addition to Al-Olaim and AlSanea, other key members who previ-

ously represented the movement in the National Assembly include Mubarak Al-Duwailah, Dr Mohammad Al-Busairi who also served as minister of oil in 2011, as well as oppositionists Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash and Falah AlAzmi. The ICM boycotted last July’s elections in protest against amendment of the electoral law by a decree released during the parliament ’s absence.

Al-Olaim’s tenure as oil minister is perhaps best known for defending the government’s deal with petrochemical giant Dow Chemical to establish a joint petrochemical complex. Dubbed the ‘K-Dow Petrochemical’, the project was canceled under pressure from the opposition in the parliament in December 2008, and the United Statesbased company won a court order last year which forced Kuwait to pay a $2.16 billion penalty as a result.

Cabinet holds weekly meeting

KUWAIT: File photos of two traffic acidents in Kuwait. —Photos by Joseph Shagra Recommendations in the report called for a of traffic rules and regulations and the traditionlong-term and realistic national strategy, al method of acquiring the driving licence improving the roads and the traffic infrastruc- should be reviewed, the report said.

It also called for the enactment of new traffic ture and encouraging people to pool or to use public transportation so that less cars would be laws and, in the meantime, strictly applying the circulating. Motorists must have a better sense existing laws.

KUWAIT: The Cabinet held its weekly meeting yesterday at Seif Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

After the meeting, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Minister of Health Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said in a statement that the ministers took note of the letters addressed to His Highness the Amir from Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman, King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar.

He added that the letters touched on ways of strengthening joint efforts to achieve the GCC march for the best interest of Member States in light of results of the 34th GCC Summit which was held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir in Kuwait recently.

The Cabinet also took note of the letters addressed to His Highness the Amir from President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, President of the Republic of Yemen, President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, President of the Republic of Tunisia, President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud of the Republic of Somalia, Prime Minister of Italy Enrico Letta and President of the Republic of Gabon Ali Bongo.

The letters tackled ways of bolstering bilateral ties with the State of Kuwait in all spheres.

The Cabinet then reviewed the results of the 34th Summit of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council in light of an explanation provided by His Highness the Premier Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad

Al-Sabah on the speech delivered by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the opening and the closing sessions of the summit, besides the good outcomes that resulted from this summit where the GCC leaders tackled issues of mutual concern to the GCC countries and ways to enhance the GCC joint action.

The cabinet reviewed the resolutions and outcomes of the GCC summit in Kuwait, primarily a single Gulf military command and a single Gulf police.

It also reiterated the GCC member states’ condemnation of all manifestations of terrorism and extremism, while welcoming the holding of a second donor conference on Syria in the State of Kuwait by 2014.

It further lauded great efforts exerted by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other GCC leaders for ensuring the success of the GCC summit in Kuwait.

The cabinet was then apprised of recommendations for creating a family court, revising Law No 67/1983 for the Public Authority for Minors Affairs (PAMA) and amending Law No 30/2004 for setting up and regulating the university hostel.

All relevant draft laws were granted by the ministers and sent to His Highness the Amir for approval and then referral to the National Assembly for further discussions and deliberations. Finally, the ministers discussed several reports on the current Arab and international political developments, while congratulating Bahrain on its National Day. —KUNA

Arab electronic media meeting CAIRO: The 7th meeting of the Arab Committee for electronic media, headed

by Bahrain and the participation of representatives of a number of media figures in Arab countries kicked off here yesterday.

Chairman of the Committee and Director of Media Affairs in the Bahraini Ministry of Information Yosuf Mohammed said the committee discussed what has been implemented of recommendations reached during the sixth meeting of the Arab Committee for the electronic media.

He said in a press statement that more than 15 items listed on the agenda were discussed yesterday, with the aim of reaching recommendations to serve the electronic media sector, adding that the

recommendations of the previous meetings and the development of plans and regulatory frameworks were also reexamined during the two-day session.

Mohammed pointed out that the conferees emphasized the importance of activating the exchange of radio and television programs on the electronic media in member states, with an emphasis on the importance of this new media and the development of appropriate legislation for it. He added that the participants also discussed the establishment of a grand prize to encourage those interested and specialists in the field of electronic media, saying that the conferees also agreed on activating the website of the committee and update it by the members. — KUNA

‘Participate in Legislation’ service on house’s website KUWAIT: Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim launched yesterday “Participate in Legislation” service on the Parliament’s website, allowing citizens to express their opinions on bills listed on the agendas of National Assembly’s committees. The service is considered one of the procedures that will contribute significantly to expanding popular participation to express views on members of the Parliaments, Al-Ghanim said during the launch of the e-service. “We have been talking about expanding the popular participation from the people to the Parliament since the beginning of the legislative term of this Assembly, as well as the people’s views which will be reflected inside Abdullah AlSalem Hall,” said Al-Ghanim.

The Parliament Speaker added that “We have started with an opinion poll, which resulted in unifying of visions of MPs. Thereafter, we began field tours, which boosted the supervisory role, as well as providing accurate information to the MPs.—KUNA

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LOCAL

‘Cop’ robs Asian

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A Bangladeshi told Fahaheel police that a person claiming to be a policemen stopped and robbed him of KD 445. The victim gave police the car’s registration number, which was found to be forged.

Armed robbery An Indian told Saad Al-Abdallah police that he stopped to tow a car, but was surprised by a man pointing a knife at him and robbed him of KD 80, then escaped in the car.

Phone theft A citizen told Rawda police that his car was broken into and a mobile phone along with KD 7 was stolen.

KUWAIT: Linda Al-Kabsh, Mohammed Al-Anezi, Saad Al-Hajji, Abdul Rahman Al-Ghanim, Fayiz Al-Sultan during the symposium.

Awareness lectures for domestic servants

Officer insulted In Abdullah Al-Mubarak, a police lieutenant accused two citizens of insulting and beating him and pulling a knife on him after he stopped their car for a traffic violation. The two were later arrested.

Speaker: Brussels visit to waive Schengen visa for Kuwaitis KUWAIT: Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said yesterday his visit to Belgium, seat of the European Union (EU), was part of Kuwait’s efforts to exempt Kuwaiti citizens from the Schengen visa requirement.

Al-Ghanim, in a press statement before leaving for the Belgian capital heading a parliamentary delegation, said the visit to Brussels was very important because it aimed at activating political, economic and parliamentary relations and cooperation with the Belgian Parliament and the European Union (EU) members.

He said his talks with members of the European Parliament (EP) would focus on regional and international issues.

“The visit is part of other visits to EU countries to rally parliamentary support for Kuwait’s request to waive the Schengen visa for its citizens ...considering Kuwait as a democratic country in the Middle East,” he said.

The request of Kuwait is taking place in two directions, he explained, one through the government and foreign ministry which was submitted to the European Commission and EU member countries.

The other direction, he added, needed the EP’s approval “and this is the role we do.”

The Kuwaiti parliamentary delegation is due to meet EP President, Speaker of the Belgian House of Representative, Belgian foreign minister and chairman of EP’s foreign relations committee.— KUNA

Goal ‘to decrease conflicts’

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Awareness lectures for domestic servants are being held by co-ops in Hawally and Rawda, and in the near future more co-ops will join the program.

Organized by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in cooperation with local nongovernmental organizations including the Kuwait Society for Human Rights, the lectures will provide information on local Kuwaiti customs and culture and basic understandings of workers human rights.

The goal is to decrease conflicts between domestic staff and their employers. “Kuwait’s domestic labor comes from different backgrounds, most with vastly different cultures to our own. So we designed this project to educate domestic workers about our community,” said Saad Al-Hajjaj, head of the awareness project, known as Bareera. “If they understand our customs, many problems can be avoided,” he added.

There are approximately 600,000 domestic workers including maids, nannies, drivers and gardeners - living and working in Kuwait, with an estimated 11,000 workers living in Rawda and Hawally combined. Most of Kuwait’s domestic workers originate from poor Asian nations including Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka as well as from Africa and other Arab countries.

Rights of employees The project also aims to educate employers about the rights of their employees. “The most difficult problems facing expats in Kuwait is deportation, absence of social security and problems with transferring their residency,” said attorney Mohammed Al-Anezi, a member of the Kuwait Society for Human Rights.

Foreigners also face lengthy trial procedures and bureaucracy if they have a labor dispute with their

Olaim calls for reforms, fight against corruption ICM aims to form political party

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Secretary General of the Islamic Constitutional Movement (Hadas) Mohammad Al-Olaim called for cooperation between all political powers in order to achieve political reform. He said Hadas is ready to cooperate with all for the sake of Kuwait. He said that the movement is an institutional entity and follows institutional action in taking its decisions. He said Hadas relies on clarity and transparency in taking decisions, adding that the next period will see the movement more open towards partners in political affairs. He said among the most important issues being discussed by Hadas is the experience of the past 25 years. Olaim said there were successes and failures and there were points of strengths and weakness in this period.

“We are working on expanding the base of this experience and welcome all those who have the same concerns in the interest of Kuwait,” he said.

Olaim said Kuwait is going through a difficult political period that calls for the cooperation of all and the consolidation of efforts to come out of these crises, every one of which produces another.

He said there are attempts to reform, but these attempts still need interaction and support to find a base for a reform project that serves Kuwait and its people and all those who Mohammad Al-Olaim live in Kuwait.

Olaim said corruption has reached a huge stage, and fighting it has become a national duty for all, because “the basic structure that we are dealing with supports the existence of financial and administrative corruption, as all are seeking reform and reform has its own specifications through the government’s formation and its policy.” He charged competent statesmen were reduced in the Cabinet, adding government formations need review and should be based on true achievements, clear plans and methods.

Olaim wondered if the National Assembly was dissolved several times deliberately to exhaust citizens. “How can legislation be passed as well as supervision in the midst of Assembly dissolutions?” he asked. He demanded that parliamentary institutions be developed and the independence of the judiciary be supported. He said we live in the midst of a sensitive region, giving as an example the Western-Iranian agreement as well as Iran’s expansionist project which is known to everyone.

“We as Hadas wish Kuwait stability, and there must be a dialogue according to constitutional and legal mechanisms in a way that guarantees people’s dignity as well as their rights, besides Kuwait’s stability and development,” Olaim assured. “We are seeking to become the nucleus of a political party according to the law and constitution and demand that such a law must be pushed hard.” — Al-Aan

‘Wasta still controls visit visa transfers’

By A Saleh KUWAIT: MP Kamel Al-Awadhi expressed amazement at a decision issued by the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rasheedi (decision number 220/2013) on transferring commercial visit visas to residency ones after personal permission from her and for specific categories as a means to “fight corruption, marginal labor, personal interests and favoring some companies over others”, as the decision mentioned. He added that though she now holds all the strings, some young entrepreneurs have recently posted stories and YouTube videos in which they stressed that corruption still prevailed and that wasta still controls visit visa transfers in the form of having certain companies’ transactions done while delaying those of others unless they ‘paid bribes’. “We have many complaints from trustworthy people confirming this,” he underlined.

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Meanwhile, head of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development employees’ union Salem Al-Khalifa expressed resentment at the way the syndicate manager dealt with various employees demanding their rightful rights. “The manager rejected our request for a meeting to discuss our problems,” he said, accusing the manager of not believing in union work. He also promised to take his complaint to the highest possible levels and warned of the consequences of ignoring the syndicate’s demands that might “spread to the whole of KFAED”. “This manager’s tyranny was behind the resignation of over 200 young nationals out of 500,” he explained.

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Separately, the court of cassation yesterday postponed hearing a case filed against former MPs Falah Al-Sawwagh, Khaled AlTahous and Bader Al-Dahoum, who were accused of slandering HH the Amir during a gathering at ex-MP Salem Al-Namlan’s diwaniya till next Monday when it is expected to issue its final verdict. The three had been sentenced to three years by the criminal court and acquitted by the court of appeal.

employers. “Most local attorneys refuse labor cases because of the lengthy administrative procedures and legislative situation in Kuwait,” explained Anezi. “There are labor rights but the punishment is not applied, which means that the rights are useless. I used to accept

to leave the country and the only option is to have an attorney, who will not accept such cases as it’s not woth financially and takes years,” he explained.

The Expat Labor Office has also condemned a recent government crackdown on foreign workers and espe-

KUWAIT: A partial view of the audience. - Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

labor cases and I was dealing with foreign embassies, but I don’t anymore.”

Lengthy procedures Lengthy procedures and lack of accountability add to the laborer’s lack of basic rights. “The employee is oppressed compared to the employer or businessman, who gets the verdict within three days or two weeks maximum, while an employee has to wait for three to four years. In this case, the employee is jobless and has

cially the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor’s approach to the issue. “I don’t think it’s a correct decision to deport 100,000 expat employees annually due to traffic violations, and to end his life and family here,” said Abdulrahman Al-Ghanim, head of the Expat Labor Office at the Kuwait Labor Union.

The Kuwait Society for Human Rights along with the Kuwait Labor Union and Awqaf Ministry organized a conference recently to discuss the issue of domestic labor in Kuwait.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LOCAL In my view

kuwait digest

Housing recommendations

Protection of privacy

‘I will not leave my son to die’

By Mohammad Al-Awadhi

By Labeed Abdal

T local@kuwaittimes.net

kuwait digest

Try to get full truth

By Nabila Al-Anjari

A

n official from Oman said when demonstrations took place in some areas of the sultanate, Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed gathered the tribes’ sheikhs and members of the Shura Council to find out the reasons behind those demonstrations and decide the mechanism of dealing with them in a way that satisfies the youth’s ambitions and serves the highest interests of the country. The official said that before the invitees entered to see the sultan, two high ranking officials from the court spoke to them and ask them not to tire the sultan with their talks and

There are some advisors and workers at the diwan who shut the mouths of those who go to give information and advice to most officials. It is important to give the courageous and sincere the chance to deliver the true suffering of the people without exaggeration or false information. demands.

When they entered to see the sultan and exchanged talks about the sultanate’s affairs and the means of overcoming obstacles and challenges, he asked them to reveal their problems. After complete silence by all, the sultan repeated his request, so one of them asked for permission to talk. When the sultan told him to speak, he surprised everyone with a strange request as he started by saying, “Give me security, your majesty.” (Meaning a promise not to punish him).

The sultan asked about the reason behind this request and said, “you have got all the security with a smile”. The man started to present the youth’s demands and challenges they faced. The meeting was over, and decisions were made to create new job opportunities for the youth and find out new areas to accommodate their enthusiasm and utilize their ideas, and investment opportunities were provided for them. The nice thing is that the first of those decisions was firing the two advisors who asked the sultan’s guests to keep information from his majesty.

Meanwhile, at our local level, there are some advisors and workers at the diwan who shut the mouths of those who go to give information and advice to most officials. It is important to give the courageous and sincere the chance to deliver the true suffering of the people without exaggeration or false information.

What is more important is that for leaders to allow them to speak freely, and fire all advisors and officials who do not realize the importance of their positions and do not hesitate to keep away those who know what is going on from the ruler and decision makers.

Everyone who has an authority, if he wants to make achievements and meet ambitions, must first seek accurate information and get the full truth, then go ahead with taking steps and decisions that make people happy and bring Kuwait back to the right path and restore the pioneering status that we were proud of, before feeling bad for losing it. —Al-Qabas

Al-Anbaa

G

lobal Internet companies collect large amounts of data for commercial reasons, creating an unprecedented breach of users’ information and privacy that evoked concern around the world regarding the safety of online information and privacy of Web users. This concern led to campaigns around the world to combat unauthorized surveillance of Internet users, and demand legislations to prevent illegal access of data and organize this issue. These demands are necessary, especially when major Internet companies found a multibillion-dollar profitable business by selling information they obtained for free to marketing and industry businesses.

Internet freedom is a global demand, especially for people who found a safe path on the World Wide Web to exercise their right of expression without censorship or fear of retribution. Countries should guarantee those freedoms to their citizens as long as they do not negatively impact privacies or national security.

But in order to protect privacies and even national securities, countries could find themselves forced to legislate restrictions that prevent companies from snooping on users and sell private information for a bunch of money. It is up to these companies to stop their illegitimate practices in order to keep the Internet a virtual space which is free from restrictions, and one that continues to bring benefit to millions of people around the world.

in my view

Bridge our gaps first

By Saad Dosari

O

ver the reports of a Gulf Union cooking in the oven, Oman made it loud and clear: We are not part of this. Citizens of the GCC countries, particularly Saudis, are in a state of shock and bewilderment over the Omani response. Many believe that Oman has the right to choose whatever is in its larger interest. However, there are some who are in a state of denial, as they did not expect such a response from their otherwise quiet neighbor. Interestingly, both sides agree on one point at least that Oman is different; it is Omanis and not Saudis who need to change and cope with that change.

I wonder if someone considered that it maybe “us” who are different, maybe not only from Oman but from the rest of the Gulf countries. We may share with them the common lineaments of culture, history, heritage, language, and social ties, but once you dig deeper, differences start to surface. The beat of life and the wheel of society run differently among the Gulf countries. And maybe this is the main reason as to why the GCC has failed in meeting high expectations of many since its very inception. One has to admit, we (GCC members) are similar, but not the same.

That does not mean that GCC has gained nothing by coming under the umbrella of the council. The biggest gain of all was and still is political. Despite the rough political storm sweeping across the Middle East, the GCC countries have remained relatively stable.

Moreover, their differences still does not mean that they cannot build a strong alliance in the areas of education, energy, health, environment, in addition to political and security alliance.

If you have noticed, I exempted the economical alliance. In this particular area, the differences between the Gulf countries become pretty clear.

Having an integrated economy is one of the basic requirements of any union. Although the Gulf countries enjoy some features of that integration such as

free trade agreements, relaxed taxes and tariffs, special treatments of intra-GCC investments, etc. Still there are major differences that make it difficult for the council to evolve into a “proper” union.

Each and every country in the Gulf has its own set of rules and dynamics to steer its economy including, of course, Saudi Arabia. Take the challenges of women employment in the Kingdom as an example. While Saudis are still struggling with female cashiers and sales reps in 2013, I remember that the waitresses who served me food at a restaurant at the Omani airport back in 2002 were Omani girls. The nature of the labor market and the work environment is very different from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC members. In a fully-fledged union where movement of labor is granted, how would a Kuwaiti female engineer work on field in the Kingdom, and how a Saudi businesswoman who prefers working only with women could survive in the UAE market?

Other examples can be found in the investment environment; tolerance to foreign capital, expatriates residency, infrastructure, transparency, and ease of procedures all show how unique the Saudi business world is. The bottom line here is that moving to a fullyfledged union, despite its political gains, needs a lot of efforts to. In Saudi Arabia, nationals are still on a journey to uplift the country’s economy on both the micro and macro levels; oil is still generating the biggest chunk of the country’s income, which is a challenge for the Gulf countries. Saudi labor market and infrastructure are going through a heavy rectification procedure. And never forget the cultural and social changes that Saudis are dealing with on a daily basis.

It is not that the people of Oman, or Qatar, or the UAE are different and Saudis are not. Each and every country in the Gulf is going through its own course of development and has unique outlook. Before moving into a union, we may need to bridge the gaps first.

in my view

Should Iran be given a chance?

By Rasheed Abou-Alsamh

I

must confess that until recently I was a relative hawk Assad regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon? These are on Iran’s influence in various Arab countries and its all serious questions that demand to be asked of unwavering support to the bloody regime of Bashar the Iranians publicly and repeatedly, and to which Al-Assad. Then, following a joke by US Secretary of satisfactory answers need to be found to calm the State John Kerry at a press conference, in which he said fears of Arab states that Iran is bent on dominating the United States would hold off on attacking Syria if the region. that country gave up all of its chemical weapons. US On the nuclear front, the Iranians have left much President Barack Obama hesitated and decided not to of the world with suspicions of what they are really launch Tomahawk missiles against Damascus despite after. Is it only nuclear energy to produce electricity the fact that the Syrian regime had crossed his so that more of its oil can be freed up for export metaphorical red line several times following the nerve where it can be sold for more gain, or are they trygas attacks that it unleashed against its own people in ing to have enough enriched uranium at 90 perGhouta. cent to produce nuclear At first blush, Obama’s deciPower plants need At around the same time, bombs? sion not to attack Syria seemed uranium enriched to only new Iranian President like weakness and the start of a 3.5 percent, so one wonders strategic American withdrawal Hassan Rouhani was sending as to why Iran has ended up from further involvement in with 196 kilos of enriched out a message of modera- uranium at 20 percent. the deadly mess that is the Middle East. But upon closer And it would take only a tion and a willingness to inspection it seemed like the few more spins in its 10,000 cooperate with the West to centrifuges already in operaright thing to do when all the cards were stacked against find a solution in order to lift tion, and 54 more kilos of him. Russia and China repeatstuff, to achieve enough the severe economic sanc- the edly blocked any action by the uranium enriched at 90 pertions that the West had UN Security Council on the civil cent to manufacture nuclear war in Syria, and the American bombs. They have commitimposed on Iran. public and Congress were ted themselves to neutralizsending clear and loud signals ing their stock of uranium that they did not want any more American lives or wealth enriched to 20 percent, and to stick to enriching lost in the region. uranium to a maximum of 5 percent. The At around the same time, new Iranian President International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspecHassan Rouhani was sending out a message of tors will have to certify through their daily inspecmoderation and a willingness to cooperate with the tions that this in fact is happening.

West to find a solution in order to lift the severe Parallel to these nuclear measures, the US and economic sanctions that the West had imposed on other Western powers would do well to ensure Iran because of suspicions that its nuclear program that Arab fears of Iranian domination get has a military component. This has been a refresh- addressed at the Geneva 2 talks. To show goodwill ing and much needed change from the hawkish toward Gulf countries, Iran could substantially stance of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. curb its financial and military support to Hezbollah But is that enough to rebuild trust in Iran’s inten- and the Syrian regime. This would go a long way in tions in the Middle East? Will Iran keep funding the assuaging the fears of the Gulf.

ake a few minutes of your time to imagine this scene: An Egyptian woman living with her disabled son in a seventh floor apartment in Farwaniya. Suddenly, smoke from a fire that started in the building’s basement begins filling her small apartment, followed soon by flames that trapped her and her child. The woman puts a scarf on her head and tries desperately to find a way out of the flames. She soon finds herself in a struggle between the survival instinct as she feels her lungs filled with thick, black smoke, and the mother’s instinct as she rushes to save her child. Soon enough, a man arrives - a resident in the same building who came for help.

He grabs the woman by her hand, but the woman refuses to run. “No, I will not leave my son to die,” the woman said after she fiercely pulled back her hand and ran to her child.

The result? An update on Al-Rai TV’s newscast which was read by a teary-eyed newscaster was as

It is not in our tradition or Islamic teachings to wish harm upon others, so we would never wish that the building’s owner or his family suffers similar scenes to the ones faced by the expatriates who rented flats in his building. But if a similar incident happened with Kuwaitis, MPs would have rushed to question the Minister of Municipality and senior government officials. follows: “The tragic incident left an Egyptian woman dead after she refused to save herself and leave her disabled son face burning to death, showing a prime example of human compassion that was absent from the conscience of those responsible for the incident”.

The scene ends, but the story, which happened in real life last week, hardly ends here. This tragedy uncovered several painful facts and exposed so many unknown details about the misery of simple Arab expatriates and others who have no one to support their backs, as well as the greed and negligence of some building owners who - with help of their influence - are allowed to get away with disregard to basic safety conditions or human lives.

Details of the story as reported in Al-Rai TV’s newscast are as follows: Residents of a Farwaniya building went through a night of horror that lasted for seven hours as a result of a fire caused by serious violations committed by the building’s owner. The owner rented the building’s basement to a catering company, a clear violation of the law, and also transformed floors allocated to services into residential apartments illegally. Lack of a fire alarm system, and the fact that the building’s keeper had locked the ground floor’s door to the building’s stairway, added to the agony of residents who were left with no other choice but to climb to higher floors until they were rescued from smoke and flames that trapped them. The tragedy did not stop there, as 72 families became displaced and are in a struggle to find a place to stay away from the freezing cold after losing their homes.

I hardly believe that the building’s owner had any sense of responsibility to realize how horrible his crime was, which led to the loss of innocent lives and displacement of hundreds of people who rented apartments in his buildings and paid their rents regularly. If he did, he would at least have shelter for the residents at his expense. 72 families or over 350 people were left with no place to stay, and found shelter at a nearby mosque or park which hardly helped them cope with the freezing cold.

It is not in our tradition or Islamic teachings to wish harm upon others, so we would never wish that the building’s owner or his family suffers similar scenes to the ones faced by the expatriates who rented flats in his building. But if a similar incident happened with Kuwaitis, MPs would have rushed to question the Minister of Municipality and senior government officials. If the residents were American or European, top police commanders, government officials and embassy staff members would have been found on the scene, and lawsuits would have been filed against the building’s owner to compensate the victims.

But the victims are poor Arab people who have no one else to pray to but God. And while they pray to Almighty Allah that He saves them from injustice, I urge the residents to file cases in court against the building’s owner, in order to set an example for whoever seeks quick gain by putting human life at risk. —Al-Rai

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LOCAL

MPs united in supporting idea of own salary increase ‘We are also citizens’

KUWAIT: Officials at the opening of the job fair at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Kuwait University yesterday.

KU opens jobs fair KUWAIT: The Faculty of Social Sciences of Kuwait University (KU) opened a twoday fair to introduce its graduates to the jobs open to them, in cooperation with the university’s training and graduates affairs department and the Civil Service Commission.

In press remarks upon launch of the event, head of the training department Fatma Al-Ghazali said the aim was to introduce graduates and students close to graduation to jobs suited to their qualifications and certification at different state institutions.

She added the Civil Service Commission

is represented at the fair by several of its departments, including citizen service, public relations, workforce registration, professional scale and budget, and its representatives are ready to answer visitors’ questions as to mechanism of registering with the commission to get employment opportunities.

The official stressed such fairs are important as are workshops and seminars, and it is most important that the university’s many departments cooperate with different state institutions and bodies to better serve graduates and students.—KUNA

KUWAIT: Several MPs expressed support to the idea of increasing lawmakers’ salaries in Kuwait, which was first brought up by Al-Rai daily Sunday in a report that pointed out a rejected proposal on that regard for former MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei three years ago.

“We support the idea if it was put for debate because MPs bear financial liabilities which the current pay does not cover”, MP Husain AlQuwaian said on Sunday.

In the original report, Al-Rai noted that a Kuwaiti MP is paid around KD2190 per month (after reducing amounts taken by the government as per law number 19/1996), with no additional benefits, compared to KD100,000 a year that a minister receives not mentioning the benefits.

The report also indicated that MPs in Kuwait receive ‘relatively one of the lowest salary averages for lawmakers’, especially given the nature of their works and duties they carry out compared to members of regional assemblies. For example, the report indicates that an MP in the United Arab Emirates is paid 48,000 Dirham (KD3,687) per month, whereas members of the Qatar Shura Council each receive 42,000 Riyals (KD3,255) per month, while members of both receive additional

benefits. It also indicates that a member of the Iraqi parliament receives $10,000 (KD2,822) a month in addition to allowances to buy a car, arms, security and housing, and pointed out the recent approval in the United Kingdom to increase MPs’ pay by 11 percent. “[MPs’] salary increases have become due especially considering a lawmakers’ duties and the price inflation in the country”, MP Mohammad Al-Hadiya said. “We support pay increase for citizens in general, and MPs are also citizens who have duties and are not allowed by law to run a business simultaneously with their job as a parliament member”.

Diplomatic answer MP Khalil Al-Saleh gave a more diplomatic answer by suggesting that an increase in MPs’ salary must come “as part of a comprehensive review for [public sector] salaries in general”.

In other news, the parliament’s financial committee postponed voting on draft laws to increase the children allowance, servicemen salaries and housing loan. The committee decided to wait until the government provides its perspective on the proposed legislations, which should come within a week or

Kuwait, US for cooperation in electronic creativity KUWAIT: Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC) discussed with US Purdue University delegation here yesterday ways of joint cooperation in the field of electronic giftedness and creativity.

During its visit to SACGC, the US delegation held talks with several educators of giftedness and creativity classes, discussed with mentors of Science, Mathematics, and English courses on what has been accomplished in the field of enrichment programs, and conducted a private training session on educational enrichment systems, Reyadh Al-Sharaf, Director of Joint Services at SACGC, said in a press statement.

Also, the visit witnessed a busy schedule of activities that included intensified meetings, a training session on usage of iPad for educators of gifted-

ness and creativity classes; how to download programs of various educational areas on it, and how to benefit from modern technologies in delivering the information to students, added AlSharaf.

In addition, an agreement has been reached during the meetings on type of enrichment courses to be studied in the fourth and fifth grades, ways to deal with these courses, and ways of implementing these courses as Purdue University delegation listened to the educators’ point of views on the subject, he noted.

Moreover, Al-Sharaf indicated that a full plan has been laid by the end of the visit to implement programs of giftedness and creativity, adding that the plan also discusses ways to choose educators and students. —KUNA

two, said repporteur Mohammad Al-Jabri.

“The Public Institution for Social Security already provided its opinion, but the Finance Ministry asked for a week’s notice to provide information about the increases’ costs”, AlJabri said in a statement following the meeting Sunday.

Meanwhile, the same report quotes sources familiar with the meeting who indicated that Finance Ministry representatives revealed that the predicted annual cost for increasing the children allowance by KD25 (from KD50 to KD75 per child) reaches KD256 million. The sources did not specify the cost of a second proposal that stipulates a KD50 increase.

Separately, the public funds protection committee in the parliament requested information from the Finance Ministry regarding the volume of state investments, including funds invested through firms in which the state owns a majority of stocks, and others where the government owns a minority share. “The reason behind the request is to identify the actual proper ties for state departments and the volume of public funds investments”, said sources with knowledge of the information.

New strategy for KPC investment portfolio KUWAIT: High-ranking sources said that Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has set a new strategy to run its investment portfolio of $ 15.8 billion invested in local and international markets that adapts a new policy that would increase the portfolio’s revenues by 7 per cent, investing in stocks and increasing the risk factor.

The sources added that KPC has a huge investment portfolio run by the investment authority and that it mainly adapts the direct investment rules dividing the investments between zero-risk bonds, stocks, various levels of assets and hedge funds.

Further, the sources stressed that KPC was very conservative about investment and has accordingly set a condition for the investment authority not to take any risks with the invested capital through setting some regulations and rules to be reviewed quarterly. The sources added that KPC and the investment authority always coordinate together with regards to seizing major investment opportunities in various markets through contacts in various major international banks.

Moreover, the sources highlighted that KPC had increased its investments from $ 10 to 15.8 billion over the past four years.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LOCAL

Maid threatens suicide after being denied Christmas leave Mystery shooter targets teacher’s car KUWAIT: A domestic helper attempted suicide after her employers refused to give her leave to celebrate Christmas back home, but her attempt was foiled by police intervention.

Police headed to a house in Mishref where the homeowners reported that their housemaid was holding a knife against her neck and threatened to kill herself. It was revealed that the Filipina resorted to this act after her employer denied her request to spend Christmas with her family in the Philippines. The family argued that the worker had been employed for less than a month and was not entitled to early leave.

Police also learned that the maid was demanding that her employer pay for her ticket. The officers managed to subdue the maid by handing her a blank piece of paper which they made

her believe was a plane ticket. The woman was taken to the area’s police station for further action.

Drug overdose An addict died as a result of a drug overdose in a case reported at a house in Farwaniya governorate recently. Paramedics and police headed to the scene following an emergency call about a man found motionless inside his room, but they pronounced the man dead after they arrived. Preliminary investigations indicate that the man died as a result of a drug overdose based on the medical examination report as well as drug paraphernalia found on the scene. Crime scene investigators carried the body to the forensic department after they finished examining

the room. A case was filed.

Dhahar shooter Ahmadi police are looking to identify and arrest a shooter who targeted a teacher’s car on Sunday for unknown reasons. The woman explained in an emergency call that she was driving her SUV in Dhahar when she felt that the car was hit by gunshots, which forced her to stop and take cover.

Crime scene investigators who were summoned by police recovered two bullets from the car’s exterior. Search is ongoing for the suspect who faces charges of public shooting, weapon possession and attempted murder.

Equestrian accident A horseman was hospitalized after he fell from his horse at the Hunting and Equestrian Club in Farwaniya. An ambulance was sent to the scene simultaneously with police after the accident was reported. The man was taken to Farwaniya Hospital and was diagnosed with multiple contusions and wounds. The incident was record at the Farwaniya police station.

Hawally accident A pedestrian was critically wounded in an accident reported Sunday in Hawally. The Egyptian man was reportedly crossing Beirut Street when was run over by a bus. He was taken in an ambulance to the Mubarak Hospital where he was admitted inside the intensive care unit with a broken pelvis, broken right hand and a broken left foot. Meanwhile, police placed the bus’ Syrian driver under arrest for questioning.

KUWAIT: Narcotics officers yesterday arrested two Arab expats in possession of 9,000 Tramadol tablets. Police got information that an Arab expat has drugs for sale. When the information were confirmed a warrant was issued and the man was arrested with 6,000 tablets. He told interrogators that he has a partner who was arrested with nearly 3000 tablets. Both were sent to concerned authorities.

—By Hanan Al-Saadoun

Work mishap A worker was injured in an accident reported at a construction site in Hawally on Sunday. Firefighters, paramedics and police reported to the scene following an emergency call made after the worker was pinned under debris and wood that fell from the fourth floor. Firefighters rescued the Syrian man from under the debris

before he was put in an ambulance that rushed him to Mubarak Hospital where the man was admitted inside the intensive care unit. A case was filed to investigate the circumstances behind the incident.

Collapsed wall A man died on Sunday after a wall collapsed in Fahaheel. Paramedics headed to the scene with police in response to an emergency call, but pronounced the Indian man dead after they arrived. The body was taken to the forensic department after firefighters removed it from under the debris, and after crime scene investigators examined the place. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances behind the accident.

Smuggler arrested A man was arrested at the Kuwait International Airport after drugs were found in his luggage during a search.

Customs officers decided to open the Iranian man’s luggage when they noticed that he was nervous after arriving on a flight from his home country. The man was put under arrest after 40 drug pills were found hidden inside a used soap pack. He admitted of smuggling the drugs for his personal use before being transferred to the Drug Control General Department to face charges.

Missiles found Bomb squads cleared a construction site in Shaab from projectiles found there and believed to have been left during the 1990/91 Iraqi invasion. Police and crime scene investigators headed to the site after a contractor made an emergency call reporting the discovery of missiles during digging operations. Bomb squads were summoned to remove the missiles and sweep the area for other explosives. Preliminary investigations indicate that the missiles have been lying at the deserted site since being left by Iraqi soldiers over 20 years ago.

Envoy explores tourism opportunities in Sudan KHARTOUM: Kuwait’s Ambassador in Khartoum Talal Al-Hajri held talks yesterday with Sudan’s Minister of Antiquities, Tourism and Wildlife Mohammad Al-Had over the investment opportunities and the government incentives to investors in tourism sector.

“The talks tackled bilateral cooperation in tourism and environment sectors including Kuwait’s participation in relevant events organized in Sudan as well as its contribution to the restoration of Sudanese antiquities and monuments,” Al-Hajri said after the meeting.

“We have also discussed encouraging Kuwaitis to invest in tourism and hotels sector in Sudan as and cooperat-

ing in promoting Sudan’s huge tourism potential.” The Kuwaiti ambassador added that Kuwait is looking forwards towards expanding bilateral cooperation with Sudan in various domains.

For his part, Al-Had stated that the Sudanese government is ready to offer all facilitations and incentives to Kuwaiti investors to partake in the development of the tourism sector in the country.

He noted that Sudan has great potential including long coasts on the Red Sea and the River Nile, nature reserves and rich heritage. The Minister pointed out that Sudan seeks to carry out establish the infrastructures of several tourist projects in cooperation with Kuwaiti investors. —KUNA

73% of aid pledges of Syria donors fulfilled KUWAIT: The UN humanitarian envoy Abdullah Al-Maatouq said yesterday that about 73 percent of pledges announced in the first Syria donors conference, held in Kuwait last January, have been fulfilled.

In a press statement, Al-Maatouq, also chairman of the Kuwait-based International Islamic Charity Organization (IICO) and an advisor at the Amir Diwan, denied reports that the administrative costs consumed the bulk of the aid.

Administrative costs hover between 3-7 percent of the total aid, he stated, stressing that the seven percent-threshold is binding and firmly applied in all international

organizations.

He pointed out that UN agencies are getting ready to participate in the second Syria donors conference which will be also hosted by Kuwait mid-January 2014.

He recalled His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s initiative to host the first international conference of Syria donors in January 2013, which raised $1.5 billion in aid pledges including $300 million from Kuwait.

He spoke highly about the huge efforts exerted by Kuwaiti government and nongovernment organizations to offer all help to desperate Syrian refugees.—KUNA

Praise for Bahraini reforms MANAMA: Kuwait Ambassador to Kingdom of Bahrain Sheikh Azzam AlSabah praised yesterday reform achievements made by King Hamad bin Isa AlKhalifa, since he assumed office, which aimed at achieving prosperity to the Bahraini people.

The ambassador also congratulated the kingdom’s leadership and people on their 42nd national day and 14 years since King Hamad assumed office, a press statement

by Sheikh Azzam said.

The ambassador added efforts to ensure

prosperity to the Bahraini people were achieved through the national charter and constitution which were agreed by the Bahraini people. He commended the Bahraini monarch’s initiatives, most recently his call for dialogue to boost national unity.

The ambassador emphasized on the strong relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait, which were based on common destiny and shared visions and contributions to ensure a decent living for the two brotherly peoples. — KUNA

KRCS completes distribution of aid to displaced Syrians in Tripoli

BEIRUT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society bread distribution program to the displaced Syrians in progress.

BEIRUT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) launched in the city of Tripoli yesterday its sixth campaign within the bread distribution program to the displaced Syrians.

KRCS’ coordinator to Lebanon Dr. Musaed Al-Enezi said that the 30-day campaign would benefit some 3,000 Syrian families where each family would be allowed 14 pieces of bread.

He explained that 33,000 displaced Syrian families had benefited from this

program in all previous campaigns.

He noted that the KRCS has also completed the distribution of blankets and mattresses to some 2,500 displaced people in Tripoli today who have been exposed to the bitter cold, especially in areas of the north and the Bekaa.

He explained that the Kuwaiti humanitarian aid campaign for the displaced Syrians is carried out in coordination and cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross.

— KUNA

Arab Housing Council session kicks off CAIRO: The Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Construction convenes at the headquarters of the Arab League today its 30th session dubbed “Power Control in the Construction Sector ..

Functional Testing and Legislative Framework.”

Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League and head of the Economic Affairs Dr Mohammed Bin Ibrahim AlTuwaijri said in a press statement today that the meeting will review a number of proposals to activate the mechanisms and strategies to achieve the objectives of the Council as well as changing some articles of its Statute to keep pace with new developments.

He explained that the council will discuss a number of topics on the agenda, including the proceedings of the committee of the unified Arab building codes

and an item on management and maintenance of residential common complexes, as well as the adoption of amended regulations, conditions and procedures for the award of the Council of Arab Housing Ministers.

He said that the award of the Council of Arab Housing Ministers will be awarded for the best idea for an integrated housing project in a way that achieves the objectives of the award to come out with new, innovative, workable and environmentally-friendly ideas.

Al-Tuwaijri added that university engineering students would be allowed to participate in the award with their graduation projects to encourage innovation, adding that the prize will be awarded as well to the best Arabic scientific research in the field of housing and sustainable urban development. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Jahra municipality lifted 17 abandoned cars and transferred them to Amghara impounding facility yesterday. Public cleanliness supervisor Faisal Al-Otaibi said lifting abandoned cars will continue in Jahra governorate in order to clean all areas. He said the campaign started with placing warnings on abandoned cars to allow their owners to remove them within 24 hours. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun

Turkey, EU sign deals on immigrants, visas Page 9

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

South Sudan says coup defeated Heavy fighting breaks out between rival troops JUBA: South Sudan’s president announced yesterday he had defeated a coup attempt following a night of fierce fighting between rival troops in the capital of the world’s youngest nation. The clashes broke out in a barracks close to the city centre shortly before midnight and spread across the city, diplomats and witnesses said, adding that heavy machine guns and mortars were used. The United Nations said hundreds of terrified civilians had sought refuge in a UN compound, while across the city residents locked themselves in their homes or tried to flee to safer areas, an AFP reporter said.

President Salva Kiir blamed troops loyal to his arch-rival, former vice president Riek Machar who was sacked from the government in July. He branded him a “prophet of doom” and vowed to bring him to justice. “Your government is in full control of the security situation in Juba. The attackers fled and your forces are pursuing them. I promise you justice will prevail,” the president said in a televised address to the nation. He said an overnight curfew would be imposed from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am (1500 to 0300 GMT), and would remain in force until further notice. A diplomat in the city said troops loyal to the president had been posted at major intersections, while civil aviation sources said that Juba airport had been shut.

“I will not allow or tolerate such incidents once again in our new nation. I strongly condemn these criminal actions in the strongest terms possible,” said Kiir, who was dressed in military uniform rather than his trademark suit and cowboy hat. Army spokesman Phil Aguer also told local radio that troops loyal to the president were “in control of the situation”. Officials said some arrests had been made, and

Yemen ban vote won’t end US drone strikes SANAA: Yemen’s parliament has voted for a ban on drone strikes, but experts said yesterday lawmakers have limited powers and their vote is unlikely to impact Washington’s bid to crush Al-Qaeda militants. The United States operates all unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen in support of Sanaa’s attempts to break Al-Qaeda, and intensified strikes this year have killed dozens of militants. Yemen is home to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which Washington views as the deadliest franchise of the global jihadist network.

Critics say drone strikes kill civilians and have demanded an end to the secrecy surrounding them. Yemen’s parliament, which is dominated by the party of ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Islamist Islah party, voted on Sunday in favour of halting drone attacks. MPs say the vote is a recommendation short of adopting a law, which came days after a drone strike reportedly targeting Al-Qaeda militants killed 17 people, mostly civilians, triggering outrage.

“The parliament appears to be giving orders to authorities, when it has lost its credibility long time ago,” said political analyst Abdelbari Tahar.

A Yemeni political official speaking on condition of anonymity said the vote is a “challenge” to interim President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi who took over when Saleh agreed to step down in 2012 after a year of protests against his 33year rule. “This vote appears to be an attempt by the followers of the former president to put pressure on Hadi, more than it is a real legislative action,” the official said. “It is a kind of challenge to Hadi,” who has cemented Sanaa’s partnership with Washington in the fight against Al-Qaeda. “The government could ignore this vote without any consequences to worry about,” said the official.

The current assembly was elected in 2003 when Saleh was in power and its five-year tenure was extended by two years in a political compromise. It has not been renewed since then. Saleh has been accused of trying to hinder the political transition process, which began with him quitting in February 2012, following massive protests against his rule.

At Sunday’s parliamentary session, lawmakers stressed “the importance of protecting all citizens from any aggression” and “the importance of preserving the sovereignty of Yemeni air space.” MP Ali Al-Mamari said the motion was a “request to the government,” insisting it was not a law banning drone use. He said parliament has also demanded the government address parliament “to explain whether or not it can implement this (ban on drones).”

On Thursday a drone attack in Rada in the central province of Bayda hit a wedding motorcade, killing 17 people, mostly civilians, and triggering protests by tribesmen in the lawless area. The Supreme Security Committee, headed

by Hadi, insisted that the strike had targeted the car of an AlQaeda leader. Amnesty International said confusion over who was behind the raid “exposes a serious lack of accountability for scores of civilian deaths in the country.” “Even if it turns out that this was a case of killing based on mistaken identity or dodgy intelligence, whoever was responsible needs to own up to the error and come clean about what happened in this incident,” said Amnesty’s Philip Luther.

Two of the dead whose names were released - Saleh AlTays and Abdullah Al-Tays - had figured on Yemeni government lists of wanted Al-Qaeda suspects in the past. But most of those killed were civilians of the Al-Tays and AlAmeri clans - part of the large and heavily armed Qayfah tribe. A report by Human Rights Watch in October said the US has carried out 80 targeted operations in Yemen since 2009, including strikes from drones, warplanes and cruise missiles, killing at least 473 people. The US says drone attacks are an important and effective tool against jihadists from the AQAP. — AFP

SANAA: A boy walks past a mural depicting a US drone. — AFP

there were unconfirmed reports of several former ministers being detained. But the fate of Machar was unclear - with the US embassy in Juba and the UN dismissing speculation they had given him shelter. There was also no word on casualties from the fighting. Machar leads a dissident group within South Sudan’s ruling party - the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) - and is seen as the main challenger to Kiir. The rivals hail from different ethnic groups and had in the past fought on different sides during Sudan’s civil war.

Oil-rich but impoverished South Sudan won its independence in 2011 after its people voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to split from the north and form a new nation. But the country has struggled with ethnic violence and corruption, and political tensions have worsened in recent weeks. Earlier this month key SPLM leaders - including Machar and Rebecca Garang, the widow of South Sudan’s founding father John Garang - made a public challenge to Kiir, accusing him of being “dictatorial”.

Statements from the US and British embassies in Juba urged their nationals to avoid unnecessary movements. The US embassy said there had been “incidents and sporadic gunfire in multiple locations across Juba” throughout the night. The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” over the fighting and that it was in contact with South Sudan’s leadership. “As the special representative of the secretary general, I urge all parties in the fighting to cease hostilities immediately and exercise restraint,” UN Special Representative Hilde Johnson said in a statement. “I have been in touch regularly with the key leaders, including at the highest levels, to call for calm,” she added. — AFP

JUBA, South Sudan: President of South Sudan Salva Kiir, wearing army fatigues, speaks in this still taken from a televised address yesterday. — AP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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

Mandela boycott success sparks Israel debate JERUSALEM: Recent successes in the Palestinian campaign to boycott Jewish settlements have given fresh impetus to calls for sanctions against Israel like those that brought down apartheid in South Africa. Since the European Union said it would block grants and funding for any Israeli entity operating over the 1967 lines, a growing number of international bodies have taken similar steps to cut ties, in a move that has sparked alarm in Israel. “This has happened in recent days,” commentator Chemi Shalev wrote in the newspaper Haaretz, listing a series of steps as proof that the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement was gaining ground.

“The Dutch water company Vitens severed its ties with Israeli counterpart Mekorot, Canada’s largest Protestant church decided to boycott three Israeli companies; the Romanian government refused to send any more construction workers; and American Studies Association academics are voting on a measure to sever links with Israeli universities,” he wrote. The boycott debate has been further stoked by the death on December 5 of Nelson Mandela as the world remembered his life’s work in pushing for a global boycott that contributed to bringing down the minority white government of Pretoria. “It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the

BDS movement is picking up speed. And the writing on the wall, if anyone missed it, only got clearer and sharper in the wake of the death of Nelson Mandela,” Shalev argued. And global scrutiny of Israel’s ties with the apartheid regime in the 1970s and 1980s only served to give “valuable ammunition to those who would equate the two. “More ominously, from an Israeli point of view, the analogy between today’s Israel and yesterday’s South Africa could also stoke a belief that the former can be brought to its knees in much the same way as the latter was in the late 1970s and early 1980s,” he added.

The BDS movement has never shied away from using language equating Israel’s rule over the Palestinians with the former regime in South Africa, and a recent statement denounced the Jewish state’s “system of colonisation, occupation and apartheid over the Palestinian people”. Also this month, Britain toughened its stance on trading with Israeli entities over the Green Line which separated Israel from Arab-held territory up until the 1967 war, warning investors not to get involved. “There are therefore clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity,” said a statement on the UK trade and investment website,

warning of potential “reputational implications” and advising businesses to first seek legal advice.

‘Family resemblances’ Although the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories is not identical to that which existed in South Africa, critics say there are many similarities, pointing to the systems existing in the occupied West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem. Omar Barghouti, a founding member of the BDS, said that “despite the obvious differences between apartheid South Africa and Israel’s multi-tiered regime of oppression of the Palestinian people, there are ample family resemblances. Israel’s reign over the Palestinians constitutes occupation, settler-colonialism and apartheid.

“Regardless how we define Israel’s regime of oppression, a main lesson we have learned from Mandela and our South African comrades and colleagues is that internal resistance must be coupled with sustained, effective international solidarity, particularly in the form of BDS, to isolate the oppressive state and compel it to respect its obligations under international law,” he told AFP. Israeli political sources quoted Friday in the newspaper Maariv said the new EU guidelines, which come into force on January 1, were only the beginning of a sustained European campaign to single out Israel. “In

the spring, they will present to Israel the policy of marking goods that were produced in the settlements and are marketed to Europe,” the paper said.

Earlier this month, Andreas Reinicke, the EU’s representative to the peace process, warned that if the ongoing peace talks failed, the campaign to clearly label products as made in the settlements would gain pace. He said the number of countries supporting such a move had leapt to 14 from two in February 2012.

Another Haaretz commentator said the absence of Israeli officials at Mandela’s memorial “was no accident,” saying it was astounding that Israel was “unrepresented at the world’s moral summit”. “This was a vital summit... Israel isn’t facing any conventional military threats; no one threatens its warplanes. The danger it faces is the loss of legitimacy,” wrote Ari Shavit.

“To survive in a tough Middle East, we need the West’s support, and therefore, we must be an inseparable part of the West.”

Israel’s growing isolation is also worrying its main ally, Washington. “The wholesale effort to delegitimise Israel is the most concentrated that I have seen in the 40 years I have served,” US Vice President Joe Biden was quoted as saying on Dec 10. “It is the most serious threat in my view to Israel’s long-term security and viability.” — AFP

Promises of peace, reminders of war in Sudan’s Blue Nile ED DAMAZIN, Sudan: The stony road out of Ed Damazin holds both a promise of peace, and reminders of war. In a cloud of dust, a pickup truck loaded with Sudanese soldiers in red berets leads a convoy of cars carrying United Nations aid workers, government officials and foreign diplomats on a rare visit to Blue Nile state where a renewed uprising began in 2011. They are headed west to Agadi village, a jolting 45 minutes away in this southernmost part of Sudan, to tour a medical centre which is part of an effort to stabilise communities in a region where hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by fighting over the past two years.

“It started making an impact,” said Srinivas Kumar, manager for the UN Development Programme’s Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) effort. “Over the last two years, what we have done is we have changed the approach, focusing more on the communities.” A previous initiative directly targeted about 24,000 ex-fighters to help them return to normal life after the Sudanese civil war of 1983-2005, in which Blue Nile was a key battleground between supporters of north and south.

The scheme gave former fighters from both sides training and equipment to set up small businesses or other ventures individually. But it may have made only a “small contribution” to reintegrating the war veterans, an independent assessment commissioned by the UNDP found last year.

When a new uprising erupted among former southern sympathisers in Blue Nile months after South Sudan broke away in 2011, ex-fighters were approached to take up arms again. Now a new initiative - which the UNDP wants to expand next year turns the focus away from individuals towards group projects or business ventures that can foster economic development and community cohesion. The aim is to provide a supportive environment and incentive for former fighters and potential recruits to the new conflict not to take up arms. “ We’re targeting the vulnerable groups,” including the displaced, the unemployed and women, Kumar said.

‘Conflicts here are solved amicably’ The Agadi area, in Tadamon district, shelters people who fled their homes when the new rebellion erupted among the state’s non-Arab minorities against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum.

After discussing ways to support community security, residents decided that a clinic would help. They felt it could act as a reconciliation point because “everyone would need medical services”, a UNDP briefing paper said. The clinic “has solved a lot of health problems” and the area’s ethnic groups are living in harmony, community leader Jabir Hashem told a crowd of hundreds, whose traditional dancing and singing welcomed the visitors led by UN Sudan chief Ali Al-Za’tari. “We have received our brothers who have come back from the rebel areas,” Hashem said. “All the conflicts here are solved locally and amicably without going to the courts.”

Complementing the clinic, a residents’

committee helps to address local security concerns. The two-wing medical centre comprises a laboratory, two wards, and rooms for vaccination and other services in the village, where conical huts cluster beneath a mountain of boulders. Among a few soldiers guarding the outskirts of the community, one carries a rocket-propelled grenade launcher on his shoulder. Others keep watch from on top of the boulders.

The dirt road to Agadi passes spiked acacia trees and herds of cattle before the stalks of recently-harvested sorghum turn the land a sea of yellow. In the distant haze to the south, the low mountains of Bau are visible.

Rebel attacks in Bau district earlier this month left one insurgent and several soldiers dead, the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N), which is fighting the Khartoum government, said.

The government’s military spokesman could not be reached for comment. The SPLA-N has also been fighting for two years in South Kordofan, another state with non-Arab minorities whose civil war sympathies lay largely with the south, and where the conflict has been more intense. In November, the government said it had launched an operation to crush the rebels. Authorities have severely limited access to the war zones, although restrictions for aid workers were eased in Blue Nile earlier this year.

Staying away from battle The Agadi project is one of 28 which the UNDP has completed across Sudan, in partnership with local agencies, under the banner of “Community Security and Arms Control (CSAC)”. An estimated 79,000 residents in seven Blue Nile communities, including Agadi, have benefited. Through a flat landscape dotted with baobab trees, the convoy headed from Agadi to the edge of Ed Damazin where another CSAC project offers fishing as an alternative to fighting.

About 70 young ex-combatants from both sides of the conflict have acquired skills including boat building and net making, said Waafa Sir, director of a local NGO implementing the project. Around 30 women associated with the combatants have learnt how to dry and smoke the fish before it is sold, Sir told AFP outside a metal trailer with big freezers to store what the men catch.

She said the income-generating initiative has brought former rebels and government supporters together. “Before, this area was separate like two tribes,” she said.

The fishing project is a model which UNDP hopes to expand to about 90 communities next year, Kumar said. He cites survey data which show that 82 percent of excivil war fighters who received help to settle back into their communities have not returned to combat. The rest are classified as “missing”. The reasons to avoid a return to the battlefield are painfully clear at another aid project in Ed Damazin, where disabled veterans worked together to build a centre supporting landmine victims. A man missing his right arm greets the UN delegation.

Others move with crutches, having lost a leg. Zaki Tom al-Tayeb, a welcoming former government soldier, pulls up his jeans to show an artificial left leg. “I was hit by a landmine in Kurmuk,” he said. — AFP

AGADI, Sudan: Sudanese dancers welcome a delegation of members from the United Nations, government officials and foreign diplomats on Dec 3, 2013 in the Tadamon district of the Blue Nile state where a rebellion began two years ago. — AFP

LAHAV JUNCTION: African illegal immigrants take part in a protest march on the highway near Lahav junction in southern Israel on their way to Jerusalem yesterday after they fled a detention centre in the south where they were being held. — AFP

African immigrants march on Jerusalem Illegals flee detention center LAHAV JUNCTION, Israel: Hundreds of African illegal immigrants yesterday began a protest march to Jerusalem after fleeing a detention centre in the south where they were being held, an AFP correspondent said. The group, all men, could be seen marching northwards along a highway near Lahav junction in southern Israel, holding up signs reading: “Recognise us as refugees” and “Holot (detention) facility is a prison,” the correspondent said. A spokeswoman for Israel Prisons Service told AFP that 282 inmates who were being held at the Holot detention facility had not shown up for the evening lockdown on Sunday night.

She said they had made their way to Beersheva, more than 50 km away, where they spent the night at the central bus station in

freezing wintry conditions. The sprawling detention facility opened its gates for the first time on Thursday with 484 illegal immigrants from Africa taken there, the IPS said. It is open during the day but inmates must return for a night lockdown. The centre was initially designed for up to 3,300 people, but can be expanded to hold as many as 11,000. Officials said the protesters were likely to be arrested for not returning to the Holot centre.

Speaking to public radio, Israel Population and Immigration Authority head Amnon Ben Ami said they could be arrested 48 hours after failing to show up for the Sunday evening lockdown. Under legislation passed on December 10, illegal immigrants entering Israel can be held for up to a year without trail. It was the latest in a

series of measures aimed at cracking down on the numbers of Africans entering the country illegally, which Israel says poses a threat to the state’s Jewish character.

The new law amends earlier legislation which allowed for immigrants to be held for up to three years without trial that was overturned by the Supreme Court in September. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said yesterday that it and other rights groups had filed a petition against the new law. “The organisations claim that the new amendment does not abide by the principles set forth by the court’s September 15 decision to overturn the previous amendment to the law, and is in many ways more severe than the nullified amendment,” it said. — AFP

Shiite pilgrims targeted as Iraq unrest kills 66 Car bombs go off across the country BAGHDAD: Car bombs ripped through Shiite pilgrims near Baghdad while militants attacked a city council headquarters and a police station, in Iraq-wide violence that killed at least 66 people yesterday, officials said. The killing of the pilgrims underscored the danger of sectarian violence in Iraq, while the attacks on the city council and police station in Salaheddin province showed the impunity with which militants can strike even targets that should be highly secure. Violence in Iraq has reached a level not seen since 2008, when the country was emerging from a period of brutal sectarian killings, and has raised fears it is slipping back into all-out conflict.

In the Rashid area south of Baghdad, two car bombs targeted Shiite pilgrims, killing at least 22 people and wounding at least 52, security and medical officials said. Hundreds of thousands of people, many of them on foot, make pilgrimages to the holy city of Karbala during the 40 days after the annual commemoration marking the death of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson, Hussein. The 40th day, known as Arbaeen, falls on Dec 23 this year.

Sunni militants including those linked to AlQaeda frequently target members of Iraq’s Shiite majority, whom they consider to be apostates. In the city of Tikrit, militants detonated a car bomb near the city council headquarters and then occupied the building, with employees still inside. Iraqi security forces surrounded the building, and then carried out an assault that Counter-Terrorism Ser vice spokesman Sabah Noori said freed 40 people

BAGHDAD: An Iraqi man inspects a minibus damaged in a car bomb attack yesterday. — AP who were held inside. “ We freed all the detonated a car bomb at the gate of the stahostages” and killed one suicide bomber, while tion, after which three entered, shot dead an officer and a policeman, and waited inside. two others blew themselves up, Noori told AFP. A police major and a doctor said that a city Special forces then attacked, killing one of the council member and two police were killed, militants, while the other two blew themselves though it was unclear whether they died dur- up, killing three police. Gunmen also killed ing the initial attack or the later assault by secu- three soldiers guarding an oil pipeline near rity forces. The assault came after suicide Tikrit, while two oil protection police were bombers struck a police station in the town of killed and three wounded by a bomb south of Baiji, also in Salaheddin province. One bomber the northern city of Kirkuk. —AFP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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

German towns hang hopes on private schools BRIESEN, Germany: Peeling paint and boarded-up windows mark the tiny main street in the eastern German village of Briesen where a new private high school improbably stands. Briesen High School is among a growing number of private schools replacing their shuttered state predecessors, closed when enrolment sinks too low, as local communities look for new ways to grapple with the impact of an ageing population. “The state has completely abandoned the region,” said Peter Stumm, long-time head of the Briesen area’s local council.

Private schools are on the rise nationwide but the increase is especially strong - nearly doubling from 2000 to 2011 - in the ex-communist East, where the demographic crunch is felt the most.

Headmistress Cynthia Werner stressed the benefits that Briesen’s new school can offer its 78 pupils as she handed an ice pack out of the fridge in her office to an injured student. “Because we are a

small school, we understand each other’s needs here, we have an understanding of how the collective works,” Werner, wearing a floor-length purple skirt and dreadlocks, told AFP. Germany’s overall birth rate is one of the lowest in the industrialised world, and the population was found this year to be 1.5 million smaller than previously thought in the first census since before its 1990 reunification. Births in Brandenburg, the eastern state where Briesen is located, have stabilised in recent years after a collapse following the fall of the Berlin Wall. But because of an expected “generational echo”, planners are already preparing for the number of births to nearly halve by 2030.

Faced with small class sizes in 2007, the state school in Briesen was closed.

“It was sad, really sad, and a shame for the kids,” said mother Kerstin Kaul, 46, who worried about a commute to a town 20 km away for her daughter.

Community leaders thought that without a high school, the shrinking population in Briesen and surrounding areas would be further hit. “If students have to go to a secondary school in the towns, in the cities, they won’t get an apprenticeship that’s useful for this agricultural region here,” said Roland Meister, who in 2009 was the founding headmaster of the private school. “They will stay and work wherever they went away to school, not come back here,” he said.

Why move somewhere with no school?

Non-vocational schools in Germany have decreased to about 34,000 in 2012 from about 44,000 in 1992, according to federal statistics. In eastern states, where a post-communism slump in births led to even starker demographic change, their number almost halved. “If you are a young person who wants to have kids, have a family, would you move to an area

where there is no school? That’s exactly why we need one,” Stumm said.

When the state school closed in 2007, it was his idea to find a non-profit organisation to open a new one. On a drive through the fields and tiny villages where he has spent most of his life, Stumm points to family homes built after the Iron Curtain’s fall and a new nursing home under construction. With fewer babies being born, Stumm said the government was giving up on a future for communities like his. “They don’t want any schools in small towns,” he said.

In Wriezen, about 60 km north of Briesen, a public high school that closed at the end of the school year in 2007 reopened after the summer break as a private church school. Last year, a community group, formed to protest the closing of a public school outside the eastern city of Leipzig, ended up opening its own private school. But Hermann Budde, who for 20 years was head of planning for

Brandenburg state’s education ministry, said that among regional planners “there is not a lot of sympathy for this solution”.

Private schools compete with remaining state schools for students and tax dollars so critics worry more new private schools could leech resources from the public system. “All of the planning... how to keep the public school system stable, in spite of having fewer students in the region, it all suddenly falls apart when an additional competitor enters the market,” Budde said. Ahead of an expected future dip in the birth rate, regional educational officials in Brandenburg are already planning to combine primary school classes and test e-learning models. But private school advocates argue their value in Germany’s shrinking village. “In the old thinking, the state had a monopoly on schools,” said Meister. “But there is no reason why someone other than the state might do this work to the same quality.” —AFP

Lab horses end up on French dinner tables PARIS: Meat from horses used in laboratory procedures was sold as fit for human consumption and landed on French dinner tables, investigators said yesterday.

Officers from France’s National Gendarmerie, accompanied by food safety and veterinary investigators, carried out raids in 11 regions in southern France before dawn, arresting 21 people, according to a statement.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity because details had not yet been released, said the animals had been used in laboratories - including that of drugmaker Sanofi-Pasteur - and then, instead of being destroyed, ended up in the food chain. Sanofi told Le Parisien newspaper yesterday that the horses were used to create antibodies against rabies and tetanus among others. The company, which said it cooperated in the investigation, said it has resold about 200 horses in the past three years to vet

schools, individuals and professionals.

The company said the lab uses horses for about three years before re-selling them, tagged and certified. It said it does not carry out testing on the animals, only make lifesaving medicines. Benoit Hamon, France’s consumer affairs minister, told RTL radio that it was a question of food safety, rather than simple fraud.

“These were horses that should have ended up at the slaughterhouse, and instead they ended up at the butcher,” he said.

Hamon drew a sharp distinction between yesterday’s raids and a scandal earlier this year in which inexpensive - but edible - horse meat was passed off as beef and sold in supermarkets and restaurants around Europe. “There are horses that should end up neither on your plate nor at the butcher, and that’s the work of this investigation” he said. —AP PRETORIA: Helicopters carrying the South African flag fly over a 9-m bronze statue of South African former president Nelson Mandela which was unveiled yesterday on the lawns of the Union Buildings, the seat of government where Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president in 1994. — AFP

South Africa moves on Giant statue of Mandela unveiled

ANKARA: EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and Turkeyís Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu show the agreements they signed yesterday. — AP

Turkey, EU sign deals on immigrants, visas ANKARA: Turkey and the European Union signed an agreement yesterday allowing EU governments to send back illegal immigrants crossing into Europe from Turkey in a move highlighting a thaw in relations with the 28-member bloc. Turkey lies on a major route for illegal migration into Europe from Africa and the Middle East, and some in western Europe fear Turkish membership would widen the bloc’s borders too far to the fringes of Iran, Iraq and Syria. At a ceremony in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom also signed an accord to enter into discussions on dropping visa requirements for Turks visiting Europe.

The agreements are a fresh sign of improved ties between Ankara and the EU after they began a new round of membership talks last month following a three-year hiatus. “A new process in Turkish-EU relations is beginning,” Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech at the ceremony. “With our signatures today, the European doors are being opened for visafree travel by Turkish citizens.”

Turkey began negotiations to join the EU in 2005, 18 years after applying. But a series of political obstacles, notably over the divided island of Cyprus, and resistance to Turkish membership in Germany and France, have slowed progress.

Negotiations had most recently been delayed by the bloc in protest over a Turkish crackdown on anti-government demonstrations over the summer.

New Launch Malmstrom said she hoped the readmission agreement would be ratified by the two sides without delay and substantial progress would soon be made in the visa liberalisation dialogue, although she declined to be drawn on a timeframe. “This autumn there has been a new launch in relations ... (The agreement) can contribute to building trust and can lead to new types of co-operation,” she told Reuters. Turkey has provisionally closed just one of 35 chapters it must negotiate with the EU to bring its laws into line with the 28-nation bloc’s standards. It has 13 other chapters open.

Erdogan rejected what he said was an impression in Europe that Turks would surge into the EU if requirements were lifted. “If EU visas are abolished, neither Turkey nor EU member countries will experience the slightest problem ...

We are coming to take on a burden, not to be a burden,” he said. Talks on the “readmission agreement” to send back illegal immigrants had been stalled for years, largely due to Turkish distrust over the EU’s willingness to ease visa rules. Malmstrom said the number of irregular migrants travelling into Europe from Turkey had been steadily falling to around 20,000 this year from more than three times that number in 2010, partly due to better border co-operation with Greece and the economic crisis making Europe less appealing. —Reuters

PRETORIA: On a public holiday dedicated to reconciliation, South Africans started coming to terms with the loss of Nelson Mandela yesterday, unveiling a giant statue to honour his struggle for equality. A day after the democracy icon was buried with full honours in his boyhood village nearly 1,000 km away, a nine-metre bronze likeness was unveiled on the lawns of the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria. This is where generations of apartheid heads of state signed many of the racial laws Mandela spent most of his life fighting against, but also where he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president in 1994.

Last week, up to 100,000 people stood there in hours-long queues to file past Mandela’s open casket as he lay in state for three days. President Jacob Zuma presided over the unveiling of the giant statue of a smiling Mandela in mid-stride, arms stretched out in a welcoming gesture, sporting a trademark “Madiba shirt”. Zuma said the outstretched arms denoted that “South Africa is now a democratic country, he is embracing the entire nation, he is advancing to the nation to say: ‘let us

come together, let us unite’.”

For 50 million compatriots, Mandela was not just a statesman and president, but a moral guide who led their polarised country away from internecine racial conflict. The 4.5-tonne statue is the largest of many erected around the world in honour of the anti-apartheid hero. Many show Mandela with his fist raised defiantly in the air.

“When one looks at comrade Madiba’s statue out there... it is almost like we are hitting the last nail in the coffin of apartheid,” Cyril Ramaphosa, deputy president of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), told the ceremony - using the clan name by which the statesman was fondly known. “Now our father is up there saying to the world we have defeated apartheid.” The towering statue had been planned long before Mandela’s death. Built at a cost of some eight million rand ($800,000), it replaces a statue of Barry Hertzog, an Afrikaner nationalist who was prime minister of South Africa from 1924 to 1939.

Zuma thanked a representative of the Hertzog family who attended the ceremony for their per-

mission to move the Afrikaner’s statue elsewhere in the gardens. And he announced the Union Buildings would become a national heritage site, “to write a new and inclusive narrative for our country”. “While we acknowledge the past, we also emphasise that we are now one nation and that our national symbols need to reflect that unity in diversity,” the president said.

‘Reconciliation, peace’ South Africans of all hues gathered at the Union Buildings to follow the unveiling on big screens as a 21-gun salute rang out and air force jets flew over in a “missing man” formation usually reserved to honour a fallen pilot. “Reconciliation, peace, that’s what this is about,” said Afrikaner Retha Jansen, 63, who came to be part of history. Zuma stressed that for true reconciliation to be possible, injustices from the past still have to be corrected. “We have always understood that true reconciliation would not take place successfully in the midst of glaring socio-economic disparities” in one of the world’s most unequal nations.—AFP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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

Bachelet has big win in Chile presidential vote President-elect vows profound changes SANTIAGO: President-elect Michelle Bachelet vowed to initiate profound changes after winning the seat by the biggest victory in eight decades. But analysts noted that the 41 percent voter turnout was the lowest since Chile’s return to democracy, suggesting she’ll need to move deliberately, not radically, when she begins her second turn in office next year.

“The social and political conditions are here and at last the moment has arrived,” Bachelet

spoke publicly.

Bachelet then planned to meet with congressional party leaders who will be key to approving her $15 billion program to overhaul education, improve health care and reduce the vast gap between rich and poor. The moderate socialist ended her 2006-10 presidency with 84 percent approval ratings despite failing to achieve any major changes. This time, Chilean leftists vow to take over the streets again if the

SANTIAGO: Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera (center), his wife Cecilia Morel (left) and President-elect Michell Bachelet pose for photos at her home in Santiago yesterday.—AP said after winning 62 percent of the vote in a runoff against the center-right’s candidate, Evelyn Matthei.

“If I’m here it’s because we believe that a Chile for everyone is necessary,” Bachelet added. “It won’t be easy, but when has it been easy to change the world?” Bachelet will be sworn in on March 11, 2014, giving President Sebastian Pinera nearly three months left in office. They shared an hourlong breakfast at Bachelet’s home yesterday to discuss the transition, and neither

politicians don’t follow through. Chile is the world’s top copper exporter, and its fast-growing economy, low unemployment and stable democracy are the envy of Latin America. But millions of Chileans who have protested in recent years say more of the copper wealth should be used to reduce income inequality and fix public schools.

Matthei’s 37 percent was the center-right’s worst performance in two decades, and yet Jovino Novoa, vice-president of the right-wing

Democratic Independent Union, asserted Monday that Bachelet “doesn’t have the representation nor the mandate for extreme positions.”

The center-right Renovation National’s president, Carlos Larrain, was more accepting, saying “Michelle Bachelet is the president of Chile and she’s been elected with a very solid majority.”

Bachelet’s center-left New Majority coalition, which now includes Communist Party members, has a slim majority in both houses. But changing the Pinochet-era electoral system and constitution require super-majorities. “She’ll achieve some things: The tax reform is in her pocket. ... I think student leaders who have been elected to Congress will sign off on educational reform.

Bachelet’s expectations are high, but things will be achieved,” said Kenneth Bunker, a Chilean political scientist.

Patricio Navia, a Chilean political scientist at New York University, sees a tough road for Bachelet, who ran the UN’s women’s agency after leaving the presidency. “Her biggest challenge will be to match expectations with reality,” Navia said. “She campaigned that the country was going to continue growing at 6 percent a year and it’s barely going to grow at 3 percent a year. The expectations are much higher than what she’ll be able to deliver.”

This was Chile’s first presidential election after voter registration became automatic, increasing the electorate from 8 million to 13.5 million of the country’s nearly 17 million people. But voting became optional with the change, and only 5.5 million voted in the runoff - 41 percent.

“It’s the most decisive victory in eight decades, but the most important thing is that Bachelet got fewer votes than her four predecessors, including herself in 2006,” Navia said. “There isn’t really a big confidence vote for the reforms some people want to implement.”

M any Chileans complain that policies imposed by Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s 1973-90 dictatorship have kept wealth and power in few hands. Pinochet effectively ended land reform by selling off the nation’s water, and he preserved the best educations for elites by ending central control and funding of public schools. — AP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Supporter of indigenous people clash with police officers during a protest at the old Indian Museum, next to the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, yesterday. The Indian museum has been at the center of a drawn-out legal battle between the several dozen indigenous who had been living there for years and state and local authorities. — AP

28-year sentence in Ohio $100m charity scam CLEVELAND: A judge handed down a 28year prison sentence yesterday to a man convicted of masterminding a $100 million, cross-country Navy veterans charity fraud.

Judge Steven Gall imposed the sentence on the defendant who identifies himself as 67-year old Bobby Thompson.

Authorities say is Harvard-trained attorney John Donald Cody. The Ohio attorney general’s office, which handled his trial, asked the judge in a filing last week to sentence him to 41 years in prison. In addition, the prosecution recommended a $6.3 million fine. Judge Steven Gall fined him $6 million. The defense has asked for a new trial.

Defense attorney Joseph Patituce said after the verdict that ineffective legal representation issues stemming from limited preparation time and his client’s erratic cooperation might be a basis for an appeal.

The defense hinted at a CIA covert operation and showed jurors photos of the defendant with President George W. Bush, suggesting Thompson was acting with government sanction.

Thompson was convicted Nov. 14 of racketeering, theft, money laundering and 12 counts of identity theft. The prosecutor showed jurors identification cards with the defendant’s photo but different names and issued by government agencies and companies in numerous states.

Thompson sat upright, taking notes during much of his trial but turned unpredictable in the final few days, appearing in court with his shirt unbuttoned to his waist and uncombed hair hanging down his face.

The judge, who expressed irritation with

Thompson over his appearance, issued an order that Thompson be “dressed, groomed and showered” by 8 a.m. on trial days and directed deputies to bring him to court “by any means necessary.”

Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office plans to ask the judge to assign $330,778 of the seized money to cover investigation and trial costs. The office also wants $650,871.30 for a default judgment order, with the money going to veterans charities, according to Dan Tierney, a DeWine spokesman.

An additional $101,000 seized from Thompson has already been distributed by Ohio to veterans charities. The onetime fugitive signaled he would testify at trial but changed his mind.

The fraud occurred in 41 states, according to trial testimony, and Ohio took the lead, indicting Thompson in 2010. He disappeared for nearly two years and was arrested last year in Portland, Oregon. He was convicted of looting the United States Navy Veterans Association, a charity he ran in Tampa, Florida. Only a fraction of the $100 million was found. When Thompson was arrested, authorities found fake IDs and a suitcase with $980,000 in cash.

Records show the defendant had showered politicians, often Republicans, with political donations. Politicians who received donations from him, according to campaign finance filings, include Bush and former presidential contenders Mitt Romney, John McCain and Rudolph Giuliani. The defendant was identified through military fingerprint records. —AP

Mormon feminists don pants to promote Church equality

WAYNE: Wayne County sheriff ’s deputies secure the scene while investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Investigation search a mobile home in Wayne County’s Green Township on Sunday. (Inset) Jerrod Metsker (24) of Green Township, Ohio. — AP

Neighbor of slain Ohio girl held without bond WOOSTER, Ohio: An Ohio man who authorities believe killed a 9-year-old neighbor and dumped her body in a trash bin was ordered held without bond yesterday pending another hearing next week.

Jerrod Metsker, 24, appeared for an arraignment before a Wayne County municipal court judge via video from jail. The county public defender was appointed to represent him on charges that he killed Reann Murphy, whose family lives across from him in a trailer park in Smithville, about 30 miles southwest of Akron. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec 23.

County prosecutor Daniel Lutz said the case could go to a grand jury on Friday if the evidence is processed in time.

Metsker was arrested on Sunday, about 12 hours after deputies found Reann’s body in a trash bin near her home. The girl was last seen Saturday night playing outdoors at the park. Her body was found about five hours after she was

reported missing. Officers, firefighters and neighbors joined in the search for her, going door to door and combing area properties. Her body was found early Sunday.

Authorities did not offer a possible motive yesterday for her killing. Lutz said a coroner will determine the cause of death but that the girl was not shot or stabbed. Metsker was arrested at his home after he ignored knocks on his front door and deputies obtained a key from a family member, Wayne County Sheriff Travis Hutchinson said Sunday at a news conference.

Hutchinson described Metsker as a family friend and neighbor. People in the little girl’s community held a vigil Sunday night to remember her.

Her father, Richard Murphy, tried to speak but broke down crying, according to WEWS-TV. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me ... this is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life,” Murphy said. Murphy released some balloons into the air during vigil in remem-

brance of his daughter. “She saved my life,” Murphy said. “I wish I could trader her places.” A cousin, Paula Watts, said she “can’t believe somebody would do this to her. I can’t believe anyone would do it to any child, but she’s amazing, the most friendliest little girl you ever met.” The Daily Record in Wooster reported that Richard Murphy said of his daughter: “All she did was love people.” Marilyn Briggs, who lives in a house next to the mobile home park where Reann lived, said she didn’t know the little girl or her family but was shaken by the killing. “It sickens me and I’m so sad for the family, and this close to Christmas,” Briggs said. “It’s just awful. You never think something like that is going to happen in your area.”

Briggs described the park as a bit run-down but generally safe. She said she wasn’t aware of any serious crimes in the area in the eight years she’s lived there. Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers in Cincinnati contributed to this report. — AP

SALT LAKE CITY: Mormon feminists wore pants to church services on Sunday, rather than their usual dresses or skirts, as a symbol of gender equality and inclusiveness in the traditionalist faith. The effort was aimed at building on momentum from the inaugural “Wear Pants to Church” day a year ago and marked a break with deeply ingrained customs for women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religion known for its patriarchal structure.

“I realize it sounds like a crazy thing.

Women wear pants all the time, but sometimes at church it feels like we’re asked to adopt gender roles that are very traditional,” organizer Nancy Ross, 33, of St George, Utah, told Reuters. “We want to show people that we are active and faithful and that there is more than one way to be good Mormon women.”

Officially, the Mormon church does not impose any dress code for worship but many women say they feel pressured to put on a dress or a skirt for services.

Church officials offered no specific comment on the pants day movement beyond a prepared statement that said: “attending church is about worship and learning to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Generally Church members are encouraged to wear their best clothing as a sign of respect for the Savior, but we don’t counsel people beyond that.”

Mormon Jami Baayd, 31, said she was nervous walking into her Salt Lake City congregation on Sunday in black pants

with her husband and three children. A self-described feminist, Baayd was not sure how her congregation might react.

“This definitely deepened my faith. It also deepened my optimism,” she said. “There is a future for progressive Mormons, that we can do better for the gay community, for women and for people of color.”

The congregation’s leader, Bishop Thomas Denison, said he does not care how members dress as long as they come to church. “The clothing that we wear doesn’t really have anything to do with the message of the Church,” said Denison. Last year’s event, which was focused on gender disparities, drew backlash from members who thought women in pants at church was an insult to the religion.

“There are members of my (congregation) that were really unhappy with my choice. They didn’t make it known to me, but they complained behind my back,” organizer Jerilyn Hassell Pool, of Medford, Oregon, told Reuters.

Organizers said pants day events were to be held worldwide on Sunday, but there was no official word on how many women turned up at church in pants around the world.

Mary Ellen Robertson, director of the Sunstone Symposium, an annual forum on Mormon culture and scholarship, said: “There has been a lot of movement in the Church this year. Whether those baby steps add up to a bigger step, we’ll see.” — Reuters

FBI disrupts shootings through interventions WASHINGTON: The FBI has helped to disrupt or prevent nearly 150 shootings and violent attacks this year, in part by steering potential gunmen toward mental health professionals.

There have been hundreds of these disruptions since 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder told an audience of police chiefs in October, touting the behind-the-scenes work of a small FBI unit based out of Quantico, Virginia. In most cases, the FBI has helped potential offenders get access to mental health care. Preventing mass shootings through threat assessments and treatment is an unusual tactic for an agency known for its crime fighting and not for interventions. The achieve-

ment stands out during a time when President Barack Obama made curbing gun violence a priority for his administration, yet has had very little success.

One year after the deadly mass shooting at a Connecticut elementar y school, the White House’s biggest efforts to curb gun violence - attempts to reinstate the assault weapons ban and expand background checks for all gun purchases - failed without congressional support. Mass shootings like the rampages in Newtown, Connecticut, the Washington, DC, Navy Yard and the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater do not represent the majority of gun violence. Yet when they do occur, the impact is high. And

many times there’s the question of whether the shooter had adequate mental health treatment to prevent it from happening. Yet, in the national discourse about reducing gun violence, mental health treatment has received much less attention than banning assault weapons.

The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, for years, has been working with state and local authorities to profile potential offenders with the goal of preventing violent crimes like mass shootings.

The “prevented” shootings and violent attacks from Januar y through November of this year represent 148 cases that a division of that unit, the Behavioral Threat Assessment Center,

has conferred on during 2013. And that number is up 33 percent from 2012, Andre Simmons, unit chief of the center, said in an interview.

In the past year, this unit has received about three new cases a week referred by federal, state, local and campus law enforcement, schools, businesses and houses of worship, Simmons said. The Behavioral Threat Assessment Center gets involved when someone notifies law enforcement, for example, about some troubling behavior, and law enforcement reaches out to the center to help assess the situation. “The people around that subject often become fearful that that outcome is catastrophic act of violence,

such as an active shooting or some type of mass attack,” Simmons said.

The center is staffed by agents and analysts of the FBI, the US Capitol Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives and a psychiatrist. It helps the local officials assess the threat the person of concern poses.

And then the center recommends how to proceed. Depending how far along the person is on the “pathway to violence,” Simmons said, the center makes recommendations based on the specific case. The recommendations could be arrest, if the person is involved in illegal activity, but most often, it’s getting that person access to mental health care, he said. — AP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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

Gang-rape emboldened victims: Campaigners Girl’s family speaks out on anniversary of attack

DHAKA: Bangladeshi women sing the national anthem at 4.31pm, the exact moment when the Pakistan army surrendered on this day in 1971, as they gather at a rally to mark the country’s Victory Day in Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh won independence from Pakistan after a bitter nine-month war in 1971 led by the country’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and this is celebrated every year on December 16. — AFP

Indian state Oks bill against religious charlatans NEW DELHI: Witch doctors and religious charlatans beware: New legislation passed in a central Indian state aims at prosecuting those who use beliefs and superstitions to defraud or physically harm followers.

Maharashtra became the first state to pass such legislation in multicultural and secular India, where witch doctors and Hindu holy men enjoy huge popularity and can amass millions in tributes or fees for promised miracles and health cures.

Once the bill is signed by the governor, police will be able to investigate religious fraud, extremism and human sacrifice.

Activists said they’d like to see such legislation passed nationwide.

“This is great news,” said activist Deepak Girme of the Maharashtra Blind Faith Eradication Committee. “A lot of awareness has been raised about the fact that this superstitious mindset still exists among the poor, who are often illiterate and uneducated.” On Sunday night, police arrested six men for beheading a 50-year-old woman in a ritual human sacrifice on the outskirts of Mumbai. The victim had gone to visit a holy man over concerns for her ailing son, but instead was sacrificed by some of his followers who threw her head over a bridge in an act they believed would cure them of their own health problems, according to district police superintendent Anil Kumbhar.

Police did not say if the religious man who advised the beheading received any payment or tribute. Lawmakers in the state,

where the main financial city of Mumbai is located, passed the legislation following an 18-year debate and intense lobbying from activist Narendra Dabholkar, who was gunned down Aug. 20 after receiving death threats for encouraging villagers to embrace secular and scientific reason. Last week, police arrested two men suspected of killing Dabholkar. “Our mission has long been to show that these people are against the downtrodden and depressed, these are the people who have been looting from this country since the beginning,” said Girme, whose organization was founded by Dabholkar.

Opponents of the legislation have said it represents an attack on religious freedom.

In passing the bill Saturday, the assembly was careful to exempt many common religious or cultural practices in India, including consulting astrologers or palm readers, preaching from ancient Hindu scriptures or mythology, or fasting or flagellation during the Muslim holiday of Muharram. Activists regretted that the legislation allows for complaints from only victims and their families and not from third parties - which they said would limit the bill’s effectiveness as most victims are invested in superstitious beliefs and would not likely complain.

India has long been committed to secularism despite its cacophony of cultures defined by caste, clan, tribe or religion, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, H induism, Sik hism, Jainism and Buddhism. —AP

NEW DELHI: The fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi shattered India’s silence over sexual violence and emboldened victims to speak out, family members and campaigners said yesterday on the anniversary of the attack.

The victim’s father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the assault on his 23-year-old daughter on a moving bus on December 16 last year “shook not just us but the entire country and the world”. “We will only say that this date should be celebrated... so that people keep getting inspired and keep joining this movement, coming together to ensure the safety of women,” the father told India’s NDTV network.

Her mother said her daughter’s bravery before her death should continue to motivate Indian women to “fight against such crimes and to raise their voices against such crimes”.

The physiotherapy student suffered a savage sexual assault at the hands of six men, including with an iron rod, after she boarded a private bus while going home from the cinema with a male friend. She died from her injuries 13 days later. The brutality of the attack, and her determination to survive so she could report her attackers to police, sparked large-scale and sometimes violent protests as well as soul-searching about India’s treatment of women.

The case led to reform of rape and sexual assault laws and shone an international spotlight on what Indian women’s groups called a “rape epidemic” in the country. Four of her attackers were convicted and given the death penalty in September after the case was fast-tracked, while a juvenile was sentenced to a detention centre.

While police expect annual figures to show a rise in the number of reported rapes, campaigners say the increase is in fact a welcome indicator of changing attitudes.

“Last year’s movement seems to have empowered more people to speak out against sexual violence,” Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association, told the Indian Express newspaper. Divya Iyer, a researcher for Amnesty International, agreed that more women were coming forward to report attacks-but said it was a trend largely confined to towns and cities.

“Women have been empowered to speak out since the case and there are more crimes being reported. But you have to look at who are these women, where is this happening?” Iyer said. “It is mainly middle-class women. It is not across the board.... in rural areas in particular, access to justice is a problem. “Not only is there social stigma, but there is no guarantee that their complaint of rape will be taken seriously by police, let alone result in a conviction,” she added.

The comments came as pressure mounted on a retired Supreme Court judge accused of sexually

NEW DELHI: Indian students take out a candle light vigil on the first anniversary of the rape and murder of a young student in New Delhi yesterday. The victim, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, became a rallying cry for tens of thousands protesting the treatment of women. — AP harassing a law intern in a case that has shaken the legal community. The woman has claimed the judge harassed her in a hotel room in December last year-around the time huge protests were tak-

ing place over the Delhi gang-rape. Her affidavit to a three-judge panel set up to look into the allegations was detailed in the Indian Express yesterday.—AFP

Pakistani cleric shot dead in reprisal attack ISLAMABAD: A prominent Pakistani Shiite Muslim cleric has been shot dead in what Taleban militants said was a reprisal attack for the killing of Sunni Muslims a month ago.

Sectarian violence has been on the rise in Pakistan, adding to the list of concerns for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a time when security forces are already stretched fighting an escalating Islamist insurgency in the northwest.

Allama Nasir Abbas, leader of Tehreek Nifaz Fiqah-E-Jafaria, a banned Shiite organization, was shot by gunmen on a motorbike as he drove home after addressing a religious gathering in the city of Lahore on Sunday evening.

“It’s a targeted attack. The gunmen shot him from close range when he was driving home along with his driver and a friend,” Lahore police chief Chaudhry Shafeeq told Reuters.

“Abbas died on the way to hospital. His driver and friend were unhurt.” The Pakistani Taleban, who are Sunni Muslim militants, claimed responsibility, saying the killing was

revenge for an attack in the city of Rawalpindi in which eight Sunnis were killed a month ago during a Shi’ite procession.

“We have killed this man for his direct involvement in the Rawalpindi killings,” said the a Taleban spokesman, Ahmed Ali Entiqami. “We plan to carry out more Shiite killings on a largescale.” In Lahore, hundreds of people gathered yesterday to offer funeral prayers of the Shi’ite cleric, paralyzing traffic in Pakistan’s political and cultural capital. Shiite Muslims make up about 20 percent of Pakistan’s 180 million population. More than 800 Shiites have been killed in attacks in Pakistan since the beginning of 2012, according to Human Rights Watch.

Meanwhile, a roadside bomb yesterday killed a senior bomb disposal officer along with two other policemen in Pakistan’s troubled northwest, police said. Abdul Haq, 43, who had defused more than 60 bombs in his career, was headed to the suburb of Badhaber in the city of Peshawar after being called out to deal with a device. — Agencies

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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

N Korea troops pledge loyalty en bloc Seoul puts forces on alert SEOUL: Tens of thousands of North Korean troops pledged their loyalty to leader Kim Jong-Un yesterday as Seoul put its forces on alert for “reckless provocations” after its communist rival staged a political purge.

The mass rally in Pyongyang came ahead of today’s second anniversary of the death of longtime leader Kim Jong-Il, whose sudden demise thrust his young son to the helm of the secretive state.

Kim has been making efforts to demonstrate his firm grip on power following the shock execution Thursday of his uncle Jang Song-Thaek, prompting both Seoul and Washington to warn that vigilance is needed against any surprises by the nuclear-armed regime.

Photos from state media showed tens of thousands of troops carrying red flags marching in a large square in front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the spiritual heart of the regime which houses the

embalmed bodies of Kim Jong-Il and his father Kim Il-Sung.

Some soldiers held flags bearing portraits of founding father Kim Il-Sung while others carried a giant banner urging all troops to hold his grandson Kim Jong-Un in “high esteem as the party centre”.

Public support from the military is likely even more important following the execution of Jang, a veteran fixer and political eminence he was seen as playing a key role in bolstering the leadership of the young and inexperienced Kim. “Given the latest development in the North, it is uncertain to what directions its political situations would evolve,” South Korean President Park Geun-Hye said in a meeting with advisors yesterday.

“We also can’t rule out the possibility of contingencies such as reckless provocations,” she said, urging the military to step up vigilance near the heavily fortified border with the North.—AFP

North Korea explodes myth of Kim dynasty SEOUL: Nor th Korea’s propaganda machine has long kept alive the myth of a serene, all-powerful ruling dynasty that enjoyed universal love and support at home. In a single stroke last week, that came crashing down. In attempting to justify the execution of his uncle, who was also considered North Korea’s No 2 official, young leader Kim Jong Un has given the world a rare look behind the scenes of a notoriously hard-to-read government.

It is not a pretty sight, and many analysts believe Pyongyang’s eagerness to pillory Jang Song Thaek not only destroys the image of unity projected by state-run media but also acknowledges dissension and a dangerous instability. That’s an alarming prospect as Kim Jong Un tries to revive a moribund economy even as he pushes development of nuclear-armed missiles.

The subtext to the over-the-top demonizing of Jang - he was accused of drug use, gambling, a planned military coup and massive corruption - was a shocking admission: the Kim family wasn’t in total control. Contradicting past assertions of unity and strength, Nor th Korea has acknowledged that the leadership had indeed been roiled because of the challenge by Kim’s mentor and uncle after the 2011 death of Kim’s father, the late dictator Kim Jong Il. As nervous officials and apparatchiks gather today in Pyongyang for the second anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, the as-yet unanswerable question now is, what comes next? The charges against Jang must be taken with a large dose of skepticism; as always, the world only gets to see what the North Koreans want seen, and there’s no way to prove what’s true and what’s not. But the fact that the claims are being aired in public, and in such detail, opens up a new view of a struggling leadership in Pyongyang, one that outside government officials and analysts are scrambling to figure out.

Kim Jong Un “has managed to tarnish his own image, look like a modern Caligula and give the lie to 90 percent of the bombast emanating from Pyongyang,” said Bruce Cumings, a Korea specialist and history professor at the University of Chicago, adding that the move indicates high-level and deep divisions.

“Whatever one thinks of this regime, from the standpoint of the top leadership this was a politically stupid, self-defeating

move,” he said. The closest historical parallel to Jang’s fall may be in North Korean show trials during the 1950s, which eliminated opponents of Kim Il Sung, the countr y ’s founder and the current leader ’s grandfather.

Fallen from favor For many years, outside interpretations of internecine struggles were at best educated guesses. Analysts tried to determine who had fallen from favor by the physical distance between an official and the leader in pictures or from a void in state media or an announcement of sudden illness. Assumptions were also linked to the sometimes questionable assertions of North Korean defectors, many of whom had been out of the country for years and had axes to grind.

All the while, Pyongyang usually insisted that all was well domestically and, without fail, the Kims were firmly in control.

Now, astonishingly, state media say someone tried to usurp the leadership. And not just anybody, but a man closest to the leader because of family ties and shared history. Jang was once also seen as the closest thing the country had to a reformer and a darling of Beijing, which is North Korea’s only major ally.

“We now know for sure that the Kim regime is afraid of the emergence of a renegade insider who may attempt to take advantage of the North’s economic problems and the people’s yearning for a better life to seize power with military backing,” Alexandre Mansourov, a North Korea specialist, wrote on the website 38 North.

“This prospect keeps Kim Jong Un awake at night.”

The portrayal of the Jang episode in North Korea’s propagandist media, which had always tried to cloak Kim Jong Un in greatness, also opens up the leader to suggestions that he was a bad judge of character.

“What is remarkable here is that Kim clearly trusted Jang,” Adam Cathcart, a history lecturer at the University of Leeds and editor of SinoNK.com, wrote in a recent analysis of the state media reporting about Jang’s fall. “Why would Kim be so naive as to install a man so dangerous in his inner circle? It’s a question that’s implicit in the article - but one that must not be asked.”

There will be little public questioning in Pyongyang of what’s actually happening, of course. —AP

DANDONG: North Korean soldiers stand on the banks of the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong yesterday. —AFP

Vietnam sentences two ex-executives to death Shipping firm bosses found guilty of corruption HANOI: A Vietnamese court sentenced two former bosses of a state-owned shipping company to death yesterday after finding them guilty of corruption in a high-profile trial apparently aimed at showing the government’s intent in cracking down on graft.

Public anger at rampant corruption is chipping away at the legitimacy of Vietnam’s Communist leaders as they struggle with a stuttering economy and an explosion of online dissent. The leaders have vowed to get tough on graft, but there is skepticism that they have the will to tackle the deeply entrenched problem beyond stern sentencing measures. The Hanoi People’s Court convicted Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of Vietnam National Shipping Lines, or Vinalines, and the company’s former general director, Mai Van Phuc, of embezzling $476,000 each. Eight other defendants were given prison terms ranging from four to 22 years for graft or related crimes in the four-day trial.

Presiding Judge Ngo Thi Anh said the tough sentences were needed to deter corruption. “All the defendants were party members and cadres and had many excellent achievements, but they became depraved and intentionally violated state regulations on economic management,” she said in announcing the verdict. Dung was arrested in Cambodia in September last year after nearly four months on the run.

On Saturday, when he was allowed to address the court, he said he regretted mismanagement that caused huge losses to the state, but denied the corruption allegations. “I did not receive a penny ... it’s an injustice for me,” he said. Dung and Phuc have 14 days to appeal the verdict. It was not immediately clear if they would. Capital punishment in Vietnam is by lethal injection.

Last month, a former banker at a stateowned bank and his business associate were sentenced to death for embezzlement. Hanoibased economist Nguyen Quang A said death sentences alone are not enough to prevent

HANOI: Visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) listens as Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks during a joint-press conference after their official talks in Hanoi yesterday. —AFP

graft, which is prevalent in government and the network of state-run companies that dominate much of the struggling economy. He said mechanisms were needed to stop graft from occurring in the first place. The case involved kickbacks related to the purchase of an old floating dock from a Russian company in

US, Manila ink pact to repair cemetery

US ups naval aid to SE Asia amid China threat HANOI: Taking clear aim at China’s growing aggressiveness in territorial disputes with its smaller neighbors, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced yesterday that the United States will boost maritime security assistance to the countries of Southeast Asia amid rising tensions with Beijing.

On his first visit to Vietnam as America’s top diplomat, Kerry pledged an additional $32.5 million for members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to protect their territorial waters and navigational freedom in the South China Sea, where four states have competing claims with China.

Included in the new aid is up to $18 million for Vietnam alone that will include five fast patrol-boats for its Coast Guard. With the new contribution, US maritime security assistance to the region will exceed $156 million over the next two years, he said.

Kerry said the new assistance was not a “quickly conceived reaction to any events in the region” but rather a “gradual and deliberate expansion” of US support as part of the Obama administration’s broader decision to refocus attention on the AsiaPacific region. However, his comments came as Washington and Beijing trade barbs over a near collision between US and Chinese naval vessels in the South China Sea just 11 days ago.

China announced in late November that it was establishing a defense zone over the East China Sea, a maritime area between China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. All aircraft entering the zone must notify Chinese authorities beforehand, and China would take unspecified defensive measures against those that don’t comply.

Neighboring countries and the US have said they will not honor the new zone believed aimed at claiming disputed territory - and have said it unnecessarily raises tensions. Already, China has claimed it has a sovereign right to establish a similar zone over the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines are locked in another longrunning territorial dispute. “Peace and stability in the South China Sea is a top priority for us and for countries in the region,” Kerry told reporters at a news conference with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. “We are very concerned by and strongly opposed to coercive and aggressive tactics to advance territorial claims.”

While stressing US neutrality on the competing sovereignty claims, Kerry called on China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, to quickly agree to a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea and to resolve their disputes peacefully through negotiations.

China’s increasing assertiveness in the region - including the establishment of the East China Sea air defense zone - has alarmed many of the 10 ASEAN members , including Vietnam and the Philippines, which Kerry will visit on Tuesday.

In addition, Kerry made clear that the aid is designed to help Southeast Asian nations defend their waters from encroachment and his announcement was accompanied by blunt criticism of China for its creation of a new air defense zone and suggestions that it might do the same in the South China Sea. As such, it is almost certain to anger Beijing, which bristles at what it sees as US interference in areas China considers to be in its “core interest.”— AP

2008. The dock, which was manufactured in Japan in 1965, is inoperable. Vinalines still has to pay $47,000 in monthly fees for the dock.

Many of Vietnam’s state-owned companies are weighed down by debt after years of mismanagement. Vinalines has amassed debts of $3 billion, according to state media. — AP

MANILA: Medics carry a retrieve body from a bus that fell from an elevated highway in Manila yesterday. Twenty-two people were killed when a commuter bus plunged from an elevated highway onto a van in Philippine capital, police said, warning the death toll could rise. — AFP

MANILA: US and Philippine officials signed an agreement yesterday for Washington to restore a cemetery north of Manila where the graves of thousands of American service members and dependents have been covered in ash since Mount Pinatubo’s 1991 eruption. The accord calls for the American Battle Monuments Commission to repair and maintain the Clark Veterans Cemetery for at least 10 years. President Barack Obama had earlier signed a law to finance the Philippineowned cemetery’s upkeep. The US Air Force hastily abandoned Clark Air Base, where the cemetery is located, after Mount Pinatubo’s eruption. In 1994, American veterans were shocked to find the 7-hectare (17-acre) cemetery covered in ash and weeds with half of its old steel fence looted. They cleaned up the graves but have since struggled to maintain the cemetery through volunteer work and donations.

Although the cemetery looks tidier today, it is still covered by about a foot (30 centimeters) of ash, partially burying tombstones and obscuring names, dates and epitaphs.— AP

17 dead as bus falls from Manila highway onto van MANILA: A passenger bus plunged off a wet, elevated highway in suburban Manila and fell onto a van passing below yesterday morning, killing at least 17 people and injuring some 16 others, police, hospital and mortuary staff said, revising higher tolls.

TV footage showed a number of bodies strewn around the bus wreckage with police officers nearby. The van was an unrecognizable pile of smashed white metal. The bus veered off the Skyway, as the elevated road is called, and crashed onto the van 9.6 meters (32 feet) below in suburban Paranaque city at dawn, said police Superintendent Elizabeth Velasquez.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the accident but the highway was wet from rain, said Ivy Vidal, a spokeswoman from Skyway Operations and Maintenance

Corp. Irene Sisperes, a motorist who witnessed the accident, said she was driving with her daughter at 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) when the bus overtook her car. She estimated that the bus was traveling at between 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) and 110 kph (68 mph).

She said it was still dark and it was raining when the accident happened.

“After a few meters, I saw the bus fall and I shouted, ‘The bus fell, the bus fell’,” she told DZMM radio, adding there were no other cars nearby. Sisperes said she saw the damaged railing of the highway and some debris and reported the incident at the toll gate. Velasquez earlier reported 21 died and 20 others were injured but later said there appeared to have been double counting amid the confusion. She said she was verifying reports 17 perished and a several others were injured. —AP

SURABAYA: Andrea Waldeck is guarded by an Indonesian policeman prior to her trial at a court in Surabaya yesterday. An Indonesian prosecutor sought a 16-year jail term for a British woman who has admitted trafficking crystal meth into the country from China. — AFP

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

The terror of taxation

Kuwait, Iraq ink...

2 Gitmo Saudis sent home

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During her visit to Kuwait last month, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned that if Kuwait continues to have the same level of production of oil and the same level of prices, and if nothing changes, the country will be exposed to a potential deficit in 2018. She said, “We are not advocating austerity. What we are saying is that policy makers will be well-advised to spend public funds in areas that are good for its economy going forward. Which means investing in infrastructure, education, health and housing rather than expanding the public service and letting public wages out of sensible control.”

One recent idea floated across the Gulf Cooperation Council states focuses on taxing remittances. In a country where two thirds of the population, or 2.3 million, are expat workers who send money to support families back home, an income-free salary has been the primary motive to migrate.

Expat workers in Kuwait transferred a KD 4.4 billion out of the country last year, up from KD 3.6 billion a year earlier, according to data from the Central Bank of Kuwait. Remittances in Kuwait averaged KD 1.5 billion from 1993 until 2012. In 2005, the remittance outflow from Kuwait was KD 735 million compared to KD 905 million a year later. In 2007 and 2008, the remittance outflow was KD 2.78 billion and KD 2.8 billion respectively. Remittances totaled just KD 371 million in 1993.

The argument is that the higher remittances equal less spending in Kuwait and as a consequence, less support for local businesses.

But another key issue is that Kuwaiti investors are among the top regional spenders and the country suffers from a severe lack of local investment due to the many bureaucratic constraints.

Earlier this year, reports suggested that Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance was looking into implementing a taxation system for residents, which would require expats to pay income tax and a tax on their remittances. According to previous reports, the ministry intended to introduce a mechanism for limiting foreign remittances by prohibiting expatriates from sending more money home than the monthly salary which is stipulated in their employment contract.

about the two agreements. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the two sides also discussed security cooperation and coordination in the political and diplomatic fields. He said that the investment environment in Iraq has improved dramatically and that a large number of international companies are running major investments in Iraq.

Zebari said that Baghdad has issued warrants to arrest those who fired mortars into Saudi territory close to Kuwait, adding that they are “outlaws and wanted people”. He however did not identify the group behind the attack. He said that the government of Iraq has condemned the attack and that he himself met the Saudi deputy defense minister and explained to him the situation. He said that border police has also taken measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Zebari also welcomed the agreement between Iran and Western powers over Tehran’s nuclear activities, describing it as a major achievement that serves the interests of all sides in the region. On Syria, Zebari blasted the growing influence of Al-Qaeda-linked groups and said that he does not believe that the Syrian people will accept a state headed by Al-Qaeda.

He also strongly condemned what he called “terrorist organizations” operating in Iraq and carrying out terrorist attacks against soft targets and civilians.

Sheikh Sabah said that the only solution is Syria is the choice of the Syrian people and “this is what we are counting on in the Geneva 2 peace conference scheduled to be held next month”. He said the Gulf states are taking utmost care to ensure that the representatives of the Syrian people attend the conference.

Guantanamo detainees despite the burdensome legislative restrictions that have impeded our efforts,” he said.

He added that he and his counterpart from the State Department, Cliff Sloan, are “committed” to transferring additional detainees, “to the maximum extent possible as we work to reduce the detainee population and ultimately close the facility”. A statement from Sloan echoed this sentiment: “These transfers are an important step on the road to closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.”

The State Department confirmed both men were Saudi nationals. A Defense Department document said Hamood was 48 years old. A document released by antisecrecy website WikiLeaks indicated that Qahtani was 35 years old.

A Pentagon official told AFP Monday there are still 15 Saudis in Guantanamo, some of whom are not eligible for release. Among Guantanamo’s so-called “high value prisoners” is the self-declared mastermind of the Sept 11

attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Since Obama took office, “around 80” detainees have been transferred out of the prison camp, the official said. “The transfer of the two Saudis is a very positive development,” said Wells Dixon, senior attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights, which represents several Guantanamo inmates. “I know that they were long approved for transfer,” Dixon said, adding he was “hopeful that the rate of transfers will increase substantially” if the Congressional deal easing restrictions passes.

Christopher Anders from the ACLU called their release “long overdue”. “Neither of the detainees were ever charged with a crime,” he noted. Anders expressed confidence the lighter restrictions would pass before the end of the year, which “should make it possible for the Defense Department to clear out most, if not all, of the detainees who have not been charged with a crime.”

Before these latest transfers, there were 82 inmates, including 56 Yemenis, at Guantanamo who had been cleared for release. —AFP

Israeli soldier killed on Lebanon...

Continued from Page 1 near Rosh HaNikra on the Mediterranean coast.

The crossing is known in Lebanon as Ras al-Naqoura.

In a statement, the UN chief said UNIFIL was investigating the incident in cooperation with the two armies, and urged the sides to remain calm.

“The secretary General reminds the Lebanese Armed Forces of their responsibilities under Security Council Resolution 1701 and strongly urges both sides to exercise restraint,” he said of the resolution which ended hostilities in 2006. Israel filed a protest with UNIFIL over the incident which it described as an “outrageous breach” of its sovereignty. And the

Israeli military said it had “heightened its state of preparedness” and would maintain its “right to exercise self-defence”.

Israel’s army said troops searching the area on Sunday, shortly after the shooting, had fired towards two suspects who were standing on the other side of the border, hitting one of them. Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said the shooter was understood to be “a Lebanese soldier”. “We hold the Lebanese government and Lebanese army responsible for what happens on their side,” he said. The Israeli soldier, 31year-old Master Sergeant Shlomi Cohen, was to be laid to rest at a cemetery in the northern Israeli port city of Haifa yesterday. — AFP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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Issues

Al-Qaeda Africa wing dreams global, acts local

By Michel Moutot

A

rmed extremist groups in North and West Africa may have pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda’s vision of global jihad, but they act independently of its core command and have yet to make good on threats to strike the West. Counterterrorism experts meeting in Washington noted an increase in anti-Western rhetoric from groups in the Sahel, Nigeria and Somalia, but said that African militant groups were still fighting local wars. And the United States and its allies should be cautious, they warned, of intervening in these struggles and giving African Islamists a reason to expand their campaigns to target European and American interests.

Al-Qaeda’s Yemeni franchise, once locked in a local struggle, is now an international threat that has put parcel bombs on planes and trained a Nigerian to make a failed suicide attack on a passenger jet. “The movements in Africa - they all enjoy the Al-Qaeda brand, they love the franchise.

It gives them a certain panache,” said Michael Hayden, former director of the US Central Intelligence Agency. “But I’m not sure they want to become real enemies of the United States and they want to commit to the global Islamic caliphate,” he added, referring to late Al-Qaeda figurehead Osama bin Laden’s goal of a single Muslim empire.

Hayden was speaking alongside other counterterrorism experts at The Jamestown Foundation’s annual conference on terrorism, held Thursday. While bin Laden lived for a while in Sudan and boasted that his fighters helped train the Somali militias to shoot down US helicopters, his successors appear to have no direct operational control of their African supporters. Some groups, including the North African offshoot Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, had pledged allegiance to their late “sheikh,” but bin Laden’s deputy and successor Egyptian militant Ayman Al-Zawahiri does not have the same star power.

“The jihadist movement in Africa is clearly not controlled

by Al-Zawahiri, if he controls anything,” said Peter Pham of the Atlantic Council think tank. “But the Al-Qaeda brand helps some local groups to distinguish themselves from other local competitors. It gives them a bigger sense of meaning to attract young people and in some cases the Al-Qaeda cachet helps them secure funding from overseas, especially the Gulf,” he explained.

The African groups’ ideological independence reflects their roots in different regional struggles, and has allowed them to latch onto and exploit causes such as Tuareg nationalism in Mali and northern Nigeria’s resentment of corrupt governance. But it also limits their real influence beyond their home areas, and even among diaspora African groups in the West. From core Al-Qaeda’s point of view, groups like the Sahel’s AQIM, Somalia’s Shebab and Nigeria’s Boko Haram and Ansaru have a use mainly as propaganda for a movement sometimes seen as on the back foot. “It serves AlZawahiri to make the world believe he has more influence that he really has. He is a lonely man sitting in a house somewhere,” said Pham. “He has greater perception of impact if he can claim credit or partial credit for all these independent actors in Africa.”

This view is shared by French terrorism expert JeanPierre Filiu, who told AFP: “There is no operational unity or coordinated command in Africa, these groups are linked only by the same style of jihadist propaganda.” So what should the West’s response be? If African conflicts are left to fester, might local militias one day transform into international terror threats? Or would intervening cause them to turn their guns on the West straight away? “The question we have to ask is: what is the appropriate way to deal with these groups?” asked Hayden, who led the CIA between 2006 and 2009.

“These guys in the tribal regions of Pakistan - they are already committed to killing us if they can. We don’t need to avoid making them an enemy, they are an enemy. There is no problem with putting an American face on dealing with that group. “But in Africa, they are not quite global caliphate kind of folks yet, not quite targeting the US yet. So do we want to accelerate that process by too quickly putting an American face on dealing with those groups or do we want to risk waiting too long? “It’s not an easy kind of decision,” he admitted.

And this caution in Washington is matched on the new African battlefields of today. France has not hesitated to take the fight to AQIM militants in Mali nor, in recent days, to send troops to try to put a halt to fighting and massacres in the Central African Republic that could be seized upon by Islamists. But thus far, the far bigger US military has limited itself to providing logistical support. —AFP

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.

Nigeria marks 100 years of ‘Nigeria’

By Ben Simon

J

an 1, 2014 marks the centenary of the amalgamation of southern and northern Nigeria but the anniversary looks set to be muted, amid lingering questions about whether the union can hold. In the run-up to the landmark, opinion is split between those who think amalgamation has been a boon and others who consider it the first step in the creation of a still-failing state. Writer Adewale Maja-Pearce described Africa’s most populous nation as one “imposed by the colonialists who dreamt up the fiction which has now become the nightmare we are all struggling to escape”.

The most pressing question now is whether to continue trying to “make it work”, the International New York Times columnist told AFP. Nigeria’s first step towards independence in 1960 was taken on New Year’s Day 1914 at a ceremony outside a courthouse in the southern city of Lagos. The British rulers hoped that trade would be boosted by uniting the economically faltering north with the more prosperous south.

But the primarily commercial move, as with others in Britain’s then-global empire, also fused an array of people divided by custom, language and, perhaps most importantly, faith. By the start of the 19th century, northern Nigeria, where the Fulani-Hausa ethnic group was dominant, had become a

caliphate, controlled by a structured network of Islamic theocrats. The south meanwhile consisted of scores of ethnic groups and a loosely-structured maze of leaders and tribal chiefs.

That made it a far tougher territory for the British to manage, said Ed Keazor, a historian consulting the Nigerian government on the centennial celebrations. For Frederick Lugard, Britain’s high commissioner of northern Nigeria and later the first governor-general of the amalgamated colony, the north “worked better”, added Keazor. Lugard “was an autocrat”, Keazor said. “The emirs’ (Muslim rulers) style suited his own style.”

But lacking cash crops, the north by 1912 needed subsidies from London to meet its administrative costs. Lugard hoped his amalgamation project would raise profits by streamlining the management of the colonies with him at the top.

‘A new stage of progress’ With war in Europe brewing, London decided to give the idea a try. “ Today, Nigeria enters on a new stage of progress,” Lugard said outside the Lagos supreme court building on the first day of 1914, according to a text provided by Keazor. “We all join in earnest hope that the era now inaugurated will prove, not only a departure in material prosperity, but also... increase the individual happiness” of the Nigerian people, he declared. Amalgamation proved an

early success for Britain, according to several accounts. The north’s economy improved, backed by a surge in cotton production and better access to the ports lining Nigeria’s southern coast.

After the end of World War Two in 1945, Nigeria was split into three geopolitical zones: the mostly Hausa north, the Yorubadominated west and the east, where Igbos were the majority. The two southern regions had by then become majority Christian. But in the late colonial period, “political combat most often boiled down to a three-way struggle”, the International Crisis Group said.

On the eve of independence, perhaps aware that its amalgamated colony had become a powder keg, “the British agonised over whether the country should be split in two parts - a Christian south and Muslim north”, wrote David Cook, a specialist in radical Islam at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

That did not happen but the new nation did fracture within its first decade.

The 1967-1970 Biafra civil war began after the Igbo-led region, alleging their tribesmen were being massacred in the north, tried to secede. In the three decades after the war, Nigeria was mostly led by military dictators from the north in an era that saw the country’s huge oil resources squandered through corruption. Elsewhere, sectarian violence in the “Middle Belt” dividing north and south has killed 10,000 people since 1992, Human Rights Watch

reported this month.

Oil kept us together More than four thousand people have died since 2009 in an insurgency waged by radical Islamist group Boko Haram. The Islamist violence has not spread below the Middle Belt but has inflamed anti-northern sentiment in the south. “It is only oil that has kept us together,” said Maja-Pearce. Petrodollars have been used to smooth out political rivalries, pacify rebels and generally “patch up” conflicts which could have threatened Nigeria’s unity, he added. The People’s Democratic Party, which has led the country since 1999, has an unwritten rule to rotate its leaders between southern Christians and northern Muslims, aiming to ease regional tensions.

For Professor Dapo Thomas of Lagos State University, politicians who still fixate on and exploit regional rivalries “are the ones who made a mess of amalgamation”. “I believe the amalgamation was the best thing to have happened to Nigeria,” he told AFP. Already home to the continent’s biggest population, with an estimated 170 million, Nigeria may soon boast Africa’s largest economy. Thomas attributed that and the country’s growing political and cultural clout - to amalgamation. “All we need is the spirit of accommodation... and a leader who will explore the positives in our diversity,” he added. —AFP

Mandela gone, S Africa must look to itself

By Ed Cropley

O

nly a few hours after Nelson Mandela’s burial, the skies over South Africa’s Eastern Cape grew dark as a storm rolled in, a powerful but, according to locals, positive omen for a young democracy deprived of its founding father. Whereas in the West lowering clouds portend trouble, in traditional South African culture they are seen as a blessing, the bearers of rain and good fortune, especially at a funeral, where they signify an elder passing peacefully into the bosom of his ancestors. This is not to say South Africa’s future is cloudless.

As a medium-sized emerging economy, it is still being buffeted by the after-effects of the global financial crisis and growth is struggling to recover from a 2009 recession, the first since the end of apartheid in 1994. It also continues to labour under the peculiar problems left by three centuries of white domination crime, high unemployment, poor public education and yawning income inequality between whites and blacks.

But the distance travelled in the two decades since Mandela’s inauguration as its first black leader and his death aged 95 on Dec 5 - in essence the end point of South Africa’s first postapartheid generation - is immense and irreversible. The economy has more than trebled in size, 85 percent of homes have electricity from just over half at the end of apartheid, and the tax base has grown from just 1.7 million whites to 13.7 million from across the racial spectrum.

Furthermore, Mandela, who deliberately served only one term in office, left behind a host of strong

institutions, from a free media to an independent judiciary, all underpinned by a progressive and respected constitution.

Like a carefree young man who suddenly loses a father, his death is likely to reinforce the sense that the nation of 53 million must grow up and look to itself for answers rather than turning instinctively to a now-absent figurehead with his

Villains, Heroes are Gone Barring one or two mishaps and a restive crowd at a rainsoaked mass memorial in Johannesburg, the hastily arranged 10 days of mourning for Madiba, the clan name by which Mandela was affectionately known, passed off smoothly and with dignity. Confounding the doom and gloom predictions of a

A giant puppet of late South African former president Nelson Mandela parades in the street of Cape Town yesterday during the public holiday dedicated to reconciliation, a day after the democracy icon was buried with full honours in his boyhood village. —AFP reassuring smile, or blaming an apartheid bogeyman. “We should no longer say it’s apartheid’s fault,” former finance minister Trevor Manuel said in April, unusually frank comments from a big-hitter in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) that caused a major stir at the time. “We should get up every morning and recognise we have responsibility. There is no longer the Botha regime looking over our shoulder. We are responsible ourselves.”

tiny minority of white rightwingers, his death caused no mass hysteria, people still turned up to work and the feared race war failed to materialise. The rand and stock market were unmoved, while a Mandela ‘trauma hotline’ stayed idle, reflecting the extent to which South Africa had already come to terms with Mandela’s mortality having seen him slide into extreme old age over several years.

Nor did his death leave a direct hole in ever yday life, coming

nearly a decade after he officially stepped into the shadows in 2004, telling a news conference “Don’t call me, I’ll call you”. His last appearance in public was more than three years ago, waving to fans from the back of a golf cart at the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg. As such, the meaning of his death is more symbolic than real. “Is this the moment that the South African story properly begins?” the Daily Maverick, a political magazine, said in an editorial. “Our Tolkien period is over - our mythical villains and our great heroes are gone, and we have entered another, lesser, but no less important, age.”

Zuma Under Fire Instead, it may have its most profound effect on the ANC, the 101-year-old former liberation movement that has run South Africa since the end of apartheid but which must now sway voters who have no personal memory of white-minority rule. With an eye half on history and half on elections in five months, the party seized on his death as a chance to shore up popularity ebbing even in its core support base, South Africa’s overwhelming non-white majority. However, the calculation backfired badly as the intense focus on Mandela’s probity and rectitude laid bare the gulf between the nation’s first democratically elected president and its fourth, the scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma.

In a public humiliation, Zuma, under fire for a $21 million statefunded security upgrade to his private Nkandla home, was booed and jeered at a mass memorial in front of world leaders including US President Barack Obama. The ANC leadership dismissed the

episode as a “little blot”, but polls suggest public opposition to Zuma, a polygamous Zulu traditionalist with no formal education and a tendency for gaffes, is deep-seated and growing. A Sunday Times survey of 1,000 registered ANC voters published this week showed 51 percent believe Zuma should resign over the Nkandla scandal, suggesting the party ’s leader could actually prove a turn-off to voters next year.

“As we move towards next year’s elections, the ANC will have to ask itself one central question: has the time come to rid itself of the liability called Jacob Zuma?” the paper said in an editorial accompanying the survey. The ANC is all but assured of victory next year having won nearly twothirds of the vote in 2009, but it is riven with ideological and personal differences and its all-important alliance with the unions, forged in the common struggle against apartheid, is crumbling. Senior figures are asking openly whether Zuma is capable of guiding the country through the complexities of the 21st Century and allowing it to claim what it believes is its rightful place at the world’s top table.

In his eulogies to Mandela this week, former president Thabo Mbeki delivered a barely disguised swipe at Zuma, who ousted him unceremoniously as party leader in 2007. “The transformation of South Africa is a very difficult task, I think in many respects more difficult than the struggle to end the system of apartheid,” he said. “Because we are dealing with this complex situation, that’s when we need to raise the level of leadership,” he added. “Surely we can’t lower the level of leadership.” —Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

S P ORTS

Puyol won’t be retiring this season: Barca coach MADRID: Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has poured cold water on a report that suggested captain Carles Puyol was considering retiring at the end of the season due to a string of injuries. Sports daily Mundo Deportivo said on Sunday that Puyol had told “various team mates” that he might end his career two years before his contract expires in 2016 if he continued to have problems with his right knee. The 35-year-old Spain central defender, who has been at Barca since he joined their academy nearly 20 years ago and is hugely popular with the fans, has also been sidelined over the past 18 months by a fractured cheekbone and a dislocated elbow.

“The only thing I have to say is that he has not spoken to me about this issue,” Martino told a news conference ahead of today’s King’s Cup last 32 second leg at home to third-tier Cartagena. “He is training normally and pushing himself to the limit,” added the Argentine. “I know that he has never said that (he planned to retire) and therefore it is not necessary that he comes out and denies it.”—Reuters

Philippines calls for school boxing ban MANILA: A 16-year-old Philippine athlete died after a week in coma following a boxing match, triggering calls for the sport to be banned in schools, an official said yesterday. Jonas Garcia, a high school athlete, suffered internal bleeding after a boxing match in a regional sports competition and died on Sunday.

Boxing is hugely popular in the Philippines, which has produced many international champions, including Manny Pacquiao, once regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.

The death has sparked calls for the suspension of boxing from national school sports competitions, said Tonisito Umali, assistant secretary of the government education department. “Requests are being made for the suspension of boxing. Other regions are also saying they will not continue boxing,” he told AFP. “We will not force them,” he said, adding that boxing would still be part of the national sports competition but regional teams will not be forced to send representatives. Boxing is hugely popular in the Philippines, which has produced many international champions, including Manny Pacquiao, once regarded as the best pound fighter in the world. —AFP

Man City to lose top scorer Aguero LONDON: Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge was dealt a setback yesterday when manager Manuel Pellegrini announced that Sergio Aguero will be out for “at least one month” through injury. The 25-year-old Argentina striker has been in stunning form of late, scoring 12 goals in his last 11 games to take the 2012 champions to within three points of league leaders Arsenal. However, after opening the scoring in Saturday’s 6-3 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, he had to come off in the 49th minute with a calf problem.

“I think he will be at least one month out,” Pellegrini told a press conference, ahead of City’s League Cup quarter-final tie at second-tier Leicester City today. “He has a calf injury. Maybe the doctor can say exactly how many weeks he will be.” News of Aguero’s absence falls at an inopportune time for City, who face Fulham, title rivals Liverpool and Crystal Palace over the busy festive period. Aguero also stands to miss league games against Swansea City and Newcastle United, as well as a trip to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup third round on January 4.—AFP

Lions hooker Hibbard signs for Gloucester LONDON: British and Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard will join Gloucester from Ospreys next season, the English Premiership side announced yesterday. The 30-year-old Welshman follows in the footsteps of New Zealand prop John Afoa, who is also due to link up with Gloucester next season after agreeing to leave Ulster.

“As with the recent confirmation of John Afoa’s signing, Richard agreeing to join Gloucester Rugby next season is fantastic news,” Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies told the club website.

FIH president says India needs ‘continuity’ NEW DELHI: India should stop changing coaches if it wants to reclaim its position as one of the world’s best teams, the president of the international field hockey federation said yesterday.

“There has to be a continuity in the coaching staff,” FIH president Leandro Negre said on the sidelines of an event to announce the schedule of the inaugural Hockey World League final in New Delhi from Jan. 10-18. “There’s no way a team can develop if coaches keep changing every now and then.”

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist India, which has struggled at the world level recently, experimented with several coaches, including four foreigners in the past six years.

Former Australia player Terry Walsh last month replaced Michael Nobbs, another Australian, and will work in tandem with high performance manager Roelant Oltmans of the Netherlands. Spanish coach Jose Brasa and Ric Charlesworth of Australia are others to have had stints with the team in recent years.

The FIH president also felt the junior system needs to develop a better feeding mechanism.

“There are 27 hockey academies in India and there is the need to take advantage of that, to develop good under-14 and under-16 teams. India seems to be improving its domestic structure in the past few years but a lot still needs to be done,” Negre said.

Negre conceded it was important for the FIH to see the country improve, especially since it has been hosting several FIH tournaments, including the Junior World Cup that concluded Sunday with Germany winning and India finishing 10th. “There was not much enthusiasm for the tournament because India did not do well but I know for sure that hockey is still very important for people here.

It’s the only country that can host so many competitions and it’s important that India does well,” Negre said.

India hosted the World Cup in 2010 and has been named to host it again in 2018. It will also organize the Champions Trophy in December 2014.

India won its only World Cup in 1975 and the last of its eight Olympic gold medals at the 1980 Moscow Games. The team failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished last in London last year. — AP

“Richard is arguably one of the top hookers in world rugby. Clubs all around the world have been interested in signing him, so it’s significant that we’ve been able to convince him that Gloucester is the right place for him to play his rugby.”

Hibbard made his Wales debut in 2006 and played four times in their successful Six Nations campaign earlier this year before featuring in all three Tests of the Lions’ triumphant tour of Australia.

He expressed sadness about leaving Ospreys, but said he was excited about the challenge

awaiting him at the Kingsholm Stadium. “It was always going to be a tough decision to leave my home area, as I’m currently in my 10th successive season at the Ospreys, which is my local region and where I was born,” he said.

“That said, I’m absolutely delighted to be joining a rugby club such as Gloucester, based in the heart of the local community, with such a tradition and with amazing support. “I’m a great believer in loyalty and community and I’d like to place on record formally, my great thanks to the Ospreys management, coaches, players and fans for sup-

porting me so well throughout my career.”

Hibbard’s departure adds to the exodus of Wales players leaving Welsh clubs in recent years.

Key players Mike Phillips, Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, James Hook and Lee Byrne all currently play in France, with Jonathan Davies and Ian Evans set to join them in the Top 14 next season.

George North, Paul James and Craig Mitchell, meanwhile, play in the English Premiership, while lock Bradley Davies has been linked with a move to Wasps from Cardiff Blues. — AFP

Gatland commits to Wales until 2019 LONDON: New Zealander Warren Gatland has extended his contract as head coach of Wales until after the 2019 World Cup, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced yesterday. The 50-year-old former Ireland and Wasps coach took up the post in 2007 and has since led Wales to Six Nations success in 2008, 2012 and 2013, as well as a semi-final place at the 2011 World Cup. “I am proud and delighted to have been chosen by the Welsh Rugby Union to take charge of Wales teams for the next two Rugby World Cup tournaments,” Gatland said in a statement.

“I have chosen to stay in Wales because of my confidence in the players we have, the coaching structures we have developed and the succession plan of talent we now constantly update.”

Gatland also oversaw the British and Irish Lions’ successful tour of Australia earlier this year, which was their first series win in Australia for 16 years.

He was named UK Coach of the Year at the 2013 UK Coaching Awards and on Sunday won the award for Coach of the Year at the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. “I know the other major rugby nations take us seriously as opponents who can play excellent rugby and that inspires me to take this group of players even further,” Gatland said.

“There is an incredible amount of hard work ahead but, with the backing of the Welsh Rugby Union, the national squad now has the means to deliver what the Welsh public want.” He added: “I want to personally thank the WRU and the Welsh rugby public for the fantastic support the national squad enjoys and I aim to return the compliment by devoting all my professional energy to the success of our national team in the years ahead.”

WRU chief executive Roger Lewis praised Gatland for introducing a new degree of professionalism to the Welsh set-up. “I am pleased and honoured to be able to announce that Warren Gatland will remain head coach of Wales until after the Rugby World Cup in 2019,” he said.

“He has undoubtedly proved that he has the rugby expertise, the passion and the commitment to prepare and inspire our teams to play with the utmost skill and pride for the jersey.

LONDON: Head coach Warren Gatland (right) at a news conference.

“We now have a meticulous and professional coaching structure in place, which Warren must take credit for creating. “By signing him for a further four years we have ensured that the systems now in place will continue to develop for the future of the international game in Wales.”

Gatland, whose contract with Wales had been due to expire after the 2015 World Cup, has expressed an interest in coaching the Lions for a second time when they tour his native New Zealand in 2017. For that to happen, the WRU would have to grant him a sabbatical, as it did for the tour of Australia this year. — AFP

Bin Eidan leads SIRBB in 2nd round of Kuwait rally

Salan Bin Eidan

KUWAIT: The Ambassador of Motor Sport Salan Bin Eidan with Skoda Fabia S 2000 and his Qatari co-driver Nasser Al Kawari is getting ready to participate in the second round of Kuwait Rally 2014 which will take place on 20th of the current month.

About the nature of the participation, Bin Eidan said “We work hard to be ready for the events of the second round, as we are at the top of general ranking at the first round, so it’s normal to describe the preparations for this round as “special” to sustain the achieved ranking, this is what we are seeking as a team, my co-driver Nasser Al Kawari has also a good experience which will certainly benefit much to achieve what we are seeking”.

The Ambassador Bin Eidan also indicated that the competition of the second round will be a little bit different from the first one, due to the participation of more Arab & Gulf

nations such as KSA, Qatar, and Jordan. I would like to take the chance to welcome them all here on the land of peace and friendship, wishing them all the best of luck.

About the readiness, Bin Eidan emphasized that all administrative and technical issues of the team is going on as planned, and STS team is sponsored by SIRBB Circuit (Historical Vintage & Classic Cars Museum, Ali Al Ghanim & Sons Automotive Co., GCC, Zain, and Quality net, they are really standing behind all these achievements , in the name of Kuwait.

Finally, the ambassador of Kuwaiti Motor sport Salah Bin Eidan thanked His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad for his unlimited support for the Kuwaiti youth, also he thanked Ali Al Ghanim & Sons Automotive Co., GCC, Zain, and Quality net for their full trust of the team to represent Kuwait at the finest way.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

S P ORT S

Windies spinner Shillingford suspended for illegal action PERTH: West Indies spinner Shane Shillingford has been suspended from bowling in international cricket after his delivery action was found illegal, the game’s global governing body said yesterday.

Shillingford’s team mate and part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels’ bowling action while sending down his quicker deliveries has also been found illegal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement. Shillingford and Samuels, who have previously been suspended for suspect actions, were

reported during the Mumbai test against India last month and the duo visited Perth for a bio-mechanical analysis of their bowling actions.

“The analysis revealed that for both his (Shillingford) standard off-break delivery and his doosra, the amount of elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the 15 degrees’ level of tolerance permitted,” the ICC said of the 30-year-old spinner who has taken 65 wickets from 14 tests.

“He is suspended from bowling in international

cricket until such time that he has submitted to a fresh analysis, which concludes that he has remedied his bowling action.” Samuels, a veteran of 50 tests, can continue to bowl his standard off-break delivery but is not permitted to bowl his quicker deliveries.

“Should Samuels be reported again for a suspected illegal bowling action within the next two years, such a report will be deemed to be a second report for the purposes of the ICC Regulations,” the statement said.

“If the independent biomechanical analysis following the second report concludes that Samuels has an illegal action, whether it is for his quicker deliveries or any other type of delivery, he will be automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a minimum period of 12 months.”

The bowlers have a right to appeal against the recent findings. West Indies are trailing New Zealand 1-0 in a three-test series and will play the hosts in the final match at Hamilton on Thursday. — Reuters

Australia on the brink after Watson sparkles PERTH: A dominant Australia were five wickets away from reclaiming the Ashes after hammering England with the bat and reducing them to 251 for five with the ball at the end of the fourth day of the third test at the WACA yesterday.

Ben Stokes, who was 72 not out after scoring his maiden test half-century, and Matt Prior (7) will resume todayday with the tourists still trailing by 252 runs and needing to bat through the final day to keep the series alive.

Shane Watson earlier smashed 73 runs off 40 balls for a spectacular century and George Bailey equalled the test record for most runs from a single over before Australia declared at 369 for three some 40 minutes before lunch.

Requiring 504 runs for an unlikely victory, England’s worst test session for a long time had not quite reached its nadir and Ryan Harris sensationally bowled Alastair Cook for a golden duck with the first ball of the innings.

“To have a license to take on the game was a lot of fun,” said all-rounder Watson, whose ballistic 103 included 11 fours and the five bludgeoned sixes.

“We’re confident. Absolutely. A good night sleep will freshen our bowlers up to be able to have a really good crack first thing in the morning.

PERTH: England batsman Ben Stokes (C) plays a shot on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match against Australia in Perth. — AFP

Stokes extends Ashes battle for England PERTH: Born in New Zealand and playing for England, Ben Stokes needs no extra motivation when it comes to facing Australia. The 22year-old allrounder went to the crease at a critical time on Monday, with the top order back in the pavilion and England needing somebody to dig in and prolong its hold on the Ashes.

Stokes finished the day unbeaten on 72, his maiden half century coming in only his second test. He’ll resume his innings on Tuesday, with England at 251-5 - after being set an improbable 504 to win - and needing to bat all day to prevent Australia from regaining the old urn for the first time in four Ashes series.

Stokes had already taken 2-82 when Australia batted, having to take on extra load with strike paceman Stuart Broad unable to bowl or field due to a foot injury he sustained while batting, and bowled with good speed against batsmen who were on the attack.

“He’s got a fantastic future ahead of him,” said Ian Bell, who shared a 99-run partnership with Stokes before he was out for 60 late on day four at the WACA. “The way he’s shown he can play quick bowling, the way he hits down the ground.”

“And just that attitude with the ball. He just gets on with it, runs in all day. He bowls good pace,” Bell added. “He showed today what he can do with the bat. I think he’s got a massive future for us, which is exciting. He’s a really good find.”

Stokes was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but moved to England as a child with his father Gerard, a rugby league player and coach, and started his professional cricket career at Durham. He played 10 limited-overs internationals before his test debut, including four against Australia in September, when he picked up a career best 561 and scored 27 runs.

But he didn’t have his first test exchanges with the Australians until last week in Adelaide, where his mid-pitch brush with pace bowler Mitchell Johnson got him a meeting with the ICC match referee. He showed plenty of promise with bat and ball in a big defeat.

Bell said England needed Stokes to keep going and turn his start into a very big score. Broad was cleared of a fractured foot and England has said he will bat if required on the fifth day, which is likely.

“We’re still hanging in there, and that’s the important thing. We need to take tomorrow as deep as we possibly can, keep showing some fight,” he said. “Ben Stokes was outstanding today. Some great shots.

The potential for the future looks massive with Ben.” Australian allrounder Shane Watson, who plundered 11 boundaries and five sixes in his 106 ball century yesterday, also praised his England counterpart. “He’s a very exciting prospect for England. He’s a really exciting allrounder,” Watson said. “He’s only really going to get better.” — AP

99-run partnership “We have to bowl really well to give ourselves the best chance to be able to achieve a few dreams, for a lot of us who’ve been involved in the last few series especially.” England, shell-shocked after Australia’s morning assault, did at least slow down the home side’s momentum after lunch with Michael Carberry (31), Joe Root (19) getting starts.

Kevin Pietersen was also well set on 45 when, in a move unlikely to appease his critics, he strode down the wicket to take on spinner Nathan Lyon, sending the ball high into the sky but failing to clear Harris at the long-on boundary.

Ian Bell’s 99-run partnership with Stokes for the fifth wicket ended when the TV umpire determined his attempted uppercut had nicked a Peter Siddle delivery to Haddin for 60.

“We’re still hanging in there, and that’s the important thing. We need to take tomorrow as deep as we possibly can, keep showing some fight,” said Bell. “We need the two guys who are out there now to take it to lunch. We’ve just got to keep on fighting.”

It was the morning of intense drama and some high farce, though, that put Australia on firmly track for a victory that would give them an unassailable 3-0 series lead and ensure the return of the urn. The hosts resumed 369 runs ahead at 235 for three and Watson, who started the day on 29, signalled his team’s intent with two fours and a six off the first over from spinner Graeme Swann.

Watson has struggled to convert 50s into centuries but there seemed little doubt he would do so on yesterday as three sixes and a four off another Swann over took him from 60 to 82. England were left cursing their luck when Tim Bresnan caught Watson on 90 only to tumble over the boundary rope and the Australian soon captured his fourth test century with a clipped four to fine leg.

Remarkable departure Watson’s departure for 103 was as remarkable as his sparkling innings. Bell waited for an age for a skied ball to come down only to drop it but Watson, not expecting the error, had stopped running and a quick-witted Bresnan ran him out at the non-striker’s end. “It wasn’t good was it?” laughed

PERTH: Australia’s batsman Shane Watson plays a pull shot to the boundary against England on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match in Perth yesterday. — AFP

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

Fall of wickets: 1-157 2-183 3-223 4-301 5-331 6-340 Bowling: Anderson 19-5-105-0 (w-1), Bresnan 14-3-532, Stokes 18-1-82-2, Swann 27-8-92-1, Root 9-1-24-0.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat Australia first innings England first innings

England second innings A. Cook b Harris 0 M. Carberry lbw b Watson 31 J. Root c Haddin b Johnson 19 K. Pietersen c Harris b Lyon 45 I. Bell c Haddin b Siddle 60 B. Stokes not out 72 M. Prior not out 7 Extras (b-1, lb-11, w-5) 17 Total (for five wickets, 67 overs) 251 Still to bat: S. Broad, G. Swann, J. Anderson, T. Bresnan Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-62 3-76 4-121 5-220 Bowling (to date): Harris 10-1-51-1, Johnson 15-3-52-1 (w-1), Lyon 15-2-49-1, Siddle 18-6-56-1, Watson 9-1-311.

Australia lead the five-match series 2-0.

Australia second innings (overnight 235-3) C. Rogers c Carberry b Bresnan D. Warner c Stokes b Swann S. Watson run out M. Clarke b Stokes S. Smith c sub b Stokes G. Bailey not out B. Haddin c Swann b Bresnan M. Johnson not out Extras (b-8, lb-5, w-5) Total (for six wickets dec, 87 overs) Did not bat: P. Siddle, R. Harris, N. Lyon

385 251 54 112 103 23 15 39 5 0 18 369

Watson. “I’m not going to enjoy watching that until the day I die.”

Despite a string of dropped catches and some schoolboy fielding, England did manage to dismiss Steve Smith (15) and Haddin (five) but Bailey continued to punish the bowling. When he blasted a record-equalling 28 off six James Anderson deliveries to reach 39 not out and take Australia’s lead past the 500-mark, captain Michael Clarke called his players in.

Bailey’s 4,6,2,4,6,6 matched West Indies great

Brian Lara’s 4,6,6,4,4,4 off South African Robin Peterson in the Johannesburg test in the 2003-04 season. “We’ve had quite a few bad experiences against Jimmy Anderson over the last three series I’ve been involved in so it’s always nice to have the shoe on the other foot,” said Watson.

The punishment was not over for England, though, and Harris produced a peach of a ball to remove Cook’s off bail, the first time the England captain had been dismissed by the first ball he faced in his 100 tests. — Reuters

AUB wins KBC Cricket Champions League

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank (AUB) was crowned champions of the KBC Cricket Champions League which was concluded recently at the Kuwait Banks Club in cooperation with the Teams Association for Cricket in Kuwait.

The Kuwait Finance House (KFH) was awarded with the second place trophy.

The competition featured teams representing local banks and which consist of staff members in Kuwait’s banking sector.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

S P ORT S Photo of the day

Russian torchbearer dies after carrying flame in Sochi relay MOSCOW: A torchbearer died of a heart attack after carrying the Olympic flame as part of Russia’s torch relay leading up to the Sochi 2014 Winter Games in February, an official said yesterday. Vadim Gorbenko, 73, a sports school director and Greco-Roman wrestling coach, felt ill after walking 150 metres (500 feet) with the torch in his home city of Kurgan in western Siberia, said Roman Osin, spokesman for the Sochi 2014 torch relay.

“He returned to the gathering place and was photographed, then he said he was not feeling well and was taken to hospital, but the doctors were unable to save him,” Osin, who travels with the relay, said by telephone.

“We express our deepest condolences to his loved ones.”

Osin said Gorbenko, who had trained top Russian wrestlers and won state honours, had suffered two heart attacks in the past. He was conscious when he was taken to hospital and had spoken to his son at his bedside before his death.

Daniel Mueller performs in Steinsoultz, France on October 19, 2013. — www.redbullcontentpool.com

India busts 467 drug cheats since 2009 NEW DELHI: Some 467 Indian sportsmen and women have been prosecuted for failing drugs tests since 2009, with track and field athletes and weightlifters leading the pack, according to the country’s anti-doping agency.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) posted the list on its website which showed that 110 athletes and 85 weightlifters have been slapped with sanctions over the past five years. Kabaddi, body-building, power-lifting, wrestling, boxing and judo were some of the other sports that thew up drug cheats, the list indicated.

Indian Sports Minister Jitendra Singh told parliament in August that the government had a zero tolerance policy towards drugs in sports and several workshops

and educational programmes were conducted to raise awareness of the issue.

The most recent high-profile cases of doping in Indian sports involved six female athletes, including Ashwini Akkunji, who won gold medals in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay at the 2010 Asian Games.

Akkunji, along with team mates Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Jauna Murmu, Tiana Mary and Priyanka Panwar, tested positive for banned steroids such as stanozolol and methandienone in June, 2011.

The women, who were banned for two years, blamed contaminated food supplements supplied by their former Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogorodnik for the positive results. — AFP

Suns win 5th straight, top Warriors 106-102 PHOENIX: Eric Bledsoe scored seven of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns won their fifth straight game, holding off Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors 106-102 Sunday night.

Bledsoe added eight rebounds and eight assists, Goran Dragic scored 21 points, and Channing Frye added 20 for the Suns. Curry scored 30 points, including 20 in the second half, and Klay Thompson added 19 for the Warriors, who have lost three of four. David Lee added 18 points and 13 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double.

Golden State trailed by as many as nine in the third quarter, but pulled to within 76-75 on Curry’s 3-pointer that capped a 10-2 Golden State run. Maurice Speights brought the Warriors even for the first time since 3:41 of the first quarter, sinking a 3-pointer with 1:15 left in the third to knot the score at 81-all.

But Golden State, which surrendered the lead for the final time five minutes into the game, could not pull ahead despite Curry’s best efforts. Phoenix opened the fourth quarter leading 81-80 and stretched the lead to six on Bledsoe’s jumper with 9:20 to go. Curry made it 92-91 on a 3-pointer with 7:49 left, but Marcus Morris hit a jump shot and added a free throw to stretch the lead to 95-91.

Thompson made two free throws with 5:21 left to cut the Suns’ lead to one and had a chance to give Golden State the lead but his 3-point attempt bounced off the back iron. Bledsoe and Frye hit consecutive 3-pointers to put the Suns ahead 102-95 with 3:19 left, but Curry answered with a long 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 102-100 with 1:37 left.

Curry missed a forced 15-footer with the shot clock running down and Bledsoe made two free throws to secure the win. P.J. Tucker hit his only 3-pointer and Gerald Green added four points as the Suns closed the first quarter on a 10-4 run to take a 33-27 lead. Phoenix extended its lead to 59-46 with 1:27 left in the first half, but Curry scored five points to lead a 7-0 run that brought the Warriors back to 59-53 at halftime.

Sacramento 106, Houston 91 Rudy Gay scored 26 points in his first home game since coming over in a trade from Toronto, leading the Sacramento Kings past the Houston Rockets 106-91 Sunday night. Gay added five rebounds and four assists. He finished 10-for-20 shooting in a dazzling home debut for the Kings, who had lost eight of their past 10 games.

DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Isaiah Thomas added 19 points and eight assists to help Sacramento hold on to the lead for most of the final three quarters. James Harden twisted his left ankle early in the third quarter but finished with 25 points, and Dwight Howard had 13 points and 10 rebounds while battling foul trouble in a disappointing end to Houston’s cramped three-game road trip. The Rockets lost at Portland on Thursday and won at Golden State on Friday.

LAKE PLACID: United States’ athletes stand on the podium after winning the top three positions in the twoman bobsled World Cup event on Saturday, in Lake Placid, NY. From left are Nick Cunningham and Johnny Quinn who finished second; Steven Holcomb and Christopher Vogt who won the event; and Cory Butner and Charles Berkeley who finished in third. — AP

Holcomb stays perfect in World Cup season LAKE PLACID: A year ago, Steven Holcomb won six medals on the World Cup circuit, which would represent a strong year for just about any bobsled driver. So far this season, he’s won seven. All gold, too. And to think, the season isn’t even half over yet.

Holcomb drove USA-1 to victory Sunday to cap off another huge weekend for American bobsledders and skeleton athletes on the World Cup circuit, teaming with Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Langton and Chris Fogt to finish two runs at Mount Van Hoevenberg in 1 minute, 50.15 seconds. Holcomb is 7-for-7 this season, building big leads already in the 2-man, 4-man and combined overall points standings.

“If you’d have said I would win seven in a row in my career, ever, I’d have thought you were crazy,” said Holcomb, who drove USA-1 to gold in the 4-man competition at the Vancouver Olympics. “I don’t even know what to think right now. It’s kind of overwhelming.”

Holcomb, Tomasevicz, Langton and Fogt had the fastest pushes in both heats, and with the way snow was piling up on Sunday, they needed that extra oomph. Holcomb was the final driver down the track in the second heat, meaning he, in theory, was getting the slowest ice. And his time was 0.21 seconds slower in that second run, but still enough to hold off the British sled piloted by John James Jackson.

“We’re really firing on all cylinders,” Langton said.

“Holcomb’s driving well and even when he makes mistakes it’s better than other peoples’ best.” The British team of Jackson, Stuart Benson, Bruce Tasker and Joel Fearon finished in 1:50.22. It was a huge result for Jackson, who tore his Achilles’ last summer and still walks with a pronounced limp.

He still came plenty close to Holcomb, even with the American on home ice. “This is Steve Holcomb’s track,” Jackson said. “Put Steve on any track, and he’s quick.”

The German team of Thomas Florschuetz, Ronny Listner,

Kevin Kuske and Christian Poser took third, 0.25 seconds behind Holcomb.

Holcomb’s gold capped a big weekend for American athletes in Lake Placid, plus put the finishing touches on a dominating swing through North America for the US bobsled and skeleton teams. Holcomb’s medal was the 11th won by US sliders in Lake Placid. The rest of the world, combined, won 10.

“These guys are dominating,” said longtime US women’s bobsled pilot Bree Schaaf, who worked as a television commentator this weekend. For the season, after stops in Calgary, Park City and now Lake Placid, the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation possesses 25 of the 54 medals awarded so far on the World Cup tour. It’s always trickier for Americans to succeed on the tracks in Europe, where the circuit will resume after Christmas, but then again they’ve never headed over to that side of the tour with this much momentum.

“You can’t just point to one thing,” said USBSF CEO Darrin Steele, whose team had at least one medalist in all seven races contested on their home ice this weekend. “We’ve got really strong pushes, our pilots are improving, starts are improving and our equipment is doing great. Everything’s building toward the Olympic Games.” Cory Butner and the team of Adam Clark, Andreas Drbal and Chris Langton were 15th for the US. The other American sled of Nick Cunningham, Justin Olsen, Abraham Morlu and Dallas Robinson placed 17th. Canada’s Lyndon Rush failed to qualify for the second run, though may have had the most spectacular trip of anyone down the track. One of Rush’s brakemen slipped at the start and was unable to jump into the sled, was skidding along the ice and then got pulled into his spot by another push athlete.

Rush managed to keep the sled upright, though his finish time was good enough for only 21st place, one spot too low to reach the second heat. — AP

Russia’s four-month, 65,000-km (40,000 mile) torch relay has been clouded by mishaps. The flame has gone out dozens of times since President Vladimir Putin handed it off in Red Square on Oct. 6, and last month a torchbearer’s jacket caught fire as he carried the flame though another Siberian city.

Cosmonauts took an unlit torch on a spacewalk last month.

The Olympic flame has been to the north pole and Lake Baikal on a journey that will end at the opening ceremony in Sochi on Feb 7. Putin appears eager to improve Russia’s image and build his own legacy by hosting the country’s first post-Soviet Olympics, but he has faced criticism over legislation seen in the West as anti-gay and some world leaders are staying away from the Games.

The 14,000 torchbearers in the Sochi 2014 relay are not asked to sign releases but are warned that it involves some physical exertion and their health is their own responsibility, Osin said. — Reuters

Trail Blazers 111, Pistons 109, OT Damian Lillard hit a spinning fadeaway with one-tenth of a second left in overtime to lift Portland over Detroit.

Lillard was guarded well by Rodney Stuckey as he tried to drive to the basket, but he was able to hit a tough fadeaway from about 8 feet. Detroit couldn’t get off a shot before the buzzer.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points for Portland, which rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Lillard finished with 23 points. Josh Smith scored 31 points, his most since signing with the Pistons as a free agent in the offseason.

Timberwolves 101, Grizzlies 93 Kevin Love had 30 points and nine rebounds as Minnesota hit a season-high 12 3-pointers in beating Memphis. The victory snapped Minnesota’s 11-game losing streak to the Grizzlies and also gave the Timberwolves their third win in the last four. Love was 11 of 21 from the

field, including 4 of 8 from outside the arc as Minnesota converted 12 of 26 from long range. Minnesota had made 11 3-pointers six times this season, including in Friday night’s loss at San Antonio. Nikola Pekovic scored 19 points, while reserve J.J. Barea had 15. Ricky Rubio finished with 12 points. Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 28 points before leaving with just under 4 minutes left with a bruised left thigh. Zach Randolph had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Thunder 101, Magic 98 Kevin Durant had 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists as Oklahoma City held off Orlando to win its 12th straight home game to open the season. Russell Westbrook added 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Oklahoma City, which has won six straight overall and 14 of its last 15. The Thunder have beaten the Magic in five straight meetings. An 11-1 run near the end of the first half gave Oklahoma City control until Orlando rallied within two points in the final minute. Durant hit a free throw and Serge Ibaka blocked a shot by Nikola Vucevic to preserve the win. Arron Afflalo scored 25 points and Vucevic had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Orlando, which has lost 11 of its 13 road games this season. — Agencies

NBA results/standings Sacramento 106, Houston 91; Minnesota 101, Memphis 93; Portland 111, Detroit 109 (OT); Oklahoma City 101, Orlando 98; Denver 102, New Orleans 93; Phoenix 106, Golden State 102.

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

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L 11 14 9 13 8 15 7 16 7 18 Central Division 20 3 11 14 9 13 9 14 5 19 Southeast Division 17 6 12 12 10 14 9 13 7 17

Western Conference Northwest Division Portland 21 4 Oklahoma City 19 4 Denver 14 9 Minnesota 12 12 Utah 6 20 Pacific Division LA Clippers 16 9 Phoenix 14 9 Golden State 13 12 LA Lakers 11 12 Sacramento 7 15 Southwest Division San Antonio 19 4 Houston 16 9 Dallas 14 10 New Orleans 11 11 Memphis 10 13

PCT .440 .409 .348 .304 .280

GB 0.5 2 3 4

.870 .440 .409 .391 .208

10 10.5 11 15.5

.739 .500 .417 .409 .292

5.5 7.5 7.5 10.5

.840 .826 .609 .500 .231

1 6 8.5 15.5

.640 .609 .520 .478 .318

1 3 4 7.5

.826 .640 .583 .500 .435

4 5.5 7.5 9

PHOENIX: Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives on Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, in Phoenix. — AP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

S P ORT S

Chamakh, Toure score in England, double for Diouf in Germany PARIS: In-form Marouane Chamakh scored his third goal in three games for Crystal Palace before they lost 2-1 to Chelsea, while Yaya Toure was inspirational in Manchester City’s 6-3 demolition of league leaders Arsenal. Salomon Kalou and JeanDaniel Akpa Akpro were both on the scorecard in France, while in Germany Mame Diouf scored two goals in the last five minutes to rescue a 3-3 draw for Hanover at home to Nuremburg.

ENGLAND Yaya Toure (Manchester City) Toure was a key driving force as City overpowered Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium to close to within three points of the Premier League leaders.

The powerful Ivorian was at fault as Theo Walcott scored a first-half equaliser for Arsenal after tamely conceding possession in midfield, but he atoned by helping to tee up a goal for Alvaro Negredo. He also claimed City’s sixth goal from the penalty spot after Wojciech Szczesny tripped James Milner.

Marouane Chamakh (Crystal Palace) Chamakh scored his third goal in three games for Palace at Chelsea, converting Joel Ward’s leftwing cross with a deft volley in the 29th minute to cancel out Fernando Torres’s opener. The Moroccan striker has won praise from new Palace manager Tony Pulis, but he finished on the losing side in a 21 defeat after Ramires restored Chelsea’s lead.

Steven Pienaar (Everton) South African midfielder Pienaar claimed two assists as Everton beat Fulham 4-1 to strengthen their claim to a top-four place. He teed up Leon Osman for Everton’s opener in the 18th minute and then cut the ball back for Seamus Coleman to restore the Toffees’ lead with 17 minutes remaining after Dimitar Berbatov had equalised from the

penalty spot.

and came close twice to hitting the net.

European league without a win this season.

Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City) Egyptian winger Elmohamady came as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock in his side’s 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City. He had a dipping halfvolley tipped over the crossbar by visiting goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the first half and also saw the Bosnian international push away a second-half header.

Brahima M’baye (Livorno) Senegalese midfielder M’Baye has had a mixed first season in Serie A so far for promoted Livorno, and the trend continued for the 19-year-old-onloan from Inter Milan-in a 2-0 defeat to old rivals Lazio. Faced with an uphill climb for the second half, Livorno coach Davide Nicola made double substition immediately after the restart, with M’Baye replaced by Nahuel Valentini.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) The Gabon left winger scored his ninth goal of the season as Borussia Dortmund fought back from two-goals down to draw 2-2 at Hoffenheim.

Dortmund pulled a goal back just before the break when Hoffenheim goalkeeper Jens Grahl failed to deal with a corner and Robert Lewandowski stabbed the ball towards the empty net for Aubameyang to tap it home.

Sebastien Bassong (Norwich City) Norwich centre-back Bassong was involved in an unfortunate incident during his side’s 1-1 draw with Swansea City that left opposition winger Nathan Dyer with a suspected fractured ankle.

Dyer’s ankle buckled following an aerial challenge with the Cameroon international on the halfway line and he was stretchered off before being taken to hospital.

ITALY Saphir Taider (Inter) Taider was back in Inter’s starting line-up for a trip to Napoli which became more urgent after Fiorentina dislodged the Nerazzurri from fourth place earlier in the day. The Algerian, however, made little serious impact in a busy first half which saw Napoli take a 3-2 lead at the interval. Inter coach Walter Mazzarri replaced Taider on the hour mark with Mateo Kovacic to no avail as Napoli scored a fourth.

Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus) On their first match since a Champions League exit in midweek, Juve put four unanswered goals past struggling new boys Sassuolo, and Asamoah should have had his name on the scoresheet. The Ghanaian played a deeper forward role than usual

FRANCE Salomon Kalou (Lille) The former Chelsea striker broke his eight match scoring drought with two goals in five firsthalf minutes to help Lille defeat Bastia 2-1. The Ivory Coast man who is set to head to the World Cup next June gave Lille the firepower to solidy their third place in Ligue 1 which lifts them back to within four points of leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Toulouse) The 21-year-old right back scored a 77th minute winner for Toulouse as they surprised fifth placed Nantes in Brittany. The French-born Ivory Coast defender helped his side climb to 10th spot in Ligue 1 and in the hunt for European places with a goal that gave Toulouse a valuable 2-1 win.

GERMANY Mame Diouf (Hanover 96) The Senegal striker scored two goals in five minutes just before the final whistle to rescue a point as Hanover 96 came from three-goals down to draw 3-3 at home with Nuremberg on Saturday.

Diouf netted the 92nd-minute equaliser as Hanover scored three goals in the last half an hour to leave Nuremberg as the only team in a major

SPAIN Youssek El-Arabi, Yacine Brahimi (Granada) El-Arabi produced a contender for miss of the season as he somehow contrived to strike the post from close range when presented with an open goal from Brahimi’s pass in Granada’s 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Luckily for the Moroccan, his blushes were spared as Fran Rico put the Andalusians ahead shortly afterwards before Brahimi teed up Riki to seal the points two minutes from time.

Nabil El-Zhar (Levante) Moroccan winger El-Zhar helped Levante come from behind to beat Elche 2-1 on Friday as he provided the cross for the first of striker David Barral’s two goals as they snapped a four-game losing streak.

Alex Song (Barcelona) Song started for just the sixth time in the league this season in Barca’s 2-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday. The Cameroonian played for just over an hour before being replaced by Xavi as the Catalans went in search of a winner with the score at the time tied at 1-1. — AFP

Penner’s late goal lifts Ducks past Oilers, 3-2

Khaled Al-Mudhaf

Al-Mudhaf in Gulf 12hr with McLaren 12C GT3 Test of endurance for Kuwait’s Khaled Kuwait’s most prominent racing driver, Khaled Al-Mudhaf had a most challenging and testing time in the Gulf 12hr Endurance race that saw several technical and mechanical challenges for the drivers and crew in the first few hours. Racing the McLaren 12c GT3 carbon chassis 3.8ltr V6 twin turbo was a first for Khaled and Mohammed. A technical masterpiece in its own right this high tech race car was introduced to the racing world only in 2012, it utilizes some of the latest technology derived from the McLaren F1 team.

The three Dragon Racing drivers each took a qualifying session of 20 minutes in the grueling 35∞c heat, but Khaled’s session was cut short after just 5 laps with a loss of power.

“I was on a fast lap after scrubbing in new tires, and while on the back straight on full throttle I lost all power, it felt like I had run out of fuel so I had to pull over and stop. I had to be towed back to the pits and later we found it was an electronic problem. I’m a little frustrated as I didn’t get a chance to get a good fast lap time in to help our team average in the final qualifying, it was close against the clock to get the repair done but I’m glad it was ready in time for Mohammed Jawa to get out and set some laps too. Our grid position is determined by the average of all three drivers best time, so we managed to qualify in 14th,” commented Khaled after qualifying.

Team work Endurance racing is all about team work, and communication between drivers and the pit crew is crucial. Any small problem can become a crucial element in the overall performance of the entire team, each driver relaying on the others to keep the pace and look after the car. Tire management is always challenging and with the mandatory Avon ZR5, the drivers found it a difficult option to manage.

“Tires are so crucial in endurance racing and managing them in this extreme hot environment is not an easy task, but it’s the same for everyone. Just when I start to get comfortable in the car and get in some fast laps suddenly I have to go into tire saving mode, it’s not flat out sprint racing style like I’m used to although we are trying to go fast we are at the same time trying to save and protect the tires too by being gentle on the car. And then the tires start to drop in grip level by the end of an hours racing and the car it gets a bit twitchy to drive,” commented Khaled dur-

ing the first hour of the race.

Jordon Grogor took the start of the race at 9:30am and swapped over to Khaled after one hour. Khaled took over as car was running in 7th place overall. He completed 24 laps in the car during his first stint, and had some close battles with the top running GT3 cars trying to make some way up the grid.

Khaled’s pit stop during the race “After an hour in the car, I was done, said Khaled. It is so tough I don’t mind admitting I was totally drained, the heat inside that car was torture by the end, it was about 65∞c inside the cockpit and I think I must have lost 3 kilos in sweat. I was very comfortable with the car and I was setting good lap times, but after an hour at this pace, I couldn’t do more, I was glad to handover to Mohammed,” commented Khaled after his stint.

The car had a refuel and new tires, ready for Mohammed Jawa to take his first stint in the car. Immediately as he joined the track and on his first outlap, disaster struck as the car lost all drive. Mohammed had to be towed back to the pit garage for inspection of the car. It was later found to be a drivetrain failure which could not be repaired in time for the remainder of that part of the race. The team then had the difficult decision to retire completely from the remainder of the race.

“I’m obviously disappointed for the team, they tried so hard to fix the issue but sometimes these things cannot be solved and also I feel bad for Mohammed because he didn’t get to enjoy the race, yesterday I had an technical issue and today he had a technical problem, its just one of the things you have to accept in this sport, it’s no ones fault, that’s racing as they say, but I want to mention a big thanks to the pit crew for stripping the car and battling for over 4hours to find a solution.” commented Khaled after the race.

The sister Dragon Racing Ferrari 458 GT3 also has a few surprises during its race and finally enjoyed taking the chequered flag in 10th place in GT3 class.

“We have to take the positives from the race and apply it to our next big challenge for Dubai 24hrs next month when we will all be racing the Dragon Racing Ferrari 458 GT3, a new car for me and a fresh challenge. I want to also congratulate the Team Abu Dhabi Black Falcon Racing team for their impressive win.

ANAHEIM: Dustin Penner scored the game-winning goal late in the third period as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-2.

Penner, with an assist from Ryan Getzlaf, delivered with 3:17 remaining in the game.

For Getzlaf, it was the 14th consecutive contest in which he recorded a point.

Anaheim right winger Corey Perry had his string of seven straight games with a goal snapped, but that mattered little to the Ducks, who extended their unbeaten run in regulation at home to a franchisebest 13-0-2. The Ducks (23-7-5) remain the lone club without a home loss in regulation. They also defeated the Oilers (11-21-3) for the fifth consecutive time and 10th in the past 11 meetings.

Blackhawks 3, Kings 1 Marian Hossa, Kris Versteeg and Patrick Sharp scored goals, while goalie Antti Raanta stopped 21 shots as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1. With the win, Chicago improved to 247-5. The victory also moved Chicago coach Joel Quenneville into a tie with Pat Quinn (684) for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time coaches win list. Scotty Bowman, now a special assistant for the Blackhawks, holds the record with 1,244 wins, followed by Al Arbour (782) and Dick Irvin (692).

Rangers 4, Flames 3 (shootout) Benoit Pouliot scored the game-winning goal in a seven-round shootout to lead the New York Rangers to a win over the Calgary Flames. Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin and Chris Kreider scored in regulation for New York, who ended a four-game losing streak.

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 18 of 21 shots.

Mikael Backlund, Curtis Glencross and Sean Monahan scored during regulation time for Calgary, who fell to 13-15-5. Karri Ramo made 20 saves for the Flames.

Capitals 5, Flyers 4 (shootout) Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 27th goal with 48 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime and Nicklas Backstrom netted the gamewinner in the shootout, leading the Capitals to victory.

The Caps (18-12-3) fell behind 4-1 in the third period, but responded with longrange goals by defensemen Mike Green and Dmitry Orlov, setting the stage for Ovechkin’s equalizer. Claude Giroux, Mark Streit, Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier scored for the Flyers (14-15-4).

Lightning 3, Red Wings 0 Ben Bishop made 28 saves to register his sixth career shutout, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Detroit Red Wings. Tyler Johnson, J.T. Brown and Alex Killorn scored third-period goals for Tampa Bay (19-11-3).

Petr Mrazek stopped 24 shots for Detroit (15-11-9), who lost their fifth in a row and fell to 5-8-6 at home.

Panthers 2, Canadiens 1 Florida Panthers right winger Jesse Winchester and Nick Bjugstad scored goals 2:27 apart in the second period, goalie Scott Clemmensen made 17 saves, and the Panthers extended their winning streak to three games. Montreal (20-12-3) left winger Alex Galchenyuk scored a power-play goal 2:28 into the third period to spoil Clemmensen’s bid for his first shutout in over two years. The Panthers (12-17-5) have won five of six. — Reuters

NEW YORK: Carl Hagelin #62 of the New York Rangers tries to carry the puck up ice against Kris Russell #4 of the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden on Sunday in New York City. — AFP

NHL results/standings Washington 5, Philadelphia 4 (So); Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 0; Florida 2, Montreal 1; NY Rangers 4, Calgary 3 (SO); Chicago 3, Los Angeles 1; Anaheim 3, Edmonton 2.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division GA PTS Boston 22 9 2 92 70 46 Montreal 20 12 3 88 75 43 89 51 Tampa Bay 19 11 3 90 80 41 68 48 Detroit 15 11 9 89 94 39 82 46 Toronto 17 14 3 97 99 37 83 45 Ottawa 13 15 6 96 111 32 100 41 Florida 12 17 5 78 109 29 106 31 Buffalo 7 23 3 55 96 17 120 25 Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 23 10 1 105 74 47 101 53 Washington 18 12 3 105 97 39 73 47 Carolina 14 13 7 79 94 35 73 43 NY Rangers 16 17 1 76 91 33 81 43 Columbus 14 15 4 85 92 32 93 35 Philadelphia 14 15 4 76 91 32 92 35 New Jersey 13 15 6 78 85 32 100 33 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).

Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF Anaheim 23 7 5 111 8 4 94 Los Angeles 22 San Jose 20 7 6 108 Vancouver 20 10 5 98 Phoenix 18 9 5 104 Calgary 13 15 5 86 Edmonton 11 21 3 93 Central Division Chicago 24 7 5 135 St. Louis 22 6 3 110 Colorado 21 9 1 88 Minnesota 19 11 5 81 Dallas 15 11 5 90 Nashville 16 14 3 77 Winnipeg 14 15 5 90

San Lorenzo clinch Argentine title BUENOS AIRES: San Lorenzo won the Argentine league title on Sunday with a 0-0 draw at Velez Sarsfield as outgoing champions Newell’s Old Boys were held 2-2 in Rosario. The Saints, coached by former Barcelona and Spain striker Juan Antonio Pizzi, topped the Inicial championship with 33 points from 19 matches, two more than Velez, Newell’s and Lanus.

It was San Lorenzo’s 12th league title in the professional era and first since the 2007 Clausura championship. “We were one of the teams that most tried to play (good football) and among those that did it best,” said forward Ignacio Piatti, San Lorenzo’s top scorer with eight goals.

“We deserved this, the Cup and all,” he added referring to qualifying for next year’s Libertadores Cup, South America’s top club tournament. “We won a very even tournament of a very high standard... leaving the two biggest clubs with the two top coaches by the wayside,” said Pizzi, referring to Boca Juniors and River Plate. San Lorenzo made hard work of getting over the line with two scoreless draws in their last two matches.

A home win over Estudiantes two weeks ago would have settled the championship.

On Sunday, they were indebted to goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico for two brilliant saves that kept them in the match at Velez’s Fortin ground. In an exciting

clash at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium, Newell’s looked set to take the title race to a playoff against San Lorenzo on Wednesday before substitute Jorge Pereyra Diaz headed Lanus’s equaliser 15 minutes from time.

Newell’s, who won the Final championship under Gerardo Martino last season, failed to win any of their last eight matches and garnered only five points during the slump. They managed to take the race down to the wire because of the inconsistency of their challengers.

All four goals came in an absorbing second half on Sunday, with good football from both Newell’s and Lanus, who won the regional Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday. Midfielder Pablo Perez put the home side ahead in the 54th minute when he found a small gap between goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin and the post.

A minute later, Lanus centre back Paolo Goltz equalised with a header from a free kick, though video replays suggested he had strayed into an offside position. Newell’s went ahead again with an own goal from defender Carlos Izquierdoz. Milton Casco’s angled shot looked off target but the ball hit Izquierdoz full in the chest and went in.

There was time for more drama and Pereyra Diaz headed home at the near post to make it 2-2, sparking celebrations by San Lorenzo fans in the capital as the news came through. — Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

S P ORT S

Croatian Simunic to miss World Cup after 10-match ban ZURICH: Croatia defender Josip Simunic will miss the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after being suspended for 10 matches by FIFA for making pro-Nazi chants at the end of last month’s playoff victory over Iceland.

“The disciplinary committee took note that the player, together with the crowd, shouted a Croatian salute that was used during World War II by the fascist ‘Ustase’ movement,” world soccer’s ruling body said in a statement yesterday.

“As a consequence the committee agreed that this

salute was discriminatory and offended the dignity of a group of persons concerning, inter alia, race, religion or origin. “After taking into account all of the circumstances of the case, and particularly given the gravity of the incident, the committee decided to suspend the player for 10 official matches,” said FIFA. “The first matches ... have to be served during the final competition of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.” At the end of Croatia’s 2-0 win on Nov. 19, Australia-born Simunic took the microphone at the Maksimir

Stadium in Zagreb, turned to the stands and shouted ‘Za dom’ (for the Homeland), to which the audience replied ‘Spremni’ (Ready).

The call-and-response salute is widely associated with Croatia’s Nazi-allied Ustasha regime which ruled in 1941-45 and brutally persecuted Jews, Serbs, Gypsies and anti-fascist Croats. Simunic, who plays his club football for Dinamo Zagreb, said in a statement last month that he meant nothing wrong.

“As a Croatian who was born and grew up outside

my homeland, I associate home with love, warmth and positive struggle - everything we showed on the pitch to win our place in the World Cup,” said the 35year-old. Simunic was also fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,800) and “banned from entering the confines of the stadiums with regard to the 10 matches for which he is suspended”. The FIFA suspension appears particularly severe, especially in view of the relatively light punishments that have been dished out to national teams and club sides for racist behaviour. — Reuters

Man City face Barcelona in last 16 of Champions League

AGADIR: Bayern’s Jerome Boateng, left, and team mate Toni Kroos attend a news conference at the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Agadir, Morocco, yesterday. Bayern Munich will face Guangzhou Evergrande in the first semi final today. — AP

Guardiola determined to win ‘prestigious’ Club World Cup AGADIR: Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he has no intention of taking the Club World Cup lightly as his European champions prepare to face China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in the semi-finals today.

Guardiola has already enjoyed a glittering coaching career and is the only boss to have already won this competition twice, in 2009 and 2011 with Barcelona.

And even though his team come into the competition as overwhelming favourites, the Catalan is not taking anything for granted.

“This tournament is very important, very prestigious. It’s not easy to qualify for it, nor to win it,” he said.

“There are only two matches, the semi-final and the final, and simply put, we have to win them. “You don’t have the good fortune to take part in this competition very often in your life as a professional footballer and I’d like to express my gratitude to the team and (predecessor) Juup Heynckes because thanks to them I am here today.”

Although he has won the Champions League twice, the Spanish title three times and even managed a treble including the Spanish Cup in his first season as a coach, Guardiola will not be the senior figure in the dugout today.

Opposite him will be Italian 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, who reappeared in China last year after a two-year hiatus following his second, and unsuccessful, spell in charge of the Azzurri.

For all Guardiola has won, his CV does not yet match that of Lippi, who led Juventus to the 1996 Champions League crown and five Serie A titles, before doing the league and cup double with Guangzhou in his first season, with a league and Asian Champions League double in 2013.

Yet Lippi himself has been impressed with the younger coach’s career so far. “Guardiola is an intelligent and capable person. We’ve seen

what he’s done with Barcelona and Bayern, he’s changed teams but kept on winning,” said the 65-year-old.

“He’s brought with him his philosophy of play, slowly but with sureness.” Lippi knows his team, the first ever Chinese participants in the competition, have little chance of upsetting the odds, even suggesting they only have a one percent possibility.

“We’re going to play against one of the best teams in the world. “When you play a match against a team like this, out of 100 matches you lose 99 but you can win one and I hope that will be the next one. You never know.”

If Bayern do win the tournament it would be their fifth trophy of the year having won the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup back in May and then added the European Super Cup in August.

However, they did lose out to Borussia Dortmund in the German Supercup so will not be able to match the achievements of Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2009. Even so, Bayern’s French winger Franck Ribery, who is on the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, alongside the holders of the trophy the last five years in Lionel Messi (2009-2012) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2008), wants to finish the calendar year on a positive note.

“It’s been a good year for everyone at Bayern. Now we’ve got two matches left before going on holiday,” said Ribery, referring to the German League winter break. “We’re here to play well, be serious and win the trophy.”

The winners will face either Atletico Mineiro of Brazil or hosts Raja Casablanca in Saturday’s final. The second semi-final takes place tomorrow, with Raja’s Ivory Coast quarter-final match-winner Kouko Guehi particularly looking forward to facing former Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho. “Ever since I was a child my dream was to see Ronaldinho in the flesh and to play against him,” he said. “It’s huge!” — AFP

Spurs sack Villas-Boas after Liverpool rout LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur after 17 months in the role, the English Premier League club announced yesterday. The news arrived a day after Spurs were thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool at White Hart Lane, which left the north London club five points below the Champions League places in seventh in the Premier League table.

“The club can announce that agreement has been reached with head coach, Andre Villas-Boas, for the termination of his services,” read a statement on the Tottenham website.

“The decision was by mutual consent and in the interests of all parties. We wish Andre well for the future. We shall make a further announcement in due course.” Villas-Boas, 36, had also seen his side demolished 6-0 at Manchester City last month, despite Spurs having invested around £105 million ($171 million, 124 million euros) on new players during the close season.

That expenditure was, however, offset by the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, but Spurs have scored just 15 goals in their 16 league games this season since the Welshman left the club.

Villas-Boas’s dismissal represents his second consecutive failure at a London side as he was sacked by Chelsea in March 2012 after only nine months at the Stamford Bridge helm. He joined Spurs the following July but despite leading the club to their highest points tally of the Premier League era last season (72), they missed out on a Champions League place to arch-rivals Arsenal.

Speaking after the drubbing by Liverpool, Villas-Boas had vowed that he would not walk away from the club. “The call to make that decision is not mine because obviously I won’t resign and I’m not a quitter,” he said.

“The only thing I can do is work hard with the players to get them back on track. This is a top-four squad but in our Premier League form we are not there.” While Spurs have misfired in the league, they qualified for the last

32 in the Europa League after winning all six of their group games and were paired with Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Friday’s draw.

They are also due to play West Ham United in the quarter-finals of the League Cup tomorrow. Villas-Boas becomes the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season. Paolo Di Canio was the first to go at Sunderland, followed by Ian Holloway at Crystal Palace and Martin Jol at Fulham, while West Bromwich Albion parted company with Steve Clarke on Saturday.

Russia manager Fabio Capello, the former England head coach, was swiftly installed as the British bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Villas-Boas, who first came to prominence at Porto. Capello has previously worked with Spurs director of football Franco Baldini at Roma, Real Madrid and with England, and he was in attendance for the game against Liverpool on Sunday.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup is also reported to be in contention, but the agent of Guus Hiddink ruled the experienced Dutchman out of the running as he is due to become coach of the Netherlands for a second time after next year’s World Cup. “I would be surprised if (Hiddink) went to Spurs. I could hardly imagine that happening,” Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told Britain’s Press Association. “He has just signed a contract with Holland and he has also turned down offers from other countries recently to coach them at the World Cup, so I wouldn’t take any talk of Guus going to Tottenham seriously.”

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed surprise at Villas-Boas’s departure. “Always when a manager is sacked, I am surprised, especially when it is an important manager,” he told a press conference.

“He is a very young manager, he has done very well with all the teams-Porto and here in England. He didn’t have time in both clubs, but I am absolutely sure he will continue his career.” — AFP

LONDON: Manchester City’s fear of drawing one of Europe’s big guns in the Champions League round of 16 was realised yesterday when they were handed a daunting tie with four-times winners Barcelona.

Holders Bayern Munich will play Arsenal at the same stage for the second successive season while Chelsea hero Didier Drogba will make an emotional return to west London with current side Galatasaray following yesterday’s draw.

Nine-times winner Real Madrid take on Schalke 04 and last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund will play Zenit St Petersburg, who scraped through with six points after winning only one of their six group games.

French champions Paris St Germain will play Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid were paired with AC Milan.

“Very tough, we are happy because we are here and we will fight for the trophy, but it’s true that it could be maybe better,” City director of football Txiki Begiristain, who held the same position at Barcelona and spent seven years as a player at the Spanish club, told Sky Sports.

Despite the tough draw, City will take confidence from their strong home form which has seen them score a remarkable 35 goals in eight home league matches this season, and their win over Bayern earlier this month, although it was not enough to finish top of their group.

“Barca is a champion side who are playing with confidence and they have that champion’s mentality which is going to make it tough for us,” Begiristain added.

“But we are playing well and creating a lot of scoring chances and that gives us a lot of confidence.”

Exceptional quality Barcelona share top spot in La Liga with Atletico Madrid, and will hope to have striker Lionel Messi back from a thigh strain in time for the first leg in February.

“It’s a tie of exceptional quality to get the competition going again in February,” Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta told Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.

“They are two teams that attack very well and have a huge amount of talent right from the goalkeepers through to the forward line.

“It seems like it will be a match with everything and it is going to be a tough fight.”

Bayern defeated Arsenal on away goals in last season’s round of 16 on their way to their fifth title.

The German champions won the first game at the Emirates Stadium 3-1 but lost 2-0 at home, and their chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was not looking forward to a rematch with the Premier League leaders.

“They are the leaders in the Premier League and so we have been warned,” he said.

“A few months ago we lost to them in Munich. They are a very tough team.”

Chelsea have an intriguing tie against Galatasaray and former Stamford Bridge favourite Drogba.

The Ivorian ended his Chelsea career on a high after scoring the deciding penalty in the shootout success over Bayern in the 2012 final, and the London side’s manager Jose Mourinho

NYON: UEFA Champions League Final Ambassador, former Portuguese international footballer Luis Figo holds up the name of Barcelona during the draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions league tournament at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon yesterday. — AFP spoke recently of his hope that the two teams would meet.

Three-times winners Manchester United will play Greek champions Olympiakos Piraeus, while Atletico will fancy their chances against struggling AC Milan, who currently sit 12th in Serie A, 25 points behind leaders Juventus and 17 points off the last Champions League qualification spot.

“They may not be experiencing their best

moment but we are talking about Milan,” Atletico Madrid director Clemente Villaverde told Canal Plus.

“We are not talking about just anyone here but a great team with a very significant history that will make them a force in any competition they are part of.

We obviously have a lot of respect for all the teams but we do not fear anyone.” The final is at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light on May 24. — Reuters

Europa League round of 32 and 16 draw LONDON: Draw for the Europa League round of 32 and round of 16 made on Monday:

Slovan Liberec v AZ Alkmaar Ties to be played on Feb. 20 and Feb. 27

Round of 32 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk v Tottenham Hotspur Real Betis v Rubin Kazan Swansea City v Napoli Juventus v Trabzonspor Maribor v Sevilla Viktoria Plzen v Shakhtar Donetsk Chernomorets Odessa v Olympique Lyon Lazio v Ludogorets Esbjerg v Fiorentina Ajax Amsterdam v Salzburg Maccabi Tel Aviv v Basel Porto v Eintracht Frankfurt Anzhi Makhachkala v Genk Dynamo Kiev v Valencia PAOK Salonika v Benfica

Round of 16 Slovan Liberec or AZ Alkmaar v Anzhi Makhachkala or Genk Lazio or Ludogorets v Dynamo Kiev or Valencia Porto or Eintracht Frankfurt v Swansea City or Napoli Chernomorets Odessa or Olympique Lyon v Viktoria Plzen or Shakhtar Donetsk Maribor or Sevilla v Real Betis or Rubin Kazan Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk or Tottenham Hotspur v PAOK Salonika or Benfica Maccabi Tel Aviv or Basel v Ajax Amsterdam or Salzburg Juventus or Trabzonspor v Esbjerg or Fiorentina Ties to be played on March 13 and March 20.

— Reuters

Spanish Preview

Five things to know about Copa del Rey BARCELONA: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona all look to finish off lower-tier opponents in the second leg of the Copa del Rey. Here are five things to know about this week’s matches in the round of 32: Tough to crack Real Madrid appears to be a shoo-in for the next round of the Copa del Rey, but it will first have to find a way to crack Olimpic Xativa’s staunch defense tomorrow.

Madrid couldn’t do so in the first leg and was held to a drab 0-0 draw by the third-division side. Madrid is not the only team that has failed to score on Olimpic. Its last nine opponents have all come up empty, and now the little team will try to make history by pulling off the upset at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

One problem for Olimpic is that it has also failed to score in six of those nine defensive stands. That, and it may face a much more intimidating Madrid side with Cristiano Ronaldo recovered from a hamstring pull and looking to score again after being denied in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Osasuna.

Cheap seats Only the most delusional Sant Andreu fanatic could see the third-tier side overcoming the 4-0 drubbing Atletico Madrid dealt it in their first meeting.

That’s partly why Atletico has decided to fight any risk of absenteeism among its home fans by

slashing the ticket prices, in a move that also benefits Spain’s vast numbers of unemployed.

Atletico is offering 5,000 tickets for 1 euro for anyone without a job living in the Spanish capital. Otherwise, it is reducing prices to 5 euros for its club members while regular seats will cost 10 25 euros.

Unfortunately for Sant Andreu, the defending champions may stay true to coach Diego Simeone’s plan and once again field a top-notch side.

“We keep going forward game by game and based on that we have to get pumped for the game on Wednesday to finish off the cup tie,” Simeone said Sunday after his team won again to retain its joint share of the Spanish league lead with Barcelona.

Barcelona’s back The first time Barcelona played Cartagena it was on a rare two-game losing streak. But after rallying for a 4-1 win over the third-division side it has rolled off two more wins to sit pretty once again.

“We have improved over the last three games, in every facet of play we have gotten better,” Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said.

With Lionel Messi nursing a hurt hamstring, Barcelona’s rebound has been thanks to Neymar and his five goals in his last two matches.

The Brazil striker may get a rest on Tuesday against Cartagena at Camp Nou, letting Pedro Rodriguez and maybe even little-used forward

Cristian Tello get starts. Barcelona will be without Xavi Hernandez due to a muscle pull, while Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique will rest.

Djukic’s downfall?

Valencia coach Miroslav Djukic could be in serious trouble of keeping his job if his team slips up against Nastic Tarragona on Thursday.

Seven-time cup winner Valencia was held to a 0-0 draw at third-division Tarragona two week ago, and the pressure is on Djukic to turn things around after Valencia’s 3-0 humbling at Atletico.

Spanish media reports speculate that Djukic needs to get a good result against Madrid next Sunday in the league, but he first must steer his slumping side by Tarragona.

“I am not afraid of anything. I feel that I able to get us through this,” Djukic said. “I have to keep working with the team. First we have to prepare for the game against Nastic in the Copa.”

Valencia will be without top scorer Jonas after he received two yellow cards in the first leg.

Danger zone Besides Valencia, there are other topflight teams in danger of an ignominious ousting.

Levante was the only first-division team to lose to a lower-division side in the opening leg, and now needs to fight back from a 1-0 deficit against Recreativo Huelva. Real Sociedad, Getafe and Espanyol all drew their first legs and must be careful to take care of business at home. — AP

Man City face Barcelona in Champions League

Al-Mudhaf in Gulf 12hr with McLaren 12C GT3

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

India busts 467 drug cheats since 2009

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ARLINGTON: Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn (10) celebrates the game-winning touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, in Arlington, Texas. Green Bay won 37-36. — AP

Patriots run out of miracles MIAMI GARDENS: The New England Patriots didn’t have one more miracle finish in their repertoire. They came close Sunday, but reserve safety Michael Thomas, playing in his first NFL game, intercepted Tom Brady’s fourth-down pass in the end zone with 2 seconds left and Miami held on to win 24-20, improving its playoff chances.

“We came up on the short end of the stick,” said Brady, whose Patriots are 10-4 and two games in front of Miami in the AFC East. “It wasn’t a good day. Just couldn’t make enough plays.” The Patriots have made those plays throughout the season, including in tight victories over Denver, Cleveland, New Orleans, Houston and the New York Jets.

This time, it was the Dolphins (8-6) who came through, snapping a seven-game losing streak against New England.

Miami is 5-2 since tackle Jonathan Martin left the team in a bullying scandal. “We’ve grown a lot,” Ryan Tannehill said after he threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns, including a 14-yarder to Marcus Thigpen with 1:15 left that provided the winning margin. “Each of us has gotten stronger through the adversity we’ve faced off the field and on the field.”

Brady went 34 for 55 for 364 yards and two scores. Julian Edelman made 13 catches for 139 yards, and Danny Amendola added 10 receptions for 131 yards. The weekend began with San Diego (7-7) beating Denver (11-3) on Thursday night, 27-20. Monday night’s game has Detroit (76) hosting Baltimore (7-6).

Packers 37, Cowboys 36 Matt Flynn threw four touchdown passes in the second half, Eddie Lacy had the winning score on a 1-yard plunge after Tony Romo threw an interception, and Green Bay rallied from 23 points down at halftime.

Playing on the same field where they won the 2011 Super Bowl, the visiting Packers (7-6-1) stayed in the NFC North race and matched the 1982 team, which rallied past the Rams after trailing by 23.

“Most guys would pack it in: ‘Guys, it’s not our season.

Let’s go home and get ready for next year,’” said Green Bay cornerback Tramon Williams, who had an interception overturned on review before a clinching pick that was ruled incomplete and reversed on replay. “It’s not that vibe here.”

Romo tossed two interceptions in the final three minutes and the Cowboys (7-7) blew a chance to pull even with Philadelphia in the NFC East, remaining a game behind with two to play. “We’ve got two weeks to get this thing right,” cornerback Brandon Carr said. “Right now, words really have no effect. Complete debacle in the second half.”

Vikings 48, Eagles 30 At Minneapolis, the Eagles (8-6) saw their five-game winning streak snapped, endangering their playoff hopes. Matt Cassel passed for 382 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to lead the injury-depleted Vikings. With Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart out, Matt Asiata rushed for the first three touchdowns of his career. Greg Jennings caught a career-high 11 passes for 163 yards for the Vikings (4-9-1). Nick Foles threw for 428 yards with three touchdowns and one interception and DeSean Jackson had 10 catches for 195 yards and a score for the Eagles.

Seahawks 23, Giants 0 Richard Sherman had two interceptions, Marshawn Lynch scored on a twisting, triple-effort 2-yard run, and Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals as Seattle (12-2) manhandled the Giants (5-9) for its franchise-record sixth road win.

Russell Wilson toyed with New York’s defense, running for 50 yards and throwing for 206 and a touchdown before sitting out the last few minutes. Wilson has 23 wins, the most for a quarterback in his first two seasons in the Super Bowl era.

The Seahawks, already in the playoffs, are closing in on the NFC West title and their best overall record; they went 13-3 in 2005 before losing to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

Eli Manning was picked off a career-worst five times. The Giants lost top receiver Victor Cruz to a concussion in the fourth quarter. Cruz is 2 yards short of his third straight 1,000-yard season.

49ers 33, Buccaneers 14 At Tampa, the 49ers stayed in range of Seattle in the division as Vernon Davis caught a touchdown pass for the fifth straight game and Michael Crabtree scored his first TD since returning from injury. The victory was the fourth straight for the 49ers (10-4). Phil Dawson kicked four field goals, extending his franchise-record streak of consecutive successful attempts to 24. Mike Glennon was 18 of 34 for 179 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Tampa Bay (4-10).

Panthers 30, Jets 20 Cam Newton threw for 273 yards and a touchdown, Captain Munnerlyn had two sacks and returned an interception for a score against the visiting Jets. With New Orleans losing, the Panthers (10-4) pulled even with the Saints in the NFC South with their rematch set for next Sunday in Charlotte. If Carolina wins its final two games, it will clinch the division and a first-round bye. The Panthers haven’t been to the postseason since 2008. The Jets (6-8) used rookie defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson to bulldoze for a 1-yard touchdown run.

Rams 27, Saints 16 At St. Louis, Drew Brees threw interceptions that led to touchdowns on New Orleans’ first two possessions. Robert

Quinn had two sacks, giving him an NFC-leading 15, and his hit on the Saints’ first snap of the game altered the flight of the ball on T.J. McDonald’s interception.

The Saints (10-4) missed their first chance to clinch a playoff berth, trailing 24-3 at the half. The Rams (6-8) recovered an onside kick to set up a field goal, and Michael Brockers blocked a field-goal attempt.

Chiefs 56, Raiders 31 At Oakland, Calif., Jamaal Charles tied a franchise record with five touchdowns in a game and gained 215 yards from scrimmage as the Chiefs beat the Raiders and clinched at least a wild-card spot. Charles is the first player in NFL history with at least four touchdown receptions and one touchdown run in a single game.

Alex Smith threw five TD passes, going 17 for 20 for 287 yards to make the Chiefs the fourth team ever to make the playoffs a year after losing at least 14 games. Kansas City (11-3) is tied for first place in the AFC West with Denver, but needs help to win the division because the Broncos swept the season series.

“Anytime you can be a part of the turnaround, it’s a special feeling,” Smith said. “These guys have worked hard and deserve a ton of credit. It’s special to be a part of this.” Matt McGloin threw four interceptions and lost a fumble while sharing time with Terrelle Pryor as Oakland (4-10) allowed the most points in franchise history and lost its fourth straight game. The Raiders had seven turnovers overall.

Bears 38, Browns 31 At Cleveland, Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes in his first start since missing four games with a sprained left ankle. His 4-yard TD pass to Earl Bennett with 5:41 left won it for the Bears (8-6), who are alone atop the NFC North pending yesterday’s Baltimore-Detroit game.

Michael Bush’s 40-yard TD run with 2:17 left sealed it for the Bears, who completed a four-game sweep of the AFC North. Tashuan Gipson returned an interception 44 yards for

NFL results/standings Seattle 23, NY Giants 0; Chicago 38, Cleveland 31; Indianapolis 25, Houston 3; Buffalo 27, Jacksonville 20; Miami 24, New England 20; Minnesota 48, Philadelphia 30; Atlanta 27, Washington 26; San Francisco 33, Tampa Bay 14; Kansas City 56, Oakland 31; Carolina 30, NY Jets 20; Green Bay 37, Dallas 36; St. Louis 27, New Orleans 16; Arizona 37, Tennessee 34 (OT); Pittsburgh 30, Cincinnati 20.

New England Miami NY Jets Buffalo Cincinnati Baltimore Pittsburgh Cleveland Indianapolis Tennessee Jacksonville Houston Denver Kansas City San Diego Oakland

American Football Conference AFC East W L T OTL PF 10 4 0 1 369 8 6 0 0 310 6 8 0 0 246 5 9 0 2 300 AFC North 9 5 0 2 354 7 6 0 1 278 6 8 0 0 321 4 10 0 0 288 AFC South 9 5 0 0 338 5 9 0 2 326 4 10 0 0 221 2 12 0 1 253 AFC West 11 3 0 1 535 11 3 0 0 399 7 7 0 1 343 4 10 0 0 295

PA 311 296 367 354

PCT .714 .571 .429 .357

274 261 332 362

.643 .538 .429 .286

Chicago Detroit Green Bay Minnesota

319 355 399 375

.643 .357 .286 .143

New Orleans Carolina Tampa Bay Atlanta

372 255 311 393

.786 .786 .500 .286

Seattle San Francisco Arizona St. Louis

Philadelphia Dallas NY Giants Washington

National Football Conference NFC East 8 6 0 0 364 7 7 0 0 393 5 9 0 0 251 3 11 0 0 305 NFC North 8 6 0 1 406 7 6 0 0 346 7 6 1 0 353 4 9 1 0 363 NFC South 10 4 0 0 359 10 4 0 0 328 4 10 0 1 258 4 10 0 0 309 NFC West 12 2 0 0 380 10 4 0 0 349 9 5 0 0 342 6 8 0 0 316

349 385 357 434

.571 .500 .357 .214

391 321 362 425

.571 .538 .536 .321

270 208 324 388

.714 .714 .286 .286

205 228 291 324

.857 .714 .643 .429

a TD and T.J. Ward had a 51-yard TD fumble return for the Browns (4-10).

Steelers 30, Bengals 20 At Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt for a score in a 64-second span in the first quarter. Shaun Suisham added three field goals for the Steelers (6-8), who built a 24-point lead and hardly looked like a team playing out the string.

Ben Roethlisberger completed 20 of 25 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Andy Dalton completed 25 of 44 for 230 yards and two second-half touchdowns, but Cincinnati (9-5) never recovered after getting staggered early at frigid Heinz Field. But the Bengals still control the AFC South.

Cardinals 37, Titans 34, OT At Nashville, Tenn., Jay Feely’s 41-yard field goal in overtime won it after Arizona (9-5) blew a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals won their sixth in seven games to remain in the NFC wild-card chase.

The Titans scored 17 points in the final 3:12 of regulation, with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing two of his four TD passes to Michael Preston. They also recovered an onside kick to set up the tying TD with 10 seconds left. But Antoine Cason intercepted his second pass of the game in OT and Tennessee (5-9) lost its third straight, and fifth consecutive home game for the first time since moving to Music City in 1997.

Colts 25, Texans 3 At Indianapolis, Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes, and Robert Mathis broke the Colts’ single-season and career sacks records by forcing a second-half safety.

Mathis, the NFL sacks leader, has 161/2 this season and 108 in his career, breaking the franchise records held by longtime teammate and close friend Dwight Freeney. The Colts (9-5), owners of the AFC South title, had no trouble against Houston (2-12), which has lost 12 straight overall and is 0-12 all-time in Indy.

Falcons 27, Redskins 26 At Atlanta, Desmond Trufant deflected Kirk Cousins’ pass on a 2-point conversion with 18 seconds remaining. Cousins’ touchdown pass to Santana Moss gave Washington a chance to force overtime by kicking the extra point. Instead, Cousins’ attempted pass for Pierre Garcon was deflected by Trufant.

Steven Jackson ran for two touchdowns for Atlanta (410), which scored 20 points off seven Washington turnovers.

The Redskins (3-11) tied a team record with five lost fumbles. Cousins passed for 381 yards and three touchdowns, but had three turnovers in his first start of the season after coach Mike Shanahan benched Robert Griffin III. Steven Jackson ran for two touchdowns for Atlanta.

Bills 27, Jaguars 20 At Jacksonville, rookie EJ Manuel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score. Manuel bounced back from a four-interception performance at Tampa Bay last week. The Bills (5-9) scored 10 points in the final 2:14 of the first half. The Jaguars (4-10) rallied to even the score on Chad Henne’s 13-yard TD pass to Marcedes Lewis.

Manuel answered by capping an 89-yard drive with a 1yard pass to Frank Summers. With it, Manuel set the franchise’s rookie record for touchdown passes with 11. — AP

Business

Indian inflation surges to 14-month high of 7.52% Page 23

Kuwait respondents not happy with savings for future: Survey

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

Page 25 KAMCO launches real estate yield fund

Kuwait eyes KD12bn budget surplus Page 22

Page 26

DEHRADUN: An Indian man purchases vegetables from a roadside vendor in Dehradun yesterday. Indian inflation jumped to a 14-month-high of 7.52 percent in November, data showed December 16, stoking expectations of another interest rate hike when the central bank meets this week. —AFP (See Page 23)

BP inks $16bn gas project deal in Oman Khazzan project vital for Oman • BP to hold 60% stake MUSCAT/DUBAI: BP has signed 30-year deals to develop Oman’s Khazzan tight gas project at an estimated investment of $16 billion, that will help the Omani economy to keep growing and bolster flagging gas exports. The Khazzan gas project, which aims to extract around one billion cubic feet (bcf) per day of gas from deep under central Oman, is a showcase for BP’s tight gas extraction technology and output will go towards meeting Oman’s growing energy needs.

“Today’s signing is an important step in the Sultanate of Oman’s plans to meet growing demand for energy over the coming decades and to contribute to economic development in Oman,” Oman oil and gas minister, Mohammed AlRumhy, said in a statement after the signing in Muscat.

“The Khazzan project is the largest new upstream project in Oman and a pioneering development in the region in unlocking technically challenging tight gas through technology.” BP has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the project since winning the concession in 2007. It expects total investment of around $16 billion for the full field development, equivalent to about a fifth of Oman’s current annual economic output. “This enables BP to bring to Oman the experience it has built up in tight gas production over many decades,” BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said in the joint statement.

Construction is expected to begin in 2014, with first gas expected in late 2017 and plateau production of around 1 bcf, or 28.3 million cubic metres, per day expected in 2018.

This level of production would be enough to meet around a third of the country’s current domestic gas needs. But Omani energy demand is rising rapidly and Muscat also hopes to import Iranian gas in a 25-year deal signed in August.

“The country needs the gas to develop its economy,” AlRuhmy told journalists. “Our needs for gas increase day by day.” BP, which will operate the project, expects to develop around 7 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas in the Khazzan project, and to pump around 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) of gas condensate, a light oil, from the field.

The production sharing agreement and a gas sales agreement also allow BP to appraise more gas resources in Oman’s Block 61, which it expects to develop later. Stateowned Oman Oil Company Exploration & Production (OOCEP) will hold a 40 percent stake in Block 61, while BP will hold 60 percent. The Omani government will take 55 percent of the gas sales revenues, while the rest will be split between the project partners, with 60 percent for BP and 40 percent for (OOCEP) after deducting costs, the minister told the news conference.

The agreement covers an area of around 2,800 square kilometers containing several ‘tight gas’ reservoirs discovered in the 1990s.

TIGHT GAS CHALLENGE Tight gas reservoir development is particularly technically challenging because the low porosity of the reservoir rock reduces the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing methods used to flush gas out with pressurized liquids. BP has developed its own technology designed to increase production from tricky tight gas reserves. BP shares rose from

Friday’s close of 465.55 pence to a high of 470.70 pence after the announcement yesterday, before easing to around 467.90 pence at 0950 GMT. After months of haggling, Muscat agreed in mid-2013 on the price at which BP could sell any gas it can squeeze from deep underground in Block 61 in central Oman. The agreed price has not been disclosed. Rock-bottom gas prices prevalent in the Middle East are a remnant of when gas was a plentiful by-product of the region’s oil fields and Saudi industry still only pays $0.75 per million British thermal units (mmbtu), a fraction of the price paid around the globe. Artificially low government-set gas prices have discouraged investments in projects needed to meet rapidly rising demand for gas across the region, making many countries increasingly reliant on imports. According to industry estimates total upstream conventional gas production costs are around $3/mmbtu, but the cost of projects like BP’s tight gas project are thought to be much higher.

In a rare Middle East move to cut huge fuel subsidy bills, Oman plans to double natural gas prices for some industrial consumers from $1.5/mmbtu in 2012 to $3/mmbtu in 2015.

Oman currently exports gas from liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants that were planned before the small non-OPEC oil producer was forced to revise down its gas reserves.

Oman’s voracious gas appetite has already taken a bite out of its LNG exports and analysts say the success of Khazzan will be vital for the country to keep exporting over the next decade.

BP said it had also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with state-run and Oman Oil Company to develop a one million ton per year acetic acid plant in Duqm, on the Arabian Sea coast of Oman. — Reuters

CBK to restructure Islamic finance industry: Hashel KUWAIT: Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Governor Dr Mohammad Al-Hashel said here yesterday that the CBK is keen on revamping Islamic finance industry mechanisms, calling for establishing a legal entity to develop auditing and supervision.

The significance of Islamic finance industry is remarkably growing, Al-Hashel said in a keynote speech during a conference on Islamic finance, stressing the importance of ensuring governance of legal surveillance activities. But, he cautioned against risks like the shortage of sharia-compliant hedging tools which are necessary for warding off Islamic financebearing perils.

To preclude such risks, it is necessary to go ahead with putting in place programs purposed to improve governance and develop financial markets that can absorb a set of Islamic financial tools, he said. More efforts also need to be exerted in order to innovate and develop appropriate hedging mechanisms, the CBK chief pointed out. Sharia-compliant control methods act as the main determiner of the general framework for regulative plans and auditing mechanisms, he said, adding that the concept of control at

The operations team at the compressor station at the LR5 Drilling Rig, Khazzan Project, Oman.

financial institutions is different from that at Islamic financial bodies.

Islamic finance poses different challenges that require the establishment of a strong control system that should take into account risks and challenges Islamic financial institutions are facing. Abidance by Sharia-compliant rules should be continuously checked, he emphasized, calling for establishing the principle of independence of Islamic control bodies by means of adopting fatwas and rulings so freely without having to be influenced by anybody.

However, the CBK chief complained that main challenges haunting Islamic bank and financial activities mainly include the shortage of Islamic scholars specialized in Islamic finance. Kuwait was in the forefront of the countries which launched Islamic financial industry, he said, noting that Kuwait has now five Islamic banks, a non-Kuwaiti Islamic bank branch and 51 Islamic investment firms. Amid swift changes and shifts in financial activities in general and Islamic finance in particular, more concerted efforts ought to be exerted so as to meet relevant challenges and risks, Al-Hashel concluded. — KUNA

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

BUSINESS

Kuwait eyes KD12bn budget surplus NBK ECONOMIC REPORT KUWAIT: After dipping sharply in early November, crude oil prices rallied through the rest of the month, regaining all of the previously lost ground. The price of Kuwait Export Crude (KEC) rose from a low of $101 per barrel (pb) in early November to $107 a month later, $3 above its November average. Brent crude prices also rose from a low of $103 in early November to $114 - well above the trading range for most of the year. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) - the main US crude benchmark - once again bucked the trend, failing to see any sort of bounce until the first few days of December. At a price of $92 WTI’s discount to Brent reached $20 in late November, its highest since March.

The rise in crude prices came as markets digested the implications of the late November deal between the international community and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program. The deal suspends any tightening of current oil sanctions, and paves the way for a possible return of up to 1 million barrels per day (mbpd) of Iranian oil exports to the global market next year. However, although the deal is bearish for oil prices over the long-term, it releases little or no extra oil on the market for the next few months, and there is no guarantee that a final agreement will be reached next May. Meanwhile, a slew of encouraging economic data - particularly in developed economies - has boosted the prospect of global oil demand soaking-up the large expected rise in non-OPEC supply next year.

Separately, WTI’s discount to Brent has reestablished itself as a notable feature of the global oil market. The rise in the discount has been driven by a build-up in US crude stock levels, thanks mainly to a continued rise in US tight oil production. But in addition, Brent - as the main international benchmark - has found support from global factors, including the disruptions to supply in key producers such as Libya, Iraq and Iran. In principal, this confers a competitive advantage to US energy intensive industries.

This includes US refiners, who gain access to cheap US crude feedstock, but who can then sell refined products at higher global rates. But this should be set against the cost to US crude producers, who - for legal reasons - must sell their product in the domestic market.

Oil demand outlook Analysts’ forecasts for global oil demand growth have diverged over the past month. The International Energy Agency (IEA) have slightly

reduced their forecasts for next year in line with lower economic growth expectations in the US and China. They see demand growing by 1.1 mbpd in 2014, or 1.2 percent, up from 1 mbpd in 2013. Meanwhile, the Center for Global Energy Studies has revised up its projections for global oil demand growth in 2014 to 1.2 mbpd (1.3 percent) from 1.1 mbpd (1.2 percent) last month, reflecting expectations of stronger OECD consumption.

Demand in the developed world is expected to decline once more, but by a smaller amount than in 2013. Demand in developing countries is seen rising by slightly more than in 2013.

Oil supply outlook Crude output of the OPEC-11 (excluding Iraq) fell for the third consecutive month, plunging by 604,000 bpd to 28.1 mbpd in October - according to data provided by ‘direct communication’ between OPEC and national sources. This came on the back of steep declines in Saudi Arabia (370,000 bpd) and Iran (317,000 bpd). Saudi output was reduced to below 10 mbpd for the first time in 4 months as a result of the seasonal wind-down in crude demand at domestic power plants. Kuwait and the UAE also cut output slightly at the end of the hot summer months, with field maintenance in Kuwait likely to continue to affect output through mid-November.

Iranian production reportedly fell to 3.2 mbpd in October, though secondary sources cite lower output levels of around 2.7 mbpd. Further large declines in Iranian output are unlikely following a softening of US measures that force buyers of Iranian crude to reduce imports.

Iraq and Libya saw the largest output gains in October (+130 kbpd or so). Escalating security issues in both countries are expected to have curtailed production in November, with some international oil firms looking to reduce operations or even exit from Libya. At its December 4 meeting in Vienna, OPEC members agreed to keep the group’s output ceiling unchanged at 30 mbpd. Yet the consensus view is that - with the prospect of an easing of sanctions on Iranian crude, and a possible (albeit far from guaranteed) recovery in Libyan and Iraqi production the task of adhering to the target may prove difficult. Saudi Arabia - the organization’s unofficial swing producer - may be required to make more significant production cuts next year.

Non-OPEC oil supplies are projected to increase by a significant 1.6-1.8 mbpd in 2014, of which 0.2 mbpd is expected to come from OPEC

(but not subject quota) natural gas liquids. NonOPEC supply growth will be led by the continued boom in North American production. If aggregate OPEC output remains at current levels (with cuts in Saudi output offsetting increases by other OPEC producers), it should fall on average next year but global supplies could still increase by up to 1.3 mbpd, following an expected increase of 0.8 mbpd in 2013.

Price projections Unchecked, surging non-OPEC production and a potential rise in output from certain OPEC producers could materially weaken oil market fundamentals next year. Other OPEC members notably Saudi Arabia - may therefore need to manage supply more tightly in order to maintain prices at above $100. Using the CGES’s forecast of a 1.2 mbpd increase in global oil demand in 2014 and a significant 1.8 mbpd increase in nonOPEC supplies, global inventories could rise by 0.5 mbpd. If OPEC holds output near current levels - resulting in a year-on-year cut in its average output of 0.5 mbpd - the price of KEC would slip only slightly from $104 in early 2014 to just under $100 by year-end.

If, on the other hand, OPEC is unable to restrict production at current levels, then oil inventories could rise by a large 0.8 mbpd in 2014. The price of KEC drops quickly below $100 in 2Q14, and further thereafter.

Alternatively, non-OPEC supplies could turn out to be 0.3 mbpd lower than expected, causing oil prices to rise sharply next year. In this scenario, the price of KEC rises to just under $110 by mid-2014, before accelerating to $120 in the second half of the year. These last two scenarios would likely prompt OPEC to adjust its output in order to prevent prices moving too far in either direction.

Budget projections The three scenarios above generate oil prices in the narrow range of $103 to $104 in the current fiscal year, with the impact on prices largely felt next year. With oil prices projected to average $3-4 lower than last year, government revenues may fall slightly in FY13/14. If government spending, as expected, comes in 5-10 percent below its official target of KD21.0 billion, the budget would see a surplus of between KD11.6 billion and KD12.9 billion before allocations to the RFFG. This would equate to 23 percent-26 percent of forecast 2013 GDP.

India seeks financial guarantees for Iran ships NEW DELHI: India has asked Iran to provide financial guarantees before Delhi continues to allow vessels with Iranian insurance cover to enter Indian waters, the latest sign of difficulties Iran is facing in exporting oil. Iran and world powers reached a breakthrough agreement last month over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program that allowed the Middle Eastern nation to continue oil shipments at current levels of about 1 million barrels per day (bpd). India’s latest request, however, shows the struggle OPEC member Iran still faces in maintaining steady oil shipments.

International sanctions on Iran have made it difficult to insure refineries and ships involved in trade with Iran and forced India to settle 45 percent of oil payments in rupees through stateowned UCO Bank while refiners are withholding the remainder. India is the second-biggest market for Iranian oil after China and India and Iran last week held discussions on ways to settle oil trade in hard currencies like dollars and euros. But no mechanism has been finalized yet.

In September India granted a three-

($369.98 million) from its account with UCO Bank as “a precautionary measure to cover any potential claims that may arise due to maritime incident in Indian waters”. India imports oil from Iran in Iranian vessels, while Indian exports to Iran of non-oil commodities and industrial goods use the vessels of Iran’s Hafiz Darya Shipping Lines (HDS) and Safiran Payam Darya Shipping Lines (SAPID).

An early submission of a bank guarantee would enable India’s shipping ministry to consider further extension of conditional authorization to Moallem Insurance Co and Kish P&I Club beyond Dec. 27 and promote bilateral trade, the letter said.

Deepak Kapoor and the head of India’s shipping regulator, Gautam Chatterjee, did not respond to Reuters’ calls for comment. EU sanctions against Iran in place since mid-2012 bar members of Europe’s International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs who include most insurers that cover the tanker market - from insuring Iranian oil and other shipments, leading to the emergence of untested insurance providers. —Reuters

month extension to Iranian underwriters Kish P&I and Moallem Insurance Co for insuring oil tankers and ships calling at Indian ports after Tehran provided a $1 billion sovereign backing. India has sought financial security in the form of bank guarantees from Iran as sanctions by the United Nations, the United States and the European Union have reduced acceptability of the Iranian rial, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

India’s Deputy Nautical Advisor, Deepak Kapoor, sent the letter to Iran’s Economic Affairs and Finance Ministry on Dec 10 ahead of a renewal of approval to the Iranian underwriters on Dec. 27.

India imported 47 percent less oil from Tehran in October from a year ago, helping New Delhi get a six-month waiver from the US sanctions in December. At the end of November Indian refiners owed about $2.2 billion for partial payments to Iran, while about $3 billion worth of rupees paid by refiners is lying in Tehran’s account with UCO Bank.

India has asked Iran to provide a bank guarantee for 23 billion rupees

JP Morgan promotes 2 to senior roles in Saudi DUBAI: JP Morgan Chase has promoted two bankers to senior roles in Saudi Arabia, the bank said in a statement yesterday, after its top banker in the kingdom left earlier this year to join the central bank.

Rayan Fayez has been named senior country officer for Saudi Arabia, the statement said. He joined JP Morgan from Goldman Sachs in 2012 as investment banking head and co-chief executive of Saudi Arabia. Fayez replaces Abdulaziz AlHelaissi, who left JP Morgan in the first half of 2013 to take a position at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. His move was part of a wider trend in the kingdom to tap senior executives from leading global financial institutions to run key state entities. Meanwhile, Bader Alamoudi has been named chief executive of JP Morgan’s Saudi Arabian business, the statement said. —Reuters

Global investment strategy for 2014

By Hayder Tawfik

percent in US dollar terms.

M

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.

ost 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 eurozone 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 surprise 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

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 ie US, Japan, UK and the eurozone. 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

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

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

Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi

3.015 3.884 88.925 46.975

Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

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 Europe 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

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

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

BUSINESS

Euro-zone survey points to pick-up despite France LONDON: Fears that the recovery in the 17-country euro-zone has stalled were eased somewhat yesterday after a survey showed business sentiment across the region rising for the first time in three months despite renewed weakness in the French economy.

The monthly purchasing managers’ index for the euro-zone from financial information company Markit rose to 52.1 in December from 51.7 in November. Anything above 50 indicates expansion.

The increase follows two declines and took the index close to the 27month peak seen in September.

Chris Williamson, Markit’s chief economist, said yesterday the rise is a “big relief and puts the recovery back on track.” The rise, he added, means that over the final quarter of the year, businesses saw their strongest growth since the first half of 2011, just before the euro-zone slipped back into its longestever recession. The euro-zone economy

has been growing for two quarters but the recovery has been unspectacular in the third quarter the euro-zone only grew by 0.1 percent from the previous three-month period, which corresponds to an annualized rate of around 0.4 percent, way down on the US’s 3.6 percent.

Though Markit thinks the fourth quarter may see quarterly growth double, its headline index masks worrying developments, particularly over the state of France. Europe’s second-largest economy saw its PMI fall to a seven-month low of 47.0 in December from 48.0 the previous month, with both the manufacturing and services sectors suffering.

“It’s the unbalanced nature of the upturn among member states that is the most worrying,” said Williamson.

“France looks increasingly like the ‘new sick man of Europe,’ as a second successive monthly contraction may translate into another quarterly decline in GDP, pushing the country back into a technical recession.”

Overall, the survey may ease the immediate pressure on the European Central Bank to do more to shore up the recovery despite below-target inflation and ongoing budget restraints in a number of economies, such as Greece, Spain and Italy. However, with growth likely to remain modest over the months ahead, many analysts think the bank will need to do. Though the bank has little room to cut its benchmark interest rate following last month’s reduction to a record low of 0.25 percent, the ECB has other potential tools at its disposal.

It could give banks more long-term, cheap loans so they can lend more. It could even decide to make banks pay to keep funds on deposit at the central bank - again, to encourage them to lend rather than hoard cash. “Appreciable pressure remains on the bank to take further stimulative action,” said Howard Archer, chief European economist at IHS Global Insight. —AP

ATHENS: A woman wearing a headscarf sits at the shuttered entrance of a bank on Athens’ main Syntagma Square, in Greece’s capital yesterday.

The graffiti on the shutters reads “Victory for the Struggle at Universities and Polytechnics.” —AP

Indian inflation surges to 14-month high of 7.52% Another interest rate hike on cards

TOKYO: A businessman walks through a concourse of a railway station in Tokyo yesterday. A quarterly survey of business sentiment by Japan’s central bank released yesterday shows that manufacturers are more upbeat about the state of the world’s third-largest economy under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recovery program. —AP

Japan business confidence hits six-year high: BoJ TOKYO: Japanese business confidence has soared to a six-year high, the country’s central bank said yesterday, underscoring growing optimism among major companies despite a slowdown in the world’s third-largest economy. The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan survey, which polled more than 10,500 firms, surged to its strongest level since December 2007, with a reading for large manufacturers rising to plus 16 from plus 12 in September.

The non-manufacturers’ index also jumped to plus 20 from plus 14, the best reading in more than six years. The numbers represent the percentage of respondents saying conditions are good minus those who say they are poor. Some analysts expect BoJ policymakers will unleash further easing measures to boost the slowing economy, highlighting the challenges Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces in his bid to stoke growth with government spending and monetary policy, a blitz dubbed Abenomics.

“It’s not only the large, export-oriented companies that are benefiting from Abenomics,” Capital Economics said, referring to the BoJ survey results. “For the first time since the early 1990s, the number of small companies that regard business conditions as favorable exceeds the number of companies that consider them unfavorable.”

However, the survey also showed that big firms are cutting back on their capital spending plans for the fiscal year to March.

Corporate investment is a cornerstone of Abe’s plan to reverse years of deflation which has weighed on consumer spending and, in turn, producers.

The country’s once-anemic economy had been outpacing other G7 nations in the first half of the year as Tokyo’s growth drive helped push down the yen, boosting exporters and sparking a stock market rally.

But Japan’s third-quarter economic growth came in at a final reading of 0.3 percent, down from an initial figure of 0.5 percent-

and a sharp slowdown from 0.9 percent expansion in the previous quarter.

On an annualized basis, which stretches the data across a full year, growth was 1.1 percent in the quarter against an initial reading of 1.9 percent. The United States is now out-performing Japan, expanding at a revised 3.6 percent annualized rate in the third quarter.

The BoJ sur vey did little to boost investor sentiment, with Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closing down 1.62 percent. Analysts say investors are cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting starting today as speculation grows that it will start reeling in its $85 billion-a-month bond buying plan, known as quantitative easing.

The BoJ’s own two-day meeting starts Thursday, with all eyes on any fresh moves from policymakers after the bank unleashed a huge monetary easing plan in April. There is speculation it may expand the program-which injects vast sums into the financial system-as growth slows and consumers prepare for a tax hike that critics fear will derail a budding recovery.

“The Japanese economy is improving for sure, but it is thanks to the weakening yen,” Taro Saito, senior economist at NLI Research Institute, said. “Demand expanded in part due to a last-minute consumption boost before the tax hike. It may still take some more time before the economy reaches a self-sustained recovery.”

Tokyo has approved a spending package worth almost $54 billion to offset the tax hike-to 8.0 percent from 5.0 percentseen as crucial for bringing down Japan’s huge national debt, proportionately the worst among rich nations. Analysts have warned that Abe’s bold pro-growth program is not enough on its own without promised economic reforms. A proposed shake-up, including loosening labor laws and signing free trade deals, is seen as key to ushering in lasting change in the longslumbering economy. —AP

MUMBAI: India’s inflation jumped to a 14month-high of 7.52 percent in November, data showed yesterday, stoking expectations of another interest rate hike when the central bank meets this week. The Wholesale Price Index, India’s most closely watched inflation indicator, was up from 7.0 percent in October, led by food prices, which rose nearly 20 percent from a year earlier.

The index is now the highest since September 2012 and spells more bad news for the government as it struggles to jumpstart sluggish economic growth ahead of general elections due by May. Among food costs, vegetable prices surged 95 percent while onion prices soared by 190 percent, Department of Commerce data showed. Rising food costs also pushed up consumer price inflation, which jumped in November to a higher-than-expected 11.24 percent, figures released last week showed.

Inflation for September was also revised higher to 7.05 percent from a previously reported 6.46 percent, the figures yesterday showed.

Government and business leaders have urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start cutting interest rates to help boost growth, which has slumped to a decade-low. But economists expect the RBI to again hike interest rates when it meets on Wednesday, in an effort to tame stubbornly high inflation.

“Given the momentum of inflation, a 25 basis points hike in rates is (a) given,” said

AHMADABAD: An Indian man rests on sacks of vegetables atop a truck at a wholesale market in Ahmadabad yesterday. —AP Shubhada Rao, chief economist with private Yes Bank. The RBI has raised rates in September and October under new governor Raghuram Rajan who has signalled his intention to wrestle down inflation which has been above the

Bahrain economic growth slows to 4.6% DUBAI: Bahrain’s economy grew 4.6 percent from a year earlier in the third quarter when adjusted for inflation, the head of the country’s statistics office was quoted as saying by state news agency BNA, a slowdown from 5.3 percent in the previous quarter. Mohammed Al-Amer, president of the Central Informatics Organization, also said the oil sector contributed about 45 percent of output growth, thanks to higher crude prices on global markets as well as higher production.

Amer did not give other details of the performance of individual sectors in Bahrain’s $30 billion economy, whose non-oil portion is driven by the financial industry, which accounts for roughly 16 percent of gross domestic product.

Political unrest since 2011, in which the government has clashed with mainly pro-democracy protesters, has hurt Bahrain’s status as a regional financial hub while increasing pressure on the state budget. Analysts polled by Reuters in September forecast Bahrain’s GDP growth would accelerate to 4.0 percent in 2013 from 3.4 percent in 2012, before slowing again to 3.5 percent next year. —Reuters

DETROIT: Protesters rally outside federal court during Detroit’s bankruptcy proceedings. Judge Steven Rhodes, who is overseeing the case, found the city eligible to remake itself under Chapter 9 on Dec 3 and also declared that pensions aren’t immune to cuts in a final plan. Rhodes said yesterday that the decision can immediately be appealed to a higher court and he is thinking about whether he’ll recommend that a federal appeals court put the case on a fast track. —AP

ADB considering Islamic bond, sovereign insurance product SYDNEY: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering an Islamic bond as early as next year, plans which could evolve into a regular issuance program and an insurance product to help member countries offer sukuk of their own. The Manila-based development lender is building strong links with Islamic finance, holding its first conference on the subject last month as part of efforts to boost financial inclusion and promote financial stability in member countries.

A proposal will be presented to ADB management in the first quarter of next year, defining whether the AAArated lender aims for a single issuance or a recurring sukuk program, Ashraf Mohammed, assistant general counsel at the ADB, told Reuters. “It’s early days but one would hope it’s more than just a one-off. I am hopeful we can make headway in 2014.”

ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth and regional integration. In 2012, ADB assistance totaled $21.6 billion, including co-financing of $8.3 billion. The proposal would look at whether the sukuk is set up on a standalone basis or as part of one of its exist-

RBI’s comfort levels for years.

Rajan last week said the bank was “very uncomfortable” with the inflation level but added growth was also “weaker than we would like”. —AFP

ing bond programs, said Mohammed.

“It really depends on how we structure it. We may have to do a separate sukuk program - separate from existing bond programs.” Identifying financing projects in member countries, either from the government or private sectors, would then determine the size and tenor of a potential sukuk, he said.

Some of the countries the ADB would work with in this area include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Maldives and several central Asian countries, he added. The ADB would then consider an insurance policy designed to boost the credit rating of sukuk from sovereign issuers, mirroring a product developed by a unit of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

“This is something the ADB is also considering,” said Mohammed, adding the ADB had already worked on a partial credit guarantee with the IDB for a project in Pakistan in 2012, which could serve as a basis for the product.

Sukuk, investment certificates which follow religious guidelines such as bans on interest and monetary speculation, have grown in prominence as a funding tool beyond

the industry ’s core markets of the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Britain, South Africa and Hong Kong are actively considering issuance of their own, but an ADB sukuk would test whether the Islamic finance industry can cater to an issuer known for prioritizing pricing of its borrowings.

“Being a development bank, we want to use resources effectively. By definition we are a very conservative organization,” Mohammed said.

A maiden sukuk from the ADB, however, could open the door to issuance in multiple jurisdictions, tenors and currencies. Last year, the ADB completed 77 borrowing transactions, raising $13.2 billion in long- and mediumterm funds, compared with $14.0 billion in 2011. The new borrowings were raised in eight currencies, with maturities ranging from 1 to 30 years.

ADB pursues a strategy of issuing liquid benchmark bonds to maintain a strong presence in key bond markets; but it also seeks to develop domestic capital markets of member countries through local currency borrowings. The ADB estimates its annual borrowing needs at between $14 billion to $16 billion over the next three years. —Reuters

Saudi CB expects inflation to fall DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s central bank expects annual inflation to continue falling to below 3 percent in the final quarter of this year, it said in a report yesterday. “It is expected that the general inflation in the kingdom will continue going down to below 3 percent during the fourth quarter of 2013, especially with the decrease of inflationary pressures in the food and beverages group and the continuation in the decrease in the prices of main commodities on the global markets,” it said.

Consumer price growth in the world’s top oil exporter has been easing gradually since hitting this year’s peak of 4.0 percent in April. It edged up to 3.1 percent in November from 3.0 percent in the previous month. Analysts polled by Reuters in September forecast average inflation of 3.8 percent this year, up from 2.9 percent in 2012. —Reuters

Egypt expands stimulus plan CAIRO: Egypt is planning a second 30 billion Egyptian pound ($4.36 billion) economic stimulus package, Finance Minister Ahmed Galal said yesterday, up from a previously slated 24 billion pounds. The first stimulus package unveiled by the army-installed interim government was 29.6 billion pounds. The spending is designed to revive an economy hit by nearly three years of political turmoil. Supported by $12 billion in aid from Gulf states, the government has said the second stimulus package will begin in January. The government launched the first package after it came to power in July following the army’s removal of President Mohammad Morsi amid mass protests against his rule. Galal told a news conference the new package would be spent partly on public investment and partly to finance a public sector minimum wage. He said the funds would come from Gulf aid and from savings. Egypt’s economy grew 2.1 percent in the year to June 30, far below the 7 percent level it managed for several years before the 2011 uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak. Since then, political turmoil has scared off investors and tourists. —Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

BUSINESS

Gold dips as investors cash in gains LONDON: Gold prices fell yesterday as traders cashed in gains ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, as they waited to see whether the US central bank would start to trim its extraordinary stimulus measures.

While the odds still point to no major policy change when Fed officials meet on Dec17-18, most recent US economic data suggest the beginning of the end of the massive bond-buying program will come sooner rather than later. Spot gold was down 0.7 percent at $1,229.30 an ounce at 1104 GMT, having ended last week up 0.8 percent as uncertainty ahead of the Fed meeting triggered a flurry of short covering. US gold futures for February delivery were down $5.80 an ounce at $1,228.80. Expectations that

the Fed will taper stimulus have already knocked gold prices 25 percent this year, their biggest annual drop in 32 years. As such, the impact of an eventual start to tapering on gold is uncertain. “Whether tapering might come this week or whether it might come in January or in March, the market is fairly convinced that tapering is coming,” Mitsui Precious Metals analyst David Jollie said. “In that sense a lot of the impact is built in.” “Clearly if tapering is announced that is negative for gold, but could be only marginally negative in the sense that we’ve known this is coming anyway,” he said. “I think that what people will realize once tapering does start is that tapering is not the end of QE, it’s a slowing in the pace of QE.” Investment interest in gold remained

soft, with the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, New York’s SPDR Gold Trust, reporting an outflow of 8.1 tons last week. In the year to date its holdings have fallen 523 tons, or 39 percent, to a near five-year low at 827.6 tons. E Fund Management Co Ltd launched China’s third gold-backed ETF on Monday but, like its predecessors, the fund failed to make a splash as investors in the world’s biggest bullion user show a preference for physical metal.

Gold vulnerable In the physical markets overnight in Asia, buying was quiet as consumers were hoping prices would drop further this week after the Fed meet. Data released over the week-

end showed India’s exports of gold jewellery fell by almost a third year on year in November as restrictions continued to hit shipments. New rules imposed this year mean export volumes must be at least 20 percent of imports.

From a chart perspective, gold remains vulnerable to further losses after running into heavy resistance last week at $1,268, a key technical retracement of its October to December drop, analysts said. “While this holds on a closing basis and as bearish conditions persist, we will be watching for momentum tools to cross lower on a closing basis to signal a resumption of the downtrend,” UBS said in a note.

“Support is at 1210.60, the Dec 6, low ahead of the critical 1179.40, the June low.” —Reuters

CEO of Renault Carlos Ghosn (second left) attends a signing ceremony in Wuhan, China’s central Hubei province yesterday. —AFP

Wuhan: Detroit of the East gives green light to Renault BEIJING/SHANGHAI: Renault SA clinched full access to China’s auto market yesterday by sealing a joint venture agreement with state-owned Dongfeng Motor Group in Wuhan, a city fast shaping up as China’s own Detroit. Nine years after the two companies first announced plans for the joint venture, they finally inked a $1.3 billion 50-50 partnership to introduce the French carmaker’s own locally assembled models in the world’s biggest auto market.

The deal allows Renault to fully tap demand in China, something it has been unable to do until now because of the lack of a strong local partner.

China’s central government requires all foreign automakers to have a local partner to be allowed to produce cars in the country.

To build a Chinese presence, Renault has been forced to rely on imports from South Korea. Now with Dongfeng, it will invest 7.76 billion yuan ($1.28 billion) to build a factory in the central city of Wuhan, with the first car due to roll off the production line in 2016.

Renault, which has a long-standing alliance with Japan’s Nissan Motor Co with whom it shares technology, plans to manufacture 150,000 cars a year in Wuhan and set up a jointly run network of retail stores. The carmaker’s investment is a boon to Wuhan, located about 700 km (430 miles) west of Shanghai and where the Yangtze and Han rivers intersect. The city, with a population of 17 million including its surrounding suburbs, is home to Dongfeng, China’s second-biggest automaker.

The Wuhan government is aiming to transform itself into a major automotive manufacturing and a logistics hub in China by attracting global automakers and their Chinese partners to open shop, which some say has turned the city into a dust-ball due to the frenzied construction activity.

Thanks to its central position and its rail, road and waterway networks it is better-positioned than other cities to become China’s Detroit - minus the bankruptcy, said Peng Zhimin, a regional economics researcher at the Hubei office of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who advises the provincial government. Peng sees Wuhan as a combination of Detroit, home of the US auto industry, and Chicago, North America’s transportation hub. “Wuhan has a reputation of being the Oriental Chicago. The city’s developed transportation and logistics systems give it an advantage,” Peng said. “We can easily deliver vehicles and auto components via the Yangtze River to consumers in Shanghai, for example.”

Big plans for Wuhan In addition to Renault, Wuhan is also home to the headquarters of Dongfeng’s joint ventures with Nissan, Honda Motor Co. and PSA Peugeot Citroen. Honda, Dongfeng and

Peugeot also assemble cars in or around Wuhan.

The city, which currently has the capacity to produce roughly 1 million vehicles a year, is aiming to boost that to 3 million by 2016. Much of that planned capacity boost will come from Renault’s joint venture with Dongfeng and other global automakers such as Peugeot, which is close to getting a sizeable capital injection from Dongfeng.

Reuters reported last week that Peugeot’s board had approved an outline deal that would see the French state and Dongfeng take matching 20 percent stakes in Peugeot with a share issue to be priced at below 7 euros a share. Peugeot said on Thursday that discussions with Dongfeng were at a “preliminary stage”, with no guarantee they would conclude successfully.

The French carmaker’s venture will also benefit Nissan, which has been operating in China in a joint venture with Dongfeng since the early 2000s.

Japan’s second-biggest carmaker has two manufacturing centres within a 470-km radius of Wuhan in the cities of Zhengzhou and Xiangyang.

“Between Renault and Nissan in this three-city triangle of auto-manufacturing operations, we plan to use commonized vehicle underpinnings and major parts,” a senior Nissan executive in Yokohama said. He declined to be identified because he is not allowed to speak to the media. “That allows us to make huge cost savings and our scale would allow us to bring competitive parts suppliers to this region.”

Rival auto cities Wuhan has already successfully attracted General Motors Co and its Chinese partner SAIC Motor Group.

Earlier this year, the companies started building an assembly plant in the city capable of producing 300,000 cars a year when production starts in 2015.

They are also building an engine plant.

Wuhan government officials say GM’s long-term blueprint for its Wuhan assembly plant includes an option of adding another assembly line to double its overall annual capacity to 600,000 cars.

“I am a pretty seasoned manufacturing guy, right? I’ve never seen anything like this before,” GM China Chairman Tim Lee, who has overseen GM’s manufacturing operations around the world throughout his career, said earlier this year in an interview, referring to the booming auto towns in China including Wuhan.

Other cities, such as Chengdu and Shenyang, are also competing to become auto hubs. That worries China’s industrial policymakers, as well as industry insiders and experts, over the possibility of a glut in auto manufacturing capacity. “It’s a big cause for concern,” said Peng, of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. “Too many cities are competing to become auto capitals.” —Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

BUSINESS

Asmussen’s exit a headache for ECB FRANKFURT: Joerg Asmussen’s decision to quit the European Central Bank for politics could deprive ECB chief Mario Draghi of a powerful advocate of his policies in Germany, analysts said yesterday. In a surprise announcement at the weekend, German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed that Asmussen, 47, would become junior labor minister in her new coalition government, leaving his position on the ECB’s executive board just two years into his eight-year contract.

The move appears to be a step down the career ladder for Asmussen who was a top German finance ministry official before joining the ECB at the start of 2012. Asmussen is responsible for international and European relations on the ECB executive board.

But Asmussen insists the move is for personal reasons, since he wants to spend more time with his family and young children in Berlin. At a hearing in front of the EU Parliament’s economic affairs committee in Brussels yesterday, Draghi described Asmussen’s decision to quit as a “tremendous loss for both the executive board and myself personally. We will miss him a lot.”

And a replacement would have to be found “as soon as possible. We can’t really afford to operate without a member” at such a crucial time, Draghi said.

Analysts also believed Asmussen’s departure could prove something of a headache for the ECB and Draghi in particular. It will be “a strategic loss,” said Berenberg Bank economist Christian Schulz.

Asmussen is not the first top-level German official to quit the ECB. Former Bundesbank President Axel Weber and the ECB’s former chief economist Juergen Stark both left early in protest over the central bank’s controversial anti-crisis policies. “Asmussen appears to be leaving for purely personal reasons. But the departure of such an experienced European policy maker ... is a strategic loss for the ECB,” said Schulz.

Asmussen had defended the ECB’s policies in Germany’s constitutional court against the sharp criticism from Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann. “This leaves a gap in the ECB’s communication of policy in Germany, as well as a gap of communication of the German debate into the ECB,” Schulz argued.

“His successor will face the challenge of quickly establishing him- or herself as a strong and credible voice in the German and European monetary policy debate.” Bundesbank vice president Sabine Lautenschlaeger is seen as the most likely candidate. But Claudia Buch, one of the government’s independent panel of economic advisors, and the head of the BaFin banking regulator, Elke Koenig, have also been mooted as possible successors. As Weidmann’s number two at the Bundesbank, Lautenschlaeger is likely to share his conservative credentials.

“Not a huge amount is known about her stance on monetary policy, and from all accounts she will contribute towards the conservative fractions of the ECB,” said IG analyst Chris Weston.

Credit Agricole analyst Frederik Ducrozet noted that Asmussen had been the ECB’s key liaison with Merkel and her government, ensuring that Berlin was informed-and also supported-Draghi and his policies. — AFP

Oil climbs above $109 as Libyan ports stay shut LONDON: Brent crude oil rose above $109 a barrel yesterday as supply concerns revived after Libya failed to reach a deal with tribal leaders to end the blockade of several oil-exporting ports.

The closure of key Libyan oil ports is preventing the export of several hundred thousand barrels per day (bpd) of high quality, light crude, tightening an oil market that might otherwise be fairly well supplied. Brent futures for January rose $1.11 a barrel to a high of $109.94 before easing to around $109.83 by 1015 GMT, up $1.00. The contract posted a loss of 2.5 percent last week.

US crude futures rose 45 cents to $97.05 after ending 90 cents lower on Friday, down 1 percent for the week. Libyan port blockages, along with strikes by oil workers, civil servants, tribesmen and other protesters at oilfields across the desert country, have cut vital oil exports to only around 110,000 bpd from more than 1 million in July.

“This means that approximately 600,000 bpd of potential exports will remain off the market,” JBC Energy Managing Direc tor David Wech said.

Analysts worry Libya is sliding into chaos as the government struggles to rein in militias and tribesmen who helped topple Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but kept their weapons and control parts of the OPEC-member country.

“This latest disappointment only reinforces our view that Libyan production will struggle to exceed 800,000 bpd in 2014,” Morgan Stanley oil analyst Adam Longson said. “Resolving deep disagreements will likely require material changes at the federal level, and threats by the government to use force only risk exacerbating the situation.”

Investors awaited a US Federal Reserve decision on how soon to end its monetary stimulus, which has been a key driver of investment in global commodities. The US central bank meets today and Wednesday to discuss the gradual tapering of its stimulus program and opinion is divided on whether it will move this week or wait for early next year. A cut in its stimulus would boost the dollar, weighing on most commodities, including oil.

“Markets were initially expecting tapering to be announced in March 2014 but with increased prospects of an earlier tapering, markets will continue to be jittery,” analysts at Phillip Futures said in a note. Data yesterday showed China’s vast factory sector expanded for the fifth straight month, but the reading in December slowed to a three-month low. —Reuters

Kuwait respondents not happy with savings for future: Survey National Bonds Corporation GCC Savings Index • Responses reveal children’s education, retirement and real estate as key reasons for saving • In Kuwait, 59% of the respondents claimed their savings were not at all sufficient for the future • In Bahrain, only 9% claimed that their savings were adequate for the future KUWAIT: National Bonds Corporation has revealed the results of its annual National Bonds Savings Index for the GCC. The results that covered the three main factors for saving -financial stability, potential for saving, and the savings environment -indicated an improvement in the residents’ tendency towards saving in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, revealed a marginal decrease in the total number of savers.

The study covered the three main factors that encourage regular saving and compared the results with the outcomes of the 2012 index.

In Kuwait, 59 percent of the respondents claimed their savings were not at all sufficient for the future while 9 percent claimed that their savings were adequate for the future.

As a key highlight, the study showed that 89 percent of the respondents in the GCC states expected financial stability throughout the next six months. A majority of respondents agreed that a significant portion of their expenses were disbursed on foodstuff and house rents. The study additionally indicated that 20 percent of the GCC respondents

currently saved 11 percent - 20 percent of their overall monthly income, while 4 percent of them saved 51 percent -60 percent of their overall monthly income.

Commenting on the results of the GCC Savings Index, Mohammad Qasim Al-Ali, CEO of National Bonds, said:”Over the past decade, the GCC economy has witnessed significant financial developments that were influenced in one way or the other by the prevailing global economic landscape. Such macro impact has triggered an urgent need to familiarize institutions and individuals with the shifts in the local economy to ensure a secure financial future. Indeed, we are very proud to be releasing the GCC Savings Index for the third consecutive year.

“The Index has become a benchmark indicator for the GCC ’s economy.

Additionally, it is considered an important index for finding optimal solutions to the challenges faced by all sectors of the community when it comes to adopting a regular savings habit.”

The National Bonds Savings Index includes the results of a comprehensive annual study of the behavior and attitudes of more than 1,707 GCC residents

and low-income workers towards saving and spending money. National Bonds Corporation had launched the initiative with a view to identifying the challenges encountered by all categories

and sections of communities, and to provide practical solutions for the development of saving patterns and habits among the people in the GCC countries.

Americans see end of stock surge: Poll NEW YORK: Americans aren’t expecting another bang-up year for the stock market, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. Of the people polled, 40 percent think the market will stabilize where it is now by the end of 2014, with 39 percent predicting that it will drop, but not crash. Only 14 percent believe the market will rise and 5 percent think it will crash.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index has surged 24.5 percent to 1,775 in 2013, putting it on track for its best year in a decade. The rally has been fueled by higher corporate earnings, a slow but steady recovery in the US economy and stimulus from the Federal Reserve. Perhaps because of the slow recovery, only about half of the general public noted the market’s strong performance, according to the poll. Investors were more aware of the booming market, however, as 73 percent say it improved.

William Leyser, 74, a retired machinist from Las Vegas, thinks the stock market may fall by as much as 10 percent next year.

He has taken some of his money out of stocks this year and put it into bonds.

“I’m concerned there is going to be a big correction here,” says Leyser, who invests in mutual funds. “When it gets high, it always goes down a little bit.”

The poll also shows that individuals are less optimistic about the outlook for the stock market than many investment professionals.

While few market strategists expect stocks to keep climbing at the same pace, many see it extending its gains at a slower rate. Bank of America Merrill Lynch predicts the S&P 500 index will end next year at 2,000, about 13 percent higher than its current level. Wells Fargo Advisors forecasts the index will climb as high as 1,900, a gain of about 7 percent.

Stocks have rallied since bottoming out after the financial crisis and the start of the Great Recession, lifting the S&P 500 index 162 percent from its low in March 2009. Despite those steady returns, the poll suggests that Americans are still nervous about buying and holding stocks. Of those polled, 71 percent consider investing in the stock market to be “generally risky,” compared with 27 percent who think of the market as “generally safe.” The perception of stocks as a risky investment has lessened since the spring, when 75 percent of respondents said it was “generally risky” and 18 percent said it was “generally safe.” Still, with interest rates on savings accounts low, some individual investors recognize the need to take on more risk.

NEW YORK: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. US stocks rose sharply yesterday powered by two big corporate deals and news that suggests the economy is getting stronger. —AP

“If you want to see some growth in your portfolio you have to go into equities,” says Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, 64, a former IT worker who lives in Portsmouth, Virginia. Overall, 20 percent of investors say they plan to invest more heavily in the market in the coming year, 22 percent will pull back, and 57

percent plan to invest at about the same level as in 2013.

The AP-GfK Poll was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2013, using KnowledgePanel, GfK’s probability-based online panel. For results based on all 1,367 adults, the margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. KnowledgePanel is

designed to be representative of the US population. Respondents were first selected randomly using phone or mail survey methods, and later, completed this survey online. People selected for KnowledgePanel who didn’t otherwise have Internet access were provided with access at no cost to them. — AP

US factory activity gaining steam WASHINGTON: US manufacturing output rose for a fourth straight month in November as production increased almost across the board, in the latest suggestion the economy is gaining steam.

Production at the nation’s factories advanced 0.6 percent last month, building on October’s 0.5 percent gain, the Federal Reserve said yesterday.

While a 3.4 percent rebound in auto production accounted for a large portion of the increase, there also were gains in other industries such as fabricated metals, textiles, furniture and electrical equipment and appliances. That increase in manufacturing combined with a jump in mining and utilities output to boost industrial production 1.1 percent, the largest increase since last November.

Industrial output had edged up 0.1 percent in October and economists had expected it to rise 0.5 percent last month.

“This was a very strong report, and the broad-based gains in output across the various sectors provides a very encouraging narrative on the overall tone of domestic economic activity,” said Millan Mulraine, senior economist at TD Securities in New York.

Economists said the strong industrial production data bolstered the argument for the Federal Reserve to start reducing the pace of its monthly bond purchases. It added to reports such as retail sales and employment that have painted an upbeat picture of the economy.

Other data yesterday suggested manufacturing continued to expand in December, though at a slightly slower pace.

However, economists cautioned against reading too much into the reports saying

they were poor predictors of national factory activity.

Financial data firm Markit said its preliminar y US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index dipped to 54.4 from a 10month high of 54.7 in November. A reading above 50 signals expansion in economic activity. In a separate report, the New York Fed said its “Empire State” general business conditions index edged back into positive territor y at 0.98 from minus 2.21 in November.

That was short of economists’ expectations for a reading of 4.75. A reading above zero indicates expansion. There was a sharp decline in inventories, a good sign for future production.

“Taken at face value for the New York region, the index suggests a modest improvement in manufacturing conditions but one that resulted in a massive liquidation of inventory,” said John Ryding, chief economist at RDQ Economics in New York. “It is difficult to take this series seriously given its volatility but if inventories

NEW YORK: Technicians repair machinery at Madelaine Chocolates factory in the Queens borough of New York. The Federal Reserve reports on output from US factories, mines and utilities in November.—AP were drawn down sharply, this is a constructive signal for manufacturing conditions going forward.” A cold snap last month boosted the nation’s utilities out-

put, which increased 3.9 percent after falling 0.3 percent in Oc tober. That should also support consumer spending in the fourth quarter. —Reuters

Hollandi Bank plans bonus share issue KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Hollandi Bank said yesterday it plans to boost its capital by 20 percent next year through a bonus share issue. The bank, which said on Sunday completed a 2.5 billion riyals ($666.6 million) sukuk or Islamic bond issue which enhanced its Tier 2 or supplementary capital, said its board would recommended the capital increase to shareholders at a meeting due in the first quarter of 2014.

It plans to boost its share capital to 4.76 billion riyals from 3.96 billion, which would help it support its growth and capital base, the bank said in a bourse statement.

This would come through issuing shareholders with one new share for every five held, with the increase paid for by the lender’s retained earnings. No money is being raised from shareholders, who are getting the new shares for free,

but the move is an accounting device which in effect boosts the bank’s equity and therefore supports future lending.

Banks in Saudi Arabia have been boosting their capital levels in recent months after a sustained period of high lending growth. Many have chosen or are planning to issue capital-boosting debt instruments, including Riyad Bank, Saudi British Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi and National Commercial Bank. —Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

BUSINESS Alghanim Automotive claims 2nd place in General Motors’ ‘Technician’s Battle’ KUWAIT: General Motors’ “best-of-thebest technicians” in the Middle East, held at Dubai Autodrome on November 25,26, 2013, scrutinized the skills of dealer technicians in what is the largest competition of its kind run by General Motors globally. Launched in 2008, the competition is part of General Motors Middle East’s commitment to deliver unsurpassed customer service and help improve the technical skills, expertise and knowledge of its dealer technicians.

Over 2,000 dealer technicians from across the General Motors dealer network in the Middle East, including Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC dealerships, entered the 2013 competition and after two initial rounds that tested their knowledge, 40 were shortlisted to go to Dubai to participate head-tohead with other dealers. Under the examination of 45 expert judges, the contestants were asked to diagnose, repair and correct systems on Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC vehicles that were purposely fitted with faults.

The technicians’ skills were judged on three distinct areas developed by General Motors: Exper t Product

Knowledge, Technical Knowledge and Fix-it-Right-the-First-Time. The judges proceeded to select 10 winners to enter the finale who were deemed to have the most sought-after skill sets.

Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons

Growth-dependent commodities revel in pre-Christmas spurt

By Ole S Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank KUWAIT: Commodities that depend on economic growth to spur demand have been in a festive mood this December as signs of rising activity among some of the world’s biggest consuming nations continue to improve. The recovery in the US in particular has received some attention with the spotlight turning to the US Federal Reserve meeting on December 18 with rising speculation that tapering of its asset purchase program may be introduced earlier than previously expected.

As a result, some of the best performing commodities so far this December can be located in the energy and industrial metal sectors, most noticeably natural gas and copper, while precious metals once again have seen selling pressure mount. The agricultural sector is generally lower due to ample supply apart from a few exceptions such as cocoa and coffee. Overall 2013 has been another difficult year for commodity investors as ample and even increased supply of most commodities combined with steady growth and very strong performances in other asset classes have reduced the need for diversification.

The rally seen over the past five weeks in Robusta coffee accelerated last week and helped drag Arabica coffee higher. Global production levels from the world’s largest growers in Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam are expected to be very high so the support has been provided by farmers in Vietnam which have been holding back their supplies hoping for a higher price at which to offload.

Wheat supplies A report from the US Department of Agriculture raised the outlook for global wheat supplies and this left wheat traded in Chicago and Paris down among the biggest losers over the week.

In Chicago, the March futures contract dropped to a contract low, while in Paris, the price of high protein milling wheat fell to a three-week low as a stronger euro helped off-set continued strong export demand. Near-term momentum on milling wheat has turned negative for the first time since October but any further downside much below EUR 200/tons seems limited.

Copper has put in a strong performance lately rallying seven out of the last eight trading days. The move higher has been supported by falling stockpiles, especially those monitored by the London Metal Exchange. Recently the stockpiles available for withdrawal has slumped to the lowest level in five years and this has forced speculative traders to cover their short positions and drive the price to the highest level since early November. With most of the short-covering now out of the way, further upside seems limited as we approach resistance around the $3.35/pound area.

Gold and silver continue to find the road to recovery littered with sellers waiting for any uptick to sell into. This was indeed what happened this past week after both metals managed to climb as high as $1268/oz and $20.51/oz respectively before news about a potential US budget deal and renewed taper talk sent it back down. The rally was primarily driven by short covering after hedge funds found themselves negatively positioned ahead of what normally becomes a very low liquidity time of the year.

The major focus now before traders turn of their screens and get into the festive mood will be the FOMC meeting on December 18. An expected agreement by US lawmakers on a new two-year budget will remove another hurdle from the Fed’s perspective in terms of when to begin tapering its monthly asset purchase program. After a string of better than expected US economic data, since the last meeting speculation has been rising that tapering, could already be announced at the next meeting.

Near term, I do not expect the current range between $1200 and $1260/oz to be broken but as we now move into the time of year where liquidity dries up and movements become more sporadic and volatile some caution is warranted. The option market is still mostly worried about the risk of further losses as reflected in the cost of buying downside protection which is considerable higher than the equivalent upside strategy.

Brent edges down Brent crude oil was lower on the renewed hope that export terminals in eastern Libya could soon reopen after several months of disruption. As a result, Brent’s premium over WTI crude contracted back towards $10/barrel after almost reaching 20 dollars a couple of weeks ago. WTI crude also saw some light profittaking after the recent run higher but improved pipeline infrastructure in the US, which will carry more WTI crude to the Gulf coast refineries, should lend support and help prevent Brent’s premium from widening too much. This is despite the continued increase in US production from non-conventional methods which is now approaching eight million barrels per day, the highest level since 1989.

As we await the FOMC meeting and traders settle down for the break, both oil markets are expected to be range bound with a potential confirmation from Libya adding some additional pressure down towards suppor t at $95.50/barrel on W TI and $106/barrel on Brent.

Automotive was proud to participate in this highly acclaimed regional contest year-after-year since its launch in 2008.

Having won a place in the top ten on each and every occasion, it was a real privilege to be awarded 2ND place this

year, considering the significant number of dealers who par ticipated.

ThajudeenFiros, from Alghanim Automotive was this year’s 2nd place winner of the General Motors’ best dealer technician in the Middle East.

This award fur ther testifies and strengthens Alghanim Automotive’s pledge to customers “To always strive to provide best in-class customer service”, one of the key cornerstones for the company’s success.

The W’s premium plans with exclusive services from Wataniya Telecom KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom, the first telecom operator in the private sector in Kuwait, has recently launched premium plans for its elite customers offering exclusive first class services. The W’s plans are unique plans of Wataniya which sets it on a different level and differentiate it from other telecom providers.

The W’s come with two options. For only KD43 per month, the first option provides customers a gold number, 3000 free local minutes, unlimited 4G/LTE internet, 500 free SMS and 30 percent discount on international calls. With this option customers receive a number of benefits such as a free smartphone device, and a voucher worth of KD100 if they purchase another voice or data postpaid line with 200MB for free.

Customers will also get a silver membership in Wataniya loyalty program “Nojoom,” the first of its kind in Kuwait.

The second option provides customers a royal number, free unlimited local minutes, free unlimited 4G/LTE internet, free unlimited SMS and 30 percent on international calls for only KD58 per month. With this option, customers will receive benefits such as a smartphone device of their choice, and a voucher worth of KD 130 when purchasing another voice or data postpaid line with 200MB for free. Customers will also get a gold membership in Wataniya loyalty program “Nojoom.”

KAMCO launches real estate yield fund KUWAIT: KAMCO, KIPCO Asset Management Company, announced the issuance of license for KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund (KREYF), by Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority.

KREYF invests in the real estate sector directly and indirectly and will sell, buy and lease locally and internationally.

This new Fund is in line with

KAMCO’s strategy of launching an array of new and attractive investment products to serve its growing client base. KREYF is an open-ended real estate investment fund denominated in USD, with a variable capital of between $18,000,000 to $550,000,000.

KAMCO is pleased to announce the launch of the KAMCO Real Estate Yield

Special offers for ABK MasterCard credit card holders at SPG hotels KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait, in cooperation with MasterCard is offering its ABK MasterCard credit cardholders exclusive discounts at participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Asia Pacific region.

Stewart Lockie, General Manager of the Retail Banking Division commented “ABK is extremely pleased to offer all its ABK MasterCard credit

cardholders 20 percent off best available room rates when they stay for two or more nights at participating SPG Hotels and Resorts in Asia Pacific Region, courtesy of MasterCard.” The offer is for a limited time only and ends March 2014, so go ahead and book your two-day vacation using your ABK MasterCard credit card, and be a part of this amazing offer.

Fund, considering the strong positioning and rapid development of the real estate sector in the local and regional markets, specifically in the income generating real estate properties space. The strong dynamics of the sector has motivated KAMCO to launch such a Fund that mainly focuses on investing in unique low-risk real estate assets that have attractive returns, while at the same time aiming to generate steady cash flows during the investment period, via the distribution of quarterly cash dividends.

Ziad H Al-Qaissi, Chief Investments Officer at KAMCO said, “The launching of KREYF is strongly backed up by KAMCO’s belief in the necessity for the market to have a diversified pool of investment products, which plays a big role in the enhancement of the local market and the product variety available to clients.

The real estate sector is a fundamental component in every investment portfolio, as it has proved to be a stabilizing factor during challenging times, especially the income yielding real estate investments.” Al-Qaissi con-

Ziad H Al-Qaissi

tinued, “KAMCO is committed to developing and providing access to diversified investment products in the local market which contributes to the growing stability of the economic and investment environment in Kuwait.”

Yokohama Tires congratulates Yokohama Promotion winners KUWAIT: Mohamad Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Co held the grand draw of its campaign “Yokohama Summer Promotion” in Yokohama Showroom Canada Dry at 6pm, on October 22, 2013 which was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Abdul Aziz Ishkenani and Inderpal Singh, Manager Tire Sales from Al-Sayer Yokohama.

The winner of the 1st prize won a Toyota Camry 2013, was Jaber Mohammed Hussain.

The “Yokohama Summer Promotion” campaign started on July 14 until Oct 13, 2013. The campaign offered for every tire purchased during the summer promotion, the customer would receive one coupon which would entitle them to the grand draw on these exciting Gifts - Toyota Camry 2013 and other valuable gift such as a 10 Gold Coins, Canon Camera, 2 iPhone 5, 2 Galaxy S4, 2 Galaxy Note II. The main reasons behind the remarkable success of these promotions over a period of time were “Quality of Yokohama Tires”. Al-Sayer congratulates all the winners.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

technology

TVs, tablets, phones surpass limits of human vision NEW YORK: Looking for a new Ultra HD TV or a top-of-the-line smartphone? Experts agree: tech fans crazy for sharper resolution are sometimes paying for more pixels than their eyes can actually see. When it comes to televisions touting new 4K technology, “a regular human isn’t going to see a difference,” said Raymond Soneira, head of display-testing firm DisplayMate.

In 2010, when Apple unveiled the iPhone 4, Steve Jobs explained that with the phone’s breakthrough “Retina” screen, the eye could no longer distinguish between individual pixels on the display when viewed from an ordinary distance. The promise wasn’t just a sharp screen, but a screen so sharp that further refinements would be unnoticeable.

Yet the number of pixels-per-inch (PPI) on m o b i l e d e v i ce s h a s b e e n o n t h e r i s e. Th e iPhone’s pixel density has stayed the same at

326 PPI, but Android-powered competitors such as the HTC One and the LG G2 have screens that rate well over 400 PPI. Meanwhile, as shoppers line up with their holiday carts, stores are starting to carry “Ultra HD” TVs - also called 4K. These sets have a resolution of 3840 x 2160, or four times as many pixels as ordinary high-definition T Vs. But even those standard HD sets, at the distance viewers regularly watch them, can be considered “retina” resolution. The number of pixels is quadrupled for 4K TVs, but experts say that in most cases, the human eye cannot even perceive the difference.

“There’s going to be some density beyond which you can’t do any better because of the limits of your eye,” said Don Hood, a professor of ophthalmology at Columbia University, in a phone interview with NBC News.

Manufacturers like Sony and Samsung have their new 4K T Vs as a revolution in imaging.

Sony’s website describes their displays-which range in price from $3,000 to $25,000 — as “four times clearer than HD.” Samsung’s $40,000 85inch T V promises “a new form of fulfillment” with its “simply breaktaking resolution.”

“Sony believes that the 4K picture quality difference is evident when seen in person, and we invite consumers to see and experience the difference for themselves because seeing is believing,” S ony said in an email to NBC News in response to experts who questioned the practicality of the company’s 4K displays. Samsung did not respond to similar inquiries.

Are these marketing claims plausible? And just what are the limits of the human eye’s ability to perceive resolution? Here’s an easy way to visualize it:

A person’s field of vision covers about 200 degrees, a little more than a semicircle. At arm’s length their index finger’s fingernail will appear to be about the width of one of those degrees.

Imagine that fingernail covered in 120 alternating black and white stripes - being able to discern those stripes at that distance is just about the theoretical limit of the human eye.

In reality, though, hardly anyone has such superb vision. In fact, most people would be unable to discern pixels or lines twice that size.

And whether a phone or tablet display meets that standard depends on how far it it is from the viewer. In a living room, a viewer’s 40- to 60inch TV is positioned at a fixed distance, probably seven to nine feet away. Unless pixel-hungry TV fans buy far larger set, or push their couches much closer, any increases in resolution simply won’t be perceived. — AP

A village storage system for developing world Facebook friends MACHA: In developing countries, bandwidth can be limited and Internet access can be prohibitively expensive.

The rural village of Macha, Zambia, has satellite Internet connectivity, but uploads of photos and other content to sites like Facebook fail 75 percent of the time. A new file sharing prototype developed by a researchers in Zambia and California solves this problem by uploading content to a separate website served by one local PC, taking advantage of the fact that most people who ultimately view the content are right there in the village.

Users enroll in a site called Kwaabana and tell the system where they are. That lets it know what site it should fetch the photo from later-either the local PC (if they are in the village) or a server in the United States (if they are anywhere else).

“People share photos and videos quite frequently to people who are physically close to them,” says Elizabeth Belding, a computer science professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, who did the research with colleagues in Zambia. “When you are in a rural community, what would typically happen is they might be using satellite links, and that same file is going up and down over that link many times.”

In Macha, 300 people vie for Internet access through the equivalent of a dialup modem, and the most popular site is Facebook, with 15 percent of the traffic.

The new way of serving them, described in this paper presented at a recent conference in South Africa, essentially works like this.

A user signs up with Kwaabana-which also refers to the file-sharing architectureand discloses his or her location. The system imports a list of friends from the person’s Facebook account. If the user wants to share a photo, he uploads it, selects the Facebook friends intended to see it, and hits “Share.” The photo is stored right away on the local PC; overnight, when bandwidth frees up, the system uploads the photo to a remote server, in this case at Santa Barbara.

The uploader gets a message saying the photo has been shared. A friend within the same local area-as determined from the location named at registrationwill get a URL for the file that is the local copy; a friend who is somewhere else will get URL for the copy stored in Santa Barbara when it becomes available hours later. But in both cases, the satellite link is used to send the photo only once-for the overnight upload.

Though the bandwidth congestion was triggered in part by the local popularity of Facebook, the system operates outside the Facebook site. An earlier version of the technology tried to work as a locally hosted application within Facebook, but Internet access was spotty and the mere act of logging in to Facebook incurred network costs, Belding says. So the research team ended up importing Facebook friends, essentially replicating that network on Kwaabana and doing the sharing there more affordably.

Vivek Pai, a computer scientist at Princeton who’s also working on efficient systems for storing data locally in the developing world , says the technology deals with file sharing in a novel way. “By taking into account bandwidth congestion and service availability issues that you commonly see in the developing world, the research puts an interesting twist on file sharing technology,” he says.

He adds that while many existing technologies allow file sharing, few are so focused on keeping bandwidth use to a minimum.

Belding says that the project wasn’t just about boosting bandwidth. “Many people are focusing work on giving higher-speed Internet access to the developing world. But we need to look at what actual user access looks like and see what the issues are,” she says.

Belding says her team is now working on a way to expand the concept into a peer-to-peer technology so that, where possible, some or all of the local storage can be done directly on users’ phones. —- Reuters

LEIPZIG: Employees of internet retail giant Amazon stage a strike in front of the company’s logistics center in Leipzig, eastern Germany, yesterday during the busy Christmas holiday period. Amazon employees again went on strike over pay.

Germany’s service-sector union Verdi has been trying for months to get Amazon to bring the pay of its 9,000 workers in Germany in line with wages in the distribution sector. — AFP

BEIJING: A woman talks to a salesperson in front of an advertisement for iPhones at Apple’s retail store in Beijing yesterday. Apple Inc. might have a chance to pep up cooling iPhone sales in China if it finally can reach a deal with the world’s biggest phone carrier. — AP

Cell phones on planes closer to reality in US Calls to be rare and brief NEW YORK: In-flight cellular in the US may be closer to reality than some consumers realize, with foreign airlines poised to extend services they already offer elsewhere.

But evidence from overseas suggests the odds of being trapped next to a chronic caller are slim. At its monthly open meeting Thursday, the US Federal Communications Commission will discuss whether to issue a proposal for legalizing small cellular base stations on airliners.

Such a plan would be subject to public comment and wouldn’t take effect until well into next year at the earliest.

If enacted, it would end a decades-long ban that has preserved airline cabins as rare cell-free spaces. Yet based on reports from overseas, calls in the cabin might prove to be rare and brief.

Actually allowing voice calls in flight would be up to the airlines, and most US airlines seem unlikely to do so, let alone invest in equipment to carry cellular voice or data.

Most have Wi-Fi for data already. But foreign airlines that already offer cell service elsewhere could probably start allowing calls over US airspace fairly soon if an FCC rule change takes place.

Another potential hurdle to such services arose on Thursday, shortly before the FCC’s meeting. The US Department of Transportation said it would consider its own ban on inflight calls, looking at whether allowing them would be “fair to consumers,” according to a statement by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. If approved, that rule

would mean that any cellular systems the FCC allowed could only be used for data and texting.

How it’s handled overseas Pulling out a cellphone in the air and dialing up family and friends is already legal in many places outside the US British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Aeroflot, Virgin Atlantic and other airlines offer cellular service, though some, including Lufthansa and Aer Lingus, prohibit voice calls. These in-flight services go through small, specialized cellular base stations installed on planes, which talk to the main cell network via satellites.

The so-called picocells prevent interference with cell towers on the ground, which was the reason for the FCC’s longtime ban.

In-flight cellular services typically are billed as international roaming, which carries a stiff premium. Partly because of cost, even passengers who can make cell calls on planes don’t do it that much, according to an FAA report issued in July 2012.

The agency surveyed aviation authorities in other countries about in-flight cellular in the early days of such services. Based on the few responses it got, airliners weren’t bursting into a cacophony of onesided conversations.

For example, France’s aviation agency said about 2 percent of passengers used their phones for voice calls, while Jordan’s said only about 10 percent of travelers used cellular at all. New Zealand authorities said there were 10 text messages sent for each minute of voice calling, and

NEW YORK: Allowing voice calls in flight would be up to the airlines, and most US airlines seem unlikely to do so, let alone invest in equipment to carry cellular voice or data. Most have Wi-Fi for data already.

Brazil said an average of 0.3 passengers per flight leg made calls. The average length of those calls was 110 seconds.

There is “a huge demand” for cellular service on planes, according to Kevin Rogers, CEO of service provider AeroMobile. But he said 10 percent of passengers connecting up is about average for a flight. And both Rogers and Ian Dawkins, CEO of rival provider OnAir, press the point that voice calling is only a small part of that use.

On an average flight of an AeroMobile-equipped plane, there are five or six phone calls with a typical duration of 90 seconds to two minutes, Rogers said. More than 80 percent of those on the AeroMobile system use only text or data, he said. For OnAir, about 60 percent of

activity is data use, 20 percent is texting and 10 percent is voice.

The cabin crew can turn off the voice capability of OnAir’s system during quiet times, such as when most passengers are sleeping, Dawkins said in an email message.

He claimed there has not been a single complaint about voice calls in the six years that OnAir Mobile has been operating.

Waiting on the FCC Despite such assurances, US airlines have shown little interest in voice calling, citing passengers’ preferences. Even though VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) services such as Skype could run over the in-flight Wi-Fi widely available on US airlines, none currently allow voice calls. — AP

Human factor in IT security totally underestimated DUBAI: About 92% of organizations in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) experienced an internal information security incident last year, some of which led to sensitive data loss, according to the Global Corporate IT Security Risks 2013 survey carried out by the B2B International research agency and Kaspersky Lab. The survey found that the three most common types of internal threats are: vulnerabilities or flaws in existing software, accidental leaks of data due to human error, and the loss or theft of mobile devices.

Most companies around the globe understand the importance of IT security preventive measures and implement them to varying degrees. In order to minimize internal security risks, 45% of the organizations in the GCC surveyed have network structures that, for example, separate mission-critical networks from other networks and 48% use different levels of access privilege to IT systems.

However, many companies admit that existing measures are insufficient and some are increasingly implementing new security solu-

tions which could enforce policies and provide additional protection from data loss. For instance, less than half the companies surveyed use application control, device control or an antimalware agent for mobile devices. Even fewer organizations have implemented a Mobile Device Management solution (32%) or encryption on removable devices (38%).

Another problem is that employees do not always comply with existing corporate security policies, and less than half of companies (41%) have clearly outlined sanctions and disciplinary procedures for when IT security policies are breached. Meanwhile, just under half (59%) of the companies in the GCC polled feel that security policies are valued by the staff.

Kaspersky Lab has tailored a complex security solution Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business, a platform which delivers a broad array of tools and technologies to enable companies to control and protect all endpoint devices. In terms of preventing internal threats it provides strong encryption algorithm to protect sensitive

business information, application control, device control, web control features and mobile device management to enforce IT security policies.

Moreover, the Global Corporate IT Security Risks 2013 survey results demonstrate that small and medium-sized businesses worldwide have an even lower level of security solution implementation than enterprise-sized companies. For the ‘very small business’ segment Kaspersky Lab has just launched a new version of Kaspersky Small Office Security, which is designed specifically for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This Kaspersky Lab solution provides effective protection from all types of Internet threats and helps maintain productivity in the workplace with simple web policies that can control employee access to social networks, online games, or other websites during working hours.

Kaspersky Small Office Security also enables business owners to limit file downloads and block access to various applications, keeping the business safe from malware disguised as a legitimate program.

Engineer Dave Kotfif examines a hand on defense contractor Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Laboratories’ robot in Pennsauken, N.J., Thursday, before beginning work with the humanoid robot made for a robot competition. The 6-foot tall, 300pound robot is one of seventeen humanoid robots that 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. — AP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Panelists during one of the main sessions.

Doha hosts the World Innovation Summit for Health 2013

By Abdellatif Sharaa

W

orld renowned decision makers and policy planners gathered in Doha to participate in the World Innovation Summit for Health 2013. They were all unanimous on the necessity for healthcare to top priority issues all over the world in order to improve the quality of life and get better health services. The summit which was held Tuesday, Dec 10 and Wednesday Dec 11, was opened by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education Science and Community Development.

Optimistic future Most speakers expressed optimism that changes will take place to take healthcare to new levels and improve healthcare systems through technological innovations supported by specialized research and studies to diagnose and treat, and much more importantly prevent diseases. They said that the road should be paved to fur ther enhance the spread of innovation in the health service domain, while at the same time evaluate the importance of successful practices and implement them in real life in order to encourage states to adopt new policies, products and methods to improve health related results for the population.

They said most countries around the world face the same problems, but at various levels, and they particularly pointed out psychology, obesity, responsible care for patients who are dying (palliative care), antimicrobial resistance and road accident injuries.

Innovative solutions In her opening speech, Sheik ha Moza said the conference addresses education, health and scientific research. This is a triad of indivisible elements and its goals cannot be fragmented, while innovation is its heart as a decisive factor in finding solutions to face various challenges, Sheikha Moza highlighted.

She said “it is no secret that innovation in its core is materialized in the way we think, our mechanism in solving problems and the way we set policies and programs in addition to devel-

oping techniques, because innovation is not just searching for better treatment, rather it is in the ways that lead to reducing the need for drugs”. She added reducing the need for drugs comes through instilling a health culture in the population and encouraging them to follow healthy ac tivities.

Sheikha Moza considered the conference as a motivator for innovating suitable solutions to control many health challenges that will make everyone move together towards employing innovation in reaching solutions to achieve new advancements in the progress of healthcare.

Sustainable solutions Meanwhile, Executive Chair of WISH, Qatar Foundation, Director of Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, Professor Lord Darzi, spoke about the conference’s topics and goals, the most notable issues to be discussed and finding innovative and sustainable solutions for them. He said “healthcare faces much more challenges than any other time, and in case we want to be successful in facing them, all nations must find innovative solutions for prevention and present treatments for illness”, adding that “we want to inspire people to implement these ideas around the globe”.

A paper that was published on the second and final day of the conference stated that the publication of new ideas in the field of global spread of innovation in healthcare requires governments and healthcare establishments to adopt a clear vision of what can be achieved, and set new standards of work, but most countries do not follow such procedures.

The paper highlighted the social and behavioral factors that speed up the absorption of advances in the field of healthcare. The paper said countries that were included in the study showed good performance in general in identifying the champions of change involving patients and dealing with doctors’ complaints. The study said that performance of seven out of the eight countries was weak in dropping the old ways of work and adapting innovations to local circumstances, besides finding the space and time for learning.

Change to face agains issues Darzi said “all health services must be changed to face the ageing issue and the increasing burdens of chronic diseases and economic burdens.” He said, “we are in need of innovative solutions for these problems, yet more important is to learn the means to spread them, making it easier to understand and publicize”. Darzi said the study that was sponsored by the Qatar Foundation is a unique opportunity to look at healthcare systems in those countries to successfully innovate to inspire other countries around the world to follow the best means and ideas. He said providing high quality health service at reasonable costs is considered a global challenge that requires finding domestic solutions and carry out gradual improvements while introducing techniques and methodical innovation in work mechanisms.

President of Qatar Foundation Saad AlMuhannadi said, “enhancing innovation in the field of healthcare in Qatar and abroad is an integral part of the foundation’s ambition to become a distinguished international center in the field of medical practice, education and research”. He said the conference provided the 67 participating countries a unique opportunity to exchange information and learn from the success of others.

The conference was rich in its topics and rich in scholars and personalities who

discussed and contributed with enriching information on issues that concern the world’s communities. An issue that was discussed deeply was about innovation that could improve palliative healthcare around the world. The delegates spoke about the a report that was prepared after studying eight different national healthcare systems in order to see how can they be applied in other countries.

Policy and decision makers were urged to make easier for patients to get relief and ways in which innovative use of data could support low cost innovation for palliative care.

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Executive Chair of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College, London and End of Life Forum Chair said: “The impact of poor end-of-life care is as large on the fami-

Recommendations to policy-makers include: l Make care of the dying a priority for all, starting with a national strategy for end-of-life care. l Reduce unnecessary suffering at the end of by improving access to pain and symptom relief. l Improve knowledge and use data to drive innovation through development of research. l Maximize resources, using technology and low-cost innovation to improve access and quality. l Improve skills by developing training.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, Lala Salma of Morocco, Sheikha Moza and Prince Andrew

Fight for cheap drugs shifts from AIDS to new hepatitis pills LONDON: A new battle is looming over access to antiviral medicines in developing countries - this time for treating hepatitis C - more than a decade after a global showdown over the price of AIDS drugs in Africa. Modern pills being launched in western markets could cure the liverdestroying infection in tens of millions of people from China to Congo, or even eradicate the disease entirely.

But that will only happen if the cost falls dramatically.

Drugmakers like Gilead Sciences, whose product Sovaldi won US approval this month with a $1,000 a day price tag, are under mounting pressure to strike deals to avoid a rerun of the disputes that stalled early access to HIV therapy. “Affordability is an urgent and pressing issue,” World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan told Reuters during a visit to London.

“These drugs are very expensive. How can we address this? I hope we can learn from the lesson of HIV and find solutions without confrontations.”

In the 1990s, HIV/AIDS drugs costing more than $10,000 per patient a year were simply out of reach for millions of people in the developing world. Today, thanks to cheap generics from India, the cost for the poor has been slashed to around $100. Like HIV, hepatitis C (HCV) can be spread through blood, often via contaminated needles.

The WHO estimates that 150 million people worldwide are chronically infected, putting them at risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. But whereas the burden of HIV is largely in sub-Saharan Africa, most cases of HCV are in middle-income countries like China, India and Russia, where drug companies are more reluctant to accept rock-bottom prices.

Ensuring access Chan said options for maximizing use of the drugs could include granting licenses to low-cost generic drug manufacturers in India and other countries, as has happened with HIV drugs and also Roche’s flu pill Tamiflu.

lies as on the person who is dying. Four billion people have no access to pain relief drugs like opioids and morphine, which not only affect the dying but also their loved ones. Nobody wants to watch someone they care for going through so much pain.

This is an unacceptable way to spend the last part of life. The end-of-life-care report aims to tackle head-on the challenges facing end-of-life and palliative care today.

“Appropriate training for health workers and knowledge transfer to the public using the appropriate language is key to transforming end-of-life care for all. The experience of dying can be made that bit easier when medics are trained so they possess the emotional intelligence to have those difficult conversations about death and dying.”

Gregg Alton, Gilead’s head of corporate and medical affairs, said his company was working on plans to help ensure access to Sovaldi in resource-limited countries and aimed to set out details early in 2014.

Other companies developing all-oral treatment regimens for HCV - such as Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co - also recognize they need to tackle the issue. “We are going to be responsible players to make sure that people get access,” said Paul Stoffels, head of pharmaceuticals at J&J. “There is a lot of pressure on us to make this available.”

Like Gilead, J&J is not yet ready to disclose its access plans and Stoffels said in an interview it would take a couple of years before really simple all-tablet regimens suitable for use in poorer nations were widely available.

While Gilead’s Sovaldi has broken new ground as the first pill to treat some HCV patients without injections of interferon, which can cause severe flu-like symptoms, it is still supposed to be given alongside interferon in others.

There is little doubt the new drugs will transform HCV treatment - and prove hugely profitable. In the developed world, they are tipped to become major blockbusters, with consensus sales forecasts for Sovaldi alone standing at $6.8 billion in 2018, according to Thomson Reuters Pharma. Healthcare campaigners expect corporate schemes for poorer countries will focus on price discounts in middle- and lowincome markets - but they argue this as a poor substitute for full generic competition, which could send prices tumbling.

Cheap copies In a bid to force the issue and allow Indian generic manufacturers to make cheap copies of the drug for distribution at home and in some other poor countries, a legal group has filed a motion opposing the patenting of Sovaldi in India.

The New York-based Initiative for Medicines, Access and Knowledge, or I-MAK, which claims the science behind Gilead’s drug is not new, says it is taking the action to push prices down massively from the $84,000 that 12 weeks of treatment will cost in the United States.

“We think it has to be below $500,” said Tahir Amin, the group’s co-founder. “We have seen with HIV that only when you really bring the price down do people really get access.”

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), a campaigning group which provides humanitarian care, has thrown its weight behind the I-MAK patent challenge and Leena Menghaney, MSF campaign manager for India, said a sub-$500 price was a prerequisite for many governments to start considering use of the new drugs.

Looking simply at the cost of production, Andrew Hill, a pharmacologist at the University of Liverpool, thinks such a price target is certainly achievable. In fact, he calculates that large-scale production is possible for just $1 a day - or one thousandth of the Sovaldi price tag.

For a three-drug combination, he estimates a target price of between $100 and $250 for 12 weeks of treatment is realistic, including a margin for profits.

Of course, drug prices take account of more than just the cost of goods. They also reflect the value that medicines can offer society and Gilead argues its price is fair based on the significant benefits it brings. The total cost of the 12-week regimen is also not so different to current treatment, which requires 24 or 48 weeks of interferonbased therapy and is less effective. And Gilead has ploughed an awful lot of money into this new medicine after paying $11 billion in 2012 for Pharmasset, the company that initially developed Sovaldi.

Still, the $1,000-a-day price tag has raised concerns even among some healthcare providers in the United States. “Obviously, drug companies need to make a return on investment,” said Hill. “The question is how much?” —AP

JPMorgan, other employers move to cover costly autism therapies BOSTON: Michael Giangregorio’s son Nicholas was diagnosed as severely autistic when he was 18 months old. Now 12, Nicholas requires nearly round-the-clock care - special schooling as well as speech, occupational and physical therapy - that can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. It’s a formidable expense, but starting in January, Giangregorio’s employer, JPMorgan Chase & Co, will chip in.

The company announced in late November that it would add comprehensive autism coverage for expensive intensive therapies such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to its health plan for 2014. The bank joins about 15 of its Fortune 100 peers, according to the advocacy group Autism Speaks, which expects that number to grow.

As many as one in 50 US school-age children - or about 1 million - have a diagnosis of autism, according to a national survey released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last March. The lifetime costs of treating one person with autism could top $2.3 million, according to 2012 research from the University of Pennsylvania and the London School of Economics.

Given the expense, it is no surprise that insurers have had to be prodded to cover many autism treatments. Thirtyfour states and the District of Columbia now require insurance carriers to extend coverage for ABA and other autism treatments in some or all of their individual and smallgroup policies. But states don’t regulate the self-funded policies offered by JPMorgan and other large employers, under which about one-quarter of Americans are covered.

That is changing rapidly. An accelerating number of major companies have been extending their health plans to include autism coverage. Companies announcing this year they will add at least partial benefits include General Motors Co, United Technologies Corp, Chrysler Group and American Express Co. “Adding this type of benefit has been the biggest request we’ve heard from employees in recent years, and the outpouring of gratitude has been overwhelming,” says Bernadette Ulissi Branosky, JPMorgan’s head of benefits.

Even with the required co-insurance, Branosky estimates, most employees who qualify will pay less than $4,000 annually, compared with amounts that run as high as 20 times that. —Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Royale Hayat Hospital celebrates 7th anniversary Seven years of outstanding medical services KUWAIT: More than 400 guests attended Royale Hayat Hospital’s celebration on December 5, 2013 at Missoni Hotel to mark Royale Hayat Hospital’s 7 years of dedicated, and personalized luxurious medical care to the Kuwaiti society.

Royale Hayat Hospital chairman, deputy CEO, board members, doctors, staff, administration, nurses, and the many other dedicated team members were welcomed in a classical themed ceremony and dinner.

Recognizing the hospital’s achievements, Royale Hayat Chairman and board members presented awards to

staff members with outstanding performance, dedication and commitment. “These awards are for meeting and exceeding the highest standards and supporting Royale Hayat since the beginning of its journey. I thank you all at Royale Hayat Hospital for making it happen; your contribution paved the way to reach our current status. However, now we have more responsibilities as the market expects more from us and we jointly must exceed the expectations”, said Pradeep K Handa, Chairman, Royale Hayat Hospital.

Dr Bader Alzaid Al-Traiji, Deputy

CEO congratulated everyone on this special occasion and said, “as we celebrate the 7th anniversary of this iconic institution, we honor the diversity of our team that made every milestone possible, and we reflect on our significant achievements at Royale Hayat Hospital; among those, winning the best hospital in Kuwait Award three years in a row, and having the first General Surgery and Bariatric: Center of Bariatric in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Kuwait and the Middle East, and the only CAP accredited hospital laboratory among Kuwait hospitals.”

Avoid raw milk due to infection risks NEW YORK: Pregnant women, babies and kids should not drink raw or unpasteurized milk, a group of pediatricians said yesterday. Because of infection risks, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases and Committee on Nutrition also said sales of unpasteurized milk, cheese and related products should be banned in the US. Pasteurizing kills bacteria that can be present in raw milk. It involves heating the milk to at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 15 seconds and then rapidly cooling it.

“It’s kind of like riding in a car with seatbelts,” Kathryn Boor said. “If you’ve got the opportunity for a safety barrier, which would be pasteurization, why wouldn’t you use it?”

Boor studies food safety at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where she is also the dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She was not involved in the new report.

At least 97 percent of dairy products consumed in the US are pasteurized, the committees wrote in Pediatrics, the journal of the AAP. The US Food and Drug Administration prohibits shipping raw milk for human consumption across state lines, but its sale is still legal in many states.

Raw milk can carry bacteria such as E coli and Salmonella from sick animals or contact with manure, for instance.

Still, some groups promote raw milk based on studies suggesting it is tied to a lower risk of allergies and asthma. Boor said those studies looked at children who also spend a lot of time outside and working on farms - kids who are probably dif-

ferent in many ways from those who drink pasteurized milk and live in the suburbs.

“While those studies are really tempting to link (raw milk and fewer allergies), I think that the picture is considerably more complicated than that,” she told Reuters Health.

Claims that raw milk has nutrients that are killed by pasteurization also haven’t been supported, researchers said. When it comes to raw milk, Boor said, “We can quantify the risks. We cannot quantify the benefits. And the benefits at this point are vague and not really substantiated scientifically.”

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 148 disease outbreaks tied to raw milk or raw milk products were reported in 1998 through 2011. Those caused 284 hospitalizations and two deaths. “Contamination during milking or storage or milking from cows

that may be diseased, exposes the consumer to severe and life-threatening illnesses such as miscarriage and still births in pregnant women, meningitis and blood infections in both young infants and pregnant women,” Dr Jatinder Bhatia told Reuters Health in an email.

Bhatia, from Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, is one of the lead authors of the AAP statement. In addition to babies and pregnant women, raw milk poses a health risk for people with compromised immune systems and the elderly, he said. “The evidence overwhelmingly establishes the benefits of pasteurization on safety without proven adverse effects of pasteurization,” Bhatia said. The International Dairy Foods Association, a trade group, says on its website that “All milk intended for direct consumption should be pasteurized - it’s a matter of food safety.” —Reuters

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Greetings

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ishing Charvita a belated Happy Birthday.

You mean so much to us and we just want to say that you are the best thing that ever happened to us. Our love and kisses to our wonderful Charvita. Have fun! Best wishes from dad Santa Ram Naidu Polineni, mom Lata, brothers Hemanth, Rupesh, Nani and sister Vathsalya.

British educator admires Jaber Al-Ali’s student-teacher spirit

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By Hassan Abdul Bari

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ithin their tours in various intermediate and secondary schools at Mubarak Al-Kabeer educational area in quest for schools qualified to be part of a project to include students with learning difficulties in normal public ones, educationalist Alan Hunter and Omar AlSayyed, a researcher at Kuwait Center for Child Evaluation and Teaching (CCET ), recently visited Jaber Al-Ali Secondary school for boys where they were escorted

by English teacher Hassan A Bari and eleventh graders Abdul Aziz Essam and Mortadha Ali.

The visitors spent the whole school day going around various classes, departments, music, art and PE classes to evaluate the learning environment at the school. They also held special meetings with the administration, HoDs, the student’s council and the school’s social and psychological workers to discuss various educational issues and concerns.

Though the school lacks some facilities such as proper playgrounds and yards for PE activities, Hunter and Sayyed highly appreciated what they described as the ‘good spirit’ between students and their teachers as well as the positive and heartening learning environment.

F

ather, mother and family members celebrated the seventh birthday of Habib Mamdouh Yusry, in a happy atmosphere...

They all wished him a happy and prosperous years to come! nnnnnnn

C

ount your life by smiles, not tears. Count your age by friends, not years. Happy birthday Mde. Thata Teves Paramore.

IMAX film program Effective from December 15, 2013 to April 14, 2014

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he Touristic Entertainment Company (TEC) inaugurated the ‘Winter Swimming Season’ at the Shaab Sea Club and Swimming Pool Complex, which both contain indoor Olympic swimming pools with water heating systems. Competitions and other entertaining activities are organized throughout the season.

Tuesday ** 9:30 am Showtime available for groups Great White Shark 3D 10:30 am, 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm Penguins 3D 11:30 am, 4:30 pm, 9:30 pm To The Arctic 3D 12:30 pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm Animalopolis 2D 3:30 pm Tornado Alley 3D 7:30 pm Wednesday ** 9:30am Showtime available for groups Penguins 3D 10:30 am, 5:30 pm, 8:30 pm Great White Shark 3D 11:30 am, 6:30 pm, 9:30 pm Tornado Alley 3D 12:30 pm, 4:30 pm Journey to Mecca 2:30 pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm Thursday ** 9:30am Showtime available for groups Great White Shark 3D 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 8:30 pm Penguins 3D 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 9:30 pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 12:30 pm, 4:30 pm Tornado Alley 3D 6:30 pm To The Arctic 3D 7:30 pm Friday Fires of Kuwait Great White Shark 3D Tornado Alley 3D Penguins 3D Flight of Butterflies 3D To The Arctic 3D

2:30 pm 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 9:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 8:30 pm

Saturday ** 9:30am Showtime available for groups Tornado Alley 3D 10:30 am, 5:30 pm Flight of Butterflies 3D 11:30 am, 7:30 pm Great White Shark 3D 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm Journey to Mecca 1:30 pm Penguins 3D 2:30 pm, 9:30 pm To The Arctic 3D 4:30 pm

•

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he Najla Al-Naqqi Forum welcomed a university student delegation from Taiwan which is on a cultural visit to Kuwait in coordination with Kuwait University. The delegation was accompanied by Cultural and Artistic Activities Department Director at the KU Mohammad Shadadah. Their visit to Kuwait is the first as part of a Middle East tour.

• • •

Notes All films are in Arabic, except “Fires of Kuwait 2D” and “Animalopolis 2D” “Fires of Kuwait” is in English. Arabic headsets are available upon request.

For English, headsets are available upon request.

Film schedule is subject to changes without notice.

W H AT ’ S O N

GUST launches student-run English Club

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

Embassy Information 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. nnnnnnn

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he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) students launched the first English Club under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr Piers Smith from the English Department. The Club organized an eventful day at the center of the university campus with the help of sponsors: White Tent, Wonderful, Solo, and The Bagel Bar. The launch ceremony began with an encouraging statement from Dr Sabah Qaddoumi and an opening speech by the Club President Afnan Al Msaileem and was attended by US

Embassy representative Grace Choi.

Students and staff participated in a variety of events throughout the day such as the Spelling Bee where student Taiba Al-Mansour claimed first place and Halah AlMutawa second. There were various literature-related games outside in the fountain area where prizes such as goldfish and pet turtles were given to participants.

The English Club’s mission is to help students cultivate ideas, develop strong organizational skills, heighten their creativity and assist in understanding directions

for writing assignments including essays, letters of intent for graduate programs and improving writing ability in general. The club members strive to be available to help students articulate, clarify and shape their ideas and provide services to help ensure their educational experiences are both rewarding and fulfilling.

GUST wishes the English Club all the best with their future projects and are proud to have such dedication from their students.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, AlMutawakei 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 AlSalem 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

EMBASSY OF INDIA India and Kuwait have enjoyed historically close, warm and friendly ties. The visit of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak 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:

AUK celebrates academic achievements of top students

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he American University of Kuwait (AUK) held its semi-annual President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s Honor List ceremony in recognition of the top academic achievers for Spring 2013 Semester. The ceremony was held in the AUK Auditorium, where fellow students, parents, AUK faculty members and staff, as well as members of the AUK Board Trustees attended the ceremony to support the students being recognized. AUK Interim President Nizar Hamzeh and the colleges’ interim deans were present to honor the students and celebrate their achievements.

The ceremony commenced with opening remarks from Dr Hamzeh, in which he expressed his pride in the students and welcomed the guests to join him in celebrating their academic achievements. A total of 24 students were awarded a place on the President’s Honor Roll, a high distinction exclusively awarded to those who maintained a 4.0 GPA for the term, by Interim President Hamzeh. Meanwhile 108 students were recognized for achieving the Dean’s Honor List, a distinction awarded by the College Deans to students who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.7. Dr Rawda Awwad, Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences; and Dr John Russel, Interim Dean of the College of Business & Economics presented the awards to the recipients.

Please apply Indian visa online at www.bls-international.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 Al-Jaber 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. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF US The US Embassy in Kuwait has new procedures for obtaining appointments and picking up passports after visa issuance.

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 +965-22271673).

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.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 00:20 Beautiful People 00:50 Blackadder II 01:20 Eastenders 01:50 Doctors 02:20 David Copperfield 03:10 Famous, Rich And Jobless 04:00 Blackadder II 04:30 My Family: Christmas 2004 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 My Family: Christmas 2004 08:00 Blackadder II 08:30 The Weakest Link 09:15 Eastenders 09:45 Doctors 10:15 Hustle 11:05 Return To Cranford 11:55 My Family: Christmas 2004 12:25 The Weakest Link 13:10 Blackadder II 13:40 Eastenders 14:10 Doctors 14:40 Hustle 15:30 David Copperfield 16:25 The Weakest Link 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 Hustle 19:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 19:30 Beautiful People 20:00 David Copperfield 20:50 The Royle Family: Joe’s Crackers 21:50 Paradox 22:45 Absolutely Fabulous 23:15 Beautiful People

00:00 Cash In The Attic 00:45 Homes Under The Hammer 01:40 Come Dine With Me 02:30 Masterchef: The Professionals 03:15 Design Star 04:00 Eating With The Enemy 04:50 Cash In The Attic 05:35 New Scandinavian Cooking 06:05 Bargain Hunt 06:50 Design Star 07:35 Chef At Home 08:00 Bargain Hunt 08:45 Homes Under The Hammer 09:35 New Scandinavian Cooking 10:00 The Little Paris Kitchen 10:25 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking: Xmas 2011 11:15 Come Dine With Me 12:05 Masterchef: The Professionals 12:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 14:15 Antiques Roadshow 15:05 Holmes On Homes 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 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:05 05:30

Man, Cheetah, Wild Bush Pilots Battleground: Rhino Wars Mythbusters Border Security Storage Hunters Flip Men How Do They Do It? How It’s Made

06:00 American Guns 07:00 Mythbusters 07:50 Flying Wild Alaska 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 09:30 Border Security 09:55 Storage Hunters 10:20 Flip Men 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:10 How It’s Made 11:35 Man, Cheetah, Wild 12:25 Bush Pilots 13:15 Ultimate Survival 14:05 Border Security 14:30 Storage Hunters 14:55 Flip Men 15:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 17:00 Ultimate Survival 17:50 Dirty Jobs 18:40 Mythbusters Specials 19:30 American Guns 20:20 Storage Hunters 20:45 Flip Men 21:10 How Do They Do It? 21:35 How It’s Made 22:00 Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls 22:50 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 23:40 River Monsters

15:00 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

Wolfblood Gravity Falls Jessie Violetta Bolt 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

00:40 Stuck With Hackett 01:30 Stunt Junkies 02:00 Gadget Show - World Tour 02:25 Tech Toys 360 02:50 Mighty Ships 03:45 Mighty Planes 04:35 Smash Lab 05:25 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 06:15 Gadget Show - World Tour 06:40 Tech Toys 360 07:05 Mega Builders 08:00 Future Firepower 08:50 Brave New World 09:40 Gadget Show - World Tour 10:05 Tech Toys 360 10:30 Nextworld 11:25 Mega Builders 12:20 Smash Lab 13:10 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 14:00 Mighty Planes 14:50 Stunt Junkies 15:20 Gadget Show - World Tour 15:45 Tech Toys 360 16:10 Mighty Ships 17:00 Nextworld 17:55 Mega Builders 18:45 Smash Lab 19:35 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 20:30 Rocket City Rednecks 21:20 Junkyard Wars 22:10 The Gadget Show 22:35 Tech Toys 360 23:00 Rocket City Rednecks 23:50 Junkyard Wars

00:15 Charly’s Cake Angels 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:30 Heat Seekers 01:55 Meat & Potatoes 02:20 Outrageous Food 02:45 Siba’s Table 03:10 Siba’s Table 03:35 Charly’s Cake Angels 04:00 Charly’s Cake Angels 04:25 Food Wars 04:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:15 United Tastes Of America 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 07:10 Food Network Challenge 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 Winning Holiday Cookies 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 - Back To Basics 15:05 Guy’s Big Bite 15:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:20 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 16:45 Chopped 17:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:00 Winning Holiday Cookies 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 Winning Holiday Cookies 22:10 Iron Chef America Special 23:00 Reza’s African Kitchen 23:25 Reza’s African Kitchen 23:50 Food Network Challenge

00:00 00:45 01:30 02:15 03:00 03:45 04:30 05:15 06:00 06:45 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 11:05 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35

00:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 01:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 01:30 South Park 02:00 Louie 02:30 Brickleberry 03:00 How I Met Your Mother 03:30 Go On 04:00 The Simpsons 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 1600 Penn 06:00 Last Man Standing 06:30 Friends 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 The Simpsons 08:30 1600 Penn 09:00 How I Met Your Mother 09:30 Two And A Half Men 10:30 Friends 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Last Man Standing 12:30 The Simpsons 13:00 1600 Penn 13:30 Friends

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Gravity Falls My Babysitter’s A Vampire Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Hercules Jessie 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

00:00 Airport 24/7: Miami 00:30 Airport 24/7: Miami 01:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 02:00 Insane Coaster Wars 02:30 Insane Experience - RideIculous 03:00 Wild Carpathia 04:00 Hotel Impossible 05:00 Rock My RV With Bret Michaels 05:30 Rock My RV With Bret Michaels 06:00 Airport 24/7: Miami 06:30 Airport 24/7: Miami 07:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 Descending 10:00 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 International House Hunters International House Hunters International House Hunters International House Hunters Hotel Impossible Trip Flip Trip Flip The Food Truck The Food Truck Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters International House Hunters Reza’s African Kitchen Reza’s African Kitchen Bizarre Foods America

‘American Hustle’ cons way to year’s biggest limited release debut

D

CLEAR HISTORY ON OSN MOVIES HD 14:00 Go On 14:30 Two And A Half Men 15:30 The Daily Show Global Edition 16:00 The Colbert Report Global Edition 16:30 Last Man Standing 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:30 Melissa & Joey 19:00 The Crazy Ones 19:30 The Mindy Project 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 The New Normal

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 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Burn Notice The Blacklist The Newsroom Rescue Me Revenge Bunheads Burn Notice Drop Dead Diva Criminal Minds Revenge Bunheads The Blacklist Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Criminal Minds Burn Notice Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Criminal Minds Bunheads Grey’s Anatomy Homeland Hemlock Grove 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 The Big I Am 02:00 Fertile Ground 04:00 Sultanes Del Sur 06:00 Soldiers Of Fortune 08:00 Metal Shifters 09:45 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt 11:30 The Fog 13:30 The Avengers 16:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt 17:45 The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift 19:45 The Avengers 22:15 Underworld: Awakening

SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD

10:30 11:00 Rides 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

00:00 Fertile Ground-18 02:00 Sultanes Del Sur-PG15 04:00 Soldiers Of Fortune-PG15 06:00 Metal Shifters-PG15 07:45 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt-PG15 09:30 The Fog-PG15 11:30 The Avengers-PG15 14:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt-PG15 15:45 The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift-PG15 17:45 The Avengers-PG15 20:15 Underworld: Awakening-18

00:00 Mental-PG15 02:00 The Dukes Of Hazzard-PG15 04:00 The First Wives Club-PG 06:00 Snowmen-PG 08:00 Falling Star-PG15 10:00 The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom-PG 12:00 The First Wives Club-PG 14:00 A Thousand Words-PG15 16:00 The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom-PG 18:00 Beware The Gonzo-PG15 20:00 Calendar Girls-PG15 22:00 Rushmore-PG15

00:45 03:45 05:15 06:45 09:00 12:00 14:15 15:45 17:15 19:00 21:00 23:00

Quiet Flows The Don-PG15 Ring Of Deceit-PG15 Tricks Of A Woman-PG15 Catch Me If You Can-PG15 Quiet Flows The Don-PG15 World Trade Center-PG15 Virtual Lies-PG15 Playdate-PG15 Shadow Dancer-PG15 Summer Coda-PG15 Limitless-PG15 Passion-18

01:15 In The Land Of Blood And Honey-R 03:30 Murder On The Home FrontPG15 05:45 Dreaming Of Joseph LeesPG15 07:15 Kathmandu Lullaby-PG15 09:00 Snow Flower And The Secret Fan-PG15 10:45 The Flowers Of War-PG15 13:15 A Woman-PG15 15:00 The Trial-PG15 16:45 The Flowers Of War-PG15 19:15 The Forger-PG15 21:00 Cosmopolis-PG15 23:00 Broken-PG15

01:00 Dark Touch-PG15 03:00 We Bought A Zoo-PG 05:15 Christmas Comes Home To Canaan-PG15 07:00 My Own Love Song-PG15 09:00 Like Crazy-PG15 11:00 Good Day For It-PG15 13:00 Dating Coach-PG15 15:00 Flicka 3-FAM 17:00 Like Crazy-PG15 18:45 Anna Karenina-PG15 21:00 Clear History-PG15 23:00 Paranormal Activity 4-18

01:00 Quest For A Heart 02:45 Emperor’s Secret 04:30 Super Buddies 06:00 The Ugly Duckling And Me 08:00 Moomins And The Comet Chase 10:00 Gnomeo & Juliet 11:30 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 13:00 Quest For A Heart 14:30 Blue Elephant 2 16:15 The Adventures Of Don Quixote 18:00 Gnomeo & Juliet 20:00 Daddy Day Camp 21:45 Blue Elephant 2 23:30 The Adventures Of Don Quixote

00:00 Rage Of The Yeti-PG15 02:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 04:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green-PG

06:00 The Wild Girl-PG15 08:00 Hit List-PG15 10:00 The Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption-PG15 12:00 The Big Year-PG 14:00 Burden Of Evil-PG15 16:00 Hit List-PG15 18:00 You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger-PG15 20:00 Violet & Daisy-18 22:00 Ted-18

00:00 HSBC Sevens World Highlights 00:30 PGA Tour Highlights 01:30 PGA European Highlights 02:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:00 Live Cricket Ashes 11:00 HSBC Sevens World Highlights 11:30 PGA Tour Highlights 12:30 PGA European Highlights 13:30 Futbol Mundial 14:00 PDC World Championships 21:00 Futbol Mundial 21:30 ICC Cricket 360 22:00 Live PDC Championship

avid O Russell’s Oscar frontrunner “American Hustle” rolled out with $690,000 from six theaters for a $115,000 per-theater average, the year’s biggest limited box-office debut. The comedydrama set against the backdrop of the 1970s Abscam corruption scandal was riding a ton of momentum, after capturing seven nominations at this week’s Golden Globes, including best picture. “American Hustle,” from Columbia Pictures and Annapurna Pictures, is set to go nationwide into around 2,500 theaters on Wednesday.

“We’re set up to be a contender and we’re very much looking forward to this ride,” Sony’s distribution chief Rory Bruer told TheWrap Sunday, “and we think it’s going be a long one.” Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” which stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in the story of the making of “Mary Poppins,” opened in 15 major-market theaters to $421,000, a roughly $28,000 per-screen average. Also in the best picture conversation, “Mr Banks” goes nationwide on Wednesday, too.

So does the Ethan an Joel Coen’s “Inside Llewyn Davis,” which brought in $344,000 after CBS Films expanded it from four to 15 locations for a per-screen average of $22,931. Also planning to expand next weekend is the Weinstein Company’s “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.” It was in four theaters this week and brought in $31,809 for a $7,953 per-location average.

Series Tour

Series Tour Darts

Darts

03:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 03:30 PGA Tour Highlights 04:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 05:30 Trans World Sports 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Darts 12:00 ICC Cricket 360 12:30 Rugby Union 14:30 NHL 16:30 HSBC Sevens World Series 17:00 PGA Tour Highlights 18:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 19:00 Champions Tour 20:00 NFL 22:30 NHL

00:00 World Match Racing Tour 02:00 Pool Mosconi Cup 06:00 Golfing World 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Amlin Challenge Cup 10:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 10:30 Asian Tour Highlights 11:30 Champions Tour 15:30 Golfing World 16:30 Rugby Union 18:30 Trans World Sport 19:30 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 20:00 ICC Cricket 360 20:30 Asian Tour Highlights 21:30 Golfing World 22:30 Champions Tour 23:30 Futbol Mundial

01:00 NHL 03:00 Ping Pong World 04:00 US Bass Fishing 05:00 F1 H2O World Championship Highlights 05:30 F1 H2O World Championship Highlights 06:00 Mass Participation 07:00 WWE NXT 08:00 WWE Bottom Line 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 Bottom Line 17:00 WWE Experience 18:00 WWE NXT

Fox Searchlight “12 Years a Slave” dropped from 1,072 to 497 theaters and totaled $685,000 for a $1,378 per-screen average. “12 Years” - which also earned seven Golden Globes nominations - raised its domestic total to $36.3 million, making it the year’s highest-grossing English-language platform release.

Paramount Vantage added 137 theaters for Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” this weekend, and the drama starring Bruce Dern and June Squibb brought in $850,000 from 250 theaters for a $3,400 per-screen average.

Focus Features’ Matthew McConaughey-Jared Leto AIDS drama “Dallas Buyers Club” dropped from 734 to 574 theaters and brought in $1,129,592 for a $1,968 average. Its domestic total is $14.2 million. Sony Pictures Classics brought Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine” back into roughly 300 theaters and the comedy-drama starring Cate Blanchett took in $100,904 to raise is domestic total to $32.8 million. — Reuters

Cage aux Folles director Molinaro dies

F

rench film director Edouard Molinaro, who directed the classic comedy “La Cage aux Folles”, has died in Paris aged 85. A spokesman said he had succumbed to lung failure on Saturday while in hospital. French President Francois Hollande hailed Molinaro as “a great, endearing and original filmmaker” who “possessed the talent for attracting a wide audience to quality films”. His greatest box-office hit was a 1978 screen adaptation of the high-farce “La Cage aux Folles,” about a gay couple’s attempt to pass themselves off as straight. The film was remade in 1996 into the popular and Oscar-nominated Hollywood movie “The Birdcage” starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman.

Born in Bordeaux in 1928, Molinaro became wellknown for the precision of his work and for his modesty.

At the start of his career he was bracketed in the “New Wave” of French film-making of the 1950s before veering towards vaudeville and comedies starring the likes of Louis de Funes, Lino Ventura and Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel. Funes starred in another of Molinaro’s hits, “Oscar”, while Brel was the eponymous hero in the 1969 comedy “My Uncle Benjamin”. In recent years Molinaro had concentrated more on made-for-television films and directing episodes of popular French TV series. —AFP

Classifieds TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 CARRIE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL HATOULY RAGEL THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG)

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (12/12/2013 TO 18/12/2013) 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

11:45 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

SHARQIA-3 OLDBOY (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

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

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) 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

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 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

5:45 PM

12:15 AM

6:15 PM

7:15 PM

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)

1:00 PM 4:15 PM

OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

AVENUES-4 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION

12:45 PM 4:00 PM

FOR SALE

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

Pajero jeep model 1996, color red, used by a lady.

Contact: 66152130.

17-12-2013 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)

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)

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: 16019

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 JZR THY JZR KLM QTR PIA DLH THY UAE GFA ETD MSR RJA OMA QTR FDB THY DHX JZR FDB BAW KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB UAE ABY KAC QTR ETD FDB IRA GFA DHX JZR JZR MEA TMA JZR JZR UAE SYR MSR KAC FDB QTR KAC

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 17/12/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 574 MUMBAI 539 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL 267 BEIRUT 411 AMSTERDAM 1084 DOHA 239 SIALKOT 637 DAMMAM 764 SABIHA 853 DUBAI 211 BAHRAIN 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 612 CAIRO 642 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 643 MUSCAT 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 503 LUXOR 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 416 JAKARTA 206 ISLAMABAD 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 362 COLOMBO 53 DUBAI 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 352 COCHIN 1070 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 619 LAR 213 BAHRAIN 870 BAHRAIN 165 DUBAI 143 DAMMAM 404 BEIRUT 213 BEIRUT 141 DAMMAM 561 SOHAG 871 DUBAI 341 LATAKIA 610 CAIRO 514 TEHRAN 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA 546 ALEXANDRIA

Time 00:05 00:10 00:40 00:45 00:40 00:30 00:55 01:05 01:10 02:15 02:35 02:10 02:45 03:10 03:15 03:05 03:45 04:20 05:35 05:40 05:50 05:50 06:40 06:45 06:25 07:40 07:55 08:15 08:45 07:50 08:40 09:00 08:10 09:10 09:20 09:40 10:05 10:40 11:15 11:30 11:40 11:55 12:10 12:30 12:55 12:50 13:40 13:00 13:45 13:50 13:55 14:05

SVA KNE GFA JZR JZR QTR UAE KAC JZR ETD RJA SVA ABY GFA KAC JZR FDB KAC QTR KAC UAL JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC OMA KAC GFA FDB AXB FDB ABY DLH JAI MSR IRA UAE ETD MEA ALK GFA QTR FDB JAI AIC JZR KLM JZR UAL SYR JZR

500 472 221 329 325 1072 857 562 327 303 640 510 127 215 284 777 63 678 1080 786 982 177 542 742 104 774 618 674 647 166 217 61 393 61 129 634 572 618 605 859 307 402 229 219 1074 59 576 981 135 415 239 981 1451 185

JEDDAH JEDDAH BAHRAIN NAJAF NAJAF DOHA DUBAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA NAJAF ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN DHAKA JEDDAH DUBAI MUSCAT DOHA JEDDAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES DUBAI CAIRO DAMMAM LONDON RIYADH DOHA DUBAI MUSCAT PARIS BAHRAIN DUBAI KOZHIKODE DUBAI SHARJAH FRANKFURT MUMBAI ALEXANDRIA ISFAHAN DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL BEIRUT COLOMBO BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI COCHIN CHENNAI BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA BAHRAIN DAMASCUS DUBAI

14:30 14:35 15:00 16:00 16:05 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:45 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:45 17:55 18:45 18:55 18:40 18:45 18:00 18:20 18:05 18:20 19:35 19:30 19:00 19:25 19:55 19:10 19:30 20:05 20:15 20:05 20:20 20:55 20:10 20:05 20:25 21:40 21:35 21:20 21:10 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:05 22:05 22:20 23:10 23:35 23:20

Airlines AIC TAR AXB ETH JAI KLM BBC DLH PIA THY UAE ETD OMA MSR QTR FDB KAC QTR JZR FDB JZR THY RJA GFA KAC THY RAB JZR FDB BAW JZR KAC ABY KAC UAE ETD QTR FDB IRA KAC GFA KAC KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR MEA DHX KAC JZR JZR

Departure Flights on Tuesday 17/12/2013 Flt Route Time 976 GOA 00:05 327 DUBAI 0:15 490 MANGALORE 00:15 3718 ADDIS ABABA 01:00 573 MUMBAI 01:10 411 AMSTERDAM 01:45 44 DHAKA 01:45 637 FRANKFURT 02:10 240 SIALKOT 02:20 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 02:55 854 DUBAI 03:50 306 ABU DHABI 04:00 644 MUSCAT 04:05 613 CAIRO 04:10 1085 DOHA 04:15 68 DUBAI 05:00 283 DHAKA 05:15 1077 DOHA 05:15 560 SOHAG 06:20 70 DUBAI 06:30 164 DUBAI 06:55 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 07:05 643 AMMAN 07:05 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 545 ALEXANDRIA 07:15 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 07:30 303 BAGRAM 08:00 142 DAMMAM 08:30 54 DUBAI 08:30 156 LONDON 08:45 140 DAMMAM 09:20 513 TEHRAN 09:25 126 SHARJAH 09:40 101 LONDON 09:50 856 DUBAI 09:55 302 ABU DHABI 10:05 1071 DOHA 10:10 56 DUBAI 10:20 618 LAR 10:55 561 AMMAN 11:25 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 541 CAIRO 11:30 165 ROME 11:50 677 MUSCAT 12:20 776 JEDDAH 12:25 324 AL NAJAF 12:40 328 AL NAJAF 12:45 405 BEIRUT 12:55 521 BAGRAM 13:00 785 JEDDAH 13:00 326 AL NAJAF 13:30 176 DUBAI 13:45

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

TMA MSR UAE FDB SYR QTR KAC KAC KAC KNE SVA GFA KAC JZR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR JZR JZR UAL FDB QTR GFA FDB FDB OMA KAC ABY MSR KAC JAI AXB IRA KAC DHX ALK MEA ETD GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC KLM QTR JAI JZR KAC

223 611 872 58 342 1079 673 741 617 473 501 222 773 238 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 266 134 982 64 1081 218 62 62 648 361 120 607 351 571 3942 604 343 171 230 403 308 220 301 60 860 205 415 1075 575 528 411

AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL CAIRO DUBAI DUBAI LATAKIA DOHA DUBAI DAMMAM DOHA JEDDAH JEDDAH BAHRAIN RIYADH AMMAN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI DUBAI MUSCAT COLOMBO SHARJAH LUXOR KOCHI MUMBAI KOZHIKODE ISFAHAN CHENNAI BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD DAMMAM DOHA ABU DHABI ASYUT BANGKOK

13:45 14:00 14:15 14:30 14:40 14:55 15:05 15:20 15:30 15:30 15:45 15:45 16:05 16:55 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:50 19:10 19:15 19:25 19:40 20:15 20:45 20:45 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:10 21:15 21:20 21:30 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:15 23:25 23:55

34

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

s ta rs CROSSWORD 401

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES You are most persuasive and can be quite charismatic in speech and your approach to things. You may find yourself lecturing or guiding others. You are a natural for self-expression. You enjoy guest appearances, or writing professionally or just simply a sales job—however, whatever you do, you go all the way. If you are in sales, you will soon find yourself in the competition for the best salesperson this year. An import or export business may be of interest—particularly if it allows you more time at home. Exercise is important to you and you may want to grab a friend or loved one and enjoy a bike ride near your home this afternoon. Tonight you may be asked to join a planning committee for the next celebration in your neighborhood.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your ability to take action and get things accomplished is appreciated—as long as you are not too strong in expressing yourself. Working out ways to organize projects and people is liable to become a topic of special interest—and a challenge. You will do well. Your health and work improve and profits are good. You are happy when you can live on a royal scale. However, your generous nature and your love of fine possessions could have you in trouble soon if financial plans are not made. You must put aside funds, building up the amount a little at a time in order to have a sense of security. Before you know it you will have a nice nest egg. Get your tax papers in order for next year. Any opportunity to work on this ahead of time is a good thing.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A room equipped with toilet facilities.

4. Or family Polypodiaceae.

12. A unit of surface area equal to 100 square meters.

15. An (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown.

16. Of or relating to a pastor.

17. A rapid escape (as by criminals).

18. French novelist.

20. Something that happens at a given place and time.

21. A castrated tomcat.

22. A sock knitted or woven with a diamondshaped pattern.

24. A black mineral that is an ore of niobium and tantalum.

26. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

27. (used to introduce a logical conclusion) From that fact or reason or as a result.

30. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

31. A highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series).

35. A parenteral cephalosporin (trade name Rocephin) used for severe infection of the lungs or throat or ears or urinary tract.

38. Spicy sauce of tomatoes and onions and chili peppers to accompany Mexican foods.

42. A cookout at the seashore where clams and fish and other foods are cooked--usually on heated stones covered with seaweed.

44. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

45. Largest crested screamer.

47. Edible tuber of any of several yams.

48. The syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization.

49. A woman of refinement.

50. (Babylonian) Any of a group of powerful earth spirits or genii.

52. Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained.

55. A workplace for the conduct of scientific research.

57. The highest point of something.

58. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

61. In the Arabian Nights a hero who tells of the fantastic adventures he had in his voyages.

65. The month following July and preceding September.

66. Affect with wonder.

70. United States physiologist (born in Germany) who did research on parthenogenesis (1859-1924).

71. The probability of a specified outcome.

74. (Islam) The man who leads prayers in a mosque.

75. Absent without permission.

76. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling).

79. The use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images.

80. Something causes misery or death.

81. A lack of vitality.

82. Many times at short intervals.

DOWN 1. A Bantu language spoken in southern Zaire.

2. (old-fashioned) At or from or to a great distance.

3. A Russian river.

4. A translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color.

5. A cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment).

6. A radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons.

7. Goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment.

8. The month following October and preceding December.

9. Drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged.

10. A mountain peak in central Washington.

11. Of or being the lowest female voice.

12. (medicine) Chilly.

13. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers and spices.

14. To fix or set securely or deeply.

19. Type genus of the family Zygnemataceae.

23. The wife of a sheik.

25. (botany) Especially of leaves.

28. The cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one.

29. A state in southeastern United States.

32. Ornamental evergreen treelike shrub of United States Pacific coast having large white flowers and red berrylike fruits.

33. Grayish baboon of southern and eastern Africa.

34. The act of using.

36. A mountain in the Andes in Argentina (22,047 feet high).

37. A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element.

39. A basketball shot made with one hand from a position under or beside the basket (and usually banked off the backboard).

40. Limbless scaly elongate reptile.

41. Mix or blend.

43. Large ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens and sweet-pulp seed pods eaten by cattle.

46. A window with glass louvers.

51. The mother-in-law of Ruth whose story is told in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.

53. Rapid and indistinct speech.

54. A master's degree in business.

56. Date used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born.

59. A genus of Ploceidae.

60. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

62. A member of the Siouan people formerly living in Iowa and Minnesota and Missouri.

63. A colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube.

64. Amino acid that is formed in the liver and converted into dopamine in the brain.

67. Projectiles to be fired from a gun.

68. (Middle East) An ornamental metal cupshaped holder for a hot coffee cup.

69. Expel, as of gases and odors.

72. The habitation of wild animals.

73. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan.

77. A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter.

78. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

You are great at coordinating events. Any entertainment group or business that depends on bookings would be at an advantage with you on staff. A business of your own will give you a different type of freedom and this is where you seem the happiest. Organizing projects and people is a high now. If you are not working for yourself, you could consider working for a hotel or a catering group or a theme park, etc.

When organizing a lecture, have more material prepared than you can use in the time required. This will give you some sort of safety net. An elderly person in your life may need more attention than in the past. Remember that there is always enough time for the important things—if it is important, you will find time for it.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Your feelings are much more reflective than expressive just now—but there are places to go, people to see and business over which to be productive. Your superiors praise your work and your keen eye for detail. Be realistic with your ideas for the length of time you think it will take you to finish a project. You and your team are feeling good about the accomplishments of late. You have already accomplished quite a lot and it will not be long before you will be able to enjoy a celebration of completion. The relationship between you and a boss or superior improves. You discover that a personal checking or savings balance is starting to look good due to your efforts to keep the budget under control. Everything in your life is coming together well.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Besting others in the heat of competition and taking on a leadership role means more to you now than in the past—second best just will not cut it with you at this time. You may have been waiting for some time to take on a new job. The only thing standing between you and a new position is a little competition and yet you would be wise to compete with only yourself . . . This is where you find the winner. Make sure the interviewer knows that you do very well at remaining calm under fire. You are mentally strong. This afternoon you need to make an extra effort to hang on to your wallet; you watch the spending spree of a friend and may be tempted to follow along. Why not just offer to help hold the packages you won’t have to spend the energy to make the payments.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Insight into your own inner self or psychology could come to the surface today, and in a form that you can manage. You may find yourself in the mood for penetrating conversations or thoughts. Solving problems or making important decisions should be easy for you today. You will find a way around just about any obstacle that you might come across. You will, however, be in control and be able to guide yourself with ease. Your sense of inner direction is good and may lead to good opportunities. Wanting to expand your horizons and trying to be the very best that you can be, could have you exploring some interesting places. This evening, your attention may be sparked in areas such as politics, education, travel, religion or law.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) There is a good possibility of a career turning point that may require some careful thought and good judgment on your part. The current flow of events may dictate a path that runs against your best talents and abilities. Do not sell yourself short. Hang in there. Appreciating things of value is easy for you now, even the idea of value itself. You may find yourself gaining materialistically at this time, as it is certainly a time when material things have a great deal of importance for you. Your practical side is showing and you could be recognized for your vision of ways to create a better business. Remember to add people to your holiday list that are easily forgotten. This is the season to show your appreciation to the people that bring you comfort: service people.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Going out and about to gather and exchange information becomes a more enlightened part of your life, a very educational experience. Neighbors or family have a big impact on your goals and make a big impression. This is a very socially active period.

Emotional support comes from your good friends, ideals and social interaction now. Your life may be due for some important changes to take place. There is a need to break away from old-fashioned ideas that you may carry from your past, to something totally new, different and unique. Allowing yourself to trek into the future with new concepts and leaving some of the old patterns behind will benefit you in many exciting ways. Dare to be different and allow your aesthetic and perceptive side to emerge.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your conservative mind should put you in a good position to take the responsibility for a special project requiring your talent today. Being with others and working together should be a productive experience. Someone in authority may seek you out for a particular job. Your management ability should serve you well. Your power seems to be in your words and you do rather well today in persuading others to work toward your advantage. There are some monetary rewards marked for you now.

Money matters are a problem for a relative. You provide patience, understanding and the names of several good accountants. You show a great deal of sensitivity, although you know this may be a repeat problem. A loved one may agree with you.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Things are really moving in the direction of helping you to bring out your unique and unusual qualities. You may find that someone close to you understands and is supportive of your eccentricities. Opportunities keep appearing mysteriously to aid in your climb up the corporate ladder. This could all be beneficial in allowing you to come up with new ideas. Everything suggests that you will be taking the initiative. You could feel great support from those around you, or circumstances could dictate your taking action. You have been working very, very hard. Enjoy socializing or plan to socialize as a host or guest this week in some fun gathering. This could be a get-together with people that enjoy the same things you enjoy.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Others may see you as a bit reserved; it should, however, work to your advantage. Someone in authority recognizes your talent. You may want to attend some sort of schooling to fine-tune your craft. What is expressed by others today may be based on fact, but you seem determined to check the facts for yourself. This action may be necessary to your profession but harmful to the psyche of a co-worker, depending on your insight.

Commit to a financial deal with a club, group or organization. Avoid being the one who does all the work by compromising with others. It may be your turn to cook this evening and if so, others will stay around to reap the benefits. If you walk with your sweetheart after the evening meal tonight, there will be rewards.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Gentleness is a very important asset that you present to others. This is almost a gracefulness that is regal. You may not seem disturbed by any difficult events that naturally occur around the office, but you could take a few frustrated feelings home with you. If you notice this happening, slow down, take a deep breath and direct your thinking to a most positive place. This positive place could be a memory of a vacation or the birth of a child. Then let go of the day and create a healing place for you and your family in your home. This is your castle against the slings and arrows of the world, so to speak; create a good place. Others should see you as rather elegant just now, especially in social circles. You are genuinely pleased to share what you know with others.

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Yesterday’s Solution

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Yesterday’s Solution

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra replicas for sale

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ictoria’s Secret is selling a replica of the $10 million Royal Fantasy Bra. The jewel-encrusted brassiere, worn by model Candice Swanepoel at the lingerie retailer’s annual fashion show in October, cost a staggering $10 million but a similar design can now be snapped up by shoppers for a more affordable $295. The skimpy piece designed by jeweller Mouawad featured precious gems such as diamonds, yellow sapphires and a stunning 52-carat ruby that hung from the centre, but the retail version has been simplified and is simply embellished with rhinestones. For women wondering what to wear with the glittery push-up bra, the brand has also created a pair of jewelled knickers to match, at a cost of $58. Shoppers eager to purchase the dazzling creation will have to act quickly as collection only 1,000 replicas have been produced for the limited edition collection. This is the first time Victoria’s Secret has attempted to create an affordable version of their Fantasy Bra. Other creations featured in their famed fashion show include the $2.5 million Floral Fantasy Bra worn by model Alessandra Ambrosio last year and the 18-karat white and yellow gold Fantasy Treasure Bra worn by Miranda Kerr in 2011. The most expensive Fantasy Bra to date was worn by supermodel Gisele Bunchen in 2000. The one-of-a-kind bra featured 300 carats of Thai rubies stitched onto red satin and is listed in the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’.

Emilia Clarke lands Terminator role

’Wren Scott claims her attention to detail makes it difficult to shop. The former model turned fashion designer - who is dating Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger - claims her habit of noticing every single flaw makes her reluctant to purchase items when out shopping. She told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I’m not an easy customer my attention to detail could probably drive you mad.” The 46-year-old star changes her outfits numerous times throughout the day and claims her obsessive behavior stems back to when she was a teenager. She recalled: “It drove my mother crazy. She made this rule that every time I changed I had to hang everything up. It made me incredibly organized and methodical. My eye still always goes toward the single flaw.” L’Wren’s collections are designed from a fashion studio based in London and she says her stringent rules regarding clothes even apply to her staff, whose outfit choices are limited to black and white. She explained: “Everyone who works in my studio knows not to wear color - it’s too distracting when you’re working on a collection.” Meanwhile L’Wren has collaborated with Banana Republic to create a capsule collection of over 50 pieces, which range from sequined party dresses and bejeweled cardigans to tailored jeans.

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haron and Ozzy Osbourne gave up on marriage counseling because it made him angry. ‘The X Factor’ judge briefly split from the Black Sabbath rocker in April this year after he started taking drugs and drinking again but says the strength of their family helped them through after therapy sessions proved futile. Sharon, 61, told the new issue of HELLO! magazine: “It was something we’d never tried before. But actually, it just made Ozzy angry. We gave it a go, but it wasn’t for us. “What we’ve done we’ve done together and with the help of our family.” Ozzy, 65, and Sharon have been married for 30 years and have three children together - Aimee, 30, Kelly, 29, and Jack, 28, but after Ozzy relapsed the couple’s marriage hit a rocky patch. They are now looking ahead to the future and plan to spend their first Christmas for six years at their mansion in Buckinghamshire, South East England. Sharon said she will be “locking the doors and lighting the fires” during the festive season. She said: “But the best thing is, this Christmas Ozzy will be 10 months sober, which is fantastic.”

Mamet wears friends’ design

Roberts felt ‘terrible’ knocking Streep J

ulia Roberts felt “terrible” knocking over Meryl Streep in ‘August: Osage County’ because she left her “battered and bruised”. Julia Roberts felt “terrible” knocking over Meryl Streep in ‘August: Osage County’.

The 46-year-old actress, who plays Streep’s onscreen daughter Barbara in the gritty comedy drama, was forced to push the 64-year-old star- who plays Violet Weston - to the ground in one scene, which she admits left her feeling guilt-ridden. She said: “It was horrible, I felt terrible every time. I was so worried about hurting her and she was such an incredible trouper. We did the scene for like an entire day.

“We’re both bruised up and battered and I was like, ‘Look at this! Oh my God, I’m just beating up Meryl Streep!’ But she never said a word and she is secretly icing her swelling wrist, like nothing happened. She’s asking me, ‘What’s happening to you?’ She’s more concerned about others and she has a lot more endurance than I do. I love her.” The brunette beauty felt “privileged” working opposite the ‘Iron Lady’ star and she couldn’t help but feel admiration while watching her in action.

Speaking to HELLO! magazine, she explained: “Well, she is the best there is. She is really phenomenal and to watch her up close doing her thing - you’re in awe. I, like, everyone asked myself, ‘Where does it come from? How does she think of this stuff?’ “To get to watch that up close and to see her be a real-life person, actually working really hard to be that great, it was a privilege.”

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osia Mamet prefers to wear clothes designed by her friends. The ‘Girls’ actress - famed for playing ditzy Shoshanna on the HBO show - says she is friendly with the fashion designers whose gowns she sports at red carpet events and calls up her pals directly to find the right sartorial choice. Zosia, 25, regularly champions up-and-coming designers, including her friend Rebecca Minkoff, and says she only uses a stylist “every once in a while” as she prefers to create her red carpet look herself. She added to Fashionista.com: “I’m close with a lot of designers that I love to wear, so most of it is me calling them up being like, ‘Hey can we find something?’ That’s my favourite way of doing it. It feels the most fun and the most comfortable that way. I like wearing people I know.”

The young actress was recently named one of TIME magazine’s worst dressed celebrities of 2013, but she admits she dresses more for comfort than style. Quizzed about her approach to red carpet fashion, Zosia said she likes outfits that are “comfortable” and “fun”. The fashion-conscious starlet also insisted her own style couldn’t be more different than her neurotic on-screen alter-ego, Shoshanna, in the hit TV series.

Karl Lagerfeld thinks exercise is boring

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Diaz shares her lessons in a book C

ameron Diaz has shared her “life-changing lessons” in a new wellbeing book. The 41-year-old actress has compiled her best tips for staying fit and healthy in her first selfpenned tome, ‘The Body Book’, which offers readers a holistic, long-term approach to making consistent lifestyle and food choices.

Recalling the poor diet she followed in her youth, she joked: “If you are what you eat, I was a bean burrito with extra cheese and extra sauce, no onions.” In the book, Cameron also stresses the importance of “sweat[ing] a little every day” in order to fend off disease and boost energy levels. Unlike many other celebrities, the sporty ‘Charlie’s Angels’ star believes women should “embrace” hunger and gorge on nutrient-dense food. The book also features advice from Cameron’s celebrity pals, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore. The blonde took to Twitter to share a make-up free selfie of her proudly holding the first copy of ‘The Body Book’ last week. She wrote: “Her excitement was captured in the caption: ‘One of my proudest moments! Receiving the first bound copy of The Body Book!! @thebodybook LADIES!! I wrote this book for YOU and YOUR BODY.. And I’m so excited to share it with you!!

You can pre-order it now.

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ritish actress Emilia Clarke, who plays Khaleesi on HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” is in talks to play Sarah Connor in the new “Terminator” movie from Paramount, Annapurna Pictures and Skydance Productions. Alan Taylor (“Thor: The Dark World”) is directing the reboot of the blockbuster sci-fi franchise, which is scheduled for release on July 1, 2015. Clarke beat out Brie Larson for the coveted role, which reunites her with Taylor, who has directed several episodes of “Game of Thrones.” “Zero Dark Thirty” star Jason Clarke is in talks to play John Connor, who leads the human resistance in their war against the machines. Arnold Schwarzenegger will also return to his signature franchise, albeit in an unspecified capacity. Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor on the big screen, while Lena Headey played the heroine on the short-lived Fox series “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” The filmmakers are also in the midst of casting Kyle Reese, who ultimately fathers John Connor. Reese was played in by Michael Biehn in James Cameron’s original 1984 movie, which spawned three sequels. A new TV series is currently in the works that will be based on the new “Terminator” movie. Annapurna acquired rights to the “Terminator” franchise in May 2011 before Megan Ellison decided to join forces with her brother David Ellison, who has more experience producing action-heavy tentpoles under his Skydance banner. Clarke next stars opposite Jude Law in Richard Shepard’s “Dom Hemingway.”

Willis upset when

Cusack accidentally hit him

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ruce Willis got upset when John Cusack accidentally hit him when they were filming ‘The Prince’ and even screamed in his face. Bruce Willis got upset when John Cusack accidentally hit him when they were filming ‘The Prince’. The 58-year-old actor was so hurt when John caught his mouth with a stray punch during a fight scene that he screamed in his face. A source told the National Enquirer: “Bruce was so angry. He grabbed his mouth as the blood dripped, screamed for a towel, then screamed at Cusack, I’m too old to be getting beat up like this. Why don’t you just follow up the directions they give you, instead of doing whatever you want.’ “John was very apologetic, but because Bruce was so upset, he backed off arguing who’s fault it really was.” Bruce is no stranger to grumpy behaviour as he nears 60, and has given a number of erratic interviews in 2013, where he has appeared despondent and unwilling to talk.

he fashion designer lost 90lbs ten years ago after switching to a strict diet of steamed vegetables and Diet Coke and said he wouldn’t go back. He said: “No cheese, no butter, nothing. But I’m perfectly happy with that. My chefs are great so it tastes beautiful. “People who are obsessed with exercise, they are brainwashed. It’s a bore.

People exercise because they eat a lot. I don’t eat that much so I don’t have a lot to get rid of.” And when it comes to relaxing, Karl doesn’t like to travel, saying it’s a “nightmare”. He added in an interview with British In Style magazine: “It’s not an adventure anymore. Everything is made to the taste of the tourist. “I am not a holiday person. I prepare the collections; I read. I am not on a boat in the sun. It’s my victims [his staff ] who are on holidays, not me.” Karl also revealed he has “no times” for social media, despite owning four iPhones and his cat Choupette having her own iPad.

Ed Helms to star in Naked Gun reboot

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he Hangover’ actor Ed Helms will star in Paramount’s ‘Naked Gun’ reboot, playing the bumbling cop made famous by the late Leslie Nielsen. Ed Helms will star in a reboot of ‘The Naked Gun’ franchise. ‘The Hangover’ trilogy star will take the lead role in Paramount Pictures’ new take on the comedy franchise, playing bumbling police officer Frank Drebin, who was made famous by Leslie Nielsen. The studio has hired ‘Night at the Museum’ writers Thomas Lennon and R. Ben Garant to pen the script for the movie, according to Variety. Helms recently wrapped up his commitments to the ‘Hangover’ films, in which he played a lead role alongside Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper. He also had a role in another summer comedy, ‘We’re the Millers’. The actor most recently filmed ‘Stretch’ with Patrick Wilson and Chris Pine and romantic comedy parody, ‘They Came Together’, which will co-star Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler. ‘The Naked Gun’ series previously spawned three successful movies between 1988 and 1994 and has grossed over $200 million.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LIFESTYLE F E A T U R E S

Amy Adams: Acting with women creates ‘intimacy’ my Adams believes acting with women helps create “intimacy” because it gives off a different vibe to working with men. Amy Adams says acting with women helps create “intimacy”. The 39-year-old actress plays Sydney Prosser in the forthcoming film ‘American Hustle’ and is forced to share an on-screen kiss with Jennifer Lawrence, but she admits she doesn’t mind because working with females creates a different vibe to working with men. She told Britain’s Vanity Fair magazine: “I rarely get to work with other women. I got to act with Jennifer [Lawrence], and I thought, this is the most fun I have had in so long. Not because I don’t like acting with men, but because there’s an energy created when two young women go at each other or are able to create intimacy.” The star is remarkably generous when it comes to recommending other women who she thinks would be better suited to a position she is auditioning for. She explained: “I get excited for people when I know I should be competitive. I’d say in an audition: ‘I don’t think I’m right for this, but you know who you should get? ... I used to do that when I was an unemployed actress.” She mimics herself, adding: “Has Zooey Deschanel come in? Because she’d be fantastic ... Have you met Emily Blunt? Because she is really wonderful.”

Knepper joins ‘The Hunger

Games’: Mockingjay cast

Ian McKellen nottired of Gandalf

ir Ian McKellen insists he isn’t tired of playing Gandalf despite playing the role in six films, including ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogies. Sir Ian McKellen doesn’t tire of playing Gandalf in ‘The Hobbit’ films. ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ actor has played the famous wizard in six films, including the current ‘Hobbit’ series and the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, but he doesn’t think it’s a “chore” to play the character because the franchise is so wonderfully written. He explained: “It sounds like a big responsibility. It hasn’t felt like that. The job has been a wonderful one for me in many, many ways, and it’s gone on for so long.

Normally you play a part and that’s it. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to repeat it. “But it doesn’t feel to me like, ‘Oh, dear, I’ve got to go and do Gandalf again.’ It’s nev-

S obert Knepper has been cast as Antonius in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’, a brand new character thought to be President Snow’s minister. Robert Knepper has been cast in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’. The actor, best known for playing Theodore ‘T-Bag’ Bagwell in popular TV series ‘Prison Break’, is on board to star as evil President Snow’s minister Antonius, according to Deadline.com. The mystery character has been created specifically for the purpose of the films, and doesn’t feature in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling trilogy. When quizzed about the nature of the role, Lionsgate refused to comment, but fans are speculating he could play a role in Peeta’s kidnapping since ‘Heroes’ star Knepper is famed for playing villainous characters. The final ‘Hunger Games’ book is being split into two instalments, both directed by Francis Lawrence, with the first hitting the big screen on November 21, 2014, and the second on November 20, 2015. Knepper joins an all star cast including core actors Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and newcomer Julianne Moore, who will play President Alma Coin. Evan Ross who is the son of legendary singer Diana Ross - has also been cast as an assistant to filmmaker Cressida, who is set to be played by ‘Games of Thrones’ actress Natalie Dormer.

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er felt like that. These stories are so wonderful and the productions and the cast are so varied and entertaining that I love going back to New Zealand where we film. So it’s not been a chore at all.”

McKellen - who also plays Magneto in the ‘X-Men’ franchise often gets recognised for his role as Gandalf and admits it has been a great way to gain younger fans.

He said: “The outcome is very pleasant because I get to meet so many people of all ages who have enjoyed the films, but particularly the young. There are lots kids and early teens and even younger who know the films backwards and they can’t wait for the next one. So Gandalf is always alive and present and there for them. That’s a lovely feature of my life since we started doing them.”‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ is in cinemas now.

Miley to perform at

Selena Gomez

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Acting is my ‘first love’ elena Gomez says acting is her “first love” and is considering scaling back on her music in order to put more effort into her film career, Selena Gomez says acting is her “first love”. The actress-and-singer who enjoyed both musical and movie success in 2013 with hit song ‘Come and Get It’ and hit movie ‘Spring Breakers’ - is determined to be the best actress possible and is considering scaling back on music to put more effort into her film career. She said: “Initially I wanted to quit music, but that probably isn’t ever going to happen. I think I need to do more acting.

I’m not super-confident in it, but acting is my first love. “It’s too easy for me to be in a teeny bopper movie. I like a challenge. ‘Spring Breakers’ is my proudest achievement, for sure, in acting. I’m so proud of my show [‘Wizards of Waverley Place’], too, but the movie was absolutely liberating and it was awesome.” As for her own movie tastes, Selena, 21, admits she loves romantic comedies. Speaking to Teen Vogue magazine, she said: “I love romantic comedies. ‘Pretty Woman’ and ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ ... I’ve always been kind of a hopeless romantic.”

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Beyonce adds 3 extra dates to UK tour 2014

New Year’s Rockin’ Eve iley Cyrus is set to perform in Times Square at ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014’. Miley Cyrus has been added to the ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014’ line-up. The controversial singer is set to show off her twerking skills once again when she takes to the stage to perform at the annual ball drop event in Times Square, New York City this New Year’s Eve. The 21-year-old star alerted her fans to the news on Twitter, writing: “Smilers! There’s been a change in my NYE plans @RyanSeacrest asked me to perform in Times Square for #RockinEve!!”

Miley has pulled out of appearing at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach alongside Pharrell Williams in favour of the iconic New Year’s gig, where she is expected to perform her recent hits including ‘Wrecking Ball’ and ‘We Can’t Stop’ just before the clock strikes 12. She added: “I’m bummed I won’t be in Miami, wanna thank the homies @Fontainebleau 4 their support #turnupforme. [sic]” Ryan - who hosts the annual show - first announced the scandalous star’s involvement on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and revealed he was excited to see what flesh-baring outfit she wears next. Referring to the recent cold weather in New York, Jimmy joked: “If she’s almost naked like she usually is in Times Square on New Year’s Eve she’s going to die.

“She’s going to die on the show. She’s at least going to get frostbite of some kind. “I’m wondering what she’ll wear because all year she’s worn provocative outfits. We’ll see what she’s gonna wear in Times Square, but we’re excited to have her.” Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014, New Year’s Eve, Fontainebleau, Jimmy Kimmel Live.

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Lea Michele writes song for Cory Monteith Lea Michele has revealed the song ‘If You Say So’ - co-written with Sia - on her upcoming album is about her late boyfriend Cory Monteith. Lea Michele has written a song for Cory Monteith. The ‘Glee’ star is set to release her debut album ‘Louder’ in March 2014 and has included a track that she wrote with Australian singer/songwriter Sia in memory of her late boyfriend who died of an accidental heroin and alcohol overdose in July at the age of just 31. Lea has credited Sia for inspiring her to channel her grief into a track. During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the actress revealed: “After everything happened I met with Sia, who’s incredible, and she said, ‘Do you want to write anything about this?’ I think one of the hardest things is the feeling like you’re going to forget everything, so I felt it was important to just take a moment to see what we could come up with. We came up with a beautiful song called ‘If You Say So’ that I wrote about Cory.” Lea, 27, unveiled her first single from ‘Louder ’, mid-tempo track ‘Cannonball’ which was written by Sia, earlier this week. The star believes the song was perfect to be included on the tracklisting for the album as it encompassed her feelings about Cory - who played her on-screen boyfriend Finn Hudson in ‘Glee’ - and her tough experiences over the past year. Lea who plays Rachel Berry in the musical show said: “In that same meeting she [Sia] said to

me, ‘But how are you feeling in this moment right now?’ I explained to her you know how grief really just ... you can get sucked into it.

You can literally lose yourself if you don’t actually die from it, you can lose yourself completely. And I said to her, ‘I need to get out. I need to get out of my house. He would want me to live my life. I have to do this.’ She said, ‘Oh, that’s so crazy because I wrote this song, it’s called ‘Cannonball’ and you just said the lyrics.’ She played it for me, and the minute I heard the song, it lifted me up. It picked me up from everything.” Lea postponed the release of her debut album which she completed in June - following Cory’s death, and is glad her late lover got to hear many of her songs before his passing.

Prince Harry misses

pal’s wedding P

rince Harry is “gutted” he missed his friend’s wedding due to weather conditions which held up with the Walking for the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge 2013. Prince Harry is “gutted” he missed his friend’s wedding. The 29year-old royal was recently on a 200-mile expedition in Antarctica for the Walking for the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge 2013, however because of bad weather which delayed the completion of the journey, he didn’t make it to the big day which he was hoping to attend. A friend of Harry’s told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: “When he started the trek, Harry had told friends he was hoping to attend. “He knew it was a close call, but until the bad weather delays he really thought he might be able to make it back. He’s gutted to miss it.” The groom, Jake Warren - godchild of the late Diana, Princess of Wales - is one of Harry’s closest friends and they attended Ludgrove preparatory school and Eton College together. The wedding which took place in the Wren Chapel at the Royal Hospital Chelsea was also an opportunity for the flame-haired prince to be reunited with his girlfriend of 18 months, Cressida Bonas, after four weeks apart. Other guests at the wedding ceremony included Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend, Dave Clarke. — Bang Showbiz

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eyonce has added three extra dates to her Mrs Carter UK tour 2014 due to high demand in tickets. BeyoncÈ has added three extra dates to her Mrs Carter UK tour. The 32-year-old singer has been forced to add a second gig in Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham next year due to a high demand in tickets. The tour will support her new album ‘BeyoncÈ’, which was released unannounced across the globe last Friday and features collaborations from husband Jay Z, her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, rapper Drake, Justin Timberlake, and her former Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The ‘Halo’ hitmaker recently revealed why she decided to release the album through a non-traditional method with no promotion.

She said last week: “I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it. I am bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans. There’s so much that gets between the music, the artist and the fans. I felt like I didn’t want anybody to give the message when my record is coming out. I just want this to come out when it’s ready and from me to my fans.” BeyoncÈ will kick off her UK tour in Glasgow in February before finishing up in Dublin, Ireland, in March. The full dates for BeyoncÈ’s UK tour 2014 are as follows: Thursday, February 20 - SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow Friday, February 21 - SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow Sunday, February 23 - LG Arena, Birmingham Monday, February 24 - LG Arena, Birmingham Tuesday, February 25 - Phones 4U Arena, Manchester Wednesday, February 26 - Phones 4U Arena, Manchester Friday, February 28 - The O2 Arena, London Saturday, March 1 - The O2 Arena, London Sunday, March 2 - The O2 Arena, London Tuesday, March 4 - The O2 Arena, London Saturday, March 8 - The O2, Dublin Sunday, March 9 - The O2, Dublin Tuesday, March 11 - The O2, Dublin

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

LIFESTYLE F E A T U R E S

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A view of Monaco, which is set on a narrow strip of land bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean on the other. —AP photos

free things to do in

Monaco ust before noon on a brilliant Riviera day, two columns of guards line up smartly in front of the Prince’s Palace, gold braid glinting on their full dress uniforms, vivid blue helmets rivaling the azure sky. A bell tolls as the guards put on what may be the world’s most glamorous shift change, marching and presenting arms with practiced precision as a crowd of tourists standing just feet away Instagram the moment.

The best part? Watching this piece of royal pageantry won’t cost you a sou. Sure, Monaco’s known as the “millionaire’s playground,” and it’s easy to see why, from the multimillion-dollar penthouses and high-roller casinos to the fleets of Bentleys and Ferraris roaming the narrow

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Another must-see is the Monte Carlo Casino. (Monte Carlo is one of 10 districts within Monaco.) Going into the gaming room will cost you 10 euros and, incidentally, you’ll need to be well-dressed and carrying a passport to show you’re not a Monaco resident since they are banned. But it costs nothing to walk around the lobby, with its marble flooring, columns, sculptures and pictures; http://www.montecarlocasinos.com , open from 2 pm daily.

Also free, taking a picture beside one of the posh cars to be found parked outside the

ornate, Belle Epoque building. Check out the sculpture, “Sky Mirror,” facing the casino, a large, circular mirror that reflects the building and nearby CafÈ de Paris.

Stroll Home to about 32,000 people, Monaco is largely urban. But there are a number of parks that provide green oases where you can stop to smell the flowers or rest up on a convenient bench. The St Martin Gardens, just below the Monaco Cathedral, are nice to walk in after you’ve visited that building; 2

Avenue Saint Martin. http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Placesto-visit/Gardens/St-Martin-Gardens . Come here for views of the Mediterranean and check out the statuary, including a largerthan-life rendition of Albert I as a navigator looking out to sea.

Another good place to find respite is the Japanese Garden not far from the Monte Carlo Casino. Inspired by Zen Buddhism, the garden includes a waterfall and stream; Avenue Princesse Grace, open 9 am -sunset, http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Places-tovisit/Gardens/JapaneseGarden2

Pace You’re going to need a rather expensive car, along with a few other requirements, to compete in the Grand Prix de Monaco held in May. But walking the course the rest of the year? That’s not going to cost you a dime.

Stop by the Monaco tourism center, 2a Boulevard des Moulins, to pick up a free map of the route, a circuit of approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers). The route passes the Monte Carlo Casino, the famous hairpin turn in front of the Fairmont, formerly the Loews Hotel Monte-Carlo, and the bottom half of the circuit hugs the coast with views of yacht-studded harbors.

Tourists checking out a larger-than-life statue of Albert I, an oceanographer who served as prince of Monaco from 1889 until his death in 1922. road), the Moyenne Corniche (middle coast road) and the Grande Corniche (great coast road). Fans of the Hitchcock classic “To Catch a Thief” may recognize the Grande Corniche as one of the roads Grace Kelly and Cary Grant drive along.

Tragically, Kelly, who famously married Monaco’s Prince Rainier and became Princess Grace of Monaco, died in a car crash near the Grande Corniche in 1982.

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See This May 13, 2013 photo shows the route for the Grand Prix race in Monaco. streets. But you don’t have to break the bank at Monte Carlo to have fun in Monaco. Here are some things to do that will cost you as much as Monegasques (as the locals are called) pay in income tax. Which is to say, zero.

Drive Monaco is a principality covering less than 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) on the French Riviera, near Nice. (If you’re car-less, you can get here by the No. 100 bus from Nice for under $2.) Set on a narrow strip of land bordered

by France on three sides and the Mediterranean on the other, Monaco can be reached by three scenic roads, the Basse Corniche (low coast

A key stop on your Monaco visit is the Prince’s Palace in Monaco-ville, the old city perched on a rocky promontory known, logically, as Rocher de Monaco or “the Rock.” At 11:55 am each day you can see the changing of the guard on the square in front of the palace; http://www.palais.mc. Line up early if you want a good view; this is popular.

In winter, the guards wear dark uniforms, in summer, white. As you walk into the square, look for the statue of Francesco Grimaldi, who dressed as a monk to lead a surprise raid on the castle in the 13th century.

After you’re done with the guards, follow the signs to the Monaco Cathedral nearby. Here you’ll find the tombs of past members of the ruling Grimaldi family including those of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace (4 rue Colonel Bellando de Castro; free admission outside of religious services 8:30 am-7 pm, 6 pm in winter).

Joyalukkas: The world’s favorite jeweler, ventures into Kolkata

This May 13, 2013 photo shows the sculpture “Sky Mirror,” which faces the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco.

There’s no border checkpoint to pass through when visiting Monaco. But if you want an official memento of your visit, you can get your passport stamped at the tourism office, a short walk from the Monte Carlo casino. A cut above the bland insignias of many countries, the stamp is of the Monaco coat of arms which features two sword-wielding monks in honor of the wily Francesco Grimaldi.

Maybe you’ll go home feeling as cunning as old Francesco. After all, you’ve sampled the gilded streets of Monaco without parting with a copper. — AP

Chemmanur Intenational Jewelers opens renovated showroom in Fahaheel he renovated Chemmanur International Jewelers Fahaheel showroom was inaugurated on 12 December, 2013 by renowned Kuwait play-back singer Fuad AlShati. Officials of the company, including the group director and other department heads, along with the dignitaries and a large crowd of Chemmanur customers were on hand at the re-inauguration ceremony.

As a special offering during the first week, there will be no making charges on 22kt gold ornaments and a 50 percent discount, plus a gold coin gift, will be offered on purchase of diamonds. Among the attendees at the function were sponsor Abu Naif Al-Mai, Group Director Jisso CB, Hisham Hassan, Jijo VL, Shabu Antony, Suresh Babu and Shaikh Badusha.

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Giorgio Armani collaborates with Scorsese and DiCaprio for ‘the wolf of wall street’ n his latest film collaboration, Giorgio Armani’s signature style is featured in Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese’s much-anticipated film, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” about Wall Street stockbroker Jordan Belfort. For the production, Armani worked with acclaimed costume designer Sandy Powell, who has won Academy Awards in costume design for “The Young Victoria,” “The Aviator,” and “Shakespeare in Love,” and has been nominated in the prestigious category ten times. As Wall Street tycoon Belfort, the film’s star Leonardo DiCaprio is featured in Giorgio Armani’s period style, circa 1993.

Armani will also present the Paris premiere of the movie on December 9th and the world premiere in New York on December 17th. The movie opens December 25th in the United States and globally throughout December and January.

Armani said, “The era of power dressing on Wall Street projected tremendous amounts of resolute strength. I remember the period well, when my deconstructed suiting emerged as an emblem of success.

The complex character of Jordan Belfort required a look with the same unmatched nerve and sense of self. It was an honour to collaborate with the revered Sandy Powell and again with my long- time friends, Scorsese and DiCaprio. As a devotee of film, it was a privilege to be in the company of geniuses of cinema like Marty and Leo.” Scorsese said, “Giorgio Armani revolutionized male fashion design - he gave us a new

I ubai based, world’s No1 jeweler, Joyalukkas opened their first showroom in Kolkata on 11 December, 2013. To mark its entry, the world’s favorite jeweler, opened its first showroom on Kolkata’s busy Camac Street.

The inauguration was done by Satchidananda Banerjee, Chairman, The Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Prof Maria Fernandes, Vice Chairperson, West Bengal Minorities Commission; while Susmitha Bhattacharya (Chatterjee), Chairperson, Borough VII, Councilor, Ward 63, lighted the lamp, in the presence of special guest, Joy Alukkas, Chairman & MD, Joy Alukkas Group and several other dignitaries.

The renowned global jewelry retail chain recently announced a grand celebration to commemorate their opening in Kolkata. “We are excited to expand our presence to the great ‘city of joy’. We are a global jeweler that strongly understands and is sensitive to local culture and traditions. The designs and quality of Joyalukkas Jewelry will pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of Kolkata, and we look forward to welcoming the people of Kolkata into our modern and international quality showrooms,” said Joy Alukkas, Chairman & MD, Joyalukkas Group during the launch.

The Joyalukkas Kolkata, showroom follows the signature Joyalukkas large format designs

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and is home to over one million designs across a range of jewelry forms such as gold, diamond, precious stones, polki platinum and pearl jewelry. The showrooms offer the same service excellence that the Joyalukkas name has become renowned for globally, along with best prices, superior quality of finished product and the popular CPT (clear price tag), allowing customers to fully understand the value and details of the jewelry they are purchasing.

Joyalukkas Jewellery ‘s over one million choices features a range of exquisite designs from every nook and corner of the world created by expert award winning craftsmen.

“Joyalukkas is a brand that stands for choice, service, best price, convenience and best practices and I am sure their refreshing international quality in jewelry shopping will win the heart of Kolkata,” commented Bollywood icon Hrithik Roshan the Joyalukkas Brand Ambassador on the opening.

With over 90 stores across 10 countries, Joyalukkas Group is today a multi-billion dollar global conglomerate that has rapidly expanded its footprint all over the globe since its inception 25 years ago. Known for its intricate jewelry designs that attract a multitude of customers across its retail stores in 10 countries, the Group plans to further expand to a 100 jewelry showroom chain by the end the year 2014.

idea of elegance that was, and still is, a perfect fit with the times. Giorgio and I have collaborated together many times over the years, and it was a joy to do so once again, to go back in time to tell a story that authentically showcases the style of the early 90s.”

Sandy Powell said , “The Armani look of the 90s was among the most widely influential menswear styles of that era and we endeavoured to capture that same iconic look through our partnership with Armani and his team. I was thrilled to be allowed access to his archives, which enabled us to capture the true to life spirit of men’s fashion from that decade.”

Armani has been on the forefront of creating wardrobe looks for major motion pic-

tures since he pioneered the movement by dressing Richard Gere in “American Gigolo” in 1980. Since then, hundreds of films have incorporated designs by Giorgio Armani, including “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Untouchables,” “Gattaca,” “Stealing Beauty,” “Shaft,” “The Tuxedo,” “DeLovely,” “Ocean’s Thirteen,” “Fair Game,” “The Social Network,” and “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.”

Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures present “The Wolf Of Wall Street” from director Martin Scorsese and producers Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Riza Aziz, Joey McFarland and Emma Tillinger Koskoff. The film is based on the book by Jordan Belfort, with a screenplay by Terence Winter.

Martin Scorsese, Giorgio Armani and Leonardo DiCaprio

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

lifestyle M U S I C

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M O V I E S

Cameron sees epic in

‘Avatar’ films This April 1945 file photo shows actress Joan Fontaine wearing a gown. — AP

Oscar-winning actress

Joan Fontaine dead at 96 O

scar-winning actress Joan Fontaine, whose film career was marked by a long-running rivalry with her sister, Olivia de Havilland, died on Sunday at age 96 at her home in Carmel, California, Hollywood’s two trade publications reported.

The Hollywood Reporter said Fontaine’s death from natural causes was confirmed by the star’s assistant, Susan Pfeiffer.

Among Fontaine’s most memorable films was the Alfred Hitchcock picture “Suspicion,” co-starring Cary Grant, for which she won an Academy Award in 1942, beating out her older sister in the competition.

The honor gave Fontaine the distinction of being the only performer, actor or actress, ever to win an Academy Award for a starring role in one of Hitchcock’s many movies. De Havilland, who was nominated that year for “Hold Back the Dawn,” went on to win two Oscars of her own for leading roles in the 1946 film “To Each His Own” and the 1949 picture “The Heiress.” Now aged 97, de Havilland resides in Paris. Her Oscar victories established the feuding sisters as the only two siblings ever to both win Academy Awards for acting.

Fontaine also earned Oscar nominations for her star turns in Hitchcock’s 1940 American debut, “Rebecca,” co-starring opposite Laurence Olivier as a young bride haunted by the memory of her husband’s deceased first wife; and the 1943 romantic drama “The Constant Nymph,” falling for a dashing composer played

by Charles Boyer.

Fontaine appeared Some of actress mousy and innoJoan Fontaine’s movies cent in her early movies but later * “Tender Is the Night” (1962) carefully selected * “Voyage to the Bottom of the her roles and went Sea” (1961) on to play worldly, * “A Certain Smile” (1958) sophisticated * “Until They Sail” (1957) women. * “Island in the Sun” (1957) She wrote in * “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” her 1978 autobiography, “No Bed of (1956) Roses,” that her * “Serenade” (1956) sickly condition as * “The Bigamist” (1953) a child actually * “Flight to Tangier” (1953) * “Something to Live For” (1952) helped develop her acting skills. In her * “Born to Be Bad” (1950) sickbed fantasies * “September Affair (1950) pillow dreams, she * “The Emperor Waltz” (1948) * “Letter from an Unknown called them Fontaine created Woman” (1948) “endless scenes of * “Ivy” (1947) romance, passion, * “From This Day Forward” jealousy, rejection, (1946) death. I built and * “The Affairs of Susan” (1945) decorated houses, * “Frenchman’s Creek” (1944) steamships, ball* “Jane Eyre” (1944) rooms. I designed * “The Constant Nymph” (1943) sets and costumes, * “This Above All” (1942) cast roles and * “Suspicion” (1941) played them all myself,” she wrote.

Her childhood marked the beginning of an enduring rivalry with de Havilland as they competed for parental attention.

“I regret that I remember not one act of kindness from her all through my childhood,” Fontaine wrote. De Havilland reportedly saw her younger sister as a sneaky attention-getter, melodramatically playing sick and trying to outdo her. The competition was more fierce in 1942 when both sisters were nominated for Oscars and Fontaine took home the statuette for “Suspicion,” in which she played an English woman who begins to suspect her charming husband of trying to kill her.

“It was a bittersweet moment,” Fontaine later recalled. “I was appalled that I won over my sister.” When De Havilland won her own Oscar for “To Each His Own,” she snubbed Fontaine by ignoring her congratulatory gesture at the ceremony. De Havilland reportedly was upset because Fontaine had made a catty remark about her husband.

Hollywood feud The sisters were said to have stopped speaking altogether in 1975 after their mother died of cancer. Fontaine said de Havilland had not invited her to the memorial service but her sister claimed Fontaine had said she was too busy to attend. “I married first, won the Oscar before Olivia did, and if I die first, she’ll undoubtedly be livid because I beat her to it,” Fontaine was quoted as telling the Hollywood Reporter in 1978, according to the Washington Post. Fontaine was born Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland to British parents in Tokyo on Oct 22, 1917. In Hollywood she took her stepfather’s surname to avoid being confused with the already-established Olivia. Her first movie role was as Joan Crawford’s rival in “No More Ladies” in 1935. It was two years, however, before she returned to the screen in a small role in “Quality Street,” starring Katharine Hepburn. That was followed by roles in “A Damsel in Distress” opposite Fred Astaire and “Gunga Din” with Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Cary Grant. Fontaine was ready to quit movies until a dinner party conversation with producer David O Selznick, who encouraged her to test for Hitchcock’s “Rebecca.” Her role as Olivier’s shy second wife was a touching performance that brought her enormous attention. —Reuters

In this undated file film publicity image originally released by 20th Century Fox, the character Neytiri, voiced by Zoe Saldana, right, and the character Jake, voiced by Sam Worthington are shown in a scene from, ‘Avatar.’ —AP

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ames Cameron says his vision for his three “Avatar” sequels is to create a family epic in the mold of “The Godfather” that will introduce viewers to new cultures and go underwater on his fictional moon Pandora. The director announced yesterday he will be filming the sequels in New Zealand, where he shot the triple Academy Award-winning original. In an interview with The Associated Press, Cameron also talked about life on a New Zealand farm, where he’s growing walnuts and allowing his children to roam.

Cameron, 59, said he plans to release the first sequel in 2016, seven years after the release of “Avatar,” which has become the highest-grossing film in history with a box office take of nearly $2.8 billion. He said a core team has been developing new software for the sequels even while he’s been gone on other projects, including 18 months planning a 7-mile descent to the deepest part of the ocean, which he successfully completed last year.

“It’s going to be a lot of new imagery and a lot of new environments and creatures across Pandora,” he said. “We’re blowing it out all over the place. At first I thought I was going to take it onto other worlds as well, in the same solar system, but it turned out not to be necessary. I mean the Pandora that we have imagined will be a fantasy land that is going to occupy people for decades to come, the way I see it.” Cameron said the films will explore different Na’vi cultures as well the cultures of other Pandora creatures.

Godfather.’” Cameron said the theme of sustainability that runs through the “Avatar” series also extends to his personal life. He and fifth wife Suzy Amis bought a farm about 90 minutes’ drive from Wellington where they spend some of the year with their three children. Cameron said he’s putting in 650 walnut trees.

‘Closing a loop’

Director James Cameron announces yesterday, in Wellington, New Zealand, that he will shoot three sequels to his 2009 sci-fi blockbuster movie ‘Avatar’ in New Zealand. —AP

Underwater scenes “There’s a fair bit of underwater stuff. It’s been inaccurately said that the second film takes place underwater. That’s not true,” he said. “There are underwater scenes and surface-water scenes having to do with indigenous ocean cultures that are distributed across the three films.” He said water is enormously difficult to recreate on a computer, something he’s been talking about with Joe Letteri, the visual effects supervi-

sor at Weta Digital. “I said Joe, you know, there’s a lot of water,” Cameron said. “And he basically said ‘Bring it on. We’re ready.’”

He said the first movie focused on the main character, Jake Sully. “It was very Jakecentric. His story seen through his eyes,” Cameron said. “We spread it around quite a bit more as we go forward. It’s really the story of his family, the family that he creates on Pandora. His extended family. So think of it as a family saga like ‘The

“There’ll also be tree crops, grains, produce, it will be quite a mixed bag,” he said.

“But really, I think of it as an experimental station to look at various sustainable agriculture approaches.” A native of Canada, Cameron said the New Zealand farm feels like “closing a loop” after he spent summers on his grandfather’s farm in southern Ontario. “The kids love it here. They love that combination of freedom and responsibility that you get here because you can run freely,” he said. “There are no predators and snakes and that sort of thing.

We just let them go out with a walkietalkie, and as long as they are back by dinner, we don’t care where they are.” He said he plans to bring his own helicopter from California to help make the commute from the farm to Wellington when he’s working on the movies.

Before then, he said, he’ll be throwing a Christmas party for the community around his farm. He said about 95 people turned up last year but he worries that numbers could be down this year because it’s going to be an all-vegan menu, a lifestyle his family recently adopted. — AP

‘Hobbit’ box office elite with $73.7million

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ndaunted hobbits trumped princess power at the multiplex. Per studio estimates Sunday, Warner Bros. “Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” was No. 1 at the weekend box office with $73.7 million, besting last weekend’s No. 1 film, Disney’s animated fable “Frozen.”

Melting down to the No. 2 position, “Frozen” earned $22.2 in its third weekend, bringing its impressive overall domestic ticket total to nearly $164.4 million. Internationally, the Disney hit gained $31.5 million.

Despite its first place position, “The Desolation of Smaug” fell short of topping its prequel’s debut. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” which opened this same weekend last year, gained $84.6 million. It earned $131.2 million in international sales. “‘Hobbit’ rules this date and Warner Bros. has linked this brand to this time of year very effectively,” said box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak. “We had an excellent weekend,” said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros “Of course, it could have been a little better, but the weather back East was really tough last night and probably took a couple million dollars out of my pocket. But our box office will survive. We are right on target to do very similar numbers to the last ‘Hobbit,’ which grossed a $1 billion worldwide (overall).” Lionsgate’s holiday-themed “Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas” came in third place with $16.2 million.

“All of the Tyler Perry movies have done in that $20 million plus range, but the weather was a factor in some of the performances of these films,” said Dergarabedian. Another Lionsgate film, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” earned $13.2 million for the fourth place slot. To date “Catching Fire” has grossed $739.9 million, surpassing the worldwide box office total for “The Hunger Games,” which brought in $691 million.

This file film image released by Warner Bros Pictures shows a scene from ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. —AP

‘Thor: The Dark World’ to stay on top Disney’s super hero sequel, “Thor: The Dark World,” continues to thrive as it remained in the top five with

$2.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $198.1 million. In its second weekend, Relativity Media’s redemption drama “Out of the Furnace,” starring Christian Bale and Casey Affleck,

The Final domestic figures: 1.”Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” $73.7 million ($131.2 international).

2.”Frozen,” $22.2 million ($31.5 million international).

3.”Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas,” $16 million.

4.”Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” $13.2 million ($19.5 million international).

5.”Thor: The Dark World,” $2.7 million ($1.3 million international).

6.”Out of the Furnace,” $2.3 million.

7.”Delivery Man,” $1.9 million.

8.”Philomena,”“$1.8 million.

9.”The Book Thief,” $1.7 million.

10.”Homefront,” $1.6 million.

Estimated weekend ticket sales Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the US and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak: 1. “Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” $131.2 million.

2. “Frozen,” $31.5 million.

3. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” $19.5 million.

4. “Firestorm, “$15 million.

5. “Gravity,” $8 million.

6. “Way Back Home,” $4.9 million.

7. “No Man’s Land,” $4.5 million.

8. “About Time,” $4.2 million.

9. “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2,” $3.9 million.

10. “Captain Phillips,” $3.2 million. — AP

dropped to the sixth place position with $2.3 million after opening in the third place slot. Disney’s comedy “Delivery Man,” with Vince Vaughn as the lead, dropped in at No. 7 in its fourth weekend at the box office with $1.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $28 million.

The Weinstein Co’s “Philomena,” starring Judi Dench, who received a best-actress Golden Globe Awards nomination for her performance as a nun in search of her son, landed in the No. 8 spot at the weekend box office with $1.8 million. In its sixth weekend at the box office, Fox’s Nazi Germany-set “The Book Thief,” starring Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nelisse, held the ninth position with $1.7 million. Coming in at No. 10 was the Jason Statham and James Franco-starring Open Road crime thriller “Homefront,” which gained $1.6 million in its third weekend. Its total domestic gross is now $18.4 million.

Opening in limited release in just six locations, David O Russell’s con artist tale, “American Hustle,” scored $690,000 over the weekend. This aces the success of his Oscar-winning film “Silver Linings Playbook,” which saw $27,687 during its opening weekend

in December of 2012. “American Hustle,” featuring stellar performances by Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, has been nominated for seven Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Ticket’s sales expectation The overall gross of this weekend’s ticket sales is expected to surpass the $136.5 million gained the same weekend last year. “All films this weekend should estimate $145 million,” said Dergarabedian. With only a few weeks left in the year for moviegoers to populate the multiplex, the wide selection of impressive films fares well for eclipsing 2012’s box office record of $10.8 billion. “We are half a percent above last year,” added Dergarabedian. “And we have a really strong crop of films with some notable titles still yet to open in wide release, like ‘Anchorman 2,’‘American Hustle’ and ‘Saving Mr. Banks,’ among others.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Where available, latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included.

Oscar-winning Joan Fontaine dead at 96

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

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Tributes flood in for ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ star O’Toole ‘

Actors, critics and politicians lined up to tell colorful stories about the Irish icon, who died on Saturday aged 81 after a lifetime of greatness on stage and screen-and drink-fuelled chaos in the wings. His daughter, actress Kate O’Toole, said the family was “overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection” for the star who was nominated for a record eight Oscars but only received an honorary Oscar in 2003.

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This undated photo of Actor Peter O’Toole is from his movie ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. — AP/AFP photos

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ributes and tales of carousing poured in yesterday after the death of legendary actor Peter O’Toole, whose hell raising antics could not outshine his star turn in Oscarwinning epic “Lawrence of Arabia”. Actors, critics and politicians lined up to tell colorful stories about the Irish icon, who died on Saturday aged 81 after a lifetime of greatness on stage and screen-and drink-fuelled chaos in the wings. His daughter, actress Kate O’Toole, said the family was “overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection” for the star who was nominated for a record eight Oscars but only received an honorary Oscar in 2003.

Michael Gambon, the veteran British actor, said his old friend was a “great actor.” “I think it was his early years that were the best really. He was great fun to be with and he’ll be missed badly,” Gambon, known most recently for his role as Professor Dumbledore in most of the Harry Potter movies, told the BBC. Gambon said that when they first met at the National Theatre in London in the early 1960s when O’Toole was playing Hamlet, the pair went to the pub every night and “used to drink an awful lot.” “There won’t be any more like that, will there? I think they’ve all gone now,” he said.

Newspapers were full of stories about O’Toole’s drinking antics, alongside pictures of him either in his blonde blue-eyed prime as Lawrence, or as the elegantly wasted older

“luvvie”. The tales ranged from when he and fellow actor Michael Caine bought a pub in order to get a drink after closing time-the landlord later tore up the cheque-to the time he went for a drink in Paris and woke up in Corsica. News channels showed footage of him riding into a television interview on the back of a camel, grasping the reins in one hand and an ebony cigarette holder in the other. He then proceeded to give the camel a can of lager.

British actor John Standing said O’Toole was “fearless.” “We got up to some rare old tricks together in Dublin, you know. When you find a sort of kindred spirit who is prepared to go to crazy lengths, it’s very cool to be with him,” he told the BBC. Politicians also paid tribute to O’Toole, who was proud of his Irishness even as he grew up in Britain. Irish President Michael D Higgins said was “privileged to know him as a friend since 1969.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron said O’Toole’s performance “in my favourite film, ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’ was stunning.” Hollywood giants were devastated. Director Ron Howard tweeted that O’Toole was “one of his generation’s greatest talents” while actor Alec Baldwin said he was “like Taylor, Brando, Olivier, Joan Crawford, Nicholson.” But it was in the British showbiz world that O’Toole’s loss was most keenly felt. Comedian Stephen Fry called him a “monster, scholar, lover of life, genius.” British film critic and friend Barry Norman said O’Toole “deserved at least a couple of Oscars”.

For one interview O’Toole “came into my TV studio looking bloodshot-eyed and asking ‘has anyone got any drops to put in my eyes’... and nobody had so he had to go on with bloodshot eyes,” he told the BBC. CNN television host Piers Morgan recalled spending “one of the funniest days of my life with him” at a cricket match a few years ago.

The son of an Irish bookmaker, O’Toole was born in 1932 and raised in northern England.

After working briefly as a journalist and a radioman for the Royal Navy he went to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in a class that included future stars Albert Finney, Alan Bates and Richard Harris. After making a name in theatre, his big break in cinema arrived in the form of David Lean’s 1962 desert epic “Lawrence of Arabia,” in which he played British army officer T.E. Lawrence who helped lead an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It earned him the first of eight failed Oscar nominations, with the last coming for his performance in “Venus” in 2006. He was married once, to the actress Sian Philips, and had two sons and a daughter. — AFP

This undated photo shows Actor Peter O’Toole.

In this 1983 file photo, Actor Peter O’Toole is shown from the movie ‘My Favorite Year.’

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This 1965 file photo released by 20th Century Fox shows actor Peter O’Toole in a scene from ‘How to Steal a Million Dollars and Live Happily Ever After.’

Actor Peter O’Toole is shown from his movie ‘Becket.’

In this 1973 file photo, Actor Peter O’Toole is shown from the movie ‘Man of La Mancha.’

In this Aug 30, 1965 file photo, Actor Peter O’Toole poses for a scene from his new film named ‘How to Steal a Million Dollars and Live Happily Ever After’ during shooting in France.

In 1998 file photo, Peter O’Toole is shown from the movie ‘The Last Emperor.’

Cambodia say US auction house to return ancient Khmer statue

In this file picture taken on March 23, 2003 Irish actor Peter O’Toole accepts his Honorary Oscar from actress Meryl Streep during the 75th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.

ambodia announced yesterday that leading auction house Sotheby’s will return a 10th century Khmer statue worth up to $3 million said to have been looted during its civil war. The statue of a warrior will be returned to the kingdom within 90 days under an agreement signed last week

by Sotheby’s, its Belgian client and US authorities, said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. The deal ends a long legal battle in the US where Sotheby’s is headquartered, Sok An told a press conference. “The statue that was looted from Cambodia 41 years ago will be returned to the country,” he said.

“The soul of our ancestors who built the statue will be satisfied,” he said, adding that Cambodia will organize a ceremony to welcome home the statue. The row began in early 2011 shortly before a planned auction in March that year, when Cambodia’s government sent a letter through UNESCO claiming ownership of the work. Sotheby’s stopped the sale. Cambodia claims the sandstone statue, known as the Duryodhana, was looted in the 1970s from a temple in Koh Ker, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of the famed Angkor Wat complex.

US authorities filed a civil complaint in April last year against Sotheby’s, blocking the sale of the item. The statue’s origin is not under dispute. It is one of a pair-the other one is also in the United States, at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California. Experts agree both statues are prime examples of the best of Khmer artthe pair are locked in battle, and depict motion, which is unique among statues from the period-and that they were looted in the 1970s.

The decision follows the return in June of two other Khmer 10th century statues known as the “Kneeling Attendants” which Cambodia says were looted in the 1970s from the Koh Ker temple site. They were on show for 20 years at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the time the country was in the midst of a civil war and looting was rampant. Sok An also urged people who are keeping other illegal ancient artworks to consider returning them to Cambodia. —AFP